Ohio or Texas?

Ohio or Texas will host the next World Predator & Hunting Expo, promoter Brent Rueb told me today. In addition, event organizers are strongly considering moving the 2009 Expo up a month to July. A decision on the location and date is expected within a few weeks.

Rueb is looking to expand on the success of the first event, which was Aug 22 to 24 in Overland Park, Kan. The Expo featured predator calling and hunting products dealers from throughout the United States, a stellar lineup of predator calling experts and a World Championship predator calling competition.

“People from within the industry have given us a lot of feedback,” he said. “Attendance was good and we’re looking to build on it. The exhibitors were very satisfied with the people. Sales were good.”

Organizers are planning to expand the event in 2009. Rueb wants to add a seminar for young callers to make sure we pass the hunting tradition to the next generation. Another goal is to attract more vendors from a broader cross section of the hunting industry.

“We definitely want to work on ticket pricing and expand the type of vendors to include more firearms and all-terrain vehicle exhibitors,” he said.

Rueb was impressed by the number of people who flew in or drove hundreds of miles specifically to attend the Expo or compete in the calling contest.

“People are already looking forward to next year’s expo,” he said. “We’re real excited. It will grow.”

Photo: Vendors at the World Predator & Hunting Expo answered questions about the latest calling and hunting products.