I'm sure more of this stuff goes on than what we hear or realize. Unfortunately the almighty dollar causes us to do crazy things that we shouldn't. This is the kind of stuff that we don't need in the hunting community right now. Thanks for posting.
I believe the troopers want to take all equipment that was used and fine them. That would airplanes, rafts, guns, tents and whatever else you can think of. That could be close to $200,000 ... OUCH !
Plus if they are so wealthy why didn't they hire a guide and do it legit ? Maybe it was thrill of trying to get away with it ?
One other nice thing is that Alaska is in the Wildlife Violator Compact. If their hunting licenses get revoked up here, they are revoked in most other states as well. If they are convicted, I say good riddance!
I think IKeepItCold is right on. The individuals involved do not represent our community well. In fact, wealthy trophy hunters willing to try and slide around laws seem to be causing quite a bit of hostile sentiment toward hunters lately. It might be in the best interest of fair-chase hunters to create distance from individuals that profit from disregarding important wildlife laws, no matter how trivial they may seem. The laws are in place to provide a resource to law-abiding sportsmen for years to come. The "Syndicate" (awful name) hosts may walk away with a slap on the wrist, but we as a hunting community also have a lot of power to show our contempt for behavior like these individuals have engaged in. Simply refusing to watch their program is a start, although sending an email to the network may be a more potent measure. I watched a couple episodes of "Syndicate" on the carbon TV app. I could be pretty ruthless with a review of the show, but that can be a bit counter-productive. Sufficed to say, these guys do not represent the community of hunters I am proud to be an advocate for. Best of luck this fall guys. Enjoy one of our greatest freedoms and keep it safe for our future hunters.
I think IKeepItCold is right on. The individuals involved do not represent our community well. In fact, wealthy trophy hunters willing to try and slide around laws seem to be causing quite a bit of hostile sentiment toward hunters lately. It might be in the best interest of fair-chase hunters to create distance from individuals that profit from disregarding important wildlife laws, no matter how trivial they may seem. The laws are in place to provide a resource to law-abiding sportsmen for years to come. The "Syndicate" (awful name) hosts may walk away with a slap on the wrist, but we as a hunting community also have a lot of power to show our contempt for behavior like these individuals have engaged in. Simply refusing to watch their program is a start, although sending an email to the network may be a more potent measure. I watched a couple episodes of "Syndicate" on the carbon TV app. I could be pretty ruthless with a review of the show, but that can be a bit counter-productive. Sufficed to say, these guys do not represent the community of hunters I am proud to be an advocate for. Best of luck this fall guys. Enjoy one of our greatest freedoms and keep it safe for our future hunters.
Not surprised, easteners with little public land come out west, incuding Alaska, and shoot shit up and make money and film it and enjoy the plentiful public land and abuse it and yet we have born and raised western politicians that can't wait to give away public lands to those weathy bastards. I know is am rambling.
Those guys filmed hunts in multiple western states. Those state F&G guys may want to do some checking too. If they're bold enough to do this and air it on tv in one state, I can't imagine there's not another state or more that they didn't do the same.
Please don't lump all "easterners" into the same category. I love my western hunts and have been taught from an early age to respect the land, the animals, and the landowners. My late grandfather started hunting in Wyoming since the 50's and my family has ever since. I spend weeks looking at maps/Google earth and calling local wardens to avoid trespassing and stay on public lands. and we always try to leave the land the same as when we came when camping. So not all easterners are bad.
My fear is that if the sell off of some public lands occur down the road.....how will I be able to pass my love of the western outdoors to my son? I am not a wealthy man and I fear our sport is headed to a "wealthy mans only" sport. Scary to think about.
I remember a year or 2 ago, a host/producer of a hunting tv show was cited in Alaska & California for breaking their laws concerning hunting. This unnamed personality also is a big supporter of the NRA. I think some of them will take liberties with local laws so that their shows will come out the way they want them to, regardless of what really happens. We see it all the time when pictures are "photo shopped" and don't truly show what the original picture represented. There is too much money at stake from the various show sponsors and ratings.
It's getting harder and harder to watch these hunting shows and feel that everything was fair chase and legal. Do not get me wrong I watch a lot of the shows and there are some good ones with good hunts and information but I see some I have to wonder about !
It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to inform all of you of the unfortunate actions allegedly taken by former associates of Syndicate Hunting. The alleged actions taken by the two individuals is not a practice of or reflect the professionalism and respect we all have for the integrity of game hunting.
