hunting for a living
 

Anybody know how tobecome a pro hunter? That can be cool to do that for a living!!!!!

RE: hunting for a living
 

I've always wondered that too! It beats the hell out of working in the auto industry. It must not be too hard because some of the guys on tv are terrible hunters and they get paid to hunt.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Actually, I wouldn't want to be a pro hunter.....I hunt because I love it and I wouldn't want to have to do it.....I guide/guided especially turkeys and believe me, it becomes a job....and you begin to almost loath it....almost....I'm much happier doing what I'm doing and having my foot in the door of the outdoor industry and making a little on the side rather than relying on it.....it has it's perks but for a job...no thank you..it's a finicky business.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Well you got to hunt like h***, and get noticed by the companies and get sponsors. Or start you own company and go on some big hunts and score trophy deer and get people to sponsor you!

Now, I might consider myself a Pro Hunter, if you count 'feral' terrorists! [8D]

RE: hunting for a living
 

I'm with Rob. I've always heard that you should try to do something that you love for a living because it will make you hate it.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Hmmmmmmmmmm never thought of that! :eek:

RE: hunting for a living
 

I know I would rather say:

I don't want to go hunting tomorrow.
vs.
I don't want to go (****) tomorrow.

~Fill in the **** with your current job.

RE: hunting for a living
 

thankx for the im puts guys so far...

RE: hunting for a living
 

Rob nailed it.

Just go to the Likosky's web site (Lee and Tiffany) and read about how many straight days they got up at like 4 a.m. and went into sub-freezing temperatures to put a tag on a monster buck this past year. I know, that moment was incredible when they finally wrapped their hands around those antlers, but it was somewhere aroundtwo monthsor so of literally almost freezing to death day after day before that moment arrived. I would almost bet the average person was having more fun at their job than they were...

I can also relate in the sport of tennis; at first, it was just a passionate hobby. Then, it turned into six hours a daybecause of my obsession to be the best I could be. That's still fine; that was my choice. But then, when I was expected to win every tournament I entered and people's expectations started to figure into the mix, it became less fun and more of just a job. I went from playing six hours a day in high school and college to playing about twice a year now. I can imagine the pressure of performance would be not much difference in the industry of hunting; you need a new record-book buck each year to satisfy your sponsors.

RE: hunting for a living
 

hey greg you a pro staffer for bowtech, so what do that mean...

RE: hunting for a living
 

I can throw my real life experience into this debate. I worked for 7-8 years as a professional whitewater guide out of Ohiopyle, PA. Guided on the Yough, Cheat, Big Sandy, and Russell Fork. The first few years it was awesome work and I loved doing it. After three seasons it became a drag to the point that I stopped kayaking for fun. If I wasn't getting paid then I didn't paddle. It has taken years to get the desire back to paddle again. Now when they call me to fill in on busy weekends I politely decline unless I'm the last resort. I do enjoy fishing from a raft and that is about the only time I get on the river for fun.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Where do they hunt that they freeze day after day? It couldn't have been in Ill. where I was. I just hunt for myself no sponsers or anything, andwear different layers of clothes according to the temp.I hunted from Oct. to Jan 10th. The month of Nov. I take off from work and hunt every single day. The first three weeks of Dec. were cold but I mostly hunted evenings, which I think are better than mornings at this time of year. Getting up at 4:00 AM every day is no big deal for meeither, as that's what time I get up every day, all year long. It is hard work getting out there that often, but it is rewarding for me to see the things I'd miss if I wasn't there. Getting that deer makes it that much better. My point is that I do it for free and love it. But I'm with Rob, If I was doing it for money, the added pressure of being expected to perform would dull the fondness that I have for the sport. I went through this with competitive archery. I was sponsered and worked my way to the top in amature events for about 7 years. One day it wasn't fun anymore, it was like a second job. I stopped competing and now I have fun again. Don't get me wrong, competing was fun to a point, but everything that I do is to the extreme, I just got to learn where to draw the line. Boy have I rambled. What I'm trying to say is that I don't think that thecold or early mornings have anything to do with it, as that is hunting. It is the other stuff, like your tennis or my archery competitions that can make it not so fun. BTW, I could never be a guide, I like to shoot all the trophies that I find!;)

RE: hunting for a living
 

It means they pay him $100,000 a year just to shoot their cool looking bows......

