DSC has some big dollar hunters looking for record book trophies, but they also have a lot of average folks. Hunters that are more likely to know Jim Shockey than Craig Bottington. Many average hunters won't buy a membership just to attend a show. On the other hand the membership requirement does cut down on the tire kickers.

Just my speculation, but I would think small outfitters would do better at DSC than SCI.

At last night’s live auction, there were 2 guys intent on outbidding each other for a 4 day dove hunt in Argentina for 4 people hosted by Donald Trump Jr. When the bidding reached $110k, the donor agreed to donate a second hunt and each bidder would pay $100k. And Trump agreed to throw in a weekend at Mar A Largo for both bidders. The 2 guys agreed. Yes, there were some big dollar hunters there….

Junior’s participation in a hunt has historically brought big dollars.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
At last night’s live auction, there were 2 guys intent on outbidding each other for a 4 day dove hunt in Argentina for 4 people hosted by Donald Trump Jr. When the bidding reached $110k, the donor agreed to donate a second hunt and each bidder would pay $100k. And Trump agreed to throw in a weekend at Mar A Largo for both bidders. The 2 guys agreed. Yes, there were some big dollar hunters there….

This is the part of our modern hunting culture that I don't like.

Hero worship!

The Kardashians would have been having difficulty feeding themselves otherwise!

I can’t see paying extra just to have folks there who are not part of making your hunting better.

Kinda like prostitution, paying for someone’s company. Buying friends usually doesn’t work.

Great that DSC is getting money to further it’s good work. But, like Saeed, I just don’t get it.

Huge thanks to and respect for Don, Jr., for donating his valuable time to advance a good cause.

He is truly one of us.

That was likely another $150k or more for conservation because of Don, Jr. Keep in mind, these are donated hunts.

I have bought a couple at auction with the intent to spend more on extra animals, days, or add a hunter to help the outfitter make some money.

The Boone Pickens hunts would often go for $250k or more at Park Cities Quail.

Most donated hunts do not put money in the pockets of outfitters. However, in Argentina, we do charge for shells and other out of pocket items.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Huge thanks to and respect for Don, Jr., for donating his valuable time to advance a good cause.

He is truly one of us.

Amen

quote:

At last night’s live auction, there were 2 guys intent on outbidding each other for a 4 day dove hunt in Argentina for 4 people hosted by Donald Trump Jr. When the bidding reached $110k, the donor agreed to donate a second hunt and each bidder would pay $100k. And Trump agreed to throw in a weekend at Mar A Largo for both bidders. The 2 guys agreed. Yes, there were some big dollar hunters there….

That's not suspicious to anyone else here? Sounds like some Hunter Biden shit to me. Were the bidders Chinese?

Not sure what happened with trouble reading the QR codes, but I won't deny people's experiences. I help an outfitter out from South Africa and man the booth. So I checked us in on Wednesday at move in. I was armed with an email on my phone with the QR code for us. The scanner at the check-in desk had no problem reading the code and our passes were printed out in short order.

Separately I had bought passes online for my wife and son. I forwarded the confirmation emails for each to them that included the QR code. Again the scanner at check-in had no problem reading the code of their phones and they were in the hall in short order.

I have to agree even as an exhibitor that having more seating in places besides the bars and food courts would be a good idea.

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:

quote:

At last night’s live auction, there were 2 guys intent on outbidding each other for a 4 day dove hunt in Argentina for 4 people hosted by Donald Trump Jr. When the bidding reached $110k, the donor agreed to donate a second hunt and each bidder would pay $100k. And Trump agreed to throw in a weekend at Mar A Largo for both bidders. The 2 guys agreed. Yes, there were some big dollar hunters there….

That's not suspicious to anyone else here? Sounds like some Hunter Biden shit to me. Were the bidders Chinese?

Nope. 2 rich Texans seeking bragging rights…..

Fucking Texans... what were they thinking donating all that money to conservation?

And I didn't have any problems getting into or around DSC. Thought the name badges were a nice touch. Great show and a fun time catching up with all of my old buddies and outfitters.

It took about five minutes to buy a three day pass on Thursday morning. Glad I wasn't in line to buy a ticket Saturday morning. The lines were long.

