Author Topic: TV Hunting show- real hunters- on a budget! (Read 1599 times)

mirage1988 · « **on:** December 18, 2009, 07:42:12 PM »

Any Ideas? I am tired of watching "hunters" pass on animals that most of us would be absolutely thrilled to put on ice. How about a TV show about putting meat in the freezer?

ctrout · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:35:29 PM »

I've seen Ted Nugent take little forked horns and does plenty of times on his shows but then, I don't see his shows on TV very much either. I am all for seeing a show that shows the process of a self-guided hunt on public land for meat only. I hunt this way every year here in Idaho and I have never passed on a legal animal. Half the time I STILL come home with nothing but a tag.

blind ear · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2009, 01:25:51 PM »

Too low tech and too low budget. Lacking all the bells and whistles to attract big time sponsors to make the advertiseing bucks. Po boy hunting is dieing fast and along with it the number of voters to keep shooting sports alive. There are poachers in Europe that still make money and gather food with sling shots and snares.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2009, 01:32:35 PM »

Watched a show last night called 'monster bulls' that was so obviously staged, the hunter "stalks" this elk (it's funny- wonder how the cameras got there) then has so look back to his guide to see if it's a "trophy" Isn't that for the hunter to decide?

Skunk · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2009, 01:45:05 PM »

Quote from: ctrout on December 18, 2009, 08:35:29 PM

I've seen Ted Nugent take little forked horns and does plenty of times on his shows...

There you go. Watching the Nuge makes me believe he is into herd management way more than taking trophies. Of course, with his policies, he no doubt has some major trophies roaming his land in the near future. He is definitely into going for the meat. My preferences for the so called "hunting shows" are The Nuge, The Eastman family, and Shockey's show. It's always a plus when the Nuge takes out his guitar and plays a few licks around the campfire.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2009, 02:43:10 PM »

I like the Nuge too-
Here is an article by him about baiting- agree or disagree, he has an interesting viewpoint.

http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/article/baiting-one-of-my-many-roads-to-backstraps/

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2009, 03:56:16 PM »

staged in most cases and like it was said sponsors sponsors are the key. i can take you about 10 mile from my home and you can see all the trophy bulls you want one small problem 10 grand gaurantee 6x6 or better price goes way up if you want a 6x7 or way way up 8x8 they are there i have seen them.

you would laugh your rumps off watching these pampered hunts most never touch the animal other than for the traditional photo. as to why the hunter looks back to the guide for the answer to whether or not its the size he wants. thats simple if the guide tells him to shoot and it does not match what he is paying for..they give it to him..if he is a very rich man (and repeat client) or discount it heavily. what you might find even more interesting is TED TURNER bought it all several years back and continued the hunts with two changes he charged alot more and he stopped bozos like me that hunted every year cow hunts only for 200 bucks. most of the outdoor colorado rocky films or filmed there as well as in forbes ranch just 45 or so minutes from my house.

dukkillr · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2009, 04:09:02 PM »

A significant number of them aren't hunts at all. They are guys who can't hunt free range trophy animals so they go inside a fence to assure that they can make a show. Sad, and not hunting, but what really bugs me is how often they don't admit it. To me if you're going inside a fence to make a show you should start and end the show by shooting a scene in front of the fence and saying, "I can't kill a deer this big in the wild. I thus need go to a place like XYZ Ranch where the large deer can’t get away. This is not a fair chase hunt, and this hunt does not represent real whitetail hunting."

I watched Roger Raglin shoot a tame semi-retarded deer the other day... I sent him the following letter:

Quote

I was sorry to see you needed to shoot a captive deer in order to make good television. Nothing reflects worse on real hunting than people like you who have such a pathological desire to "kill a big Texas deer" that they are willing to forego free chance and shoot penned deer.

