BC sportsmen’s show 2023

[montec assassin]

Hey gang. I’m planning a road trip with my 13 year old son to take in the show in Abbotsford sat. 4. I’ve never been to it. Does anyone have some feedback on the show in general. We are interested in the hunting, shooting end of things. Not fishing or atvs, necessarily. We’ll also check out Cabelas while we are in town. Will be coming from Kamloops so just curious if it’s been a popular event to take in in the past. Thanks

Montec

[TheObserver]

Hey gang. I’m planning a road trip with my 13 year old son to take in the show in Abbotsford sat. 4. I’ve never been to it. Does anyone have some feedback on the show in general. We are interested in the hunting, shooting end of things. Not fishing or atvs, necessarily. We’ll also check out Cabelas while we are in town. Will be coming from Kamloops so just curious if it’s been a popular event to take in in the past. Thanks

Montec

Hunting and shooting have been becoming an increasingly smaller and smaller presence at the show unfortunately.

Off road, boating etc.. have been taking it over. That being said there are some cool local BC vendors that do go from the Hunting community still and probably appreciate the support. But it ain't what it used to be and like I said, last year was the smallest I had ever seen the Hunting and Shooting section.

[Swamp mule]

Hey gang. I’m planning a road trip with my 13 year old son to take in the show in Abbotsford sat. 4. I’ve never been to it. Does anyone have some feedback on the show in general. We are interested in the hunting, shooting end of things. Not fishing or atvs, necessarily. We’ll also check out Cabelas while we are in town. Will be coming from Kamloops so just curious if it’s been a popular event to take in in the past. Thanks

Montec
You may want to wait until March 24-26 at the BC Outdoors show in Chilliwack. Looks like there may be better vendors and reps there. I went to the tradex one several decades ago and it was alright but overtime i was hearing that it was leaning more towards less hunting vendors. I am heading to chilliwack one when i am on the coast. BC Outdoors Show (https://www.bcoutdoorsshow.com/)

[montec assassin]

Thanks for the feedback. I am aware of the bc outdoors show as well. Tough to say which one would be best. Seems like they would both be geared towards the general public so there’ll a little bit for everyone. Good time either way nonetheless. Thanks

[Iron Glove]

We've been going to the Abby show for decades, really enjoy it as it covers many areas that we enjoy - hunting, fishing, watercraft, "cabin" life and such. Will be going this year. Son has asked if we can pick up a few small items to supplement his fly fishing collection. For us, it's an easy drive from Hope, spend a few hours strolling and looking. Suggest you check out the exhibitor's list on line.
Last year went to the Chilliwack Show, was very disappointed overall.

[Wentrot]

The Abby show has been a disappointment for a very long time IMO

[notyalc]

I haven’t gone for years because it wasn’t even worth the cost of parking. Maybe it’s changed now. I have heard good stuff about the show in Chilliwack tho.

[Hunter gatherer]

I wasn't impressed the last time I went,parking and long lines to look at the cool stuff. Might be better off touring the lower mainland and checking out all the retailers who sell stuff your interested in. Reliable,Boormans,Italian,Cabelas etc.

[savage10]

Enjoyed the Chilliwack show last year, will be going again this year. Might check out the Abby show on Friday

[adriaticum]

If you are interested in shooting, go to the HACS show in Chilliwack in March.
https://www.hacsbc.ca/

[whitlers]

Abby show hasn't been great the last few years in my opinion. Chilliwack was a bit better. But different strokes for different folks.

[cdub]

I used to go to the Seattle show at the King Dome, that was an impressive event to go to.

[BigBanger]

I will be in the valley tomorrow so I plan on stopping into the show to kill an hour or so. I'm looking forward to it.

[Iron Glove]

We'll be heading out this morning, get there at opening.
Have a list of fly fishing stuff from our Son to get :D , I'll probably buy some stuff I'll never use but it's a good way to kill a couple of hours.
Surprisingly it's the Good Wife that really wants to go, she always finds a lot of interesting things to check out.

[Ed George]

Stop by and say hello, I will be in the BCWF booth representing Region 2.

[Redthies]

For us, it's an easy drive from Hope.

“Easy” has sure changed in the last 5 years! Used to be quiet until you hit Abbottsford, but now I think the worst part of a drive to the toilet bowl is Hope to Abbottsford.

[randymac]

Used to look forward to going every year since it started. Last few times were pretty disappointing. I think I'm done spending $15 and $5 for parking to go shopping for shit I don't need.

[Iron Glove]

“Easy” has sure changed in the last 5 years! Used to be quiet until you hit Abbottsford, but now I think the worst part of a drive to the toilet bowl is Hope to Abbottsford.

Yes, over the years it's gotten worse - I hate driving past Abby but it's still way better than the nightmare that the trip from East Van to Abby was when we lived in Van.

[fearnodeer]

Stop by and say hello, I will be in the BCWF booth representing Region 2.

Will stop by and say hello for sure.

[ACB]

I used to go to the Seattle show at the King Dome, that was an impressive event to go to.
I went to the Seattle show once, for me the most impressive thing I saw there was the Mule Deer mounts, one row , just Trophy Mule Deer mounts. One side Typical mounts the other side Non typical mounts. It was holie shiet.

[BigBanger]

Stop by and say hello, I will be in the BCWF booth representing Region 2..


I hadn't seen this post until now... we ended up walking by your booth, you commented on my hat and you and my mother-in-law had a good chin wag about fish enhancement societies... You made her really happy, thanks for that. What a small world, lol.

[sames14]

very little there on hunting and shooting.
RV's, Off Road stuff, Boats and Fishing gear

[RainyLaker]

My son and I had a good time. I wasn't expecting much. I appreciated trying the Kuiu packs out and a bunch of SKRE clothing. I picked up the rain pants and jacket and a regular hunting use jacket.

My 8 year old had fun at the fish pond and especially getting an archery lesson. So did I as we were in the last group. Looks like we need a whole new set of gear now. lol

I missed out on the workshops. As a newbie, I would have liked to see the moose and elk calling shows. By the time we got all the way to the back where the stage was, it was closing time. I didn't see a sign at the front if there was one about any shows. We're still planning on going to Chilliwack. Going to check out Mystery Ranch and Osprey bags in the meantime.

[lovemywinchester]

I was working the show this weekend and it was a great turn out. Big crowds each day and folks seemed to enjoy it. Got my hands on a 195 WT rack so that was pretty cool.

[Muledeercrazy2]

Its great that there was a show, and i had some good interactions at about 6 booths. I was disappointed that it was mostly RV’s, and not much hunting or shooting related booths. Really not much fishing and marine gear on sale either, although i didn’t spend much time at those booths. It was good to see the skre gear, double check some fits on the kuiu gear, and i had some interesting discussions at a few others. I was disappointed that kennetrac wasn’t there as i am on the fence about my next pair of boots and sizing. I had planned to go to the chilliwack show, and now i am rethinking that. I will have to see if it will be different or better. I think it would be great to see more businesses that offer services and lodging to resident hunters and fishermen, representatives from major optics and firearms manufacturers back again, and a real beer garden with short informative talks that cover more than just the basics.

[THE SWEDE]

I was working the show this weekend and it was a great turn out. Big crowds each day and folks seemed to enjoy it. Got my hands on a 195 WT rack so that was pretty cool.

That was a specimen for sure!

[TheObserver]

I was working the show this weekend and it was a great turn out. Big crowds each day and folks seemed to enjoy it. Got my hands on a 195 WT rack so that was pretty cool.

Was that the one on the desk at the BC Record Book/Boone and Crockett scoring booth?