Family-Friendly Cape Fear Wildlife Expo Showcases Wildlife, Nature, Conservation & Outdoor Recreation

Wilmington, N.C.: From the banks of the storied Cape Fear River to the luminous shores of our island beaches, Wilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and the coastal towns of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach provide an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. On March 16-18, the 4^th annual Cape Fear Wildlife Expo will showcase the state’s natural resources, wildlife, conservation, and outdoor recreation. The three-day event features more than 100 exhibitors with interactive displays, intriguing workshops and educational activities at the Coastline Conference & Event Center and the new riverfront Wilmington Convention Center.

The family-friendly Cape Fear Wildlife Expo—a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event—is committed to encourage youth to enjoy the outdoors through hunting, fishing, and other outdoor-related sports and events. Interactive kid-friendly stations are designed to connect families with nature, test their outdoor skills, and educate about wildlife conservation. Families will enjoy the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission’s Aquatic Trailer (mobile aquarium), Sensory Safari (a 36-foot wildlife exhibit-on-wheels), and Mallard Madness LASER Shot simulated waterfowl hunting station. Back by popular demand are the popular “Kids Gone Wild” academic workshops (ages 10-17; pre-registration required) and creative writing/visual arts contests. The ever-popular “Wild Child Scavenger Hunt” will be offered each day for kids ages 2-10 and 11-17. By solving wildlife riddles, children will learn about wildlife and conserving natural resources. Scavenger hunt gear will be available at the Expo information desk in the Wilmington Convention Center (waterfront entrance).

And that’s not all. The expo also features live animal exhibits, archery ranges, call-maker demonstrations, casting and calling contests (for ducks, swans, geese). New exhibits this year include the The Muzzy 200 Club Monster Buck display, a big buck display featuring more than 3,000 inches of whitetail antler mass on just twelve bucks that were harvested with a bow and arrow by everyday bow hunters. A Huntmaster mobile lift will demonstrate how the N.C. Wildlife Commission helps provide hunting opportunities for sportsmen who are mobility impaired.

This year’s adult workshop series covers topics such as: “Bears of Southeastern N.C.”; “Becoming an Outdoors Woman”; “Managing Longleaf Pines”; “Top Dog: Flounder Fishing”; “Inshore Fishing for Redfish and Trout”; “Kayak Fishing 101;” “Sounds of Wildlife”; Food Plots/Wildlife Habitat”; and “Waterfowl Hunting in North Carolina.” A NC/SC Saltwater Fishing School all-day workshop will be held on Saturday (registration required). All this and more awaits visitors who attend the 2012 Cape Fear Wildlife Expo, an annual event coordinated by the North Carolina State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association (www.qdma.com) in association with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (www.ncwildlife.org).

Want to go? The Cape Fear Wildlife Expo will be held March 16-18 in Wilmington’s historic river district at the Coastline Conference & Event Center (501 Nutt Street) and the Wilmington Convention Center (515 Nutt Street). Expo hours on Friday & Saturday are from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.; Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Admission charge is $10. Senior citizen admission is $7. Children 10 years old and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is available at nearby garages. For details, visit www.capefearwildlifeexpo.com or call 910-795-0292.

Outstanding fishing, boating, and camping opportunities abound in Wilmington, NC’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. To request a free Official Visitors Guide, email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com or call 1-866-266-9690. For seasonal offers, featured experiences and events in Wilmington and the island beaches, visit the following websites: www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com, www.VisitCarolinaBeachNC.com, www.VisitKureBeachNC.com, and www.VisitWrightsvilleBeachNC.com.