But what really grates on me about the TV crowd is the dishonesty of the whole thing. At the beginning and end of the show you should stand next to the fence and say, "I can't kill a deer this big in the wild. I thus need go to a place like AAAJRanch where the large deer can’t get away. This is not a fair chase hunt, and this hunt does not represent real whitetail hunting." At least then you would be honest about what is happening. Perhaps young hunters wouldn't feel bad about the small free range deer they killed if they better understood that what you are doing is more shopping than hunting. Perhaps more hunters would take the time to enjoy their experience without the pressure to kill a big deer like they see on TV. And perhaps our future would be secure in the knowledge that as hunters we believe in the process, not the results.

I would also suggest that your deer was NOT 190 B&C. It was 190 SCI. To use the B&C score would be to indicate that it was harvested in a manner that made it eligible for the Boone and Crockett record books. You wouldn't say 190 P&Y would you? 190 B&C is just as misleading and wrong.

I feel sorry for you, and I'm profoundly disappointed. In your position you can be such a positive influence for hunters and hunting. I wish you chose to take that responsibility seriously.

And lest you dismiss me as anti-hunting, I encourage you to visit my blog, or contact me.

Zack Anthony
dukkillr
www.skinnymoose.com/dailylimit

Not surprisingly, I have heard nothing. Coward.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2009, 04:25:28 PM »

those hunts are a disgrace and should shame anyone that claims to love the outdoors and wildlife. one thing about the ranch i mentioned they only have fair chase hunts and its always been that way.

i did watch from a mountainside, while i was elk hunting, a staged pen hunt of a hugh Buffalo. they drove him into a pen and a guy set his rifle up on cross sticks, the cameras were rolling, the bull was about 35-50 yards away and then boom down he went. everyone was slapping him on the back then he walked out looked at this beautiful bull took still photos and the hired hands moved in with front end loader chanied him up then picked him up and to the skinning shed they went.

i heard it was 5,000 to take a bull and i am not certain on them how they rate them but i heard the price could be much higher. now i bet this guy probably to the film back and told everyone it was god knows where and how he stumbled upon this bull and with his outdoor skills and wonderfull.338 or whatever he took this bull.

to me i just can not see doing that no sport nothing to brag about no skill nothing. so what is the point of it? it really made me think, i had never seen anything like that before in my life, just how sorry some people are.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2009, 04:34:57 PM »

Funny you can draw a parallel to modern politics too. It doesn't matter how you do it as long as it gets done, in some peoples minds.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2009, 04:51:09 PM »

how true that is to some. i really doubt that we will ever return to having people in office that do the bidding of those they represent. its just to much money and as we have seen with health care every one has a price. what is shocking they do not even try to conceal it.

blind ear · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2009, 06:03:36 AM »

When you see the crap "let the sponsor know" what you think of the show and how you will reguard his sponsorship and his products. $$$talks to them.

dukkillr · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2009, 08:59:38 AM »

Funny you should mention that... I sent a letter to Bowtech a while back with regard to their sponsorship of a wretched piece of trash called "Western Extreme":

Quote

BowTech
90554 Highway 99 N
Eugene, Oregon 97402

Dear Sir or Madam:
I have been a BowTech fan and shooter for quite some time now. I currently shoot a 2006 Allegiance and enjoy it a great deal. I shoot indoor and outdoor several days a week and hunt dozens of days each season. I am not a casual archer or hunter.

It has come to my attention that BowTech supports or sponsors a hunting show titled, "Western Extreme". Actually calling it a hunting show seems overly generous to me. It's no more about hunting than a show watching me kill cows in a 40 acre pasture would be. Quite honestly I understand that a great number of hunting shows involve restrained animals so Western Extreme didn't draw more than my casual attention. I simply ignored this show, and BowTech’s association with it, until I happened to watch the most recent episode. In that show the host sneaks up on a pen raised elk to within 20 yards. I say sneaks but the elk appeared to simply not care that he (and entourage) were there. He then shoots the elk twice. In addition to being basically tame, I suspect the elk was drugged. I’ve elk hunted a great deal in my life, and I’ve never seen such behavior. It never even stood up.

