I skimmed through the video. I like that he thought it was a B&C buck. Not likely, not to mention the footage they did show of him on the hoof makes me think it's a 3.5 year old buck. With or without the camera(clearly) this guy's taking his shots without regard for hunting ethics. Personally, I would think the camera would keep a person even more honest. I mean, everyone's going to see the bad shot if you get it on film, there's no way to really polish that turd. I certainly wouldn't want to put out a video that shows me making stupid, unethical shots.
The best way to handle bad hunting shows is to just not watch them. I can't even remember the last time I watched a bowhunting show as they just don't seem to do anything for me. I do occasionally like to watch Jim Shockey on his Yukon adventures though. To each their own I guess.
I do watch Bill Winkie, even though sometimes i question his shots, I think his show is very informative. I also watch Major League Bowhunter, I like the thought process of their show. And I also watch Bowhunter TV. None of them with regularity and I can't relate to the type of hunting 99% of the TV shows have. I just don't have the same type of terrain and dynamics as they do, but it is a way to be connected to bowhunting.
Justin the moment you decide to video you do open yourself up to judgement, it is a choice that you make. In a way you give up hunting for yourself and the innocence of that. I do think the hypercritical component is because the video hunting industry is all about exploiting opportunities for promotion or notoriety, and there are some who would shove their own mother out of a stand if there was the chance to shoot a huge buck.
There's also something to be said for experience and skill. A professional hunter with decades of experience knows where he/she can fudge on shots and still pull off an "ethical" harvest. A questionable shot will always be a questionable shot but some can pull them off regularly with success because of their knowledge of both their skill level and their knowledge of angles and vitals, etc... To the inexperienced viewer though, these types of situations....while fine for the PH, give a false impression to the noob viewer and that is not a good impression to leave out there. So, the overall best advice is even for PH's to not do that sort of thing on camera and to be mindful of the impressions they may be creating.
Justin, the point I believe is this. If you're a so-called professional hunter who does this thing for a living, such as the shows I watched last night for example; wouldn't you think that these folks should be held to a higher standard by the hunting community? Wouldn't you think that these folks, knowing the less than experienced or less educated about shot placement are watching their show, would make sure that shots like what I witnessed last night don't happen? I liken these celebrity hunters to professional athletes in that they should be role models and set an example. Of course we all should be role models to the younger generation of hunters and those just getting into the sport, etc. But these guys are on TV, they're being watched by many. And we're not talking about a bunch of guys filming their hunts as they learn what not to do, etc. I don't know. I think if I was on film for every deer I shot, I'd make damn good and sure the shots I take are far better than the three quartering to shots I saw last night... I will be the first to admit to the world that I have taken bad shots at animals in the past. I can honestly say I have not done so in the last 10 or so years. I have made poor shots, but not poor decisions about when to shoot.
One reason to watch B.H.O.D. is when they make a bad shot they fess up. It is why I watch it I think the hunters on there have good ethics.
If I could double like this post I could, there is a higher standard anytime you seek to benefit more than filling the tag.
I don't disagree with your post at all. In fact I believe what you said is 100% accurate. As someone who films hunts and puts them out there for the world to see I certainly don't enjoy dealing with the blowback that comes from making a poor decision. Although I have a feeling I'm going to catch some heat both this week and next week. The only point to the first paragraph of my last post is that we have a lot of "holier than thou" types roaming the world these days. Many folks are quick to criticize others when they're often guilty of the same offenses - whether they be in our hunting lives or otherwise. The Internet just gives them a larger audience to listen to their judgements. That's all. Taking a bad shot is taking a bad shot any way you slice it.
This is why we all should just watch BHOD!! Its the only hunting show I watch and I never get aggrevated about guys on shows, sometimes I do when a few guys act like idiots on youtube while doing a review or something (Like the Mathews Creed XS review by LAOutdoors)
Justin, so true my friend. And I want to rephrase my last statement. I will make a bad choice some day. I will get caught up in the moment and eventually make a stupid decision on a shot. I think all of us will at some point. We're human. I won't do those things out of ignorance or greed to make sure I kill that deer or preserve an some sort of ego. I'll just simply screw up. And Justin, big difference with you guys on BHOD... I'm quite sure you'll own up to it if you do make a bad choice. Not..."smoked him!". Thats the big thing that gets me with the shows like I watched last night. Not a single one of them admitted or mentioned anything about the shot angle and how it probably isn't the best thing to do in that situation.
I think muzzyman said it correctly. poor shots are much different than poor decisions on shot placement. did anyone besides myself notice the weeds piled up in front of that deers neck in the final interview. and yes that might be the worlds smallest booner. but he was caught up in the moment so I won't critique him for saying it. I found when I videoed there was less flack when I didn't try to hide anything. like the weeds in front of the neck. don't try to hide where you hit the deer. a truthful video is a great video to me. keep it as authentic as possible.
What I have noticed is guys taking "bad" shots just to get it on film, they seem more concerned with filming the animal and letting the audience see the deer for a few good moments and then shoot.
We're all going to make a poor decision. We're human. Heck I know that eventually, I will make a poor choice on a buck, getting caught up in the moment, etc. It will not be out of ignorance, greed, or just HAVING to shoot that buck at all costs. Like I stated before, my biggest issue and concern is the message these so called pro's are sending to the noobs and the weekend warriors who don't hunt much. If you make a bad choice, own up to it. Make sure the viewers understand that its definitely not the best shot to take, etc. I'm actually proud of myself this year. The buck I drew on in MO, I kept my head together and chose to not shoot because he was quartering to me at almost a 45 degree angle. He was jumpy to begin with for some reason and nothing about the whole thing felt right. I honestly don't know if I would have done something like that 10 years ago.
The last few posts have really summed it up for me as well. The problem comes when the 'pro-hunter' doesn't own up to a mistake, like most of use would, OR they keep justifying their actions as being acceptable. The original video the hunter kept saying he took the neck shot because he wanted to, no mistake there. That to me is someone I have no respect for and hopefully in his endeavors of showing his video in an attempt to get sponsors, etc. that the potential sponsors see him for what he really is.
I'm a new bow hunter and I've been watching a lot of videos to learn what I can. I have seen so many unethical shots taken, it's disappointing to say the least. My thought is that part of the stalk is to put yourself in the perfect position, or wait for the animal to present itself in the right position. I recently watched a video where some folks spent 5 years tracking a bull elk, collecting his sheds and thoroughly learning his habits. Long story short the hunter took the shot when the elk was bedded down with twigs/branches in the way. The arrow was deflected high and definitely injured the elk but it was not recovered. They spent 5 years on the animal only to take a terrible shot.
