Interesting you mention blood and guts. I was listening to Nugent talking at one of the tactical displays and he mentioned his show and bitched how other shows go overboard washing down animals to remove all blood and how the Outdoor channel is real big on the no blood thing (nuge had some choice words on that).
That does suck, i agree with Ted that it is part of hunting and nothing should be hidden. I do not agree with making it gory for viewers but one place the network is missing (and OYOA) is the chance to show viewers what happens when an elk or deer is down miles from the truck. I think viewers would love to see the work being done on an episode.
What Nuge said is true, OC and all networks have a "no blood and guts" policy. Had one episode corrected as it had a bloody game bag pic that I was loading into the pack.
And your comment about seeing "the work being done on an episode," we will have one of those posted on this site soon. Just need to find the time to get it edited.
As for the other comments in this thread:
No loin cloths for Fin.
Elkwhisper posted a pic of Laura Francese. She is the real deal in archery. Her and I were invited to a dinner with the top Leupold folks, and she can talk archery with anyone. Her show is produced by the same production company OYOA and Duck/Buck Commanders use, Warm Springs Productions, and will be a six episode mini-series on ESPN2.
It was discussed about her being a guest hunter on OYOA. She stated she is just an average Jane, who loves to hunt, and would fit our image. I almost spit my water out on the table when she said that, with a very honest intent. The production company told her if she is average, ol Fin is somewhere way below "less than average."
Should have seen the look on old Schmalts' face when Laura came and asked me for some passes to the Golden Moosie, and I told her they were all spoken for and I handed them over to Schmalts while she was watching. Anyone who doubts that I am a man of my word only need to ask Schmalts.
I mean who would give Schmalts and Greenhorn your last two passes, when Laura and her friend want them? Yeah, I know, I am not very smart. But at least Schmalts and Greenhorn got into the show.
I did bring Laura over to the Outdoor Channel booth, made the proper introductions, and told them we were trying to convince Laura to bring her talents to Outdoor Channel. They asked her how many passes she needed, and the problem was solved.
Leupold, the owner of Redfield, has asked us to help with the promotion of Redfield products and the Redfield Red Zone show, so if you see me posting things about Redfield, the Red Zone, or Laura, on the site, that is the reason.
The SHOT show was a great success. These are long processes, but I think we made great strides with sponsors. Met with all our big sponsors, and they all told me to "Keep doing what you are doing."
The sponsors are getting great feedback and those companies are hunters to the core and they understand the importance of you guys, and that other shows are mostly "entertainment" and not intended to present Reality Hunting, and as such, a show such as ours should be surprised that we were even nominated for those categories.
Once we work out the details, you will be hearing about some pretty cool sponsors who have given verbal commitments. Hopefully those will come through and be more than a promise and a handshake.
And, the network has some pretty big plans for the show, which I hope can be worked out. If so, the non-guided hunting message will be promoted in a way that no one can deny the importance of the 97% who hunt like we do.
In the bigger perspective, the Golden Moosies are just an award show, designed to recognize those shows the fit the current popular mold. Our goal is to keep producing a message the is relevant to our viewers, deliver great image and product integration for our sponsors, and build a web site the is the best of any show in the industry. We have made huge strides in the last six months, and have done so on a budget that would make most shows laugh. We are way ahead of schedule, but have so far to go, that I really don't have time or interest to look around and pat myself on the back.
Looking forward to 2010, as I think it will bring more great things to OYOA.
You guys are a great sounding board. Most everything I read here, and I read everything posted, somehow affects my thoughts about what we produce, how we produce it, and what we should do as we go forward.
If you guys think that is blowing smoke, we have been approached by two other shows to "build what OYOA has on the web." You would be amazed at the people who lurk on Hunt Talk and have watched what has been created here, and read what you guys are thinking.
Thanks a ton for all your support. Everyone who posts here has had some input and affect on this show and site. Not just the guys who have kindly offered to have their hunts disrupted by our filming, but everyone one of you. No way we could be making this kind of progress without all of you.
Thanks again.