Ep 017: My thoughts after attending 2017 Dallas Safari Club Show

This was my third time attending the Dallas Safari Club show. The show ran from January 5th – 8th. I decided I would attend on Thursday and Friday to avoid the huge weekend crowds.

From the moment that I went into the convention hall, you are overwhelmed. The only way I can explain it to those that have not been is like letting a 5 year old loose in Toys R’ US. That look of joy on the kids face is what I must have looked like.

I am on a scooter at this show since I can’t walk very well. Let me tell you, it is a great way to see the show. I had several things in mind I wanted to see and people I wanted to catch up with and/or meet.

I encountered the DSC clothing booth, so I had to get my Limited Edition hat before moving on. Once that was done, I could focus on the show.

Making my way through the show, the first booth I came across was the Hornady Booth. This is my preferred brand of ammo to use and I have always had good luck with it.

I was able to discuss their dangerous game ammo for my Ruger .375 and see some examples. I also had a chance to review the various personal safe options that Hornady had on display.

Next came the booths I was really there to see, the outfitters and taxidermy booths.

I came across a number of really cool hunting options. I personally have my eyes on a Mule Deer, Antelope, and Black Bear Hunt. I was also looking at Turkey Hunts, with a long-term goal of taking the five species of Turkey in one year (I might as well dream big).

I stopped at a number of booths over the two days I was there, including:

Double Diamond Outfitters with Wes Mundy

John Sharp Safaris with John Sharp

Bearpaw Outfitting and spoke with Cody

David Mathews Outfitters with David Mathews

King Ranch and was given Oscar Cortez’s information to contact for hunting

Ganglers Lodge – Ken Gangler was there, but they were real busy and I didn’t get to stop

Erwins Outdoors and spoke with Erwins Ronquillo

Two Hats Ranch with Colby Bettis

Calitz Safaris with Johan Calitz

One thing about the Dallas Safari Club Show, is that the professional TV hunters and personalities are always there. This year was no exception and I had time to visit with a number of really nice people:

Johan Calitz –

Blake Barnett – DSC’s Trailing the Hunters Moon

Keith Warren – The Highroad with Keith Warren

Jim Shockey – various shows

Ivan Carter – Tracks Across Africa

Jim West – Wild West Guns

Craig Boddington – Various Shows

Dan Catlin – Trijicon World of Outdoors and The Experience

Jason Price – The Experience

As with past shows, the taxidermy work on display was incredible. I stopped to visit with two different taxidermy groups:

The Wildlife Gallery – Probably the largest taxidermy studio in the United States. I finally got to catch up with Dan and Charlotte Catlin. Two amazingly nice people and fantastic taxidermists.

Rhodes Brother’s Taxidermy and Meat Processing – In Kerrville. I have used Gary Broach, for a lot of my mounts and meat processing. Gary has a great business and some great taxidermist’s that work for him.

I also had the chance to meet some other neat vendors of outdoor products:

Nature Blinds – Tim Thomason founder and Hannah Faust National Sales Director. Tim creates one of the coolest blinds, it looks like a tree trunk and gives you a unique way to conceal yourself.

SmokinTex – M.A. “Diz” Dizdar Vice President. This was a cool smoker, something I have been kind of in the market for. Very cool product.

And last but not least, I meet Jessica Taylor Byers of followherarrow.com. Very cool lady, who is building up a social media following as she hunts.

Overall, it was another great show. While I didn’t get to see the entire show, for me it was a total success and please attend this or a local show with your family and get involved outdoors.