Who is your favorite hunting influencer?

[Ladd-]

Jeff Brozovich

 

[WYO300RUM]

He's not only passionate but very intense and patient, he's a badass

Anybody that can wak'em with boomerang's, blowguns, spears and bows is bad A** .

 

[WYO300RUM]

It seems like there needs to be some clarification over the word "influencer". Usually this word is associated with someone who uses their publicity and popularity to sell products. After reading a lot of the responses on this thread, most people on this forum are picking idols, mentors, and hunters who embody particular values. Granted, most hunters these days that make a living hunting have some sort of sponsor and often plug those sponsor's products, but it is hard for me to think of most hunters, or any hunter, as an "influencer" by the modern use of the term.

In terms of people who are expanding the public interest in hunting, literally no one comes close to Joe Rogan's day-in and day-out advocacy for hunting elk. I meet so many people in the woods these days who became hunters after listening to Rogan talk about the superiority of eating game meat. It is worth debating if this is a good thing or not, but that is a likely a discussion for another thread. Cam Hanes and Steve Rinella have benefited greatly from the increased attention of being on his shows too.

I do appreciate the constant advocacy for conservation from Rinella and Newberg. I wish more hunters used their popularity to support these values because it benefits anyone who uses public lands, not just hunters. I do like Rinella's nostalgia for the past as well, I think he does a good job of paying respect to all those who came before him, and it ensures these people are never forgotten.

Speaking of all time favorite hunters and profound conservationists, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Teddy Roosevelt. I am a western hunter, and all the national forests I get to enjoy would not be here if it wasn't for Teddy. He has quite literally had more impact on the USA hunting community than anyone, ever. I don't think anyone will be coming close to his accomplishments and stewardship anytime soon.

I was a professional climber before I became a hunter. I used to be... uhhh... the ignorant-type if you catch my drift. I don't want to get banned for saying a dirty word, so I'll let you guys guess: it begins with an "L" and lowers your IQ. About 20 years ago I had an opportunity to chat with Yvon Chouinard, the ceo of patagonia, and somehow we started talking about sourcing food and he told me he only eats game meat and that he supports hunting and conservation. And down the rabbit hole I went. It was a very unlikely and odd introduction to my current series of values, but hey, I'm here how. Its amazing how clearly you can see the world when you remove your head from your butt and wipe the poop from your eyes. Heeheehee. Now I subscribe to personal liberty, personal responsibility, guns, and the constitution all day long. Hunting and conservation too, of course.

I tend to think of most influencers today as those who are on social media, but my favorite personalities are those who make the best films. Newberg, Rinella, Remi Warren, Brian Call, Born and Raised, HushIn, and many more put our great content that is fun to watch. As much as I despise the censorship of youtube and social media, without these platforms I likely wouldn't have constant access to thousands of hours of really well-made content. Much respect for anyone hauling professional camera gear around the same mountains that kick my butt every year. I find the content very motivating.

Inspired might be a good word ? I was thinking of mentioning Teddy. Glad you did. Many probably won't believe this but my great great uncle was Teddy Roosevelt. The Roosevelt's were my mom's side all in upstate N.Y..
My great grandmother was his niece. When I was about 16 I asked her if we were related to Franklin Roosevelt. She came unglued . She said that SOB ( I abreviated) has no relation to us ! Ok grandma, settle down. She lived to be 99. My mom always said to me that's where my love of hunting came from. I've read a couple of his books.

 

[flyguy1]

This is definitely a side bar, but kudos for great memories to the Madison Avenue Rod, Gun, Bloody Mary, and Labrador Retriever Benevolent Association. Ed Zern at his finest. Why don't we have fine literature in sporting magazines anymore? The "Lower Forty", the wonderful writings about bird hunting by Havilah Babcock, a Professor of English . And Saint Jack was a Professor of Journalism; not that that exists much any more. Maybe because no one who hunted could get tenure as a college professor these days.

 

[LRNut]

This is a great topic... :>)

Personal family influencers were my Dad, Grandpa Brown and Brother-in-law David Priven.

Jack O'Connor's articles in Outdoor Life and his books were my Bible. He was a great writer and made you feel as if he was talking to you. His love of Sheep hunting and Sheep country made a huge impression on me. When I took my first sheep, a Dall in Alaska, my thoughts went back to Jacks articles and how I was feeling the same feeling that he wrote about.

Jim Charmichael, who replaced O'Connor was an engineer who loved to shoot. His technical expertise was right on and filled my thirst for technical information on rifles, reloading and shooting. His books are also on my shelf also...

Jay Gates from Kingman, AZ also had a huge effect on my hunting. Known as the "Deer Hunter", Jay took a Slam of Deer for 13 years in a row. His use of big binoculars opened the door for me.

These men have had a huge effect on my hunting and my life. DesertDweller62

I believe Carmichel majored in journalism; he is not an engineer. But that is kind of splitting hairs, because unlike almost all other gun writers, he designed several cartridges (.22 CHeetah), shot (and still does) competitively as well as hunted all over the world. And to the best of my knowledge, he didn't have to declare bankruptcy to do it.

