Smith: Hope springs eternal at 2023 Journal Sentinel Sports Show

For Wisconsinites, late winter inspires optimism.

By early March we've weathered the worst of the ice, cold and snow, and although we may be weary and the landscape may be brown, we know a gift called spring is coming.

Soon, sandhill cranes will "kadoodle" through our skies and settle in our marshes. The first green shoots of pasqueflowers will push up in prairies. The hard water will give way to soft and crappies and walleyes will move to the shallows. And tom turkeys will quit their bachelor winter ways and begin strutting after hens.

Mother Nature had asked some tough questions of us. But in the Badger State we don't expect anything less. Winter helps define us, helps build our character.

And now, on the cusp of the next season, we are filled with a growing sense of hope.

2023 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs March 9-12

It might be in fits and starts, but we know the annual transformation is coming. It's just a matter of time.

But there is a harbinger of spring in our midst that is as dependable as a fine watch. Since 1940, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show has provided an indoor celebration of the great outdoors.

The 2023 Sports Show runs March 9-12 at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center in West Allis.

Now in its 82nd year, the show is the Midwest’s longest-running gathering of fishing, hunting and boating products, travel destinations, activities and entertainment.

This year's show will feature some new offerings as well as many traditional favorites.

Eva Shockey, John Crews will appear at Sports Show

For starters, two national stars will make their first appearances at the show. Eva Shockey, an outdoorswoman, author and social media personality who rose to prominence as co-host of "Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures," will be present two days, including in a question-and-answer session with Tim Van Vooren of Fox 6 Milwaukee.

And pro angler John Crews, a two-time Bassmaster champion and business owner, will give seminars on two days at the Mercury Marine Hawg Trough Stage.

When the show was founded in 1940 it was known as the "Fishermen's Party." The 2023 edition will add to that legacy with not only Crews but an all-star cast of Wisconsin guides and anglers to pass along their wisdom.

The line-up of Badger State fishing talent includes Steve Heiting, Rob Manthei, Mike Mladenik, Bill Schultz and Dale Stroschein.

And if you have kids you want to introduce to fishing or if you are new to it yourself, Greg Karch of Oshkosh will be giving his "Learn 2 Fish With Us" presentations, including gear giveaways, on Saturday and Sunday.

Sports Show will once again feature trout pond, plus the Jordan Buck, and various vendors and guides

Beyond seminars, vendors will display and sell the latest gear, guides will offer their services and lodges and resorts will have staff on hand to discuss booking your dream fishing vacation.

If you can't wait, you can fish at the show. The trout pond will be back, filled with tasty, feisty fish.

And if you're interested in a new boat or motor, dealers and manufacturers, including Mercury Marine, will be on hand with the latest models.

The show will also offer a range of presentations on a remarkable and often controversial Wisconsin wildlife recovery - the gray wolf.

The wolf offerings include: "Overview of the Proposed Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan” by DNR large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson; "Ma’iingnan and the Ojibwe: The tribe’s relationship with the wolf, from the Creation Story to present day” with tribal member Michael Waasegiizhig Price and retired GLIFWC biologist Peter David; "Tracking the Pack: How Well Do You Know Your Wolf Tracks?” with Gloriann Klein of the conservation group Wolf Info Now; and "Wolves in Wisconsin: From Recovery to Sustainable Management,” a panel discussion with opportunities for questions from the audience.

If you're interested in waterfowl hunting, you'll want to catch“Waterfowl 2023 and Beyond” with Taylor Finger, DNR game bird speciailst, and Mark Kakatsch, waterfowl committee chair of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

The Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club Trophy Deer Display will be back with its jaw-dropping selection of whitetails taken in the Badger State, including the Jordan Buck (the former world record typical whitetail). You can also bring a deer rack to the show to be scored by WBBC and entered in a contest.

And once again the show will offer a range of opportunities to participate and compete, including archery tournaments organized by West Town Archery and the air rifle contest run by Daniel Boone Conservation League.

Also returning this year to Sports Show: Usinger's Cooking Stage; Fastest Retriever Contest; Timberworks Lumberjack Show

For cooks and food lovers, the Usinger's Cooking Stage will feature an expanded line-up this year, including “Midwest Grill’n” stars Mad Dog and Merrill, Starla Batzko of Starla's Seasonings, avid waterfowl hunter and wild game cook Joel Kleefisch and Jared Bobkin, USA Today wine and food experience culinary director.

Man's best friends will be featured prominently, too, with demonstrations of dog handling by Donnybrook Kennel Labrador Retrievers and daily rounds of the Fastest Retriever Contest.

If you want to sit back and watch humans do incredible things the athletes in the Timberworks Lumberjack Show will fit the bill. The lumberjack crew includes Cameron Pilgreen, a 2017 graduate of Watertown High School, the 2022 boom running world champion (running the lengths of five floating logs).

And that's just a snapshot. Visit jssportsshow.com for a full list of appearances and schedule of events.

It's early March and hope is in air. See you at the show.

2023 Sports Show dates, times, and ticket information

The 2023 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 through Saturday, March 11 and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.

Tickets are available online for $10 at jssportsshow.com or for $12 at the door. Youth tickets (ages 6-17) are $5 online or at the door. Children 5 years old and younger are admitted free. Active-duty military, veterans and first responders are admitted free every day with valid ID or credentials. Reduced admission for seniors (55+), $8 at the door on Thursday, March 9, with valid ID. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform get in free on Sunday, March 12.

For more information about the show including details about vendor updates, stage schedule and more, visit jssportsshow.com or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/JSSportsShow), Twitter (twitter.com/mjssportsshow)  or Instagram (instagram.com/mjssportsshow).

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show returns for 82nd year