Smiling faces and a few favorite sights from the NRA Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show

Our three days last weekend at the NRA Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show in Frederick, Maryland were filled with smiling faces. There was plenty to see, plenty to eat and plenty of four legged friends — especially those who begged to be carried.

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NRAblog to interview Colorado outfitter via twitter

The lady on my right shoulder there is Mia Anstine, owner and operator (along with her husband Hank) of Wolf Creek Outfitters in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We've been talking to Mia for a little more than a year — first through twitter until ultimately meeting at the 2011 SHOT Show. In fact, I unwittingly shot a video of her firing an ArmaLite .338 during last year's Media Day.

Unfortunately we've never really had the opportunity to sit down and talk. To find out what makes this woman such a devotee of the great outdoors. So instead of waiting for another chance meeting at some incredibly huge trade show, I decided to schedule an appointment. Later today, at 2pm eastern time, I'll be interviewing the elusive Mrs. Mia via twitter.

That leaves you with two options ... either follow along at our respective twitter handles (@Mia_Anstine for her and @NRAblog for me) or wait for the recap which I'll be posting tomorrow.

Our first real twitterview ... here on NRAblog.

SCI Convention hosts display from National Firearm Museum

Fresh off the heels of the SHOT Show in Vegas and the Great American Hunting & Outdoor show in Frederick, parts and pieces of the National Rifle Association headed back out to Nevada for Safari Club International's 40th Annual Hunters' Convention. Gathering approximately 20,000 attendees will be there as Safari Club International (SCI) celebrates six continents worth of hunting and outdoor adventures.

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NRA crowns Mason Dixon Big Buck Contest winners

The Mason/Dixon Big Buck Contest is open to all show attendees looking to show off their favorite Whitetail or Sika deer mounts. Whether a complete head or simply a set of sheds, the contest is divided into the Current Season (taken in 2011) and Historical (2010 and earlier.) NRA Hunters Service's Monty Embrey and Matt Fleming are overseeing the contest and pleased with the results.

"We have heads both from Maryland and out of state," said Fleming. "As you can see from the crowd, people are really enjoying them."

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NRA's Great American Hunting Show wraps up today at 5

It's the final day of NRA's 3rd Annual Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show in Frederick, Maryland. We've seen friends, families and kids of all ages make their way through the halls of the E-ventplex to witness the overwhelming availability of outdoor fun. And don't think the last day means all the good stuff is gone … there's still plenty of trips to book, goods to buy and people to see. Like what? Here's my top 5 list for the final day:

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More than 50 years of deer hunting knowledge on display at NRA show in Frederick, Maryland

There's a reason they call Larry Weishuhn Mr. Whitetail. It's not because of television shows (on the Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, etc …) or award winning writings (both books and articles) or his induction into the National Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. The name spread because of these accolades, but it's not why they pasted him with that moniker. He's known as Mr. Whitetail because the man understands deer.

I'm a regular neophyte when it comes to hunting whitetail, but I wasn't the only one here at the NRA's Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show who was dazzled by his seminar on hunting. Just like the seasoned hunters who asked the questions, I shook my head as he dispelled myths, revealed facts and laid out the groundwork for a successful hunting season. Here's some of his highlights (paraphrased) from yesterday afternoon:

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When it comes to tracking down black bears, registered Maine Master Guide Frank Perkowsky prefers hunting with dogs and without bait. But instead of putting those practices to use this weekend, he's rounding up clients at the Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show in Frederick, Maryland.

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Maryland entrepreneur Clint Summers finds success in wild game processing

This weekend, the Frederick E-ventplex’s main hall is home to a Mount Airy operation known as Clint’s Cuts. In business for a little more than a year, Clint’s is the place to go for your Frederick County deer processing needs.

“We’re one of two deer processors in the county who work with the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program,” said self-appointed spokesman Natalie Elder. “It creates a lot of traffic and helps the community — it’s pretty exciting.”

The man behind Clint’s (owner/operator Clint Summers) has been in the butchering business for almost twenty years. Going from the offer to opening his doors in a two-week period, it was a feat of fate that pushed the man into opening a shop of his own.

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NRA Hunting Show opens today, January 28th, at 9 am

Yesterday was the opening of NRA's 3rd Annual Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show. New this year at the Frederick Fairgrounds E-ventplex in Maryland, the weekend's docket is filled with plenty of exciting exhibits and seminars on all that surrounds the Hunting & Outdoor arena.

We've included a slideshow at the bottom for a taste of the activity from yesterday. As for the seminars, well, here's who we have on today's agenda:

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