We need more trad. hunting shows on T.V.!!

[Brian Krebs]

I got to thinking about it; and you know; even with bad tv shows; the worst enemies we have: out number them 100 to 1.
 I grew up reading National Geographic Magazine; and it was a magazine about anthropology and biology; and although I read every article from 1915 through 1963... I don't remember any 'anti-hunting' articles.
 Certainly: I did NOT read all those magazines and walk away an antihunter.
 In fact: I used to read about Jane Goodall and think what a great scientist she was... now the word 'was': overpowers my thinking about her.
 But when I now watch the tv show: it is obvious that hunting is the subject of negativeness with nearly every show.
 They show elephants in danger and a handfull of hunters standing near a dead elephant. They do not talk about the positive aspects of hunting at all. Worse: they ignore the positive things that have been done with hunter money to keep species alive and safe from poachers- and protecting habitat.
 They always seem to reference every species as a survivor of hunting- not a benefactor of it.
  Its not a biologically based; conservation based show.
 I see anti hunting stuff everywhere on tv. Murders have their start with hunting; Jeffery Dahmer 'killed for fun'.
 Its like hunting is the gateway drug that leads to all bad human behavior.
 So- while we ponder if we can make the perfect show- lets not forget that an imperfect show is not going to be our demise; it is the efforts of the great showman of tv- the Jeff Corwins and Behr Gryls- and others that speak as if hunting is not natural; or excepted human behavior.
  Yes- we could make a show that we might not be happy with; or really push the excellence of 'primal dreams'.
 But to think this is only about us making a tv show and determining the outcome of hunting- and that there is not a negative overwhelming presence out there working against us; is just not logical.
 I have heard the expression that 'if your not part of the solution: your part of the problem'; and I believe: we have to think about that.
 We can turn off our tv's; or turn the channel; but it will not stop kids and non-hunters from having input about hunting.

[Ray Hammond]

I obviously don't speak FOR the North American Bowhunting Council(a consortium of all state and national bowhunting organizations), but as a board member I bet you that Gene's idea for a shortened Primal Dreams in every school is something that organization would get behind.

That means money to fund the production of the videos.

I will "fly the flag" with NABC as soon as Brothers of the Bow says 'go for it' to see what kind of response we get.

You and I don't NEED another hunting show...the anti's don't need another hunting show. But the children of the majority of the public? They need to hear OUR side of the story, and if they do, we WILL reach their parents more by getting through to the kids first than we ever will with hours and hours of expensive television programming. I am definitely for the video in school thing.

By the way, my teenager tells me they have cable tv in all the classrooms now, with closed circuit internally, so they could get ONE copy of the DVD at each school and play it to everyone without the need for an assembly. Just a heads up on the technology end of the thing.

[Littlefeather]

Mark Horne and I are shooting TV Shows for the upcomng year. I also have Fred Eichler shooting shows along with several other traditional oriented shows trying to negotiate to shoot shows as well. Hopefully these few shows will start to give the world of Bowhunting a fresh new view on the old original world of bows and arrows before wheels and techlology took such an incredible hold on the world of viewers of TV Outdoor Shows today. CK

[Arwin]

I know it's strange that recurves and longbows are the foundatiion of bowhunting, yet get minimal exposure. Most of us in here who watch shows on t.v. are forced to see wheelie bow action. I shouldn't say forced cause I could always turn the channel, but to what? The View? LOL!

[snag]

I watched Mike Eastman go after Caribou with a recurve. He didn't get one but he tried!

[Biggie Hoffman]

EVERYONE who is prodcuing a TV show or DVD is making $$$$ and that tends to cheapen them all.
I think we'd be better off without them on TV cause it makes them readily available to the non hunters and you gotta admit; most are less than ethical. If they had to buy one, they wouldn't.

Bowhunting is a personal thing. It isn't a spectator sport. I'm guilty of watching some of them. I've even been in a few but still say our image as sportsmen would be better off without the TV shows.

And I REALLY hate to agree with the short guy.......

[stick_string]

My Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law started to get into the hunting show world and they have all the cameras and equipment.  The problem is that they are gun hunters and had to much to compete with (didnt have the funding that the others had).  I think this idea is great.  I am tired of seeing all these big name shows going out to these high priced ranches and killing another trophy.  I would like to see the whole hunt and the equipment, etc....

[Terry Green]

Biggie......you're gonna have to think about it a little harder Sir.  

[Arwin]

I really think this needs to seriously get looked at. I've posted the same thread on two other web sites and there is a big demand for a trad only show. Just about everyone has stated that their concerns are not having too much focus on trophy hunting, respect for the animals,good ethics, and not just a show about killing. I posted on stickbow.com and tradtalk. On stickbow there is another off shoot thread about what people would like to see in a trad video, but it turned into what people would like on a tv show. Again there is a serious demand for such a thing, I think we need to pay attention.

