Kids Zone brings outdoor fun indoors at Arkansas Big Buck Classic

LITTLE ROCK — Thaw out the family Jan. 24-26 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds with some outdoors-based fun at the 35th annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic and the youth-focused THACHA Hunting Gear Kids Zone, hosted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.

The Foundation is bringing back the always popular trout tank, where young anglers can take a shot at catching some hatchery-raised rainbow trout while remaining in the heated comfort of the fairgrounds’ Arts and Crafts Building.

“The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Kids Zone has tons of fun activities for families to enjoy,” Tyler Lawrence, director of events and programming for the AGFF, said. “The trout pond is always a big draw, but once you’re in the building, the kids will find all sorts of things to do. And we’ll be giving away a Natural State Youth Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Permit and a trout mount from Harper’s Pure Country Taxidermy in the Kids Zone to people who register on-site.”

Young archers can try their hand at skewering a ping pong ball held aloft on a column of air at the hoverball shoot. A separate inflatable BB gun range offers young guns a chance to prove their aim. The Bwana Jim Wildlife Show also will be on hand with many exhibit animals and opportunities to learn about the challenges some wildlife species face in the world.

“The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will have some exhibitor space as well,” Lawrence said. “The Private Lands Habitat Division will be available for parents to chat about ways to improve wildlife habitat on their property and the agency’s aquarium will be around to show people some of the fish that swim in the waters of The Natural State.

Of course, the main show, the Big Buck Classic, is all about deer and the hunters who bring in their trophies from this season. Anyone who wants to have their deer’s antlers scored can bring them to the event, and they may just walk away with one of the many prizes for the highest-scoring rack in each division. Categories for archery, crossbow, muzzleloader and modern gun all offer prizes. Special youth and ladies divisions also offer additional prizes for women and children.

In addition to the great exhibits and demonstrations, organizers of the event have secured a few incredible door prizes for attendees, including a $1,000 gift card from Hunters Refuge, a Remington rifle, a $1,000 Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit and $1,000 from Relyance Bank.

Show times are 1-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Visit www.bigbuckclassic.com/ for more information.

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