Salt Lake City, Utah: The 2020 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (Hunt Expo), presented by the Mule Deer Foundation and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, will open its doors next Thursday February 13 offering the avid hunter and outdoors enthusiast plenty to do and see. Hunt Expo runs from February 13 to 16, 2020 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City and offers sportsmen and women the opportunity to get the latest gear, book the hunt of a lifetime, or apply for special hunting tags only available at Expo. This year there is over 600,000 square feet of exhibit space on the Expo floor and there is something for everyone in the entire family. To get excited about the show, you can listen to MDF President/CEO Miles Moretti and Hunt Expo Master of Ceremonies Rob Keck preview Hunt Expo on the most recent episode of MDF’s Talking Mule Deer Podcast.
“The 2020 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo is one of the top shows in the West and we know this year’s show is going to break records for attendance as well as money raised for conservation,” commented Mule Deer Foundation president/CEO, Miles Moretti. “With my recent announcement of my pending retirement, this will be the last Hunt Expo that I have the pleasure of leading and I know this will be the biggest and best one yet.”
The real heart and soul of the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo are the evening events and the amazing auctions that raise millions of dollars for western wildlife conservation efforts. Little Texas will provide the entertainment during the Welcome Back dinner on Thursday night. On Friday, author and former Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Jack Carr will be the speaker, and the evening will feature a number of Conservation Awards along with the fast-paced auction. The Saturday night banquet, sponsored by PhoneSkope, will feature keynote speaker Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, followed by the evening auction and then music by platinum-selling country music star, Chris Janson.
A highlight of Hunt Expo is the 200 limited entry, once-in-a-lifetime hunting tags available to all sportsmen by public drawing for just a $5 per hunt unit application fee. Interested individuals can apply online in advance, then validate the application in person at Hunt Expo – or simply apply at Hunt Expo. These special tags will be drawn just two weeks after the show and the only place to apply is at Hunt Expo. Resident or non-resident hunters simply have to have a valid hunting or combination license in the state of Utah to apply for these permits. Due to construction on the southeast corner of the Salt Palace, the tag applications will be upstairs in room 250 this year, so make sure you look for them in the new location! In addition, the evening auctions will feature governor’s tags in several western states, the mule deer tag for Utah’s famed Antelope Island, Arizona’s statewide mule deer license, and numerous other exceptional items and opportunities. Buyers who are unable to attend the banquets in person can sign up for online bidding through the Hunt Expo website or smartphone app.
Bring the entire family to Hunt Expo – the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience provides plenty of hands on activities for the kids and the Friday afternoon Ladies Luncheon theme is The Fabulous 50’s. On Saturday, check out some of the best youth archers in the state in the Utah State Tournament of the National Archery in the Schools Program and the Great Salt Lake Waterfowl Calling Contest on Friday and Saturday will be filling the halls with the sounds of ducks and geese.
“Hunt Expo has a little something for everyone making it a top sportsmen’s show for people to come to Utah and find their next hunting adventure,” said Troy Justensen, president of Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife. “If you haven’t yet made your plans to attend the 2020 show, there’s still time to make your travel plans and book your hotel. We look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake City!”
The schedule of events, online registration, and the details of auctions, tags, and seminars are available on the WHCE website at www.huntexpo.com.
About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and conserving 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 men, women and 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.
