The Natchez Democrat

Jackson &8212; The 20th edition of the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza proved once again that there is no limit to the popularity of hunting and fishing in the magnolia state.

Over 200 vendors and several thousand wildlife enthusiasts converged upon the Fairgrounds in Jackson Friday for the first day of the extravaganza.

Prior to the opening of the doors at 3 p.m. there were over 150 people lined up outside, giving testament to the ever growing popularity of what is annually the state&8217;s largest hunting and fishing event.

&8220;Every year it gets bigger and bigger. Just when you think that interest has reached a plateau you have a year like this one when attendance is sure to exceed what we expected,&8221; event executive director Cathy Shropshire said.

One reason the event is so popular with attendees is because of the number of attractions at the event geared toward families.

&8220;We are definitely trying to push that aspect of the event,&8221; Shropshire said.

Among the attractions gaining the most attention with kids were the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks&8217; Hunter Safety Laser Shoot booth, which gave kids the opportunity to try their hand at marksmanship using laser pointing guns connected to a computer displaying a variety of targets on two separate jumbo screens.

&8220;We are here to promote hunter safety and outdoor shooting activities among young people,&8221; MDWFP representative Calvin Fulton said. &8220;You never know whose interest you might spark with something like this and it certainly has been popular with a lot of young people here today.&8221;

Ducks Unlimited drew the interest of the young and old with its youth and adult regional and state adult duck calling contest. All kids who participated in the event received a free duck call.

Bruce Wilson and David Hall of the Wildlife Outreach Foundation also drew a number of kids to their booth with a pair of birds of prey.

Several wide-eyed children looked on in astonishment as the two gave their presentation on falconry.

&8220;We want kids to understand why wildlife conservation is so important,&8221; Hall said.

Luck for the children of Natchez, the pair will be in town next weekend at the outdoor exposition being held Saturday and Sunday at the Natchez Convention Center.

Other booths that drew a lot of interest, although not so much with the kids, were Paul Meeks&8217; unique assortment of custom turkey calls, Joe Mac Hudspeth&8217;s wildlife photography booth, and the Summit Tree Stands booth.

The event will wind down today at 4 p.m. with the final announcements.

If you have the opportunity to make it up to Jackson, the event promises to be worth the trip.

&8220;We&8217;re very excited about the event. It&8217;s just a good show with good folks,&8221; Shropshire said.