Everyone knows I don't purposely say things to make people mad or upset, so the following I state with the knowledge some may get angered but this is more or less a public service announcement I felt necessary. The last episode we saw awesome hunt footage from the boys in WV. I have no doubt of the dedication and time put in by them. The footage was great, the hunt was great but I felt the shot choice was below good. It's one thing to take a shot like that and use it on the show, but I feel JZ should have went just a step further and shared that it isn't a shot to be encouraged. Yes it can work out and in that case it did, but the last thing we need is guys heading out into the woods taking lower than good percentage shots like that. I'm happy for the hunter, but just felt a little more could have been shared on it and less defense of it. There is no shame in getting caught in the moment and taking a bad shot...I've done it before...but owning up and sharing that it wasn't the smartest choice to those just starting out or beginners (shoot and the vets) is crucial to the growth of the sport. Sorry if I offended anyone, but felt it needed stated.
I thought JZ did a great job telling us about his conversation with them following that hunt and explaining the elevations and why the shot appeared to be the way it was. I agree doesn't appear to be a shot that I would ever take but I have never hunted the mountains so I can't say that for sure.
True, I will give JZ credit to a point that he explained the terrain and reasoning for the shot..but the angle of that arrow going in worries me if new hunters think it's a high percentage shot.
As JZ said, the angle was not correctly put in perspective and at first glance I didn't think it looked that bad. JZ has not said that I know of, but I have a feeling it has not been an easy job this year. I would say increase the pro staff or add bowhunting.com members that video their hunts to the show in the future. Make it a "video of the week" or something like that. If the advertisers need to be made happy, give the owner of the video merchandise or gift certificates to offset the right "brand" equipment that is lacking. By adding a segment like this you would have more quality videos to choose from and give a nice touch to the members. Some of the videos made by the members and that have been posted in the forum this year are very good.
Todd and Justin both have a very hard job that's for sure. I know that they are always up for any ideas or suggestions from anyone on how to make the show better and more receptive to the viewers. As far as the shot goes I am going to have to go back and watch it again. I can tell you from my experience that when the camera angle isn't over the shoulder ( as in the deer is on the camera mans side of the tree and not the hunters) the shot can look deceiving on video. 90 percent of hunters would say that I put a good shot on my deer last year and the one that I shot this year but in real life the angle you guys are seeing on the video is not the angle at witch the shot enters the deer. Bad shot happen that's part of hunting. I my self like the fact that we keep the show true to hunting. With that being said bad shots at bad angles is another story.
Or create a "shooting staff" that gives some of the smaller guys a chance to get their footage out there.
I 100% agree, it was the lack of letting the viewer know it truly was not a high percentage shot. Again if I am miss-interpretting the arrow angle into the body than I will admit such.
While I don't think the shot Josh took was by any means perfect, I think the camera does exaggerate the angle and make it appear worse than it was. Again, not condoning taking a bad shot but it's sometimes difficult to judge when all you're seeing is what the camera angle shows you. As for accepting footage from viewers, we've actually got 2 good hunts that were submitted to us we'll probably be using before the season is over. Not saying we'll make it a weekly segment, but we're certainly open to it. After all, who doesn't like seeing big bucks get shot?
I went back and watched it. I don't think that I would of took the shot. But that's my opinion I wasn't there. I hate taking steep angled shots no matter what way the deer is posed. I lost the deer of a lifetime when I was 18 because I got in a hurry and shot him strait down. I still have nightmare about it.
I have not watched the video. As long as the shooter didn't have an over confident response to a piss poor shot I have no problem with it. Nothing bugs me more than someone celebrating a gut shot animal. That being said, if I take a shot that someone doesn't like... Well, that sucks. The shot on my bull from this year is shunned by a lot of people, and nearly everyone on here. He eats good.
I thought the video was good and the response. The shooter knew he didn't get the greatest kill shot, and was lucky enough to have a follow up shot. JZ and even the shooter I believe mentioned it wasn't the greatest. Camera angle probably made it look alot worse then it really was. Main thing I care about, the animal was finished off and recovered. EVERYONE makes a mistake now and then, the mistake was pointed out. I like to see these videos in real life scenerios where the deer isn't always 30ft away with a perfect broadside kill shot presented. Also getting to see these guys make some mistakes and show some of the tips to finding your animal that you didn't slice its heart in half.
My response didn't come across that great, so my apologies. I guess what I really mean is I know I wouldn't have the confidence to take that shot, and luckily the buck didn't go far enough so he could get a good clean shot on it. Sometimes I don't word things very well....ugh
To be honest it's about the only reason I watch it anymore, because I do feel out of a lot of web shows/tv shows it does show for the most part day-to-day average guys out doing what they love. That said, the camera angle wasn't the best no, but the shot angle on impact doesn't lie. The honesty to show the hunt was great, the honesty for JZ to discuss it was great....I just wanted to let all the new or young (even seasoned guys) that isn't a high percentage shot choice and could have ended drastically differently. It's something perhaps I stress too much to others, but in my opinion it's something worth stressing. I respect the fact some people think if the deer is recovered than it ain't no thing...if non-recovery is all that dictates whether a moment is teachable or not than perhaps I do need to re-adjust my thought process. I personally instantly killed a deer by shooting directly down, severed the spine and it was over instantly...I absolutely never should have taken that shot...my arrow slides an inch left or an inch right I get one lung and possibly never recover the thing but kill it all the same...
Schuls, I think you're good brother. At least speaking for myself I know you never mean to offend with your honesty...it is what it is and I appreciated it for one.
