Kick off the new decade with four days of excitement, entertainment and education that can only be found in Reno at the Ultimate Hunters’ Market ^® – The SCI Annual Hunter’s Convention.

It’s the only show of its kind where you can see a unique combination of the latest guns and hunting equipment, outfitters from six continents, world class artists and entertainers all under one roof. The convention offers a rare opportunity to find that hunt of a lifetime at the price of a lifetime, meet outfitters face-to-face and mingle with industry experts. Exhibitor List

By day, dozens of seminars presented by industry experts and celebrities give you a chance to learn new techniques, enhance your skills and become a better hunter and outdoorsman. Check out the auctions that run both day and night. They feature items ranging from the practical to priceless. At night, socialize with your fellow hunters, celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy top entertainment and speakers.

The total experience is one that is hard to describe, but never forgotten. And, ultimately by coming to Reno you contribute directly to wildlife conservation worldwide and the preservation of our hunting legacy. (maybe a Sharing the Legacy logo here)

Each evening event at the SCI Convention, members enjoy a great dinner camaraderie and world-class entertainment. It’s an SCI tradition that continues in 2010 with a line-up of music and comedy that represent an incredible value.

Wednesday night’s grand opening dinner will feature comedian Frank Caliendo. He’s best known for his impersonations of George W. Bush, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro and John Madden. His fast-paced act and off-the-cuff humor will engage the audience and set the tone for a great week of Convention entertainment.

Thursday night’s performance by the Bellamy Brothers offers something for everyone. Their music spans four decades and has produced dozens of hit songs including “Let Your Love Flow,” “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie,” and “Lovers Live Longer.”.

Three Dog Night is the featured performance on Friday night. This dynamic group has had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits on the pop, rock and country charts. They perform to sell-out crowds around the country and Friday’s dinner will no doubt continue that trend.

SCI’s Seminar Program packs such a wealth of knowledge and information into four days, you can almost earn a PHD (Professional Hunting Degree)!  By attending any of the dozens of seminars and demonstrations, you will take your hunting, shooting and outdoor skills to a new level. Designed to educate, enlighten and entertain, the seminars will be presented by industry experts, professional guides and outfitters and SCI staff members. (link to seminars here)

The seminars run all day throughout the Convention, and it’s easy to schedule them into your Convention plans. Some of this year’s topics include: improving your long range shooting; selecting the right guns and gear; planning a safari; accurate bow shooting; and travel and wilderness medicine.  For those who are successful in the field, several seminars offer valuable tips on how to prepare your game for the table and how to create a trophy room to display your trophies.

Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to enhance your skills and learn new techniques from the best of the best.

SCI’s Annual Hunters’ Convention attracts the industry’s top experts, celebrities and hunting personalities. These icons make themselves available to SCI members in a variety of ways from hosting seminars, participating in special events and mingling on the exhibit floor.

For the first time in SCI's history, attendees will find out what it's like to live the outdoor life in high definition. This one-of-a-kind event will be held on Friday morning, January 22^nd in the SCI Day Auction Room. The open forum will feature Outdoor Channel television show hosts Jim Shockey, Craig Boddington and Mike Rogers. Hear about techniques, strategies and what really happens behind-the-scenes while highlights, outtakes and never-before-seen footage from America's Leader in Outdoor TV will be displayed in HD on the big screens.

There will be fantastic giveaways from Nikon, Thompson-Center, Boyt Harness, African Sporting Creations, the Outdoor Channel Network and many more.  The event ends with an amazing auction for a chance to hunt and appear on television with one of the hosts. 

Each year Convention exhibitors, donors and SCI corporate sponsors donate an incredible array of outstanding auction items. Whether you are a bidder or spectator, the live and silent auctions are entertaining, exciting and fun for everyone.

From practical to priceless, the auctioneer’s gavel will fall on hundreds of items – ranging from dream hunts to fine artwork and jewelry to clothing and gear – valued at nearly $3 million.

