EVENT GUIDE











The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and
policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals



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The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and
policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals















Vendors are offering tons of raffles, drawings, and giveaways. There’s even a “Wall of Guns!”
Every show visitor is entered to win amazing door prizes, with drawings held every hour, all weekend. Dozens of awesome prizes will be given away including sporting goods, artwork, gift baskets, clothing, fishing charters, gift certificates, knives, tasty food truck meals, and more!


Purchase a raffle ticket and try your hand at winning a big-ticket item. You could win a snow machine, a four-wheeler, a gun, or other valuable prizes! Raffle proceeds all go to support worthy and worthwhile causes.



www.matsuevents.com

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Get ready for free seminars and classes offered by experts on a wide variety of fascinating topics of interest to outdoor enthusiasts. These seminars are happening all weekend at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show. More seminars will be added.
SEATING IS LIMITED, so please consider arriving a little early. Visit the seminar registration desk inside the Menard Center lobby to register and make sure you have a seat! Scan
SATURDAY - 1:00
FRIDAY - 2:00
Planning Your First African Safari
WAYMAKER SAFARIS
Dream of hunting Africa? Learn how to plan your first African safari from Alaska to the bush. Topics include why to consider a safari, travel from Alaska, bringing your rifle, costs, physical requirements, and trophy handling and shipping.
Off Grid Solar Applications for the Alaskan Lifestyle
ALL OFF GRID
Overview of our off-grid philosophy for Alaskan living and the packages we offer. Includes open Q&A for audience questions and discussion of proper system sizing from small cabins to full-size homes.
FRIDAY - 3:00
BOTTOM LINE CHARTERS
Covers where to fish, tides, gear, tackle, bait, and methods for catching halibut. Presented by Capt. Ernie Kirby, owner of Bottom Line Charters in Ninilchik, Alaska, sharing 33 years of guiding off the Kenai Peninsula. Geared for novice to weekend fishermen.
FRIDAY - 4:00
Foundations of Off-Grid Power
SUSITNA ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Overview of off-grid power for cabins and remote homes in Alaska. Covers solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, generators, system sizing, winter planning, generator backup, and common mistakes.
SATURDAY - 12:00
5 “Must Do” Susitna River Adventures
SUSITNA RIVER COALITION
Five bucket-list Susitna River trips with planning and safety tips. Join local river runners to explore some of Southcentral Alaska’s most accessible, family-friendly adventures.
SUSITNA ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Overview of practical water and sanitation solutions for Alaska’s remote, off-grid, cold climates. Covers alternative toilets (composting, incinerating, bagging), water storage, delivery, heating, and key considerations for homes, cabins, worksites, and community projects.
BOTTOM LINE CHARTERS
Covers where to fish, tides, gear, tackle, bait, and methods for catching halibut. Presented by Capt. Ernie Kirby of Bottom Line Charters in Ninilchik, Alaska, sharing 33 years guiding off the Kenai Peninsula. For novice to weekend fishermen.
Wilderness First Aid
READY ALASKA
Fractures, sprains, cuts, burns, falls, hypothermia, embedded fish hooks, and more. Jessica van Wulven will teach splinting, fishhook removal, bleeding control, and other basic medical skills for Alaska’s remote wilderness.
SATURDAY - 2:00
Planning Your First African Safari
WAYMAKER SAFARIS
Dream of hunting Africa? Learn how to plan your first African safari from Alaska to the bush. Topics include why to consider a safari, travel from Alaska, bringing your rifle, costs, physical requirements, and trophy handling and shipping.
Stop the Bleed
NORTHERN LIGHTS ARMORY
Demonstration of tools and response to life-threatening bleeding, including proper tourniquet use. Provides bystanders the knowledge and skills to assist someone in need.
SATURDAY - 3:00
Trawl Bycatch in Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska
SALMON STATE
Overview of trawl bycatch, how these fisheries are managed, including the state trawl fishery in Prince William Sound, impacts on Alaskans, and ways to get involved to stop wasteful bycatch.
GREATLAND WELDING & MACHINE
Outboard jet maintenance and tune-up work, including efficiency and how to maintain it.
SATURDAY - 4:00
ALL OFF GRID
Overview of our off-grid philosophy for Alaskan living and the packages we offer. Includes open Q&A for audience questions and discussion of proper system sizing from small cabins to full-size homes.

