Just checking to see if I'm the only one who thinks my hunt is very personal and would not even think about putting it on video for everyone to see. No....not for money or goods either!
My hunting is a very personal event, shared only with those very close to me. To me it is something to be held in reverence, especially the taking of an animal; and for me, that means no play by play, other than at the campfire or when I tell my wife when I get home. It's not that I don't have an ego, my big mouth can disprove that in a hurry; perhaps it was my exposure to the sport many years ago and the guys who were my mentors. I just know it's supremely personal to me and I'm not up to sharing it on the tele 8^).
Now I have heard lots of stories from the video folks, so don't think I'm a hunting video hater. If that's what makes you happy...so be it. I'm just wondering if there are any more of me out there, or if I'll take it to the grave by myself 8^).
I'm with ya. I just find em "cheesy" for lack of a better word. Just give me pics to help keep the memories fresh
but I do enjoy watching others' :D
Speaking solely for myself, never have and never will video tape a hunt. I don't consider hunting to be a spectator sport and I want memories of the hunt, not a record to review...
I don't know.There have been times that the hunt was so unique and special that words couldnt do it justice.I also would like My little Girl to have access to those special moments after I'm dead and gone.I think it's somthing that should certainly be treated with respect.But to say there is somthing moraly wrong or injustice to it I would disagree.It's like most things It's a very personal option and I would certainly respect both opinions.
I started taking the video camera along as a means of enterainment and remembering hunts for myself. I also share with my family though they don't have much interest. After a few years of waiting for bigger bucks it was a way to "catch and release" my game. I try to set it up for use on the shot but when the big guy I decide I want is NOT in the right area for the camera, the camera is low priority!. I have shots on audio while the camera points at the ground with no deer in the picture!
Like anything else it can be done good or bad. I hate the shows where everyone is jumping around all pumped up for the camera. Reminds me of the fishing shows.. its a horse!!!
hill boy, "But to say there is somthing moraly wrong or injustice to it I would disagree."
I would agree with that also, but no one here said that 8^).
Well I enjoyed Danny Gabbard's Kansas turkey hunt he posted here. It was, in my opinion, tasteful and he obviously has an ability to be on-air and not be a bafoon. I think he shot a good video, especially being alone and showed respect to his audience and the quarry. Just an example and there are probably others too.
I, on the other hand, would not make for a very engaging host. Recognizing this fact and that no one wants to see footage of me sleeping and scratching is one of my strong points. Don't be expecting reel to reel highlights from me any time soon. I guess I'm a hypocrit. It's good for them but not for me.
George, I guess I felt that you were implying that.I'm sorry! I am certainly not trying to put words in anyone's mouth.To hold somthing (in reverance) I guess misunderstood.Sorry!
I have no problem with someone doing their own hunts to have a lasting memory for themselves and friends/family. Truth is memories fade. Heck, I can't remember what I had for breakfast half the time. Where I have a problem with videoed hunts is when they are done in poor taste or are obviously heavily edited to try and put a good face on a bad situation/decision. My other turn off is when the hunt is obviously being used as a marketing tool. I have people trying to sell me stuff all day. I don't need it in my recreation time.
George,
I have to agree with you. I would not be interested in videoing one of my hunts and definitely would not throw it out for public consumption. But then, that's just me.
cheers,
Steve
I intend to start videoing my hunts, but I have no urge to post or play them for others.
They are just another way for me to relive time in the woods when I am stuck at the house.
Heck, it ain't nothing but a moving photograph. It's the use you put it to that determines good or bad.
I have video taped my own hunts, and my wife has enjoyed the area that I've gone to, and she was allowed to see where she probably would not go. Deep into the swamp, 4 mi. into a hunting area that other people won't go, it allows them to see where I have been.
As for posting them on here, it would only be a bragging flag for some. But I can see the difference, when it comes to dangerous wild game. Not many people are able to do that in comparison to those that do.
But I don't see anything personal about it, well, so personal that you can share with others of your family. A big part of your personalities like hunting, you stick a lot of time into your hunts, and that's a part of you, I can understand sharing it with family,
But a lot of the so-called " true chase " are exactly not that ! I've seen too many dubbed up videos of so-called actual hunts.
It's funny how sometimes we will split hairs, and then, not remember why it was so important.
Pastor Carl
what happens in the woods should stay in the woods.
