What's everyones opinion on the current crop of hunting programs?

26 December 2001, 18:15

<GoWyo!>

I thought I'd ask everyones opinions on the current crop of hunting shows. I grew up watching the American Sportsman on ABC with Curt Gowdy. I loved the pheasant hunts with Bing Crosby and Phil Harrison? Classic shows. One might think that ABC had a change in management in the last 30 years.

I just don't care for the current crop of shows out now. I'm not a fan of canned hunts, and shows like Bushnells secret of the hunt just turn me off. Buck McNeely's show is a farce in my opinion. Talk about a good 'ol boy bubba stereotype. I think he's a PETA plant. I hope I don't offend anyone, but oh well, I'm sure somebody likes these shows. Merry Christmas for the next 100 minutes zulu time. Gary

26 December 2001, 19:11

<Bill>

I like that one guy, I think his name is Tom Mirada.

I also like watching Bill Jordan's Realtree Outdoors. Yeah it is a big ad, but I like the show.

------------------
www.rifleshooter.com

26 December 2001, 22:08

Brian M

I watch most of them.Most are a farce,and most are "staged"-as in the game is already dead and cleaned out,then they go film the hunt.

I can't stand Tom Miranda.Don't know why,but he just bugs the hell out of me.I always liked Grits and Tom Gresham,but you only see Tom on 20 second slots on Outdoor Life TV,and you only see Grits in print.No,they are not the most knowledgeable about firearms or hunting,but at least they have a sense of humor and IMO are very entertaining.

Out of the whole crop of shows,my favorite would be American Shooter,though I could care less for Jim Scouten (man,he shoots a handgun worse than I do!).Unfortanatly,I haven't seen it on the air in a few months.Hopefully it will return next season.

------------------
I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

[This message has been edited by Brian M (edited 12-26-2001).]

27 December 2001, 02:26

<heavy varmint>

I do like American Shooter but as for most of the rest of them I hate the thought of youngsters who have an interest in hunting and no one to teach them to learn from these shows.

27 December 2001, 03:18

<Gary Rihn>

I guess I can't comment because I quit watching them all years ago. Unless something has changed, I don't feel like I've missed anything.

27 December 2001, 04:08

<gamecock>

Which reminds me: I've got a tape of Bing and Phil Harris hunting birds, hosted by Gowdy - which I'll have in the VCR in about 10 minutes. It's from the old
ABC Sports series, "The American Sportsman," funny and informative. Thanks for the reminder.

Don't watch the new stuff.

27 December 2001, 04:19

<allen day>

I enjoyed the old "American Sportsman", but the current stuff is pretty dull.

27 December 2001, 04:58

<hunting1>

Most of the pothetic shows on are fenced deer, etc. with people in little houses over a feeder. There are a few good ones though like American archer, Spirit of the wild, Eastmans Journal, Primos, etc, but unless its fair chase than its slautering on the farm and I teach my kids the difference between the two. Good shooting!

27 December 2001, 05:04

<GoWyo!>

Phil Harris! I knew I was close, but couldn't remember, hell I was only 9. Glenn, enjoy that tape for me as well.

As for the American Shooter, I do like that one. Informative, good historical context. It's still on TNN but they moved to 0700 on Saturday AM on our local cable. Maybe they're going for the kids' demographic market.

27 December 2001, 05:37

Fred B

Way too many commercials to bother watching.
I would reather hunt or reload rather than watch TV.

Happy Hunting

27 December 2001, 05:48

<Harald>

Current shows on TNN place way too much emphasis on commercial technology and too little on the skills and experience of hunting itself. I'm sure this is simply a function of getting sponsorship, but it is also a matter of how far people are willing to go to court sponsors. Its basically the same complaint many of us have had with the gun magazines, but until someone who is independently wealthy decides to make a great hunting show or publish a magazine without commercial sponsorship it will be the order of the day.

I have been gratified to see a program where a guy came back empty handed and they aired it with his assertion that it was a successful hunt because it was still a great experience to be in the outdoors and to pit his skills against those of the game. I also appreciated seeing Bill Jordan miss a very nice mule deer at spitting distance with a bow. While he was understandably sick at himself it was good to see that and to see the way he handled the loss philosophically as being part of the game.

27 December 2001, 06:05

HunterJim

We got the digital cable when it was offered in San Diego so we could get the Outdoor Channel. There are a lot of different hunting and fishing shows daily. Most are mediocre, but a few are well-done and interesting.

I like to watch Ted Nugent's Spirit of the Wild for his emphasis on teaching kids about wildlife and hunting.

The worst thing about the channel is the number and length of commercials; at least they are for outdoor things.

jim dodd

27 December 2001, 07:23

<Ol' Sarge>

I get the Outdoor Channel and about the only one worth watching is Primos Truth About Hunting.

27 December 2001, 12:52

<gamecock>

GoYwo! - Afraid I was a bit older than 9 when watching "American Sportsman" - hell, I was close to 30! Love your state. Have been campground host last two summers at Lewis Lake in the Yellowstone. Great experience. Been to a lot of places in Wyo. Thought Riverton was nice 'till we went to Lander. Then there's the museum in Cody, and Sierra Outfitters. Obidiah Smith's and the Blue Moon in Jackson (see, my spelling and memory is also atrocious)? I know they had medalions of elk at the Blue Moon (if there really is such a place). Ever had a hamburger at the saloon in Atlantic City, Wyo? Problem is we like everywhere - so much to see and do - so little time.

