Sights, Sounds and Surprises from the 2023 Nashville Safari Club International
IAD > MIA > GUA GUA > MIA > BNA > DCA – Yes, this is a real itinerary, not a mistake or detour.
The crew at Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge asked us to help in their booth at the Nashville Safari Club convention. We love the lodge and the people behind it, so sharing that love to get more people to travel there is no sweat. That way it’ll stay open for ever and ever and ever.
A brief understanding and key things to know about the Safari Club International (SCI):
While SCI is primarily focused on promoting ethical hunting practices and wildlife conservation, they also have a strong interest in fishing and aquatic conservation. Many SCI members are avid anglers and the organization recognizes the importance of healthy aquatic ecosystems and sustainable fishing practices.
SCI supports efforts to conserve and restore fish habitats and advocates for responsible fishing practices that minimize harm to aquatic wildlife.
SCI offers members opportunities for fishing trips and other outdoor recreational activities that involve fishing.
Many of the members chose to attend some of the educational events such as Estate Planning for Firearms Owners or Safaris for Women: what, why and how – plus travel tips (I really wanted to attend but was busy selling fishing trips).
In addition to the many trip options, the show’s hundreds of vendors offered beautiful pieces of jewelry, handcrafted furniture, outdoor recreational items, indoor garage/man cave pieces, clothing, shoes, boots, belts and more.
Six continents and many countries were represented: I was particularly interested in Australia, New Zealand, Panama, Guatemala, Argentina, Bolivia, but there were also plenty of counties that I had no idea existed that end in “stan.”
Here’s a quick tour of the show floor, condensed because it would take forever to see it all:
Here are a few semi-random observations I made after walking and working the Nashville SCI show:
To purchase a hunting trip, you must have to sit in a sofa.
It appears that people are actually traveling to Russia.
Drinks flow from open to close, which opens wallets, too.
If you collect footballs, I bet you don’t have a crocodile one.
I don’t have any tattoos but saw some really great ones.
I found my next taxidermy creation – now I have to catch a HUGE roosterfish.
And if you didn’t think that butterflies and warthogs go together, you’re wrong.
This was a badass convention, you should check it out next year, Half Past First Cast will be there again.
