Years ago, my friend Dan Shearer taught me a great lesson on getting through the winter doldrums.

His philosophy was that this was the time to assess and plan for the next years activities.

We would gather around our workplace, during a break, of course, and talk over the best and the worst of the past years’ outdoor experiences. Back in those days if something was going on you could count on us being in the mix from fishing, hunting, boating, camping and trying out new game dishes.

The second part of our planning would be in the weeding out of bad ideas or experiences, and then adding new ones to our wish list.

We would pull out a calendar with all the moon phases and best hunting and fishing cycles and plan out the new year. It was the best of times and of course being young guys at the time it had to be on the cheap.

Over the years plenty of things have changed and we have become much more involved in family life. We know better what we like to do and we know values when we see them.

That’s when you can imagine how my interest piqued up when my neighbor Mike asked me if I would be interested in going with him to Harrisburg.

There’s not much going on in Harrisburg that gathers my attention these days, but the thought of going to the Great American Outdoor Show had my attention. The show is held at the PA Farm Show Complex from Feb. 3-11. It brings together hunting, fishing, vacation and outdoor enthusiasts from all over North America to pitch their products and outdoor experiences. This grabbed my attention and I was all in for a Monday trip to the outdoor show.

Tickets are $14 for the day and if you want to do several days there are other values to consider, including memberships to sponsoring organizations.

I specifically wanted to explore some different fishing outfitters and lodges in different areas. I like lots of different fishing experiences from Crappies to Small Mouth Bass to Walleyes and Brook Trout so you can see I was being open minded about what places had to offer. The vacation aspect of relaxing while fishing didn’t escape me either so the tourist was coming out as well as the outdoorsman.

This time of year, makes me think of warm places and sunny mornings while the heat of summer makes me want to be in the cool north country with shady areas and running waters. This brings me right back to the calendar planning me and Dan used to do for our adventures. Each month could be a different adventure and all we had to do was see how it worked out with the rest of our schedule around important family and friend dates.

When I looked up the Great American Outdoor Show, I noticed that they listed all of their activities and vendors and conveniently located them in specific areas. Hunting outfitters were in one hall, fishing outfitters in another and outdoor specialties like camping, archery and firearms each in their own areas.

You had to be a man with a plan if you wanted to see it all.

Each day was also filled with guest speakers that covered all kinds of subjects from preparing wild dishes for the table and then making delicious meals to subjects like concealed carrying of firearms. Many prominent organizations with the outdoors are also being represented for hands on involvement with the sports enthusiasts. I noticed that the Game Commission, Fish & Boat Commission, DCNR, NRA, PA Outdoor Writers and many more groups would be present for the show as well.

Make a weekend of the show and break out of the winter freeze for some engaging times with plenty of folks that have something to offer you and it at least gives you an idea of what is out there for the outdoor sports enthusiasts. You can find some show deals if you are lucky but I would caution you that you do need to check out references of other people who have tried their experiences. When you spend hard earned money on an outdoor adventure you do want it to be a joyful experience and not a nightmare.

Unfortunately, I have had both but I am much wiser now and much more cautious. If it seems to good an offer listen to your instincts and check it out more in detail.

Until we meet again I will see you on the road to the Great American Outdoor Show.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.