In-between St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, pencil in some time to visit the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from March 14-18, 2012. The show is much more than a fishing and hunting extravaganza and includes exhibitors showcasing sporting equipment and accessories, as well as everything you need to know regarding vacation destinations in North America including wilderness adventures and guided wilderness tours, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, ATV racing, rock-climbing, rafting and camping.
If you’re planning a vacation to Ontario’s provincial parks or a fishing trip with your buddies, you’ll be able to see and purchase the latest rods, reels, lines and lures, as well as speak to representatives from fishing and hunting lodges including Lost Lake Wilderness Lodge in Elk Lake, Ontario, Lake Herridge Lodge in Temagami, Ontario, Cedar Valley Lodge and Kipawa Lodge in Quebec, Plummer’s Arctic Lodges in Winnipeg, Dalton Trail Lodge in the Yukon and Tukto Lodge in the Northwest Territories among others.
Shooting enthusiasts will see the latest equipment and accessories at the Ontario Out of Doors Hunting Hall for both firearm and bow hunters and can learn more about moose, big game, deer and turkey hunting at seminars by hunting experts on the OFAH Hunting Seminar Stage. You can test your drawing and aiming techniques at the Archery Test Drive Centre. Fans of fly-fishing, a sport that is gaining in popularity, will be able to hear speakers discuss topics including basic tactics, fly rods and casting techniques including Scandi casting and close casting.
While at the show, be sure to visit:
- The Toronto Sun Casting Pond where, for a $2 entry fee, you can win cash prizes of $1,000, $100 and $50, as well as gift cards
- The Outdoor Adventure Zone with a mountain-climbing wall and raft ride in the Big Water Adventure Watersport Pool
- The Ontario Tourism Booth #4003 to submit your ballot with vendor stamps to win one of 15 Stay-and-Play prizes
- The Canadian Forces Display where kids under 5′ tall can navigate an obstacle course. All visitors can try on soldiers’ equipment or get their faces painted in camouflage
- The Purina Pro Plan Dog Stars and Big Air Dog Show, which is performed several times a day throughout the show.
A live auction of dirt bikes, watercraft, motorcycles and ATVs will take place on Sat., March 17 at noon; however, you must register online or before the auction onsite as there are only 350 bidders allowed in the auction ring.
The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are Adults $19, ($17 if purchased online), Seniors (60+) $13, Juniors (6-15) $13 and 5 and under Free. Family passes for two adults and two juniors are $45.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West (west of Simcoe Street)
