Hunting shows

[Ozishooter]

Hi All
If you were to attend one show in the USA what would it be ?
I am thinking of flying from Australia next year but only have time for one show.

Regards
Chris

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hi All
If you were to attend one show in the USA what would it be ?
I am thinking of flying from Australia next year but only have time for one show.

Regards
Chris

Well this is an easy decision at the moment. DSC is going thru some turmoil and I'm not sure what next year will look like. It has been historically a great show. However if I were coming all the way from Australia, I'd plan on the SCI convention in Nashville.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Well this is an easy decision at the moment. DSC is going thru some turmoil and I'm not sure what next year will look like. It has been historically a great show. However if I were coming all the way from Australia, I'd plan on the SCI convention in Nashville.

Exactly what Phil said. Flying that far go to SCI.

 

[Sabre]

I agree with Phil.

To play devil's advocate for DSC, the venders there might have more time to talk to you one on one because it might be a slower show.

 

[wesheltonj]

Normally, but I would say DSC. It’s the first show, you will have first shot at hunt dates. Unfortunately, DSC show for a variety of reasons might no longer be the best show to attend, particularly with the distance you are traveling. Of course if the show was back in Dallas, that direct flight from Sydney would be the way to go.

 

[JCHunter62]

My dad and I went to the DSC show in Georgia this year, it was our first show ever. As someone who was looking for a hunt, it was fantastic as we didn't have to wait to talk to any vendors and they all wanted to talk to us as long as possible. Atlanta had its first snow since 2018, so unless you arrived on the Wednesday or earlier prior to the show, you would have been delayed which happened to A TON of attendees.

Overall the vendors were EXTREMELY frustrated as they didn't sell a lot of hunts at that particular show. We received an apology email from the DSC leadership, but honestly you can't blame them for a natural mishap. I think they are re-evaluation the location the next shows will be hosted at, but if the vendor list looks solid for 2026+ I wouldn't hesitate to attendee.

 

[deewayne2003]

Exactly what Phil said. Flying that far go to SCI.

Agreed, normally I would say DSC is the easy choice because it's the first show, huge event with every vendor you can imagine and for you the direct flight from SYD to DFW would be ideal.

Now having said that, as a life member of DSC I can best some up the drama with DSC's convention relocation has brought about many changes that put the DSC show on shaky legs.

So I would recommend the SCI show in Nashville or perhaps even the SCI/TTHA show that had it's first year in DFW this January - I have a feeling the TTHA show will continue to grow both in size and quality.

 

[ACE (in CT)]

I guess it depends what you are looking for. The Harrisburg PA show has a TON of exhibitors, and while SC has more “Africa”, maybe you want a bigger picture View. IE: 1000 exhibitors, 300+ outfitters!
If you go to The American Great Outdoor Show (2/1-2/9 this year), try to get there for a few midweek days, it’s much more pleasant.

 

[mdwest]

Yep to all of the above..

SCI would be the choice for me if coming from outside the US... TTHA is growing, and Dallas is great.. but its still know and the Jan 2026 show is still an unknown...

DSC is struggling.. and its still unknown what their intent is for the 2026 show... no clue where its going to be, when its going to happen, etc.. they have a whole lot of work to do before they regain the confidence of the attendees and the exhibitors.. If I lived reasonably close to wherever DSC lands I'd probably attend.. but if coming from OCONUS, it think there is way too much risk.. especially for a first time show attendee..

Which leaves SCI.. which is well established, has had huge success in recent years in Nashville, etc.. its almost a guarantee that there will be a large showing of exhibitors, that a huge number of like minded international hunters will be present to meet/get to know.. Nashville has A LOT of great stuff to do outside of the show itself.. and while there is always a possibility of bad weather, Nashville rarely gets hit with really bad snow, ice, or even rain.. the probability of great weather is much greater than the possibility of bad..