Hunting Shows Unrealistic?

[ELMER J. FUDD]

I see it as entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. The actual informative shows are few and far between.

I just caught an episode of "The High Road" where they killed a real nice buck, then mentioned the "outfitter" they used. I googled it real quick. It was a whitetail and exotic fenced "hunt" in PA. I guess the term the high road means something other than what I have always thought it did.

High road, high fence, same thing! Carfax / Carfox.

[ELMER J. FUDD]

I don't think Tiffany is annoying to watch, lol. She's a cutie.

Something about her eyebrows irks me. I don't like it when a chick looks like they got frustrated and pulled all their eyebrows out. (but hey, it beats a unibrow!)

[Slugger09]

I also enjoy buck commander but I enjoy chipper's new show 'Major League Bowhunter'. It shows how and why they are hunting certain spots. There are also episodes where they don't kill anything. It can be a little slow paced but very informative.

[Four Season Whitetail's]

If I happen to be watching tv and a show is on, I'll watch some of it. Can't help it if the big bucks get me excited. But most of the shows have gotten so sickening, I find myself turning it off just before they take the shot. In my head, what they are doing is killing, or farming, not hunting.

What bothers me even more is wondering what non-hunters think if they happened to be watching these types of programs. These shows destroy our image, and I don;t think their is anything we can do about it, which is sad.

Dont fool yourself. Any tree hugger see's a deer get shot or layin in the back of a truck does not care where that deer got shot...They want to know why?

[beachpeaz]

Sam- I suspect that there are a lot of non-professional hunters who put in more time than the hunter-heroes of TV put in. You don't really believe that those guys really do their own hunt preparation do you? Sure they pack their own clothes and their own advertiser supplied equipment, and they drive themselves from ranch to ranch, outfitter to outfitter and guide to guide. That is pretty much the extent of their hunt preparation (preseason and otherwise). The rest is handled by guides on the various game farms ranches. I don't for a minute believe that those guys ever scout, locate or install a single stand other than with the exception of the occasional photo-op for video purposes. I just don't believe it. It wouldn't be practical. They couldn't make a dime if they had to do their own scouting in a random piece of public or private land. Sponsors would drop them like a hot potato. Shows would be folding up for lack of programming. They need all those shortcuts.

On the other hand we have people right here on this forum that put in hours and hours with food plots, scouting missions, stand placement and all kinds of real preparatory activities. No they don't have the travel times that these nation-wide celebrity hunters do, but I believe there are a lot of people out here that are putting as much or more actual hunting and preparation time into hunting and they are doing it in a self-reliant way.

AGREED. There is NO WAY these guys are spending the time scouting and hanging stands. They sure make it seem like they are though. Most of the shows you will hear a comment like "we got in Sunday and spent the day scouting and hanging stands." Then, magically the next day they have a booner on the ground. You don't come in Sunday, scout, hang a stand and then shoot a booner. I realize that SOME of these guys are lucky to own unbelievable property (Joel Snow in OH is one of them). HE HIMSELF probably spends all year mananging, scouting and hanging stands. But, when the TV guys hows up, it is all set up for him. Money, Money, Money.

Oh well, I love the outdoors regardless of what I shoot.

[Marti375]

Totally agree. I'd love to see more shows that are more similar to real world conditions- at least the conditions that we're used to here in NY. Most of the shows on tv seem to be all about selling products and promoting the outfitters.

I agree it's all about selling products and I don't watch them shows. I do wish I had the chanel that had Ted Nugents show, I love that guy hes just plain nuts.

[phade]

Like many things in life, you can't paint with a wide brush. Some of the shows are undoubtedly unrealistic and nothing more than entertainment. Some of the shows involve some real hard work and represents something that the average guy could attain should he put in the time, effort, and dedication.

Joel Snow was mentioned...he's an outfitter himself. So, not only does TV filming drive him, but so does the outfitting. But, he also works a regular night shift job.