We (my family & I) have videoed a few times, but share them just with the family. And we don't do "play by play", just note where we are and who is along for the day.
You're right, it is a personal thing and not something I'd probably share with the world. It is, however, a lasting memory and as Hill Boy said, it is something for my children to watch long after I'm gone, hopefully with an appreciation for the animal and all things natural!
I have brought a video camera along on all of my solo hunts. The extra effort was well worth it to me to be able to share my experiences with friends and family for years to come.
On the other hand, someone could say, "Yes it was worth it to you because you took some of your footage and made a movie that you sold." They would be correct, but in response I could offer the following testimony that I just received today.
"Mike, thank you for making "Primal Dreams". I watched your dvd this weekend with my wife L.... Your dvd is great. My 2 sons were busy running in and out, but they would stop each time through the living room and ask, "what's that?" or "wow" or "who is that guy?" or "Dad, where is that location?" I ended up watching it a second time. Mike, as you know you did a great job. I was carrying around a small picture of my brother and I from 1970, we were holding up our 1st rabbit. I was 10 and he was older. He is holding the rabbit and I am holding the one bb gun. I remember my mom cooking it for us. After I watched your dvd I went to Walgreens and had a 8 X10 made up and framed of our first rabbit picture. It's hanging by the fishing pictures of my sons and my wife with their fish. Thanks for bringing this beauty to us and helping us think of our memories of the outdoors. We bought a big camera 25 years ago with a zoom lens. The pictures have been scanned into the our computer. The pheasants in the snow storm, the lighthouses, the fishing pictures and the thousand other pictures and memories flooded back by watching your neat dvd. A thousand pictures of climbing the rocks at Baraboo, Wisconsin and pictures of our many campsites along with a long walks and rides on our bikes have been scanned in. Once again I thank you. My thoughts are positive and I can't wait to get out and enjoy the outdoors. After watching your dvd I also sanded down a great walking stick. I hope this" thank you" is appropriate.
Thank you
Rich P....."
So, I definitely do see both sides of it and respect others opinions. Videos can be used in a positive way and inspire other to do great things.
Mike
I never have thought of hunting as a sport,its more of a scared act (to me). I agree if someone wants to video there hunt thats fine. If it weren't for marketing the T.V. shows and most videos would not be out there.
I have my own video that plays in my mind, there are very few I do not remember as if it where yesterday even my first deer so many years ago.
Primal Dreams compared to the average hunting video, is like comparing the Encyclopedia Brittanica to a comic book Mike 8^). I consider that video as one to be shown in schools....not for the entertainment of fools.
I take my video camera here & there to film my hunts.... I wouldn't mind to have others seeing it. I guess it comes down to how You want to remember any hunt....
George, is the act of videoing a hunt and sharing that video what turns you off or is it that you associate videos with commercial versions that you find distasteful and that association turns you off? I think videos can be used in any number of positive ways: a tool to review how well hit the animal really was, an educational tool, a memory keepsake, a poetic/artistic expression. It can be negative as well, it all depends on what you intend to do with it and how skilled you are in doing that. I have videoed hunts with my friends and I enjoy watching them every now and then. I don't think I have the skills necessary to convey what I want with the camera, my efforts are pure home movie quality but I've seen some nice jobs done on here. I don't see anything more wrong with sharing them than I would a home video of my family traveling, if I thought anyone would be interested. Personally, from a solo hunting perspective I feel it's too much trouble to try to set up and run by myself but there's times I would have loved to have video to see what I did wrong or see "the one that got away."
On another note, I would feel that your poems you post are of a much more personal nature than a video, but you enjoy posting those don't you? Maybe you're letting the negative actions of others dictate what you allow yourself to enjoy? Just a thought.
George your comic book comparison is right on the money! :thumbsup:
I wouldn't.....
When I hunt,I like to travel light. Most times I carry only my bow,arrows and a knife. I rarely if ever carry a camera of any kind.
It would be a shame to have a record of truth that might contradict a story that gets better with age! :D
I've never videoed a kill, but I did take video of a number of fox and deer I saw from my stand this year. Fact is, a couple of yearling bucks might not have made it through the season if my hands hadn't been occupied by a camera!
Interesting question, and one that had me tempted to make a reflex post in response. But this is a multifaceted question, and not nearly as simple as it sounds at first. I'm gonna have to think about this one for a bit.