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Guys, I have not met an archery shooter or enthusiest(sp) that does not think that making your own hunting equiptment is the ultimate challenge. So I want to take this back to Osage Tree's "home grown hunting equiptment" kind of idea. With the right personality on the show, we could capture alot of attention. People would want to catch the next show just to see what this guy is going to make next. I think the audience would be pulling for the host to connect on a harvest so hard (like we were for Osagetree) after all the effort involved in making the equiptment. But, if the hunt was not "successful", he/she would still be applauded for the effort involved.
 I'm not trying to take anything away from the other methods of trad shooting, I just think the trend to go to a simpler way of life could be captured in a captivating way with this format.
Any input on this thought?...I know that I would be GLUED TO THE TUBE if this were a show...Terry

[Arrow4Christ]

IMO all types of tradtitional archery (including primitive) should be included in the show...still think the best idea is to have guys send in their own videos. Would have lots of variety.

[KyleAllen]

Im in for sure!! My pardner and i have been filming our hunts for a while now. We do a lot of the stuff a little on the wild side. We get tired of watching deer, and turkey, and black bear. So we go after squirrels, rabbits, bullfrogs, predators. Of course we still hunt the usuals too though.

We just bought a canon xl-2. Cant wait to try that baby out.

[Arwin]

ttt

[DRR324]

Well, I have read the entire thread and would like to throw a few things out here.  I would also hope that I don't get ripped on, or looked down upon for my opinion.  Let me start with one show, Tred Barta.  As Gene stated, Tred is a bit too "hungry" for most viewers.  I have not met Tred, but also feel his shows put more of a negative aspect on our traditional way of hunting.  Way too many times have I heard him say- "my self imposed 20-25 yard limit" and yet he flings arrows at 65 yards towards running caribou, 45 yard shot at mule deer doe- on full alert, etc.  My wife was watching with me during the caribou episode, (which she normally chooses not too watch hunting shows, too much horn porn) and she said, wow- he's a pretty good shot, I'm sure he could kill one if he shoots enough times, but how many will he hurt in the process?  I know Tred has his heart in the right spot and wants to do things the hard way, but he needs to realize that his actions represent each and every one of us.  I go in to my local sporting goods store and my compound shooting buddies are asking me if I saw Tred "spraying and praying" during his show.  These comments do nothing but tick me off, because that is not why I choose to hunt with a recurve.  I have watched Fred E. and am ok with his shows.  The only real difference is you could swap his curve for a wheel bow and not much would be different.  IF- and a pretty big IF, someone would begin to produce a Trad only program, they would have to be the most ethical hunter they could possibly be.  They would have to portray OUR way of hunting as the true challenge it really is, close is still not close enough.  I know that many of us miss, I did twice this year, I just don't want to see a show where we are portrayed to take marginal shots, show crappy hits, numerous misses, etc.  I know that I read a comment from Gene, or on a video, that many trad guys shouldn't be allowed in the woods with a bow because they can't shoot worth a hill of beans.  I am not the best shot, but can consistently kill my mackenzie at 30 yards all day long.  Real animals are a different story, they can react, and duck arrows, or whatever.  I would really like to have someone produce a TRUE to life show, that outlines the hunt, shows the scenery, the wildlife, etc, and of course a successful harvest at the end.  I just don't want someone with deep pockets stepping up and producing something along the lines of Treds show.  Tred has great scenery, and shows the stalks, etc, but really blows it when the shots come, and is way too "over the top" in your face type of guy.  I think someone needs to convince Gene and Barry to take the Mitten boys and tape a show on their Texas pig hunts.  They know how to show our sport in the correct light, and are professional, but have a great time with life.  I just think it would be a burdon to them, that would take away from their reason to be there, the hunt for themselves.  Well, I'm done, I hope I made some type sense with all of this....

[Longbowz]

DRR324,

I think you said it pretty well.  

Treds caribou show mystified me. I can't figure out why he did what he did.  It sure didn't put him or trad archery in a very good light.  Problem is he tries to make the longbow look more difficult then it really is.

[Arwin]

I can't lay this one to rest yet. TTT!

[Arwin]

Dug this up for the fun of it. It's cool to see that it all happened into the Trad Gang. video  

[Osagetree]

Originally posted by ozarkcherrybow1:
Guys, I have not met an archery shooter or enthusiest(sp) that does not think that making your own hunting equiptment is the ultimate challenge. So I want to take this back to Osage Tree's "home grown hunting equiptment" kind of idea. With the right personality on the show, we could capture alot of attention. People would want to catch the next show just to see what this guy is going to make next. I think the audience would be pulling for the host to connect on a harvest so hard (like we were for Osagetree) after all the effort involved in making the equiptment. But, if the hunt was not "successful", he/she would still be applauded for the effort involved.
 I'm not trying to take anything away from the other methods of trad shooting, I just think the trend to go to a simpler way of life could be captured in a captivating way with this format.
Any input on this thought?...I know that I would be GLUED TO THE TUBE if this were a show...Terry

I just read this for the first time    

Where do I sign up, my bags are packed, I work for room and board and I never draw my bow until my deer are less than 15yrds away.    

Honestly, I was extremly honored that my endevor was mentioned!

[Ian johnson]

that would be an awsome show!!!!!!!!!

[2-BIG]

An all traditional show would be great but I do fear that(as Biggie stated) money would ultimately ruin a good thing. My senses have been dulled to the "shoot to kill/thrill" outdoor programs. I am so tired of seeing people like Stan Potts and the Nuge take poor angle shots and turn to the camera and say( I didn't like that angle but it was my only shot and he was HUGE!!!!"
I do love the traditional videos though so we can keep them comming!