If you don't think his goal from Day 1 was to try and make money off of hunting, or become famous / create a following for himself, or something along those lines then you should ask Randy why in his inaugural season he LIED repeatedly into the camera about how he was hunting on public land when in REALITY he was on private land in at least a couple episodes. Including what could have been the very first hunting episode he filmed, and if it wasn't the first then it was the 2nd episode as it was a spring bear hunt. One that when it was stated in comments of the video that he was on private land the whole hunt, including when he killed the bear, he removed from You Tube within 24 hours.
He also was in the same spot on another hunt, giving Holier Than Thou sermons about doing the right things, the right ways, no short cuts, yada yada while again, lying, calling it public land when in fact it was private land that he well knew was private land. This is just in his 1st year. So why would someone who's not doing it for the money, or following, repeatedly lie to his audience about where he was hunting? Why would he say "We're here on public land, a place that you yourself can come hunt" when he wasn't?? Looking through objective lenses, I would have to say it's because for no other reason than he wanted a following.
Watch this link before he pulls it. Specifically the first 6 minutes 30 seconds. How many times does he say he is on public land? The speech I mentioned about the right way, no short cuts, blah blah blah runs from 5:54 thru 6:30. But watch close from 5:30 thru 6:30. He gives that entire speech while sitting on private property, but telling his audience its public ground. He is literally sitting there on private ground. Hell he even has his buddy Bart saying they were on public land for both of these specific hunts. Lots of lies for his first season of filming. How would I know?? I grew up across the fence from where the elk hunt took place. Within a year or two of him filming these two hunts, the ranch I grew up on bought the property that he was standing on when he gave the speech in the video and where he killed the bear.
Randy has no doubt done a lot of good things for hunting and advocacy. But he also created a false narrative from the beginning of his filming. For Randy to so spitefully be against guides and outfitters, but then do exactly what guides do and take people out and have them literally follow him up the mountain, is a double standard. And then blow up spots with zero care of what scenery he films.
Randy, if you read this, again, I am not saying you're a terrible person. You have done a lot of good, more than most people including myself. I am just stating reasons as to why people call BS when you say "its never been for the money or following".
Let me say this from my perspective. Which I feel is 100% correct. Not because it’s mine. Because it’s the way it is.
I’m as conservative a human being alive. Morally, fiscally, socially, etc…. I’m also as outspoken and loud about the dangers that Groups like the BHA propose for hunting’s future. I’ve been dogging their ass for 10 years on hunting forums.
State chapters consisting of many great hunting brothers. Headed by a corporate office that politically ties itself with political ideology that goes against my core beliefs. From natural resource management to beliefs on storied hunting methods.
I’m a licensed professional forester, with over 20 years experience working for government and private industry. My degree was in forestry natural resource management. I’ve been around the block on both sides of the spectrum. Concerning simple wildlife management topics, water resources, timber and fossil fuel procurement and reclamation, timer harvesting, habitat improvement practices, etc…. Everything involved with the bigger picture associated with managing an eco system.
After being exposed to these topics from both sides, I found my role in both sectors inevitably found me using that experience to try and educate others that we had better get some advocates for hunters on public ground. Or, we weren’t going to have that right much longer.
It started as a job responsibility when employed by the government, to acting as a consultant for private entry interests owning mineral or resource rights on national forests. While I rarely do natural resource consulting anymore, I’m am very much up to date on the laws that protect huntings futures on public lands. I’m very up to date on the procedures currently in place that ensure we are granted those rights. And, I have a slightly different perspective on the dangers facing public land hunting then the BHA. And, even what Randy has expressed in the past.
I tell you all that so you’ll hopefully understand that I’m not being dubbed by persons. I’m not being fooled by punchlines. Or, a cool hunting show or host. Or, why each one has done what they did/do.
I’ve never met Randy Newburg. Never. I’ve interacted with him on several hunting forums. Which, is where I may differ from his ideas on what the word conservation truly means. I don’t know that for sure. Only saying preservation of natural resources should in no way be associated with the idea of conservation that these groups preach in many instances.
So, I’m not selling out to an idea of his or anyone else’s. I don’t take his perceived acceptance of such action as the defining reason to dismiss his never hidden intent. Nor do I proclaim it’s his personal belief either. I’m just saying I’m not afraid to point any of that out. To anyone. Including him.
However, I’m also smart enough to understand that in his attempt to accomplish representation for hunters interests on public lands, we need to address every ear. So, while I had the luxury of stepping away from all that, he’s assumed that role with intent.
With that comes a away to reach people. That requires money. That also requires a brand to associate with in order to receive the amount of money to grow. It requires sponsors. It is basically the kids lemonade stand you drive by occasionally.
It’s just a simple business model that’s required for him to do what he does. No money, no success in accomplishing the goal. So, It’d be plumb stupid to bitch about his making money off doing it. I’m sure being a COA he’s made some coin in his life personally. Probably enough to have gotten through the first two episodes a decade ago. I wander if he used his childhood allowance to pay for the others since then?
Cone on man, get over yourself. The guy has never hidden his intent. He’s not out here acting like land tawney claiming one thing while doing another. He’s never wavered from his first episode.
There is nothing wrong with disagreement. However, he isn’t the enemy nor the cause. And, the good thing is, he has reached a time that he doesn’t need anyone incapable of seeing it.
