RMEF Reno

CHWine · Mar 8, 2010

We went with a small group of guys this weekend. We had fun as we always do, heck its just nice to get out of town and see something different.

I haven't been to the RMEF show for about 3 years, but for me it was pretty sparse. It seemed like a lot less people bought booths and although there were folks walking around, I'm going to guess that attendance was down as well.

A couple of random thoughts:

Lots of outfitters from New Zealand. Maybe six booths some of them were double or even triple sized booths.

Not many folks from Texas. Usually the high fence guys are there like the 777 and YO ranch. I guess they stayed home to save a few bucks.

I didn't see many of those high fence whitetail operations that have 15 or more monster heads and $10K hunts. Not that I care, but usually there's a few of these guys bragging about their deer breeding program.

I only saw two TV stars: Cameron Haynes was walking around with his bow over his shoulder on Friday and I saw Jim Zumbo walk by. I was hoping to see many more of the TV folks.

Lots less gun makers than in the past. No Smith & Wesson booth, no Glock and not many custom prople like Rifles Inc, Ultra Light Arms and the fancy Euro guns guys either.

My buddy pointed out that he didn't see many archery companies represented.

There was a very hot 40+ bartender mixing drinks in the NW corner of the building named Julia S was smoking hot.

WVHUNTER · Mar 9, 2010

I was there Saturday and it was my first trip so I don't have anything to compare it to. The one outfitter that I saw that I knew said he thougt it was a better turn out than Fort Worth was last year.

The Peppermill hotel was sold out and the Saturday night banquet was sold out also.

I agree with you that if you take away the New Zealand, Africa and fishing outfitters there wasn't a lot of western mule deer and elk outfitters there.

I did buy a Mystery Ranch pack and a pair of Kenetrek boots. It was a good opportunity to get the pack the correct size and walk up and down the isle with 50 pounds in it. Also got to try the boots on and walk around in them. I wouldn't have had this chance if I hadn't went to a show.

We spent a couple of nights at Lake Tahoe and a couple in Reno, went sking, snowmobiling,Elk Camp and saw Sarah Evans. Wife went snowmobiling and gambling so we both did things we enjoyed. I would look at making the Tahoe/Reno trip again but probably wouldn't travel that far for just the Elk Camp.

Califelkslayer · Mar 9, 2010

I said I was goin but I didn't. Was in Reno the week before and leavin for Ole Mexico Thursday so I saved a few bucks.

Those that were there Sat, was it bumper to bumper??? Usually is.

Didn't need a wall tent, saddle or panniers and my hunts are planned so it's would have been seeing guys I haven't seen for awhile. But lookin at reduced prices for hunts may have been interesting.

Curious if anyone attended the auctions??? Last time I was there the Arizona Governor's elk tag went for $120,000.00+

doodah · Mar 11, 2010

Some of the auction tag prices:

AZ special elk permit...$95,000
MT special shiras moose license...$11,500
MT special elk license...$12,000
NM big game enhancement pkg...$150,000
NM special deer permit...$42,500
OR elk & deer combo permit...$47,000
Penn special elk tag...$35,000
WA special eastside elk permit...$50,000
WY gov's elk permit...$48,000
AZ White Mtn reservation elk permit...$80,000

feddoc · Mar 12, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Mar-12-10 AT 12:02PM (MST)[p]I was there Saturday too. Saw Guy Eastman (my dad knew his grand dad) and Jim Zumbo. He was signing a few autographs and seemed to be a decent guy. Almost had lunch with huntin' fool, but he seemed kinda busy.

I kinda wondered about the NZ hunts too...there sure seemed to be a lot of them. Same with the gunmakers, not as many as the last time I went about 3 years ago.

Compromise, hell! ... If freedom is right and tyranny is wrong, why should those who believe in freedom treat it as if it were a roll of bologna to be bartered a slice at a time?