 

[Carlos88]

Pat McManus, best outdoor humor writer ever. If you can't laugh at all of our misadventures maybe hunting isn't going to work out for you.

I have most, if not all, of his books. If you have not read them, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. Should you have a vivid imagination (as I do), you will be in for a real treat.

 

[LRNut]

This is definitely a side bar, but kudos for great memories to the Madison Avenue Rod, Gun, Bloody Mary, and Labrador Retriever Benevolent Association. Ed Zern at his finest. Why don't we have fine literature in sporting magazines anymore? The "Lower Forty", the wonderful writings about bird hunting by Havilah Babcock, a Professor of English . And Saint Jack was a Professor of Journalism; not that that exists much any more. Maybe because no one who hunted could get tenure as a college professor these days.

In my opinion, the single thing that led to the downward spiral of sporting literature is the creation of public relations (PR) companies. I believe Kevin Howard was the first; at the time he worked for Winchester-Western. He realized it was less expensive to pay for a hunt for a writer than to buy advertisements. He then left WW and started his own PR firm; others soon followed. As we have all seen, stories are now simply an endless line of product mentions. Writers like Babcock, O'Connor, and Gordon McQuarrie are literary figures from a bygone era.

The other thing that changed was writers becoming sponsored by manufacturers. If you look at a Field & Stream or Outdoor Life mag from the 60s or 70s you won't find a writer endorsing a product in an ad; today they abound. Chuck Adams was one of the early leaders. Others took "consulting" contracts with manufacturers, one notable person being Jon Sundra (Shaw barrels and Leica were often mentioned by him), who at the time wrote for Petersen's HUNTING. When Bob Petersen found out he stopped accepting articles from him; when Bob sold his magazine empire Jon got back in. Today many writers are on the "Pro Staff" or otherwise compensated for mentioning products. What I find disgusting is the complete lack of transparency - the FTC requires anyone who is paid to endorse a product to acknowledge that, but it is widely ignored in the publishing industry.

I remember O'Connor writing that his latest book had sold so well he could afford to go on another safari. Very few writers today pay for guided hunts.

 

[DesertDweller62]

LRNut is right on... Years ago I worked for a Ad/PR agency in LA. We had some Archery clients who wanted a certain High Profile Archery Hunter to promote their products. We contacted Mr. Archery and the first thing he told us was it took a check for 10K to start the negotiation.

A friend of mine went to a seminar put on by Mr. Archery and he promoted a number of archery products as "must have" for archery hunters. During the Q/A period someone asked how he afforded to do all this hunting in North America and around the world? His answer, "I live like a pauper, didn't own a home and spend every nickel on hunting and I'm broke" That's a laugh! He and his beanie could be seen on dozens of ads and commercials in the archery world.

Now days, having a TV show sponsored by outdoor companies is the new ticket to fame in the hunting world. DD62

 

[MagnumManiac]

I have, but one….
RUT DANIELS…look him up on YouTube.

Cheers.

 

[Chadp82]

Elmer Fudd.

I like huntin' wabbits!

 

[NorCalRiceGuy]

Elmer Fudd.

I like huntin' wabbits!

Be vawy, vawy keh-ful!

 

[MagnumManiac]

Seriously, the only writer that I take any credence from is Craig Boddington, my handle was taken straight from one of his articles where a reader accused him of ONLY recommending MAGNUMS and went on to call him a 'magnum maniac'.
We have very similar likes and dislikes when it comes to cartridge performance.
I am a stick in the mud and arrogant about what works, but still open to suggestions.
Just like how recently I have bought/built a 300RUM and a 7STW….10 years ago that would never have had happened.

Cheers.

 

[Finsta]

Boddington is one of my favorites. Spomer,Petzal and the like are top rate. Many of the others are top rate hunters with good advice and information to offer. They wouldn't have their jobs if they weren't. When it comes to products being promoted you have to allow them some slack for hype. And you have to figure they get perks to do so. Besides, when they talk of something like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread and then five years later they make the new kid on the block sound just as good, they are the ones who look fool hardy at that time. There's an up and comer that has great promise. His name is John McAdams of Biggamehuntingblog.com. You ought to check it out. I like his work. It's best for newbies, but his charts and well rounded links make for good quick reference (and comparisons)even for the more experienced. Nathan Foster of Ballistic Studies (Terminal Ballistic Research)out of New Zealand rocks and is another one of my favorites.

 

[LRNut]

Seriously, the only writer that I take any credence from is Craig Boddington, my handle was taken straight from one of his articles where a reader accused him of ONLY recommending MAGNUMS and went on to call him a 'magnum maniac'.
We have very similar likes and dislikes when it comes to cartridge performance.
I am a stick in the mud and arrogant about what works, but still open to suggestions.
Just like how recently I have bought/built a 300RUM and a 7STW….10 years ago that would never have had happened.

Cheers

He knows his stuff but I totally lost respect for him when:
1. He claimed he never got a free hunt (Sept or Oct 2009 issue of PH; I remember it because I was on a 21 day in Tanzania and the pros in camp had a good laugh)
2. Racking up 2.5 million in debt and walking away from it by filing BK