Nate Kennedy, Northeast Regional Engagement Coordinator
Orvis Sandanona Game Fair 2021
On Sept. 18 and 19, the Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds were filled with bird hunters, competitive shooters, firearms enthusiasts, and conservationists from around the world. It was a beautiful weekend filled with great conversations and hunting stories, and connecting with old friends and new.
The drive down to Millbrook through the Adirondack and Catskill mountains brought feelings of pride, place, and purpose. Chatting at the RGS & AWS booth with members, employees, and patrons of various groups, brands, and organizations gave me a real sense of community, and I was glad I made the trip!
For RGS & AWS, the Game Fair was an opportunity to connect with members and potential members about hunting and conservation, and to discuss what we’ve all been up to here in the Northeast. There were conversations about the days gone by, but also, about the hunts to come. Plenty of people shared hope and excitement for their trips to Maine, New Hampshire, and Northern New York this fall.
Folks from Orvis, Trout Unlimited, Purina, and other great brands showed out to support each other just in time for another beautiful fall here in New York. Michael Pepi of Jonas Brothers Taxidermy and Pepi Wild Devotion purchased an RGS Jr. membership for his young son, Ralph. Ralph just might be the Society’s youngest member, and the future of our conservation community!
The crowd was filled with sentiments of excitement for the future of RGS & AWS, the future of conservation, and the future of our hunting heritage. Sandanona is a beautiful place. The grounds made for a perfect venue for this event, and the folks they had working the Game Fair did a wonderful job. Shoutout to Orvis, Orvis Adventures, and Sandanona for a job well done!
– Nate Kennedy
