More than 50 booths had exhibits at the event, which was sponsored by the Temple Daily Telegram. Central Texas Power Sports, Top Gun Taxidermy and Fairway Golf Carts were among the businesses set up to give visitors information about available outdoor activities.
One of the most popular displays, especially among children, was the 260-square-foot rattlesnake pit. Shawn Jonas and Robert Ackerman walked around inside the pit surrounded by more then 100 rattlesnakes. Jonas and Ackerman are co-owners of A&J Snake Handlers in Taylor and frequently hold demonstrations on handling situations with rattlesnakes.
Two types of rattlesnakes were on display: the Western Diamondback and the Prairie Rattler. Sizes ranged from as small as 12 inches to more than 5 feet long. Several rattlesnakes were curled up around Jonas’ feet as he held a smaller one in his hand, delighting children with the opportunity to pet the snake.
“Rattlesnakes only bite for two reasons. Either because they are hungry or because they are scared,” Jonas said. “Since I am too big to eat, I try not to scare them.”
He also warns against running when you come across a rattlesnake. It’s better to back away slowly.
Ackerman and Jonas demonstrated what to do if a rattlesnake bites you. Ackerman displayed pictures of someone that had suffered from a rattlesnake bite and showed the spectators a venom extractor.
The device, similar to a large syringe, is used for extracting venom from snakebite through the same puncture made by the snake’s fangs.
“It can save your life, but you still need to get to a hospital,” Jonas said.
Another popular attraction at the outdoor expo was a 32-foot trailer pulled by a four-wheel drive, one-ton Chevy displaying several deer, including a 14-point white-tail deer, as well as a boar.
Although the trailer and truck were a major draw for the children, the actual main attraction was the owner, Brian Doty, producer and host of the cable television show “Extreme Outdoor Adventures.”
His show is based in Joshua, but he travels all over the world to film his hunts.
“I have been to Africa, Canada, Mexico and Argentina as well as all over the United States,” Doty said. “My favorite animal to hunt is the white-tail deer. Bobcats and coyotes are my favorite predators to hunt.”
Having launched his television career last year, he said he always knew while growing up he wanted to be a professional sportsman of some kind.
“Like any young boy, I wanted to play baseball or football. I did not think I would get to have a career in hunting,” he said.
Doty started hunting around age 5 when his dad would take him out on hunts and he has been in love with the sport ever since.
Now he often brings his wife, Misty, and their 7-year-old son, Hunter, along with him on his hunts.
“I love to hunt. My favorite animals to hunt are white-tail deer, hogs and jackrabbits,” Hunter said.
The award-winning “Extreme Outdoor Adventures” show, now in its third season, can be found on the Pursuit and Sportsman channel on cable TV.
The Central Texas Outdoor Expo was a success for Women in the Outdoors, which had more than 150 visitors to its booth.
“Our focus is on educating, motivating and empowering women in outdoor activities,” said Monica Sobotka, event coordinator for the group.
Jackie Dean of Temple particularly enjoyed the Women in the Outdoors booth.
“I am at the stage in my life where I have more time to myself and I have always loved the outdoors,” Dean said. “These are the kind of activities that I can see myself getting involved with.”
Dean said having raised three boys, she would enjoy the company of other women and learning new things.
Women in the Outdoors started in 1998 when the National Wild Turkey Federation saw a need for education for women. The group hosts an event every year in June at the Solano Ranch in Salado for women to come out to the ranch and participate in several workshops such as fly fishing, outdoor cooking, bird watching and archery.