It is not my general disposition to write letters to companies. Unfortunately I was so appalled by Western Extreme that I couldn’t remain silent. I firmly believe that imitations of hunting such as these will ultimately be the undoing for all hunting, legitimate and questionable. As hunters’ percentage of the general population shrinks we become more and more at the mercy of public opinion. Except in a handful of states hunting is privilege and not a right, and it can be taken from us as easily as voting. The type of behavior displayed by Western Extreme and by proximity, BowTech, teaches young hunters that results are all that matter. Young hunters may come to believe that hunting hard and pursuing free-range game in their natural habitat isn’t important, but horns and antlers are the only reason to hunt. Even worse, it makes all hunters look bad. As we increasingly pursue our passion at the whim of non-hunters this image could be disastrous.

I encourage BowTech to re-evaluate its association with Western Extreme and other shows featuring restrained animals. There are a great number of shows that pride themselves on hunting the right way, free chase. I would encourage your company to support these positive examples of hunting. Should you choose to continue your support of Western Extreme and this type of program I can promise you that my next bow will not be a BowTech. I would be more than happy to speak in person with anyone who would care to discuss my opinion. My phone number is included below.

Once again, no response.

nomosendero · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2009, 09:09:03 AM »

Quote from: dukkillr on December 20, 2009, 08:59:38 AM

Funny you should mention that... I sent a letter to Bowtech a while back with regard to their sponsorship of a wretched piece of trash called "Western Extreme":

Quote

BowTech
90554 Highway 99 N
Eugene, Oregon 97402

Dear Sir or Madam:
I have been a BowTech fan and shooter for quite some time now. I currently shoot a 2006 Allegiance and enjoy it a great deal. I shoot indoor and outdoor several days a week and hunt dozens of days each season. I am not a casual archer or hunter.

It has come to my attention that BowTech supports or sponsors a hunting show titled, "Western Extreme". Actually calling it a hunting show seems overly generous to me. It's no more about hunting than a show watching me kill cows in a 40 acre pasture would be. Quite honestly I understand that a great number of hunting shows involve restrained animals so Western Extreme didn't draw more than my casual attention. I simply ignored this show, and BowTech’s association with it, until I happened to watch the most recent episode. In that show the host sneaks up on a pen raised elk to within 20 yards. I say sneaks but the elk appeared to simply not care that he (and entourage) were there. He then shoots the elk twice. In addition to being basically tame, I suspect the elk was drugged. I’ve elk hunted a great deal in my life, and I’ve never seen such behavior. It never even stood up.

It is not my general disposition to write letters to companies. Unfortunately I was so appalled by Western Extreme that I couldn’t remain silent. I firmly believe that imitations of hunting such as these will ultimately be the undoing for all hunting, legitimate and questionable. As hunters’ percentage of the general population shrinks we become more and more at the mercy of public opinion. Except in a handful of states hunting is privilege and not a right, and it can be taken from us as easily as voting. The type of behavior displayed by Western Extreme and by proximity, BowTech, teaches young hunters that results are all that matter. Young hunters may come to believe that hunting hard and pursuing free-range game in their natural habitat isn’t important, but horns and antlers are the only reason to hunt. Even worse, it makes all hunters look bad. As we increasingly pursue our passion at the whim of non-hunters this image could be disastrous.

I encourage BowTech to re-evaluate its association with Western Extreme and other shows featuring restrained animals. There are a great number of shows that pride themselves on hunting the right way, free chase. I would encourage your company to support these positive examples of hunting. Should you choose to continue your support of Western Extreme and this type of program I can promise you that my next bow will not be a BowTech. I would be more than happy to speak in person with anyone who would care to discuss my opinion. My phone number is included below.
Once again, no response.

I did not see that show, but I agree that it is a phony program.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 20, 2009, 09:38:00 AM »

What amazes me too are the bad shots that are made on the shows, both with a rifle and bow. Good letter Dukk- you weren't really expecting a response, were you?

