Are they really good???
 

We all have seen the so called "pros" do it, Potts, Reeve, Miller, Waddell so on...are they bettter than most? Do they really understand deer? Or is it simply being put on stands that they have never seen and whack there is a 180" by some outfitter in KS or ILL or WY etc??

RE: Are they really good???
 

I think many of them were just in the right place at the right time. Some, like Chuck Adams really are better. I'm only speaking for myself here. I believe that if I were put on some of the stands you see these "pros" on I would stand just as good a chance at killing a monster.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Location

RE: Are they really good???
 

That pretty well sums up their scouting. You have to remember that the guys you see on TV are hunting the very best whitetail ground in the country and to make it even better, it had been managed for years before they got there. I filmed for a few years, 90% of the time, me and my shooter had no idea what the stand we were going to looked like. Our guide drove us out, told where to go and what to expect. Most of the time the guide was dead on. You cannot compare your hunting skills or knowledge with guys you see on TV, apples and oranges. Also, remember that Waddell got his start with Realtree because of his turkey calling skills.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I like watching there shows, But I know average guys. That work 5 days a week and can still out hunt them. All of them are just the guys that got lucky or maybe followed there dream and seen it through. But there is other guys out there that could hunt circles around them guys any day of the week. They just don't either have the time or money. Or has to many responsibilities to done it.

RE: Are they really good???
 

On a level playing field, I could out-hunt 90% of them. Maybe more.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I think these guys put in alot more time then you realize... It's one thing to kill big deer consistantly, but to do it on Film is a whole new level... Sure they are hunting the best parts of the country, but still takes alot of skill as a hunter to get the job done on a consistant basis... Especially on Film...

I thought Waddell got his start with Realtree after winning a contest for a Free Hunt....??

RE: Are they really good???
 

No, he was a turkey caller. Here is a blub from http://www.realtree.com/tvshows/michaelWaddell.php

First off, tell readers how on earth you landed your current job with Bill Jordan’s Team Realtree?
MW: Hunting has always been a big part of my life, so landing a job with Realtree was like a dream come true for me. I had won several turkey-calling competitions, and some of Realtree’s pro staffers had mentioned my name to Bill Jordan. I finally met Bill at a turkey-calling contest in 1994 in Perry, Georgia. I won that contest. After we met, Bill ended up putting me on Realtree’s hunting advisory staff.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I know there is a lot more to it than what we see, but I also know that they can't put in but so much hard work for the actual hunt because of travel time. They go from one place to another all season long.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I know Greg Miller andStan Potts were successful hunters before they were in the hunting industry. Greg Miller is an accomplished big woods bowhunter and was "do it yourself" on public land before landing his first job. While I agree with most of the comments, there are some exceptions. Most of the "pros" don't interest me though.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Now remember that these shows are for entertainment and for showing guys kill big deer not a show about their knowledge in the field. And I know that thoses are the kind of shows most of us on here like to see "The do it Yourself on Public Land Hunt";)

With that said if you put these guys on public land that they had never seen before most of them would not kill a mature deer maybe a dink or two but not a mature deer. That takes time.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I agree to this for some people. Some are as hardcore as it gets and got into the industry by hunting all the time and killing a lot of big deer, and others may have just been in the right place at the right time.

EITHER WAY, these guys now hunt for a living and get to spend more time in the woods than most of us. That being said, they have a TON of experience and im sure have become extremely knowledgeable along the way.

Thats not to say that they are better than a lot of people here on the forum...

RE: Are they really good???
 

Very few of the TV guys (there are some) do much, if any actual scouting. I have gotten to see first hand how these shows are put together and I promise you that most of the time, they did not happen like you see it happen on TV. A few examples. I filmed a kill in Kansas, maybe 40 minutes before last light. Only had a few minutes of the deer coming in, great view of the shot, great recovery. However the next day (our last day) it was raining, the condition did look the same as the day before, so we waited until we were back in Illinois and filmed the "shot" some of the tracking job, and even a few bucks that make the show. The shows are mostly pieced together, sometimes two or three hunts are combined to make one airable series. Another example, I filmed a kill in Illinois, we got held up getting to the outfitter due to weather, got to his place, where in a stand 20 minutes after arriving, 30 minutes after arriving we were filming the shot, no more than an hour after arriving we were filming the recovery. We did it all without ever even seeing this property before hand, in fact as I remember correctly we were told just two days before we need to go down as a crew had to back out. I don't want to take anything away from these guys, because it is hard work and a lot of times very unrewarding (the best buck I ever filmed would have flirted with 200" gross but my shooter missed the shot and neither of got paid, but the footage was still used), but I just don't want people to think that they need to compare their hunting skills to those they see on TV. Like I said before, it is apples and oranges, just two very differnt styles of hunting.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Agreed! Most of these guys just have been fortunate enough to know someone to have an in to get a foot in the filming world. Most of it is $$$$$ as for they are not out hunting these deer in the same wild woods as we are. I agree with you quiksilver, you and many others on this site and throughout the world can out hunt some of the tv faces. I always have dreamed about finding a patch of woods niether knows, and turning myself(or one of many people) and one of the tv faces loose and see who out hunts who.

