The Sheep Show is underway at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The annual event raises money for wild sheep conservation programs. Vendors come from around the world, selling rifles, hunting trips, art, taxidermy, equipment, and other things. The 3-day event brings big spenders, willing to fork out as much as $45,000 for an African Safari hunting trip. Customers say the thrill is worth the price.
"Just the excitement of the hunt and the adventure," Jerry Houlding, Madera, California resident said. "You might say it's on the bucket list."
Red Rock Precision is a custom rifle company, based in Morgan, Utah. Representatives of the business say the Sheep Show is a great place to do increase sales. Some of their high-end rifles can fire up to 1,500 yards. Clients will pay $8,000 for the guns.
"A lot of great customers, here, and we end up selling a lot of our rifles," Colby Kendell, Red Rock Precision employee said. "It's a good opportunity for us."
The vendors and customers come spend several days in the Biggest Little City. Last year, they raised $4.3 million for wild sheep conservation programs. The visitors also pump an estimated $8.3 million into the local economy.
"The taxi drivers will tell us 'Oh, yes. The Sheep Show is in town,'" Gray Thornton, President/CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation said. "That's great because they're out there getting cab fares. They're running out to restaurants. They're booking hotel rooms."
The Sheep Show is scheduled to return to Reno every year, through 2020. The event runs through Saturday and is open to the public.
