Big Buck Sportsmen Show Coming To Tilbury
The kid’s trout fishing pond is always a hot spot of the show for the 12 and under crowd… and the adults who help out – Contributed Photo
Held in the Tilbury Arena, the show is where hunters from all over Southwestern Ontario bring deer and moose racks, bear skulls and turkey beards to be measured and scored by F.R.O.W. the Foundation for the Recognition of Ontario Wildlife. As well, more than 50 vendors fill the arena floor selling hunting and fishing equipment and apparel. There is also an indoor archery shoot for kids, and the ever-popular trout fishing pond set up just outside Ryder Hall.
Hunters looking to take their Turkey Hunting License test can also do that at the show, and with the opening of that season the following Saturday, spaces will fill up quickly. The plan right now is to hold three testing sessions throughout the day, so anyone looking to take the test should arrive when the show open at 10 am in order to secure their spot.
“Last year’s test spots filled up early,” said SWOC president Dan Reive. “That’s proved to be a very popular addition to our show.”
With more than 150 members, the SWOC is a group of like-minded individuals who share an interest in the environment, conservation, and outdoor heritage, which includes hunting and fishing.
As well as hosting the annual Big Buck Sportsmen’s show, the club supports a wide array of projects and events such as Youth Outdoor and Safety Education, an annual Kids Fishing Derby and the Big Boyz Fishing Tournament. They also do tree planting, fish stocking, habitat creation and trail building as well as supervised youth hunts and a variety of other outdoor-related activities. Meetings are held every second Tuesday at the Wheatley Legion at 7 pm.
“We have a diverse membership, including several women and families,” Reive said. “Our show reflects that. There’s something there for everyone, and the kids always seem to have a really great time.”
Admission to the show is $5, and kids 12 and under get in free. More than $2,500 worth of door prizes will be given away at hourly draws held throughout the event, which runs from 10 am until 5 pm. There is also a $1,000 cash raffle drawn at 4 pm, as well as a draw for an Excalibur Crossbow package valued at over $1,000. Trophies are also presented to those with the largest entries in each of the categories measured by FROW.
Anyone who wants to have their racks, skulls or beards scored needs to have them registered before 1 pm.
There is also a band playing background music throughout the event, and a cash bar. Food is also available throughout the day at the arena canteen.
“The response to the show’s expansion was so well received last year the kitchen could barely keep up with demand,” Reive said. “They’re ready for it this year though.”
Last year was the SWOC’s first time taking over the whole arena floor for the show, rather than just Ryder Hall. The move allowed for the addition of a wide variety of new vendors, and moving the archery shoot indoors into Ryder Hall. It also gave everyone who attended more space to move around.
“The feedback from the changes we made last year was extremely positive, not just from attendees but with our members too” Reive said. “The club puts a lot of work into organizing this event, and it pays off. People have a good time and we raise the funds needed to support some of the many projects we do.”
Reive said the group is most proud of the extensive work it does with youth, not only teaching them safety and responsible stewardship, but also providing them with fun activities related to the outdoors.
“Our kids fishing derby is really popular, and brings out well over 200 kids each year to the Wheatley Harbour,” Reive said. “The whole day is free, including lunch, soft drinks, all the bait they need, and even fishing poles for those who don’t have them. We also give away a lot of prizes that day. They always have a great time.”
For more information on the April 18th show, you can search SWOC Big Buck Sportsmen’s Show on Facebook.