Gatzby
Well-known member
No Minneapolis does suck.
Pheasant Fest
- Thread starter goldenboy
- Start date
I'd like to go but Minneapolis does not appeal to me, particularly in winter. Been there, done that when I was banking. BUT I have been to pheasant Fests in Kansas City, Des Moines, Omaha and Chicago, and I am a Life Member of PF, bidding at banquets, giving seed to farmer friends etc.
I can say that My wife and I have enjoyed every Fest we've attended; you can see the newest in shotguns from CZ, Remington and others. Specialty ammo makers were present at the last one. If you're looking for boots or hunting clothing, several vendors are there. The upland sporting magazines are there, as are several guides/outfitters. Cooking demonstrations, dog breeders and trainers, and habitat specialists are also present.
The crowds can be annoying but it helps to know they are, for the most part, kindred spirits. My wife and I plan to go next year. If you can, try to make at least one Fest. I don't think you'll regret ti.
I can say that My wife and I have enjoyed every Fest we've attended; you can see the newest in shotguns from CZ, Remington and others. Specialty ammo makers were present at the last one. If you're looking for boots or hunting clothing, several vendors are there. The upland sporting magazines are there, as are several guides/outfitters. Cooking demonstrations, dog breeders and trainers, and habitat specialists are also present.
The crowds can be annoying but it helps to know they are, for the most part, kindred spirits. My wife and I plan to go next year. If you can, try to make at least one Fest. I don't think you'll regret ti.
remy3424
Well-known member
I know there have been several cities somewhat recently, Minneapolis, Chicago, Sioux Falls, Omaha, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Kansas City, not sure if they are on a rotation or how they pick each year...have to assume the next couple are booked already in advance. Very likely other locations have also hosted it.
I hit up Phez Fest in Omaha and gotta say that it might be a good fit for some guys but there wasn't much about actual phez hunting. The gun booths were all about who had the most obscure, hipster double barrel, I talked to the guys from Winner chanber of commerce and they didn't have anything to say about local public land other than it was good. I expected to talk to guys about huntin strategies and stuff but the booth peoples all just wanted to sell somethihg. I more of a meat and potatos guy aand don't really care about the fancy add ons that these showcases are about.
Weimdogman
Well-known member
Smasher as far as the Winner chamber you do realize that for every guy who wants info on public land there are 50 guys who want it kept secret. The game lodges add way more to the Winner economy then us lowly public ground hunters. Sad state of affairs but it is true.
Wind River
Well-known member
Really, is anyone a fan of crowds on the site. Two guys hunting on a section is a crowd. Absorb the good and ignore the negative, applies to people too. What would your dog say about you??
NDPheasant
Well-known member
I am a school principal and just returned from our state principal conference. I learned a thing or two about life as a principal from each session I attended and the keynote speakers. I learned exponentially more just networking with other principals and talking between sessions, over supper in the evenings or over the beverage of choice at the social or bar afterward. A few of us even got so engrossed in a great discussion that we missed a session. These opportunities to network or invaluable and priceless.
I sure hope that some of you connected with Joel at the Pheasant Fest. These shows are not at all about learning new strategies for hunting pheasants, hoping to have obtain maps with an "x" marking those secret hunting spots, or finding the latest shotgun or shells that will change your life forever. It is far more about seeing old friends and connecting with new friends. I doubt you would hear anything regarding pheasant tactics that haven't been shared on here.
It would be so much fun to be closer to Minneapolis and connect with many of you. I have hunted several times with Joel. We spend the evenings talking about family, life and dogs but rarely pheasant strategy. Hearing guys like Brent talk of what it was like that first season of hunting with Ace as a pup or Lucas sharing how he got Sage to hunt so damn close without using an e-collar would be far more interesting to me. I will close by saying I am jealous to those that got to connect in Minneapolis or at other similar events.
