DSC and SCI Your thoughts?

[jb1069]

All new to this but was wandering what is the general consensus on joining or attending one of their shows.
I am still in the planning stages of trying to pick where I want to go and which outfitter to go with. Will joining either of these organizations help with this? I have been a long time member of the NWTF and a short time member of TFT. I know the good work both of these organizations do for the wild turkey but I also see the money grab and hunter/customer recruitment the NWTF has become in the last 20 years. I am considering attending the DSC summer event in Texas if this would help put me face to face with outfitters. But then I realize most are probably not in the states this time of year.

 

[Doug3006]

Hi JB. Attending one of the major shows is a great way to select the right outfitter. Meeting the principals face to face can only help. Keep in mind that they are selling you something, so always check references too. That said, I find most safari guys to be honest and transparent. You may want to look up the lengthy thread on the last DSC convention in Atlanta.

 

[MacJenkins]

Been to SCI and DSC many times. Loved DSC when in Dallas. Now that it is Atlanta we have no desire to go. Normally we prefer DSC to SCI. Now that SCI is in Nashville it is a no brainer for our group. Vegas we don't care for at all.

But yes I can't think of a better show to go meet with outfitters. That's where we make all our deals for hunts.

 

[lhook7]

I'm a lifetime DSC member and cannot recommend joining that organization in its current state.

 

[gcbailey]

I'm a lifetime DSC member and cannot recommend joining that organization in its current state.

What is wrong with DSC? I have attended many times over the years. though I am not a member. I was actually very excited it was coming to Atlanta, as I am from GA, but it seems I am in the minority on that. I am a member of SCI and attended their first year and Nashville and had a great time.

 

[Russ16]

Both shows are worth attending. Frankly DSC will probably have lighter attendance which means it will be better for what you’re looking for. Outfitters will be less busy and have more time to spend with you. That’s not a knock on SCI just the current state of the DSC show with the live to Atlanta.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Not trying to dissuade you from attending one or both (Go for it!). But for some of us (BFE, rural Alaska) it's not in the cards. I say all that to say great deals from fabulous outfitters are easily found here with our sponsors - if that's a primary motivation.

I'm old fashioned and love a handshake and eye contact as much as anyone, but it works very well on here too.

 

[SETH RINGER]

JOIN THEM BOTH! MAGAZINES IN THE MAILBOX ARE WORTH THAT AND BETTER TO HAVE TWO IN THE FIGHT THAN ONE. GO TO ONE OR BOTH SHOWS AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN, THE LESSER OF THE TWO IS STILL A GREAT TIME.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Go to the shows. The first time for me was overwhelming. I spent three days touring the floor and accomplished nothing. The second I was focused, had my head in the game and met with and spent a lot of time learning about what should be important to me not just what I thought I knew.

The third time I took in a few seminars put on by selected outfitter speakers. One of the seminars was given by Marina Lamprecht, a true gentlelady by every sense and spirit of the words definition, and a true ambassador of hunting, conservation and Namibia.

Go. You will not regret it

 

[lhook7]

What is wrong with DSC? I have attended many times over the years. though I am not a member. I was actually very excited it was coming to Atlanta, as I am from GA, but it seems I am in the minority on that. I am a member of SCI and attended their first year and Nashville and had a great time.

I'll be joining SCI this year and already have my hotel booked in Nashville!

I'm not big on organizations that lie to their membership. DSC's self inflicted shortcomings are discussed at length in this thread: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/dallas-safari-club-convention-summary.89093/

 

[gcbailey]

I'll be joining SCI this year and already have my hotel booked in Nashville!

I'm not big on organizations that lie to their membership. DSC's self inflicted shortcomings are discussed at length in this thread: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/dallas-safari-club-convention-summary.89093/

Thank you!

