Feeding the hungry - that is what people will be doing when they come to the eighth annual Buckmasters Expo on Aug. 17, 18 and 19, at the Montgomery Civic Center.

&uot;The entry fee to the show is at least one can of food or $1, which will go to the Montgomery Area Food Bank to feed the needy,&uot; said Ann Lewis, director of public relations for Buckmasters. &uot;Of course, anyone wishing to donate more is encouraged to do so.&uot;

Lewis said that last year the event's attendees provided enough food and funds to provide 226,000 meals for the hungry.

&uot;The three-day celebration of hunting tradition rolls a world championship archery tournament, the nation's unique consumer hunter show, a kids outdoors activities center, a top name country concert, hands-on testing of outdoors products and more into a unique weekend that draws families from throughout the nation,&uot; Lewis said.

&uot;Hunters looking for the latest in hunting equipment, services, gadgets and gizmos will find tens of thousands of them here.&uot;

New to the show this year is Buckmasters Island, which will offer supervised hands-on experience with the industry's newest hunting equipment from bows and arrows to hunting guns and vehicles.

The Expo parking lot is just steps away from the banks of the Alabama River, and access to the &uot;island&uot; - which will be located on the opposite shore - will be available via a free ride on the Betsy Ann Riverboat.

&uot;One thing that has pleased us is that the Buckmasters Expo has become a family event,&uot; said Jackie Bushman, Buckmasters founder, CEO and TV show host. &uot;As we add new venues, we always keep the family in mind.&uot;

&uot;As always, the event features a free Saturday night concert for Buckmasters members at Union Station,&uot; said Lewis. &uot;This year's featured entertainer is country music star Sammy Kershaw and the variety/comedy team of Williams and Ree.&uot;

Lewis said Buckmasters members would each get two free tickets to the concert, and that memberships may be purchased at the Expo. Tickets must be reserved in advance. Those wishing to get more information about tickets may call Chris Chastain at 334-215-3337. Anyone planning to attend the concert should bring a lawn chair.

Other Buckmasters Expo VIII attractions include:

o A free field day on Buckmasters Island Friday for Buckmasters life members; they may test the latest hunting products and spend some time with Buckmasters founder and CEO Jackie Bushman.

o Free shooting instruction for women who want to shoot bows, rifles and shotguns. Instruction provided by the Women's Shooting Sports Foundation, on Buckmasters Island, Friday morning, Saturday and Sunday.

o The Young Bucks Pavilion, where children may try their hand at hunting and outdoor skills, climb a rock wall, race miniature &uot;NASCAR&uot; automobiles, meet Bucky, the Buckmasters mascot; have their picture taken beside a trophy deer for a mock Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine cover, and at regularly scheduled times, they may meet and have their photo taken with Buckmasters' TV host Jackie Bushman.

Scoring of whitetail trophies using the Buckmasters Full-Credit Scoring system.

A drawing from among the scored trophy entries for Remington's new Model 710 bolt-action .30-06 rifle with a scope.

A class for those who want to become official Buckmasters Trophy Records scorers.

Official hunter education safety classes by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Required for anyone planning to hunt in Alabama).

A raffle to support Project Venison, Buckmasters' national program to feed the hungry. Drawings are held several times each day. Prizes include a Yamaha four-wheeler.

&uot;We will also have a world championship archery tournament,&uot; said Lewis. &uot;World-class archers from throughout the nation will compete each day in the Buckmasters Top Bow Indoor World Championship - an electronic 3-D target system designed and developed by Bushman to test hunters' skills in realistic hunting situations.&uot;

Lewis said anyone wishing to gain more information or directions to the Expo may call Buckmasters Headquarters at 334-387-2679, extension 279, or go the Buckmasters website at www.buckmasters.com.