Most years I get a general consensus from outfitters that the show is good/avg/poor. This year the outfitters seemed all over the board. One outfitter on Friday morning had 2024 booked solid and was working on 2025. A couple of regulars exhibitors at DSC didn't have a decent tire kicker by Saturday afternoon.

Economic concerns may be on the rise.

I couldn't keep Don Jr. from following me around on Saturday. Everywhere I went, he and his entourage followed. I finally gave him the slip at the Westley Richards booth by sneaking over to Ruger. If it happens again next year I may need some help from one of you in getting a restraining order.

My wife and I had a great Fri-Sun. No problems checking in Friday at 10am. We each had QR codes that had been sent to our phones a couple of weeks ago. Presented those and had badges/passes in very short order. Total time from shuttle to convention floor: less than 10 mins.
I went with specific intent to book one hunt and ended up elsewhere. Also got my wife's floating bone necklace being built finally to our specs. (when Patrick Mavros calls at 7am with his recommendations, it wakes me right up) Found a sailfish operation in Guatemala that is competing for my interest and money with Ecuador and the Galapagos. Visited with Parkwest Arms (formerly Dakota Arms) and think we can come to terms on a big-bore bolt action in the Spring. Discussed and chose poses with my taxidermist for animals from Zim. Took a bad beat on a silent auction. but we had a blast start to finish.
I talked to one free-lance PH who was booking into 2026.He stated his "show was made already" by Friday noon.
We had a great time. We were able to meet a couple of folks from here and a few
more who use to contribute here. We even met Don Jr on the elevator and were invited to his event. Yes, a few more places to sit would be nice but it has prompted me to look more into that laser surgery on my back. The shuttle worked well for us staying at AC Marriott even though we had to walk 2 blocks to catch.
My wife is already making plans to go back and I support that 100%.

quote:

Fucking Texans... what were they thinking donating all that money to conservation?

quote:

Originally posted by RBHunt:
I feel sorry for the exhibitors that have to put up with the tire kickers. Some people that buy a day pass and have no plans to ever go on a hunt, but spend time talking up outfitters, taking their brochures and then tossing them in the trash.

Tire kickers of today are clients of tomorrow. I kicked a lot of tires before booking my hunts.

Had no problem getting in on Saturday. Arrived at 0830 get my veteran pass in 10 minutes and waited for the door to open. Wish they had some lockers to store stuff. Bought a few things and was tired of lugging the stuff around. Sales tax was brutal also.

Vicki and I were there Thursday and Friday, her first time there and my second one. We had a great time and plan to make it an annual event. We had the same issues mentioned by others here, namely a 15 minute wait to get badges printed in spite of having QR codes on our phones, limited places to sit down, and no coat check facility. The latter was solved by talking to the gentleman at the concierge table who kindly allowed us to leave our items with him in exchange for a beer. Most exhibitors we talked to were doing well, with one Alaskan outfitter being booked through 2026. Interestingly, all the above issues did not exist at the SCI shows we attended in recent years. Unfortunately SCI has chosen to move their shows East, and after 30 years attending, I will not be there this year.

Coming East is a great idea.

The NRA show does great East of the Mississippi.

SCI will do great.

There is more to the works than Texas.

quote:

Originally posted by AilsaWheels:

I couldn't keep Don Jr. from following me around on Saturday. Everywhere I went, he and his entourage followed. I finally gave him the slip at the Westley Richards booth by sneaking over to Ruger. If it happens again next year I may need some help from one of you in getting a restraining order.

Bob

Maybe you need to wear your Hillary Clinton mask? I am pretty sure he will keep his distance!!

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Ferrall:
Vicki and I were there Thursday and Friday, her first time there and my second one. We had a great time and plan to make it an annual event. We had the same issues mentioned by others here, namely a 15 minute wait to get badges printed in spite of having QR codes on our phones, limited places to sit down, and no coat check facility. The latter was solved by talking to the gentleman at the concierge table who kindly allowed us to leave our items with him in exchange for a beer. Most exhibitors we talked to were doing well, with one Alaskan outfitter being booked through 2026. Interestingly, all the above issues did not exist at the SCI shows we attended in recent years. Unfortunately SCI has chosen to move their shows East, and after 30 years attending, I will not be there this year.

Some of us have flown out west for the shows for many years. I am guessing I have been to the Nevada shows since around 85.