45th Annual SCI Show Opens in Vegas Today

by
posted on February 1, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ah_sci2017conventionleadimage.jpg

What’s going on in Las Vegas this week, you ask? Two topics are the talk of the town: Making a friendly wager on Super Bowl Sunday and attending what I call quite the pre-game event: the SCI Hunters’ Convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here, Feb. 1-4.

For just a few reasons to attend the SCI show, let me give you 800,000-plus, starting with: 1,200 exhibitors representing 33 nations and 6 continents; 34 hunting-related product categories; 110 taxidermist displays; 67 gunmakers; 1,150 live and silent auction items up for grabs; hundreds of outfitters who cater just to hunting and/or fishing excursions; dozens of hunting seminars to help you build your skills and, last but not least: 800,000-plus square feet of things to do and see here.

As for that 800,000-plus number, football fans will click into the fact that that square footage spans about 15 NFL Super Bowl fields, considering each field is, including end zones.

I personally don’t need thousands of reasons to be here. I’m good with just having the experience of attending and seeing 20,000-plus all-American hunters join me on the show floor. Of course, with the “by the numbers” I listed, the SCI show is much more than a mere show: It’s a world-class sporting event!

Latest

Praxis Frame Pack LEDE
Praxis Frame Pack LEDE

New for 2026: Latitude Outdoors Whitetail Frame Packs

Mobile whitetail hunters have long faced a familiar compromise: carry a lightweight pack for the hunt, or haul a frame pack for the pack out. Latitude Outdoors has released a pack to solve that problem, with a frame system built from the ground up for the mobile whitetail hunter.

The Problem with Pressures: A +Peak Revolution?

The history of the projectile, and of the centerfire cartridge, is fascinating, and it seems as though we are ready to take the next step forward. Or are we? Let's take a look at how pressures have affected cartridges throughout history, and the evolution that seems to be currently starting.

More than $1.3 Billion Raised by Duck Stamp Sales

On June 26 the 2026-2027 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, aka Duck Stamp, went on sale. The fact it raises about $40 million for conservation annually gets the headlines, but there are underpublicized benefits for making the $25 purchase—even non-hunters.

Hardware Review: Henry H23 SPD PREDATOR

Check out Frank Melloni's review of the Henry H23 SPD PREDATOR.

First Look: Hawke Optics Vantage HD 30 SF

Hawke Optics has introduced its Vantage HD 30 SF, a second-focal plane riflescope line boasting System H2 optics for clarity.

Pyrodex Turns 50

Pryodex, the revolutionary black powder substitute that continues to be one of Hodgdon Powder Company’s most popular products for hunters who head afield with a “smoke pole,” was first introduced at the 1976 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.