SCI ANYONE??

anybody heading to SCI in Vegas next week?

Still debating on going. Never have been but, from what I understand its significantly larger than DSC.

I just got back from 4 days at the SHOT Show for the first time. Simply overwhelmed and exhausted. But I'll go every year from here on if I am able. Would love to do SCI as well, but not this year.

I've been once. $100.00 to walk a tradeshow and see a bunch of tubby old men with wives that have been to the plastic surgeon ten times too many. No thanks. Plus, their are numerous complaints, worldwide, regarding the corruption and good ol' boys club attitude, plus the heavy handedness of forcing the exhibitors to donate hunts. Bunch of silly awards for the idle rich. And they didn't do squat during the Cecil debacle. I was a member for years, but let my membership lapse this year. Dallas Safari Club is much better.

well I guess to each his own. I am not tubby nor rich, wife has had zero plastic surgery but still beautiful, and I don't get awards. But for me it is a blast to go see what the hunting world has to offer in an awesome city. I have met some great folks there

Understood. I by no means intend to imply that every attendee is like that. It's just not my thing. Neither is Vegas. Although it is about hunting, it is still a tradeshow, just like any other product or service that has trade associations and puts on a wares show.

And, I understand that there are staunch supporters that any criticism directed at SCI is met with vehement rebuttal. I have shared more than one camp in Zimbabwe with gentlemen that to them, SCI is pretty much their religion.

I've never been but it's hard for me to imagine it could be any better than the DSC show.

Same thing just different city.
Creek runner, your description of SCI also describes DSC perfect. Old rich guys with trophy or rebuilt wives, heavy hand, political good ole buddy club. Don't kid yourself into thinking they different.

I see that also - it's pretty obvious. Had one guy just flat out interrupt me while I was booking a hunt (bragging and loud-talking about his prowess and all the trips he had done, etc.).

But I also talked sheep hunting for hours with some very nice and experienced people who didn't know me from Adam. I was careful not to intrude or hog their time - but they were all reassuring and just happy to swap stories and advice with me. And these were not outfitters or someone trying to sell me anything....

I have learned to take each person as I find them. It's pretty easy to tell the guys who love hunting from the guys who are just spending money and checking off boxes as they kill stuff...

Anyone who wants to just go ahead and attack me, I'm to old to care. I've been to every DSC for the last 10 years and have started to have the feeling that when I walked up to a booth with my 70 year old wife instead of a 40 year old one who was busting every seam in what she was wearing, that the outfitters in the booth thought that I did not have enough money to play.

Yes, there are pompous blow-hards at just about every function, including the DSC. Some guys walk around in pecker measuring contest mode at all times.

Mr. T you have a point. But operators in the booths that pre-judge someone when they walk up are idiots. My family was in sales. My dad taught me years ago that the quiet guy over in the corner usually has wads more cash in his pocket than the loud talking "look at me" buffoon that interrupts everyone. We sometimes sold used equipment to Mexico. The flashy dude in the suit with the personal secretary never bought squat. The guy in the dirty jeans and worn out shirt would pull out rolls of cash and buy every used piece of equipment I had.

My apologies to tlk. He just wants to know if anyone is headed to Vegas. Back to topic.

I've been to SCI when it was in Reno four times and once in Vegas when I lived in CA. Now that I've moved to Texas, I like going to DSC because it's closer and cheaper. I'm not a big spender, and in order for me to go on a trip requires months, and sometimes years to save up for it. In my experience, I found more deals at SCI then I have at DSC. While the price to get into the show is significantly more at SCI, there are so many more booths at SCI, that I feel makes some of them more competitive. You just have to focus on where you want to go, and then talk to those people to see what they have to offer. Some will blow you off right away, but every now and then you get that opportunity that only comes from going there!!!!

Yes usually your best deals are at SCI. Because it is the last big show for outfitters and they are trying to get the rest of their hunts sold before they go home.

Stick around up there for about a week and take a road trip with a wad of $5 bills.

http://www.huntexpo.com/apply.php