Who's all going to the sportsman show. $19 to get in? Hope they bring it back to the international centre again
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Who's all going to the sportsman show. $19 to get in? Hope they bring it back to the international centre again
I got the $3 off coupon from the outdoors magazine plus its a good way to spend a day with my son. We will be there... :)
Frank when you going Thursday Friday after 4 free to park.
I haven't been in years. Keep saying I should go back but never do. Do they have sporting dogs anymore and I don't mean Frisbee catchers.
Was thinking about it but the $19 a person is a real turn off. Also the hunting hall is all that interests me and last year it was a bust. Instead I'm heading to Gravenhurst for the big pond hockey tournment. What better way to spend a Canadian winter then pond hockey, warm food and cold beer.
Yup I remember those days with the breeds and show
This is my favorite time of the year, not so much for my wife LOL, a lot of outdoor shows coming up that I'll be at spending money.
The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo and Outdoor Show in Niagara Falls, New York this coming weekend, then the most EXPENSIVE one to attend, the Toronto Sportsmans show in February.
Then in March we got the Niagara Outdoor Show in Fort Erie, Ontario and the weekend after the Fort Erie one we have the Niagara Outdoor show in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Ill end up going again this year. I still find it neat to see some of the new stuff and talk to all the different people. Last year I picked up a few nice Gobblestalker calls. I also enjoy the Beasley Brothers seminar.
Ever since they butchered the retriever trails and reduced the area use for it never been back. Its got a bit too metro sportsman for me.
http://www.carp.ca/2014/01/16/zoomer...ortsmens-show/
Interested to know why there isn't a membership price/day like this for OFAH members ? The OFAH is big into this show, you'd think they would have a day were OFAH members would get in for $10 too, instead of the $3 off coupon. I'm sure there is a lot more OFAH members and would be a great way to encourage more people to go.
I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
Not me - I don't like crowds, cities, traffic, pavement, or shopping... For those that do, have fun!!:moose:Quote:
Originally Posted by beagles1111
I didn't not go for years they don't make it like they used to like back in the day with dogs all retrieving guns everywhere now it's all fishing
[QUOTE=beagles1111;745584]Who's all going to the sportsman show. $19 to get in? Hope they bring it back to the international centre again[/QUOTE
Don't know what you are talking about as the Sportsman Show has NEVER been at the International Centre!
:scream:
[QUOTE=Brampton Mike;746007]He likely means the short lived hunting show.Quote:
Originally Posted by beagles1111
Pay money.. To look at things to spend money on?.. Doesn't make sense to me..
Will not be going either this year. Last year was disappointed to see that Remington and other major brands not there not to mention $19 to enter plus pay to park. It will be awhile before I go back to that show.
I am not going this year. The hunting hall was really poor last year. Other than the few speakers like the Beasley brothers, I was pretty disappointed. Lots of outfitters and booths selling stuff that has nothing to do with hunting and fishing. We don't need a hot tub in the blind with us. The $19 is a bit of a turn off, but the $3 off helps. It should be $3 off for OFAH members though instead. I have a family membership but only get on magazine so my wife and kids still pay full price which makes it a lot less motivating to drive to downtown Toronto to see the show.
I wish they would split it up and have the hunting show back at the international centre like back in the day. It was way better than the hunting hall is now.Quote:
Originally Posted by beagles1111
Quote:
Originally Posted by beagles1111
Likely go Saturday or Sunday with my son and a couple of brothers and one or two of their kids as well. We seem to go down every year, get there early and spend the entire day. Good way to spend a day with family.
We're going on the Sunday. Never been, but it should be a fun day with my wife's family. We're going to the Ancaster Gun Show early, then heading into TO for the Sportsman.
Undecided. Weather for driving, or fishing, will factor in as will the Olympics this year.
May go down on the Sunday, wasnt very impressed the last few times. If I do go, not expecting much.
Frank,Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
If you have the time come by the Nikon Sport Optics booth and say hi.
Ken.
The hunting section is too small at this show.
whats all down there? my brother a couple buddies and myself are thinking about going down. think they'll have anything on bowfishing?
Not really a big selection on bowfishing. Just what the couple of dealers bring. If there is a dealer near you just go there. Not worth my time if all I was going to look at was bowfishing stuff.
Nope! Who ever is there that i might be remotely interested in ( checked the vender list )? Their web site provides more info.
