Last Updated on January 9, 2017 by cassnetwork
KOKOMO, Ind. — Preparations are under way in Kokomo for the third annual “Wild Indiana Outdoors,” an expo designed to have something to interest just about everyone, whether you have an interest in the great outdoors or not.
The two-day event will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Kokomo Event & Conference Center, 1500 N. Reed Road (Indiana 931). Admission is $5 at the door; children 10 and younger will be admitted for free.
“We are proud to announce this year’s special guest speakers include nationally recognized professional tournament anglers Kevin VanDam and Mike Iaconelli,” said John Martino, one of the organizers. “Both have earned distinction as two of the world’s most well-known, prominent anglers.”
Organizers say this year’s event will be even more special as Wild Indiana will host Bass University, the most comprehensive bass fishing program in the nation. Held only at limited locations throughout the United States, the program will include classroom instruction featuring a dynamic lineup of new pros, fishing superstars and legends of the bass fishing world. In addition to VanDam and Iaconelli, other professional bass anglers scheduled to be in attendance include Mike McClelland, Bryan Thrift, Seth Feider, and Bill Lowan.
Participants can register for the event by going to www.thebassuniversity.com website and following the appropriate links. Six pros will host a total of 12 seminars presenting students with an education on cutting edge fishing techniques, tactics, and tackle.
A hunter education class certified by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will also be offered during this year’s Wild Indiana. The 10-hour class is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 14 and from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 15.
Hunter education certification is mandatory for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986, to purchase a valid Indiana hunting license. The class covers complete firearms safety, hunter ethics, wildlife identification and conservation, tree stand safety, archery and first aid, among other subjects. To sign up for this class, visit the IDNR web page at https://in.gov/dnr/ and click on the hunter and trapper education link on the Hunting and Trapping link.
Renowned raptor expert Mark Loring Booth of Indianapolis, owner of Take Flight!, will bring his much-celebrated birds of prey program on both days. Expert paddler Garry Hill will talk about paddling and fishing the Wildcat Creek and other mid-central Indiana streams and rivers on Jan. 14. Nationally recognized crappie anglers Mike Bledsoe Doug Sikora will also take the stage on Jan.15 and explain their secrets to catching slab-sided crappies.
“Last year nearly 3,000 visitors attended the event to learn more about Hoosier outdoor opportunities ranging from hunting and fishing to biking and RV traveling,” Martino said.
Along with many hunting, fishing and camping specialists, exhibitors will be showing products and services for boating, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, campfire cooking, skydiving and more. Other vendors include people who offer custom-made knives, fabricate fishing rods and artificial lures … “anything related to the outdoors.”
Platinum sponsors for the event include Financial Builders Credit Union, WWKI Cumulus Broadcasting, Erik’s Chevrolet, North Central Outdoor Power, Kokomo Visitor’s Bureau, Community First Bank, Kokomo Auto Museum, B & M Poles, and Sherm’s Marine.
SOURCE: News release from Ivy Tech Community College – Kokomo Region