Chuck, that was an insight that I was starting to get a glimpse of, then all of a sudden there you were putting it to words.
My gut reaction was that I would not do it. There is a fuzzy line, hard to see, between preserving (sacred, to me) memories and a snuff film. Those are the two extremes, and there is a very wide, blurry no-man's-land in between 'em. One man's sacred is not another's, and there are as many attitudes toward hunting, held by hunters, as there are hunters.
I had to ask myself, what is the difference between filming the encounter and the resulting actions, and the posing of a dead creature to get its good side in your hero pic? One is in motion, and one is a still photo. The key, I think, is in the motivation behind those two.
I have filmed (handheld and poorly) places where I have sat with a bow or gun, or where I just happened to be on a glorious spring morning. I especially like to capture the background noises of water, critters, wind, leaves and nuts falling. I have a small point-and-shoot Canon with limited video capability. Not the kind of thing to set on a tripod and video a hunt with. I think I'll keep it that way.
This is the start of my thinking about this. I liked Primal Dreams, though I didn't listen to the talking, and another video that I watched with Mockingbird over the weekend, Traditional Harvests. But I don't have the urge to watch more of them. I guess I feel that the kill is to be private, and not for entertainment.
Buckmasters makes me harf. I just can't relate to any of it. Don't want to. Some folks might, and it will comfort them that these are just the ramblings of an old lady.
Killdeer :campfire:
I am not against videoing, but I am not really keen on giving up my hunt so that it CAN be video'd. I kinda like doing it alone, or with my one or two best bud's.
I am thinking that I have enough of a hassle getting close, much less with a second person hanging around.
ChuckC
I think it is fine to film your own hunts and show them to friends and even post them on here. Do I do it? No but would like too a time or two. I have people always asking to see even photos of stuff I have killed and I have very few. I have never been one to really care or worry about making records of any kind of my hunts, but also believe it is a personal thing and for guys that do it, more power to them. I am talking of personal stuff not the garbage ya see on DVD and TV. Shawn
hunting, to me, is not a spectator sport and I would not video the taking of an animal.
Cary
I agree. I have no interest in filming my hunts.
Dan
Talondale, I have no supressed emotions that I'm trying to protect, or anything of an ethereal nature. My question was a simple one without want of change in my belief. Read that.."for me."
Sometimes we forget what the original question was, or didn't understand it the way it was meant. I love the old Bear Videos. I really like Primal Dreams....I did not say I dislike videos, and even mentioned that in my original post; please review. The original question is this: "Is there anyone else who would not video their hunt?" Please don't read anything more into that.
I personally wouldn't do it for my own reasons. Perhaps it's my reverence for the hunt itself as a personal event. Perhaps...well, I did already state these things.
I have found from some of you that I am not alone in this, and that makes me feel better. Not that I needed confirmation 8^). Thanks to all who answered my question.
Interesting topic. I once filmed a whole hunting season. It was almost all gun hunting. I did not film any kills, but I did film scouting, stand placement, things I saw from the stand, and post-kill recovery, commentary. It was a lot of fun and I have shared that video with friends who seem to enjoy it. It is fun to watch it and remember the season.
I haven't done it since because it is frankly a pain to tote the camera around. I have been thinking about doing it again though as a way to document the hunting that I am doing with my dad and my son. I am not sure that I would film the kill shots, but I don't know that I wouldshy away from it either.
I found the Fred Bear reference interesting. While Fred's videos were extremely well done. they were definately designed to market and sell bear bows.
Like most of you, I hate the grandstanding and hooping/hollering that accompany most hunting videos on the market. In my opinion, virtually every video maker in the business today made more enjoyable videos when they were just getting started and hunting in their neighboring woodlots.
I wouldn't. I really dislike hunting shows; don't like the commercialism of hunting in general. Seems like people are very eager to jump on the bandwagon with this. Don't mean to imply that everyone videos hoping to profit from it. If you like to do it, no worries. Everyone has his or her own feelings about this, but I think photos are the way to preserve those memories. Paul.
I confess that I am all over the place on this one. I certainly think that you have a valid opinion George and one that I have at least partly shared. However, my friend Allen shot some AMAZING footage of a cub scampering up the tree he had his pack in with the critter actually peeking in it(!!!) and I feel a loss just at the thought of not being able to share in that! I was also able to do a frame by frame view of my friend's missed shot (self recorded) and enjoy some sweet "private" moments of a successful hunt another friend recorded for him from the stand above him.
