I was planning on going to Vegas for SCIs 50th anniversary show but with travelling in the age of Covid, the loss of revenue from the mostly missed past two hunting seasons, the roll over of many hunts booked in the past and the general high cost for Outfitters to attend the big shows.......how many Outfitters are going to make it this year?

Will the shows be back to normal or is it going to be quiet with fewer booths?

As of right now unless they have a US Rep none will be there from South Africa. There is still a travel ban in place.

No! I think the outfitters and safari operators are chomping at the bit to come. The problem is will the US government let them in?????????

Mark

Might or might not be an indicator of things to come, but the NRA has cancelled their annual meetings in Houston.

I’ll drive to Vegas Hell or High water
I need my fix

Karl beat me to it with his post.

The NRA just cancelled its convention in Houston--- less than two weeks out.

Southern Nevada is spiking. Various restrictions are being reinstated by both the state government and the hotels themselves. And there seems to be no relief in sight with respect to international travel.

Not looking good for any kind of meaningful SCI convention as we've come to know.

. . . the pity is that we all know the quickest way to bring the pandemic to a close and truly get life back to normal and had more of us done so we likely would not be going through what we are currently and the conventions would look like more realistic prospects.

It ain't just hunting stuff.. for the radiologists in the room, RSNA has been changed to virtual again this year...

it's going to be a quiet winter...

At this time the AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo is still being held in Atlanta in September. It would be odd if hunting conventions cancelled, but medical conventions didn't.

quote:

Originally posted by GunsCore:
I was planning on going to Vegas for SCIs 50th anniversary show but with travelling in the age of Covid, the loss of revenue from the mostly missed past two hunting seasons, the roll over of many hunts booked in the past and the general high cost for Outfitters to attend the big shows.......how many Outfitters are going to make it this year?

Will the shows be back to normal or is it going to be quiet with fewer booths?

Vegas is under an indoor mask mandate that doesn't look likely to lift soon.

Got enough hunting to keep me busy next year and cannot justify the uncertainty.

If I did venture to the States I would take a fly rod and visit some good friends.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Got enough hunting to keep me busy next year and cannot justify the uncertainty.

If I did venture to the States I would take a fly rod and visit some good friends.

We've not met yet, but if you pass through Idaho consider yourself invited - any time.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Got enough hunting to keep me busy next year and cannot justify the uncertainty.

If I did venture to the States I would take a fly rod and visit some good friends.

Sounds like a good plan. I have a pond in my backyard overpopulated with Koi so come on by.

I'm wondering if the southern border had remained closed, how many southwestern States would be spiking right now? So many allowed to enter the US without proper screening are carrying not only Covid but most have never been vaccinated for any disease. We are living in dangerous times. LDK

When I was in Zimbabwe, many of the hunters said they would like to come for the shows, but it is very uncertain with regards to the US embassy granting visas.

So, from that end, who knows.

Why cancel the NRA convention in Houston? Our Texas governor will keep Texas open for business.

quote:

Originally posted by jkrolan:
Why cancel the NRA convention in Houston? Our Texas governor will keep Texas open for business.

To start with that county has a horrendous COVID outbreak . Many exhibitors pulled out .

Yup. Houston is bad now. Not as horrific as last year, but very bad again..... Pretty bad in the valley as well. One South Texas Hospital census was 30% COVID last week and jumped to 37% last 2 days.

I'm going to get a (Pfizer) booster tomorrow just for fun.

We just canceled our National Ducks Unlimited convention this past Friday. We were three weeks away.

I sat in a meeting today in Mandalay . Someone from the hotel spoke briefly on precautions that the hotel is taking . I am more confident on SCI today than I was yesterday . On the other hand , exhibitors from certain countries basically can’t come .

Given the covid issues in Texas, I am more concerned about DSC.

I hope both happen.

quote:

On the other hand , exhibitors from certain countries basically can’t come .

Given the covid issues in Texas, I am more concerned about DSC.

I hope both happen.

I hope both happen, too, and am really concerned about DSC and the Covid problem in Texas, currently still on the rise and lots of younger people being infected, flu season will start in a month or so and I’d bet my last dollar that many cases of flu are called Covid.
My wife and I book hotel rooms for several of our outfitter friends…just easier for them that way. The real test of who’s coming and who’s not will likely be mid December when a non-refundable payment must be made on those hotel rooms, that’s assuming travelers from those countries will be allowed to enter the US.

If my understanding is correct , those from Australia & New Zealand cannot travel here at all. That is a lot of outfitters.

I believe there are restrictions on South Africas such as mandatory quarantine. How will that impact the decision to attend or not?

Unless something changes, I expect both shows, if they happen, will be smaller than normal.

Hopefully, this get better in the next 4 months .

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
If my understanding is correct , those from Australia & New Zealand cannot travel here at all. That is a lot of outfitters.

