Randy's Ramblings - Content, motivations, and recent threads

[SerialScience]

Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes view

 

[noisy]

Agreed, it is weird. I saw a gal i know who does some social media stuff getting invited to partake in events with them now. Not sure what they're doing.

I don't follow much hunting social media, but I follow a LOT of professional skiers, climbers, surfers, etc. And the general trend of the outdoor industry in the past couple years is to invest fewer actual dollars in sponsored "athletes" (i.e. Randy) and more in a wider array of smaller "influencers" who will work and post content primarily in exchange for free gear. Professional big-mountain skier Cody Townsend has addressed this several times in various blogs and podcasts, but other athletes have posted about it as well. Whether this approach will pay off for outdoor companies is yet to be seen. Anyway, this is just a general observation about the outdoor industry, and not based on any inside knowledge of Sitka or their finances or motivations.

In any case, thanks for all you do Randy Newberg, I will always support you through Fresh Tracks Plus because I believe your message is important and I like your hunting content. Keep carrying that torch!

 

[mtmuley]

Thanks, Randy, I appreciate all you do.

Yep. All that needs said. mtmuley

 

[Akcabin]

Hey, thanks for being who you are. Me n most of the folks here have the same drive to just get out, go further, without regard. Kinda want to know what's over the next hill. Just who you are. Guy that loves getting out. You ended up with the opportunity to get involved in promoting the same passion inside. Can't help it, who you are. Thanks man.
You've done a lot to help promote the best opportunities for the general public, average family, to do the same thing you love. Gotta give you an atta boy for following your heart and giving back and paying forward. Getting yourself, and your family, out in the public eye. Gotta be able to realize that everyone has an opinion. And keep on enjoying life.
In the picture with Mt McKinley I was standing in this little blind and called in a nice bull from near a mile north on far right. Watching him come in along the tree line. Generally a bunch of swans around in these little ponds.
My rambling on now. But I kinda have to save passions. If you're ever wanting to just get out in the bush without any outside junk let me know.
See ya down the trail

 

[Irrelevant]

I think there is some pyramiding that may not be in your math. I know that since I have been "activated", I too have spread the gospel of public lands. Being a "person of faith" I kind of hate that last sentence, but it fits. I spend a lot of my time in the faith community talking about stewardship vs dominion, protection vs exploitation. I call them "WWJM" (mine) or "WWJL (log)" discussions. Many in the church world have not thought too deeply about this stuff. Others have been taught Dominion is the only doctrine. (That is that God gave Adam - no pun intended- and his descendants dominion over the earth to exploit.) They respond well to hearing there is a third way without giving up their faith. Randy has given me the tools and drive to have those discussions. So I think there are ripples in the pond.

You also have to add the value of not just the "conversions", but the body of resources in terms of content and education.

I'll admit that my math may not be someone's math, nor can I completely stand by any of my conclusions on this matter as there is so much gray in the margins.

I'll also admit that hunting media is not going to go away, and if it must exist then Randy and crew are as good of an option as we're going to get.

But the more I think about the Hunt Quietly movement, the more I find I align with it. I've had several hunts and kills that are not posted anywhere, including here. On one hand, it feels weird that I view many of you as shirttail friends and not share things I know you'd enjoy, but I also just don't want something good (the hunt) to get worse. Every hunt I've been a part of has gotten worse in my life. I don't want to be culpable for perpetuating that decline.

BF is already too generous with his TTT as a conservationist, and that SOMETHING has to pay the bills for his outreach work. But, for me, the "sausage making" still sours it.

 

[FamilyMan]

Does our message give a good impression of how well their products will perform? They see us using their products in some difficult and challenging hunts that they hope gets the audience to consider their products when the time comes. Add that to the affinity values the come from being associated with our conservation message and they judge if we are worth their investment.

I know that "affinity" worked on me. I recently purchased a new pair of Leupold binoculars after considering a few other brands. The choice to go with the Leupolds was made in no small part because of their support of Randy's content and mission.

 

[44hunter45]

I'll admit that my math may not be someone's math, nor can I completely stand by any of my conclusions on this matter as there is so much gray in the margins.

I'll also admit that hunting media is not going to go away, and if it must exist then Randy and crew are as good of an option as we're going to get.

But the more I think about the Hunt Quietly movement, the more I find I align with it. I've had several hunts and kills that are not posted anywhere, including here. On one hand, it feels weird that I view many of you as shirttail friends and not share things I know you'd enjoy, but I also just don't want something good (the hunt) to get worse. Every hunt I've been a part of has gotten worse in my life. I don't want to be culpable for perpetuating that decline.

BF is already too generous with his TTT as a conservationist, and that SOMETHING has to pay the bills for his outreach work. But, for me, the "sausage making" still sours it.

Reading my post and your response, the real lesson is that I type too much on HT.

I do get where you are coming from on this. I really struggle with the idea of hunt write-ups, then my dopamine addition kicks in.

 

[Sunski]

Thanks for the insight

 

[Whiskey Freak]

Thanks Randy! I’ve often said Randy is different he doesn’t need hunting to make a living. Look at your typical influencer and see what their full time job is!

Also, I shared camp with an “influencer” and the stickers on their trailer and their trucks aren’t always the products they’re wearing/using in the field. Also watch how many change sponsors(like cam Hanes, origin to Sitka). Also look at companies who refuse to distance themselves from convicted poachers(night force and muley freak). I watched this influencer at camp make a months worth of content in one day. Taking layers off and shooting at different angles to appear to be different days. There’s a lot of deception in the hunting influencer world.

I wonder if most influencers contracts are for free gear and they need to post these click bait, crazy things to get actual money.