If Joe Average Hunter put together a list of all the things he’d like to see in one place to create the ultimate must-see event of the year, it would probably look a lot like the Safari Club International Convention. There are spectacular works of taxidermy to gawk at, dream hunts to book or fantasize about, and seminars from the best outdoorsmen and women in the industry. There are celebrity hunters, live entertainment, and fabulous dinners. And, of course, there’s more hunting gear to handle and purchase than you could ever dream of, filling nearly half a million square feet of exhibit space. SCI calls this “the Ultimate Sportsmen’s Market,” and it’s not difficult to see why.
The 2020 SCI Convention will be February 5-8 in Reno, Nevada. You must be a member of Safari Club International to attend (or a spouse or child of an attending member), and memberships start at $65. SCI promotes hunting through education, civil service, and humanitarian efforts, and they also promote wildlife conservation and help protect our freedom to hunt through their Advocacy Center and an office staffed with legal experts in Washington, D.C. If you’re not already a member, now’s the perfect time to join, just in advance of the Convention.
Why should you go?
“The annual Safari Club International Convention is the place to be for serious hunters looking for not only some of the finest hunting adventures available around the world, but also for memorabilia, artwork, fine firearms, and so much more,” says avid outdoorsman and outdoor writer Bob Robb. “But also, as a leading organization fighting to protect hunting from the antis, SCI contributes millions of dollars annually to this cause, as well as wildlife and wildlife habitat enhancement. If you've never been, you'll be amazed at what you'll see.”
SCI expects nearly 1,500 exhibitors in 2020, representing outfitters from six continents and the latest hunting gear. A total of 21 live and silent auctions will take place, featuring firearms, optics, art, jewelry, travel and hunts of a lifetime. If fine firearms pique your interest, the auctions will include some gems you’ll want to pay attention to, including a Classic Big 5 Double Rifle from Krieghoff and a stunning Rizzini Custom Shop Grand Regal over-and-under shotgun valued at $25,000. Naturally, there are a number of firearms up for auction that are more in the Everyman’s budget, as well. Every purchase provides crucial funds to help preserve our hunting heritage and enable conservation efforts around the globe.
More than 70 seminars are offered, and your biggest challenge of the show might be deciding which ones to attend. “Bucket List Hunts” by Craig Boddington, “Bowhunting Strategy” by Tom Miranda, a question-and-answer session with Jim Shockey, a mountain-hunting panel with industry experts, “Hunting Giant Bull Elk,” “Managing Hunting Stress,” “Surviving Siberia,” “Hornady Reloading for Long Range,” “Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass,” and “The Easiest and Best Ways to Get in Shape for Hunting” are some of the sure-to-be popular sessions. An SCI Official Measurers Seminar is also an option, and many hunters concerned about their legacy will want to attend “Proper Estate Planning for Your Valuable Firearms and Sporting Collectibles.”
Ever dreamed of hunting brown bears in Russia, red stag in New Zealand, ibex in Spain, or just about anything else? You can find outfitters ready to make it happen at the SCI Convention. Even if such a hunt is outside of your current budget, this is the perfect place to start dreaming and putting together a bucket list.
But this convention isn’t just for those with unlimited pocketbooks. Any experienced hunter who is ready to branch out from his or her own state will find options and opportunity on the show floor. Looking for your first Illinois whitetail, a cast-and-blast in Texas, or a Rocky Mountain elk hunt? How about pheasants in California, bobwhite quail in Georgia, or a fishing trip to Alaska? It’s all here, ready to be booked.
After the show floor closes each day, a dinner and auction will highlight each evening, including entertainment by The Beach Boys (Wednesday the 5th) and The Charlie Daniels Band (Friday the 7th), culminating in the big Saturday-night dinner and auction with keynote speaker Donald Trump Jr.
This year marks the 48th SCI Convention Ultimate Sportsmen’s Market, offering something for outdoorsmen and women of every level. “If you like going to outdoor shows and seeing loads of gear, this is the premier event for that,” says SCI’s Chip Hunnicutt. “It’s like going to Disney World versus your local county fair. It’s a must-see event.”
Complete event information, including registration and hotel information, can be found at showsci.org.
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