This was certainly very interesting to watch. I agree with much of what Matt has to say, particularly regarding social media "influencers" and how messy monetization can become within the industry. I would argue that the trend of people attempting to gain fame through social media is widespread and not limited to hunting. I would argue that the flow of money and how companies use it is more often than not very opaque. Whether we talk about hunting or pharmaceuticals or social media platforms, I think we should all at the very least understand that we are viewed as commodities by the companies we are surrounded by. I'm not sure I can 100% get behind his stance on hunter numbers. Maybe I am missing something, but I would think that increased numbers of hunters would mean increased numbers of (hopefully) positive advocates for the sport and increased numbers voting for policies and politicians that benefit us.
I am also a pretty new hunter. I grew up in the suburbs, nobody in my family has ever hunted, and I am certainly the first to own a firearm or bow. Having heard Matt talk about this issue before, it's pretty hard not to think that he wouldn't want me in the woods. I will admit to enjoying (past and presently) Meateater content. I would at least partially credit that very thing with giving me the push to try something that I have fallen in love with. That being said, I have listened to the podcast episode where him and his brother argue about everything he is talking about in this video. I felt like it was impossible to escape a sense that some of Matt's arguments were sort of whining about how he has to run into other hunters when he wants solitude. And if I know anything about families or people in general, there is probably a good bit of jealousy mixed in there. This does not make him wrong, but it does color the sincerity of his positions.
Final thought, he is likely onto something regarding poaching allegations among industry players under pressure to make content. That being said, I have some doubts than the average poacher is doing it for fame and social media likes. Bragging rights? Yeah I could see that, but I think if somebody is willing to act unethically, none of this would matter to them.
Definitely worth talking about and reflecting on, and that's probably the most important take-away.