Vintagers/PGCA Meeting Question

Rod N. Gunn · 09-29-2009, 03:36 AM

I'm not wanting to be a downer, but I have to ask...

Why are the Vintagers and the PGCA meeting held during hunting season? I would love to be back there looking at doubles - you can't really ever do that out here. Shooting clays, and meeting folks from this BBS and the PGCA sounds like great fun. However, I was grouse hunting here in Oregon this weekend and that is generally more fun. As in years past, I have out-of-town hunting trips coming up which make flying to Maryland utterly impossible at the end of September. I'd go to the Vintagers in a minute if it were an off-season event, it looks really awesome. Why not hold it in the summer? Does this keep anyone else from going? Is this how all the good Parkers stay in the East? I suppose the Southern SxS is during turkey season...

Wish I could get there some day, thanks for all the pics and info about the event. Looks nice.

Dean Romig · 09-29-2009, 06:58 AM

There are no easy answers regarding where and when to hold the PGCA Annual Meeting and Banquet and I'm certain the BOD struggles with this and other issues each year, such as what venue will afford the greatest draw for our membership. I think we'd see a lot fewer members if the Meeting & Banquet were held in conjunction with the 'wrong' venue or with none at all. So far, I think they've done a great job (and what they do is one hell of a lot of work) and they get the most "bang for the buck" for the PGCA in their decisions so far. Of course, I'm one of the lucky ones as there are no hunting seasons I'd rather be at in late September. Unfortunately they can't please everybody all of the time but they do get the best turnout the way they have done it these years I've attended when it has been held in conjunction with the Vintager's at Pintail Point. JMHO, Dean

Bill Murphy · 09-29-2009, 10:02 AM

The Vintage Cup event is attended by some of the most serious hunters I know. I'm referring to guys who spend in high five figures, maybe six figures, on hunting every year. Somehow, they feel that the Vintagers is an important gun collecting event that they would prefer not to miss. Obviously, even six figure hunters don't hunt every weekend from August to March. Actually, you could have caught the morning and evening flight of early season Canadas at Pintail Point and still reported for duty at the PGCA tent between the two flights.

Rod N. Gunn · 09-29-2009, 02:31 PM

I hope my post was interpreted as a complaint. Just a thought, I recognize how much work and planning goes into these things.

Dean Romig · 09-29-2009, 03:09 PM

Dave, rest assured, your comments were taken in the spirit they were given, nothing more - I think the BOD relies on such comments to help them in their decision making.
Dean

Bill Murphy · 09-29-2009, 08:19 PM

Dave, you may want to reread your last post. I like to hunt also, and some other important gun activities are scheduled during the season. We have to decide which we want to attend.

Rod N. Gunn · 09-29-2009, 08:54 PM

Thanks Bill... I can't seem to spit it out right on this one. Someday I'll make it to the meeting, it sounds really great.

Researcher · 09-30-2009, 09:00 AM

The Vintage Cup has always been held near the end of September, that is Ray's weekend. The PGCA annual meeting has moved around, I know I attended three summertime meetings in conjunction with OGCA shows in Cleveland, Ohio, July 21-22, 2001; Wilmington, Ohio, July 20-21, 2002; and July 19-20, 2003, again at Wilmington. In 2006 the PGCA annual meeteing was held in conjuction with the Louisville gun show the same weekend as The Vintage Cup, leaving Kevin and I rather lonely manning the PGCA booth at Sandanona!! I think the board has done a pretty darn good job of moving it around and getting the most PGCA bang for our buck.

MarketHunter · 10-03-2009, 06:45 PM

Bill is right, you've just gotta pick what you want to do. I went last year and managed to turn it into a hunting weekend besides going to the meeting and Vintagers. This year I was in Quebec for the ducks instead.

Destry

Bill Murphy · 10-03-2009, 09:27 PM

AND, three of Destry's Quebec gunning companions somehow managed to attend the Vintagers and still make the Quebec trip. No conflict there.