i just got emailed back from keith warren's editor.. heres what he wrote..
thank you for your email and your commments. However there's a few
things you need to be aware of.
Keith hunted bear valley in 2002 - the show aired in 2003 before
Donahue's trip . That part of Donahue's story is true. What Donahue
claims about the operation and Keith's knowledge of it is false. The
pens didn't exist when Keith hunted Bear Valley.
Keith returned to Bear Valley after Donahue's hunt. Upon learning that
the operation had changed and that pens existed Keith insisted he be
taken to a larger tract of property to hunt, one that presented an
acceptable challenge.
Look at Bear Valley website (just do a google on Bear Valley
Outfiitters) BVO offer "Free Range" and "Ranch" hunts. Keith
never "Ranch" hunted Bear Valley Except in the case of the Elk and
that was done on 6,000 acres (again if memory serves me correctly a
far cry for the pen Donahue hunted in) - that's why it wasn't "hard
for the cameraman to hide the fences" as claimed by Donahue.
There's never been any denial that a lot of Bear Valley land is high
fence. non-Canadians aren't allowed to hunt Elk except on private
properties (or at least, that was the case the last time this issue
came up). At any rate - Keith conducted one hunt (in 2004( , but was
so dissatisfied with the operation in total that he left, refused to
air the show and pulled the link to BVO off his website. In addition
he pulled any remaining shows associated with Bear Valley, removed the
link from this forum and website to Bear Valley and does not endorse
Bear Valley. Donahue's claims that Keith still supports Bear Valley
are false. Keith responded to Donahue on this forum when Donahue
initially posted here.
Yes, Donahue was removed from Keith's forum, not for the reasons he
professes either He continued to DEMAND that Keith publicly apologize
for somehow misleading hunters into believing that Bear Valley was
fair chase (and frankly, I'm not sure Keith ever said "fair chase") -
by Donahue's own admission he contacted the outfitter and satisfied
his own requirements before going on the hunt.
Yes, he was initially blocked from the forum, then allowed back, after
discussion via email that he would "hold his fire" until he could hear
from Keith about the conditions of Bear Valley. He didn't do so -
contrary to his claim that he waited until Keith's response - he
continued to demand an apology, wanted a show done about Bear Valley
and quiet frankly did every thing but ask to be reimbursed for his
expenses.
Donahue has been thrown off or disbelieved most of the forums he
attempted to go on (Basspro, Total Sportsman, Maine Outdoors, etc.)
and trash Keith Warren primarily because his story continues to change
based on his desire for fame. When questioned closely by forum members
of those forums he's found lacking in a lot of his claims. His stories
are full of inaccuracies, not to mention the fact that Donahue only
complained AFTER killing all four animals (first it was two, then
three and finally it was all four) and losing his meat to customs
inspectors because he didn't have the proper paperwork.
Keith doesn't need to defend himself against this bs. There's nothing
to defend. What happened at Bear Valley happened after his association
with them.
Someone should ask Donahue, why he stayed. He didn't pay the full
amount up front, no outfitter that I'm aware of demands payment in
full Before the hunt. He paid deposits. THAT (the deposit) is what he
would have lost, but he will tell you he stood to lose the full
amount.
Keith turned down an all expenses paid return trip to Bear Valley
because he does not approve and will not condone the operation Bear
Valley has in place at this time.
Demands from Donahue that Keith take the time on air to denounce Bear
Valley are the demands of someone who has no rights or authority to
make such a call. Donahue has had ample opportunity to discuss this
with Outdoor Adventures and has never done so (he has the email
address afterall), he prefers instead to foment his fairy tale on the
internet where gullible hunters will take it and run with it.
He claims his version is true - otherwise he says he would be sued by
BVO and Keith Warren. For what purpose? to satisfy his need for
further exposure. I can see the headlines on his website now. "Little
guy gets destroyed by the Big Famous Hunter". that's exactly what he
would love to have happen. Keith isn't going to waste the time or the
money on someone who has no credability.
Donahue had a choice to make, he could have refused to participate in
the hunt at Bear Valley and move on but he chose to harvest ALL four
animals available and then complain. I question anyone who does
something like this as to what their true motive is. Donahue will tell
you it was because he spent a lot of money and didn't want to lose it.
If that's the driving force behind why he hunts he needs to reevaluate
why he's hunting at all.
Donahue won't tell you but I will, his initial website posting urged
all readers to contact PETA Canada, PETA USA, HSUS and the Sierra Club
in addition to the one or two contacts he now has on his website. They
were removed (I'm assuming by him) after he got hammered on every
forum for posting this. I question whether or not he continues to
provide these organizations with emails sent to him and comments from
some of the forums he's still able to go onto.
If you feel you still need to contact his sponsors by all means do so.
They are all aware of this issue. Afterall it's 4 years old now and
Keith has not and will not go back to Bear Valley for any reason. The
Outdoor Channel is also aware of this and of Keith's decision to drop
all affiliation with Bear Valley because of the change in their
practices.
Thank you again for your email and I hope this answers some of your
concerns, if not feel free to respond at any time.
Roger Bales
Outdoor Adventures
seems like keith didnt know either that this was happening and no longer does any business with bvo..
