DSC 2026 Report

[PHOENIX PHIL]

No, I'm not there. I did the TTHA show and will be at SCI Nashville for @JKO HUNTING SAFARIS in a couple of weeks. Early report I got yesterday was the show is much better attended than last year. But I'd like to hear more from those who were there yesterday and/or for the remainder of the show.

 

[375Fox]

I spent yesterday and half of today there. It was a nice show. It’s not a busy as Dallas, but turnout is decent. Saturday at noon is comparable to a Thursday in Dallas to me. Very relaxed atmosphere.

 

[wesheltonj]

. . . Saturday at noon is comparable to a Thursday in Dallas to me. Very relaxed atmosphere.

That's not good.

 

[375Fox]

That's not good.

When a whole state boycotts the show what do you expect? It’s a significant improvement from last year. It’s not ideal but it does allow spending a lot more time in booths discussing hunts. I significantly upgraded a hunt I had planned because that opportunity.

 

[lhook7]

When you lie to your loyal members, what more can you expect?

 

[Russ16]

It has been a really good show and every exhibitor I talked to was happy with the turnout and had booked some hunts. One guy who just rode up the elevator with me says he never stopped talking all day and was very pleased.

I felt it was the right pace of busy but not so crazy that exhibitors couldn’t spend some time talking with you.

 

[sureshot375]

Very respectable turn out. The outfitters seem happy. More than one told me lots of the attendees were serious about booking. I think tomorrow will be decent as well.

 

[wesheltonj]

When a whole state boycotts the show what do you expect? It’s a significant improvement from last year. It’s not ideal but it does allow spending a lot more time in booths discussing hunts. I significantly upgraded a hunt I had planned because that opportunity.

Not to dwell on DSC screw ups, but I will. They allegedly hired THE top marketing firm for non-profits to promote the show. All I saw was Facebook ads. I suspect, that firm had zero experience marketing hunting activities. It also sounds like all those "Southern Hunters" that they were banking on did not materialize either.

The comments elsewhere seen to suggest that turnout was light and that the income from the auctions was below historical averages, except for the Don, Jr. hunt.

I am glad that you were able to upgrade your hunt. KOS hunt?

 

[Fatback]

I spent the day there today and enjoyed myself. I cannot compare it to other DSC shows as this was my first DSC show. It was more laid back than the SCI shows I’ve been to in Nashville. I did get to meet several forum members and it’s always good to put a face with a name. I’ve got a couple of strong leads on hunts I’m interested in so that was good. Since it was only a 3.5 hour drive for me, I am glad I made it to check it out.

 

[Rare Breed]

It has been a really good show and every exhibitor I talked to was happy with the turnout and had booked some hunts. One guy who just rode up the elevator with me says he never stopped talking all day and was very pleased.

I felt it was the right pace of busy but not so crazy that exhibitors couldn’t spend some time talking with you.

I agree. 100% better than last year but nothing like when it is in Dallas. I was glad to see most outfitters had people talking to them about perspective hunts though which is good. Super looking forward to SCI though should be awesome. Our AH dinner has 105 people rsp me which is just awesome!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!!!

 

[Adam Stevens]

Waiting for it to go back and my brother and I want to go for our first time to dsc.

 

[dgr416]

Last years Atlanta show was way bigger thsn this years show to me .I was disapointed in how big the show was today .I guess after the one day show then snow last year with hardly anyone alot of people left .I checked out muskox hunts they ranged from 6800 to 18900 .Caribou hunts went through the roof one was 18000 crazy high .Alaska had way less outfitters this year .I just went there last year saw fes moose zero carabou no sheep and few besrs in the interior not really anything but red squirrels .The plane coming back from Alaska had only one guy got a moose zero got caribou .If something is not done quick in Ak its gone forever .I lived there 12 years and lived off the land easy not now its a walmart dependent land .I only saw one greenland outfitter .I want to go to the SCI show next week will have to see .I tried to get 10 friends to go to this show no one would go .

 

[DaBill]

My First DSC. Nothing to compare it to but my take on it is that it was awesome! I've seen everything I wanted to see. Venders were busy but was able to to cater to people. I was able to visit with outfitters and spend time with them getting to know them and find out what they had to offer. I was able to look at and ask questions about the stuff I was interested in. And in two very busy days couldn't get through half of what is here. I was able to buy some things at excellent prices. So from my perspective it was wonderful.

 

[Philip Glass]

Not to dwell on DSC screw ups, but I will. They allegedly hired THE top marketing firm for non-profits to promote the show. All I saw was Facebook ads. I suspect, that firm had zero experience marketing hunting activities. It also sounds like all those "Southern Hunters" that they were banking on did not materialize either.

The comments elsewhere seen to suggest that turnout was light and that the income from the auctions was below historical averages, except for the Don, Jr. hunt.

I am glad that you were able to upgrade your hunt. KOS hunt?

Videos appeared to show Friday night banquet and not full even with Don Jr. there. Many bargains were taken at the auctions.

 

[sureshot375]

Not to dwell on DSC screw ups, but I will. They allegedly hired THE top marketing firm for non-profits to promote the show. All I saw was Facebook ads. I suspect, that firm had zero experience marketing hunting activities. It also sounds like all those "Southern Hunters" that they were banking on did not materialize either.

The comments elsewhere seen to suggest that turnout was light and that the income from the auctions was below historical averages, except for the Don, Jr. hunt.

I am glad that you were able to upgrade your hunt. KOS hunt?

I think the turnout was decent in spite of DSC leadership rather than because of it.

I think an Atlanta show had a lot of potential.

Snow was a huge problem last year. The DSC leadership is the bigger ongoing problem.

Hopefully the organization can ride things out and maybe get back to the leadership it needs.

 

[mdwest]

I think the turnout was decent in spite of DSC leadership rather than because of it.

I think an Atlanta show had a lot of potential.

Snow was a huge problem last year. The DSC leadership is the bigger ongoing problem.

Hopefully the organization can ride things out and maybe get back to the leadership it needs.

That’s good news (that turnout was decent)…

The trouble moving forward however is… if DSC leadership is continuing to fail (I.e. success was found despite leadership), it’s likely going to get worse, not better…

DSC doubled down… on the day before the show they announced the “new” CEO…

They chose the very controversial person that was as I understand it behind the “save DSC” fiasco 4 or 5 years back, that was largely the cause for Corey Mason resigning and moving to wild sheep (according to multiple former board members), and was at the center of the walk out that half the board did 6 months before the last Atlanta show..

They didn’t find someone that can or will unify membership or bring the old Texas core back into the fold… they purposefully put someone in charge that has a record of divisiveness and turmoil… that is at the center of many of the old members refusal to have anything to do with the organization any longer …

 

[revturbo9967]

Was there for two days and a good show. Every outfit I spoke too had positive activity and said they will be back next year.

The show was in building c and a much better set up then last year. Far nice venue then when it was in Dallas.

 

[WAB]

I was pleasantly surprised. Although not busy, my friends were selling hunts. Purdey, Rigby and Westley Richards seemed to be having very good shows. To me it seemed like the folks that were there were serious.

The AH dinner was a great success. Thanks again guys for setting it up!

 

[lhook7]

A friend of mine went last year and this year he said he will not be going back.