Ever seen one of your critters on-line?

[mtmiller]

Someone dropped me a note the other day about a mountain goat I shot a few years ago. It was a solo hunt in Montana that is one of my most memorable.

Unfortunately some tool at Broadmouth Canyon Ranch decided to use it to promote their canned hunt operation. Says a lot about their operation.
http://www.utahelkhunt.com/pricing-3/

Anyone else ever have this happen?

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I would definitely say something about that one. That would tick me off pretty good.

 

[bbrown]

I would have some choice words but unfortunately it happens. I have not personally had this happen (must not kill anything big enough... Ha) but we have had some D-bags steal our pictures from guided hunts to use as advertising for their guided hunts. It's unfortunate but now any pictures that get posted are watermarked which takes away from the clients picture.

 

[bbrown]

Makes you wonder about all the other "trophy" pictures on their website...

 

[marc]

I had a picture of a bear I killed used in a catalouge for traditional bow building supplies. Several other pics of my bowyers bows were used as well. They pulled them off of his website. I wasn't very happy about it, I wouldn't have minded had he given the bowyer credit for the photos.

 

[jmez]

Actually illegal. If it is your picture it is copyrighted to you. I would make them take it down.

 

[justin davis]

Actually illegal. If it is your picture it is copyrighted to you. I would make them take it down.

Yep. If you took the pic it is your picture under the copyright law. Use of it is illegal without your consent.

 

[gelton]

I met a guy from Illinois while elk hunting whose son had a pic being used by an outfitter of a huge bull that he had killed in an entirely different state. Goes to show you that you have to do your homework if you plan on a guided hunt or using an outfitter.

 

[rayporter]

casts a shadow over the whole operation.

fenced 'park shoots' have no morals.

 

[jmez]

You can also bill them for the use of your picture.

 

[mtmiller]

I sent them a note on FB. The picture has been removed and replaced with a live goat picture that I am sure was stolen from someone else.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

I would still send them a bill.

 

[Poser]

Even though it is illegal under copyright law, there is little you can actually do besides ask/demand that they take it down without spending way more on legal fees than you would ever collect in damages. Copyright infringement cases are only handled in federal court so you can't just go down to your local courthouse and file it in small claims court. Priced out a copyright lawyer lately? If you were going to sue for damages, I'm guessing you would have to show that the outfitter profited off this picture, though, given the price of guided goat hunts, *if* you could prove they actually landed some clients from your picture, money awarded could be decent. Of course, as anyone who has ever been to court over money will tell you, winning is only half the battle. Then you have to actually collect and, given the notoriously dodgy character of shady outfitters, would likely be difficult. suck, though. I'd be pissed.

 

[Poser]

"We specialize in 100% guaranteed elk hunts"

 

[mtmiller]

Even though it is illegal under copyright law, there is little you can actually do besides ask/demand that they take it down without spending way more on legal fees than you would ever collect in damages. Copyright infringement cases are only handled in federal court so you can't just go down to your local courthouse and file it in small claims court. Priced out a copyright lawyer lately? If you were going to sue for damages, I'm guessing you would have to show that the outfitter profited off this picture, though, given the price of guided goat hunts, *if* you could prove they actually landed some clients from your picture, money awarded could be decent. Of course, as anyone who has ever been to court over money will tell you, winning is only half the battle. Then you have to actually collect and, given the notoriously dodgy character of shady outfitters, would likely be difficult. suck, though. I'd be pissed.

I am not interested in any compensation. I loathe operations like this and if I can only point out their hypocrisy and embarrass their false advertising....I am good with that. I don't think "any press is good press" is accurate in this instance.

 

[Daniel_M]

I'm really eyeballing the desert bighorn hunt for $45k.

 

[charvey9]

I've never had a kill photo stolen (guess its because I don't shoot any trophies....lol), but I do come across some of my other photos online from time to time. Particularly some of the gunsmithing work or firearm finishes I've done. I've seen them turn up in youtube videos, ebay/gunbroker auction pictures. A few of my backcountry pictures have circulated around.

For the most part, it doesn't bother me. I don't do it to make money, and if someone ever wanted to use one of my photos all they would have to do is ask. However, it would piss me off if they were used to promote something I did not support like your situation.

 

[mtmiller]

Another outfitter that used my picture.

Top row.
http://www.chasehill.com/our-hunts/mule-deer/

To be honest, this outfitter asked if he could share my pic with a potential client. Next thing I know, it is on their website. Not the end of the world and I did give them the shot, but buyer should beware of pics posted by some of these operations.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Crap mtmiller!

That is downright dirty. I would report them to the better business bureau and write a letter to the editor to the largest newspaper near their operation.

It turns my stomach.

 

[sodaksooner]

Nice pic as always Craig. It's a good one to use...lol. Glad they took it down.