Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo is all set for Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Admission and parking are free.

There's plenty of hands-on fun for all ages. Check out the huge kids' fishing tanks and take home a free photo. Learn target archery and try other shooting sports in a safe, supervised, controlled environment on the range. Get a feel for specialty shooting disciplines like clay target, cowboy action, practical pistol, black powder, and air gun. See all sorts of live wildlife.

Don't miss the always popular cowboy mounted shooting competition. See OHV and ATV exhibits. Give kayaking a try at the "Lake Paddlemore" kayaking tank. Hike a field course and learn cool camping tips. Learn about boating and how to stay safe on the water. Talk to experts about Arizona's raptors, community fishing, quail hunting, Arizona's reptiles, game calling, optics, wildlife tracking research, and more. Visit with more than 150 exhibitors, including outdoor recreation and conservation groups, shooting clubs, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.

Concessionaires will have food and beverages available for purchase, and many accept only cash. There is a nominal charge for ammunition at some of the target shooting venues.

Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 30. The 2014 Outdoor Expo is easy to get to, located on Carefree Highway, about 1/2 mile west of I-17 in Phoenix.

Gold sponsors of this year's Outdoor Expo are Cabela's, Arizona State Credit Union, and Waste Management. Silver sponsors are Sportsman's Warehouse, Arizona State Parks, Iron City Polaris, Mule Deer Foundation, AWC Silencers, National Rifle Association, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation and the Weatherby Foundation.

For more information, including a video of last year's Expo, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/expo.