We will be going down on the Friday, it's a day off school and a road trip for the boy's that way. Saturday going to the DU Wild game Dinner in Lindsay. Sunday the show closes early so not enough time. Monday off to Nipissing for 3-4 days. I don't go looking for deals or that big sale, if something should jump out at me and be what I think is a good deal that's fine. I don't go with any high expectations and therefor am never disappointed. I go because I see people that I may only run into once or twice a year have a few laughs, shoot the sheite. I go to take in some of the seminars and see some of the new product lines that come out for the next season. Kinda like a social event. $19.00 and pay for parking. Not a real biggy in my opinion. I know some lads who spend that in an hour or two at the bar, or a coupla decks of smokes then squawk about $5.00 for a scoop of minnows.
outback
lol if there was a vender near me that I could look at the bowfishing id prolly never leave the shop, bass pro is like a 3 hour drive and they have cameras everywhere so I couldn't hide out anywhere lol. not that we are going just for bowfishing stuff I was just wondering.
Anyone know any promo codes for the online advanced tickets?
Not worth the drive anymore, hunting section just keeps getting smaller and smaller, and now no hunt fest, a shame.
Probably better off to save the money you would spend in admission, parking, $5.00 fountain cokes and take your wife out to dinner instead just before or halfway through hunting season. Should pay off more I would think?
Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
You got it all wrong, we take the kids down to the show, leave her alone for the day... She gets a day off all to herself....u see this way we both win... :)
Sounds like the votes are in... prices are way too high and the hunting section way too small.
Exactly how I felt last year when I saw the hunting wing. Its getting smaller and smaller each year! Eventually it will be a hunting booth in a hot tub and beef jerky show!
I wont be going until I see some improvement! Its a shame because back when I was a kid I liked going to the show, its a great way to learn about the outdoors. Being a veteran outdoorsman I now find the show no longer has anything to offer. I wonder and hope it can be a good tool for the young and new hunters out there.
You my friend are the smartest man here!!! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
The question is : Has the sportsman show run its course and it obsolete
With today internet (online meeting places such as this ) the show used to be a place to meet and find new stuff now we can see tuff and read about things instantanasouly via twitter facebook ect . Most people are tapped and hunting is already over priced in ontario. the sportsman show does good with there money on lots of projects , its time they find a new way of raising money
I'll be there working the booth for Elite Archery and Duel Game calls. Come by and say hi.
No absolutely not we need the show.....Quote:
Originally Posted by mark270wsm
If the show fails (which I don't think it will, I think its in good shape maybe the hunting section is not but that's our own fault) it will only hurt hunters in the long run. The more exposure given to the sport (outdoors, fishing and hunting) especially in the largest city in Canada (where the loudest voice for a law to be made or change comes from) the more acceptance the sport (outdoors, fishing and hunting) will become.
By not going to the show, some bean counters will take it as its not worth the setup, hunting/fishing section because no-one shows up to them. If they had hundreds, thousands of people showing up to their booths, you can bet the word will get back to the office and next show more product will be displayed. If no-one shows up and the guys at the booth sit around all day long, when they get back to the office they will say it was not worth the effort and even less product will be on display the following year or they may not show up at all.
Yes we have the power if we choose to unite. Independently we aren't all that strong, but collectively we have a lot of power ($) and they always listen to that....So treat it as a fun day with family and or friends, take the kids down and hit some of the fishing and hunting booths and complain to them that they don't offer enough product. i bet if they hear from enough people they will bring more product next time... Supply and demand, if you don't ask for it, how are they to know you want it there....
Anyway, we like to go down and spend the day looking around. Don't like the $5 soft drinks though... :)
Hope to see you there next Saturday...
I am going to head down on the Thursday and just walk around the show.. Been there for the last couple years as a vendor and never really walked around the show.. I must say after switching the location around 3 times in 8 years and the shows attendance hurting because of it, it makes it hard as vendors to keep going to this show.. I mean the booth admission has never changed they keep saying the attendance is going up yet they have shortened it a day and moved it away from March Break.. Doesn't make any sense to me so I am going to go and look around this year I think..
My take on this show is simple. If I take a day off to drive there spend money on gas, admission and parking. There better be some deals there. The last four five shows have been very disapointing. I went with a pocket full of money to spend and came back with most of it. Other than what cash they stuck me up for, to get in the door.