Lil jealous of them? Yes I am but for good reason. As we all have good reason.

RE: Are they really good???
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: PABuckbuster12

Now that would be an interesting show!!!!!

RE: Are they really good???
 

I really think it depends on who you are talking about. As was mentioned Greg Miller was an author and accomplished hunter and that was what got him his "pro" job. Lee Lakosky has been managing property and slamming big bucks for years. Marrying Tiffany was the best marketing move he ever made because her popularity brought his knowledge and skills to the spotlight. So, there is some very knowledgable and talented pros out there.

There are also some folks that are very fortunate in their situation and get to hunt great outfitted properties that don't take much skill to hunt. I think those folks would be crying for their mama if they had to try to hunt some of the properties that all of us hunt.

Ultimately, I don't think you can make a blanket statement on the pros. You have to take them on a case by case basis and you'll pretty quickly figure out which ones are the real deal and which ones aren't.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I would love to know what goes on behimd the scenes with these big time productions. I know that WKP works very hard to bring the reality out in their vids but Im sure there are some things that have to be done to make it watchable. But at least I know with WKP it's not just a show up and hunt deal put the tag on and gone. I like the fact that sometimes they don't close the deal. Also, when Todd passed on the buck in the opening scene of "Beyond the Kill" that took balls, huge balls. Then He did it again in the Grind on the tall brow 8, I wanted to come through the screen and ring his neck!! Until he finally did shoot him a few weeks later...thanks for coming to your senses Todd!!! Anyway, many of you know that Im a supporter of WKP, not with any $ but just morally, and I love their stuff and they appreciate your business when you buy a vid. Todd and Walt and the others are great guys from what i can tell, I don't know them, just a few PMs here and there, but they are class acts. Give them an opprotunity to entertain your soul.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Well put...

RE: Are they really good???
 

You could not out hunt Ingrid Newkirk :D

BTW stunning information coming on the so called "king" very soon;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

Most of the pros have someone else to scout out the hunting area, place the stand, pattern the deer, and do all the other prep'ing. If you can shoot straight and accurate, you could do the same thing as most of them. What you also have to remember when you watch the hunting shows, they do not show you all the hours of nothing going on but just the highlights of the deer coming in and the kill.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I would guess that 75% are idiots and the other 25% are really, really good.

-john

RE: Are they really good???
 

I don't know about those other guys you named, but yes, I am that good.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I think there are a handful of them that are truly great hunter,but until they come and hunt in my woods and started whacking 160 plus deer I'm not going to put a lot of merit in what they do or say.What I mean by that is I'm not going to run out and buy a certain product just because one of these so called hunting experts is using it.Yea I know that most all of it is about the money thats why most of them do it,can't blame them though I would in a hearbeat if I could,I just don't think they are necessarelly good hunters since most of their hunts are planned for them by an outfitter.

RE: Are they really good???
 

I understand to kill big bucks you gotta go to where they live. Here inVa where I live, we have record book deer, not world class per say but I see many every year at the Taxi that will go in the 150-170" class. I pay to hunt land, land that holds big bucks, but I gotta do the work. I don't know how easy it is to do it on an outfitter's land, but it has to be easier than here, it is their business to produce.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Pat Reeve is the real deal. One of my good friends in NC owns about 400 acres in Illinois. Pat hunts on some property pretty close. The 200"+ buck he killed on video a couple of years ago was killed not far from my buddies land. All his hunting in that area is done totally by him. He scouts, shed hunts, and sets his own stands. Granted he doesn't pay for the stands but you know what I mean! ;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

It's too bad more people can't allow themselves to think like that.

Just because someone is on tv, it does notmean they are a great hunter. I certainly consider myself to be a only a "good" hunter.But...just because someone is on tv, is also doesn't mean they are not great hunters.There are a couple ofguys on our staffthat I do consider to be"great" hunters.

Also, keep in mindthat not everyproduction company fills their tags hunting with outfitters all the time. There are plenty of them out there, like mine, thatdo their owneverything most or all the time.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Bry,

You are for sure right, some of these guys are really good, and very knowledgable, I take nothing away from them. But you must admit some, IMO more then most are guys who couldnt shoot a buck outside of a farm where they are half tame.

Just my opinion for the Tv host's family. No war needed.

PS. I'd love for Lee to bring his wife out to hunt with us Bry. You and him can go hunting, me and Tiffany will keep the cameras back at the house ;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

Half Tame?

Just because a farm is managed for mature bucks and does not experience a lot of hunting pressure does not mean they are "half tame"

Mature bucks are mature bucks...