I would have LOVED to have my last bear hunt on film (all of the above from "Quebec Quest I") maybe to show that I did not exaggerate by one iota! :D Of course if I saw that one maybe I wouldn't be going this year!! :biglaugh: (As Uncle Barry wrote: "the pucker factor on this last trip for some of us was huge!"). So, I'm still not filming mine and partly for the reasons you talk about but I support at least as much my friends who do! I use to think I was indecisive but now I'm not sure! :jumper:
My bowhunting is too personal. That being said I would have no issue with someone wanting to video our pheasant hunts over dogs.
John III
To each his own and video is just another tool to pass on the tradition. So in that case I would never video. Is this a better answer to the question?
A special thanks to those who read the question 8^).
i will NOT video a kill on a hunt as it is also personal to me and it is just something i do not feel honors the game i hunt, i do not wish to show the taking of life. with that being said i do video and take a kazillion pictures of my hunts and my favorite areas that i hunt, i enjoy looking back through them.
I understand how you feel George. One's actual time afield is personal. However, I don't see any difference between sharing those adventures with folks through film and doing it verbally around a campfire, passing around snapshots, passing on the story in print, or displaying dead heads on a wall. Film/video much better preserves all aspects of the entire hunt.
Wife and I have been filming since before we were married and have thousands of feet of footage from 8mm film through analog video to present day digital, and it's priceless to us now. Better reminder of those experiences than looking at static pictures in an album or dead heads hanging on a wall. Even the grandkids enjoy watching those films.
The overly commercialized and most often phoney videos making up the majority of hunting videos being produced for profit only today is another matter.
Our elk hunting group started taking a vid cam with us about 4 years ago. Our original intent was to try for some hunting footage but everytime things got interesting we forgot about the camera and then remembered it long after everything was done.
However, after we remembered the camera we would pull it out and video the participants as they told us all the details just like sitting around the camp fire at night but with all the emotions and euphoria of the moment. This turned out to be a great way to remember the hunts.
Over the years you pop in one of the dvd's and here your hunting pals talking about the one that got away as they are still shaking from the experience.
We also record the evenings tales to get the groups reaction to the days stories. This has turned out to be our way of saving the hunts.
Brent
George: I'm another who would not video my hunt. I suppose camp, wildlife and scenery pix would be OK. I take still pix of those things, but I would not video killing an animal.
just because you video it - does that mean its going to be shown to a wide audience? Never thought of it that way.
Personally, I love watching good hunting videos. They give me an opportunity to visually experience a hunt I otherwise may never have a chance to see. I'll likely never head afield for muskox, sheep, large bears or buffalo. But with a good DVD, I can at least get a taste of the action. For me, watching a good video is just like reading a good book or magazine article.
That being said, I've never taped any of my hunts. Heck, I don't even own a video camera. But I really wish I could pop in a DVD and watch some footage of the moose I shot in 2006. Watching that bull come in to the call, rocking his rack, grunting and walking stiff-legged, was one of the most memorable things I've ever experienced as a bowhunter. It would be nice to see it again with my eyes instead of just my mind.
I would in a heart beat. My wife and I videoed our first hunt last week. I got her on camera shooting a turkey opening day, then she got me wiffing with my widow. It was a blast. It probably won't make it to the outdoor channel, but our kids sure enjoyed it.
Scott
Still shots and memories are enough for me. I take it too personal on my own hunts. But I have nothing against those that do video if thats what they enjoy.
I do take a video camera with me on most hunts, It tells the story much better than I can.I also believe hunting is a very personal thing,and not a sport more spiritual than that.I do have deer and other critters mounted, but they are not trophies they are reminders ment to honor the animal and the experience much the way my video camera does.The hunt and emotions of it are hard to explain, but when I wath one of my home videos with a friend or nonhunter I believe it is easier to show these folks the respect for the animal and outdoors we love so much.This turkey season has been dedicated to filming a 70 year old friend of mine turkey hunting with his bow it will help preserve our friendship and memories long after we are both gone.I do however see how easily a video can be missused to produce something false and disrespectful to our way of life,but a bow can also be missused to damage our way of life. It is our responsability to see that neither happens.
