The Game Fair and this forum?

[nic531]

What has happened to this forum and its love hate relationship with game fairs?

Usually with 'The Game Fair' happening only this week we would have had numerous threads and comments regarding how game fairs used to be so much better, you could get in for a quid, having spent thruppence ha'penny on the fuel to get there, bought a years worth of shooting clothing and got change from a tenner! as well as shops almost giving away goods ....... especially the stalls that were absolutely full of centre fire rifles at knock down, post war prices
Instead I have not seen any derogatory threads!!!!

 

[Nimrod1960]

What has happened to this forum and its love hate relationship with game fairs?

Usually with 'The Game Fair' happening only this week we would have had numerous threads and comments regarding how game fairs used to be so much better, you could get in for a quid, having spent thruppence ha'penny on the fuel to get there, bought a years worth of shooting clothing and got change from a tenner! as well as shops almost giving away goods ....... especially the stalls that were absolutely full of centre fire rifles at knock down, post war prices
Instead I have not seen any derogatory threads!!!!

Possibly very few from SD going, different market now.
Having said that I am going with some mates on our free BASC tickets, but really don’t expect too much. I am in charge of the picnic, cold rare Munty sandwiches - obviously .

 

[User00056]

I think a lot of the game fairs have become very 'same old' these days? Ticket prices have gone through the roof, as have parking prices (certainly at Scone), and concession stand prices are absolutely ridiculous. If I'm spending £8 for a burger it better be something special, but they just aren't. Add to that the same offerings year after year, and they just lose their appeal to many. I used to look forward to them, and really enjoyed them, but these days the appeal has lost its shine.

I fancied a crack at the sporting layout during my last visit to Scone three or four years ago, only to be told I would have to take out a competition entry, buy cartridges from them, pay something like 75p per target, and also pay for eye protection and earplugs, despite having my own with me. That was the final straw for me personally, and I've not been back since.

 

[NullMac]

Parking at Scone was free but it needed to be at £33 a skull. For what ? Cluny Swaro Pulsar Hik and Toms Targets. Was only there a couple of hours and half of that was watching the spaniels.

I did have the hottest coffee every which I managed to spit out before the inside of my mouth blistered.

The Kahles guy was bored shitless ( I thought the 328i was a bloody awful design BTW), had a good chat wi the Blaser guy on the Cluny stand though.

Generally poor really.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I’m going. I enjoy them. For shooting stuff, go to the stalking show or the shooting show. For a day out, (free BASC ticket) with some shooting stuff great, there are loads of good food stalls. Ok I don’t want a jacuzzi but I did get 25% off my woodburner a number of years ago.
I don’t have any real need to go. But, I will,go look at the boots, co7ld do with some of them, and maybe some clothing. We will see.
It’s a day out. I could go to the pub and the landlord will happily relieve me of a pile of folding stuff. So, yeah. I’m looking forward to it. And I won’t be wearing tweeds or camo.

 

[LuckyEddie]

Hadn’t been to the Scone one in years but went this year as I got tickets from my daughters as a birthday present.
I knew before going that I couldn’t afford any new kit so it didn’t bother me.
Shows like this are always way over my pay packet.

Saw half of @roaring_stag presentation in the cookery tent as well as having a decent blether with Simon Whitehead on rabbits and his passion of ferrets and lurchers.
Saw the spaniel scurry, the fox hounds and the vulture display.
Got some clothes for the holiday as well as treats for the dog.
Had a mooch round the stalls and bought some foody stuff.

As I didn’t have big expectations I actually enjoyed the day.

 

[sikamalc]

I used to attend the Game Fair on a fairly regular basis. However since the disastrous year when it got rained off, and Covid I have not bothered. I have attended one or two smaller affairs, but in all honesty they have become the same old thing, supported by other non hunting industries, such as double glazing, re enamel your bath, along with some stupid people who claim they have the latest invention to cure arthritis.

It costs so much money to set theses events up, and to me the only one that seems to stand out is the Stalking fair. But its always a long way north, and the time and effort with travel is a bit too much for me and probably many others. But I do support it, and long may it continue.

The only outstanding hunting fair I have been to is the SCI show in Las Vegas, whilst visiting clients and a friend. So it would have been foolish not to go. These shows are something else, and along with a visit to Bass Pro or Cabelas cant be beaten.

Game fairs are not what they used to be in the UK, and in most cases you can purchased goods cheaper on line. But for a day out with friends, if your fairly local to an event, its worth visiting.

 

[chriswjx]

Parking at Scone was free but it needed to be at £33 a skull. For what ? Cluny Swaro Pulsar Hik and Toms Targets. Was only there a couple of hours and half of that was watching the spaniels.

I did have the hottest coffee every which I managed to spit out before the inside of my mouth blistered.

The Kahles guy was bored shitless ( I thought the 328i was a bloody awful design BTW), had a good chat wi the Blaser guy on the Cluny stand though.

