Who's ready for the Dallas Safari Club this weekend

[csmcclain]

Wishing I could go. Just finished some home remodeling, just bought a car, we are actively closing on land, and I’m going to Africa in September. I have decided I should probably save at least a few pennies by not taking the trip to Dallas.

 

[mdwest]

My admittedly little understanding of that time period is that there was considerable strife between the board members including significant personal animosity. I believe that is what lead to Corey Mason’s decision to move on to greener pastures. Anyway, let’s hope the people in the head shed have put that type of behavior behind them and are more focused on the organization and the important ideals that led to its founding.

Thats my understanding as well..

that said, look at who was appointed to replace McCanna as CEO after he left very abruptly (10 month tenure as Coreys replacement) in October of last year..

The person that was at the absolute center of the controvery that led to the DSC board having half its membership walk out, and Corey leaving to go to Wild Sheep is who now sits in the seat..

they doubled down... they didnt put the behavior behind them at all..

 

[Rare Breed]

I would be there to see so many of my friends, but my youngest daughter's big wedding shower is this weekend, and I have to play car shofar. Yeah, that's right...call me a wuss!

 

[txtrout75218]

I left a large nonprofit in 2020 and never really saw any issues at the BOD level.

I really didn't get interested in DSC until just a few years ago, more because it was local vs SCI. However, after the move, etc, I don't really know how much effort I'm willing to put into DSC at the moment.

It's a shame when people and egos get in the way of the Mission of an organization.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I went last year and it was a nice little thimble of what DSC normally is. Never been to an SCI show but ixd like to this next time. I'm out of town or I would host a get together.

 

[Rumrunner]

I’m here at the show. Quite a bit smaller than the January show, but that is to be expected with hunting season going on. The exhibitors are very good and enthusiastic to discuss their product or just to say hi and talk. I’m enjoying the show.

 

[Pablo]

I had planned to drive up there and go to the show and see my sister, but we are babysitting a granddaughter this weekend. Can’t say no to that

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

The summer show has several very good African Outfitter options in attendance. To me it had more of a premium outfitter feel with several big names that are often mentioned for each country. I didn’t really notice a slew of South African game ranch outfitters you’ll see at the other shows. If I was considering branching out of the normal RSA/Namibia circles I think you’d benefit from the more personal show experience

Looking at the attendance list you’ve got …..

• in Mozambique - Zambeze Delta Safaris, Mashabanzou Safaris and Cabassa Safaris. This represents Niassa and probably the most game dense Coutada in the country.
• In Botswana - Tholo Safaris and Cabassa Safaris. Options for Big Elephants and great PG
• in Namibia - Dzombo Safaris giving you a Caprivi option
• in Tanzania you have Game Trackers Africa giving you the option for a Maasai area or the Selous
• in South Africa - Rockwood Conservancy (largest rhino herd), Conrad Vermak Safaris (can offer exportable lions), and Crusader Safaris (500k acres of free range hunting)
• I didn’t notice any Zim or Zambia Outfitters scanning the map but that doesn’t mean I didn’t overlook them. I also didn’t name every African Outfitter.

It also looked like there were 3-4 New Zealand Outfitters, a couple Spanish/European ones. It’s definitely in the middle of hunting season which limits a lot of outfitters ability to travel here and IMO is likely why you see more of the cream. It also looks like the marketing has more of a “DSC Foundation” focus than Expo and it’s pushing the conservation side. It’s an event in Texas, so you’ll always get High Fence Texas Exotic Outfitters and Ranches.

 

[txtrout75218]

After actually taking the time to look at the exhibitor list, it does look like a nice show. It doesn't seem to be overrun with whitetail or too much TX game ranch stuff

I would like to go and handle Blaser rifles. Been thinking a switch barrel setup would be nice for travel.

However, my wife reminded me that we have something out of town most of Saturday and Sunday. And I have something else I need to address today. So I guess I'll miss this.