Adam Hayes is another that seems to just be a fanatic that understands deer movements and really, where the true teaching moment is for him, is that HE FINDS WHERE BIG BUCKS LIVE. For him, he has most luck hunting small parcels in and around Columbus. Sure, he sees a ton of big bucks, but guess what? He realizes that having quality ground is a part of the hunting process....and he's always trying to gain new ground, mostly via permission.

Midwest Whitetails is a decent show...I think it focuses more on common hunting situations than the horn porn, although being in Iowa, that's skewed a bit.

Legends of the Fall...the VA guys are long time filmers, but one is a fireman by career, and I forget what the other does...but its an average joe job. They just lease, manage their own leases, and also family ground in VA. I wouldn't call them anything other than regular joe's, really.

Now, the Cmere deer, high fence hunts in TX are not fun for me to watch. NA Whitetail is starting to get that way...I really can't stand watching Dr. Deer in TX on a management buck hunt.

Edited September 12, 2012 by phade

[nyantler]

The reason shows are what they are today is because it's the only way to make enough money to afford to have a show.

[Marti375]

Is it just me or is the most annoying thing they way they whisper and try to whisper after the shot, all out of breath when they have been stting in a tree.

[growalot]

I was watching some old videos I got for x-mas the other nite...what kills me are the totally BAD shots made on deer and you can see they are gut shots...yet you hear them whisper..it was a tad back but I got a real good hit on him...then they try to hide the entrance wound and the deer looks like it's made out of wood it's so stiff on recovery.....Have they had such bad luck they Had to show that hunt?? ...lol

[oneidacountyhunter]

There used to be a show on local cable called "NYOutdoors" It was a real life hunting program filmed by 2 average guys (one worked for NIMO) They would hunt on State Property (and tell you where they were)They shot a 6 point one episode, probably a 60" buck and said it was a trophy because it will put meat on his table for his family!

As far as Pro hunting, I think it is for entertainment only. I saw a Lee & Tiffany episode on their website about their "friend" who donates a brand new F-350 diesel to them every year. Not like they can't afford to buy one from him. (Although she does make it worth the watch)

[nyantler]

There used to be a show on local cable called "NYOutdoors" It was a real life hunting program filmed by 2 average guys (one worked for NIMO) They would hunt on State Property (and tell you where they were)They shot a 6 point one episode, probably a 60" buck and said it was a trophy because it will put meat on his table for his family!

As far as Pro hunting, I think it is for entertainment only. I saw a Lee & Tiffany episode on their website about their "friend" who donates a brand new F-350 diesel to them every year. Not like they can't afford to buy one from him. (Although she does make it worth the watch)

Yeah I remember NY Outdoors.. the guy from NIMO was Rick Wise a good friend of mine and my sisters highschool boyfriend... good guy.. and yes a very regular guy... he was divorced with no kids.. so I doubt he was feeding his family... lol... they just couldn't get the sponsorship to keep the show going.. too bad... nice to see local regular guys taking a shot at doing a show. I still see him from time to time.

[ELMER J. FUDD]

Pat Reeve was on last night talking about how hard it is to finance a show. Let alone produce one. He said the best way to get started is to get on a pro team. he mentioned how he shot a 200 incher and it didn't mean jack without the sponsors. If it wasn't for the gun shows and the atv shows I'd probably cancel the hunting channels.

[oneidacountyhunter]

Yeah I remember NY Outdoors.. the guy from NIMO was Rick Wise a good friend of mine and my sisters highschool boyfriend... good guy.. and yes a very regular guy... he was divorced with no kids.. so I doubt he was feeding his family... lol... they just couldn't get the sponsorship to keep the show going.. too bad... nice to see local regular guys taking a shot at doing a show. I still see him from time to time.

[oneidacountyhunter]

Too bad about the sponsorship. In this day and age they should keep filming their hunts and put them on YouTube. True "real hunting" in my book.

[ELMER J. FUDD]

I enjoyed those venatic trailers and the posted boys vids. Maybe I should start filming some of my mishaps would crack you guys up.

[Doc]

I enjoyed those venatic trailers and the posted boys vids. Maybe I should start filming some of my mishaps would crack you guys up.