Exxaaaacccccctttttttlllllllyyyyyyyyyy Frank. Some folks just don't get it. Same with our 10 day March Break snowmobiling-ice fishing trip every year. Wife/mom calls it quality time. dad and boy's call it there are no "no's" time.Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
outback
How will you know if there has been an improvement unless you went to the show to see for yourself? Rely on the gospel truth of other hunters and fishermen.Quote:
Originally Posted by odm2
Only used part of your quote as I'm not tech savy enough to know how to highlight this part.
outback
Not coming by unless there is all kinds of free stuff and at least 75% off any archery gear. After all it is $19.00 and $12.00 parking to get in. If we don't leave the show with a truck load of swag it will have been a waste.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishguru22
I may however drop by to pick your brain a bit about archery gear as I'm about to give archery a try. What is the cost of info these days?
outback
I will probably (if I remember in time) get the online ticket for $16 and I will be going the Saturday to be able to meet people and get info. If there are some good deals then I may be willing to open the wallet, but mainly I'm going to check out new gear and talk to people with more knowledge then myself.
There is no way I am dropping $19 to get in and I am not getting sucked in by the $3 coupon. All their other shows are $14-15 except Toronto. I guess they know Torontonians aren't the sharpest tools in the shed
I might take Fratri's advice. Give mom the day off and take the kids. It's been years since I've been there, since the days of "Bart" the bear and "Red Fisher" I'm sure.
Well I had no plans to go due to the cost of parking and cost of getting in but my girlfriend just won 2 passes on the radio and as she passed her hunting license & firearms course a couple of months ago and scored 100% on her turkey exam yesterday, looks like we will be going!
I decided to put a booth in... So looks like I wont be exploring the show a whole lot again this year.lol
ive went the last 4-5 years and what a disappointment. This is the first year I have pretty much decided not to go because the hunting section just sux!
I'll be there Thursday after work.....
Not directed at you bigpole......Quote:
Originally Posted by bigpole
But if no-one goes why should they setup something big or anything at all, who will they be setting up for?....If all the hunters in the area went, they would have good reason to setup more product.
We have the power to make the difference. Its supply and demand, if we don't support the hunting section who will? They will surely stop setting up if no-one goes and it will only hurt our sport.
The more exposure to hunting in the Toronto area the more acceptance it will get. Like it or not Torontonians make up a great deal of government policy, so if you want to help the sport of hunting try and make it down and show your support... Look at it as a day of having fun with either family or friends or maybe both....
$16 to get in with coupon ( http://www.lebaron.ca/english/TSS_LEBARON_WEB_2014.jpg )
$10-$20 for parking
So for $40 you get to spend a day with a bunch of like minded individuals testing out the greatest and latest technologies....I got to say not a bad way to spend a day....
PS... I am cheap so I bring in a backpack with bottled water, some fruit and snacks for the kids.... Maybe I will spend another $20-30 on some junk ridiculous over priced food for my son and niece but its sill worth it to get away from the house and chores for the day...:)
Its easy to be negative about it but the show can be a great place to spend the day and did I mention support our sport... Hope to see you all down there...
My brothers and I went last year. I was mainly going because I wanted to see the seminar on Turkey hunting put on by Adrian J Hare. I enjoyed that and seeing all the turkey call vendors. I am kicking myself for not buying a few calls that day. That being said, I was expecting deals on items or something. I think I ended up buying some clay pigeons and a hand thrower from a booth in the paintball area for $20 all in. My youngest brother enjoyed all the fishing stuff.
The sportsman show has been in toronto for 66 years if that has not been enough support for our hunting needs i do not know what is . People of toronto WILL never get hunting its not in there culture. Toronto people will never be culturally equipped to ever support guns or hunting ever ,unless there was a 1 year black out of hydro then maybe we would get SOME support . The only true way to bring support to hunting in my opinion is to pull it out of toronto and make another city rich by having it their. If the toronto sportsman show pulled out of toronto and put it somewhere else I would be the first to buy a ticket .Years ago this was the case now it is full of flea marked type outfitters and people selling there wears, i have not seen the latest technology at this show in years that is why i stopped going , the saddest part of this whole thing is the sportsman show does use alot of its money collected for outdoor support but i just can't bring myself to throw away 40 bucksQuote:
Originally Posted by fratri
I also like hockey and music but its just not worth it to have to be in Toronto, even if the tickets are free. The only thing I ever want to have to go to Toronto for is to turn in a winning lotto max ticket.
If I have to go into the city, I prefer the Spring Fishing Show, and the Hunting show that's put on out at the International Center, at least you're not right downtown.Quote:
Originally Posted by mox72
Still not sure if Sat or Sun but I'm going.
