Hunting, fishing museum opens

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- It was showtime Friday for a menagerie of mammals, fish, reptiles and birds as the nation's first museum devoted to wildlife and outdoor conservation opened to the public.

The 92,000-square-foot is filled with hunting and fishing displays and videos, along with numerous interactive exhibits with computer simulators that let visitors do everything from reel in a trophy fish to hear stories about famous sportsmen, such as Teddy Roosevelt and James Audubon.

The $52 million museum is the brainchild of Bass Pro Shops owner John L. Morris.