What did you buy or book at the SCI Nashville convention

[Altitude sickness]

Phil, that’s a nice hat. What is the beaver count.

I handled alot of rifles. Montana Rifle Company had a few models on hand. And were busy. So hopefully that translates to sales. They are definitely moving into the DG calibers next.

 

[Jfet]

I started working on a Dall's sheep hunt after finding out the Unit was just closed where I have the full bag hunt for September. The sticker shock literally hit me like a gut punch! I took a day to absorb this doubling of prices and am still narrowing it down.
I did get tempted by the Rigby Shikari double.

My son and I were scheduled to do a Dall Sheep Hunt in August of 2022. In June our outfitter called and said after several aerial surveys he had not seen any legal rams. Evidently, there had been a big dall sheep die off approximately 10 years ago. The outfitter told us the hunt would probably be a very expensive hike in very beautiful country. Based on that information we decided to postpone that hunt indefinately. We were able to schedule an ibex hunt in Tajikistan for November of that year. Ask about sheep populations.

 

[TOBY458]

Bull Elephant/Buffalo hunt in 2025. Going to Maninga with Dalton and York.

 

[Houston Bill]

After a number of visits in Dallas to the Rand booth and a couple more her in Nashville, I saw this hat. I’d seen it before on their website and didn’t care for it. In person it looks much better than on the computer.


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Nice hat Phil! Wow, your safari this year will have a beautiful new 470NE double and a new safari hat! Can't wait to see the pics from your hunt report!

 

[TERMINATOR]

Talked to Kenny Jarrett and his son's Cain and Jay about building a DG rifle. Price TBD when I pick out the wood and finalize all the options. Nicest folks I talked to at the entire show.

My gal Tina talked to a guide about booking a hunt in Croatia. Who would have seen that coming?

Kenny is an amazing guy
Having him build a rifle for me is on my list of things to do

 

[Altitude sickness]

Does he still call them a bean field rifle

 

[TERMINATOR]

Does he still call them a bean field rifle

That’s just one model, but it’s the one that put him on the map

RIFLE MODELS | Jarrett Rifles

EXPERIENCE THE JARRETT DIFFERENCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF A RIFLE DESIGNED AND BUILT BY AMERICAS LEGENDARY FIREARMS CRAFTSMAN, KENNY JARRETT.

www.jarrettrifles.com

 

[Rare Breed]

I got out relitivly cheap. My wife purchased some Tetra custom molded hearing devices.

The couple traveling with us booked a Buffalo, Croc, Leopard and hippo hunt with Dalton and York in the Omay

I ran into the CEO of SCI and he said they are setting another all time record this year.

Two very expensive Bespoke garments for Mrs Rare Breed ( my mother said she got rid of the stupid ones in our family) Paid second installment on my Tsala leopard hunt for 25 then booked a Tsala buff hunt for 26

 

[rinehart0050]

Another great convention.

Booked red stag and chamois in Austria for this September (during the roar!).

Also picked up some purses for my lady, Jim Shockey's book, and the Hunter Chef cookbook.

Went to Michael Hunter's wild gamr cooking class- which was great. He cooked goose breast with a blueberry compote, which was delicious. Hope they bring him back next year for more cooking classes!

 

[UpNorthMI]

It was time for a pair of Swarovski range finding binoculars, some new shirts from Tag & Rigby. Met the folks from Gracy Travel who are handling my South Africa flights for my son and I on our May buffalo culling trip, met and enjoyed the company of our PH.

Paid the Global Rescue insurance that I hope I never need. Spent some time at a number of New Zealand and Australian outfitters, looking to do some hunting out there in 2025.

We were there for 2 days, it seemed like we needed 4 days to cover the whole show!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Were there any steals or bargains

 

[TERMINATOR]

Another great convention.

Booked red stag and chamois in Austria for this September (during the roar!).

Also picked up some purses for my lady, Jim Shockey's book, and the Hunter Chef cookbook.

