My only observation of NGC 2997 was in May of 2015 from my observing platform at the very southern tip of Vancouver Island Canada 48° 23' N. It was a tough object with my 20" almost horizontal and me on my knees. It wasn't very impressive and I'm sure all that I was seeing was the bright core and the inner part of the main body. No arms were detected. It wasn't the best night for transparency but at least the sky over that area of North western Washington State is fairly dark.

Bill