CONSERVATION CORNER
Fish And Wildlife Expo Slated For February 25-27
by James L. Cummins

The sixth annual spring Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Expo will be held at the Canton/Madison County Multipurpose Complex in Canton, Mississippi on February 25 - 27. The Complex is located on Soldier's Colony Road and Watford Drive, which is near the Nissan Plant.

For three days anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts can get the latest information and equipment on their favorite outdoor activity. Emphasis will be on fishing, hunting, camping and other spring and summer outdoor activities. The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Expo, hosted by Wildlife Mississippi, is one of the largest of its kind in the state.

Billy Van Devender, President of Wildlife Mississippi, stated "Even though this is only our second year in Canton, it is our sixth spring Expo. We are expecting a crowd of more than 10,000 people to attend for the wide array of outdoor equipment, supplies and services, all at the right prices." Kids can have a great time and the whole family can learn about conservation through the many exhibits. It's a real bargain. Proceeds from the Expo will go to conservation projects throughout Mississippi. Anyone who loves fishing, hunting, camping, wildlife viewing or just being outdoors will find something of interest at the Expo.

The Expo will feature approximately 100 exhibitors selling boats, RVs, hunting gear, tree stands, game calls, boats, fishing supplies, wildlife art and books, outdoor apparel, ladies gifts, game calls, guided trips, kid's toys and much more. Government conservation agencies will be on hand to answer your most difficult questions about conservation. There will be helicopter rides on Saturday and Sunday. The Bungee Jump, which is a trailer equipped with two trampolines, will be at the Expo. The kids put on a harness that is hooked to bungee cords and this allows them to jump as high as 24 feet. They can also turn front and back flips.

Along with the exhibitors and the many hands-on events, the Expo will feature "The Bass Tub," one of the top attractions on the show circuit. "The Bass Tub" is a 42-foot long portable fish tank which holds 5,000 gallons of water. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will stock the tank with native species of fish. During the seminars, spectators will get a "fish's eye view" of how fish react to lures. Various techniques will be demonstrated along with what baits to use while fishing. There will be five seminars at The Bass Tub over the 3-day Expo.

The Education Division of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will be at the Expo with their Laser Shot. It is a simulated hunting program that teaches the shooter when to shoot and when not to shoot according to their surroundings. It is a good educational item that is fun for the whole family.

Show Hours are: February 25, Friday, 3 pm - 9 pm; February 26, Saturday, 10 am - 8 pm; February 27, Sunday, 12 pm - 5 pm. Admission is: Under Six - Free; Six to Twelve - $4.00; Adults - $6.00. Anyone bringing a can good to the Expo for Wildlife Mississippi's "Hunt Against Hunger" program can receive $1.00 off of the admission price (limit one per attendee). All can goods will be donated to needy families in Central Mississippi.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.