I watch very little TV, and even less hunting shows. A couple months ago I caught a few minutes of a Tred Barta show where he was hunting caribou. I saw what I considered some poor shot attempts and quickly changed channels, not thinking too much about it other than here's just another guy seeking fame and fortune via their definition of hunting.
I should have given ole Tred's show a little more time. I recently watched one of his shows in it's entirety. It's kinda' refreshing seeing somebody out there who in my opinion still has his head on straight. Don't know how many folks he is reaching or influencing but way to go Tred.
It's also good to see him getting his message across in a humorous and entertaining way without being argumentative or degrading others who see it differntly.
Tred on Hunting (http://tmuss.tripod.com/tb.wmv)
I enjoyed that! Don't know that I agree 100% but I sure respect the man for stating his position.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless,Mudd
I like the fact that his misses are just that,his misses. He doesnt blame it on anything but himself,not the wind ect. Besides he has a huge set and is confident even after failure.
Since his illness I think his shows have gotten better. He really knows what it is to live everyday to the fullest. I can't imagine doing what I do from a wheel chair :notworthy: My hats off to him and like him who do what they do!! My God Bless!
I too caught his show about the Caribou. I really was disappointed to see the disregard he had for the animals in the shots he took. One was a 45 yard shot on a running caribou in brush. He kept talking about he needed to get into 15-20 yards to get a good shot off but didn't have the patience to get that close and only took bad shots. Never really watched him before but found out about his poor ethics after this show. Wont be watching him again.
Very interesting, thoughtful guy.
The bit on the longbow shooting tripod stick and Tred Barta jock strap was great. "I sense a whole herd of animals right in front of me! Oh. Shot low." :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
I really like to watch Tred's shows. I don't agree with him 100% but then again I don't agree with anyone 100%. Including me. I was reading Howard Hill's "Hunting the Hard Way" yesterday and he stated that he had lost or broke many arrows and wounded game from shooting beyond his range. He said a practiced archer can expect to make a clean kill one out of four shots. How times have changed. As for his bait comment; I would rather kill a bear over bait with my bow than spot and stalk with a rifle. If I practiced as much with my rifle as I do with my bow I could guarantee clean kills at 1000 yards. In my opinion there are only two trophies with a rifle; terrorists and child molesters.
Semper Fi Leatherneck!!
I was disappointed, too, that his actions didn't match his words on the caribou hunt, and a few others.
Good to see you around Tom. Do you know that Tred had a life altering stroke and is bound to a wheel chair.
Tree is a pioneer in NE canyon fishing
I've meet him and he is a Gretchen guy and a sportsman
Hello Charlie. Yeah, I had heard he is now wheel chair bound but was going to try and keep doing the hunting/fishing show. Real shame, guy seems to be a real hoot who enjoys life and I really like the message he is trying to get out.
There was another thread here that said Tred killed his second bear in British Columbia since his stroke. This time he was hunting in a lightning and thunderstorm. The show airs in October. I'm looking forward to this one. As the father of a disabled child, Tred is quite inspiring.
Thanks Tom, I know a lot of people don't like Tred but I always enjoyed his show. As Corney as it may sound to some watching one of his shows gave me the bug to shoot the Longbow my dad gave me when I was 10, that got the Trad ball rolling for me again.
While I wish him nothing but the best since his stroke, I agree with leatherneck.
I really enjoy his shows. However, his shooting skills are not the best. If he really practiced what he preached he'd be a better shot or shoot equipment he could shoot more accurately. When his form is good his shooting is, too. Perhaps a coach could have helped him. His heart is definitely in the right place. It's too bad that he has had such bad luck medically as his message is really a good one and I just don't know how much longer he can continue. I do wish him well and if a recovery is at all possible I wish him that, as well.
I always love these type of topics and this one always lights up.
I have met him 2 times now and both times I walked away with a better opionion of him. The first time was before the illness took over and the second time was last summer. NO one I have ever met has his zest for life, even after being kicked in the teeth. One hell of a man and like him or not he now is in a position to give people with any issue the hope that they can do what ever they want.
As for his show - I haven't seen other shows include misses that we have all had in the final cut. The shows are real and so is his skill though many think his skills are off. How many people can hit a small disk in the air or a ball in the air I know I can not? At least yet..
