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Post by esshup on Jan 22, 2016 0:24:51 GMT -5
A buddy wants to go to a sports show that has a number of vendors that have either guided hunts or lodges. Not particularly here in Indiana or Illinois, something a bit different.
He talked me into driving to Chicago to the Rosemont Arena for that show. It was a waste of diesel and my time, not to mention a waste of $15 for parking and $12 for a ticket to get in (per person).
If I had to guess, there were less than 50 booths, a good 1/3 were selling knives, outdoor cooking stuff or sauces. There were a few places selling fishing tackle, maybe 2-3 with guided fishing trips or charters, and 2-3 guided hunting trips or a hunting lodge. The remainder was misc. crap.
Granted we were there before people got off of work, but there were more people manning the booths than people walking around and we literally saw everything in 15 minutes.
Since we are not in the market for a boat, RV or cooking gear/food, will it be worth our time to drive the 2-3 hrs to the Indy show?
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Post by htownhunter on Jan 22, 2016 4:58:48 GMT -5
If your talking about the boat sport and travel show yes is my anwser. I went about ten years ago. And it was awesome. There was boats and rvs, but they had a lot of other stuff too. I think the coliseum was all fishing gear. The Polaris rzrs just came out and they set up a indoor course to play with them. Had dog jumping contests. I can't remember everything because there was so much.
Hope this helps. Just talking about it makes me want to go.
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Post by duff on Jan 22, 2016 5:01:48 GMT -5
It sounds like indy sports show has more, but just as expensive to park and enter.
Typically there are a lot of vendors selling fishing trips to canada, lake mi, boundry waters, ky and tn.
There are some selling hunting packages too along with just places to stay. These are usually located in the same location and the other crap is elsewhere except during deer and turkey expo, there may be a few vendors there just for those days.
Go on the first Friday if you can. Very light crowd.
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Post by span870 on Jan 22, 2016 6:07:55 GMT -5
Harrisburg sport show in Pennsylvania. Nothing compares to it. The only show in the nation that beats it is the sci convention. Granted it's way more than three hour drive but once you seen it, it makes the Indy show a joke. The Indy has, IMO, over the years gotten worse and worse. Not worth the drive unless you want to fish in Canada or Kentucky or go to a small handful of places in the west. You can get a list ahead of time of all the vendors and do a quick search to see if any interest you and if its worth the drive.
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jan 22, 2016 6:20:56 GMT -5
The Cincinnati boat and travel show has gone down hill, I don't even go anymore. Indy was always the best in our area, but have not attended in several years. They had areas just dedicated for hunting and fishing and had a lot of outfitters and guides.
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Post by throbak on Jan 22, 2016 6:58:32 GMT -5
If you want bluegill jigs ? See Alan Muey .Worth the trip for those been using them for45 years They are the best Bar none
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Post by esshup on Jan 22, 2016 10:47:57 GMT -5
Harrisburg sport show in Pennsylvania. Nothing compares to it. The only show in the nation that beats it is the sci convention. Granted it's way more than three hour drive but once you seen it, it makes the Indy show a joke. The Indy has, IMO, over the years gotten worse and worse. Not worth the drive unless you want to fish in Canada or Kentucky or go to a small handful of places in the west. You can get a list ahead of time of all the vendors and do a quick search to see if any interest you and if its worth the drive. The one outfitter from Montana that was there said the same thing. He said that was the best show to go to. This same outfitter said that he would be at Indy too. Thanks! Last time I was at Indy was about 8-9 years ago and it was heads and shoulders above the one yesterday. |
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Post by chubwub on Jan 22, 2016 17:27:18 GMT -5
We usually go every year. I would say the hunting portion which runs the first weekend is average, especially for waterfowl, but the boat/fishing/RV part is pretty good if you are in the market for something. We do like signing up for the gun raffles though.
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Post by ukwil on Jan 22, 2016 19:11:26 GMT -5
One of the better shows I've been to. The show in Cincinnati sucks. It just gets smaller and smaller.
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 22, 2016 20:42:19 GMT -5
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Post by 36fan on Jan 24, 2016 22:10:21 GMT -5
We usually go every year. I would say the hunting portion which runs the first weekend is average, especially for waterfowl, but the boat/fishing/RV part is pretty good if you are in the market for something. We do like signing up for the gun raffles though. The Hunting Expo was moved to the last weekend of the show a year or two ago. It is Feb 25th-28th this year. |
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Post by duff on Jan 25, 2016 5:10:34 GMT -5
We usually go every year. I would say the hunting portion which runs the first weekend is average, especially for waterfowl, but the boat/fishing/RV part is pretty good if you are in the market for something. We do like signing up for the gun raffles though. The Hunting Expo was moved to the last weekend of the show a year or two ago. It is Feb 25th-28th this year. It got me last year. We always go first friday. Last year got me into the motorcycle expo. I have absolutely zero interest in them but it made tackle toen and the rest of the areas better. Only thing I missed was the wall of big deer heads and meeting up with some old friends. |
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 25, 2016 7:49:12 GMT -5
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Post by johnc911 on Jan 26, 2016 3:05:44 GMT -5
Will we find you in your usual location ? |
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Post by johnc911 on Jan 26, 2016 3:07:56 GMT -5
I was told all police and fire personnel get in for $5 on Thursday
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 26, 2016 18:54:32 GMT -5
Will we find you in your usual location ? Yeah, but I'm not going to be there every day....probably every other day instead. Getting old. Gotta cut back. jack |
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 26, 2016 18:55:35 GMT -5
I was told all police and fire personnel get in for $5 on Thursday Makes sense...everyone else will likely get in free. |
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