RE: hunting for a living
 

Either way Pro-hunter or TV which now really goes hand in hand. It is ton's of work, that partI think most people don't see. Now a days it is like hitting the lotto to have that as a job. Far and few.

RE: hunting for a living
 

I can relate, I work two jobs one for an Auto maker in Logistics that provides Insurance, benefits, and excellent pay. I don’t hate it but most of the time would rather be somewhere else.

I’m also a professional photographer. That job is by choice. It started of as a hobby and I loved it, couldn’t get enough of it until it became a job. The business kind of grew on it’s self and now occupies much of my free time. There’s records to keep, taxes to pay and the customers; oh the customers. Now a days, I don’t even pick up my camera for personal use. I actually bought a small point and shoot for my kid’s birthday party’s just so I don’t feel like I’m working.

Sometimes when you get what you wish for it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Been there done that.

Rob hit the nail on the head yeah it sounds like fun but believe me it is a lot of hard work.

I was a roo shooter back home for 10 years, life is a lot easier when you have a real job where you put in your 8 and go home.

When you are a pro hunter there is no such thing as an 8 hour day and you dont get paid OT my average day was 16 hours in the field.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Most "professional hunters" own a company or something to generate an income besides strictly "hunting". If you can cover all of you're hunting expenses with sponsors and what-not, that's why most of them do it because they would be doing it anyway.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Looks fun to me. Better than what I'm doing now!

RE: hunting for a living
 

I'm pretty sure I could deal with being a pro staffer. As long as I didnt become a slave to the brand.

Not so sure about being a tv host. I refuse to plug a product if I dont beleive in it, and I'm too much of a skeptic to beleive in all the snake oils and magic potions there are out there these days.

All in all though, I'd still rather be sitting in a treestand all day than behind a desk all day.

If I ever win the lotto though, I'm going to produce my own independent, NO SPONSERS hunting show.

RE: hunting for a living
 

I Remember Jack Brittingham's videos from just a few years agao years ago and that was they way he did it. Now if you watch his show it is differant with TV their is no way to avoid it.

just the way all TV is now a days.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Sorry, I just can't imagine my regular job being better then hunting. I kinda think if we could all go out and freeze our tails off month after month we would. Right now it just doesn't pay the bills.

RE: hunting for a living
 

A friend of mine used to post here --no.1gamewarden. He and I used to hunt together all the time before he became a gamewarden, but now we usually are limited to spring turkey seasons. He says that spending each and every day of the fall traipsing through the woods looking for poachers, sitting in known poaching areas, etc. make him less and less eager to go BACK to the woods to hunt after working in them all day, every day. By spring, that has worn off somewhat and he takes time off to hunt with me.

I used to draw quite a bit as a kid--I've got a bit of God-given talent there. THEN, I took a couple years of art in Hihg school when I was forced to draw everyday--not just when I wanted to. I got burned out on it and rarely ever draw now.

Sure it would be nice to be able to enjoy your hobbies as your livelihood, but when it becomes work, the joy often leaves.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Probably who ya know will help in becoming a pro hunter. Me, I live to go hunting. I wouldn't want to become a pro (tv that is). Too much pressure to perform.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Do ya think that the guys that tape for "Girls gone Wild" get tired of their job.;)

RE: hunting for a living
 

It's easy, find someone willing to spend alot of money to pay you, your cameraman, and your expenses. Then, have him market your video's to a publisher and hope someone takes it.