When I showed him my first selfbow the smile that came front and center was wonderful to see. That bow now has his signature along some other well respected names from the PNW. He has what I would say a true love and respect of the sport.
Love him or hate him...Barta got me into trad Archery. I had never shot a bow in my life and after his show I built my own bow/arrows and now arrow heads. I have missed 2 elk, 5 deer and killed a grouse. But have a smile just like his.
It is funny how times have changed, no one 50 years ago complained of the archery greats shooting at game over 100 yards away and taking all sorts of running shots at everything that was legal. I agree that some of the shots Tred takes are plan stupid, but I would of said that about the archery greats as well! Shawn
QuoteOriginally posted by Shawn Leonard:
It is funny how times have changed, no one 50 years ago complained of the archery greats shooting at game over 100 yards away and taking all sorts of running shots at everything that was legal. I agree that some of the shots Tred takes are plan stupid, but I would of said that about the archery greats as well! Shawn
I agree with Shawn.
Allan
The difference was Tred would say at the start of those shows he did it the hard way and his range was 20 and under. Then proceed to start flinging way past that. Those 50 years ago didn't say one thing and proceed to do another.
Some of us must not ever get caught up in the moment and miss judge the yardage, not see the branch in the way or just think to ourselves "I can make that shot". I know that I my self have made those mistakes and dont know if I would be brave enough to show it on T.V. So I can look past his mistakes and enjoy a good archery show, sorry to those perfect people out there who have to deal with us imperfect people...
from what I've seen he's not afraid to say and do what he feels is right, I can respect that.
In all honesty I think thats what makes his show better than most of the hunting shows out there.
I haven't met the man in person as of yet but this fall I will be guiding him and another guy with a hunting show, Mike Hanbeck on a whitetail hunt here in montana.
Tred Barta is a man we should all look up to. Not one in ten of us would still be doing the things he is doing if we were in his shoes. It is easy to say he takes poor shots and maybe he does at times but we all have been caught up in the moment with adrenaline pumping and took shots that are considered less than than ethical. If someone has never wounded an animal, he in all probability has not shot at many. Things have certainly changed with the newer generation of hunters as far as ethics and that is a good thing. Many years ago when a hunter could go for days without even seeing an animal, he took whatever shot was offered. Game is plentiful now, we get to see more so shots should be a sure thing but as I said they are not always that.
Great video! I agree with Tred on the technology in hunting. Makes me sick every time I flip through a Bass Pro or Cabela's catalog.
I love Tred and his shows. His mentality is so down to earth. If you get to watch the show when he shot his first white tail on camera and it was from the wheel chair it will make you think long and hard about what you have in life.
First of all, a shot can go bad even if it is well within one's effective range, clear, standing still etc. However, the odds of that happening increase dramatically, to the point of a miss or worse and should be expected when one shoots too far, running, brush, alert, etc.
I disagree that "no one complained" years ago when the "experts" took long shots, running, etc. I was 16 when I first bowhunted. (1970). I didn't know much (still don't). I hadn't even see a live deer yet. My ethic at that point had been developed while squirrel hunting. However, one of the men in camp came in every day and talked about 'emptying his quiver' at deer across a gulley (he figured 90 yards). He claimed 'nothing dies if nothing flys), I knew that was wrong.
As much as I respect Mr. Bear when I read his book and learned of some of his shot attempts (the stone sheep at partial draw over the rise comes to mind)I also knew that wasn't right.
I have a theory about folks who take low percentage shots. I don't think they follow up misses or poor hits with much time.
I like Tred. His life has been an inspiration to many people. I think I'll give him a pass for taking a couple long shots at some caribou...
If he isn't being argumentative and degrading, then ol' Tred has changed a lot since the last show of his I sat through.
It is my understanding that Tred is not only wheel chair bound because of the stroke, but he is also fighting cancer. My prayer go out to him and his family. :pray:
I have never seen one of his shows nor have I met the man. I have friends that have and they speak well of him. I try to not get caught up in the politics of archery but I will leave you with a quote from a man I did admire, Jay Hammond , former gov. of Alaska.
" Time for reflection has moved me to be far less judgmental of others than before. No human being can withstand nor deserves unstinting scrutiny.