Generally poor really.

Glad to know we weren't the only ones with that experience this year... We were in and out in under 2 hours - granted, I wasn't in the market for a gun, but equally Edinburgh Rifles and Cluny are the 2 I go to most frequently, so wouldn't have actually spent longer.

Got my HIK cleaned up and had a look through a Habrok 4K HE25. So not like we were idling (missus was in fact out looking for a new jacket too). Coming from Edinburgh, we worked it out that we were longer in the car than we were in the fair - thank god (at least my) tickets was free/discounted...

Did mean we had plenty of time to stop by Stewart Towers for an ice cream before heading home though so not all bad.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Only so many hog roast rolls one may consume in a lifetime.

K

 

[Donkey Basher]

Had planned to get a free ticket & go on Friday but lost interest after thinking about the drive up there & back vs. the chance of actually being able to see or buy something I might interested in.

Anyway, can't go now even if I want to as I have to take one of the dogs into the vets for a biopsy - they think he might have cancer...

 

[Pedro]

I think it can be a reasonable day out. But don't necessarily think you'll see all things to do with your shooting/country pastime, whatever that may be. I think that it's no cheap thing to get a stall there, so don't expect stallholders to be selling things very cheap either. Also, the cost of travel, parking, accommodation maybe and entry price (unless you're a BASC member) really doesn't make for a cheap day. Especially if there's a family of you.

I have to say I haven't been for a few years and haven't this year. If you go every year you've got to be keen because it's a bit samey from year to year too.

 

[nic531]

I must admit that if I was not getting free tickets for the OH and myself courtesy of BASC membership, I would probably not go.
Used to get bargains, but the lure of the internet killed that off, however I enjoy traipsing around, seeing kit that my local shops cannot afford to stock.
I fancy a new rifle this winter so will handle a few.
Few years back I ended up visiting a firm I had seen at the show and buying a log burning hot tub.... (why not when I scrounge all my wood for free)

I also see a few stallholders, I only see at shows..... Hellfire surplus.... bloody good value, say hello to Tidepool re wildfowling and Chris Green at the BASC stand. Watch a demo or two

For stalking kit I go the stalking show.

Yes they are samey and they are not the wallet crunching bargains they used to be.... but, I enjoy the day out

 

[bogtrotter]

I do go to Scone every year have only misses it twice since it started once when I was ill and once when it was cancelled due to flooding its handy for me just a little over an hours travel .
I normally go on a Sunday no real reason for a Sunday now that I'm on my own but back in the day it was the only day she could manage due to her work.

More often than not she would insist on bringing a dog or dogs to try out in the scurry, I would keep back pretending I didn't know her or the dogs that was always good for a laugh though she had the last laugh with a young GSP who put up a sterling performance and went on.to be a very good dog
We also liked to see the stalking ponies and their handlers and which estates they were from this was something we both had an interest in and of course they were always on a Sunday.
As I have said before my main interest has always meeting up with friends and colleagues past and present many of whom this is the only day I see them.
So for me it was still an enjoyable day though.I do agree about entry costs .though not so important for.me these days now that I'm on my own it was an expensive day out even in days gone by as a family with four kids, though one of.my daughters and a Grandson joined me there this year which was pleasant.
For me it's a tradition and I will probably continue going until I fall off my perch.

 

[Cranborne]

I'll be there on Friday and Saturday. I always enjoy watching the gundog competitions, and catching up with old friends. Free entry with BASC is a bonus.

 

[TundB]

Its website says £38 admission fee per head. No thanks.

 

[labrador77]

Well, me and the clan have arrived to do our bit with the Chessie club in the minority breeds tent. Just about to put the awning up so may well be not talking to each other within the next couple of minutes!

 

[tackb]

Only so many hog roast rolls one may consume in a lifetime.

K

FALSE!

i will never tire of devouring piggy goodness in all its forms!!

 

[Tim.243]

What has happened to this forum and its love hate relationship with game fairs?

Usually with 'The Game Fair' happening only this week we would have had numerous threads and comments regarding how game fairs used to be so much better, you could get in for a quid, having spent thruppence ha'penny on the fuel to get there, bought a years worth of shooting clothing and got change from a tenner! as well as shops almost giving away goods ....... especially the stalls that were absolutely full of centre fire rifles at knock down, post war prices
Instead I have not seen any derogatory threads!!!!

They are subscribed by couples with matching leather hats towing a lab who if it walked in a puddle it might not come out..

Followed closely by the stalkers who still have their bolt in the holster from their guided stalk 4 months ago

Bringing up the rear is the Nth Wales gang who are buying up pictures of deer so they can remind themselves what deer look like..

 

[Tazz]

Going Friday and Saturday BASC member so free. The weather looks good, no rain due and low 20’s c so nice to walk about in without getting heat stroke. If we don’t support these things they will not be around. Missed going to the Stalking Show as I was away, only heard good things about it