 

[pilar]

Don’t forget SCI owns TTHA African show in Dallas in January
I’m not going to either Nashville or Atlanta, I think my money is better spent and 3x that $$$ on same with hunting partner and our wives ( hotel, food, airfare, ) on my safari,
When TTHA is going to Dallas 3.5 hours away from house

 

[deewayne2003]

What is wrong with DSC? I have attended many times over the years. though I am not a member. I was actually very excited it was coming to Atlanta, as I am from GA, but it seems I am in the minority on that. I am a member of SCI and attended their first year and Nashville and had a great time.

I dropped $1,500 on a DSC life membership.... Two weeks later they announced the move to Atlanta; so yeah that was a bitter pill to swallow when you live within an hour from the Dallas location.

I'm still a lifetime member and hope they get their act together, but I'm NOT going to Atlanta; I will be going to the SCI show in Nashville as well as the TTH show in Dallas.

 

[Rare Breed]

All new to this but was wandering what is the general consensus on joining or attending one of their shows.
I am still in the planning stages of trying to pick where I want to go and which outfitter to go with. Will joining either of these organizations help with this? I have been a long time member of the NWTF and a short time member of TFT. I know the good work both of these organizations do for the wild turkey but I also see the money grab and hunter/customer recruitment the NWTF has become in the last 20 years. I am considering attending the DSC summer event in Texas if this would help put me face to face with outfitters. But then I realize most are probably not in the states this time of year.

Great question...I am a member of both for these reasons:
1. SCI is the only group that fights for us in Washington for our hunting rights.
2. Both SCI and DSC with the latter no matter where it is held, provide you with a wealth of information and an in person opportunity to meet and talk to outfitters to both obtain information and get a feel for chemistry with a potential PH.
I thoroughly enjoy both and attend both!

DSC will once again be in Atlanta this year and hopefully unlike last year's ice storm will bring good weather and turn out. I will once again volunteer to set AH members up with a close to the conference dinner where we can all get together and enjoy each other!

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

I'm going to the inaugural DSC Summer Expo in July. Won't be as big as the regular conventions but should be about half the size. That's still over 400 exhibitors. It is in the middle of safari season but still expecting a heavy international presence. If you're close, it's worth a shot.

DSC or SCI annual conventions - they're both great. Pick one or both. You won't be disappointed.

 

[jb1069]

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the input. I am a sponge right now for all information I can get.

 

[gcbailey]

I dropped $1,500 on a DSC life membership.... Two weeks later they announced the move to Atlanta; so yeah that was a bitter pill to swallow when you live within an hour from the Dallas location.

I'm still a lifetime member and hope they get their act together, but I'm NOT going to Atlanta; I will be going to the SCI show in Nashville as well as the TTH show in Dallas.

That makes complete sense. I haven't joined for the very same reason, only on the mirror side- I am from Georgia, and it is a Dallas club!

 

[Russ16]

That makes complete sense. I haven't joined for the very same reason, only on the mirror side- I am from Georgia, and it is a Dallas club!

I’d strongly urge you not to think of it as a Dallas club. The work they do benefits anyone interested in Africa. I live in Virginia and am happily a life member.

 

[Philip Glass]

Attending hunting shows armed with a good list of questions is your best bet for finding an outfitter. This forum is filled with posts discussing the right questions to ask and I have a video on the subject in the Safari planning section. I Love attending shows of all kinds. I do lean towards SCI as I am very involved there as VP of our San Angelo Chapter and a Director-at-Large of SCI. The SCI Convention in Nashville this year broke all records and has become an even better event than ever before! Also keep in mind the very new and growing TTHA Outdoors Extravaganza in Dallas in January. It will likely be Double the size of this years event.

 

[mdwest]

Also keep in mind the very new and growing TTHA Outdoors Extravaganza in Dallas in January. It will likely be Double the size of this years event.

I’m a long time DSC life member, and volunteered for many years at the DSC show…


I’ll be at TTHA this year if that says anything to anyone…

I know of numerous AH sponsors and members that will also be at TTHA..

I’m guessing the number of booths at TTHA grow by 50% this year and that the number of people that attend TTHA will be more than double that attend DSC… the more people I talk to, the more it looks like that’s how things will shake out for January 2026…