All have flaws." Well said Jay!
I love watching his shows. He is one of the people who still inspires me to shoot traditional and do it the hard way.
Rare quality not to judge. Ted (above), Ron L., Mike Mecredy, & few others are such & what makes you guys real likeable.
Very much admire Tred, Mike Mitten, & other notables for having enough courage to publicly admit gut wrenching failures. They have my respect. Mike explains perfectly in his book.., no guarantees ever, gun, bow, or otherwise. *No get out of jail free card for wing n fling carelessness either.
Hope to offer good advice w/o judging. Better, lead by example.
Tred is my favorite guy to watch. I agree with him on 95% of what he said. I hunt the way I do because of his hunting style. But I don't want to put other down or say its wrong if they want to use a blind, trail cam, ect...
As for the shooting at game at a distance I think everything that needed to be said has been said, we all mess up and make a bad decision every once in a while. We just get to watch his from our couch.
Tred is and always will be somebody I want to share a camp fire with. :campfire:
this is my first year shooting trad, but I have been watching Tred's videos for some time. I will also say that I agree with MOST of his thoughts. I would never knock someone for not agreeing with his ways.
With what Tred has recently been trough, and for him to still be hunting and fishing is just simply amazing to me. Watching Tred hunt while sitting in his chair has made me realize that he is sharing what he loves to do with the rest of us. I think he deserves to be thanks for that. Thank you Tred. Im sure he has made a lot of people realize that they can still enjoy things in life that others say they would never be able to do again.
I just read this forum and was blown away at people's responses. I feel like he is one of "us".... and some of you guys bash the man because he took a long shot. That bothers me that we can be so judgmental. I haven't ever met and probably never will meet Tred Barta. If I did I'd shake his hand proudly!!!
I like his attitude and his enthusiasim.
Ive never watched his show or met him. What i do know from experiance is when one person steps outside the socially accepted norm there are those that will accept him and those who will scrutinize him. No different in trad archery, I will say im a bit supprised when i read threads like this. 95% of the topics here are informative and helpful this seams to have turned into a love him or hate him type thing. Its not very productive in my honest opinion.
A true entertainer, fun to watch and blessed to be alive. The "vapor" principle, its true:) Aren't we all blessed?
Tom, I feel the same way, by the way glad to see ya sir around the gang! I guess hes a diamond in the rough...mark #78 :wavey:
I have to think that most have not seen his mule deer doe hunt, the turkey flock shootathon or the caribou in the wind show - all before his medical issues. No one is being critical of "a" missed shot or an occasional lapse in good shot selection. There was a pattern that I cannot accept as one I can identify with, support or feels emulates anything I would do on a hunt.
It's ethical when gun hunting to only shoot deer or turkey when they are standing still. Yet, for quail, dove, or ducks it's incomprehensible to shoot them "sitting" for some.....
Tred is an inspiration for many, how many people scoffed at his many misses trying to shoot a duck out of the air?
He's welcome to hunt with me anywhere anytime...
QuoteOriginally posted by wapiti1997:
It's ethical when gun hunting to only shoot deer or turkey when they are standing still. Yet, for quail, dove, or ducks it's incomprehensible to shoot them "sitting" for some.....
Tred is an inspiration for many, how many people scoffed at his many misses trying to shoot a duck out of the air?
He's welcome to hunt with me anywhere anytime...
Exactly. :thumbsup:
I have watched Tred for many years and was saddened when he was afflicted with his illness. I am pleased he is still pursuing his passion. The passion he shows is genuine and I agree he sometimes makes poor shot choices, but who doesn't. God bless you Tred.
I'm happy to know that when I come here with my uncountable imperfections that I'll have plenty of people with none to console me.
I think Tred doesn't hide who he is or what he does, like most. Like the one episode when he shot that monster bull elk in the wallow through the green lungs. He showed the bad hit, and you could see it made him sick. Also, he and the rest of his group searched for two days for the bull all the while he could have still been hunting but refused to shoot at another because of the one he lost.
I'd sling arrows and shoot my quiver empty with old Tred anyday of the week.
Regardless of whether you agree with Tred or not - and I do 95% of the time - you have to admire him for his tenacity and his utmost belief in his own personal ethics. As others have said, I'd share a hunt, a campfire or a sandwich with the guy anytime.
