The Orvis Game Fair. What an incredible event. Something special happens when you have thousands of sporting enthusiasts coming together for a weekend. The air was full of stories waiting to be told and bucket lists just dying to get a little larger.
Christopher & I had a great time at the Orvis Game Fair a few weeks ago at the Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds located in Millbrook, NY. The Hudson Valley is beautiful, especially this time of year, and the Millbrook area has so many sportsman and storied sporting clubs. It was a place for people to come to get outfitted – both with gear as well as ideas.
Great shooters were there in abundance for the Orvis Cup – including Orvis’ own Chief Instructor Paula Moore. I learn something every time I talk with her. The traps were set by world class shooter Steve Liberta. He helped me a lot with my transitions between targets years ago when I was getting started in my competitive shooting journey. Regrettably, we were too busy at our booth for me to shoot the course, but I heard from the likes of the great Grace Callahan and Wes Lang that the targets were a whole lot of fun. Caesar Guerrini and Syren Shotguns were among the gun companies in attendance.
I also had the chance to catch up with my friend August Morris from Steve Barnett Fine Guns. Funny enough, August just sold me my second Grulla that I took possession of the week before – a beautiful 28 gauge sidelock that I am so excited about. I will be putting that to good use at Leen’s Lodge in Maine for grouse and woodcock over the next few days!
It was also a time to make new friends. I really enjoyed speaking with Joaquín Lynch, Co-Owner of Argentina Outfitters and he is currently helping me and Nancy and I with a bucket list trip to Argentina for Duck, Perdiz, Partridge and a few Dove. Will also visit some of the regions top wineries and sites.
Also adding to my bucket list was Jason Herkes from the Craigsanquhar Estate, just outside of St. Andrews. Very excited about breaking out the tweed and getting over there for some driven birds!
This was a great show for us and our products were very well received. Making the weekend just a little more special for me was getting to stay at the Ten Mile River Preserve (where I am a member) and have another great dining experience at The Old Drovers Inn!
As you can tell, we are active participants in all the events we attend and count ourselves extremely fortunate to share in the sporting lifestyle while making some great friends along the way!