A friend just returned from RSA and a stay at Crusader Safaris and I've become interested in perhaps visiting with him in the next couple of years. He has been with them several times.a d I've not hunted that area of RSA.

Hopefully those that can make it have a great time.

 

[LWood]

I went last year but can't make it this year.
If I lived in DFW, I would go walk through just for something to do. It is only $25.
They also had some raffles last year that were decent.

 

[LimbNoMo]

It isn’t just $25. Self parking is $30 and valet is $50. No other options. Minimum $55-75.

 

[deewayne2003]

It isn’t just $25. Self parking is $30 and valet is $50. No other options. Minimum $55-75.

Yeah we just did Valet last year to avoid the freak show parking situation.

 

[Nicaburns]

There is a table at the top of the escalator where you can just pay a flat $15 for parking… they give you a code to scan when you exit. I went on Thursday evening so got dinner out of the admission to boot… chicken/pork/beef sliders, nachos, pizza, and free beer were flowing.
Had a VERY informative and promising talk with the guys at proof research about PXT barrels and +peax development.

It isn’t just $25. Self parking is $30 and valet is $50. No other options. Minimum $55-75.

 

[RedRiverPig]

At the show rn. I am having a great time so far

 

[RedRiverPig]

It that was a small show then I can't wait to see what the big show looks like! I met some great people out of there including Craig Boddington who I have several books from him. Also met the great people from Double rifle society. Finally I talked to a guy who recommended me a great outfitter for my Amazon fishing trip. Great event overall and can't wait for TTHA Fort Worth to swing by.

 

[LimbNoMo]

It seemed much busier than last year. Good mix of outfitters.

Thank you @Nicaburns for the parking recommendation. Sold me on going.

 

[DocHolliday]

It that was a small show then I can't wait to see what the big show looks like! I met some great people out of there including Craig Boddington who I have several books from him. Also met the great people from Double rifle society. Finally I talked to a guy who recommended me a great outfitter for my Amazon fishing trip. Great event overall and can't wait for TTHA Fort Worth to swing by.

I was there Saturday. I was in ATL in February. My estimation is that it was a little less than half the size of the winter show!

 

[txtrout75218]

Sounds like it was a nice show.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Seems rather strange that the "Dallas Safari Club"'s main show is nowhere near Dallas, nor will it be when it moves to Houston.

As for outfitters, we just had a little bitty Outdoor Show here in Southeast Idaho and had 2 South African outfits here. Not sure why they were here instead of Dallas, this is a real mom-and-pop show and the heat drove half the vendors and customers away.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Seems rather strange that the "Dallas Safari Club"'s main show is nowhere near Dallas, nor will it be when it moves to Houston.

As for outfitters, we just had a little bitty Outdoor Show here in Southeast Idaho and had 2 South African outfits here. Not sure why they were here instead of Dallas, this is a real mom-and-pop show and the heat drove half the vendors and customers away.

This topic has been covered pretty extensively in the past and even discussed on podcasts.

Sparksnotes version - Kay Bailey in DFW was supposed to go under construction. Due to the size of the DSC Show, they’d have been impacted and were told they needed to relocate. There are only so many convention centers large enough to host them, and DSC wanted to maintain a specific set of dates. Atlanta apparently was the winner that could accommodate both. Construction was delayed or pushed back due to the World Cup, and TTHA slid into those dates with a smaller show year 1 and 2 that took up less halls.

The DSC Summer Show is significantly smaller than their Spring Shows, to include this year’s Atlanta Spring Show which was the smallest DSC Show I’ve ever attended. I believe that’s also done by design, and I’m speculating based on attending a fair number of DSC event.
1) Most of their Summer Show Exhibitors are longtime exhibitors
2) The outfitters who attended were somewhat limited for each country and by many standards were the more premium ones
3) There weren't too many South African Outfitters in attendance and the ones I saw were more of the top end ones offer with free range options Example: Chapungu Kambako Safaris, Coenraad Veermak Safaris, Crusader Safaris, and Rockwood Conservancy.