I sure hope that some of you connected with Joel at the Pheasant Fest. These shows are not at all about learning new strategies for hunting pheasants, hoping to have obtain maps with an "x" marking those secret hunting spots, or finding the latest shotgun or shells that will change your life forever. It is far more about seeing old friends and connecting with new friends. I doubt you would hear anything regarding pheasant tactics that haven't been shared on here.
It would be so much fun to be closer to Minneapolis and connect with many of you. I have hunted several times with Joel. We spend the evenings talking about family, life and dogs but rarely pheasant strategy. Hearing guys like Brent talk of what it was like that first season of hunting with Ace as a pup or Lucas sharing how he got Sage to hunt so damn close without using an e-collar would be far more interesting to me. I will close by saying I am jealous to those that got to connect in Minneapolis or at other similar events.
I made it over to the show Friday night and had a great time. Just about any piece of upland gear you could imagine in your hands with a ton of knowledgable people right there to tell you all about it. The crowds weren’t terrible, I was able to get to every booth I wanted to with minimal wait time. It’s still a big city but that’s needed to get enough people to attend for the sponsors and booths. I had my 2 daughters along and they had a blast as well. With all the dogs there, they were begging me to stay over night and go back the next day.
waterdog09
Active member
I was there Thur-Sat and had a great time. Thursday night we went to the Film Fest at the Pourhouse, and friday night we went to the Live Flush podcast and the OnX afterparty. Hoping next year to attend some of the other nightly activities including the national banquet.
Bob Peters
Well-known member
I was there Saturday afternoon, walked around the show floor about three times. I loved to see all the different booths about dog breed associations. I hunt with golden retrievers but really LOVE all bird dogs. The lady at the small munsterlander booth was so nice and told me all about her dog and the breed. They love water, people, and hunting fur and feathers. I ran into a couple buddies working booths selling shotguns. Browning and Beretta were not there, a disappointment for sure. I was happy to see a booth on falconry, there was a Kestrel and a peregrine falcon live sitting on their falconers glove. Beautiful. The two people I know who work for PF I did not see. Probably busy rubbing elbows. I talked to a lady at the MN prairie chicken society, very friendly. I have my fingers crossed for all the prairie grouse in the US. I'm not sure I'll ever make the national banquet, not that my name would ever come up on the invite list. I'd be much more comfortable knee deep in a slough, rubbing elbows with a blue collar buddy, running after a flusher crazy on scent from a wild rooster. I'm thankful for all the people from PF that lobby DC on keeping or creating bird rearing habitat. I lost track of where I was going with this, so I'll default. My simple brain has trouble keeping up with the modern world, but the one fact I never loose, I love walking wild fields with my dog, she is my life.
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Zew
Member
I hate to break it to you but they were both there. I held an A5 sweet 16 Ultimate and talked to the Browning reps for a while. I now own one thanks to them. Not a Beretta guy so I didn't stop in there.
The one that really blew my mind was Garmin wasn't there.
waterdog09
Active member
Browning was there and we didn't even bother stopping because they never have anything new other than a new camo pattern on the same old guns. I wish Beretta would come one year! In all the years I have been there they have yet to show up, which is strange as Benelli is always there and they are owned by Beretta????
Zew
Member
Bob Peters
Well-known member
I think there was a lot to see there, that's why I missed their booths. I'll just have to hope they come to game fair.
waterdog09
Active member
If they were there with guns it must have been a small booth because we walked the show 4-5 times over 2 days and never noticed them??
Wind River
Well-known member
Next to the Bradley Fighting Vehicles. 
Weimdogman
Well-known member
So I see a post saying record attendance again this year. I believe that is a good thing.
I believe Sioux Falls again next year so it's likely to have record attendance again.
I believe Sioux Falls again next year so it's likely to have record attendance again.
waterdog09
Active member
Here was the booth at SCI. I am guessing if Beretta had a booth at Pheasant Fest it would have been similar to Browning/Benelli... I don't think they will ever do something like this at Pheasant Fest as it's only shotguns and obviously SCI is the entire gun lineup.
UplandHntr
Well-known member
SF is just too far to drive for a one day show like that. Im 8 hrs from SF.