It’s Back!
The Popular AZGFD Outdoor Expo Returns
After a two-year hiatus, the free Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo returns April 2 and 3 to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.
“The Outdoor Expo provides families the experience of hands-on outdoor recreational activities like fishing and recreational shooting instructed by department professionals,” said R3 Branch Chief Scott Lavin. “It introduces the public to nonprofit outdoor recreation and conservation organizations that offer family events providing mentoring and social support. It also provides a venue for the public to sample and purchase gear from leading industry manufacturers and retailers for safe and successful outings in the field.”
Hands-On Fun
Although this year’s event will be a bit scaled back with a different layout than Expos of past years, there will still be plenty of hands-on fun for all ages:
- See live wildlife “animal ambassadors”.
- Try out target archery.
- Check out family fishing at an artificial pond.
- Visit with various firearm manufacturers in a safe, controlled environment.
- Purchase wildlife assets (antlers, hides, skulls, head mounts, wildlife artwork) that have been donated, seized in law enforcement investigations, or obtained from animals killed in vehicle collisions.
- Engage with numerous outdoor groups, agencies and commercial vendors.
- Purchase food and beverages from a variety of food vendors.
Note: Join our Conservation Membership program and ensure a wildlife legacy for the future.
Wildlife Assets Auctioned At Expo
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will auction a three-year inventory of wildlife assets at the upcoming 2022 Outdoor Expo at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, just west of Interstate 17 on Carefree Highway.
Antlers, hides, skulls and wildlife mounts, as well as wildlife artwork and taxidermy — all seized during law enforcement investigations, obtained from animals killed in vehicle collisions, or acquired through donations — will be sold April 2-3. Items can be purchased individually, by the pound or through a silent auction (cash or credit card only). Antlers, hides, head mounts and more will be in high demand.
AZGFD will be posting bidding rules and auction procedures on Instagram. Once the Expo gets underway, photos of many of the assets will be posted for the benefit of those wanting to see what items become available throughout each day.
“Because of the pandemic, we’ve not been able to conduct this auction for the past three years due to the cancellation of the Expo,” said Ken Dinquel, wildlife law enforcement coordinator. “To that point, we have three years’ worth of inventory to sell this year — more than we’ve ever had in the past.”
Funds generated from the wildlife assets auction are used to purchase equipment and technology used in the investigation of wildlife crimes and to protect the state’s wildlife resources.
Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3. Admission and parking are free. The title sponsor is Shikar-Safari Club International. Gold sponsors are Sig Sauer, Patriot Ordnance Factory-USA (POF-USA), and Kimber America.
More Information
Information is also located at AZGFD.
Did You Know?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department conserves and protects Arizona’s 800+ wildlife species but receives NO Arizona general fund tax dollars. Contribute to our on-the-ground conservation efforts at AZ Wildlife Hero.