I'm a big fan of wandering around in the "Outdoorsman's" environment, love grazing the booths and catching snippets of hunting and fishing conversation.
I will pass this year,I took the kids 2 years ago and was a bit dissapointed.Too many hot tubs,shamwow's and beer nut,fudge vendors.I did like the Canadian forces set up and enjoyed talking to those men and women.
Me too, the kids also... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter John
Mark if it wasn't making money, it wouldn't be there....I don't think I going out on a limb here when I say it only makes money because its in Toronto. I don't think of too many other outdoor shows in Ontario that can say they make the same profit. Sure there are some booths that take a beating especially the hunting section but that's only because a lot of hunters don't go down to the show, if more hunters showed up they would have more product....Its all about supply and demand. If the Beasley boys or Adrian Hare had no-one show up for their seminars you think they would be back? Just like a rock concert, the amount of fans with determine the size of the venue.... Anyway all is good..... Two months till spring, 3 months till turkey... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by mark270wsm
For those buying tickets online, the Le Baron discount code is LE BARON 14, not LE BARON 2014 like it says on their coupon
I'm taking the whole family, drooling on the rifles, shopping for a new canoe and meeting up with good friends. A few Camelbaks full of water will save me from the $5 Cokes :)
Just back from a 3 hr visit. Hunting hall no longer set up in Siberia like last year when a divider had the whole hunting hall cordoned off. Overall it seems to have a much better vibe to it - seemed busier than last year and better booths. Lots of shiny things to ogle over.
Glad I went.
Leaving now for the 2-2 1/2 hour drive to the show. Got the boy's, buddy and his wife, $3.00 off admission coupons. Should be a great day. Hope to see a few board members there. Will share our experience later this evening. Oh ya and Montana's for all ya kin eat ribs on the way home.
outback
outback stop in at the sci booth
Thought all u can eat ribs was only on Wednesday...Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
I'm going to agree with Frank here and add something.Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
I'm most likely going to take the GO train with my two boys. No fighting traffic. No fighting to find a parking spot. Train spits you out pretty much at the show. Mom gets a day to herself.
Costs associated with the show. How much would it cost to drive around and see all the vendors there. You have all these people under one roof. You're saving time, gas, etc by going to one place.
Lack of Vendors. My employer has the option of exhibiting our equipment in an annual tradeshow in Vegas every spring and then at a larger show there every three years. We look at attendance from previous shows and research who is planning to attend before making our decision about whether we want to spend the $60k for booth space, carpet rental, hydro hook-up, travel, accommodations etc. If you think it's expensive to attend try exhibiting. The only way you're going to get more vendors back is to attend and make it viable for them to spend the money on a booth.
Quote:
Originally Posted by M_P
$60 seems pretty cheap for all that stuff.
Edited my post. Thanks.
I'm going tomorrow, looking forward to meeting up with several people in the fishing industry that I "know" from Facebook. I plan to use the day for networking, building connections, meeting new people. I don't intend to buy anything as I've heard the shows are more like flea markets now. I will be attending the seminars that my friends are putting on in the FishTV area.
I am attending the Spring Fishing Show on Fri as I am going on behalf of the World Fishing Network and doing a write up and photo gallery for them.
I would not pay $19.00 to get into the show now, but if they made the show like it was 25 years ago I would gladly pay $50.00 admission .
My wife's been there all week wants to go on an African Safari now. Says the hunting section is not very large but if the show gets me to Africa hunting I'll be going
There are two ways of looking at it. One, if more people would go, more vendors that we appreciate would show up. Two, if more vendors we appreciate showed up, more people would go.
I go with option two. The show is trying to sell me an over-priced ticket and a rip-off parking spot. I'm the customer, not vice-versa. It's their job to entice me to attend, rather than my job to entice worthwhile vendors to attend.
Well we attended the show and had a great day out with my boys, buddy and his wife. Arrived at the Ontario Place parking lot to find it not plowed so ended up parking underground at the Direct Energy Center, $14.00 for the day. No coats to carry or cooler bags with drinks, right on. On the way into the building as we made our way to the ticket booth a fella starts chatting us up and asking some questions about why we come to the show, how long have we been coming, asked my boys what there thought s where? Next thing we know he said to follow him, which we did and he ushered us through the gate and got our hand stamped for exit and re-entry @ no cost. OH YAH!
