Field & Stream on hunting TV shows

[Big Fin]

David Petzal, a person whose columns I often read, gave his assessment of hunting TV on his blog column for Field and Stream. Even as someone who produces outdoor TV, I think he pretty much hit the nail on the head, for most of what gets aired.

A couple shows I watch each week, but most bore me to tears. Those producers whose shows I don't watch, probably feel the same about our little circus called On Your Own Adventures. And yes, the music is normally atrocious.

I might need to invite him to an episode of On Your Own Adventures. I think he would like the twangy old music in our jukebox.

A sad commentary of what hunting TV is. If experienced hunters have this impression of hunting TV, image what new hunters or non-hunters think when they watch.

Here is a link to his column.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/gun-nuts/2012/03/what-cheeses-me-about-tv-hunting-shows

 

[wyoming556]

Interesting read, he gets right to the point.

Lots of well deserved positive comments for OYOA.

Also lots of comments on Craig Boddington, must be lots Dallas Safari Club members out there.

 

[Oak]

Well that was worth the click just for the photo of Elisha Cuthbert....

 

[shoots-straight]

IMO, this guy skims through a topic that he could have used pages for. He didn't even scratch the surface of how these shows are having negative impacts to hunting, and the conservation effort. Very few are addressing the issues that we are facing. Some address gun control, but that's about it.

I've seen shows, (In Montana) where the dude is sitting over salt licks, with game camera's attached to trees, both illegal. I've seen county music singers, (that shouldn't even be hunting). Flinging arrows out of cross bows, at 90 yards, and glance said arrow off the ground and kill and antelople. Thousands of shots, and they are all perfect of course, but when you play them in slow mo, you wonder how they retrieved the animal. How about all the "LOOOOOONnnnnnng Range shooting shows? Of course they never show the lost animals.


The headlines in the papers and on the blogs tell a tale of a darker side to this Industry. I'll call it the Noel Feather syndrome. I could go on for hours but it just makes me upset.


I feel that the biggest threat to our hunting heritage today, is from within. We can't condone, this crap, or we might end up sinking because of it.:W:

BTW, I'm wondering, when is Randy gets a good looking chick as a co-host? It's the rave now? :hump:

 

[recon6036]

Great read but my eyes kept shifting to the upper left part of the screen.

 

[Big Fin]

As my one friend always tells me, somewhat jokingly, as he thinks I am nuts to be in outdoor TV - "God did not need to invent anti-hunters, hunting TV is accomplishing the same objective."

Seems like many agree with his statement.

 

[shoots-straight]

Sorry Randy, you asked.

 

[huntbux]

Well that was worth the click just for the photo of Elisha Cuthbert....

Thank you Oak for getting the rest of us to click on the link
lol

I like what he has said, but, and there is always going to be a but in a article like this.
He might as well posted it on twitter with how in depth he got into the issue. This short little article I think more or less just irritates those who already see the issue at hand and those that don't, it will not change their mind. If you are going to publish something like this then you need to get into it. Don't just skim it like a rant of something that irritates you. At least put some more info in there to show examples of what you are talking about and bring specifics to the for front. I think the article is just as bad as having a voice and saying nothing at all.
But that is just my opinion.
I guess its a start.

Maybe Randy can get Elisha as his co host lol!

 

[noharleyyet]

Really no one to blame but the sponsors for all this hokey sh#t.

 

[belly-deep]

I've always liked Petzal.

 

[Slam]

Fin, what are the demographics for the average hunting show? The music, the over the top celebration....some of the really sophmoric dialogue.....etc. I have always assumed the producers (or whomever makes the decision) must be aiming at the their core audience. How do OYO demographics compare to the average?

 

[huntRme]

The wife is gone to work this evening and I could be watching hunting shows on TV, but all I ever get is insulted, so I'm here instead.

 

[belly-deep]

I don't know why everybody is surprised. Seems like every year, there are more and more guys out in the field acting like the dipshits on most hunting shows. Its no wonder those shows are popular, most of the hunting community seems to agree with them.

 

[norcalhunter]

I'm still going to watch the dipsh#ts on Bone Collector and Buck Commander because they are entertaining. All the other whitetail shows bore me to death. My favorites are western hunting shows but there are very few. Eastmans and OYOA are the best. I'm tired of the other shows where they seem dissapointed if they get a 500 yard shot or closer or they need a governor's tag to hunt.

 

[bow hunter]

well, i like the crush cause tiffany is fun to look at and they do shoot mature deer only. i think its cool they manage their land and herd and without high fences. they just own a butt load of land!

 

[Joe Hulburt]

There are only a few hunting shows I make sure I see every episode of and OYOA is one of them. I will have to pay more attention to the music but I know none of the other stuff this guy is critical of is an issue. There are some bad shows and they do a lot of damage to our image while they go about making money but a lot of good can come from the right examples. They are few and far between but they exist......

Rule of thumb. If there is anything illegal or generally not accepted within the hunting community please don't show it on the TV or you will become the target of a lot of criticism. Many of us actually still hunt to provide food for our families and we don't care to be associated with greedy, stupid, dishonest, arrogant jerks.

 

[CabinFever]

Petzal's a very unique and creative writer, always an interesting read, hilarious to talk to in person as well

 

[WV Hunter]

Really no one to blame but the sponsors for all this hokey sh#t.

Fin, what are the demographics for the average hunting show? The music, the over the top celebration....some of the really sophmoric dialogue.....etc. I have always assumed the producers (or whomever makes the decision) must be aiming at the their core audience. How do OYO demographics compare to the average?

NHY hit on it here. The channels themselves don't help much either. I don't have the Sportsman channel but I do follow them on my Facebook feed. I don't recall ever seeing them pump up OYOA but they sure do pump up several of their over the top typical hunting shows.

As far as demographics go, I would say it's your typical blue collar worker from the east coast (my guess is southeast) watching these shows. Are you suggesting OYOA viewers are a higher class?

 

[drahthaar]

Look at where the recent awards went. There is your demographic. No?

 

[noharleyyet]

Re: awards, the fix is in....gerrymandered categorization.