2024 Pheasant Fest

[mobirdhunter]

We're heading into day two of the Fest. Lots of interest in our fine shotguns, and lots of good camaraderie among our member attendees. Here are the members who have been able to attend so far. I asked those that were able to bring guns to pose with their favorite. (Ask them about their choice. You'll get some wonderful answers.). What a great group of friends.

Photos:

!. Dean Hanson
2. Mike Kobos
3. Joe Weidle
4. Dick Dow
5. Pete Kappas
6. Tom Wooden
7. Thomas Benson
8. Jeff Sweeter
9. The "Crew" (Matt Hansen -- a.k.a. The Ticketmaster -- is the second from the left, your scribe is the second from the right)
10. Dick, Tom and Pete needed to hydrate at day's end (but I'm not sure that was water, it was pretty "wiffy." Ask them what they were drinking.)
11. Dinner last night was a real treat. (That's Dean Weber on the left.)
12. My mentor in all things Pheasant Fest -- Bruce Day (ask him how many he's attended -- some great stories)

[Jim DiSpagno]

Great job guys. You do this association proud.

[Craig Larter]

Looks like Dean Hanson is holding a 8ga? Thanks all for your fine efforts.

[Kirk Breier]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

John, we had a a gentleman drop by and show great interest in the guns on display. When he asked me about single barrel trap guns, I realized we had none. We’ll need to remedy that next year.

Any lack in SBT guns is made up for with the number of your representatives who own and hunt Gordon setters. Outdoor writing through decades would have one thinking Parker owners are all Yankees who wear ties in the field and only hunt behind white setters!

Your display was a great opportunity to see a range of frame sizes together in one place. It's one thing to read about differences in the guns and imagine from there, quite another to see them individually. Well done, and easy to see why your booths attract so many visitors.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Kirk Breier

Any lack in SBT guns is made up for with the number of your representatives who own and hunt Gordon setters. Outdoor writing through decades would have one thinking Parker owners are all Yankees who wear ties in the field and only hunt behind white setters!

Your display was a great opportunity to see a range of frame sizes together in one place. It's one thing to read about differences in the guns and imagine from there, quite another to see them individually. Well done, and easy to see why your booths attract so many visitors.

Thanks, Kirk. You sound like a member-in-the-making, and a Gordon Setter admirer. Parkers and Gordons are a great combination, and I can tell you from observation, that a Parker complements any good hunting dog.

Please consider joining our group, we'd love to have you.

[mobirdhunter]

With those unique guns all packed and headed back to their home safes, we closed a successful Pheasant Fest. Success can be measured in ticket sales (thanks to Matt!!), the sharing of Parker knowledge, and the fellowship of members who were there to represent the Association (thanks guys!).

Next year I understand the Fest will be in Kansas City. I hope I'll be there and can meet even more of our group to help spread the work of The Old Reliable. See you there!

Some last photos:

1. I missed getting a good photo of Dean Weber on the first day. Dean lives in Sioux City, and was a good host/representative for his fine city. Being close to home, he also had "grandpa duty" -- an extra busy guy during the event. (Ask him about his last time staying in Kansas City )

2. The girls were able to travel with some of us and they helped out and provided great support. Here are Bruce Day's wife, Katie, and my Elaine, having "bagged" a wandering Mearns quail. (Note: they sold tickets to the bird.)

[John Bastiani]

Looked like a nice event! Does anybody know what Parker gun(particulars) that Mr. Wooden and Mr. Day are holding in the pictures?

[Reggie B]

Originally Posted by John Bastiani

Looked like a nice event! Does anybody know what Parker gun(particulars) that Mr. Wooden and Mr. Day are holding in the picture?

I am sure Garry will let you know for sure, but I like to make a fool of myself guessing. So I am guessing Bruce is holding a CHE 20 gauge and Tom looks to be holding a VHE 28 gauge. Both look very nice too!

[Matto]

I couldn't believe how good looking I was until I scrolled down to the guns.....Well, then I got a lot uglier... What a great weekend!! Sold or managed to squeeze out $3800.00 from the good folks in the midwest so far!! I missed you Ed Morgan. We could have done $4600!

[Matto]

Missed you WAY more than you will ever know. It just wasn't the the same Ed. Nobody chuckles at my jokes?

Originally Posted by ED J, MORGAN

I am usually there but this year I developed a virus so stayed home. the booth looks really great. good luck selling raffle tickets.