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #15 on:** December 20, 2009, 12:18:26 PM »

Well fellas, I'm going to disagree with you a bit. I see about all the poor common guy hunting I can stand in the mirror. Now a segment on how to make a technique work for me Okay. Go through the steps to getting out of state permits and understanding differing regs, Okay. If I want to see a bunch of basket racked deer or raghorn elk I just access my own memory banks.

These shows are for sale. Sold to a guy wanting to advertise his newest crap. This is the guy who shows you the ads and oh, by the way look at these beautiful game animals now back to the ads. Infomercials if you will, of a higher grade I think, but infomercials no less.

Ted is unique in his approach to everything with the exception of cash money, he wants plenty just like everyone. His show is sort of a watch a good ol boy with unlimited financial backing have fun show. Your not going to learn anything, your going to be entertained, Uncle Ted style. Pay your money sit down and enjoy the show.

I watch more than my fair share but I'm not wanting to see myself on these shows. Intermural basketball is much more real than the NCAA finals, I'm not hearing any clammors for outa shape frat boys in March Madness.

mirage1988 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2009, 12:55:42 PM »

I see your point Quiver, but I would like to see a show where the hunter has to deal with over-pressured public land, tree-stand thieves, morons that walk under your stand at 8:00 in the morning, the guy that sets off his truck alarm in the woods........

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2009, 10:28:09 PM »

Sure, a how to deal with felony assault charges segment would be Okay too. Home made claymore on a budget, booby traps for dummies I could get behind that as well.

MGMorden · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2009, 04:03:21 AM »

While I certainly agree that the sponsored shows are annoying (and I don't bother watching anymore), it's sort of the natural progression of things.

If you get a "regular guy" hunting like the rest of us on TV, the show either becomes popular and stays, or is unpopular and canceled (no network wants to put on a show that no one watches).

If the show does indeed turn out popular, it becomes an easy target for advertisers. Say you're that common guy out hunting for a hunting show. Assume you really are struggling with the same tasks as everyone else. Now Thompson/Center calls you up and says "Hey man - tell you what, we'll give you a brand new highly customized rifle for free and $30,000 per year if you'll just shoot it on camera and mention the name of what rifle you're using a few times during your show.". Most people aren't going to turn that down. Eventually people hawking products of all sorts are doing the same thing.

It's the inevitable progression of popular media (and how most of it gets funding).

If you want something that is much less influenced by advertisers (though they're certainly there too, just not as ubiquitous), try listening to some podcasts. Usually they're talk only (more like radio shows), and I don't know if there are any shooting/outdoors centric ones but I'd wager there are (most of my playlist is computer, aviation, gaming, science, or comedy related - I just don't have time to listen to anything else). I've found them to be a very nice breath of fresh air compared to more traditional media. If you've got iTunes just look for the "Podcast" selection on the left hand side of the app. Alternatively there are other apps out there that do the same thing, just not as streamlined.

ro · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2009, 05:52:11 PM »

I went on a south Texas turkey hunt about five years ago, it was on a ranch of about 20,000 acres of land, a great rio hunt, all the turkey hunting was open land, it was a big ranch, we had a big time and killed some birds, one night it stormed and rained for the next day and night, we got in a pick-up with one of the guys who worked for the ranch, we drove around for hours, on the back side of the ranch we got to seeing 10 ft plus high fence, miles of it, he said that's were the big bucks are inside this 5000 acres fenced in section, he opened the gates we rode to a big barn and building, with fenced runs with deer, it was like a trophy deer farm, that night at the big cabin I asked one of the guides about the fenced deer hunts,he gave me two deer price sheets one for free range and one for the fenced deer, you pick out your deer make a deal on the price go get in shooting house with the camera man and that deer will show up in about a hour, to me it's like shooting cows, those tv show hunters don't tell you those fenced in hunts cost $10,000 plus.

nw_hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:02:14 PM »

Quote from: mirage1988 on December 18, 2009, 07:42:12 PM

Any Ideas? I am tired of watching "hunters" pass on animals that most of us would be absolutely thrilled to put on ice. How about a TV show about putting meat in the freezer?

