For those going to the show don't waste your monies. Le baron and shooters choice is only there.
was tolling with Adrian the show is done not enough people or vendors hunting anymore.
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For those going to the show don't waste your monies. Le baron and shooters choice is only there.
was tolling with Adrian the show is done not enough people or vendors hunting anymore.
I bet between parking and entry fee you still pay through the teeth.
Bought the rem 870 rifled slug gun that's about it.they mark up prices too much
its the sportsman show not the hunting show.... Its the same every year they promise bigger and better but by the sounds of it smaller and smaller
Sorry sportsman show
i knew what you ment but some people may have not... and still gone did not mean it in a negative connotation
Cheers
Ottawa used to be the same. A Sportsmen show at Lansdowne park filled with high priced boats and outfitters. It has been replaced by a regional show in Carp that is not only more affordable with free parking but also caters to the meat and potato kind of guys with hunting and fishing gear galore. Hope that someday a show of that nature develops in your area.
We are blessed here in Eastern Ont...there are a 1/2 dozen great shows every spring, a must attend for some Sat morning Guy Shopping :)
That 'Sportsman' show they used to hold at Landsdown was terrible....the last year I went they had was 1 Fishing Tackle booth...the rest was big Tickets item like Boats and ATV's...the side isle booths were filled with Outfitters and Salesman flogging crap stuff.
Looking forward to Mar when they all start !!!
The Annual sportsman show in Timmins is better than that thing in Toronto is now, sad and no huntfest either. Guess I'll have to take Mikes advice and head East for the fix.
The sportsman show is good for getting to know some less known businesses, last year I went I got to know a lot of good smaller businesses. The sportsman show isn't much of a deal for firearms but for knives hatchets and small things like bipods, there are many good deals. Bronson and bronson had a sale their were they had knives for 2 for $20 with a great selection, the sportsman show is good just don't expect to get a steal on firearms its more for window shopping and seeing what's coming out soon.
Well I just finished my report from yesterdays visit to the Sportsman Show in the Who's going to the Sportsman show thread and is to much to type again. All said and done we had a blast. With all the negativity regarding the show and telling my kids about the "new upcoming show" that a bunch of people from the outdoor forums are going to put on I must say we are PUMPED. We will anxiously await the details and posters for the event. Also hoping for free parking or shuttles from our area, $5.00 admission may be to much for us ( there is 3 of us), every vender should be made to sell their goods for a minimum of 75% off, we also request a free lunch if the admission is over $5.00.Kids area with free activities and loot bags, ice cream and snacks. As an incentive free booth space and even I would consider putting in a booth to give away some "frigastats". Looking forward to coming to this fine event to see how fishing and hunting is properly promoted here in Ontario.
Not wanting to start a brawl here but with all the negative comments and show bashing my boys and I are awaiting your better, more fun, exciting and thrill filled show. Please make the details available ASAP so we can plan to attend.
outback
Not being much of a fisherman (when opportunity presents itself only) my money, time, and vacation goes into the hunt, so for me. To make the drive to Toronto for the Sportsman show which is mainly focused on big ticket items and the boating/fishing industry, it's just not worth the drive anymore.Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
I did quite enjoy huntfest in Orangeville, but that has now folded and is only held in Edmonton under a different name.
We have a annual "sportsman show" here which the trappers attend, mnr, and other various hunting business' around the area and I get more out of that one then I did my last trip to the Southern one.
I don't know if it's just the fact that it's in the "big city" that the hunting portion has been on the decline, or perhaps the majority of people that go are just more interested in the other half, either way from my standpoint it's been on the decline.
I know my dad and brother hit up a few in the Ottawa area that MP has mentioned, I may have to venture out that way next time and see if they are worth the trek for myself.
Give me a heads up TR when ya may be going. I've been wanting to go to the Carp show for a few years but always other commitments at that time. Understand the distance factor for you but if all these lads down here can put on a better show I await the details and will support such a show. If you left now you could make it down for the DU Wildgame Dinner tonight I've got 2 spare tickets. Bought 2 tables and a buddy had to cancel this morning.
outback
That be great to meet up and check out the Carp show.Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
Thanks for the offer but I have to go to a kids bday party today, I'd rather go to DU Dinner lol
We have ours March 15th plenty of time for you to come up :)
When they replaced the hunting dogs with Frisbee chasers and it seems half the booths sell mystery salami and magical medical bracelets they lost me.
Should be going to Hornepayne for the march break. Going way back in to buddies camp. I think we are heading back 17th or 18th. Would love to check out your dinner but may have to see what the end plan is. Likely be coming out of the bush on the 16th, it's a group effort.Quote:
Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie
outback
I very much agree Terry, when the retriever trials disappeared it was a sad time for the show overall. Don't have a dog but watched with great interest to see the great bond between man and his best friend work in unison.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
outback
niagara region has a decent one march break and entry fee was $5
I've a bit of an issue with some of these "shows". There full of dealers selling everything from vacations to boats,conveniently for them,all under one roof and they charge admission to get in. Isn't that sort of like Oshawa Center or The Eaton Center charging to go into their shopping malls?
When experienced fishermen say its terrible and so do experienced hunters who use to go every year say it is bad its bad, but then again there are people who still buy snake oil, if your kids enjoy walking around the show they will love being outdoors better. good luck in the field with your outdoor children
on a bit of a side note what does it cost to put in a booth at the show. between ood and ofah they must be spending a bundle of money up there ??
I agree as well but then there is Costco........Quote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
I haven't gone to one yet an don't plan on to.
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!
the Carp show is excellent, love going to that one, the one at Lansdown Park was a Boat, Hot tub, Cottage, Gadget, Popcornmakers, Shamwa, Campers with a little tiny bit of Fishing Show. Complete waste of time for hunters and fishermenQuote:
Originally Posted by beagles1111
Like Terrym said when they still had the retriever trials that was the best I use to walk around all day long and get into the bleachers for 3pm to watch the dog show, no poodles or Pekinese however who spell it "real dogs" . $6.00 for a slice of pizza and $8.00 for a solo cup of beer that came out some backdoor brewery in Hamilton .No more Sportsmans Show for me, they say things get better with age this is the exception.
I quit going a few years back, but one issue I see with the show is the way it is presented from an advertising point of view. I've been seeing ads (both print and on tv) that promote it as a place to get great deals on outdoors products. From what I gather, this is not necessarily the case. So, after paying for parking and admission, many find that there are no real deals to be had. Are they justified in their dissatisfaction?
They can say what ever they want in the adds, their excuse will be we dont control what the venders sell there product for, thats the name of the game get peoples attention and hit them in there pocket books.. my wife does it all the time .. "hey look this is on sale regular price 19.99 on sale this week only for 29.99 what a deal... "
The proliferation of big box hunting and fishing stores in the GTA has killed it. You can go into them for free whenever you want and get the same products.
what a waste off my time never will I ever go again
I was there on Sat and worked in the BushBum booth in between running around and meeting people. I only saw about half the show and it was my first time. I was disappointed. It could easily have been so much better. Get rid of all the flea market junk. Bring in authentic outdoors vendors.
They did well with the seminars and demos, the casting pond and kids trout pond were very popular as was the archery range. Expand on that and get rid of the mops and massage chairs, IMO.
New this year the 400 Outdoor Show: Sail, BassPro and Cabelas . "free parking"Quote:
Originally Posted by blasted_saber
I Forgot about it. New Cabelas in Barrie - this will be a true show 2014!
Instead was watching Sochi 2014 :)
Well said!!! Couldn't say it any better myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by hunter391
I figure there is more interesting stuff at these 3 shows then at the Sportsman Show
Pretty much. Not that im complaining. More competition the better.Quote:
Originally Posted by hunter391
when I this 400 outdoor show happening? on a side note I cant wait for Cabelas to get in Ontario
For $15 you could have gone to Sexapalooze here in Ottawa....a whole different type of Sports going on there !!! :)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Se...307/story.html
The 400 show is happening now.. 2 of the three vendors are open already.. The third is coming summer 2014.. Will be in Barrie mind ya.. But it is on the 400Quote:
Originally Posted by YorkRegion
Oh ya I read that cabelas is opening this summer fingers crossed
Its a joke, lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by YorkRegion
Oh ya I wasn't really understanding what topher said I was thinking it was a show like the TSS
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
LOL girlfriend & I went to it in Mississauga last year and what a frigging joke it was...some bondage displays, not our cup of tea, lots of sex toys, some lingere and lots of pot pipes etc...another waste of time & money..fortunately it ws only 10 minutes form home and free parking! :)
I hit a bunch of the GTA and western Ontario outdoors shows a couple years ago when i worked on the road a lot. They were an entirely different breed than those hosted in Eastern/Northern Ontario.
In the GTA it was exactly as others here have posted... large buy items like dream hunts and dream boats and dream trucks and dream campers, random gimmick household goods and nary a single hunting/fishing "deal" to be found.
Even Huntfest was nothing to write home about, although it was more personable and had slightly better vendor quality.
The Eastern shows are still doing well in terms of vendor quality and quantity, but over the last 5 years or so you're definitely seeing the price gouging increasing. You will NOT find a new firearm at one of these shows for as good a price as you can get at Sail/Lebaron/BP when they have one of their sales. And even many of the used firearms are ridiculously over-priced.
I guess if you spend the entire day digging through every single table, you'll end up finding a few deals on obscure ammunition, tools and accessories. But, for the big main gear like good firearms, good optics and good clothing you are going to pay top dollar... and sometimes a few extra bucks on top of that.
Yes but you can't haggle with the store clerk like you can with a vendor.....I usually save 25% -50% off listed prices at the show. They are more motivated to sell than the part time kid behind the counter at Sails. :)
I attended a fairly large local gun show a few weeks back. It was similar to a flea market, no big commercial operators. Now I admit it has been a while since I have been to something like this, but I was shocked at some of the prices being asked, with little or no room for negotiation. And let's just say that a lot of items had seen better days. So, I would say that scoring an exceptional deal at gun/hunting shows can be done, but it is not the norm.