I believe there are restrictions on South Africas such as mandatory quarantine. How will that impact the decision to attend or not?

Unless something changes, I expect both shows, if they happen, will be smaller than normal.

Hopefully, this get better in the next 4 months .

The few PH's from South Africa that I am in contact with would like to travel to the USA, the quarantine is an issue. I offered to house them for the quarantine period. They have stayed with us in the past (plus friends of theirs) and if that will help them out, we will do out part to help them make the shows. Plus, I am about 1/2 way between Dallas and Las Vegas and it make a good stopping point for them.

Right now, they are not planning on making a commitment to travel and do the shows. They indicated that they do not want to become stranded in the USA if our president decided to make some radial changes with travel.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Might or might not be an indicator of things to come, but the NRA has cancelled their annual meetings in Houston.

I think that has more to do with LaPierre and the fear of what might occur than Covid.

I may miss the fun of the conventions, but do plan to shoot some stuff here in Texas because our freezer meat supply is too low.
I do not need to leave the state for that. Cow elk, Nilgai, hogs galore, exotics galore too. I rarely bother to shoot whitetails anymore.

With the ubiquity of this virus and it’s various strains…unless your country has not offered vaccination to everyone…I am not sure these travel restrictions make sense any longer.

I just got back from three weeks in Tanzania and while the new President is advocating vaccinations, no one in my camp had had one. I think that's all in the cities and they are just getting started, months behind everyone else. Further, I was reminded that any kind of social distancing is impossible in a hunting situation anywhere and with Africans in particular. That's why I love hunting in Africa, but hope the conventions do happen. I know the African outfits want to come.

Im going to Vegas

Watching Monday Night Football and that stadium looks to be at capacity with few, if any masks, on the spectators.

I know that has zero impact on foreign travel, but it doesn’t seem to be as draconian a shut down as before.

Lots of people in Vegas these days. The county (I think ) has imposed a mask requirement. A small price to pay in my book.

I am more concerned about Dallas. The numbers are high and apparently a judge can issue orders regarding lockdowns, masking, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Lots of people in Vegas these days. The county (I think ) has imposed a mask requirement. A small price to pay in my book.

I am more concerned about Dallas. The numbers are high and apparently a judge can issue orders regarding lockdowns, masking, etc.

Larry,

It is a sh@tshow here. Lawsuits are flying all over between the State, counties, cities, and school districts.

The abortion law recently passed has added to the craziness.

I do wish we could all get along.

I’m a Texan and, well…

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Lots of people in Vegas these days. The county (I think ) has imposed a mask requirement. A small price to pay in my book.

I am more concerned about Dallas. The numbers are high and apparently a judge can issue orders regarding lockdowns, masking, etc.

This event had a mask mandate, 11 people who visited got Covid and died so far. And in the posted screenshots you can read that at least one husband of a person attended also contracted Covid and died.

https://www.usnews.com/news/bu...s-requiring-vaccines

US Easing Virus Restrictions for Foreign Flights to America

The White House says President Joe Biden will ease foreign travel restrictions into the U.S. beginning in November.

By Associated Press
|
Sept. 20, 2021, at 1:59 p.m.



By ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. said Monday it will ease airline restrictions this fall on travel to the country for people who have vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test, replacing a hodgepodge of rules that had kept out many non-citizens and irritated allies in Europe and beyond where virus cases are far lower.


The changes, to take effect in November, will allow families and others who have been separated by the travel restrictions for 18 months to plan for long-awaited reunifications and allow foreigners with work permits to get back to their jobs in the U.S.

Airlines, business groups and travelers cheered.

“It’s a happy day. Big Apple, here I come!” said French entrepreneur Stephane Le Breton, 45, finally able to book a trip to New York City that had been put on hold over the virus restrictions.



The new policy will replace a patchwork of travel bans first instituted by President Donald Trump last year and tightened by President Joe Biden that restrict travel by non-citizens who have in the prior 14 days been in the United Kingdom, European Union, China, India, Iran, Republic of Ireland, Brazil or South Africa.

White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients announced the new policies, which still will require all foreign travelers flying to the U.S. to demonstrate proof of vaccination before boarding, as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of flight. Biden will also tighten testing rules for unvaccinated American citizens, who will need to be tested within a day before returning to the U.S., as well as after they arrive home.

Fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine, Zients said.

There will be no immediate change to U.S. land border policies, which restrict much cross-border travel with Mexico and Canada.

The travel bans had become the source of growing geopolitical frustration, particularly among allies in the UK and EU. The easing comes ahead of Biden meeting with some European leaders on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly this week.

“This is based on individuals rather than a country-based approach, so it’s a stronger system," Zients said.


The EU and UK had previously moved to allow vaccinated U.S. travelers in without quarantines, in an effort to boost business and tourism. But the EU recommended last month that some travel restrictions be reimposed on U.S. travelers to the bloc because of the rampant spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus in America.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will require airlines to collect contact information from international travelers to facilitate tracing, Zients said.

