NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show
Each year at the beginning of February, for the last 11 years, the sportsman world has converged on the Pennsylvania state capital, Harrisburg, for what’s billed as the world’s largest outdoor show gathering—the Great American Outdoor Show.
This billing should not be confused with that of SHOT, which is undisputedly the world’s largest outdoor and shooting trade show… but is thus subject to more stringent admission requirements. The NRA show is 100% open to the public all week long. Tickets are $15 for each adult with discounted rates available for seniors and children. If you initiate or renew an NRA membership, admission is free.
The Great American Outdoor Show takes place at Harrisburg’s Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, which hosts a number of other large-scale functions and conventions throughout the year. (This past election season, both of the major-party presidential candidates made appearances here.) The grounds feature more than a million square feet of expo space, including 11 halls and three arenas.
True to its name, the show places particular focus on the consummate sportsman: hunters, fishermen, campers, archers, shooters, and all-around outdoor enthusiasts. One hall is almost entirely dedicated to hunting outfitters, where you can find help booking and equipping your dream hunting or fishing expedition, from the wilds of Alaska to the primordial savannas of Africa.
Two adjacent halls are dedicated to outdoor adventure and camping products; another hall is devoted solely to those who prefer to tackle their quarry old-school with bows and arrows (complete with a live archery range); and one hall is dedicated to fishing and fishing sports (with a room full of boats on display and for sale nearby).
Of particular interest to us, the Farm Complex’s largest venue (the Exposition Hall) is dedicated to guns and the shooting sports. While the lineup of exhibitors and vendors may be not quite as comprehensive as SHOT’s, an admirable sampling of manufacturers turned up to show their wares: Colt, CZ, Heckler & Koch, Mossberg, Ruger, SIG, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Walther, and a handful of others.
A raft of supporting brands also attended, including Amsoil, Ballistol, Barnes/Sierra, GunBroker.com, Liberty Safe, Lucas Oil, Mec-Gar—far too many to list here—and a wide range of independent businesses from all across the country, selling everything from laser-etched polymer magazines to bespoke ear-pro to speed loaders to custom Cerakote services. Ram Trucks, an event title sponsor, Ford Trucks, John Deere, and Polaris were also all on hand to show their freshest motorized offerings in support of the outdoor lifestyle.
Naturally, ammunition is also in abundant supply at the Great American Outdoor Show. We ourselves have used the last three events to top off our own reserves and prepare for the coming year of shooting. Just about anything you want will be found here, from .22 LR to .50 BMG to an entire pallet of 5.56×45 (if you’ve got the funds and the means to move it). And you really can’t beat the prices.
In addition to static displays and the chance to interact with manufacturers and vendors, a wide array of seminars and special events is scheduled throughout the week, covering everything from how to skin and butcher your own venison, to kayak fishing tactics for snaring bass, to dialing in your precision rifle, to a gun raffle, a live trout fishing pond, the Pennsylvania Lumberjack Championships (which take place throughout the week), and the NRA Country Concert on the show’s penultimate day, which this year featured Riley Green.
Next year’s Great American Outdoor Show will open the first full weekend in February, starting on Saturday, February 7, and will run through the following Sunday. If you find yourself anywhere in the Northeast or on the Eastern Seaboard, the trip might be well worth your time.
NRA Great American Outdoor Show
URL: greatamericanoutdoorshow.org
