Shows on TV Article in USAToday

Comments??

Ya know, I have to agree with him. But I do think that the TV shows are between a rock and a hard place. Can you imagine the screams of horror about the blood thirsty hunters coming from the anti's if they did show the two foot pool of blood and a gut pile? For me, the hour or so after a big game kill is a rather private time. It's a time for both celebration and sorrow.

Just my 2 cents Todd Smith

Well,

I hunt as often as I can, I read Nick's articles every month in Alaska Magazine and I've watched a few of these 'hunting' programs ( an insult to hunters IMHO). I don't really see where he's wrong.

He raises some valid points. I need to stop and think about what he says.

He makes some valid points, but his view is skewed.

TV shows are nothing but marketing tools. They are not instruction books or documentaries. If you want the gut pile, go hunting. If you just want to be entertained, turn on your TV. If you want the real story, go hunting. If you just want to kill some time, turn on the TV. If you really want to get in shape, go hunting. If you just want to eat a bag of potato chips and kill some time, watch TV. Why do people insist on making a connection between TV and real life?

I enjoy watching some of the turkey hunts on the Outdoor Channel. I have found one or two deer hunting shows over the years that actually show the deer before, during and after the shot, unbroken. But I also know these are not real...they are marketing. Producers of fine hunting gear need a place to market their products. They have to pay for research so they can develop new gadgets for us to buy. That's how the market place works, folks. I like having all those gadgets to browse through at the local sporting goods store...so I guess I'm to blame for these TV shows. Sorry.

Some parts of his article are good. Other parts are nothing more than 'if it's not done my way, it's wrong'.

I can't find much to argue about with the story. The only thing might be that It dosen't go far enough. I would put all canned hunts in the same category, It's not hunting IMO. I feel the same about sitting in a blind with a rest, it's just shooting an animal, not hunting.

I, too, am sick of these infomercials. I have written to many of the program producers with no result. Many of the programs simply show how you can get a trophy animal if you are willing to spend big bucks to hire an outfitter or stay at an expensive lodge. That is not my kind of hunting! Hunting should pit the witts of the hunter against the hunted. To do this, you must hunt alone and under fair chase conditions. You must have ample opportunity to fail. I would love to see these programs teach hunting skills instead of telling us where to send our money. Please join me in writing to the show's producers to put an end to these infomercials and to start producing tasteful, educational programs! The main focus should be on teaching each hunter how to be successful ON HIS/HER OWN. (Please excuse the preaching...this is a real sore spot with me.)

Earl in Cheyenne

I'm afraid that with all of the anti-hunting crap flying about we fear any in-group discussions over hunting and hunting shows. I don't disagree with the article but I worry about fueling any of the anti's fire.

I truly enjoyed the old American Sportsman shows with Curt Gowdy. Now that was a show which seemed to capture the spirit of hunting and fishing and put it in the proper perspective.

Another problem I have with the new shows and tapes is that they do very little in the way of teaching the art of hunting. how long it takes to pattern an animal, the time and methodology of scouting, etc. It is a see it and shoot it media, and its a shame.

'Amen'

Geez, I knew this would turn into the thread of 'if you don't hunt like me, you're unethical' again. What drivel.

Blah blah blah.