Choot 'Em Boys! Outdoor Blast Features 'Swamp People'

Troy Landry and his son Jacob, both famous aligator hunters from the show "Swamp People," will be among the featured guests at this weekend's Outdoor Blast sponsored by Georgia Outdoor News Magazine.

Other stars of the show that airs on the History Channel will also be at the event, held at the Gwinnett Arena in Lawrenceville. Bruce Mitchell, a wild-haired, overall-wearing cajun who skins and prepares his own gator meat, will greet folks Friday while Kristi, who hunts now with 'Liz, who was at one time Landry's sharp shooting partner, will be on hand Sunday.

The Gwinnett Arena will open its doors Friday, Aug. 3, from 1 p. m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Landry is the self-proclaimed "King of the Swamp," filling hundreds of tags during "gator season" each year. The popular show "Swamp People" takes viewers into the air boats of the true-life gator hunters.

Landry is famous for the phrase, "Choot 'em," which he says in his thick cajun drawl. It's an instruction of timing of the "kill shot," hitting the snagged gator directly in the back of the head at just the right moment.

Although the basis of the show may sound gruesome, the hunters pride themselves for being family-oriented, hard-working people who live off the land as much as possible as well as for taking a fair amount of the dangerous predators out of the waterways of their beloved Bayou.

Here's what to expect this weekend:

• Truck-Buck Shootout Finals: Watch the excitement as 42 Georgia hunters compete for more than $50,000 in prizes. Who will overcome the nerves, out shoot the rest and drive home a brand new Silverado from John Megel Chevrolet this year? Semi-finals start 11 a.m. Saturday. The first pellet flies at 3 p.m. Sunday to determine the Ultimate Champion. Also, in conjunction with the Truck-Buck Contest, come see the SEEDS Youth Shoot-Out at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

• Truck-Buck Wall of Fame: Get up-close and personal with Georgia's Biggest Bucks of 2011. This massive collection of Georgia bucks will have you itching for opening day.

• Deer Scoring & Display: Come get your deer scored for the GON Big Buck Awards, and have it displayed for all to see. Get your mount measured for county-by-county records. Official scorers will be on hand, measuring racks for free.

• Muzzy 200 Club Display: With more than 3,000 total inches of antler mass the Muzzy 200 club display will have you itching for opening day. It's not just a bunch of deer heads hanging on a wall with a couple of big racks. It's wildlife artwork with high-tech audio, video and lighting that bring out every detail of these monster bucks.

• Kids Pavilion: Shooting simulators, inflatables and more! The GON Outdoor Blast is a family-centered event that provides numerous games and entertainment for children. The kids can take part in DNR-certified hunter education courses at the Blast. They'll be ready for opening day.

For more information, check out the GON website.