Essential Encounters Opinions

[Steve O]

I think the Brothers of the Bow are pretty sneaky in how they present their "how to" information.  In both PD and EE, if you just plop them in and let your mind go numb like you would watching a normal hunting DVD, all you are going to get is astounded by the amazing HD footage.  They are not standing there, in your face, promoting sponsor product like we have been conditioned to in todays available trash.  If you   PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION to the hunts and encounters presented, there is an infinite amout of tips, tricks, and "this is how we do things" put forth.

Watching Essential Encounters is kind of like shooting a stickbow; you will get out of it what you put in.   That is special stuff!

[Kevin Dill]

Anybody here remember watching "The American Sportsman" back in its glory days? Narrated then by Curt Gowdy, and there was much attention paid to the feeling and aesthetics of being afield with rod or weapon. The catch or kill was a bonus pleasure, if it happened. There was no sense of ego or big money. I remember being a young boy, spending 30 minutes in a rapture as I dreamed of walking in those places and footsteps. That show was able to capture the essence of a wild adventure.

I think Primal Dreams came the closest to doing this same thing, as any production I've seen in 40 years. Watching it is not a hunting experience for me...it's a trip into the heart of what I get when I'm in the field or on the water.

I have not seen Essential Encounters. Maybe I'll bump into a friend watching it some fine day.

[Mike Manassa]

What Kevin Dill said!! Exactly..Both DVD's brought me back to that simpler time..I have enjoyed watching both Wensel/Mitten productions several times so far...Mike

I vote for a litle more hunting on the next one, if they do it. I got a little weary of enormous velvet bucks in food plots and New Age music (all crescendos). Alltold, though, I would much  rather watch the Brothers work than the "kill kill kill to hard rock synthetic music" that passes for hunting shows on television......

[Pat B.]

And then, "The American Sportsman" with Jim Thomas..

Seems like each generation reflects on what was seen in a bygone era..  It does take me back to my younger days --- life was good.. Each day is a blessing !

[RC]

I watched clips of one of these on dead down wind the hunting program on tv. It was really good. Prompted me to order them. I like tom Nelson. He is not a trad guy but having this on the show was good. probably 15 minutes or so.RC

[hayslope]

Just my opinion here.

I believe the guys accomplished exactly what they intended to do..........to produce another great video that reminds us of exactly WHY we do what we do.  And with any luck, it will show non-hunters the same thing.

I enjoy actual hunting scenes as much as the next person.  But I find that I'm watching PD or EE more often than not.......just because it reminds me of all the things I enjoy about being out there.  I actually don't NEED to be reminded, but it does my heart good to watch these videos and know that others actually "get it".

Videos with scene.....after scene.....after scene of shooting animals have their place I guess.....but the magic of editing sure cuts out a lot of the best parts of the overall experience.

You could always get one of their older videos if you want to see the lads flinging arrows at lots of animals......I actually bought a DVD of Bowhunting October Whitetails since my old VHS got lost somewhere over the years.

 

[buckeyebowhunter]

I honestly dont see why there couldnt be a good educational bowhunting video made without kill after kill without fist pumping, and knuckle pounding, but just a good down to earth traditional bowhunting video. I'm not saying that the poetic narrations are bad because they are great and i know what the wensels set out to make when they created PD. I just feel like the Wensels/Mittens (who are some of my favorite guys to watch and learn from) are capable of making a darn good Taditional hunting video about hunting (not about why we hunt..because we all know why we hunt).

Bowhunting Reflections (Steve Gorr and Fred Anderson) is a great traditional bowhunting video. Would love to see what the Brothers could do along those lines.....

[buckeyebowhunter]

I do like bowhunting reflections, but I remember being a little salty about there being no whitetail hunting. Just because whitetail are my favorite because I havnt had the opportunity to hunt any other big game animals.

[Slickhead]

Its not a "whack um, and stack um" video.
Its more a nature documentary with hunting added.
I liked it a lot better that primal dreams.

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by buckeyebowhunter:
Dont get me wrong, I loved primal dreams because it represents everything it means for us to be traditional archers/bowhunters, it is filmed in an excellent fashion, and as frassettor said it touches on things like good woodsmanship, conservation, and family, all things that are important to us as trad bowhunters. However, there are times when I enjoy videos that are strictly about bowhunting, and bowhunting strategies/techniques, insight on things that will allow me to improve my bowhunting success. I am by no means saying that I judge success on animals taken alone, I myself like most hunters enjoy the Journey of the Bowhunt more than anything, but you guys know what I am saying. My all time favorite bowhunting videos are probably Bowhunting October Whitetails, High noon bucks, Street smart bucks, and the old Hunter's specialties videos. I know how good the wensels are at creating awesome films, I guess in the back of my mind I just keep hoping they will make another October Whitetials with the technology they have now.      

Couldnt agree more  

[Butchie]

I loved both videos...very well done.  I, like others however, would love to see Gene and Barry in more hunting footage like October Whitetails and "how to" footage.  How about their instructional seminar on video!!!???  I know I'm all over that one.  You can never learn enough from these two guys!