Ontario Out of Doors merges fishing show with Sportsmen's Show

For 15 years, Ontario Out of Doors magazine has run a Spring Fishing Show; now, it has decided to collaborate and merge that show with the Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows, effective in 2008. Sporting and angling enthusiasts will still be able to shop for gear and boats and check out fishing destinations, but as part of the wider sportsman's show.

"At Ontario OUT OF DOORS we are always looking to be affiliated with the leaders in the outdoor community," said Alison de Groot, Publisher, Ontario Out of Doors in a press release. "That's why we are thrilled to be working with the Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows, the leading producer of consumer shows in the outdoor category. Together we will deliver the very best in outdoor information and entertainment to Ontario's angling and hunting community."

Ontario Out of Doors is published by Rogers Media and is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008. It has a circulation of more than 92,000 and a claimed readership of more than 640,000, which allows it to call itself "Ontario's largest and best-read outdoor sportsmen's magazine". The alliance gives the magazine access to the estimated 150,000 individuals who annually attend the show.

By this arrangement, it becomes the exclusive Canadian outdoor publication of the Toronto Sportsmen's Show, the Ottawa Boat, Sportsmen's and Cottage Show, and the CNSS' Great Ontario Salmon Derby. The magazine's March fishing annual will be expanded to include an extensive fishing and hunting gear guide with a sneak peek at what they can expect to see at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show. The February issue of the magazine will include the official Ottawa Boat, Sportsmen's and Cottage Show Fishing & Hunting show program.

OOD's major competitor in the "hook and bullet" category is Outdoor Canada magazine, now a Transcontinental title. Interestingly, Outdoor Canada used to be published by the Sportsmen's Show which sold it some years ago to Avid Media (later, itself merged with Transcon). (The new arrangement between the Sportsmen's Show and Ontario Out of Doors probably puts at an end to Outdoor Canada's sponsorship of the Outdoor Canada Hunting Hall and its turkey hunting course, which have been part of the show for some time.)