Can you feel the vibe? HuntEx, the annual kick-off to the long-awaited hunting season, is around the corner. Preparations started in May 2023 to ensure that hunters, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts can pick and choose from a wide variety of sought-after products and services in one place.
The positive feedback received from visitors to HuntEx2023 encouraged the organisers to plan yet another unforgettable event for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. HuntEx2024 will be held from 26 – 28 April 2024 in five venues within the Gallagher complex of 23 000 m2 covered exhibition space.
Hall 2: The hall for firearms, optics, accessories, and wildlife art
As usual, Hall 2 will be the hot spot for dealers and manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, tactical products, air rifles, knives and tactical gear. Newcomers that will attract attention, include Turkish shotgun and handgun manufacturers that will make their debut at HuntEx. For the latest in optics, visitors can explore the ranges offered by manufacturers from the USA and China. The Chinese manufacturers in attendance will be exploring new markets for their night vision optics in particular. Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view and buy works from our top artists and sculptors. Whether you buy or browse, the exhibits in Hall 2 will keep visitors entertained for an entire day. Moving through The Link between Hall 2 and Hall 3 visitors can visit stands from world-famous optics manufacturers, Swarovski, Kahles and Vortex.
Hall 3: The place for almost everything
Hall 3 will be full of surprises at this year’s show, breaking away from its usual range of mainly clothing and vehicles. It will include tactical and self-defence firearms, hunting rifles, shotguns, ammunition, air rifles, bow-hunting, camo clothing, leather goods, off-road vehicle products, and camping gear. Hall 3 is also the home of Sharp Corner, where South African custom knifemakers present their handiwork. Although the knifemakers usually focus on selling attractive working knives, there are quite a few members of the Knifemakers Guild who will have very special knives on offer. As usual, Crown National will use their spices to demonstrate tips and techniques for preparing biltong, wors and other popular cuts.
Hall 4: Find your favourite hunting destination
Hall 4 is where South Africa’s top hunting destinations are promoting their hunting packages. This year’s exhibit also includes a hunting concession in Mozambique and a prime hunting venue in Argentina. Other exhibitors include bullet manufacturers and taxidermists, and producers of leather goods, vellies, leather belts and bags. For the first time at HuntEx, beginner hunters can visit The Hunting Corporation which specialises in training novice hunters to shoot and hunt. Sixteen custom knifemakers from Wazirabad in Pakistan will be exhibiting their custom-made knives, cutlery and axes in Hall 4.
Hall 5: Where the sky is the limit
Last but not least, is Hall 5 which offers a variety of stands including firearm dealers, bullet manufacturers, optics, rifle stocks, reloading equipment, other firearm-related accessories, and Swedish knives. We even make provision for man’s best friend with Boerboel breeders who will tell you more about this truly South African dog breed. Owners of bakkies and off-road vehicles of all sizes can shop at leisure for accessories and improvements, tyres, rims and everything to make your next off-road trip worthwhile. Personal items and accessories in Hall 5 include eyewear, footwear, and the right products to maintain your beard in top and cuddly condition. Outdoor chefs will have a ball browsing through the latest trends in outdoor cooking utensils and accessories. Hall 5 is also the home of the ancient art of archery.
Things to do and experience
The ever-popular daily lucky draw in which sought-after items such as hunting rifles, handguns, optics and numerous other prizes can be won, will again be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The free-to-enter lucky draws create huge excitement. Anyone stands a chance to win! Furthermore, on Saturday the ever-popular Classic Arms Auction will take place. It is a gun enthusiast’s dream as many previously used classic and hunting rifles can be bought at this auction. There is also an opportunity to try out handguns and semi-automatic rimfire rifles at the shooting range on site. Other fun activities include whip cracking, archery, shooting gel blasters, and knife and axe throwing.
Tickets, prices and times
Entrance tickets cost R150 per person. Children 10 and under enter free.
Purchase tickets online at www.huntex.net or the two entrance gates at Gallagher. The main entrance gate will open at 07:00 every day to avoid long queues. Although the exhibition halls open at 09:00 only, visitors can purchase coffee and rusks in the Boma.
For the first time, HuntEx will stay open longer on Friday, 26 April – from 09:00 to 20:00 – to allow visitors to attend the show after work. Tickets will cost R100 each at the gate for visitors arriving after 16:00.
Saturday, 27 April: 08:00 to 18:00
Sunday, 28 April, from 08:00 to 17:00.
