TV hunting

[Bama Recurve]

I met Fred Eichler last year at Bass Pro. He was one of the coolest and most genuine guys i've ever met. True love for traditional archery. He mentioned that he rather hunter with his recurve in every show but he also has bills to pay..
 He was traveling with Lee & Tiffany, which 99.9% of the folks there came to see...
Flashy toys, blonde hair and a little cleavage get more attention from the general public than a guy who's completed the super slam with a recurve. All about making that almighty $dollar$

[Sam McMichael]

It seems that many of these productions are made solely to generate a profit with no concern for the promotion of ethical hunting. Like a lot of guys, I quit watching them a long time ago.

[md126]

Yes some (or most) of today's hunting shows are brutal. Unfortunately, I do like seeing big bucks running around and find myself watching some from time to time, especially during the dead of winter. Some aren't too bad and are tastefully done. Those are the ones I'll sit through.

People need to remember that TV, and the entertainment industry in general, is driven by money which is fueled by advertising. Is it right? No, but it's the way it is, even for the few good guys trying to make a quality show with some integrity.

I do wish there would be more shows with trad hunters. That would be cool

[Minnesota Bill]

What ever happened to shows like the American Sportsman- Curt Goudy, or Fred Bear, Howard Hills Movie shorts.  Sure miss watching those programs, showing the adventure with respect for the animals.  I guess I am showing my age, most of these ran in the 60's and early 70's.
Bill

[Ulysseys]

If you want real hunting entertainment read a book.  I can recommend a dozen decent ones that will keep you busy all summer or autumn in the stand...leave the TV to talk and reality shows.

[LC]

To the OP I can't believe it took you all those years to decide that TV hunting shows SUCKS! It's been that way for along long time! Don't watch, in fact I've went digital antenna and only watch PBS or Netflix documentaries! Saved tons of money I put towards actually "hunting"!

[sswv]

I was in the Hunting & Fishing business for just a tick over 20 years. Booking hunting & fishing trips, some guiding and a little outfitting and I have to say that if the general public saw what went on behind the scenes the TV heros would not exist. TV hunting has done more to ruin hunting than any other group out there. It's all about the 'bone' and you can't kill 'big ones' like this UNLESS you buy this product. These shows put young hunters under a great amount of pressure to be like their TV heros. Personally, I grew up having fun and with NO pressure to kill one like 'ol what's his name on TV.

sorry for the rant
jus my 2cents

[BWallace10327]

There are plenty of great opinions being shared here.  I'm glad that I'm not alone.  SSWV gave me a thought however; if something goes horribly wrong and I am in school for another 6-8 years, the degradation of the American bowhunter has dissertation written all over it.

[Producer]

The shows that most of us detest would not be on or last long if they don't get the ratings. It is really that simple. Advertising companies and TV executives look solely at the ratings to determine what show are on, stay on and what time slot. If the ratings get low enough they go away.

[JohnV]

I stopped watching all of the hunting shows years ago and don't miss them one bit.  Around my house, the only deer that gets "smoked" is the one on my Brinkman grill!

[Whitetail Addict]

I think I may have already mentioned that I like to watch a lot of the traditional Youtube videos. What a difference in most of them, compared to some of the other "stuff". No blaring music, you can hear everything that's going on, including the shot and hit, Most of the folks that put their trad videos on seem to show more respect too.

Bob

[FerretWYO]

This topic is often debated and the issues are known. Lets all go out and do some hunting and show the world what it is really like through our stories and our actions as good sportsmen.