RE: hunting for a living
 

Uh... yeah, that's it... or something like that!;)

RE: hunting for a living
 

I WISH!!!!!!!!

nathan

RE: hunting for a living
 

me 2

RE: hunting for a living
 

interesting thought, i wonder if i would get tired of hunting if i did it for a living

RE: hunting for a living
 

Well, I can tell you how I plan on doing it. I'm a telecommunications major at Ball State University, currently ranked 4th in the nation for that major. My emphasis is in video production. My plan is to produce hunting videos for a living, as well as film, and hunt. I've talked to numerous hunting "celebrities" and they've all told me the same thing. " You need to put some footage together with good kill scenes and prior and post-hunt interviews. The key to getting a good show is to work hard at getting the details. Camera has to be steady, good kill shots, follow up with camera, and recovery interviews." One of the biggest things a lot of companies are just starting to do is putting the story together behind the hunt. I find this the most exciting part of the show. I like to see what people do in order to take their deer. I like seeing how they work hard at scouting and putting in food plots. That kind of documentation before the hunt really helps lead up to the harvest. The information I've recieved has been from numerous celebs such as Mark and Terry Drury (my personal friends by this point due to the many convos we've had on the phone), and David Blanton. Blanton really got me excited about being a producer and told me that was the ticket to getting in front of the camera. For me, my life goal is to produce videos for a company (such as Drury Outdoors, which once i'm out of school I can get an internship) and eventually be one of the guys in front of the camera. I'm not looking for lots of fame, I just like people and like to be in front of the camera doing my thing. It's just a lot of fun for me. I've always been told in life by my father and on teacher I had in high school that I was fond of, that you should love the jobs you have in your life. When I was a junior-higher, I realized what could ever be better than sitting in the woods hunting, while making money. For me that's just a bonus. Just sitting in the woods hunting is the best part of it for me. Like I said the best advice that I've heard is pick up a camera and start filming. I'm very passionate about filming hunts and love to do it. Next year I'm hoping to put together a series of shows from my brother's and I's hunts here at home. I'm going to really work hard on this one. Get involved in the filming hunts aspect if you really want to go somewhere with it. If you really want it bad, I'm a firm believer that it can happen for you. If this is something you're really interested in and want to do then man I'm pumped for ya. Obviously i get kinda reved up just talking about it, but what can I say it's my passion.

Tim Freeze

RE: hunting for a living
 

I second that...Though I wish teachers had more time off during hunting season[:@]

RE: hunting for a living
 

BowTech Die Hard,

I wish you the best in pursuit of your dream... It would be kinda cool to see ya one day on the big screen and say we knew you back when... ;)

RE: hunting for a living
 

What you should do is have a hunting buddy of yours video tape some hunts, and then after a couple good hunts just try and send them to someone who already has a show or some movies like the Drury's or someone like that just a thought:)

RE: hunting for a living
 

I've heard that people who love sex become porn stars. And then they stop enjoying sex. If it can happen with sex it can happen with hunting. :D

RE: hunting for a living
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: gzg38b

I've heard that people who love sex become porn stars. And then they stop enjoying sex. If it can happen with sex it can happen with hunting. :D
C'mon now that sounds a little extreme.:eek:Maybe if it were the same girl everyday twice a day....naahhh:D

RE: hunting for a living
 

Well you have to hunt a lot and i dont know if i would want to be because i would have to hunt almost everyday so it would kinda get boring

RE: hunting for a living
 

id love to become a pro hunter it has been my dream since i was young

RE: hunting for a living
 

It's easy! All you've got to do is go and achieve the Super Slam, write a couple of books about it, get a magazine to let you write a monthly column, wear a black watch cap and grow a wooly worm- looking moustache over your patented goofy grin....;)

I think it'd begreat to be an outdoors writer, but a TV hunter? NO WAY! If you don't make a kill you don't have a show. If you'rewriting abook or magazinearticle, your deadline isn't anywhere near as short as thatof a TV hunter. And the stuff a TV hunter has to endure! For sure, some of them shouldn't be allowed in the woods without a keeper, wouldn't know an ethical shot from a hole in the ground. But even the good ones... even if you make a clean shot and the camera has a wierd angle, everyone on forums like this will be screaming for your head on a platter, swearing you made an unethical shot.

Nope. I wouldn't be on TV at all. Until the ethics police get a little less trigger happy and/or a littlemore intelligent, forget it.