Upon being informed by the authorities of charges against Mr. Clark Dixon and Mr. Lance Walker they were terminated immediately by Syndicate Hunting. Mr. Dixon and Mr. Walker solely conducted their activities without the knowledge of Syndicate Hunting and no other representatives of Syndicate Hunting were present during their actions. Syndicate Hunting nor the Managing Members of Syndicate hunting have not been charged with any illegal activities.
The Managing team of Syndicate Hunting were assured that all permits, including film permits were in order. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The Management team of Syndicate Hunting accepts full responsibility for not confirming that all permits were issued.
We at Syndicate Hunting have the highest regard, support and respect for the outdoors and laws and regulations for all game hunting and fishing. This is how we were raised and this is how we are raising our children. This is our way of life.
Syndicate Hunting Management sincerely apologizes to our sponsors, fans, friends and families for this unfortunate situation. We appreciate your understanding and are working diligently to make sure this does not happen again. We ask that you stick with us and remain committed to the values, ethics and honesty that Syndicate Hunting represents.
Sincerely,
Michael Dianda
Managing Director, Syndicate Hunting
Looks like the Sportsman Channel dumped them according to their facebook page. Hopefully these poachers can enjoy reruns from a federal prison.
Dropped from CarbonTv as well. Good riddance.
September 15, 2015 5:30pm PST
Contact: Julie Dianda [email protected]
Official Statement From Syndicate Hunting
It is unfortunate that the Sportsman Channel has determined that at this time they must remove Syndicate Hunting from their programming line-up, while disheartened we respect their decision to do so.
It is also very important that our fans, supporters, hunting family and the Sportsman Channel clearly understand that once Syndicate Hunting was made aware of of the investigation into the alleged illegal hunting, ethics and methods violations of Clark Dixon and Lance Walker we immediately terminated our relationship with them. Since that time, Syndicate Hunting has cooperated completely and willfully with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Attorney’s office, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the National Park Service in their investigation and will continue to do so.
Some media outlets have reported that Syndicate Hunting was also charged following the poaching investigation. This is inaccurate. Neither Syndicate Hunting, or Mike Dianda were charged with poaching violations or crimes. Syndicate Hunting was cited for “filming and airing footage without obtaining” the proper permit.
Syndicate Hunting is committed to the practice, demonstration and education of ethical and lawful hunting and hunting related activities, all while maintaining our tremendous respect for the natural resource that is our wildlife, our lands and our habitat.
Trying to cover their tails... Whether they had knowledge or not of the violations I believe they had a responsibility to know that what they produced and aired was legal activities. I believe coming down hard on them would be the best course of action. At the very least that should get the attention of others in the industry.
I have to say I've seen some "fishy" stuff happen in their last episode that I saw where they where hunting close to Reno on a archery deer hunt.
These guys are big money and buy their hunts. For me I don't really care for the show but I watched because they are locals and I like to see the areas they hunt in Nv.
Please don't lump all "easterners" into the same category. I love my western hunts and have been taught from an early age to respect the land, the animals, and the landowners. My late grandfather started hunting in Wyoming since the 50's and my family has ever since. I spend weeks looking at maps/Google earth and calling local wardens to avoid trespassing and stay on public lands. and we always try to leave the land the same as when we came when camping. So not all easterners are bad.
My fear is that if the sell off of some public lands occur down the road.....how will I be able to pass my love of the western outdoors to my son? I am not a wealthy man and I fear our sport is headed to a "wealthy mans only" sport. Scary to think about.
X2^, while I may not be a "westerner" I still respect lands and laws in the "east" and those of 2 states I have hunted out west and have for 30 years. I don't think law abiding hunters that do things the right way should be stereotyped for where they reside.
So much of hunting shows now days are about as real as other mainstream "reality" TV shows. The hunts are conducted on huge managed farms, not high fenced, but they do not represent what 90% of hunters have access to. Look at the old monster bucks videos, starting at about volume IV or V, those are hunts where they go with an outfitter who has a buck patterned to a T, stand hung, and the hunter (Jordan, Blanton, Waddell) climbs up and shoots the buck. Not much "hunting" in those instances for the shooter. This has created such a misconception for modern hunters, that every hunt is for a P&Y or bigger animal and getting the hero shot at all costs is the goal. Admittedly, a taping of a weekend at deer camp with family and killing a fork and a couple does is not going to draw any viewers, so the consumers are really our own worst enemies.
I was just reading about this guy Spook Spann and the 200" buck he killed in KS on landowner tag (land you own or lease). This guy has been around and is an avid hunter, he knew darn well that wasn't a legal tag for that situation but to kill that monster I'm sure he thought the risk was worth it. It's like other athletes and celebrities that just want to say in the limelight. This stuff is going on left and right in the industry. Look at Jeff Foiles in water fowling, same stuff, poaching, over limits, parking.
