The 26th Northern Wisconsin Deer Classic & Outdoor Expo will be held January 28-30, 2011 in Eau Claire at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Road.

The three-day show features events for hunting and sporting enthusiasts of all ages.  Popular family activities will include an electronic shotgun trapshooting game, trout fishing pond, Laser Shot Shooting Gallery, archery instruction and shooting for kids, and an Archery in the Schools sponsored tournament in the show.  Kids can get a free admission ticket from their school archery program to participate in the tournament.

One of the exciting events at the show is an archery tournament featuring three dimensional life size targets that are hidden from the shooter until they pop up for a few seconds to give the archer a brief opportunity to locate the target, estimate the range, draw and shoot.   There are different classes for men, women and youth in this competition and prizes are awarded for each class.  The top prize is an $800 Canadian bear hunt.  Open shooting is $5.00 for six arrows and $10.00 to shoot for record. 

Seminars are free and offered all three days. Topics will include deer and bear hunting, turkey hunting, food plot development and much more. Featured speakers include Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of the TV show “Archers Choice” on the Outdoor Channel. Other seminar speakers are John LaGrand a national turkey calling champion, Tom Mesnard a professional land manager for wildlife, Bill Wiesner for bear hunting and Rick Koziel, Director of Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek, who will bring many critters to his seminars. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring their Whitetail antlers, shed antlers, or bear skulls to be measured and scored. Trophies and ribbons will be awarded in 33 classes in a ceremony on Sunday beginning at 2 pm. All antlers and skulls must be registered before noon on Sunday. 

Friday night is family night with door prizes for the first 100 families, free admission for children age 12 and under, and discounted adult admission of $9. Saturday and Sunday admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 years, and free for children under five years of age. Hours are 3 – 10 pm on Friday; 9 am – 6 pm on Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday.

For more information on the Northern Wisconsin Deer Classic and Sport Show, including a complete list of seminars, visit www.deer-expo.com