Now that's something I would definitely watch. The only one that I have ever seen put on a regular TV hunting show that was strictly for fun and grins was Jim Shocky with his father. Actually I think I have seen him do that on two shows. It was really funny. It shows that somebody on his crew knows enough to mix it up a bit once in a while.

[phade]

I enjoyed those venatic trailers and the posted boys vids. Maybe I should start filming some of my mishaps would crack you guys up.

The reincarnation of the venatic team (half of the group continued on) actually just inked a deal to be on Pursuit Channel starting next June.

[RangerClay]

For me, the most realistic show out there is Fred Eichler's Easton Bowhunting TV. I really enjoy that it is so down to earth and not hunting for monster bucks. Fred is often kidded about what others call "Fred Bucks" because he would rather shoot a crotch horn or scrub buck. Just a simple recurve bow with plenty of skill and tons of emotion. Check it out sometime on the Sportsmans Channel.

Edited September 14, 2012 by RangerClay

[phade]

Fred is a big guy physically...never really picked that up on camera, but when I met him, I was shocked. I'm 6' 1" about 205-210 and he dwarfed me.

Lots of energy and a great guy who seems to "get" what hunting is about.

[Doewhacker]

Fred is a big guy physically...never really picked that up on camera, but when I met him, I was shocked. I'm 6' 1" about 205-210 and he dwarfed me.

Lots of energy and a great guy who seems to "get" what hunting is about.

I don't have cable any more but when I did, I liked that guy's shows. He seems like a fun guy to be around.

I will say that I do not miss seeing any of these shows.

[d-bone20917]

Fred Eichler is pretty good. The other two shows I really like are Meat Eater and On Your Own Adventures. OYOA is all public land hunts. They are both western hunting, but I enjoy watching them. I can't stand the rest of the hunting shows, they are a joke.

[beachpeaz]

In stark contrast (for those of you with cable or DirectTV), when you watch the Pursuit Channel or Outdoor Channel, they OCCATIONALLY do other hunts like Mule Deer and Elk. They hardly every shoot monsters. Why? Because unlike Whitetail hunting, you can' t farm them, feed them for bigger antlers, have special property for these guys. I wish they did more shows on the Western hunts. I really like them. Cant tell you how many times I watched a Mule Deer hunt and they stalk and shoot a 150" 3 point Muley. Very realistic (I have done a bunch of Muley Hunts, and they are a ton of fun....and a ton of work).

[agross]

Beachpeaz. The way i look at it i would rather have 2 channels of unrealistic hunting shows then the other junk that is on tv. Eventhough i will never have land like lee lakosky doesnt mean i cant enjoy that show

No offense but to me, a die hard hunter of 26 years, on state land and small pieces of property where the neighbors are all bronw and down your avatar is unrealistic. Great buck by the way but some of us have to dream.

When i watch those shows i remember what michael waddel said on one show "you cant pass up a deer thats 140 inches anywhere". That put it into perspective cuz if he is dropping the hammer on a 140 when he sees it those booners are really few and far between.

[beachpeaz]

Beachpeaz. The way i look at it i would rather have 2 channels of unrealistic hunting shows then the other junk that is on tv. Eventhough i will never have land like lee lakosky doesnt mean i cant enjoy that show

No offense but to me, a die hard hunter of 26 years, on state land and small pieces of property where the neighbors are all bronw and down your avatar is unrealistic. Great buck by the way but some of us have to dream.

When i watch those shows i remember what michael waddel said on one show "you cant pass up a deer thats 140 inches anywhere". That put it into perspective cuz if he is dropping the hammer on a 140 when he sees it those booners are really few and far between.

I agree with you. I watch them anyways cuz it is better than the other junk on tv.

My neighbors and even the people I hunt with ARE brown and down. It drives me batty. I show them trail camera pictures before the season and tell them there a big bucks so don't shoot the first 2 year old 4 point that walks by......but.....they shoot it anyway. I am 36, been hunting my whole life, been deer hunting on my own since first legal age of 16 (20 years). I hunt hard and I scout. That buck in my avatar is the only whitetail I have mounted.....so to me, it is realistic. It's not a monster and I don't have a wall of them.

Thanks for the compliment though.