Who believes''pro''hunters are any better than the rest of us?

Hard question to answer, because there is no right answer. How does anyone say they are a better hunter than the next guy. My dad taught me everything I know about hunting, yet I have been blessed to kill more big bucks than he has. Am I better, no. I have more time to spend in the woods, and sometimes it is out of flat out luck. Do I think there is a big difference between TV Personalities and us weekend warriors, not really. They have the jobs we want, and get to hunt the places we don't. They still have to control their scent, sit still/quiet, and make the shot (the camera has to add pressure). I think it should be viewed more as entertainment. I don't watch them to learn, I watch them for the entertainment. Some of the new shows are ridiculous! That does that mean they are bad hunters, I don't think so, just bad actors without a good producer and equipment. Sure, we get tired of hearing about the products they used, but they are compensated for doing so. If you sold insurance for State Farm, would you not mention their name as much as you can, or would you suggest your clients use Allstate. Its business, and they help promote hunting to a generation that likes TV and Internet.

 

i don't think they are better just because they have better opportunities than most. on the other hand because they have those opportunities it does not make them bad people at all. some put on good shows and watching them as a hunter you can tell who the hunter is versus some celebrity (or wanna-be) that is just there to sell a show. i know they have to mention all of their sponsors when they get a chance because of obligations, but you find that with any show (NASCAR, NHRA, etc). again that don't make them bad, they are doing what they are getting paid to do. sure it gets annoying especially when you rather just watch the hunt itself and in those cases the mute button works good. bottom line is we are all good at what we do in some way or another. would i like to be on a show? hell yeah i would. but i am content that will never happen so i will just hunt and enjoy what i got.

 

I believe “pro” hunters are better. That is why they have a show….

I can turn left 1,000 times… But I know Nascar drivers are better than me
I can hit a 400ft homerun…. But MLB Players are better than me
I can grill a great slab of ribs… But Bobby Flay does too
I can take down big deer with a bow…. But yet I am not on the Outdoor Channel

It all comes down to consistency. Sure a big part of hunting in location. However you still have to get close to a deer. You still have to put the arrow through the boiler room. And you have to do it EVERY TIME. If you cannot consistently take big deer and RECOVER THEM then a hunting show will never work. The “Pro” hunters have a world class buck in their sights almost every week. If I was put in that situation I don’t know if I could consistently make a great shot. However they seem to do it every week.

SO are they better than us?.... Yes!!!!! That is why they are not watching you from their couch….

 

My hats off to the guys that can set up with a cameraman wait on the right deer for the right footage not having alot of time because they have to leave for another and still be successful. Yes there are good and bad in everything but some are great hunters and put alot of time and effort to get where they are.

My favorite footage that I've ever seen so far is of Dubbs, Dan, and the other guys antelope hunt. Challenging shots, challenging animal, and only 3 days that was awesome. Those are 3 great hunters and my hats off to them.

 

I don't personally watch many of the shows on TV these days. Don't have time and am usually not that entertained by them. My problem with hunting shows is that they aren't informational enough. They're nothing more than half hour infomercials for Matthews, Scent Lok, Nikon, Ford, Chevy, Chikita Banana's, etc.

As for the OP's questions about whether they are better hunters. I don't think they are any worse, at least some of them. Some of these guys earned their stripes doing the very same thing we do every year and are very good hunters.

I don't fault Waddel at all. Heck I'd be doing it too if it were me. But I'm tired of seeing freakin' Bone Collector on every damn thing I see at the stores! ;-)

About my only reservation when it comes to MOST of these TV shows is that they are always at some outfitter, etc., etc., I've heard stories of some big names essentially paying top dollar to have these outfitters not allow hunting in certain areas, or stands, etc., to other clients to "save" a particular buck for camera hunting by these big wigs. Probably happens more than we know.

For me, its more about not liking the business aspect of it, not the guys and gals that do it. Heck, if I were in their shoes, I would in a heart beat. But only if I could share a blind with Tiffany.

 

Definetly

 

I’ve been deer hunting for many years, but I still learn new things every year. i.e. Vanilla Extract as a attractant. Now, I’ve watched too many hunting shows and not once did any “PRO” tell me to use it; however, I’m convinced that it works from a member on BH.com (thanks Hoosier Daddy)
My younger brother started blowing in Duck calling contest years ago. He was picked up by Buck Gardner (the nicest guy you would ever meet FACT). My brother started calling for Buck and soon was editing all of the films for DVD. (FowlPlay) My Brother was offered numerous jobs in the waterfowl industry, but had turned them down, because he didn’t want to sacrifice family for that type of life style. He still hunts more than anyone I know and he is on the Outdoor network DU-TV almost weekly. Is he a better duck hunter then I? You bet your ace he is. The knowledge that he has picked up over years and years of studying waterfowl and hunting with some of the industry greats, is priceless. Yet he is not rich, he still holds a somewhat normal job.
On the other hand, I’ve personally hunted with some of the waterfowl “pros” and many are a complete waste of air. Some are drunks, poachers, trespassers, and the list goes on.
Perfect example; JF (not wanting to name drop) was kicked out of Canada for shooting his limit, of geese, for the day and returning later to shoot more geese just for more footage for the DVD. Same thing happened in IL this past year when he (same guy) was arrested for shooting over his limit. So are pros better, not so much, but some probably are.