Not sure I would use the term "media icon" to describe some average guy who happens to have a big mouth and a passion for wildlife.
I will use my show, my platform, my contacts, and anything else at my disposal to inform people of what is happening in Helena and try to educate them on the topics so they can make their own decisions. That is part of the value Hunt Talk can provide, not just in MT, but in AZ, WY, UT, and other states where guys have used this platform to make a difference in legislation that was going to hurt hunters.
The reality is that almost all hunters have jobs where their days are occupied. When these hearings are going on, the hunters are working and the lobbyists (yes, every group up there has a paid lobbyist) are meeting with legislators, testifying on bills, and steam rolling the hunter while he is at work, trying to earn a living, pay his taxes, and have a little extra to buy the kids a DQ this weekend.
The lobbyists and the legislators know that fact, so they pretty much have their way, unless some of us use our platforms to throw a little interference in their way. This lack of resistance makes them bolder. Their increasing boldness results in stranger and stranger bills, such as these.
I get some heat for doing being as vocal as I am on these issues. Most guys in the TV world have no use for the politics, are too busy, or cannot take the financial risk of possibly offending someone. I own the operation, so what are they going to do, fire me, so I have to quit making monthly payments on this operation?
I don't do this show or this website for the money, so I really don't worry about ramifications my involvement might have on the revenue side. Hell, it has cost me more effort and money than any business I have ever started. I do this for the love of it. I do it because someday I hope to have grandchildren that might want to chase elk in the backcountry or shoot a free-range bison. I do it because I had some amazing people in my little hometown who went out of their way to make sure I was a hunter and that I would experience all the wonderful things that would come from having a hunting lifestyle.
Point being, some of us have been given great blessings where we have time to do this stuff. I am one of those lucky ones. I feel it is my responsibility to do what I can to give a little back to the activity that has given me so much - hunting and conservation.
Long answer to your short question. Sorry. This kind of stupidity has my energy level ramped up right now.
