Always gotta toss my name in there.[confused]
I used to buy into all the gimmicks, but as you hunt longer and longer you realize you need two things to kill deer.
A weapon, and knowledge of the animal. You dont NEED ANYTHING else....(well a license, dont get caught without that)
You soon learn to recognize what works, and what is made to line other peoples pockets with cash.
Now my feelings on the hunting shows and videos are mixed. Im not a big fan of any of them, because they honestly dont teach much. I wish they would teach more about the skills involved in actual hunting. Now maybe its a lack in their own knowledge, and the fact they rely on guides. Or maybe its takes away time from promoting their new products. I dont know for sure. Im thinking the latter though.
I can tell you this too though, its expensive for them to make these shows and videos and the only way to make money is to have sponsors. Sponsors are only happy when you promote their goods....so we get shameless plug filled videos and tv shows. Not much different than any other sport. Nascar, baseball, etc,.
The reason they hunt on ranches is because they need kill footage to fill up a 90 minute video. It could take seasons of hunting to make an exciting video any other way. I wouldnt want to sit in a NJ WMA for three months waiting to take one big buck on film. Id go to a high percentage area if money was at stake.
So when you look at the big picture, they make videos based on what the avg hunter wants to see, (that way it sells, and they make money). Can you blame them?
Would you want to bust your rump and spend your money to make a product that you liked, but that most people wouldnt touch with a ten foot pole? I doubt it and I know I wouldnt.
So blame the average hunter for asking for long videos with lots of kills on them. Most guys want to see very little hunting, and lots of kill shots. I think this stems from people rushing and having very little time. Infact Ive heard several people say they fast forward videos and just watch all the kill shots. Thats rediculous, but if thats what people want, and thats what sells, thats what videos are going to turn into.......a loop of kill shots followed by sponsors. Sad! But who's to blame?
As far as trophy hunting goes, I am a trophy hunter and a meat hunter. Every deer I shoot gets eaten by myself, or somebody else. BUT I wont shoot a buck unless I will be proud of it, and consider it a trophy or wallhanger. For me thats about a 120" or better buck. To some that may be small, to others that may seem unobtainable in NJ, but it isnt. There are plenty of big bucks in this state, not like the midwest, but they are here.
As far as trophy hunters not wanting to shoot does, nothing could be further from the truth. Talk to most any "trophy hunter", and they understand the importance of shooting does to balance the herd. Its the foundation of QDM and TDM. Plus, for most trophy hunters, its the only way we can fill the freezer most seasons. If the right buck doesnt come along by the end of the year, my buck tag goes un-filled as would most trophy hunters tags, and a "true" trophy hunter wont lower their standards as the season draws to an end.
I dont think videos play a part in hunters attitudes, but rather vice versa. I think the avg rush around everyday, hunt one day a month hunter wants to live vicariously through videos. So they ask for trophy hunting videos with all the "hunting" edited out to save time, leaving you with "trophy killing".
