Are Celebrity Hunters Really Hunters or Just Shooters of Animals?
Maybe it's just the time of year or the weather. You know, opening day seems far away and it's too darn hot to do much without playing with heat exhaustion. So you think about hunting, plan hunts, talk hunting, read about hunting and watch hunting shows. Whatever the reason, every year about this time I start getting the "itch to hunt". It never goes away, it just lessons a little during late Spring and Summer, but knowing opening day is around the corner, makes it worse after I've had a few months off to recoup.
Which brings me to the meat of this post/rant. I was taking it easy today and turned on the Outdoor Channel and watched a few hunting shows. I honestly don't watch that many any longer. I have probably 2 or 3 that I make somewhat of an effort to watch. Most are pure rubbish and nothing more than glorified marketing in my opinion.
But anyway, one was about a Husband/Wife team hunting in Illinois on opening day. There she sit in a tree all dolled up talking about how hard she'd been working getting ready for hunting season. I thought "Yeah, like what? What kind of logo you're going to wrap your jacked up 4x4 and equipment trailer in?"
I could go on and on about some of these bozo's who pretend to be hunters. Which is about 99% of them on TV!
I understand the business side of it. As a marketer myself, I understand the game and how it's played. But I sincerely believe many of these so called, self described "Celebrity Hunters" are nothing more than shooters. And when you watch them and some of the stupid things they say/do, it only proves to drive the point home.
Like today when one of these Super Hunters is walking around a Ranch in Texas and comes up on this bush with a stem about the size of his thumb and there's a little rub on it. He then blurts out "Yeah, this was a real nice buck that made this!" I was like "WTH, really Dude?"
I guess my gripe stems from my opinion that hunting is something that is sacred, at least it is with me. I mean, after all you're taking a life and that should mean something. It's not like you're trying to score a goal or hit a ball with a piece of wood, although many manufacturers and Celebrity "Shooters" seem to treat it that way.
I also do not think it's healthy the way many beginners of this sport idolize these Celebrity Shooters. They don't understand that these people's claim to fame is the fact that they have a knack for marketing, not deer hunting. I mean, really folks, how many of use couldn't put an arrow through the boiler room of a nice buck on some intensely managed land if a Guide didn't walk us to a stand and say "Sit here and shoot a good buck for the camera"?
I'd love to pack some of these so called "Hunter" up and drop them off at a local WMA during any deer season of their choice (Archery, Muzzleloader or Rifle" and give them a week to kill a 6 point or better buck, heck, I'll give them the full 16 days of Muzzleloader and Rifle season! I'd imagine that only a few out of the dozens and dozens on TV could actually do this.
I remember years ago someone asked the founder of a deer magazine and club why him and his crew only hunted high fenced ranches or only used high dollar outfitters and his response was " One...We have to hunt these places to shoot big bucks. If we don't no one will watch our TV show. Two...we don't have much time to make these shows, so we have to use Outfitters and Ranches". Well now, at least he was honest about it! For him, it was (and still is I guess) all about the kill. But it made me sad to be a Charter Lifetime member of that Club and their magazine hits the trash as soon as it arrives in the mail these days. I really don't mind that they hunt these places, it's when they start thinking they're a "HUNTER" because a 170 class bucked walked by the stand their Guide had been holding for them all year long.
I've also noticed in the last half dozen years or so that they tend to show the Deer dying more and more. I don't see the point in this as I see it several times first hand myself every year, I don't need to watch it on TV. But the biggest thing is it turns of non-hunters. My Wife actually likes watching a few of the shows until they show the Deer run off and stand there until it tips over and starts kicking. She has asked several times "Why do they have to show that part of Hunting?" I've heard that question asked quite a bit from others as well. In the past, it was something that wasn't shown on hunting shows. Now, it's like the TV program isn't complete if they don't show the actual death of the Deer!
My reply is "Because it sells Deer hunting gear. I guess those newbies and people who've never killed a Deer haven't seen one die before."
I'm betting a few of you remember all the crap Dan Fitzgerald use to get for showing some of the shots he showed in his videos. Now days, people wouldn't even bat an eye at some of the shots he used to capture on film. And by the way, he's one of the few who I think can actually "hunt" instead of just "shoot" deer. It must have been all those Blue Jeans and Red Flannel hunting shirt endorsements that made him successful!
Nothing illustrates the fact that Deer hunting has been turned into a business model better than a couple who bought a farm in Iowa. Not just a few acres, but an actual farm! And if that wasn't enough, they also lease more farms. Their "food plots" are actual fields of Soybean, Corn and whatever seed blend they're being paid to market. They do this with monster tractors pulling full blown farm implements. These aren't your 1 acre food plots! These tractors and implements actually make some real farmers envious!
And this is their business model and it has allowed them to buy farm ground, plant the "food plots" and then shoot big Deer in order to market everything from seed and supplement blends to camo, bows, arrows and whatever else.
Are they Deer hunters or do they simple kill Deer in order to market all these products?
If they didn't kill any Deer, do you think some of the biggest manufacturing names in the industry would pay them to market their products?
Do you think beginners and Average Joe Deer hunters would flock to the retail outlets to buy they latest product they're pushing?