It was not immediately clear which vaccines would be acceptable under the U.S. system and whether those unapproved in the U.S. could be used. Zients said that decision would be up to the CDC.

Monday's announcement was met with applause by the air travel industry, which has lost significant revenue from declines in international travel.

Delta Air Lines spokesman Morgan Durrant said, "Science tells us that vaccinations coupled with testing is the safest way to re-open travel, and we are optimistic this important decision will allow for the continued economic recovery both in the U.S. and abroad and the reunification of families who have been separated for more than 18 months.”

Worldwide, air travel is still down more than half from pre-pandemic levels, and the decline is much sharper for cross-border flying. By July, domestic travel had recovered to 84% of 2019 numbers, but international travel was just 26% of the same month two years ago, according to figures this month from the airline industry’s main global trade group, the International Air Transport Association.

The numbers are similar but not quite as stark for the U.S., where international travel in August was 46% of that in August 2019, according to Airlines for America. Arrivals by non-U.S. citizens were only 36% of the 2019 level.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he was “delighted” by the news. He said: “It’s a fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again.”

Airlines hailed the U.S. decision as a lifeline for the struggling industry. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines U.K. said it was “a major breakthrough.”

Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said it was “a major milestone. ... The U.K. will now be able to strengthen ties with our most important economic partner, the U.S., boosting trade and tourism as well as reuniting friends, families and business colleagues."

The changes also drew praise from business groups, who have been contending with labor shortages as the economy bounces back with unexpected strength from last year’s coronavirus recession. U.S. employers have been posting job openings — a record 10.9 million in July — faster than applicants can fill them.

Myron Brilliant, head of international affairs for the U..S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement, “Allowing vaccinated foreign nationals to travel freely to the United States will help foster a robust and durable recovery for the American economy.”

Perhaps that will help.

I hear bad news about other big events in TX. I am concerned about DSC. I hope things work out .

I feel better about SCI. I can’t see them shutting down Vegas again.

Regarding Larry’s post…one of my close friends works at the State Fair of Texas each year, he told me last night that attendance is way off, “dead” is how he worded it. Also, anecdotal I know, but every year during “fair time” traffic is backed up in both directions on I-45 near the exit to Fair Park, same on I-30. Not so this year. I’m a bit concerned about the convention in Dallas, as it stands now the only vaccines accepted for entry into the US are those accepted by the CDC. From what I can find, the Chinese vaccine isn’t on that list and it seems that list of Africa has received this Chinese vaccine. I hope this is addressed if/when Mr. Biden makes his announcement regarding entry into the US in November.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Regarding Larry’s post…one of my close friends works at the State Fair of Texas each year, he told me last night that attendance is way off, “dead” is how he worded it. Also, anecdotal I know, but every year during “fair time” traffic is backed up in both directions on I-45 near the exit to Fair Park, same on I-30. Not so this year. I’m a bit concerned about the convention in Dallas, as it stands now the only vaccines accepted for entry into the US are those accepted by the CDC. From what I can find, the Chinese vaccine isn’t on that list and it seems that list of Africa has received this Chinese vaccine. I hope this is addressed if/when Mr. Biden makes his announcement regarding entry into the US in November.

Until recently, the Russian Sputnik-9 vaccine was the vaccine used throughout most of South America (or at least Argentina). I know, rather odd to name a vaccine after your first space rockets.

Argentina did receive some Astra Zeneca from us. Nick got the J&J while here in June.

I put out a letter/note to parties that I have hunted with in the past. Namibia, South Africa & Zimbabwe asking them if they were coming for either the SCI or DSC conventions. With that combo of conventions, We put out an invite for them to stop and stay as I am mid way between Las Vegas and Dallas and they have stayed with me while going from one location to the other in the past. Heck, one year they brought along some PH's from Zambia and Mozambique. We had quite a visit.

Currently they are not making any plans to travel to the USA, however that may change depending on what new restrictions will be forth coming. What ever the new travel restriction may be, they better be quick for our African friends to schedule travel.

So they are in a holding pattern to see what happens.

I usually offer to help them at their booths and was asking if my assistance would be needed this year.

Checking the DSC hotel reservations out, all motels had rooms available for the entire convention dates with the exceptions of the Omni. Usually some of these motes are booked up and days at the motels are blocked out.

Time will tell as the saying goes.

I think the hotel booking might be an indicator of things to come . On the other hand, people may simply be waiting to see what happens.

I hope both occur . We really missed both this year .

I understand that Infinito Safaris is planning to come to the shows(Charl). I will be attending SCI, as I live here in Las Vegas.

I'm driving to Vegas for the convention and have already registered for the show and booked my room. If the convention hall ends up rather barren then at least I am in Vegas and can still get in lots of trouble.