Oh well Santa...maybe next year?

[olddogrib]

The #1 item on my Christmas wish list every year is that ABC, Curt Gowdy's estate or whoever the heck owns the rights to the American Sportsman series of the sixties would put them out on DVD.  Better yet, combine the hunting and fishing segments into their own sets.  That show had me hooked at an early age and across the backyard woods and fields in my mind I stalked every big game animal God created with my Daisy BB gun (not the Red Ryder, but pretty close). How many of you remember that original score and that Blue Marlin (Sailfish or whatever it was) leaping out of the water without your pulse quickening? Fred Bear, William Shatner? What we call sportsman's shows today are advertising crap and can't hold a candle to this series that ended far to quickly.  I've heard rumors that those tapes were never archived by ABC and that it couldn't be done even if someone wanted to. Say it ain't so Santa, say it ain't so...!

[moebow]

I agree and how about the old Joe Foss version of the same series?  I recall the Helio Curier(airplane & Spelling? of same) used in that series too.

Arne

[7 Lakes]

I liked the old Frank White, Southern Sportsman.  Outdoor shows were much better before they became commercials.

[Sixby]

I hope not, I was glued to the tv every Sunday to see it. I can still see Fred and watchin g over his shoulder when he shot the Grizzly. I can actually see that arrow in flight . Now in my mind. Perhaps someday they can hardwire our brain and copy those scenes. LOL. I actually believe that someday this could be possible. Just plug in and download a brain. I sure hope they have great filters though.

God bless, Steve

[KSdan]

They do have the Fred Bear DVDs that include the Amer Sportsmans segments available.

[Steve O]

I'd so love for that to happen with the American Sportsman. That was a weekend highlight when I was a kid. I will always remember not only Fred Bear but also Lefty Kreh going after King Salmon in my favorite Michigan stream; the Pere Marquette. I've relived that episode hundreds of times so far in my own life but would love to have those episodes that fueled my love for the outdoors so many years ago.

[Roadkill]

Yep, simpler way of life, never to be relived.  I remember the milkman, coal chute on the side of the house, TV half the size if a freezer with an 8inch screen and hunting and fishing show, not shows.
More stuff but not all quality these days.

Merry CHRISTmas and hopes for a great new year to each

[NC BowBender]

x2 on the Franc White Southern Sportsman Shows.
I have several On tape that I recordered from on-air.
And also miss the American Sportsman.
I have one of the AS shows on a commercialy produced VHS tape. Yes, I'm that old.
One of the segments has Bing Crosby and Phil Harris hunting birds.

[limbolt]

I still remember Fred Bear and Robert Fuller hunting pheasants with bows on American Sportsman.

[M60gunner]

Jim Thomas on WGN Chicago. He had Fred Bear and Ben Pearson hunts. He actually went pheasant hunting with Ben Pearson. Yes, I raomed the "creek" area by our neighborhood looking for rabbits with my Indian Archery lemon wood longbow. You all are right about much simpler times.

[goingoldskool]

Yes, I remember those as well..... I've seen the Fred Bear dvd's and it brought back a lot of memories. ... wish my kids could see those!

God bless,

Rodd

[Altiman94]

I agree that hunting shows are commercials for the hunting industry anymore.  I was watching the latest episode of 'Midwest Whitetails' online and the first 120 seconds is all rehearsing the sponsors names.  Then, you get more of it at the end.  I guess that is what keeps the shows afloat but I like to see some hunting as well!