There are some videos out there that are produced by real, fair chase, public land hunters.
There are two brothers here in Southwest, Oregon that have several great videos out!

Joe Mitchel and his brother Jason hunt the rugged eastern Oregon country for Mule deer and Elk
{Google up..ON Foot Films.} Their first video in the series is, Two Weeks in Purgatory. These two hunt some country that would make a grown man weep! The sound isn't the greatest, but the footage is awesome. They take turns doing the cam work, as they get up close and personal with bow and rifle hunts.

I talked to Joe the other day, and asked him if another was in the works, but he said money was a problem.
They are trying to stay away from the infomercial look, but it takes sponsors and money to do this.

The types of hunts these two do, is hell on the body as well. Makes me tired just watching it

oldandslow · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2009, 07:15:26 AM »

Real hunters on a budget. That would be nice but I don't think it will ever happen. The show wouldn't attract enough sponsers to keep it going. The guy that puts on his levi's, work boots, a Carhartt jacket and "gimme" cap, grabs the same old rifle or shotgun he's been using for twenty years isn't of interest to the multitude of companies that produce all the wonderful new things that you absolutely cannot get game without.

bearmgc · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2009, 07:45:37 AM »

With the exception of Nugent, hunting shows are fantasy for fantasy hunters, those who can't or won't put the energy into real life changing, perspective changing hunting experiences. Anyone who's been in the field, hunting meat, knows what it means to hunt. I cannot watch those hunting shows, because they are a lie. Every hunting trip for me imparts a new wonder and appreciation of nature. Something always opens my eyes to a new perspective, a new understanding of nature. I've always been a meat hunter, my only reason for killing an animal, is for food. My main reason for practicing and shooting a rifle is to stay proficient with firearms because I am an American. Marketing is the only reason hunting shows exist.

Slowhanddd · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:35:28 AM »

Quote

The guy that puts on his levi's, work boots, a Carhartt jacket and "gimme" cap, grabs the same old rifle or shotgun he's been using for twenty years isn't of interest to the multitude of companies that produce all the wonderful new things that you absolutely cannot get game without.

That's the thing that gets me.All the new dangfangled gadgets and widgets.When i bow hunt I wear the camo coveralls some times.I hunt mostly in my brown duc insulated bibbs.Brown zippered insulated sweatshirt.Orange hat if needed and orange vest too.If it's real cold i wear a insulated coat on over the sweatshirt.Don't need all the calls and BS that they hype.Couldn't pay for a hunt if i wanted too.I've seen some of the high fence stuff down in Texas and we have some here in Kansas to.The thing the TV guys don't have to fight is the crowds the real world does.Outfitters here are leasing up more and more land and It's becoming a problem.May loose one of my spots this next season.Farmer says he's been approached to lease.Told him i really hate to see it as there's just six of us hunting on his place and we're never there all at the same time.Still like to see the big bucks they kill,but take it with a grain of salt and don't need the products that we all need to have to kill that big buck.Slow

Casull · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:50:43 AM »

There is one show that fits the criteria. On Your Own Adventures. It's on the Outdoor Channel, and this guy makes a point of only hunting public land on his own. No guides, outfitters or anything like that. He usually scores, but not always. Hunts mostly the west (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico), but I did see him deer hunting both Kansas and Iowa in one show (and got skunked in both states). I do know what you mean by the canned shows though. How many times can you listen to a guy whispering to the camera, while sitting in a metal box overlooking a road cut out of the Texas desert while 20 or more deer pick corn off the ground fifty yards in front of him, all during the middle of the day. Because we all know that 8, 10 and 12 point deer bunch up together like that during the hunting season.