Upon entry the show was noticeably smaller. That being said we made our way to the hunting hall to begin an aisle by aisle walk to see what was on display. First encounter was a chat with Caltek at the OFAH booth. Always good to see Jay and talk for a bit. Next we saw Adrian J Hare and talked with him for a bit. Hadn't seen Adrian for quite a bit so it was good to have a chat and share a few tales from the field. Walking through the aisles I hear "hey outback", turn for a look and there is Hound at the SCI booth. A little more time chatting and having a few laughs. Met Hound last year and always look forward to at least a few hunting stories.
Ran into Keith Beasley as we walked around and had a quick talk, hadn't seen him since the Little Britian Big Buck day's. He was on his way to do his seminar which we also took in. Afterwards we finally met his brother Paul whom over the years has eluded us. I was wanting to discuss a few things with the Beasley's so we waited as they talked with a few people and did some pictures, signings and such. Had a real nice time talking and having a few laughs. Always enjoy talking with the Beasley's, they take the time to listen to my boy's, they speak to them with words of encouragement and instill confidence in the young upcoming members of the hunting community. The Beasley's are a class act and great ambassadors for our sport. I encourage people to stop in and talk with anyone of these lads.
I let my 2 sons take a walk around for their own sight seeing and shopping while I took in the food plot seminar. While sitting there my boy Liam comes back and he has with him my very good buddy Raz who I had never expected to see at the show. Raz is there with Buck Lake outfitters from Hornepayne Ont. Buck Lake offers some of the finest fly-in fishing and hunting in the north. If ya get a chance to talk with them tell them Outback sent ya. Oh wait that might not be good! Nah kidding ya.
While walking the aisles and chatting various venders and merchants I had a fella approach and ask if he could interview me for The Weather Network. "Sure can" I say's. That was pretty cool, nothing about the weather though. He was wondering and had questions about "the beard". I'm now sure he and the viewers have what I think a different and humorous insight into facial hair. The guy was killing himself laughing during the off camera stories about the growth on my face and situations it has gotten me into.
7:00pm and we finally hit the end of the fishing part of the building. Show being somewhat smaller still took all day to get from one end to the other. My young lad kept saying " oh no do you know these people too", " are you gonna talk for hours again". Now for the 1 hour dash to make a few purchases of some product that we thought would make the day. Didn't buy a whole truck load of gear but some items we thought where decent buys. Finally left the building after we held a couple venders a bit later than closing.
Headed for home and as we are leaving the underground parking Matt my youngest starts with " ribs, ribs, ribs" meaning Montana's on the way home for all you can eat ribs. OH YAH! All the way to Newmarket it's "ribs, ribs, ribs". What a feast, I had 4 racks and Matt being only 12 had 2 racks. The others had steak. Being sufficiently sufficed we continued home arriving just after midnight.
This was truly a great day out with my boy's, my friend Aarne and his wife. Truly great to run into Caltek, Hound, Keith and Kevin Beasley, Adrian, Raz and John from Buck Lake. Hooked up with a few other friends from the area. Met some interesting people and made some what may turn out to be good business contacts. Hoping for the next show to be as fun.
outback
All you can eat ribs all day every day promotion on now, has been on now for about a week. When we got there my youngest lad says to the server " we're here for the meat". She asked him what kind of potato he wanted he said "we're here for the meat".Quote:
Originally Posted by topher
Get out there and get'em while the promo is on. Between me and the kid we had 6 racks.
outback
Thank for the info.. I'll head there this week...Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
Im currently waiting in the line up at the sportsmens show to get a ticket. Pretty excited to check everything out and see the Beasley Brothers seminar at 11.
Hope you have a good time as we did yesterday. So much negativity but I really believe it's what you can make it. The lad selling the smoked meats and giving samples has some of the finest bacon we have eaten. He's in the fishing area.Quote:
Originally Posted by mattadam
outback
I went yesterday and found it to be a total waste of time and money. After paying the $33.(plus $20 gas) just to get through the door, I spent a total of one hour there. It has gone from being a 'SHOW' many years ago to becoming a venue for retailers to flog last years stock (for the most part). I went last year after the snow storm (and the show was empty) and bought a nice Beretta. This year I didn't spend a dime. The hunting area was tiny, and I don't need any more $15. fishing rods, nor the wares of the numerous meat vendors. I must have counted 5-6.
I remember back when I looked forward to going to the Sportsmans SHOW. No more.
