Just got back from the SHOT Show in Vegas.

Briarhoppers · Post by **Briarhoppers** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:09 pm

I have been thinking....

I was at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas this past week. The SHOT Show is the largest premier hunting trade show where everyone displays their new products for the upcoming year. There were probably 3,500 manufacturers there and well over 50,000 people attended the show.

I walked the whole show and there was nothing about beagles - NOTHING! By nothing, I mean they didn't have advertisement that included beagles, no new beagle or rabbit hunting products that were being hyped, no pictures of beagles on displays, nothing!

Of course the big 5 were very well represented, deer, elk, waterfowl, upland birds and turkey. But, there was even tons of stuff on coyote hunting, crow hunting, dove hunting, coon hunting, etc.

I even went to dog box manufacturer's exhibits and 100% was geared toward bird dogs and retrievers. No signs or ads w/ beagles. No video footage included beagles. Same w/ Tri-tronics, Dogtra, Innotex, etc. Same w/ clothes manufactures - no briar pants directed for rabbit hunting, etc. There was not a picture of a beagle at that show! Almost like it is a non-market in the hunting industry as a whole.

The more I think about it the more disturbing it is. If the law-makers one day try to make it illegal to run beagles, I doubt the hunting industry (manufacturers) would stand up for us at all - no money in it. Sad.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:14 pm

It is because most beaglers are cheap.

Bglenut · Post by **Bglenut** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:26 am

Do you have the info where I can get intouch with someone from the Shot Show that maybe next year display my stuff there?

David N. Riley II - Bglenut
Mule Hunting Clothes
Briarcreek Dog Boxes
601-856-5169
Madison, MS

VABEAGLER · Post by **VABEAGLER** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:02 am

Briarhoppers,

I was also at the Shot Show. We had our hunting knives on display there. I had a different take on what was there as i also purchased a few things from other manufacturers. There were several dog suppliers with collars,leads. Tritronics, Dogtra, Innoteck had the e collars covered. Clothing companies had Briar pants, bibs,chaps,coats. I looked at a couple aluminum dog boxes that were perfect for beagles.

There is no manufacturer that i know of that specifically caters to rabbit hunters but every major company that i know of brought a decent selection of products for the viewing.

Don't know about you but my eyes were big and my mouth watered for four days looking at all the things i needed or at least thought i needed.

I only saw a fraction of what was there.

good luck

Brian

Briarhoppers · Post by **Briarhoppers** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:18 am

VABeagler,

The SHOT show is an amazing sight to behold! Pretty overwhelming! I bet I walked 10 miles a day!

I saw the same stuff you mentioned above and there was quite a bit of dog stuff there - my point, was that none of those companies aren "targeting" rabbit hunters / beaglers. All the signs, banners, video footage, etc. were of bird dogs and retrievers.

I talked w/ one guy there that had dog boxes and you are right they would definatly work for a beagle, but he even said, "yeah we make a line of beagle boxes, but didn't bring them to the show."

-Pete

VABEAGLER · Post by **VABEAGLER** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:41 am

I think the biggest Thing is that what we do most times only requires the basic or essential needs to enjoy our sport. Thank god we don't have to bring a trailer full of rabbit decoys or sit on our buts in sub-freezing water to enjoy a day of hunting (lol).

It is nice to just drop the tailgate and load up the old single shot 410 and hit the brush otherwise it may take some of the fun out of it.

I do agree that more need to be geared toward the rabbit or small game hunter. truth is that no matter how much we spend it will never have the economic influnce on any given area as deer and waterfowl.

By thye way. If you walked up every isle at the Shot Show only once you have covered 7.5 miles. Not a bad way to spend a weekend.

Brian

Briarhoppers · Post by **Briarhoppers** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:01 pm

Bglnut-
Probably the best way to get info. on the show is the visit their website. I don't recall it, but bet you can just search for Shot Show. Would be great to see you there next year!
-Pete

Honey Pot Hounds · Post by **Honey Pot Hounds** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:03 pm

Where there any breeds of dogs modeled?
Maybe some of you concerned Beaglers should pull together and reserve a booth for next year......