Bill
Never have but plan on it. In fact, I just bought one of those tiny video cameras that records to a SD flash card. That is one small/light camera that won't get in the way. I also have some higher end HD cameras but I have always considered them too big/bulky to be hauling around the woods. The boys are a bit too young to hunt (can't sit still for anything) but are excited about getting closer to hunting age. This would be a cool way to share my time in the field with them and also keep a personal record of my time in the field. I'm more concerned about masking the additional movement it's going to require to video while on stand. My recording's would be private and only shared with family or close friends who share the same interests that I do.
JL
I always try to capture my hunts on tape. It is my opinion all us old guys have a responsibility to encourage young people to take up bowhunting. I became active in the State bowhunting Org and host Kids shoots almost anywhere they will have me. I have a good job so I'm not out to make any money. pretty much every time I post a new video out on the web sites I get a couple of e-mails like this one.
Watching you shoot the widow has given me the inspiration to hunt traditional. Terry Thornton here in the Jackson Ms. area owns copperhead bows and builds some incredible longbows and recurves and he is now building mine. After watching your videos I began shooting a borrowed recurve and I have fallen in love with it. I almost gave up a couple of times, but after watching you shoot from the seated position, I decided to try it. That was the key that put the bow in the correct position for me. After 4 months of struggle and one moment of it all coming together, I can now shoot well enough that I feel I can hunt and not just wound animals. I will be hunting traditional next deer season and I am excited. Last year was my first season to bow hunt and it was incredible. I was introduced to archery for the first time at the end of 2006-2007 season. I attached the pictures of my first archery harvest and it was also the first buck I have ever taken with any weapon. I also harvested 3 does as well. I will now go after them with the stick and string. The buck was 231 pounds and scored over 130. Thank you again for posting your videos, and I will send you pictures of my recurve when it is finished.
Letters like that tell me, you never know who you can influence. Whether it is a gun hunter that has always thought, "Bowhunters only wound game" or a young guy thinking about giving bow hunting a try. While I most certainly under stand you pursuit of privacy, there is a benefit to the crude videos some of us post here and on other sites.
Just my opinion
Buff
George, I wasn't making any accussations about youre motives. I was just plain curious if the reason you disliked the idea of filming a hunt was because of all the negative examples out there.
Talondale....No problem. Things like that are hard to explain and lose a lot in the translation. It's more about the kill side of it than the hunt....but they do go together and I feel it's too personal to me to have that for others to audience. I don't care if others do it....I did say that. I am indeed soured by the incessant high-fiving, and repeated arrow strikes that seem to be popular to the masses nowadays. Kinda' makes me feel sick inside.
Well...here's a kill I did make today:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/badgerwalk003.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by George D. Stout:
I am indeed soured by the incessant high-fiving, and repeated arrow strikes that seem to be popular to the masses nowadays. Kinda' makes me feel sick inside.
Me too George. It may be an age thing. Seems like the older folks I've seen on hunting videos act differently after the kill than the younger generation. I don't watch any of the TV hunting shows, and very, very few videos, so I'm not a good reference for what's all out there, but you can certainly see this comparing your favorite old Bear videos to the new stuff.
I also think these videos demonstrate the differences people have in their definition of hunting. The biggest selling videos usually have one thing in common...a large number of kill shots, complete with instant replays and slow mos. Just how does one get 27 "hunts" on a 80 minute video?
:(
I feel better knowing that some of you guys have the same mind I do on this. I never have enjoyed commercial hunting videos/ shows. I deplore slow-mo kill shots. Yes, they make me sick too. Physically my stomach knots up. I've said this in some company and been laughed at. I love to hunt and everything about the hunt appeals to me, but the taking of game should be somewhat sacred. Not treated with callous indifference. I also deplore what commmercialization is doing to many of our hunting opportunities and our children.
I do enjoy some personal videos here if they are tasteful and don't do all the swaggering hype.
I do both I never did much of video or pictures but I always seem to end up with a story most dont believe (like the lion thread from this morning lol) so I started taking one or the other. I'm starting to video some hunts to add a little more work to it thats about all.
QuoteOriginally posted by George D. Stout:
Well...here's a kill I did make today:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/badgerwalk003.jpg)
Shot them all low, right at the base. Even mounted your heads horizontally to snip the stem. Sir, I am impressed! ;)
have no desire to film a hunt, my time in the woods is for me and I think filming it or having someonelse do it would really detract from the reason I am out there....