I thought I might weigh in on the show reports, but from another perspective. If you are a sensitive person, please accept herewith my formal apology for the comments and remarks. My vision was blurred most of the days, so I re-collected mostly what I can remember, which was not much.

We did three shows in 2 weekends.
SCI first with me, Erika, Walter and Tiaan, while Gawie and Dave were doing the ISE show in Denver. We all got together in Dallas. It was a challenge but we got it done.

1. SCI and DSC could not have been more different this year, but this you all ready know. HOWEVER....the specialized hunts we offer was in high demand at SCI, and we booked them pretty good. I always wondered which year it will be that I can say in honesty to myself that DSC was a better show for business than SCI was. Well 2018 was that year.

2. Larry Shores have an amazing ability to wear trainers that make him stand out. They are walkers, not stalkers. Larry, any man that wears that kind of footwear Sir are secure in his sexual orientation and outlook on life in general. Respect. Another sign of the difference between the shows was that I saw Mr. Shores at least ten times at SCI and only once at DSC. That is how empty the isles were at SCI and how busy it was at DSC. Everyone wanting to see the WHOLE show more than ones, should get wheels like Mr. Shores!

3. Mike Jines must be the perfect still hunter and master of good manners. He will stand dead still outside the booth, about 10 yards away,for at least 20 minutes. Like a Heron waiting for a small fish.....Until he catches your eye and give you a smile that will make Dr. Hannibal Lector flinch. Well, you then drop everything you have and run over to hear how you can assist.

4. I do not know Will Parks personally,but as his photo pops up so much on the hunting reports section, it was hard to miss him! I did notice him stalking the floor once. Like a Hyena you know. Walk fast, stop, smell, listen, then off again for the next 10 yards..... His eyes constantly darting around looking for the next adventure.

5. All the hunting makes Russel Marshall look good. A lean mean, killing SOB. First thought I got when I saw him was that the hunting did him just as well as my brother in law's 23 year girlfriend from Maine does. Healthy skin, thin like a whippet and eyes glowing like embers of a mopani fire.

6. Who else? Oh, L. David Keith. Looking good brother, like me just got to get rid of the bike helmet you swallowed.

7. I never really got to see Buzz or any of my other Outfitter buddies. Most of them were too busy signing books while I was too busy booking hunts..... Well, maybe one day I will also write a book. I think it will be titled something like: " How to get a Lion and Elephant into America" Seems to me it will be a best seller. Johan from Shona Adventures came and sat down in my booth one am for a chat and it was nice to catch up with him and meet his new bride. Got to say hi to my buddy Phillip Smythe and a good enough chat with Tierry Labat to hear they are both solid and doing well. Also got to shake hands with Lance Nessbit and James Rosenfells in the PHASA booth one morning, and Guy Whitall at SCI. My good friend Karl Stumpfe was around like the mafia Don we all think he really is, but I sadly did not get time to smoke a cigar with him

8. Our private cigar and bourbon evening with a select group of Bwana's was great fun, and we had a good couple of laughs. Pappadeuax is still my favorite place to eat in Dallas.

9. At DSC Dave Ristau booked another hunt with me as did about 40 other hunters. It was a buyers show for us, and we were busy. Lots of South African wing-shooting and Plains Game inquiries, which was different for a change. Tanzania sold great for 2020. Very good.

10. To be honest, I was too busy to really do any kind of a report on the show other than what happened out of my corner and what I saw walking to the restroom and back, so do not take this to the bank.

But that is what the shows should be like, and it was. Dallas Safari Club thank you so much yet again for a fantastic show!

Complaints or suggestions? Keep it just as it is and do NOT go bigger. The exclusivity you have makes DSC what it is. There is a big enough diversity to keep all attendees interested and occupied, in one place.

It was good to see you Charl and Erica

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
It was good to see you Charl and Erica

Dang it! You see Milan, a blur.....I am looking forward to share a drink or two with you after that Bushpig is sausage meat Bwana!

Charl,Good report and perspective from the exhibitors side. Glad you had a succesful DSC.
Your booth was certainly popular. I walked by several times and you were all tied up.
I finally got to chat briefly with Erica and Gawie, and just shake your hand.
Glad to see good things happening.
Your Tanzania operation really looks fantastic.
Best
Larry Rainwater

quote:

Will Parks .... Like a Hyena you know.

That will stick

quote:

Originally posted by infinito:

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
It was good to see you Charl and Erica

Dang it! You see Milan, a blur.....I am looking forward to share a drink or two with you after that Bushpig is sausage meat Bwana!

We will have to sign contract...on that sausage and drinks
Can’t wait

Charl:

I wanted to stop by and talk with you. Every time I walked by, you were loaded with people. Business must be good!

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Charl:

I wanted to stop by and talk with you. Every time I walked by, you were loaded with people. Business must be good!

We are blessed Bwana! We will get together. SCI will be even more quite next year, so we will get some time!

Great to see you and your lovely wife Charl, why you decided to let Walter in your booth though still has me scratching my head! Seriously, it was great to see you and Walter joining together as a team and I look forward to running around in Tanz chasing buff with you two in the future!

Charl, I really enjoyed the single malt and cigars. Damn good BBQ too! Many thanks to you and Walter.

quote:

4. I do not know Will Parks personally,but as his photo pops up so much on the hunting reports section, it was hard to miss him! I did notice him stalking the floor once. Like a Hyena you know. Walk fast, stop, smell, listen, then off again for the next 10 yards..... His eyes constantly darting around looking for the next adventure.

Sounds like me. I've been hitting the big shows for 25 years (I first went to SCI when I was 20 years old) so I don't spend much time looking anymore.

And, I saw you as well, and it looked like you were very busy the entire time - like a lion protecting his kill from a pack of hyenas - and I didn't want to disrupt while you were talking business. I'll say hello next time around.

And you're spot on regarding Larry's shoes!

I remember the first time that I met Charl (maybe 12 or more years ago?) in Reno. A group of us were sitting in a Mexican Restaurant on very cold and snowy evening, talking about potential hunts and good/bad PHs. All of a sudden this big, burly, dark haired South African sitting all alone, and apparently trying to hide in the booth next to us (which is as close to impossible if you know Charl), breaks right into our conversation uninvited. He introduced himself to us as 'Charl' and that damn bugger knew everything about us and who each of us was. I was somewhat perplexed, as I had never met this 'giant of a man' before. So, to sum it all up: To all of you out there-remember, Charl is WATCHING you; he knows your every move; he knows ALL ABOUT you; he knows what shoes you wear; even the color of your underwear!

Thanks for your perspective. I agree with your last sentence.