Went to Michael Hunter's wild gamr cooking class- which was great. He cooked goose breast with a blueberry compote, which was delicious. Hope they bring him back next year for more cooking classes!

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I did my first European hunt this year in Scotland, and find it very appealing

I am looking to do Spain and Hungary and maybe Romania someday

But I’ve already rebooked to go back to Scotland

 

[Doubleplay]

The plan is to hunt upland birds in Montana with my dogs through the month of September on public lands. Then at the end of September, Princess Bride will fly in and we will be at the Flying B Ranch in Idaho for two days of upland bird hunting. After a couple of days of showers, clean sheets, and some very good cooking, I‘ll decide whether to go home or go chase pheasant for the month of October.

Flying B Ranch | Flying B Ranch

www.flyingbranch.com

I love hunting on public lands with my dogs in Montana.
It's always a blast.
I wonder if you ever hunted Flying B in Idaho?
Nice place but not the same as hunting wild birds in Montana.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Were there any steals or bargains

Plains game Safari’s in RSA in the auctions if you don’t want to go with a specific outfitter.

If you want to go and don’t care who you’re going with, you can always pick up some bargains

I personally only want to hunt RSA with Marius @KMG Hunting Safaris because I know the quality of hunt I’m going to receive is top-notch. But if you’re open on who you hunt with lots of those hunts go for a great deal.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Terminator, those European hunts are on my radar. I can’t decide where to start. Most likely Italy or Spain

 

[Doubleplay]

Plains game Safari’s in RSA in the auctions if you don’t want to go with a specific outfitter.

If you want to go and don’t care who you’re going with, you can always pick up some bargains

I personally only want to hunt RSA with Marius @KMG Hunting Safaris because I know the quality of hunt I’m going to receive is top-notch. But if you’re open on who you hunt with lots of those hunts go for a great deal.

You can go and talk to them before the auction and get a feel for the operation.
You can also ask for references.
I always wonder why people are not bidding more on SA auction hunts.
They can save a boatload of money.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Terminator, those European hunts are on my radar. I can’t decide where to start. Most likely Italy or Spain

I had a blast hunting for Red Stag, Sitka Deer and Roe Deer. it was pretty reasonable and the hunting was real hunting in the hills of Scotland on a huge estate. The animals were free ranging. I have already booked to go back.

Message me if you want information

 

[TERMINATOR]

You can go and talk to them before the auction and get a feel for the operation.
You can also ask for references.
I always wonder why people are not bidding more on SA auction hunts.
They can save a boatload of money.

Yes, that is one advantage of going to the show

I work the auctions online but still pre-research on any that I am interested in bidding on. I can't physically chat with someone to size them up for how I would like hunting with them though. Nothing beats face to face when getting a feel for people. But I can get a feel for their reputation just based on how people talk about them if it is someone I know and trust.

I got a bargain out of New Zealand with a incredible outfitter during Covid when nobody was traveling and they were desperate to book hunts. Same with Argentina

 

[WAB]

I started working on a Dall's sheep hunt after finding out the Unit was just closed where I have the full bag hunt for September. The sticker shock literally hit me like a gut punch! I took a day to absorb this doubling of prices and am still narrowing it down.
I did get tempted by the Rigby Shikari double.

Almost makes it worth moving to Alaska for a couple of years!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Phil, that’s a nice hat. What is the beaver count.

Thanks.

I knew that number, but I've already forgot and they don't list that on their website. They have I think it's four levels of beaver felt, but I'm not sure the count is any different. I think that has more to do with just how "fine" the felt is made to.

The gent there knew I was going to use it as an outdoor hat and recommended either staying with the "Low" grade or next step up. It's not that the low grade is cheap (it most definitely isn't), but the higher grades are just a bit nicer in appearance......not that I could actually tell.....this is my first custom had. So I just stuck with the lowest grade.

If you're interested I'm sure they could tel you.