| I'm pretty sure there are a number of pheasant hunters on the forum, so I wanted to give my impression of the just -concluded (2/22) Pheasant Fest, held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I met several pheasant hunters from across the Plains states and asked each how their season went. For the most part, the responses were very positive and mostly, the folks I spoke to are looking forward very optimistically to the Fall 2026 season. As usual there were many vendors; I heard close to 400, in attendance including representatives from Browning/Winchester, Beretta, Retay, CZ and others. The LC Smith and Parker collectors clubs were well represented, and both clubs brought fine examples of their brands' side by sides. There were a multitude of bird dogs of every size, breed and description and it was interesting to listen to the "sales pitches" that each breed rep had for their breed. There were displays from the conservation and farm equipment people and there were also a number of outdoor clothing reps available. I don't know how familiar you might be with Phil Bourjaily, a freelance outdoor writer who has written about shotguns and bird hunting for years. His work has been in most of the outdoor publications and he's done a lot of gun and ammo testing and reviews. His works are also online. Some of you older guys may remember that his father, Vance Bourjaily, used to write for Outdoor Life and, sometimes Field and Stream. Anyhow, I was fortunate enough to run into him at the Browning-Winchester booth and we talked for several minutes about the merits of the 16 gauge. He had a Winchester Model 12 16 gauge mod. choked gun he was particularly fond of, and I told him about a Merkel 1620 I have. We had a good chat; glad I ran into him. While there I did make a nominal contribution to PF, I've been a Life Member since the mid-1990's. This was a good show. The 2027 Fest will be at Omaha, NE. on March5-7, 2027. |
2026 Pheasant Fest-Report
- Thread starter Wolfchief
- Start date
Gettin Birdy
Member
There were many folks I know who decided to skip the show due to Minneapolis location. It is too bad for PF/QF but I understand why people would not feel safe or comfortable spending money in Minneapolis.
I did ponder the safety factor before we went. I called the PF headquarters to ask about the unrest in the area, and was told that the Whipple Building (Federal facility) in St. Paul was the focal point for the insurrectionists and that downtown Minneapolis was much safer. We did not see any protesters but did see X-rated graffiti and protest banners against ICE off the highway as we entered the St. Paul area.
We stayed in Red Wing, about 65 miles south, Friday and Saturday nights, no problems there at all--but ironically, every one of the locals we spoke to there gave some variation of "that place wasn't safe BEFORE these recent riots and we strive never to go to downtown Minneapolis/St. Paul".......
We stayed in Red Wing, about 65 miles south, Friday and Saturday nights, no problems there at all--but ironically, every one of the locals we spoke to there gave some variation of "that place wasn't safe BEFORE these recent riots and we strive never to go to downtown Minneapolis/St. Paul".......
eharlow49
Member
Man, I personally find these to be wild takes. I live in a suburb of Des Moines, so definitely not coming from a big city nor have I ever lived in a 'big city', and we walked from our hotel to the convention center as well as to surrounding bars, restaurants, dispensaries, and breweries. Not once did my wife or I feel unsafe and we didn't see or experience any "lawlessness" i.e. ICE agents. I understand not wanting to come to MSP if you're someone of color or that even remotely resembles someone of color for fear of having your constitutional rights violated but the "lawless protestors burning the city down" narrative that some people are pushing is ridiculous and it sucks that people missed out on an extremely fun weekend because of it.
I'm just reporting what the people I spoke to told me. I viewed on TV, for days, instances of violence, "citizens" throwing chunks of ice, trash etc. at Government agents. It was a violent protest as far as I'm concerned. In this country we have a process for becoming a citizen. Tens of thousands of immigrants did not follow it. Now there's a lot of bitching and whining because they are being called to task for it. That's a fact. In the words of a smug, snarky FORMER President, "actions have consequences". Amen to that. I personally don't give a s--t if there's disagreement on that. I hesitated to report on this in the first place because of the reaction I felt would come from some. You didn't let me down. America first and forever. End of story!!
eharlow49
Member
I was pretty respectful in my response and simply stated what I actually witnessed while walking miles all over the twin cities. We met and got to have really good discussions with people I had only ever seen in videos or on social media, attended the Saturday night banquet (we even won an auction item!), and had an all-around blast. It’s a shame that others didn’t get to have a similar experience and I guess I didn’t realize I had insinuated “America second and other countries first” like you seem to think I did
BirdDoggin
Member
You were and are respectful, but you can't reason with these types. He can't help it so I actually feel bad for him and hope he can find some help. But i'm not optimistic...I was pretty respectful in my response and simply stated what I actually witnessed while walking miles all over the twin cities. We met and got to have really good discussions with people I had only ever seen in videos or on social media, attended the Saturday night banquet (we even won an auction item!), and had an all-around blast. It’s a shame that others didn’t get to have a similar experience and I guess I didn’t realize I had insinuated “America second and other countries first” like you seem to think I did
carptom1
Well-known member
You did nothing wrong… my wife and I were also there and experienced the downtown area in much the same way… it wasn’t you that turned it political… much safer than Kansas City
BirdDoggin
Member
…and we are all dumber for listening.