RE: Are they really good???
 

MH I didnt mean all farms, let me put it this way. Some of these hunts you see on TV are preserves and actualy deer farms. I know a few and seen how some of these deer are. You can set your watch by them. Not all TV shows are this way I said that. But a lot are hunts that are on property that isnt the NORM. Not grouping all TV shows together or all FARMS together. But lets be honest, some are this way.

Thats all that I meant by farms and tame. Maybe a poor choice of words on my part with saying Tame. But meaning they are a lot easier to "Pattern" or "Find" And come on, where do you go and see 5 180" clas bucks in a herd together and you pick which one you want?

I Know there are shows out there that arent like this, and my hats off to them! They are the real deal!

RE: Are they really good???
 

That's fine by me. I'll come back having learned something about hunting and maybe an invite to their Iowa slammer property, and you'll have a sore crotch from her knee after you try to make a move.

RE: Are they really good???
 

That's fine by me. I'll come back having learned something about hunting and maybe an invite to their Iowa slammer property, and you'll have a sore crotch from her knee after you try to make a move.

[/quote]

Maybe......but maybe I'll have learned a few things as well, and maybe Ill be moving in with her at that farm ;)And my crotch might be sore, but not from a knee.

No worries bud, that gives us to plans, hopefully one will work bc I'll send you the invite to hunt there soon as my socks are in the drawer. As I would hope you'd send me the invite too right? ;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

I agree with you there. There certainly are some shows that hunt game preserves and obviously this takes no skill or knowledge to kill a giant deer. If you can shoot straight, your going to have a successful hunt.

It just bothers me when people get jealous and say bad stuff about people on TV just cause they are on TV...i know that a lot of guys out there are handed most everything, but there are some that work their asses off for their success and it is well deserved.

RE: Are they really good???
 

Your absolutely right, and I wish the them the best and look up to them guys. Sure wish I knew thats all it took was hard work. I'd give anything to have the opportunity some of them have been given. The guys who have worked for it and do it right., cheers to them! Im jealous of those guys, not jealou of the other ones by any means.

RE: Are they really good???
 

It takes a lot more than hard work, sometimes it takes making huge sacrafices - jobs, friends, family, or even something like moving to IOWA! :D

RE: Are they really good???
 

Chuck Adams IS the micheal jordan/tiger woods of archery,, read his book, amazing man,, as the hosts of the show I feel they have alot of knowledge , but are also placed in some prime hunting area's and stand locations, draw arrow and shoot,we could do that,as forreal hunter, that scouts, reads topos,scouts, experiments and so on , best example would be adam hays,, he hunts land all over ,and not always through outfitters,and stills finds monster bucks where you and I might over look,, keep an eye on this guy!

RE: Are they really good???
 

I think most of the big name guys are the real deal. I think they are better than your average hunter. That being said, I don't think they have super human ability to understand deer and deer movement etc. I think they are good hunters that hunt in good areas and have the kind of success that you would expect good hunters to have in good areas. I have less than 10 days in a tree in the midwest and 3 P&Y bucks to show for it and mine was all DIY hunting. So, personally I think I could at least match their success if I was hunting the same areas they were hunting. But I am pretty arrogant like that;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

House is going up for sale tonight! ;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

Not complaining about where i live now, but i might be headed in that direction after college! :D ;)

RE: Are they really good???
 

I'd like to know how does one get into that industry. I feel I am very knowledgeable about hunting whitetails. And have taken my fair share of P&Y's, ive taken big bucks in states that arent traditionally known for them, ones that would be trophies in Iowa and the midwest. Ive filmed some hunts, feel they are pretty good for DIY. I spend 90% of my spare time scouting and learning as much as I can and in the woods. Bow hunting is my passion. But it obviously takes more then that. Theres many guys out there that can say the same thing I have said. What does it take? Honestly? Reality? What does it take to do what they are doing now? I'd be willing to say there's a dozen guys on this site that are as knowledgeable as those TV guys, and are great hunters! What does it take for them to get thier own TV show? My first answer is $$$$$$$$$

I propose now, lets get a group of people together from this site, and start our own. With our resources of good private land, our knowledge, a good group of guys here in the bow forum could probably make some great hunting shows that would be hard for the corporate sponsors to turn down. Guys who do it without, the outfitters etc. Ok maybe im dreaming.....but maybe im not. others have the same dream as me i am sure.

Or maybe ill just wake up at 5 and go home to shoot my bow like normal.

RE: Are they really good???
 

You know you'd be getting an invite. As for the sore crotch, you might want to get a salve for that.:D

Maybe after Hunsucker finishes college we could all pool our cash together and buy a giant place in Iowa like those whackos in TX and use it as a religious write off where we worship deer. Those compounds are huge, could you imagine the QDM set up we could get going in there?;)