Small Crowds but Big Fun at the Outdoor Expo - The Outdoor Wire

This past weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department hosted its Outdoor Expo.

The annual event traditionally draws upwards of 40,000 attendees over the two-day weekend. In 2019, attendance peaked at more than 50,000.

Attendance this year seemed… underwhelming.

The usual first-day crowds that clog the main concourse of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility—where the event is hosted—were reduced to a smattering of families.

The Outdoor Expo spans several acres of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, much of it under tents or covered firing lines. AZG&FD graphic

The lack of attendance could be attributed, at least in part, to Arizona’s early heat, with temperatures reaching into the low 100s much earlier than usual. Following the previous weekend’s 100-plus-degree heat—which sent more than 400 people to seek medical attention during the Luke Days Airshow—AZG&FD shortened Expo hours from the usual 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

The ongoing impact of the economy may also have played a role. With local gas prices nearing $5 per gallon for unleaded and over $6 for diesel, some families may have opted to stay home.

The same might be said for exhibitors. The exhibit space—including the live-fire ranges—appeared less crowded than in previous years.

I wrote about the 2023 Outdoor Expo when the boating and RV industries were well represented. This year, despite their popularity in Arizona, neither segment was present on the Expo grounds.

That’s a shame—and potentially concerning if this isn’t just an anomaly, but the beginning of a trend.

Arizona is a great outdoor recreation state with plenty to offer families. Despite its reputation as a desert, it has a vibrant fishing and boating scene, along with excellent off-roading, camping, hiking—and, of course—hunting.

When it comes to shooting, Ben Avery is one of the finest examples of a state-run facility—one nearly every other state aspires to replicate. And there are many other places to shoot across the Phoenix Valley and beyond.

As the name implies, wildlife management is the core mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and educating Arizonans about the state’s wildlife is a major part of the Expo. Photos: P. Erhardt

The Outdoor Expo is where all of this comes together. AZG&FD employees serve as excellent ambassadors, welcoming newcomers—especially youngsters—and introducing them to the opportunities available across the Grand Canyon State.
In addition to AZG&FD, various conservation groups are present, answering questions and inviting attendees to get involved.

bove, discussions on turkey hunting; below, a representative from the Phoenix Varmint Callers confirms “that coyote is really a crazy clown.” [Editor’s Note: If you’re old enough, you know the reference.] Photos: P. Erhardt

Though the big boat and RV displays were absent, the off-roading community was well represented.

The Arizona State Parks and Trails was on-site promoting its Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) program. The Arizona 4 Wheel Drive Association—the rock-crawling Jeep crowd—was also present, promoting its organization and conducting driving demos.

There were also ATV rental and off-road rescue groups promoting their businesses.

Grouped in the southwest corner were the off-roading exhibitors. Arizonans love their ATVs, UTVs, OHVs, Jeeps, Broncos—anything built to handle rough, rocky terrain. Photos: P. Erhardt

Off-roading is big in Arizona, thanks to U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Arizona State Trust lands offering roughly 40,000 miles of trails.

It’s also big business. There are any number of ATV retailers around the Phoenix Valley ready to sell and service the latest in high-speed desert recreation. But for many, nothing compares to four-wheelers.

Rheal Tetreault of the Arizona 4 Wheel Drive Association (A4WDA) told me that getting into four-wheeling can start at just a few thousand dollars—assuming you already own a Jeep, Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma, or a Ford Bronco you’re willing to upgrade.

But, it definitely goes up from there. “I know somebody who spent as much as $100,000 upgrading a vehicle that he spent $70,000 buying,” he said.

Naturally, the firearms industry had strong presence on and around the firing line.

Above, Phoenix-based Timney Triggers showcased its products. Kimber (middle) drew steady lines for its demo guns, while SureFire and Springfield Armory (bottom) saw similar traffic. Other companies included Leupold, SIG, Scottsdale Gun Club, P.O.F., Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Umarex, and Walther. Photos: P. Erhardt

Arizona is a well-known pro-gun state. It’s also a horse country. After all, this is still the West—and there are still some honest-to-God cowboys here. There are also a number of Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association members, and the Outdoor Expo is when they put on a show.

The horse ring was a popular attraction. Riders put their horses through their paces (above and bottom), shooting balloons with blanks in a display of barrel racing meets Cowboy Action Shooting. Between demonstrations, riders visited with kids (middle), answering questions and letting them get up close with the horses. Photos: P. Erhardt

Last but not least, while the number of food vendors definitely seemed to dwindle this year, there was still plenty to feast upon.

You can’t have an Outdoor Expo without kettle corn (above). Given the heat, snow cones were a must (middle). And of course, fried food—especially funnel cake (bottom)—rounds out the menu. Photos: P. Erhardt

The dates for the 2027 Outdoor Expo have not yet been announced, but when they are—and if you can make it to Phoenix—you might want to make your way to the grounds of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network