Story by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
A new hunting store is coming to the Big Country on Sept. 5. Located in Hamlin, about 30 miles northwest of Abilene and straddling Jones and Fisher counties, the store, called Silencio Outdoors and Big Country Outfitters has been a two-year effort by owner Chris Allen.
“The city worked with us to help develop some new business for all of the hunters who come through here,”Allen said. “Hamlin is right on Highway 83 and the store is right off the highway, at the red light in the heart of town.”
After buying and remodeling a building, highway construction delayed the opening, and coronavirus delayed it some more.
“We finally decided to just pick a date and open,” Allen said. “It’s a full hunting and gun store.”
The store will carry all types of feed, including Lyssy & Eckel feeds, grains, cottonseed, peanut hulls and black-eyed peas. Gun brand represented include CZ, each of the Benelli brands and Montana Rifle Company. Feeders and blinds are onsite from HB Hunting Products, South Texas Tripods and Feeders and Big Country Fiberglass Blinds.
“People have seen the feeders and are buying them before we’re even open,” Allen said.
Getting ammo has been a challenge, but Allen said the store is ready for the dove opener, deer and quail season, and handgun ammo is trickling in.
On the Saturday after the dove opener, the store will hold its Grand Opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free food, refreshments, and “deep discounts,” Allen said.
Allen, who also owns Silencio Outdoors, a suppressor manufacturer, said the Hamlin area is prime for a hunting store.
“It’s virgin territory for someone to capitalize on the hunting traffic in this area,” he said. “It’s a good stopping point before getting out into the Big Country.”
The store is located at 129 South Central Avenue (Highway 83), the “main drag through town.” “You can’t miss it,” Allen said.
Thank you to Silencio Outdoors and Big Country Outfitters for sponsoring this post.
