The Column, No. 53:

The 2010 SCI convention will be held again in Reno, Nevada, from January 20 – 23^rd. This year promises to be one of the best ever with over 2,000 exhibitors from all over the world, utilizing 650,000 square feet of space. In fact, exhibit space is sold out and there is a waiting list of outfitters and companies hoping for some cancellations. If you are a hunter, you owe it to yourself to attend the SCI convention. It is like taking a mini-tour around the world. There are folks from just about every continent on the planet with merchandise that you would otherwise never see.

Contrary to popular opinion, SCI is not just for the “well-heeled.” In fact, the vast majority of the hunts offered are well within the reach of the average hunter. You can choose from bargain-priced African safaris, trophy axis deer hunts in New Zealand, as well as a plethora of North American deer, bear, elk and antelope hunts.

The daily auctions offer merchandise and hunts for every budget. While it is true that some of the auction hunting packages are out of our budget’s range, but by the end of each evening, there are usually some very choice hunts that go for a ridiculously low amount of money. This year, SCI supporters are offering an incredible array of outstanding items, valued at over $2 million, from hunts, fine artwork and jewelry to clothing and gear. For those of you who also like to fish, there are also some neat fishing trips up for bid this year. In aggregate, the live and silent auctions include a variety of affordable items as low as $30. We made the mistake last year of not checking out the auctions, something that will not happen again. It should be noted that ALL of the proceeds provide a major source of funding to conserve wildlife resources, habitat and to protect the freedom to hunt.

In addition to the exhibits and auctions, SCI has scheduled dozens of seminars presented by industry experts and celebrities with advice for planning trips, selecting the right gear, to photography and cooking. The seminars and other daily events provide a welcome break from walking around the exhibit halls.

If you can’t afford the $260 registration fee for the entire four days, pick up the last two days at $180 to be there for the final auctions and some pretty good deals from exhibitors who are ready to pack up and go home. A couple of years ago, my taxidermist picked up two superb safari grade gun cases, airline certified, for less than $50 each. The exhibitor didn’t want to ship them back home.

There are a lot of hotels and casinos available in Reno. Rather than stay in the downtown area (which is okay if you like crowds), we stay at Boomtown Casino about eight or nine miles and ten minutes by freeway from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. There are several reasons good reasons for picking Boomtown over the downtown area. They just completed their multi-million dollar renovation and the amenities are superb at a very reasonable price. Cassidy’s restaurant (inside the Casino) has the finest prime rib in the west. Add in Boomtown’s Maine lobster buffet and you are assured to eat well after spending the day at SCI. Last, but not least: There is a Cabela’s right across the parking lot so that you can pick up any items you may need in the coming year (as well as some that you really don’t need). We drive from Boomtown each morning and use the free parking across from the convention center, that way we can come and go from the convention without waiting for a shuttle.

This year the convention will have a very special guest: Former President George W. Bush will be giving the keynote speech on the Friday night final dinner and final auction. Regardless of your politics, remember that George Bush fought for hunter’s rights and your Second Amendment rights during his entire eight years in office.

If you are considering attending the 2010 Safari Club convention, and everyone should, you can register with Safari Club online and at the same time print out a list of exhibitors, seminars, auction items and schedule of events. If you wish to join us at Boomtown, you can obtain information on the Boomtown Casino/Hotel from their website. Hope to see you all there.