Sport shows have much to offer

Sports Shows Have Much To Offer
By Freddie McKnight

Walking across the tundra plain with my second caribou on my back, fulfilling a lifelong dream of hunting in the far north, I had plenty of time to reflect upon the events that led me to this part of the world. It all started with a discussion some hunting buddies and I had after a day of hunting. We looked at numerous species of game animals and had still not decided on which one we would like pursue. We made plans to visit one of the bigger sports shows in our region to talk with outfitters, gather information, and look over prices. It is just one of the many examples of what a sports show has to offer you.

Meeting at the gate of the big show, we walked the numerous aisles and talked with countless outfitters about all the details one would like to cover. Keeping notes and paperwork, we poured over the details a couple of days later before finally deciding upon where to go and what to pursue. Once that was set in stone, we again went to the show to put down our hard-earned money on the hunt. The outfitter we chose was reputable and, fortunately for us, was running a show special on the particular hunt we were looking for. We saved hundreds of dollars by booking at the show, something that you would not be able to do when just working through an outfitter or a booking agent.

Though I like to do business with local merchants, there are some things that they simply do not handle. Sports shows are a great place to look for bargains on just about any item you could want in the outdoors. Often the big manufacturers will be doing away with one particular item and may have several truckloads for sale at these shows at bargain prices. Clothing, in particular, is an item that often gets discounted this way, but I have seen treestands, binoculars, scopes, gun cases and a number of other gadgets being sold in this manner. Though stores can run sales on a particular item, rarely can they match the prices that you will get at one of the bigger sports shows that run in our region.
When you are in the market for a big-ticket item, there is no better place to compare prices than at these shows. Boats are often brought in by the dozens, with a sales staff on hand to cover all the details necessary to put your seat on the boat seat. With end-of-year-clearance on many models, or show specials on the latest and greatest models, you can save big money on your purchase. The same can be said for campers, off-road vehicles, trailers and similar items.

The fishing venue at these places is often a giant yard-sale-type atmosphere. Again, the big stores or manufacturers will bring in truckloads of goods to sell. With competition for your dollar, these people will often mark down the prices of goods lower than the next booth. The closer it gets to the end of the show, the lower the prices go, as they don’t want to load up all the items to take home. You can often end up with goods at cheap prices, but the end of show selection may not be as good as it was at the start of the show.

If you are looking for an outfitted hunting or fishing trip, there is no better place to venture for information. Talking with outfitters one-on-one is the best way to find out all the details you could possibly need to know. Pouring over pictures of hunts can give you inside information on the type of hunting you will be doing, the terrain and the game you can expect to see. As stated before, you can save huge dollar amounts by booking at the shows if you have already determined what you want to pursue.

As for fishing, you can book anything from deep-sea charters to remote fly-in camps. Again, pour over the details, learn when is the best time to be there and what you will need to bring. Maybe there are items you have not thought about, and you can certainly find all you will need to have at the venue at which you’re looking. If you have picked out one particular outfitter, talk with several others who are in that same line and ask the questions about what you will need and about your outfitter. Most in the business know one another and their reputation. They could give you additional information on both to make sure you are booking with the right person.

When you go for a day at these shows, make sure you are prepared for the occasion. When I am visiting these venues, I dress for the day. Good walking shoes, comfortable clothing, a backpack and my digital camera are some of the things I take with me. Being on your feet all day on a hard surface can wear you down, so comfortable clothing and shoes are a must. The backpack allows me to look around easily in the often-crowded areas and allows me to keep all the information and smaller purchases together. The camera is something that allows me to take pictures of the proposed outfitter’s display and a visual reminder of what to expect. Brochures can give you an idea, but often there is no size correlation to go on. Taking my own pictures allows me to be able to judge better. Also, if you are flying in to an area, you will have a picture to remind you of whom you are to meet in the crowd and cut down on the wasted time at the airport.

Sports shows are not for everyone, as they can be crowded, noisy and far too big to allow you to walk the entire area in the short amount of time that most of us typically have. However, if you are in the hunt for bargains, then this is the place for you. Buying new gear at rock-bottom prices usually makes your spouse happy by not breaking the family budget. Gathering all sorts of information on potential hunting and fishing trips allows you to compare and talk with people face-to-face about what they have to offer you, and that is simply something you cannot get anyplace else. Just getting out to one of these shows during a time when not much is going on in the outdoor world is a great way to beat the cabin fever that so often sets in. There are numerous shows happening right now in the OVO coverage area; why not visit one and see for yourself what help they can provide for you.