Six Reasons You Need to Attend The SCI Convention
Everett Headley 12.08.23
The Safari Club International Convention is held in Nashville, TN and draws thousands of attendees to a four day fete of hunting, adventure, and enchantment.
Hunters from around the world gather.
There is an intoxicating presence to being around thousands of others who share the same passion. Representing all six continents of hunting and dozens of countries, hunters and guides converge at the Music City Center. The hunting community is far larger than just our focus on North American big game. Stories and tales of near misses, arduous adventures, and hard learned lessons are shared in the centralized beer garden.
If you have ever wondered about a particular experience, there’s certainly someone to connect with at the show. The experienced hunter will likely find new hunting opportunities that would have remained unknown if it weren’t for seeing them at the show. Professional hunters can help you better understand a particular pursuit and set in the right direction of fulfilling your wishlist.
The taxidermy is incredible.
The main entrance welcomes visitors with an epic scene of African fauna. Full body giraffes are coiffed with lions, hyenas, and other game. Antelope and warthogs round out the oasis and even plant life local to the continent are included. Inside displays of walrus and polar bears from the north pole are opposite exotic species most of us will never see in life. Each piece is a work of art with many having been recognized as world-class.
Learn about global conservation efforts.
Safari Club International has long been an advocate for conservation efforts worldwide. The result is growing populations and awareness of the need for conservation supported by managed hunting. Exhibitors showcasing their hunting also readily share their own efforts to protect their native wild places and animals. Green hunts using darts offer the experience of hunting rhinoceros while simultaneously directly assisting with anti-poaching work.
Attend seminars from experienced hunters and guides.
Over the four days dozens of classes are offered as part of the admission. Panel discussions with well known hunters like Craig Boddington and Jim Shockey give hunters direct access to some of the most accomplished hunters. Practical classes include wing shooting targeting techniques for wiley Argentine doves and landing large and aggressive fish from the Amazon. Species specific pursuits can give insight to anyone hunting Coues deer, African buffalo, or ibex in Spain. And for the hunter new to internal travel, a detailed class on the logistics and preparation needed for a successful trip.
Discover global brands and pieces to bring home.
Wool from Ireland, soft and luxurious makes for a very nice shawl to drape on your shoulders. Australian leather is tough and incredibly durable for gun cases. Artisans work with natural mediums to offer unique items that catch the eye of any sportsmen.
Nashville has something for everyone.
The show itself can occupy you the four days it’s open, but the city itself is a destination to spend a part of your time. Its music and nightlife are legendary from Music Row to the Grand Ole Opry itself. The SCI Convention nightly offers their own concerts with big name stars. For the foodie, Nashville is definitely a top ten city to visit. Known for its hot chicken and barbecue, it is a rising star for its local biscuits and gravy as well. Or venture outside of the downtown into the surrounding beauty of the Natchez Trace and eastern hardwood forests. Nashville was an important area of the Civil War and many sites remain for history buffs. And of course, Southern culture with its hospitality and generosity abound in the “Athens of the South.”
The 2024 SCI Convention is Jan 31 through February 4 and is now open for registration. Tickets to nightly shows and events can also be purchased and nearly everything sells out.
