Youth Rally for Opening Day at the WHCE
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Western Hunting and Conservation Expo (WHCE) opened today with hundreds of attendees waiting eagerly for the doors to open at 10:00 a.m. inside the Salt Palace Convention Center. School buses lined the curb, delivering over 250 youth to partake in the opening day festivities, including the MidwayUSA sponsored Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience.
Young and old alike gathered at the main exhibit hall entrance for the Grand Opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. MDF President and CEO Miles Moretti welcomed all to the event. To the hundreds of school children he said, “We’re glad you are all here for this experience and to share in the thrill of all the things we are doing for deer in Utah and across the West for wildlife. You are the future of conservation.”
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife President Byron Bateman added, “You are the future of America’s conservation, of all the wildlife, and all the wild places in this wonderful country of ours. Thank you to everyone who has come out to support us. We’ve got a great show for you this year!”
With that, C.J. Buck of Buck Knives sliced the red ribbon, and the doors roared open for the sixth annual Western Hunting and Conservation Expo.
Interactive programs throughout the exhibit hall were used to introduce the young people to shooting sports and wildlife conservation in a fun and safe environment. Kids received safety and shooting instructions at the Laser Shot shooting simulation booth, Crosman air gun booth and Hoyt archery shooting range. Other activities included wildlife identification and a habitat scavenger hunt with the Utah Division of Wildlife. These fun activities will be available throughout the entire weekend for any and all who wish to participate.
New to the WHCE this year is a silent auction area inside the exhibit hall. There are dozens of great outdoor items that may be snatched up for pennies on the dollar. Another popular area is the taxidermy competition exhibit that will be judged on Saturday. Star-studded banquets and seminars are on deck for tomorrow and throughout the weekend, not to mention the 200+ hunt drawing and opportunities to book hunts or bid on amazing hunt packages and permits.
Don’t miss out! Get your tickets online or at the door and come early to experience this premier wildlife conservation event. Go to www.huntexpo.com.
Contact: Miles Moretti
Tel.: 801-230-2207
E-mail: miles@muledeer.org
(photos available)
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About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has raised millions of dollars and put countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-DEER.
About SFW
Headquartered in North Salt Lake, Utah, Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife is a charitable, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of SFW is to promote the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, assist in providing quality wildlife management programs, educating the public about the role hunters play in wildlife conservation, and perpetuating the family tradition of hunting and fishing. Visit www.sfw.net or call 801-936-1386.
