2011 SHOT Show Day One; A Few Quick Observations

Day one of SHOT Show is now complete and quite honestly what struck me most was the sheer number of people in attendance this year. When the show is over I’ll be surprised if some new attendance record isn’t set with over 60,000 show attendees, 2,000+ media types and not to mention the staff working the over 1,600 vendor booths.

Another surprise, at least by my cursory observation so far, is the fact there is no one new product that really “jumped out at me” so far. Now that’s certainly not to say there isn’t lots of new stuff being offered at the show…but from what I am seeing many of the so-called new products being touted have minor design improvements, etc. I just didn’t see that new gear or gadget that offered that “gotta have it” appeal.

On a different note, I did overhear lots of business deals going down and it seemed the retailers in attendance appeared to be quite upbeat about the economy. That’s certainly a positive sign for all of us. Along those same lines…and as much as I hate to say it, the recent Arizona shooting seems to have stirred an increased interest in certain gun sales as the immenent threat of lawmakers introducing more gun control laws appears to be looming on the horizon once again.

I can’t say I really heard this topic as a major concern, in fact, the only discussion I heard about it was at the NRA booth. Still, when I got back to the hotel room after the show the local Las Vegas news had a big story on it and took advantage of sending their cameras out to the SHOT Show for the visual support.

So, you might say where is the reporting on all the new guns? Good point. I’ll be the first to admit my shortcomings when it comes to finding all the new guns/gear and then running back to my hotel room or the press room to discuss the findings. I suggest if you want some good reporting to check out my buddy, Richard Johnson, who does a great job blogging over at: www.GunsHolstersandGear.com. When it comes to the shooting stuff Richard and his crew are on top of things.

Well, in a few minutes I am off to Day Two (which also happens to be my final full day at the show). I leave for home tomorrow which is sad to cut the SHOT Show short, but when you come in early for Media Day at the Range you have to make some sacrifices.

Something a bit fun, tonight I’ll be attending the Sportsman Channel’s big awards gala and reporting on their viewer choice awards while it is happening. Watch my Twitter account for the categories and winners as soon as they are announced. I’ll be “tweeting” from www.Twitter.com/jim7226.

Copyright 2011 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Duplication Allowed.

Don’t You Just Hate It…

When the only picture you get from your trail camera is something like this?

Actually, I’m pretty sure I know what deer is PARTIALLY pictured here, but still why can’t they just cooperate a bit more by walking directly in front of the camera without being such teases?

Oh, and for those of you who think deer are scared off when a trail camera goes flash…here’s proof this doe didn’t seem to mind.   She stuck her nose right into the picture.   Not just once…but twice!

Only 7 seconds apart.

As this deer casually walks away you have to wonder what is going through its mind.

During 2008 I have taken close to 600 deer pictures with my trail cameras and based on my experience if you are buying infrared cameras to eliminate the flash for fear of scaring the deer…it’s a waste of money.   On the other hand, if you buy infrared just to get more enhanced nighttime shots it probably is a good investment.

Just a couple of final thoughts on what I have learned from the trail cameras this spring/summer/early fall.   Almost all of the bucks I have captured have been moving quickly.   You can tell by the fact the pictures more often than not show motion blur.   As a hunter, this tells me that a nice buck is not going to lolly-gag near my stand when it moves through.   I need to be ready for a shot at a moments notice, if I want to score on a buck.

I’ve also learned that the bucks seem to stay clear of the well worn trails running directly on the clearcut.   Instead, when I see buck action they appear to be cutting across the clearcut.   Often times the bucks have popped out from behind the camera only to make a brief appearance in the more open areas.   On my land, at least, the bucks definitely use different trails than the does…trails that seem to keep them under cover a bit more.   Just my two cents.

How have others done with their trail cameras this year?

2008 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

What’s Your Life BEYOND The Outdoors Include?

For me, when I put down the shotgun and try to relax in “other ways” my next greatest recreational passion in life is hockey.   In particular, MINNESOTA WILD hockey.   As a season ticket holder I try to get to as many games as I can and watch almost all of the away games on TV.   If I wasn’t blogging about the outdoors…I would probably be blogging about the boys wearing Iron Range Red and Forest Green trying to finally bring the Stanley Cup to Minnesota.

So, beyond the outdoors…what’s your next biggest recreational passion in life? [leave a comment below]

2008 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.