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Announcement: 17 March 2009
Well the dust has finally cleared on the 29th Annual Dixie Deer Classic and everyone had a
very successful weekend. Expectations before the show were mixed as to what to expect in
attendance with the economic condition our nation is in, and the state of North Carolina.
It seems that the hunters and outdoorsmen in our region decided not to forsake their
annual trip to Raleigh to show off the products of the past hunting season, because more
deer were brought in for scoring than at any previous Classic. Quality was very good also,
indicating to us that the “herd” is healthy, and the guys are letting the little
ones walk on by.
Attendance was down slightly (17,082), 186 fewer three-day tickets were sold in comparison
to the 2008 show. The success of Youth Day on Friday reflected a marked increase in ticket
sales that more than made up for the decrease on Sunday. Saturday was virtually the same,
with the buildings reaching and staying at saturation for most of the mid-day hours. Many
of our merchants voiced surprise at how strong their sales were, and NC stills remains the
number two state for traveling hunters as outfitters at the show were very pleased to find
out.
The much expanded Youth Day was very well received by the kids from different schools and
groups that attended. The preregistered groups brought us 318 to attend class in the
“Oh Deer Workshops” that were coordinated very well by the NC Chapter of Quality
Deer Management Association. Private donations enabled the Wake County Wildlife Club to
pay the admission for all the kids in the groups, and put an orange DDC t-shirt on them
for identification. The large groups of orange moving around were impressive. Many others
attended in family units, or as walk-ins and also participated in a “show wide”
scavenger hunt that had them visit the exhibit space of many of the non-profit
conservation groups represented. This is a new venture for the show and one that is very
important to us, and the future of our sport. We have to make opportunities like this to
show the kids of the country what there is “outside” for them to get involved
with. We want to do everything possible to expand this program, and offer many thanks to
the members of NC-QDMA for their assistance.
NC Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation were able to lay the ground work for what
could be very good growth in new programs for the Classic. The Call Makers Contest was
well received and generated a lot of interest in the attending public. A new Youth Outdoor
Art Contest was not strongly participated in, but now the word should spread further and a
growth pattern set in place. A rounding success was a Build-a-Call Workshop for the kids.
One member said “They overwhelmed us. It was great!” The kids were actually
assisted in constructing turkey calls from kits and then taught how to use them, and the
cost was FREE. Now plans are being laid for raising money to have even more kits available
for next year. I feel we must apologize to the youth that did not get to participate
because of the kit depletion.
The Bowhunting Venue that was planned with the addition of a fourth building did not bear
out, and was returned in part to Dorton Arena, with the 3-D Tournament, operated for us by
the NC Bowhunter’s Association, returning to it’s traditional location. Building
Four was used as a very successful banquet site for the North Carolina Bowhunter’s
Association’s Annual Banquet. Plans are again in place to establish the Bowhunting
venue in this building for the 30th Anniversary of the Dixie Deer Classic March 5, 6, and
7, 2010. We will be offering special booking discounts for exhibitors that want to
participate.
Look for changes soon to the web site when reservations are opened back up. Currently
attendees “squatter’s rights” are in effect until 1 April 2009, so new
applications are being held.
Thanks for your interest in the Dixie Deer Classic and look for us to do something special
for our Thirtieth Birthday.
Bruce Blackwell
General Manager
Dixie Deer Classic
PO Box 99048
Raleigh, NC 27624
(919) 782-5333
dixiedeerclassic@aol.com
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