(sorry for the rant. Just being honest)
Thats awesome. Thanks for the heads up, I didn't see him last year so I've been hoping to stock up a bit lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
I know what your saying Outback, I love going to these shows, most times just enjoy the social time out with the guys. I love to chat with folks at these shows about hunting stuff etc. I don't need anything for hunting, but still end up a buying few goodies with my allowance.Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
From the sound of it, a lot of guys are hitting the show fairly focused on seeing new stuff and finding a good deal...if that is are they are looking for, it's probably why they don't get much out of them. Like urbansherpa said, he was there less than an hour. How many guys could he have possible talked to in that short a time. I spend close to 15 minutes outside the front door in the rope trailer talking to the guy about rope even before I go in :)
Never complain about a venue where you can mingle with kindred spirits in something you have a passion with.
I hope you don,t go to the grocery store with your kids as it probably takes a hour or so talking to every one in the isles. My wife is brutal that way. glad you had fun but every since they gutted the place about 20 years ago , i stopped going .Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
I stopped in Friday at noon since I was downtown for work anyway. Walked around for 2 hrs - had a chance to talk to Mike Miller, Luke Scherders, some boat dealers, poked around the new 2014 Toyota Highlander (they were offering test drives to!), birds of prey booth, handled a few Browning shotguns (20g Cynergy is nice!), saw some nice Berettas, talked to the Eureka folks, visited the Garmin booth, Backroad maps, etc etc. If I had more time I'd visit with the fishing outfitter/camp booths but had to go.
I to remember the good 'ol days but glad I went - did some recon on future purchases and talked to some real nice folks.
RB
Im new with all this stuff still, this is my third year hunting fifth year going to the show. I enjoy seeing the new stuff, talking to the people about fishing and hunting, meeting new people, checking out the seminars etc. I got to shoulder a few shotguns that I won't be able to afford anytime in the foreseeable future lol but it was still cool to do. I also picked up a few packages of pepperettes and some beef jerky, two new diaphragm calls from Gobblestalker Calls, and I got a reusable heat pad (got caught by the two young sales girls and they sweet talked me into buying it). I spent about half an hour talking with Kevin and Paul Beasley which I enjoyed. I really have a bad case of turkey fever now!
I went Friday night (free underground parking) with my son and one of his friends. Our main interest was to write our turkey test. That was really good - took about 20 minutes.
My son is looking for a new rifle (he's thinking .270 right now), and we were dissapointed with the limited amount of firearm manufacturers/vendors there. Browning, Beretta and Savage were there.
I was surprised to be told Beretta owns Sako and Tikka. Didn't know that.
Anyways - I like to go to shows but to be honest I could probably see more by spending a couple of hours in Bass Pro or Sail. I think those large stores have stolen a lot of the thunder previously found at the sportsman show.
I agree with you Roper about the lack of variety in the firearms part. Even at places like shooters choice that had gun selections I couldnt find any Remington 870s or Mossbergs of any kind there to shoulder and see how they fit. That was one of the reasons I was going to the show, I was hoping to talk to both manufacturers and check out both guns to see what feels better.
Well my girlfriend won free tickets to the Sportsman Show and we went yesterday and felt totally ripped off...what a waste of time...we chatted with Adrian, Paul & Kevin Beasley, Ken Cull & Kevin Bartley....as Kim just got her turkey course last weekend we sat through Adrian's seminar but other than the above it felt more like an oversized flea market...booths selling mops, sunglasses, mystery meat etc. does not belong in a Sportsman Show considering we got in for free it wasn't a bad deal but for those having to pay $19 a head plus $14 for parking is a total rip off! No deals to be had at all!
Attachment 24433For me it was worth it to see these guys alone. I'm a big fan of canada in the rough and these guys were super nice answering my questions and taking the time to speak with me. I'm looking at purchasing my first bow and was talking to the guys at Excalibur, Elite, and ten point who gave me a lot of info about the different types and what I might go with. Shooters choice had a no tax sale but I decided to take a trip to their place and try a few out first before I spend the money on one. It was fun to take a Toyota tundra out for a test drive and walk around eating the pepperettes I bought. Also had another chance to see the coyote legend fratri. Last year was my first year going to the show and liked the layout better this year but noticed the decrease in hunting vendors. I enjoyed myself but can see how some more experienced hunters who don't need anything new would be disappointed driving from further distances. I would go again.
Hey Ryandir, it was nice meeting you on the weekend. It was me that you were talking to at the Elite booth.
Rob
I went but never again
It was a pleasure speaking with you Rob. All of your advice and information really helped out. When I asked the Canada in the Rough guys what they thought they told me the same thing, depends on how much time you have to practice. I really love that Elite bow though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishguru22