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Its been a three years since I attended the Sportsmen's Show. Thought it was okay for firearms, scopes and archery reps and actually picked up a good deal on a scope. Looking at the exhibitor listing and I don't see as much to get excited about this year. Wondering what are your thoughts on the show over the past few years focusing on the hunting gear alone...
It's been turning from a hunting show to an outdoors/camping/boating show in my opinion. It's family oriented, stuff for the kids to do and such, but the hunting hall is getting smaller and smaller with less and less hunting dealers there. Mind you I'm still planning on going this year, but there just aren't as many gun dealers there. Still the odd deal on things, but just don't set your expectations too high and you won't be disappointed.
I will be going down to the show with my son and a few family members but not specifically for the hunting part. We go down because its a nice way to spend a day.
Note: The sportsman show is not a place to go to if you are expecting a good deal on hunting equipment..
It's more of a glorified flea market every year..save your money.
Exactly.....it's a great day out with the guys or family, I go to them just for the fun of getting out to see the new product lines etc. I don't expect to find a deal, it's not the real point of these 'trade' shows.Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
I think Frank that you, me and perhaps a few others state this every year around Sportsman show time. It's pretty well known that you ain't gonna find a lot of deals on product but there are a few to be found. It's a great way to spend a day with my boys while checking out some new product and seeing a few people we only see once a year,,,, at the Sportsman show. I will be attending on the Friday again this year as it's not generally as busy as the weekend.Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
Last year I was interviewed by The Weather Network and became an International spokesman for the facial hair growers association. Became recognised by people everywhere. The Weather Network website, view video's, title "Duck Dynasty Wannabe". I didn't pick the title. Lots of edits from that interview for sure but it was fun.
outback
I'm the same as you. It's a decent way to get out with a few folks on a February day.Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
If I see something interesting, or talk to an outfitter, then it's a bonus.
We are going to be at the Toronto Sportsmen Show, if you are going please drop by booth 1036 and say hi, love to put some faces to the names.
I would sooner spend the day,money and go to the huge Basspro shop in Ohio.
Same here. It's a nice way to get out with some friends/family on a February day.Quote:
Originally Posted by fratri
There is just something about going to the Sportsman show during the doldrums of winter to give you that itch for fishing/cottage/hunting that make going all worth while. From the smells of cured meats and caramelized popcorn, to the booths with all new gear.... C'mon guys its a great time!
I will be there on Friday and Saturday working with Bushbum.
Come by and say Hi.
Ken.
does anyone know if you can bring your dog (as a regular visitor not part of any of the shows). their www runs super slow for me right now...
And get hit for every duty / tax and exchange rate on your way back, since you were there less than 48 hours?Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
never mind. I finally get that s##t homepage working and it reads : "There are no pets allowed at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show"
I had already that feeling that some i###t would have come up with that. Screw it, I'm not going. If a hunting show doesn't allow hunting dogs, it's not a hunting show!
By the way, I apply the same logic for Cabelas in Barrie!
Sadly they have to do that. Just because your ( or my dog) is well behaved, doesn't mean some moron with an untrained mutt with a discipline issue wouldn't decide to bring his dog in as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
Exactly. I'll be there munching on a bag of beer nuts, probably checking out a few hunting / fishing outfitters for next fall's Father / son trip.Quote:
Originally Posted by Richie Hastings
yeah that would be the "explanation" you would get when you ask at the entrance, but there is something significantly wrong in that principal, because it is not the real reason. anyway, I restrain myself of discussing that any further as it has nothing to do with this thread, hunting or the outdoorsQuote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
Actually at least from my perspective, it is the issue. I work in Facilities and Property management. We only allow dogs if they are service animals, as they have been proven to be trained to a consistent level. It doesn't matter which property it is. If you allow one person to bring in a dog that is not a service animal, then you cannot prohibit another. This in fact means that if someone had a Caine Corso which was attack trained, they could bring it in as well, which could pose a security risk, and compromise peoples safety.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
I don't ever think that there's a bad dog out there, but there sure as heck are some real moron owners who shouldn't have dogs.
How,( if you were a gate attendant) would you make the distinction?
Good excuse for my son and I to hang for a day, buy and OFAH hat, dream and pick up something we absolutely do not need :) , no illusions, no great deals there to date, just a day to get out and wander instead of being home in the middle of winter. Don't expect anything more than that.
I have never encountered that and have been at least four times. I bought a gas barbecue and a few other items last year and spent close to $400.00 at Bass Pro Ohio with no issues at the border.. I have gone to the Sportsman Show at least six times and walk out with a few lures and junk brochures that I end up throwing out. I usually walk out disappointed when we go with a group of people and we all say the same thing ,waste of time. Seems to be getting smaller and smaller with the same TV "stars" on stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
You my friend are one of the lucky ones. Living in Sarnia, is that crossing over at Port Huron? I'm going with you the next time you're going down....LOL.Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
Any deals from Bushbum? Love your gear!Quote:
Originally Posted by unclefester
There are some small deals to be found. Last year I picked up an Outdoor Edge Swingblaze knife for $40(tax-in) at the Hitmen booth. Can't beat that price.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/sports...ontent=Default
no, the issue is that people hide behind "safety first" mentality. this has absolutely nothing to do with "safety", but with lack of personal responsibility, lack of personal courage and socioeconomically encouraged egoism. you could also call it union-mentality...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
again has nothing to do with hunting and that's why I won't entertain that rant any further on here, but to say that unions (in nowadays environment) are extremely detrimental to our society
I would be the last person to ever defend a union but seriously what do unions have to do with a no dogs policy at a large public venue?Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
Do you take your dog to the mall? Grocery store? Hockey game?
I can think of so many ways taking a dog to the TSM show can go go bad. Have you tried waling the aisles recently? Dog getting stepped on or someone tripping over it are the first that come to mind. It's a dog for crying out loud not your child. It doesn't belong here and people need to stop humanizing their pets.
could you just imagine slipping in a puddle of dog pee and breaking a arm .I love my dogs but there is no way I would ever bring them to a place like the sportsman show just way to crowded almost get run over never mind having a dog on a leash .people would be tripping over the dog in no time .and I also donot think you can have dogs anywere thy serve food in the city D
I was not talking about a grocery shop, but hunting dogs at a hunting show!Quote:
Originally Posted by M_P
besides dogs are allowed at the show, but visitors are not allowed to bring theirs. so, there is evidently a double standard. bulebulldog outlined precisely how they would go about explaining such rubbish.
nowhere did I say to humanize a dog, but that I don't support; i.e. actually pay for and encourage, such nonsense
this is the part that actually gets me. why would there be a puddle? if you have some spine you would clean it up (embarissing enough when it happens in the first place) and if you stand next when it happens and have some courage, you woudl make sure the guy cleans it up (that when the arm comes into play). however, people rather carry on with their important lifes, because it is not their "business", and if they ever end up on the receiving end, they call in an injury lawyer. did anyone notice the vast amount of ads by those modern day mobsmen in recent years?Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchhunter
OK, and adding such terms as "rubbish" and "nonsense"...Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
No offense, but you sound like a crusty old man.
You make a lot of assumptions. Like all people will attend with well trained dogs. That people will pick up after them, and not leave it for the facility staff to clean up ( after all, they did pay admission). There are people out there that own dogs who actually aren't so scrupulous themselves about cleaning up in their own home....
You also make the assumption that all dogs out there will be well behaved in a crowd environment....which is a huge variable, and a what if scenario.
I didn't even mention the fact that this will be a well attended show, and there may be people in attendance that have allergies to dogs.
This is a sportsmans show, with hunting exhibits. You seem to be of the opinion that your dog is a hunting dog, and should be allowed. Why? Is your dog going to book your next hunt? Is your dog going to buy a new fishing rod, or gun cleaning kit?
You've made it well known that you wont attend. No problem. But some of your logic about the dog prohibition escapes me.
I'm on record promoting a ban on any kids in strollers and/or shorter than the height of a table even being allowed into these shows....they are annoying obstacles that should have been left at the play room at McD's while you go the show.
You can add dogs to that list too....when I'm walking shoulder to shoulder in a crowed room a can't imagine what some poor dog is doing down below my knees....he sure isn't enjoying himself that's for sure...I wouldn't put my dog thru it.
views of a crusty old man ...LOL....
... certain things should not be discussed in here, because there it is not the audience for it! should have stuck to my own advise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
sorry for the fuss, didn't want to spoil anyones dog-free experience at the show. by the way, enjoy the allergy free environment at the dog show - as they say, safety first.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
LOL Mike!
My wife's brothers and their wives tease me about my increasing intolerance for all that annoys me as I age. My nieces and nephews have figured out that I'm all bark and no bite. I made this photo my avatar for a while just to humor them.
Attachment 28380
I am a self proclaimed crusty old man....ask my wife.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
Mike, think of it.....all those crotches to be sniffed, all those beer nuts being dropped. I'm pretty sure it would be absolute heaven to some dogs.
Fair enough. Cheers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
No dog following me with his nose pressed into my backside, is going to have a good time...especially after I have eaten a bag of Beer Nuts...LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
There was a time when I enjoyed the Sportsman Show many years ago when they did the field work demonstrations. I did take my kids a couple of times when they were very young and made a weekend out of it. I just found the the Bass Pro in Ohio a much better venue that covers every aspect of the great outdoors and some big savings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebulldog
Pay money to go into a flea market? Hmmm.. sounds fun...
Thanks, come out and see the new offerings from Fishbum and Bushbum with some great prices!Quote:
Originally Posted by mpsmyth6
Ken.
And think of the pee puddles to be slipped in!Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
The show has been a disappointment for me. First switching venues, fewer gun manufacturers, fewer deals. The cost to rent space is redonculous, the rules and regs for bringing firearms to the show are dumb, the deals aren't there anymore. I never went this year. No sense. Last year I got free tickets due to the lack of exhibitors that showed up due to that storm we had. Just might have to go to Vegas for the shot show in January. Huntfest used to come around to Orangeville. I have found a small GU show that came to Ancaster is winter and actually tours around. Google it.
You used to get great deals. Wholesalers and retailers used to stock up on stuff and sell at a lower margin. That's what I enjoyed. Now I can get better deals at Walmart or Canadian Tire. Really sad!!!
You used to find and get tons of deals back in the day. Now the vendors want to make their yearly target in just one show.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
Quote:
Originally Posted by outback
Only if you're trade .... Not open to the public.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_pimms
No problem!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dakota Creek
I love dogs and I would love even more to have one, but I have bad allergies to dogs. They trigger a severe asthma attack if I'm around them for more than a few minutes and if I do pet one I have to wash or hand-sanitize my hands immediately. A few days after I still have difficulty and pain breathing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
I've seen some peoples "hunting dogs" before. Like mentioned earlier by Bluebulldog, some are untrained, disobedient mutts. I've also seen some people from Toronto before. Like mentioned earlier by everyone else in Canada, some are untrained, disobedient mutts. Combine the two and yeah, screw that place.