Annual Outdoor Banquet Celebrates Bear Hunting in Pennsylvania

49-year-old event focuses on outdoor enthusiasts with special guest speaker and video presentation

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The annual Outdoor Banquet in Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania is celebrating its 49th year, with a focus on bear hunting this time around. The event, hosted by local churches, will feature a video presentation and appearance by area resident and experienced bear hunter Gary Morley. The banquet offers a mix of wild game and traditional meats, sides, desserts, and beverages, along with door prize giveaways for attendees.

Why it matters

The Outdoor Banquet is a long-standing tradition that brings together the local community of outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and nature lovers. It provides an opportunity for people with shared interests to gather, enjoy a meal, and learn from experienced outdoorsmen like Gary Morley. The event highlights the enduring passion for outdoor activities and wildlife conservation in the region.

The details

The Outdoor Banquet will take place on February 28th at the Shinglehouse Fire Hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as no tickets will be sold at the door. The event will feature a video presentation focused on Morley's bear hunting experiences over the past 40 years, in which he has successfully hunted and brought home 8 bears. Following the video, Morley will attend the dinner and likely be the subject of some good-natured ribbing from the attendees. After Morley's presentation, another speaker will share thoughts on leaving a legacy. The evening will conclude with a giveaway of over 20 door prizes, including a Traditions muzzleloader rifle and other hunting, fishing, and camping gear.

  • The Outdoor Banquet has been held annually since 1978.
  • This year's event will take place on February 28, 2026.
  • Doors open at 5 p.m. on the day of the event.

The players

Gary Morley

A local resident and experienced bear hunter who will be featured in a video presentation at the Outdoor Banquet, sharing his 40-year history of successfully hunting and bringing home 8 bears.

Clint Pearsall

The pastor of the First Baptist Church of Shinglehouse, who helped start the Outdoor Banquet 49 years ago when he was approached by Charlie Alsheimer, a successful deer hunter and photographer.

Charlie Alsheimer

A successful deer hunter and photographer in the Southern Tier of New York state, who approached Clint Pearsall about holding an outdoors-themed dinner, which led to the creation of the Outdoor Banquet in 1978. Alsheimer was the featured speaker at the event until his death in 2017.

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What they’re saying

“Basically, it's about my experience in how I became a bear hunter and what intrigues me about bears. I've dragged eight of them home. That's over a 40-year span of chasing them.”

— Gary Morley

“I wouldn't encourage them to come for me, but I would encourage them to come for a good meal and a good time with people cut from the same cloth.”

— Gary Morley

“We would have him in every year, sometimes twice a year early on.”

— Clint Pearsall, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Shinglehouse

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Outdoor Banquet is a long-standing tradition that brings together the local community of outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and nature lovers, providing an opportunity to celebrate shared passions and learn from experienced outdoorsmen like Gary Morley.