In the priceless category, the leading item is a premier safari package offered by Rungwa Game Safaris. This package celebrates John Rigby & Company’s 275^th anniversary and includes two new custom rifles, a 21-day Tanzania safari for lion, leopard, sable and roan. For added value, it will be filmed by Marc Watts of Sable Trail Productions. Truly the hunt of a lifetime!

But, there are also great opportunities to bid on items such as taxidermy gift certificates, guns, ammunition, optics and clothing with values starting at $30.

The best reason to participate in the auctions is that all proceeds provide a major source of funding to conserve wildlife resources and protect the freedom to hunt. 

There is no better place to book your next trophy hunt than SCI Hunters’ Convention. In Reno, the exhibit hall will be filled with the top guides, outfitters and professional hunters from around the world. Whether you want to plan your first African safari, chase trophy game in North America or investigate exotic hunts in other parts the of world, you can find the hunt of a lifetime for the price of a lifetime.

Experienced hunters will tell you that talking face to face with your guide or outfitter is the best way to judge the quality of a hunt. On the exhibit floor, attendees can see hundreds of outfitters and learn firsthand about their services, game populations, hunting methods, lodging, fees and other key information. Many exhibitors also offer show specials that save you money and time.

Once your hunts are planned, be sure to check out all the latest guns, gear and accessories. With over 650,000 square feet of exhibits, all the top brands will be represented. Guns, ammo, optics, archery equipment, knives, clothing and taxidermy − all these products and more can be found among the 1,000 exhibits.

Each SCI member who comes to Reno contributes in part to the success of hundreds of local, regional and global wildlife conservation projects each year. From lions in Africa to wood bison in Canada to whitetail deer in North America, all of these species and more benefit from a successful SCI Convention.

 Many of the funds raised at the Convention are used to sustain Safari Club International Foundation programs for wildlife conservation, education and humanitarian services in North America and around the world. Humanitarian and education services include:

•   The Sportsmen Against Hunger program partners with The Salvation Army to serve full-course meals to the needy and homeless at the annual Feed The Hungry Feast in Reno.

•   Sensory Safari introduces visually impaired children around the country to the wonders of wildlife.

•   The Pathfinder Program provides world-class hunting experiences for individuals overcoming a physical challenge or disability.

•   The American Wilderness Leadership School where leadership, education programs and Becoming An Outdoors Woman annual workshops prepare teens, women and educators to be ambassadors for hunting and conservation in their classrooms and communities.

For over 30 years, SCI’s mission has been to protect the freedom to hunt and promote conservation worldwide. SCI members who come to Reno contribute greatly to this goal through their participation in committee meetings and seminars, through interaction with fellow hunters and industry professionals and by voicing their opinions to chapter representatives and SCI leaders.

As a passionate member of SCI you are dedicated to defending our hunting heritage, attending the annual SCI Convention is another way for you to be better informed and actively involved in legislative and regulatory issues that affect conservation, hunting access on public lands and scientifically game management. 

Armed with this knowledge you can return home and truly make a difference in protecting our freedom to hunt.

The SCI annual Hunters’ Convention is the only opportunity to meet the top hunting professionals from around the globe. Only in Reno will you find experts representing all segments of the hunting and wildlife conservation community − guides and outfitters, lodge and resort operators, industry experts, technicians, celebrities and artists.

They come to the Convention to share their experiences, provide expert advice and promote the sport of hunting. These professionals are easy to find and very accessible. Look for them teaching new skills and techniques at seminars, demonstrating products on the show floor, signing books and sharing their experiences with fellow hunters.

Outfitters are eager to answer your questions about hunting in different parts of the world and explain the secrets of taking record book trophies and what to really expect on your next guided hunt. Industry representatives can guide you through the selection of the proper gun, ammo and gear for a successful hunt. Artist and taxidermists proudly share their latest creations.

The SCI Convention gives you a chance to share your experiences needs and expectations with the best the hunting world has to offer. Don’t miss this once-yearly opportunity!