Crowds attend annual Gun and Horn Show
Photo by Mandi Bateman Over 1000 people visited the Gun and Horn Show.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Tim Huff took the award for Biggest Whitetail Deer at last weekend’s Boundary County Gun & Horn Show.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Mason Zills took the award for Youth Deer.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Garrett Bennett took the award for Largest Elk..
Photo by Mandi Bateman Hand carved moose paddle by master carver Bob Graham was us for raffle to benefit Abigail Blockhan. It will be on display next at Far-North Outfitters and tickets will be available there.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Eighty vendors brought their wares to the Gun and Horn Show.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Dawn Smith from Libby brought her handmade jewelry made from bullet casing.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Hunters brought in their favorite mounts to enter in the horn contest.
BONNERS FERRY — For hunters, gun or knife collectors, or just outdoor enthusiasts, the annual Boundary County Gun & Horn Show is often viewed as a way to dust off the sleepy snow of winter and get excited for the coming year.
On Feb. 9-11, the Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association hosted its 25th show at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, drawing 80 vendors from three different states and more than 1,000 attendees.
“We’ve got dealers, we’ve got gunsmiths here, just individuals, and pawn shops,” said event organizer and Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association member Earl Irving. “We are excited to be here. The attendance has been really great. There is some fundraising raffles going on and Fish and Game is here with their educational information.”
“Year after year this show has always been the best for Bonners Ferry,” said vendor Betsy Clark. “Bonners Ferry cannot be beat with this show.”
Clark’s booth was filled with guns, knives, antiques, jewelry, memorabilia, and more. The jewelry has been a draw for attendee Kandy Floyd, who has returned again this year, remarking that she liked the pieces that Clark carried.
“I like to visit with the different vendors,” said Floyd. “I’m kind of into knives myself and I like to see what people have.”
Shawn Frederickson has been a part of the gun show for 13 years with his now renamed business, Dawson Ridge Bone Worx, LLC., that offers cleaning, whitening and mounting of animal skulls and antlers. He also offers hydrographics — a process that offers character and a distinctive flair to mounts, guns, wheels, vehicles, and more.
“It’s great,” said Frederickson about the show. “There is a lot better turnout this year than there has been in the past.”
Another vendor, Dawn Smith from Libby, was at the show for the first time with unique jewelry that she spent the winter making, utilizing the primer end of shell casings, combining them with swarovski crystals that she chose for their reputation for being extra sparkling.
“It’s my first time at the Gun and Horn Show and my first gun show,” said Smith with a smile. “So far, I guess it’s a hit.”
“So far I’m pretty low tech- I just have a vice and a hacksaw,” Smith explained, but the exposure the Gun Show appeared to be providing may lead to more equipment.
Another aspect of the show that draws exhibitors and the public is the horn show, where antlers and mounts were submitted in different categories in hopes of taking home an award.
“There are some nice quality animals that were brought in and hopefully it continues. Hopefully next year is bigger and better,” said Kootenai Valley Sportsman Association member Walt “Wally” Dinning.
Dinning remarked the horns were way down in numbers of antlers that had been entered, especially deer antlers.
“We have a lot of quality elk this year, quite a few lions and bears, but the deer are way, way down,” said Dinning. “The main show, the gun show, seems to have a lot more attendance, a lot of the tables are all full, so it looks like everyone is doing well out there.”
“I couldn’t have done this show without the help of my lovely wife, dedicated supporters, great vendors, and the support of the community,” said Irving. He also attributed the success of the show to Stan Sweet, who established the show and ran it for 20 years.
Irving’s favorite part of the show is the people.
“Obviously you get a chance to see some really quality firearms and related items, but the people from different walks of life, with different experiences, and memories that they’ve got of maybe a particular gun that their dad gave them, and things of that nature,” Irving explained.
For Idaho Department of Fish and Game Conservation Officer Lucan Swanson, the show gave him the opportunity to educate people and to provide a service for local hunters and trappers by providing pelt tags for bobcats.
“The only place to do that is Coeur d’Alene with the exception that I picked up some tags, so I am checking them in for people so they don’t have to drive to Coeur d’Alene,” said Swanson. “It’s good interaction. It’s good to talk to people and get lots of questions, all across the spectrum.”
For two and a half days, people of all ages came together, shared stories, bought and sold items, showed off their mounts, and participated in raffles. The atmosphere was one of awakening from the winter, looking toward the new year, and for many, the hopes of successful hunts to come.