SUNDAY
SUNDAY - 12:00
RESIDENT HUNTERS OF ALASKA
Learn to access hunting areas by canoe—lining upstream, then floating back down with your meat. No motor required, just a canoe and human power.
ADVENTURES BY TRUE NORTH AK
Small-group experiences in Palmer, Alaska. Discover why Palmer is one of the best places to adventure year-round and explore the outdoor opportunities in our own backyard.
SUNDAY - 1:00
Wilderness First Aid
READY ALASKA
Fractures, sprains, cuts, burns, falls, hypothermia, embedded fishhooks, and more. Jessica van Wulven teaches splinting, fishhook removal, bleeding control, and other basic medical skills for Alaska’s remote wilderness.
BOTTOM LINE CHARTERS
Covers where to fish, tides, gear, tackle, bait, and methods for catching halibut. Presented by Capt. Ernie Kirby, owner of Bottom Line Charters in Ninilchik, Alaska, sharing 33 years of guiding off the Kenai Peninsula. Geared for novice to weekend fishermen.
SUNDAY - 2:00
WAYMAKER SAFARIS
Dream of hunting Africa? Learn how to plan your first African safari from Alaska to the bush. Topics include why to consider a safari, travel from Alaska, bringing your rifle, costs, physical requirements, and trophy handling and shipping.
ACCURATE ADVANTAGE
Bear threats and defense in Alaska, and the benefits and limits of pepper spray for bear defense.
SUNDAY - 3:00
GREATLAND WELDING & MACHINE
Situations detrimental to saltwater and freshwater boats, including corrosion, electrical issues, vibration, and more.
ALL
Overview of our off-grid philosophy for Alaskan living and the packages we offer. Includes open Q&A for audience questions and discussion of proper system sizing from small cabins to full-size homes.
NEW IN 2026, we are excited to announce that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the William Jack Hernandez Fish Hatchery have partnered with the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show to include a kid’s trout fishing pond at the show!
Children under 15 can fish for free and enjoy the thrill of catching and keeping (or releasing) a rainbow trout during their visit to the show. The young fishermen will be supervised, of course. The pond is located outside, near the popular food trucks, boats, and camper displays.
This large addition to the show could not have come to fruition without the generous support of several corporate sponsors.
First of all, the pond: The metal structure was designed and constructed by Greatland Welding & Machine, from Palmer. Gary Feaster and his crew built the pond, measuring approximately 20’ in diameter, and stout enough to hold more than 5,000 gallons of water.



Greatland Welding is also a show vendor, and you can find them on the ice rink side of the Menard Center.
The fish: The William Jack Hernandez Fish Hatchery and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are donating 2,000 rainbow trout for the young fishermen. We are told that the fish will be hungry, just waiting to be caught.

Life support: There is a lot that goes into keeping fish happy and healthy. They need water with the correct oxygen saturation, proper filtration, temperature, and circulation. We are lucky that Tim Hopkins, of Alaska Coral and Fish, has joined the team to see to the wellbeing of the fish throughout the weekend.



by Endeavors







Hunters can reduce the occurrence of lead poisoning of wildlife by using lead-free ammunition. For this effort, we are offering Alaskan hunters a rebate of up to $80 off two boxes of copper rifle ammunition or up to $50 off two boxes of bullets for reloading. Rebates are limited so act fast to get yours!







Alaska’s Best Gourmet Dogs
Alaskan Soda Jerk
Aloha Blendz
Barbecue Babes
Divine Dips
Garcia’s Cantina and Café
Grandma Wei’s Homemade Dumplings
Husky Burger
Nonkie Be’s Cajun Faves
Patriot BBQ
Rhea’s
Wisconsin Cheese Store





















