Stalking Show Whistle stop tour

Went yesterday came back with a tub of N165 off @Edinburgh Rifles
And a box of non toxic from the lads at waipiti uk to try.
Exceptionally busy between 10-3.30 I left at 4 pm and had horrendous journey back through Stafford.
(Event very poorly sign posted for anyone not used to finding Stafford showground)
Re. signposting - I guess it's possible the organisers expect everyone will be using GPS to get there. Are you still using paper maps?
 
Re. signposting - I guess it's possible the organisers expect everyone will be using GPS to get there. Are you still using paper maps?
Paper maps work. People have forgotten how to read them .
The best app I have used is post tag. I believe that the post men and women use it
Then again plan the route before hand with additional route in case of problems.
Being an ex hgv driver old habits die hard.
 
Anyway, back to the show.

I was there both days and had an excellent time.

Day 1 was mostly spent looking around and shopping. The result was a roeing knife, a carton of primers, box of bullets, and a set of 4x4 tyres.

I did bring cash, and saved a little money that way, but it was more about making things easier for sellers. This wasn't just altruism: I figure that the better the show goes for them, the more likely it is they'll be there next year.

I also got involved in UKHSA's tick diseases research (turns out there's a lot I'll do for a cuppa and a biscuit!), in the course of which I ended up having a fascinating conversation with a brilliant entomologist chap who'd spent five years in the Amazon jungle studying mosquito-borne diseases... and couldn't wait to go back!

Day 2 was mostly spent widening/confirming such knowledge as I have watching/listening to presentations (and often wanting to be in two places at the same time).

That said, I did ultimately succumb to the temptation of a set of Hill's quad sticks (on sale at £349). They struck me as far and away the best design I've seen. The inventor/manufacturer was demonstrating them on the Bestdeercall stand, and they really do what they claim as regards steady tracking and adaptability to all kinds of terrain and shooting positions.

Phone/internet aside - and I have no idea of the technical challenges there - I think it's fantastic that we have this show for us grumpy, semi-socialised (at best), middle-aged (at best) men (mostly)!

Without it (and without the SD, for that matter), UK deer management would be totally fragmented. With it, everyone has the chance to witness how much passion, skill, knowledge and commitment is involved.

And to end up with something gratuitously pretty, how about this little folding knife by Chris at Mercian Forge?

1000041904.webpQ. What would you pay for a unique piece crafted over twenty hours of skilled labour that you could carry in your pocket?

(Just because I couldn't afford it, doesn't mean it's expensive, or that I can't appreciate it.)
 
Re. signposting - I guess it's possible the organisers expect everyone will be using GPS to get there. Are you still using paper maps?
Yes and driven through and around Stafford many times it not easy if you aren’t used to it hence my point about signage for others.
 
Any trader relying on WiFi for card machines has the option of GPRS/SIM enabled machines.
If they don’t work just give bank details.
Adapt and overcome
Its not rocket science

We have been telling people for months to pre order to avoid missing out on things that sell out
Granted not everyone is on here but even people not on here were calling to place orders.

I am astounded people are complaining about the show, short of there being a lot of people, associated traffic and any delays getting food as a result it is by far the best show in the country now.
Bigger footfall, coverage of exhibitors and general vibe.

Complaints about lack of signage seems a bit desperate. Pretty much everyone has phone with satnav

Some people cant be pleased
The overwhelming majority appear to realise what the show has become.
The best stalking, shooting and outdoor pursuits show in the UK
 
Had an excellent day on the Saturday.
Managed numerous Brownie points from SWMBO by a) Not buy a new rifle and b) getting our wandering big black lab boy Paddy a super hi reflective colour, in the hope it stops him being squished if he escapes again!
My only moan would be the Faraday cage of the indoor arenas and lack of boosted wifi.
I know 1st World problems, but boy would it make it easier to meet up with chums etc…🤷‍♂️
My “Management” also wondered if the whole event should change its name.
Adding Deer to the name would stop any chance of confusion…
 
My “Management” also wondered if the whole event should change its name.
Adding Deer to the name would stop any chance of confusion…
An interesting and pertinent question as I have longed wished we could bring ourselves to dump the "stalking" bit in favour of deer hunting and/or sporting rifle.

Mindful hunting with hounds (riding to hounds) is now very much a thing of the past in terms of legal status in the UK, I see no good reason not to re-claim and proudly use this universal terminology to promote the interests of those who use a rifle to account for deer and other wildlife throughout the woods, meadows and hills of this wee Isle.

K
 
Went up with a couple of mates on Saturday. Great day out and had some bargains. Bought one of the leather 3 point rifle slings from "Deer Central"stand .Beautifully made in UK. Tried it yesterday evening and works a treat preventing constant rifle slipping on the shoulder.
 
Made the trip over from Ireland and very impressed with the show…as are close to 20 friends who attended,yesterday as we caught back up with each other waiting for the ferry most all of us said we’ll be back next year
Brilliant show and any stall I stopped and asked about different bits of equipment,the stall holders couldn’t be more accommodating 👏
Glad we attended both days
Saturday was heaving till about 2pm
Sunday morning was much easier to get back into stands and pick up bits before heading home
Had my 12 year old son with me and he loved it,especially the hall of hounds and the jeeps
Toms targets fox head will be put to use later in the week
The buttermilk pheasant burgers really hit the spot 👌
Looking forward to next years show already
 
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Thanks to everyone that visited the Monarch stand!

Apologies for the que to transact at times, will look at getting 2 payment points for next year.

We sold out of many lines on Saturday; so busy ordering up re-stock - maybe a couple of weeks before we are back to 100% line-fill again.

Br

Rob, Jess & the girls
Always a pleasure to do business with you at the event.
The queue was bearable. There's always someone interesting to chat to while waiting.
 
I volunteered a couple of hours each day on the BDS stand, and also got pressganged into being part of a Q&A session on setting up a small venison retailing business (again, both days), so actually saw very little of the event, but the atmosphere was good and everyone seemed happy, so I reckon it was a success.
I think the workshops were a great success. My partner was grateful for all of the panels input throughout (Was meant to be on the stage with her but I absolutely hate public speaking). The feedback received afterwards was very positive with lots of people coming to speak to us about setting up a food business. Hopefully this will be a workshop that is rolled out (along with others)
 
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