If you are going to be an Outdoor Writer, especially one that writes about Guns and Hunting you have to know your history and your guns. I have been going to Louisiana Gun Shows for about 25 years now.
The one in Alexandria Louisiana has improved greatly over the years. This one was the best yet. Family oriented, Patriotic, and just plain fun. The place was packed with firearm enthusiast, hunters, coin collector, knife collectors and folks looking to buy, sell or trade. Then there was me.
I paid my eight bucks like everyone else, but had to declare my camera case and the fact I was an outdoor writer. That was not a problem. However, they wanted no part of the local liberal media. Soon after looking up ODU Magazine they found out that was not the enemy, and the Director showed me around a bit. Of course I was looking for the Henry Rifles.
The story I got that the local newspaper had made untrue and derogatory comments about them and some of the vendors didn’t want to be photographed. I don’t blame them but I always ask permission anyway so there were no problems.
It was a great place to be if you like guns. Even if you don’t there were many other things to see. I met old friends I hadn’t seen in years. Royce owns his own Trucking Company now and done well for himself. He has a wonderful gun collection and is always looking for something special. As for me I had on the Henry Hat. That’s all it takes folks to start a conversation. “Are you the Henry rep.” “No, I’m one of the National Outdoor Writers that test and writes about Henry’s.”
The present trend in shooting is Long Range Target Shooting and Suppressors. The Suppressor guys had a very professional display and gave an informative briefing. Right now you still need the Federal Tax Stamp to own one but many are going that route, saying it is worth it for your hearing.
As for long range shooting the thing that caught my eye was Osprey Global, one of those “I have got to get me one of these,” places as I thought to myself when I picked up one of these impressive telescopic sights. There representative Andrew Moody gave me the lowdown on the company as I inspected the line of just about everything in sporting optics. Another impressive thing was the catalog that turned out to be one of the most informative primers on sport optics I ever saw.
Of course you couldn’t have an outdoor event without a Henry Golden Boy. I had my picture taken with it, and laid one of my Playing Cards splits down on the rifle. Within 15 minutes an individual bought the rifle when the vendor told him who made the shot.
Contrary to what the liberal media would want you to think all gun transaction within the show required the normal background check and filled out forms. I saw nothing but good folks there just having fun more like a great reunion of outdoorsmen and their wares. I did run into the Army Recruiter. He was from my old MP Company at Fort Polk and just for the record I volunteered again.
Royce and I jumped in the Hummer and headed for the Choctaw Pines Casino for a serious Steak and Seafood dinner. About two hours later he headed for Missouri for the total eclipse of the Sun, and I went home for nap…Pass it on