"Is Eastman's that influential?" I think that's a valid question and the answer to it is you bet your ass it is! IF!!! If, we are talking western bowhunting, then absolutely! EBJ is the only western bowhunting publication and as such has an enormous impact on the bowhunting industry through both companies and state game agencies.
It can be difficult to see this from a close proximity to the Mason Dixon or east of the Big Muddy. I grew up in Michigan and have family in Iowa and for all but those dialed into the western big game scene Eastmans' tends to be a tad obscure but it pays to remember or learn the history of the company & family.
Gordon Eastman (grandfather to Guy & Ike) was a pioneer in the wildlife filming industry, contracted by Disney to provide wildlife footage and the Canadian government to promote B.C. and the hunting opportunities it offered sportsmen. This was all in the middle part of the 20th Century but Gordon was a household name because of his work in wildlife cinematography. Then came Mike Eastman and his vision that produced Eastmans' Hunting Journals & Bowhunting Journals. A solid argument can be made that if not for Mike the world of western big game hunting would not be what it is today, as his pioneer spirit and grit opened paths that so many others have followed, including the bowhunting industry. Guy & Ike have grown Mike's company into a highly influential entity that places the highest emphasis on Fair Chase and Integrity in hunting.
I was a fan of Eastmans' when I was a kid, growing up watching Gordon's videos and Mike on TV and video. I read as many of Mike's books as I could get my grubby northwoods hands on and began subscribing to the Journals in my twenties. All that time I lived and hunted in Michigan, far from the open plains and towering mountains of the West but EBJ lit a fire to bow hunt elk in me and was a major influence in my moving to Wyoming a decade ago. Since then I've been blessed to become a part of the company I've admired for so many years and have seen just how influential Eastmans' truly is.
As for "wading into that argument" I agree, there are some hills that aren't worth dying on but the crossbow argument is one that begs discussion for the simple reason that western states need to decide where to draw the line on what is a legal weapon for archery only seasons & tags... should a shoulder fired weapon that takes little skill to master and can be shot accurately out to 100 yards be considered a legal weapon for these seasons & tags which most of the time occur when big game animals are at a highly vulnerable state (the rut or on summer range)?
If Eastmans' and for that matter it's competitors, and fellow hunters don't ask these questions or open these topics for discussion then who will? I for one would rather we have these conversations as hunters and come up with our own solutions to propose to state agencies than have statutes rammed down my throat without the process of civil discourse to guide policy and law making efforts.
This is one of the reasons I love this forum, same as you LCH, because of the discussion here. Let's keep it rolling as I believe discussion is a key component to understanding and growth.
), but at least make your voice known.