I think not.
As much as I hate to admit it, they're one of my favorite hunting shows, but I watch them because they're entertaining, not because they actually know how to hunt Deer. In fact, I can honestly say that I have not picked up one hunting tip from them in all the time I watch their show.
These type of people have turned Hunting into a business model and I for one don't think it's good for our sport.
Hunters seem to forget that these shows are nothing more than marketing shows. Sure, like I said above, some of the people are actually entertaining. But at the end of the day, they're marketing gear to you and they wouldn't be on TV if they weren't capable of driving people into Sporting Goods Stores or Online Retailers to buy whatever it is they're pushing. Remember that the next time you start to idolize one of your favorite Celebrity Deer Shooters and start to buy something because So and So on TV killed a big buck using it (or did they just say they were using it to get you to buy it??! 
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I fully agree with you! For example, there are a number of scent attractiors on the market. But not one of them (I have found is as good as the one I use.)it is nature’s best. Skunk Scent! Yet, I have to order it from a dealer, because sportting good stores don’t carry it. No, I don’t rub it on or put it on my clothes, but just a drop or two on a sponge a few feet away from you and if you are hunting in a good area you should see a deer or two. Also this talking to the camera man has got to go! You don’t talk or move when deer are near. Deer can pick up on head movement quicker than you can react.
BRAVO!!!! BRAVO!!!! Standing ovation and applause!
I completely agree with you on every point in this very well written piece!
Yes indeed, I have felt this way for many years. That is why I try to get more young people involved in the sport. Also here in Indiana most of the properties are very small, and we don’t have the choice of letting the( non shooter) walk, good luck he won’t be there next year the hunter next door is like me ( need meat in the freezer not horns on a wall). Hunters are looking for s good time, but mostly food or to work the dogs. Or be with family , and if you get s trophy that’s just icing on the cake.
I agree. Without naming names, I too have thought little of the hunters on TV. I’ve been in sporting goods stores and have heard conversations of children with their dads passing by a video that it playing. I hear the child speak out, “I’d never shoot a deer that small” WHAT? Are you kidding me? Is it all about the trophy? I think not. I hunt because I like the taste of wild game. I like the time I get to spend with my family and friends. I like to tell stories to the kids that I teach “Firearms Safety” to. Yes, I am a volunteer instructor here in the state of Minnesota. I have to bite my tongue at times when I hear of less than sportsmanlike conduct stories from one of the kids. I try my best to keep it “REAL”. I don’t have to fabricate stories, I live them, and recite them as they happened. It’s all a marketing thing that TV is doing. I think we should start letting some of them know what we really think!
Nate, I agree completely. Just the other day, a host on one of these shows had his young boy in the blind when a 140 class 10 point came into range. He kept asking his Dad “Is he mature? Is he a four year old? Is he one of the ones we’ve been watching?” I thought “Are you kidding me?” They let the deer walk. The kid doesn’t know what it’s like to really hunt a deer. He thinks they’re all raised like cattle where you know their names and how old they are! To me, that’s a shame.
I couldn’t agree more! It sets a bad example for new hunters and more importantly gives an unrealistic view which detours those who don’t see a “monster” within the first hour of sitting in a stand! Keep up the good work!
Gun it with Benny Spies is the one show I really enjoy.
Hats off to Nate I would defy these guys to enter the Adirondacks where I hunt and score Likely there camera crew would consume each other or run out of battery power before they ever saw a deer let alone a trophy class deer Without food plots and tree stands or blinds these guys are nothing. Try going one on one with any buck on his turf in the woods on the ground still hunting. My moneys on the buck
I have to agree with you for the most part. Too many of the newcomers to hunting view it as a competition to get the deer with the most antler. They have never been taught the true essence of hunting; tradition, comraderie, love of the outdoors, and respect for nature. It’s a shame that so many of the public faces of hunting are nothing more than fashion models in camo. Yes, there are some that actually put in the time and effort to become a skilled hunter before they became famous, but they are few and far between. I really enjoyed this post. Keep up the good work.
The only point of this article I don’t agree with is that the couple from Iowa are entertaining. They may be the “celebrity hunters” I despise the most. I also think the post shot reaction of a lot of these hunters are a little ridiculous. I hate the post shot acts of aggression. Also, how many times can “unbelievable” and “absolute giant” be used. You watch and you’ll notice it if you haven’t already.
When watching the shows on tv, especially those who showcase celebrities, you have to ask yourself, are they trying to sell me products or a lifestyle, or both? Both are ok, in some way as long as one realizes that just as with the reality shows, most hunting and fishing shows are pieced together in such a way as to push a point of view or product. Kinda like politics on tv!
i just don,t understand why would you wear all that como if your going to be in a blind 20″ to 30″ feet in the air i just don,t see it !!!!
Agreed. There are only a handful I call real hunters. On another note-Can you pls re-format your site? I have looked through all your posts, but can’t find the one about 5 old military rifles that are good for hunting. Also, the link to that article on the right hand side of the home page only takes on to the homepage, then you have to scroll through pages of content. You are a good writer, and I have enjoyed your postings. Pls make your site a bit more user friendly. Thank you and please write more!