Have you ever gone to a hunting/fishing/outdoors tradeshow?  If not, you should give it a try.  It?s a good excuse to get out of the house and it?s also a good way to see what the new products are for the upcoming year.  If you get any kind of ?out-of-season-blues? then these expos will put you right back in the zone because it?s nothing but hunting in fishing for as many booths as you care to walk by.  

When I go to these shows I always like to look for new, creative products.  It?s amazing to me what people come up with and many of these products come from hunters just like you and me who see a need for something so they create it.  I like to see the products and to also hear the stories behind them.  

It sounds odd to say it, but going to the shows can wear you out because it?s like information overload on Wildlife Energy Drink!  Around every corner and with every new booth you see there?s something else to investigate and learn about.  Some products and services may interest you more than others, but either way it?s firing all of your sensory receivers as you stroll through?at least it does for me.  Combine the new products, new faces, competitions, and the smell of food in the air and you?ve got a hunter?s weakness, which leads me to the next point? only take the amount of cash that you want to spend before you go.  Don?t take a check book, don?t take a debit card, or more cash than you plan to spend because I can tell you that you will want to buy more than you need!  It?s really hard for me to go to any show and not buy something, but then again?I guess that?s what the vendors want!

Some info on upcoming shows?

SC 

The 2011 Palmetto Sportsman?s Classic is being held on March 25th ? 27th, 2011 in Columbia, SC at the state fairgrounds.  If you can find USC?s football stadium, then you can find the state fairgrounds.  The Sportsman?s Classic is put on by SCDNR and features products for both hunters and fisherman.  It seems that this year one of the guests will be ?Twiggy? the Water Skiing Squirrel. The Sportsman?s Classic is a neat event and you can see just about anything you?d want to see from fishing to hunting at the Sportsman?s Classic.

See our review of last year?s Sportsman?s Classic

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The Pee Dee Deer Classic is held in July 29th ? 30th in Florence, SC right before deer hunting season starts. This trade show is right up the deer hunter?s alley.  Obviously the focus of the show is on deer hunting, but you will see some other sports represented there as well such as turkey and boar hunting.  The Pee Dee Deer Classic is a good way to get your blood pumping and get you motivated right before deer hunting season gets here.

See our review of last year?s Pee Dee Deer Classic

 

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NC 

The Dixie Deer Classic is held on March 4th ? 6th, 2011 in Raleigh, NC at the state fairgrounds. I have never been to this show, but I have only heard great things about it.  Everyone says that it?s the biggest show they?ve been to and has the most in attendance over the course of the show.  I may try to go this year just to see what it?s like.  I think all the big names will be in the house, but if I go I?m not going to stalk them?though if you?re into being ?star-struck? then I think it may be an option for you.  From looking at their web site it seems that they have a waiting-list for vendors.  This tells me that the demand is high and so everyone?s statements about the show must be true.  Depending on where you are in SC then a trip to Raleigh might not be a long haul.  

Oh and just in case you?re wondering? you?ll be able to get a McKenzie Scent Fan Duffle Bag at all 3 of these shows because I know Mr. McKenzie is planning on being in attendance at the shows.

Have you gone to any of these shows before?  If so, what did you think?  Which is the best and why? Also what are some of the upcoming shows that you know of in your area?

Regards,

Clint