CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Despite a week long water emergency in Charleston, the 28th annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show is full speed ahead this weekend at the Charleston Civic Center.
“We talked to the Civic Center early in the week and they said as long as we could flush the toilets, we’d be good,” said Glen Jarrell with the West Virginia Trophy Hunters Association. “But then we got bombarded with calls from outfitters up in Canada and all over the United States asking us if it was still on.”
The international exposure of the week long water crises caused some concern, but Jarrell said once vendors were assured the show was still on, everybody was on their way to Charleston.
The annual gathering features a sold out hall with more than 180 vendors from all over the world. This years lineup includes many who return year after year, but more than 30 new vendors are in the show for 2014.
“We do it for the local hunters and fishermen and outdoorsmen of all kinds. We like to give the outfitters the opportunity too,” Jarrell said. “Once our expenses are paid, we give away all of the money to any organization that promotes outdoor activities for youth and to help DNR buy land for public hunting and fishing areas.”
During 2013 the organization, made up of 20 individuals, gave away more than 20,000 dollars for outdoor youth activities and conservation work. The Trophy Hunters have donated more than 500,000 dollars to various causes in the last 15 years.
The show hours are Friday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.