Jerry Johnston started Texas Trophy Hunters Association on a rag-tag budget that barely got him through the first year. He envisioned a membership, a magazine, and an annual gathering of hunters and whitetail enthusiasts. The original idea of the Trophy Hunters Extravaganza (the original name then) was a sharing of crowd attendance with exhibitors for a price. Attendance and booth space have been the cornerstones of income since the beginning, augmented by The Journal and association memberships.
The first meeting in 1976 was a “conference” in a San Antonio hotel, with a large number of dedicated followers and a few exhibitors with deer heads, knives, and western art. The second meeting in 1977 was a conference at La Villita Assembly Hall near the San Antonio River, with no charge for attendance. The third and fourth meetings were “Extravaganzas” in the back side of Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, with attendance tickets sold at the front door, and an increase in exhibitors.
After the second conference at La Villita, Fred Maly, a sports columnist of the San Antonio Light, wrote, “The Texas Trophy Hunters gathering is not a conference—it is a ‘Hunters Extravaganza.’” From that time on, TTHA has advertised the annual hunters’ fest as Hunters Extravaganzas. However, after the two shows at the convention center, Hunters Extravaganzas hit the big-time with shows in Freeman Coliseum and in Houston, the first out-of-town show. After Houston, Jerry remarked, “We have finally done it. We’re making hunting history.”
Jerry learned the money was in the Extravaganzas. The Hunters Extravaganzas were the biggest hunting shows in the Southwest. Jerry attempted to establish shows in Alabama, Louisiana and Florida, but various constraints canceled these shows, and he concentrated his efforts on Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio, which have always been big on attendance and exhibitors.
Jerry’s friends, Danny Hurtt and Owen West, were with him from the start in 1976. Danny worked as Jerry’s chief assistant, while Owen worked the floor. They got exhibitors in and out, settled many arguments, and kept the show going. Owen eventually became the head floorman and continues in that capacity today.
Jerry worked hard to develop the Extravaganzas. He created attractions on the floor, which were contributed, while some were contract pay, but all were about hunting. Photo contests and taxidermy contests were popular. The idea of floor attractions was to get good attendance and ticket sales with a variety of vendors who paid for booth space, basically the same plan for revenue that’s used today.
For several years, Jerry paid antler collectors a handsome price to bring their whitetail heads to the shows as a floor attraction. There were always a few deer hunters who wanted to show off their trophies at the show, and a special place was developed for antler displays.
Sometime around the early 1990s, Jerry decided to start a major deer contest that would be an outstanding exhibit of the best whitetails taken in Texas and Mexico. The deer contest was a hit with hunters and attendees. The display of contest entries was such that Jerry discontinued paying collectors to bring their deer attractions. This was a big saving, and the deer contest serves as a dynamic floor display.
The deer contest prizes were small. For years, the top winners got a jacket and a certificate. Attendees have always liked the deer contest exhibit, and it has served as a lead attraction at all shows. The contest is free to active members, and membership is the only requirement. This voluntary display has worked well for over 30 years, with present-day prizes provided by sponsors.
Today, the shows feature 3D archery tournaments, alligators, fish tanks, seminars, Locked and Loaded prizes, rattlesnakes, as well as deer contests. They’re all a part of the excitement at all Extravaganzas. Continuance and quality of Hunters Extravaganzas are important for future deer hunters, as well as the recreational and economic values of Texas hunting and the outdoors. The annual shows follow the old equation—please the crowd—which makes for more attendees, which pleases everyone involved.
Show Dates:
August 4-6, 2023- Houston TX
August 11-13, 2023- Fort Worth, TX
August 18-20, 2023- San Antonio, TX
