RENO, Nev. (January 12, 2023) – The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) hosts its 46th annual Convention and Sporting Expo “The Sheep Show®,” Jan. 12-14 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino.
“Every year we bring the sporting community together to celebrate our outdoor traditions and raise money for the conservation and management of wild sheep,” said WSF President & CEO Gray N. Thornton. “It’s the largest celebration of mountain game hunting and conservation in the U.S., and we are thrilled to be back in Reno Tahoe. This year we’ve expanded the Expo to include three halls filled wall to wall with exhibits featuring the finest guides, outfitters, gear, taxidermy, art, firearms, optics and other outdoor essentials from North America and around the world.”
Having to cancel the in-person operations of The Sheep Show® in 2021 and moving to an all-virtual format and hybrid show in 2022, WSF is anticipating record attendance this year, which marks a committed return to a fully live, in-person event. The Show features more than 350 exhibitors, educational seminars, youth events, drawings, hunt giveaways, raffles, and banquets. Nightly auctions feature a record of more than $3 million in outdoor adventure trips and more special conservation permits than any other convention or hunting expo.
“I’m pleased to welcome The Sheep Show® back to Reno Tahoe and Reno-Sparks Convention Center,” said Reno Tahoe President and CEO Charles Harris. “Wild Sheep Foundation is a partner who represents the history, tradition and sense of pride we feel as Northern Nevadans who work to preserve our communities and our resources for future generations.”
WSF has been a catalyst for efforts leading to a 240% increase in wild North American bighorn sheep populations since their all-time lows in the 1960s, and is expected to direct more than $6 million toward conservation efforts for wild sheep in North America. The Sheep Show® will infuse an estimated $3.9 million into the Northern Nevada economy.
The Sheep Show® is open to the public Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 12-14, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Show hours are 10;00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday. Daily admission is $25. Paid attendees are entered daily for floor credit drawings from $1,000-$5,000. Free seminars from experts on mountain game hunting in North America, Europe, and Asia include topics such as wildlife conservation, travel, outdoor skills, backcountry fitness and nutrition, wild game preparation and cooking, and hunter safety.
The Expo also features a free Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience open to the public at the convention center Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The youth event offers 40 stations of fun, educational activities focused on conservation, outdoor skills and nature. https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/mission-and-programs/youth-programs/ywce
A complete schedule of events, pre-registration, and other details are available at www.wildsheepfoundation.org.
Daily passes are available at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on convention days. Five-dollar discount coupons are available at Sportsman’s Warehouse, Cabela’s, Scheels, Reno HUNTNHOUSE, Mark Fore & Strike (Reno), Bass Pro Shops (Sacramento), Gun World & Archery (Elko) and Honey Lake Firearms (Susanville).
*From left to right: City of Sparks Councilwoman and Reno Tahoe Board Chair Charlene Bybee and WSF President & CEO Gray N. Thornton.