One of the things about Tred that has really helped all of us I think is that self analysis of our personal ethics. Where is the line in the sand that you will not cross? Many people don't have any idea. Over the years I have formed my own personal ethics, my own "lines in the sand". I don't think any two people have exactly the same personal ethics, and that's OK as long as you have 'some', that you have sat yourself down and determined that you, indeed, have your very own principles you live by.
If this thread did nothing else but get a few guys to think about what their own personal ethics are - then it was beneficial. We need so much more of this today, in our outdoor pursuits as well as our day to day living.
Food for thought,how many of you who think he is unethical have shot a squirrel,bird ,racoon,or opossum in your trash or around the yard or even stumping out of season. Is it unethical to shoot an arrow for distance in a field for practice not knowing whats out around the impact area. All of us at one point in time have done something unethicle,stop kidding yourself. And dont worry last year they ragged on Ted Nugent.
I ask that he not be judged from one episode with some bad shots. He has a zest for living that I wish I possessed. He speaks from the heart and has a never giveup attitude. We all would be better of if we had a little more of that energy within us.
As far as shows go, Its Tred or just another canned hunt on a preserve. You pick.
im 16 and i hunt with a longbow,and you know what made me switch from a compound to a longbow?tred barta,in my opinion a damn great hunter,he is my idol for hunting.
One also has to remember that the camera often makes shots look much further than they are. Watch a waterfowl video and you would think they are dropping mallards at 90 yds. Some of his shots are questionable and I dont know his confidence level. I just started trad gear last summer and missed last october at 18 yds. Maybe 18 is too far for me? Tred seems to have a very large heart and seems to genuinely care for sportsmen in general. I dont think her would do anything to ever tarnish the sport. I wish there were more trad shows out there to watch so I will watch his when I can. I do have a lot of respect for him because most people with that predicament would sit in their homes moping and feeling sorry for themselves but not him! He will not be denied from his passion. Gotta love that about anyone. Just my opinion though
Ganzer
Tred is a great example before the stroke and definatly after. I would welcome him to my home in a heartbeat. I would love for my son to meet him.
On one of his shows he was hunting black bear in Canada with dogs. When the dogs treed a bear the effort and time that his friends/guide took to get him to the bear in his wheel over the rough terrain was very inspriring to me. I recorded and showed it to my wife and son.
Right or wrong I admire someone who is willing to stand for what he feels is right. Compared to most other hunting shows who don't really stand for anything unless it sells.
Gilbert
QuoteOriginally posted by amicus:
When the dogs treed a bear the effort and time that his friends/guide took to get him to the bear in his wheel over the rough terrain was very inspriring to me. I recorded and showed it to my wife and son.
I did the same in between tears. I still have it recorded and his TX Whitetail hunt.
Fred bear
Howard hill
Paul Schafer
Barry wensel
Ben Pearson
Bill Negle
To name a few have all shot game moving and at distances
Why don't u high and mightys give Tred a break he has done a lot for the hunting and fishing world and he deserves our respect
QuoteOriginally posted by JParanee:
Fred bear
Howard hill
Paul Schafer
Barry wensel
Ben Pearson
Bill Negle
To name a few have all shot game moving and at distances
Why don't u high and mightys give Tred a break he has done a lot for the hunting and fishing world and he deserves our respect
I explained my reasons for my opinion. That you choose not to read it, or understand it and fail to respect it matters not to me. I respect yours.
I met him quite a few times when I was living on LI and he is def a memorable guy. When you hear him give his disertation on hunting he doesnt say one thing or the other is bad, he states what do YOU consider fair chase?
We all on here chose to shoot Trad gear... That is our choice... And that's what makes this hunting thing great.... sooo many choices....
One of the great things about bow hunting is that you are your own referee. None of us have an obligation to adopt another's ethic.
Our ethic forms from a variety of influences and can change over time due to experiences of our own or people we respect.
I think it is ok but not mandatory for one to explain why or why they don't do or attempt certain things. This is one of the ways we test and evolve our beliefs. The social art when explaining our personal ethic is to do so without seeming to judge another.
I'd like to be a better artist.