2023 Event Features

This Year’s Sponsors

The 2023 show wouldn’t be possible without the help of sponsors who support the outdoors life. This year, give a round of applause to Mercury Marine, Usinger’s (official sausage), and Busch Light (the official beer of the show). Additional sponsors announced soon! 

Exhibitors

More than 100 of your favorite companies will be at this year’s show to show you the latest in gear and technology, offer you tips, and basically help you get the most out of your outdoor adventures. Just want to fish or hunt? We’ve got that. Want to go on a safari? We’ve got that. Guns, boats, fishing rods, vehicles, grilling, socks, dogs, beer – it’s all here this year!

Win A Signed Bow by Eva Shockey

Enter now to win an exlusive signed bow by Eva Shockey at the 82nd Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show!

The $1,015 Prize package includes:

• BowTec bow
• Two (2) packs of 4 arrows
• Five (5) packs of Soft Missile Baits with a rod.

Enter for your chance to win by clicking below, or register at the show!

Timberworks Lumberjack Show

One of the most exciting events at the show is the Timberworks Lumberjack Show. There’s nothing like watching trained lumberjack athletes compete in a variety of events, including cross-cut sawing, ax throwing, chopping, speed climbing, a chainsaw race and everyone’s favorite, the log rolling competition. Crowds love the show, as they get assigned a lumberjack to cheer on. This is something you’ll be talking about for days afterward. Watch a preview here.

Trout Pond

One of the oldest attractions at the show is still one of the favorites – the Trout Pond. The 73-foot pond is the largest indoor trout pond in the world, and more than a few guests show up simply to fish here. And you can keep it, too! Most of the state has a catch-and-release policy through mid-spring, but these guys you can keep and grill up for dinner after the show. 

Family Fun

Trust us: Kids won’t be bored at this show. There’s plenty for them to do, and a special Family Adventure Zone will be set up as well. Here, kids can learn how to tie a fishing fly, talk turkey with Wisconsin’s Turkey Commander, ride bumper boats and more. 

Outdoor Heritage Boy and Girl Scouts receive free admission to the show in uniform on Sunday, March 12, 2023. 

Air Rifle Tournament

Take your best shot and compete for your share of $1250 in cash prizes at the air rifle competition at the 2023 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show. The top 3 youth and top 3 adult shooters each day will advance to the finals on Sunday (with free return admission, excludes parking).

Cash Prizes 

Youth: $500 1st Place, $250 2nd Place, $150 3rd Place 

Adult: $200 1st Place, $100 2nd Place, $50 3rd Place 

 Tournament courtesy of the Daniel Boone Conservation League and the MJS Sports Show. No advance registration required. Enter onsite! $3 entry fee for 3 shots.

Trophy Deer Display

We are welcoming back the Trophy Deer Display courtesy of the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club. Some incredible trophy deer will be at the show. Kids and adults alike will enjoy looking at these majestic creatures. Revere the deer!   

Free Admission for Military

This year’s show will celebrate military members as well. All military personnel and veterans get free admission to any day of the show. Just show your military ID or credentials at the ticket window to get your free pass. On behalf of the Journal Sentinel and Gannett, thank you for your service! 

Mad Dog & Merrill

The fun-loving duo Mad Dog and Merrill will be doing several shows each day, and if you’re into grilling, be sure to attend a show. Mad Dog and Merrill are hosts of the popular “Mad Dog & Merrill’s Midwest Grill’n” TV show and key attractions at the many live events they attend across the country. At the sports show, they will focus on recipes and techniques for injectables, brines, and wild game rubs and marinades.  

Featured Appearances

This year’s show is all about fun, but you’ll also have a chance to learn quite a bit from the experts that will be on hand. There are about 20 featured speakers with expertise in fishing, cooking, hunting and more. You won’t want to miss special appearances by Two-Time Bassmaster Champion, John Crews, and Co-Host of Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures on Outdoor Channel, Eva Shockey. 

Mercury Marine Hawg Trough Fishing Stage

Lumberjack Stage

If you like dogs and lumberjacks (and, frankly, who doesn’t?), you’ll want to visit the Main Stage. Here you’ll find our Fastest Retriever Contest, Timberworks Lumberjack Show and much more! The dog and human shows no doubt will be some of the most talked-about events on the ride home. 

Usinger’s Cooking Stage

If you’re into grilling, turkey hunting or safaris, stop by the Usinger’s stage. Here you’ll get turkey tips from the legendary Loren Voss, grilling tips from the fun-loving duo Mad Dog & Merrill, and wild-game cooking info from Starla Batzko herself. If you’re interested in going on an African safari, this is THE place to be, as James Hensley of Chivic African Safaris and Ken Moody of Ken Moody Safaris will teach you everything they know. 

West Town Archery Tournament Series

Back by popular demand is the archery contest being held by West Town Archery. The contest (this one IS for humans) will pit the best archers against each other in eight different categories. Kids and adults can compete, as well as teams, and more than $10,000 in prize money will be handed out this year. It’s like watching an Olympic event right at the show!  

 Participants must pre-register for the youth, adult, bowhunter and target shooting events. All participants will receive show admission with their paid registration! Register to participate here. 

 Badgerland Pro-Am Saturday, March 11 

Adult Bowhunter Challenge Thursday, March 9 

Team Bowhunter Challenge Friday, March 10 

Kids Bowhunter Challenge Sunday, March 12 

Kids Shootout Sunday, March 12 

WBBC Trophy Deer Contest

Attendees are invited to bring in their own trophy deer for the Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club  Trophy Deer Contest. There is a fee to participate but think of all the glory you’ll receive! All entries will be displayed for the public. Just bring your trophy deer to the show and sign up at Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club’s booth. Guests enter the show free with a trophy deer to enter in the contest. 

Fastest Retriever Contest

A returning favorite to the show is the Fastest Retriever Contest (which is for dogs, not people, just to be clear). The whole family will enjoy this event, as the top amateur retrievers (regardless of breed) compete in daily contests to show off their skills. And you won’t want to miss the Sunday show, as winners will be crowned then. It’s sure to be a paws-itively amazing experience! 

 Qualifying Rounds and Finals take place on the Lumberjack Stage. 12 dogs MAX per qualifying round. Two dogs from each round will move onto the finals. No repeat entries to qualify. 

 Qualifying Round Thursday, March 9 at 4pm 

Qualifying Round Friday, March 10 at 4pm 

Qualifying Round Saturday, March 11, 1pm and 4pm 

Finals & Awards Sunday, March 12 at 4pm 

 Cash Prizes: $250 Best of Show, $100 2nd Place, $50 3rd Place 

Registration for the Fastest Retriever Contest is now closed. 

Developing a Personal and Home Protection Plan Seminar

Join instructor Starla Batzko for a free class on developing a personal and home protection plan at this year’s show on March 10 at 1:30 p.m. on the Usinger’s stage. Starla will cover topics such as defining a personal protection plan, conflict avoidance, home security, evaluating your home’s security, home alarms, home defense planning and mental exercises. Reserve your free seat now here. Collection boxes will be available throughout this year’s show for donations for fallen Officer Peter E. Jerving’s family.