Salt Lake City, Utah: The Mule Deer Foundation and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife's 2018 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (WHCE) will be a must-attend event for hunters and anglers across the United States. The WHCE, sponsored once again by Ammo & More and ACI, takes up over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space with over 400 exhibiting companies as well as opportunities to win or purchase at auction some of the most coveted big game hunting tags in the West. The 2018 WHCE will be held February 8-11, 2018 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"We keep thinking that the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo can't get any better, but we've added new activities, expanded the size, and increased our vendors once again," said Mule Deer Foundation President/CEO, Miles Moretti. "With keynote speakers including Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, and Bass Pro Founder Johnny Morris, as well as entertainment by Sara Evans and Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, everyone is sure to have a good time. But it is the access to the top outdoor manufacturers, excellent seminars, and opportunities for special hunting permits that establishes Hunt Expo as the best show for sportsmen and women in the West."

In addition to the evening speakers and entertainment, Hunt Expo provides plenty of opportunity for buying the best outdoor recreation gear, learning new hunting techniques, and booking next year's hunts from the numerous guides and outfitters on the floor. This year's Hunt Expo is adding the 2018 Great Salt Lake Waterfowl Calling Championship to the schedule on February 10, which brings new activities for waterfowl hunters. And of course, one of the highlights of Hunt Expo are the 200 tags that will be drawn featuring some of the most coveted and "once-in-a-lifetime" Utah hunts available to resident and non-resident hunters - https://huntexpo.com/permits/.

On the expanded show floor, WHCE attendees will have even better shopping for hunting and outdoor goods and opportunities to book guide services. Some of the largest exhibitors are PhoneSkope, Vista Outdoor, Kryptek, Camofire, Mossback, goHUNT.com and Mountain Ops – but big names like King's Camo, Vortex Optics, Hoyt Archery, Kuiu, Weatherby, Savage Arms, Browning and many others will also be on the floor. Throughout the Expo, there will be seminars by some of the industry's top hunters and outfitters providing tips and techniques to improve your hunting experience. With the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience area dedicated to youth activities and the return of the Total Archery Challenge 3D course and the "Western Nights and City Lights" ladies luncheon, there are also plenty of activities for the entire family.

The evening dinner and auctions help fulfill the conservation mission of both groups through the sale of special hunt tags. Once again governor's tags in several western states, the special tags for Utah's famed Antelope Island and the Henry Mountains, and numerous other special opportunities will be up for auction. This year will be the first time in two decades that a permit to hunt on the Heaton Ranch in the Paunsaugunt unit will be auctioned off.

"As we've demonstrated for the past 12 years, Hunt Expo is a can't miss event for anyone who loves to hunt in the West, or anyone whose dream is to hunt in our wide open spaces," commented Troy Justesen, president of Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife. "We welcome back all who have come to this great show in the past – and for those who have never been, we can promise you it will be the best outdoor show you have ever been to, so make your plans today!"

The schedule of events, online registration, and the details of auctions, tags, seminars are available on the WHCE website at www.huntexpo.com.

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About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management, and conservation policy issues. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-3337.

About SFW
Headquartered in North Salt Lake, Utah, Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife is a charitable, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of SFW is to promote the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, assist in providing quality wildlife management programs, educating the public about the role hunters play in wildlife conservation, and perpetuating the family tradition of hunting and fishing. Visit www.sfw.net or call 801-936-1386.

Contact: Miles Moretti, miles@muledeer.org, (801) 230-2207
Contact: Troy Justesen, troy@sfw.net, (801) 557-3352