Tomahawker
Well-known member
How rad would it be if they had it at a fair grounds or something? Have dog comps, clay shooting, shotgun demos. Release live fez like at a wedding. Feelin like I should be in charge of this thing.
I am in Arizona for the winter. Every person I have run into with Minnesota plates has responded it’s way past time for all this corruption to be exposed. It’s been going on for years. I agree with the comments to avoid the area. Until they get there house in order they should be avoided. This has nothing to do with color they would like to make it look like it is. 20 million or more people entered our country illegally. The current administration was elected with a promise to clean it up and send them back. It’s not going to be easy or pretty. Illegals do not have the constitutional protections a citizen does. Get on with it. Take a walk in the desert down here. Nothing but garbage everywhere. Backpacks, empty bottles, clothing, it’s incredible.
Labradinger
Well-known member
This ICE protest bs doesnt make that city any less safe. Their corrupt government does. 200+ open cop positions as told by their POS mayor. What a dump. Sorry the rest of the state has to suffer because of it. Watching that bitch Ilhan Omar screaming at the President last night should be enough for most not to want to spend a dime in a city that seems to worship her.
I wont set first in a state that is duty to retreat.
I wont set first in a state that is duty to retreat.
eharlow49
Member
Jesus Christ it must be exhausting being this angry and scared all the time. I’m sorry you had to witness a lady on TV yelling *cough exercising her 1st Amendment rights cough* but “that bitch”? C’mon.
I will repeat the fact that I had a lovely weekend up there, walked all around Minneapolis as well as St. Paul and neither my wife or I felt afraid, and it’s a shame that talking heads on TV and people from rural Minnesota who probably (I say probably because I admit I can’t know for sure one way or another) also never set foot in MSP scared a bunch of people to the point that they missed out on an amazing fest (Thursday night alone the concert raised over $100,000 and if I remember correctly, over $100,000 was raised at the Banquet on Saturday night as well). I’ve got to say that random people whom I’ve never met before the festival this weekend were a hell of lot nicer and more welcoming than the people complaining about “citizens”, “that bitch”, “lawlessness”, etc on this thread that I thought was full of adults. It’s a wonder half of you can muster the gumption to go hunting in the wild given how afraid you are of big cities and women on TV expressing their 1st Amendment rights. I’m out.
I will repeat the fact that I had a lovely weekend up there, walked all around Minneapolis as well as St. Paul and neither my wife or I felt afraid, and it’s a shame that talking heads on TV and people from rural Minnesota who probably (I say probably because I admit I can’t know for sure one way or another) also never set foot in MSP scared a bunch of people to the point that they missed out on an amazing fest (Thursday night alone the concert raised over $100,000 and if I remember correctly, over $100,000 was raised at the Banquet on Saturday night as well). I’ve got to say that random people whom I’ve never met before the festival this weekend were a hell of lot nicer and more welcoming than the people complaining about “citizens”, “that bitch”, “lawlessness”, etc on this thread that I thought was full of adults. It’s a wonder half of you can muster the gumption to go hunting in the wild given how afraid you are of big cities and women on TV expressing their 1st Amendment rights. I’m out.
Labradinger
Well-known member
Its not about being scared. It’s about financially supporting a complete cesspool being ran by Somalia. Car jackings up, what, 7000 percent or something? Liberal retard prosecutors spending more time trying to prosecute cops than murderers? You probably voted for Ka-mela.
eharlow49
Member
Here’s a link that shows the exact opposite of what you just said. There are a lot of other articles and stats that show the same thing: In St. Paul, 15 homicides in 2025, down from 33 in 2024. In Minneapolis, 64 people murdered in 2025, down 16% from the previous year.
Don’t let facts and stats get in the way of your racist beliefs though. I’m going to block you now, which is why you won’t see a response from me, but your response is the perfect example of what I meant when I said I *thought* this place was full of adults but apparently not.
Labradinger
Well-known member
Show me your “stats” for your claim that people “of color” better steer clear of Minneapolis or they will have their rights violated. Block away