Happy Holidays...glenn

And, I'm a Gamecock fan. So, GOOOoooo COCKS!

27 December 2001, 13:01

Sakoluver

If you don't like it, turn off the TV. They even make remotes you can talk to now so you don't have to lift a finger.
I agree, most hunting shows are staged. Just try and see how easy it is to get a trophy in front of the camera in good light and let everyone see the shot.
I have enough trouble getting a legal animal, course I don't hunt on 10,000 dollar hunts either.

27 December 2001, 15:39

<audsley>

quote:
Originally posted by GoWyo!:
I just don't care for the current crop of shows out now. I'm not a fan of canned hunts, and shows like Bushnells secret of the hunt just turn me off. Gary [/B]

I couldn't agree more. Deer hunting as depicted on most shows is pretty dull work requiring very little ability. The whitetail hunts in the South and East are probably the worst, although elevated blind hunts in Texas are pretty dubious enterprises as well. From watching these shows you might wonder if the more gifted athletes in these parts of the country didn't move on up to horseshoe pitching or bowling, leaving the less talented to "entertain" us with their 80-yard shots at whitetails and mindless hillbilly palaver. All of this tends to reinforce negative stereotypes of hunters and hunting.

Part of the problem is where they're filming.
My own experience is in the mountains and deserts of the Southwest where the weather and terrain separates the men from the boys, and consistently locating game requires some skill. I get the idea that whitetail hunting east of the Rockies basically amounts to getting up in a stand and waiting for a deer to walk within easy rifle range. I might find this mildly interesting if I were doing it myself, but I can't get too excited watching a film of some other guy doing it.

Unfortunately, non-hunters are also exposed to documentaries on Animal Planet which are generally far more articulate and interesting. Yes, the Animal Planet shows are even more staged than the hunting shows, but at least they provide interesting information about the animals and the natural setting.

27 December 2001, 15:55

<GoWyo!>

Glenn, yep, there is a lot to see, even without theme parks. Man, do I love to fish those big browns under Lewis Falls, yes, yes I do. Spectacular spot.

Sakoluver, got 3 myself, I think I have the remote figured out, and I agree with Gonzales and your points that I'd rather be shooting or reloading. That said there is such a thing as down time when the wind is blowing 50 mph and the wind chill is -30 F. My point is that I'd rather be out doing it myself as well, but there are millions of people who don't get to the field to hunt, fish, etc. I am just voicing my views on the refuse that gets put in front of them. My wife gets to hear me rant about them when we are channel surfing as well.

Off topic-02/03/02: Rams- 42, Patriots- 17. Go St. Louis!

27 December 2001, 18:30

Eterry

I agree that most are heavily commercialized, and some are even staged, but it is all we have at the time, and like it has been said, if you dont like it, turn it off. What I can't stand is when the camera is on the other side of the animal showing the hunter "trailing" the animal up, then the hunter exclaims "There he is". Makes you wonder if they think we are really that stupid.
Good luck and good shooting

28 December 2001, 02:24

<Gary Rihn>

quote:
Originally posted by audsley:
I get the idea that whitetail hunting east of the Rockies basically amounts to getting up in a stand and waiting for a deer to walk within easy rifle range. I might find this mildly interesting if I were doing it myself, but I can't get too excited watching a film of some other guy doing it.

You nailed that one. I love to set up a good stand & wait, but the thought of *watching* me do it isn't too appealing.

Kinda like watching them yank an 8" bass outta the water with one quick jerk and hear them saying "Whew Wee Bubba, you gots you a biggun there!" Fishing shows are worse than the hunting shows.

28 December 2001, 03:24

D Humbarger

It's "Show business". All these "experts" with the hand slaps really goes against the grain with me. I feel taking an animals life is a is a bit more serious affair. I know one of them & talk about a a guy that thinks his s@%t don't stink......

------------------
NRA Life member

28 December 2001, 03:39

Pa.Frank

It seems as most of the posts here feel that the current crop of "outdoors" TV shows are a joke, and I couldn't agree more. They suck.

What we have to remember is that these shows, like most of the gun magazines currently available, are written and directed at the "great unwashed" population (Bubba & friends), and not the serious, dedicated upscale hunter/shooters you find on this forum.

------------------
Don't tread on me!
Pennsylvania Frank

28 December 2001, 09:25

Frank Nowakowski

The thing that gets me are the "good old boy Bubbas" that they seem to CONSTANTLY show on these programs. I know a few folks from the South, they're not all idiots. Makes me wonder why they continue with the stereotype??
Watched one a few weeks ago where the "hunter" shoots a gator with a compound bow. Hits but no penetration or misses the first shot, then hits it the 2nd time and he's all animated , out of breath and excited!?!?!? Talk about a staged , boring "stalk". Too much theatrics on these canned shows.

I don't watch the shows much unles I'm REALLY bored or we have two feet of snow out side. But....whats the deal with the one show that has the idiotic PUPPET?? IMHO The absolutely STUPIDEST thing I have ever seen on these hunting shows. Makes us all look like idiots.

I too recall the old American Sportsman fondly. Remember a few shows when they were hunting Africa, Those were the classics in my book. I remember watching them when I was a kid on sundays. The African and Western hunts were the main ingredients of my boyhood dreams and hunting fantasies, to be sure!

Frank N.

[This message has been edited by Frank Nowakowski (edited 12-28-2001).]