Venting a little

[AKaviator]

I read a magazine article by a well known,t.v. bowhunter/super-slammer recently. In it, was a photo of him looking dejected while posing behind a brown bear that he shot with an arrow. He was mad because his guide had to make a follow-up shot with a rifle to keep the bear from escaping.

His statement in the article was that, bowhunters would rather an animal get away wounded than to have a guide shoot it. This happened in Alaska, where a guide is legally required to shoot to keep the animal from getting away.

The hunter eventually came back to Alaska and killed another bear without the guide having to shoot.

I found his statement very disturbing and extremely disrespectful towards the animal. I have watched this guy's t.v. show because I'm fairly well acquainted with a couple of guys that he profiles on the show and it's fun to see them. I won't be watching again.

I don't claim to be a bowhunter, having only taken a few deer by bow. I do know that this guy doesn't speak for me.

What's your thoughts?

 

[mntnguide]

Thats absolutely ridiculous. As hunters the most important thing should revolve around a quick efficient harvest..not if you can enter it into the record book or not. . As im assuming thats why he was mad, because i dont believe P&Y would accept it if a rifle was involved. . nonetheless, coming from a guide perspective as well, having a client take that type of an animal with a bow, then get mad because the guide possible protected their lives by using his guide gun....well, I wouldnt want to take that client hunting ever again with me if thats how they view the hunt

 

[AKaviator]

I have to agree. Also, I don't really relish hiking/hunting in an area that some brown bear is running around after being wounded by an arrow. I'm already low on the food chain and getting even lower as the years go by!

 

[NE69]

Evidently he hunts for the wrong reasons. Once an animal is wounded, the guide did exactly what he should have. I seldom watch a hunting show as most seem more about the host and not the animal. Thanks AK

 

[sneakypete]

AK, thank you for the posting, and mntnguide a 2nd for your thoughts! I'm sure we all want to take great animals, but I'm also sure we hear this person took a 370+ bull elk and this guy took a 200"+ mule deer or any other trophy species. It seems that we've lost the aspect of the hunt,appreciateing the animal that we took not matter the size. In this case the guide did the right thing for the animal and the safety of his hunter and himself.
It seems some of these tv outdoor personalities are losing there perspective on doing the right thing. Enough said!

 

[CoHiCntry]

I agree with all the above posts. Unfortunately in today's ultra competitive world this stuff comes up more and more. This is the ugly side of trophy hunting and bowhunting in particular. Seems it's more & more about the hunter and "their" accomplishments and less and less about the animals they pursue.

 

[Finsandtines]

X2 for all above, I believe he is in it for the wrong reasons. I for one will say I was ecstatic last week taking my first doe with a muzzleloader, even though it was not a huge buck I was after. I also know he is not speaking for me, any kill with a bow or any weapon should be appreciated and respected, regardless of the situation, if not, stay home and sell all your hunting equipment, and take up another hobby!

 

[go_deep]

I don't know who said this, but huh?
You'd rather an animal get away wounded, and possibly die a miserable death, than follow it up with a finishing shot?
Sounds like a D bag to me.
Just keeps reiterating to me why I gave up watching TV hunting shows years ago, there are a few good ones, but most have the mindset of the person in this story. Bragging rights is what most of them are out for.

 

[sheephunter]

I often wonder how advertisers/sponsors of shows like this would respond if they hear the feedback we are giving here; I'm like Finsandtines above in that I'm happy as a clam (if clams can be happy) with the cow elk I bagged last month and packed out all by myself.

 

[AKaviator]

I will say that this guy does not taint my opinion of most bowhunters that I know. I really admire the ones that do it right. Most are far better hunters than I am!

 

[Alabama]

I didn't see the show but it's pretty easy to figure out who you're talking about. He is a tireless self promoter and is full of himself. He is one of the worst in all of hunting in my opinion and this doesn't surprise me. If you get in the record books by hunting hard, having a passion for the outdoors and a love for the animals you hunt then you deserve it. If your priority is accolades, awards and your name in the books then you have no place among real hunters who do it because they love it or to provide meat for their families.

 

[laxwyo]

Most of these shows are more concerned about getting a kill on camera before they're off to the next state. It's sad. They end up shooting something they're clearly not happy with just for the sake of filling their episodes. I'm with go_deep and haven't watched many hunting shows over the last few years. Props to Eastmans though for always keeping it classy.

 

[Musket Man]

I cant believe anyone would write something like that in a magazine. Im not a bow hunter but bow, rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, it doesnt matter. The main thing is to finish the animal off as quickly as possible. I might be a bit unhappy with myself for not making a better shot in that situation but I sure wouldnt blame anyone else for it.

 

[hoshour]

What a jerk this guy must be.

When you lose respect for the animal you have lost the essence of hunting. You can't love what you don't respect. And if you don't respect the animals we all spend time with, stay out of the woods!

Don't tell me you love hunting bear, or whatever animal, and then show that you don't respect the animal by wishing its harm to feed your ego. You just love yourself or want others to.

This guy needs to take a break from hunting, especially TV hunting, until he gets his head screwed on straight. It won't happen though, because he has to have trophy kills for his show schedule. If I was his sponsor and got wind of this, I would give him that break by telling him to take a hike.

 

[marcusvdk]

I have seen the episode on his show were he talks about this and the disappointment of the guide shooting the bear. Then it jumps to him going on the same hunt a few years later to be successful with the bow. I dont watch his show any more after that and lost respect for him

 

[Matthoek21]

I agree. Smh.

 

[buckbull]

I didn't see the show but it's pretty easy to figure out who you're talking about. He is a tireless self promoter and is full of himself.

I guess I'm not informed because I have no idea who you guys are talking about. Is there a reason why his name cannot be mentioned?

 

[THelms]

He who shall not be named... Lord Voldemort. :cool

 

[Alabama]

I guess I'm not informed because I have no idea who you guys are talking about. Is there a reason why his name cannot be mentioned?

Tom Miranda.

 

[Alabama]

It's great to have goals and I definitely do but this guy hunts only for bragging rights and money basically. Maybe my opinion is a bit strong about him but after watching his shows a few times I was very turned off.

Randy Newberg is a real-deal hunter. Anybody watch his mobility-impaired antelope hunt in NM with his buddy? You could tell he wanted his friend to be successful as much if not more than when he is hunting. Much respect.