I think he did it for attention/shock value. He outright said it would be a "controversial" look at shot placement. Honestly, I think he made a bad shot on that deer and tried to sell it as a revolutionary new idea. I understand its hard to stay relevant in the competitive TV market, but this one blew up in his face and rightfully so. Since all the backlash has hit, he's started back-peddling pretty hard and saying he never meant to advocate gut shooting deer. Unfortunately for him, everyone already saw the graphics in the show and heard what he said about hitting intestines. I think it all would have gone better for him if he had admitted upfront that he made a bad shot and used it as a teachable moment, rather than playing it off as intentional. Then again, he could just be one of those scumbags that would shoot a deer in the guts on purpose - he wouldn't be the first "professional" hunter to be caught on record talking up gut shot deer.