The Vintage Cup at Hopkins a couple of years ago may have been good for the shooters, but the show of vendors was less than any in the past. I don't know what can be done about that except to lower the table fees. The PGCA meeting was at the Hopkins Vintage Cup and they don't even have that in 2024. The website has a vendor list that probably includes vendors who have not made their plans yet. The list is probably from previous years.

Bill is right about the Vendor list. The Lefever Arms Collectors Association is listed. We have not yet committed to the new venue. We are waiting to see what the response is and how many plan to show up.

I enjoyed the year we had the PGCA annual meeting at Hopkins. To me, the best thing is seeing folks in person and getting to visit

Harry is right in that there should be some reach out to an accessible mid-west/east of the Mississippi with a multi-day event like the Southern or Northeast (Haussman's). You need more than one day to attract vendors who hope to sell something or collectors associatios with a display or manufacturers competition. The far Upper Peninsula shoots are too far away to justify traveling for a 1 day expo.

Sorry Harry, I'm not buying it. "New Blood" isn't going to pay $10K for a double gun. Any new blood that would attend would be looking to spend less on guns than "regulars" seen at the current multi-day shoots. Most of the "shoppers" would pretty much be curious as to what any vendors may have for sale and when they see most of the price tags they won't be back. You'll still have the usual cast of shooters that are into competition, but guys that are not serious competitors and have to travel quite a ways will pass.

I know Terry Reckart of LCSCA "fame" is putting together a two day shoot in OH this year. I can't comment on whether he's planning on vendors or if it's a shooting event only. I think he's in August?

I would definitely travel to Ohio for a 3-day event.





.

Harry and I agree that the vendor price is outrageous. The Vintagers should buy bigger tents and charge less for a booth. That is how to get people who honestly have things to sell to come and exhibit. The "Widow Lady" may bring her late husband's Parkers to the Vintage Cup if she didn't have to pay $500 for a couple of tables. I know The Lovely Linda won't come to the Vintagers with my Parkers and Foxes if she has to pay a fortune for a couple of tables.

I think the days of attracting vendors to outdoor gun exhibits are behind us, three reasons, travel expense, vintage gun auctions and the internet marketplace. The main reason to attend in present times is to shoot and visit with friends. However, if Guyette and Deeter scheduled a gun auction on the same weekend as a Vintagers event at Pintail that would be a big success in my opinion. Dealers could set-up in the auction parking lot or tables sold at the auction facility. This is the formula G&D has used for their decoy auctions for years.

Bill, no charge to sell anything at the Rock Mountain event. Just sayin’. Linda can bring your “stuff” here. I’m sure she can get what you told her you paid for them. :rotf::rotf::rotf:

I disagree with Craig on about all points he makes. Sorry, Craig, but running two major check writing events several miles apart on the same day or weekend makes no sense at all. I have been at G&D auctions in Maryland for decades and no parking lot swap meet has ever been held while the auction is in progress. Maybe somewhere else, but not in Maryland. I am editing this post to say that my comments refer to parking lot events and did not mention the tables set up inside the building in the side room at G&D auctions. However, there is no parking lot event during the auction. Sorry for not fully explaining my post, Craig.

They always have tables for dealers that are open for business during the auction.

Well over 90% of the guys I know go to the Southern to shoot. Shopping is secondary. If they do look through the tents it’s for a very specific item or they look in the parking lots for good deals that walk-ins bring to sell.

Uh no , he knows a good many from down south and the Midwest . Look it’s no secret you go to these things to sell and make money . So if you’re unhappy with table pricing take it up with the places you wanna go . Correct me if I’m wrong but Mike allows anyone to display and or sell at his place at no cost .

Unfortunately the shooting at the Southern is not that good if you are not participating in the Challenge Cup. The course at Deep River is always crowded and the targets never seem to change. Wait times at the stations can be excessive. Lots of guys shoot nearby courses Thursday and Friday rather than suffer through the waits and crowd at Deep River. Hopkins will have better shooting and Rock Mountain has some of the coolest targets I’ve ever shot. I look forward to Hopkins this Fall and Rock Mountain this summer. Management at Hopkins knows how to put on a shoot. The folks at the Vintagers last year didn’t have a clue. As far as vendors go, the Southern has the best venue by far. I hope Hopkins will be well attended by both shooters and vendors.

I first shot my first VGC and discovered SxS events when it was held at Pintail Point. In my opinion, it’s been downhill since. I missed the VGC this past September, and it doesn’t sound like I missed much. I won’t go back to Hopkins. The one time I attended there, it came across as an overpriced day of clay shooting at a very unremarkable venue with few vendors and bad food. Going forward, I will attend only the Southern. It has long been and continues to be an outstanding event celebrating its 25 year. I’ll save the fall for hunting.

I attended the NE SXS, the Southern and the Vintage Cup last year. The Vintage Cup was a Cluster.

The NE SXS has experienced the vendor withdrawal syndrome for the past 3 years. It is a shell from the vendor standpoint from what it used to be. There used to be vendors in the garage above the tent and vendors parked on the sides all the time. That's all gone. Even the tend itself had empty vendor booths last year for the first time. CSMC didn't even attend or a few others that folks know well. The shooting venue is good and Ernie IMO does everything right. Bottom line is less folks are there.

The Southern is the current crown jewel as far as being a good place for shopping and it has 3 times the vendors of the other two places. They do sell guns, and many vendors will buy from other vendors on set up day. The shooting venue itself is overcrowded and the wait times are long. I know of folks last year that waited for 2 plus hours to shoot a round. Most folks get frustrated and go to other clays courses nearby to shoot. The Southern also does well because decent hotels nearby and some good eats (steak and BBQ) and frankly it the first event of the year and folks want to go out and play and perhaps buy something new to try out.

I've shot the Rock Mountain event and its a great course and run super well. Mike and others do a great job. For me its about 6 hours away and my wife won't let me spend too much money and force her to watch the dog pack.

Shame about the Vintage Cup, but I feel that event is going to be conflicting with early hunting seasons and will suffer for that reason. As of now the Southern is King as it hits lots of what folks want and its timing as being the first event of the season is perfect.

In my humble opinion people come to Ernie's to shoot. And shoot we do. Even if there were no vendors there it wouldn't stop me and most of the guys I know from coming and shooting targets and the breeze. If you want to shop go to the southern- there certainly isn't any decent shooting to be had there. And if you really want to blow your shooting budget, come to the "Rock" in July. Just enough crap for sale in the pavilion and more good targets than you can shake an 8 ga. at. I could care less if the VGC survives or not. And I don't even have an 8 ga to shake.:nono:

You just say the word you’re more than welcome to borrow my 8 gauge and shake it at Mike’s !

And you can shake the little 28. Only I want it back. You won't have to worry about me giving you the 8 back.:)

Harry, my good friend. Please come to Ernie's in June and I will pay for your first round on the BoWhoop or BabyWhoop. Your choice. It's all good.

Hopkins Game Farm
 

I must say Hopkins has a nice course. Is was a little wet after the rain, but a pleasant day.