Tired of former pro athletes turned hunting celebs?

[Augie]

I feel like I can't be the only one getting tired of seeing all these former professional athletes/celebrities getting into hunting and being the new poster child for outdoor companies due to their following. It's one thing if they just enjoy hunting and want to participate like everyone else, in that case I'm all for it as everyone has a right to hunt and fish in my mind. However, it feels like every time I look there's a new former professional athlete starting their own hunting show, hunting YouTube channel, hunting podcast, on the cover of hunting magazines, etc. even when they have little to no actual hunting experience. It feels to forced and unauthentic every time I see it as many of them are just using it as a new stream of income. They always rep sellout brands known for using influencers and have to make sure to hashtag every brand they use.

So I guess my question is do other hunters actually enjoy seeing these people contribute to the overcrowding problem and profit off of an activity we love even though they lack the credentials as an outdoorsman? Who actually buys into their BS and follows these people besides brand new hunters who don't know any better yet? I can't be the only one who does an eye roll every time one of these guys starts a new hunting channel/podcast just because they shot one or two critters on a private land outfitted hunt and get free equipment from outdoor companies. I didn't name any individuals or companies by name as I don't love bashing, but it just feels like its getting out of control with the self promotion.

 

[Huntinherrington]

I don’t watch any hunting shows so I wouldn’t know who is doing what. I hunt public land and can’t use most of what they try to sell so I don’t watch. The shows are 5 minutes of hunting and 25 of advertising for whatever they are selling.

 

[TSAMP]

Since you asked. I can't say it bothers me all that much. I also don't really know who your talking about but I'd argue If they are truly famous athletes, they are taking a risk by endorsing this pursuit as its seen by many as controversial.

Their hunting credentials? That sounds pretty uppity to me. If it bothers you I'd say your watching to much TV or internet.

I will admit much of the hunting advertising comes off as disingenuous to me and as a rule I can't say I like people profiting off of the wildlife.

So you and I are probably more aligned than different.

 

[Augie]

Since you asked. I can't say it bothers me all that much. I also don't really know who your talking about but I'd argue If they are truly famous athletes, they are taking a risk by endorsing this pursuit as its seen by many as controversial.

Their hunting credentials? That sounds pretty uppity to me. If it bothers you I'd say your watching to much TV or internet.

I will admit much of the hunting advertising comes off as disingenuous to me and as a rule I can't say I like people profiting off of the wildlife.

So you and I are probably more aligned than different.

My meaning by hunting credentials isn't meant to come off as uppity. I'm just proposing that it's strange for guys with minimal amounts of experience in the field to be telling other people how to hunt. To me it's no different than a guy who renovated his bathroom telling people how to build a new house from the foundation

 

[LongWayAround]

Yes.

"Tired of Hunting Celebs?"

Yes.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Companies wouldn't partner with said celebrities if it didn't sell their products.

The easy fix is to stop watching/streaming/listening to and buying from these companies if you don't like it.

 

[KurtR]

No not really I am to busy hunting to worry about it.

 

[Augie]

Companies wouldn't partner with said celebrities if it didn't sell their products.

The easy fix is to stop watching/streaming/listening to and buying from these companies if you don't like it.

I agree and I already do avoid watching/listening/buying from these companies. Yet the machine keeps on rolling forward, so that's why I wonder who actually is buying into this stuff.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I look at hunting as an individual accomplishment. Watching overpaid idiots being led to shooting something they didn't earn is not entertainment. I buy gear because I test it/ like it or it's recommended by someone I know that vouched for it. Hunting shows are like pornography - why waste your time.

 

[Yoder]

I actually think it's good to see someone famous start hunting, instead of pushing some woke agenda. I'm not looking to them for advice but I would rather have them as a role model for people than some freak like Lil Naz x.

 

[Lytro]

It's the same with any half decent looking female that gets into hunting as well. I choose not to follow or watch any of it, but it's hard to blame them when there's money to be made. I'd definitely prefer pushing BS products and hunting for a living than what I currently do.

 

[MallardSX2]

Not really a “hunting celebrity” but I bought a property off of a guy a few years back and many have heard his name, Jody Davis… The guy loves to hunt and at the closing we were sharing hunting pictures the entire time in the attorney had to remind us to stay on task lol.

Jody Davis is a hell of a nice guy and he loves to hunt elk.

 

[wytx]

So complaining on social media about guys on social media?

 

[Augie]

So complaining on social media about guys on social media?

Believe there is a bit of a difference between proposing a question on a hunting forum and self promotion for the purpose of financial gain..... but way to stretch that lol.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

Guess I’m not sure who you are talking about.

 

[dtrkyman]

Never even considered it until this thread. Most of those guys are going to hunt prime private ranches so good for them!

Many of them were hunters prior to their profession and simply have lots of time and money to hunt after they retire. Sounds good to me.

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

As long as they aren't being put on a pedestal for their political acumen I don't really care.

People who know about hunting being being a woodsman can spot the people who don't.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I could care less what other people do, I don't pay any attention, if I do get wind of something that doesn't align I just don't spend my money there.

I just try best to get tags, then I hunt them.

 

[Mag_7s]

I agree with you OP for the most part, there is a lot of cringe factor with all the influencers and celb types. But think of the audience that Joe Rogan has. I personally like Joe, and the message he sends about hunting, but i especially like that he is reaching ears very much removed from the hunting world. Right now we need every voice out there, as our way of life is under constant attack by anti's. We need to keep our younger generation involved in the outdoors and if that means make-up camo face paint and flat brims...well better than the alternative.

 

[Augie]

Never even considered it until this thread. Most of those guys are going to hunt prime private ranches so good for them!

Many of them were hunters prior to their profession and simply have lots of time and money to hunt after they retire. Sounds good to me.

I'm not against them being out hunting on big expensive private ranches or enjoying the outdoors... but do they really need to start a hunting YouTube channel/podcast and be a walking billboard influencer for outdoor companies just because they have a following from being a pro athlete? Being given free equipment, being on a private land guided hunt, and having friends who are legit killers doesn't suddenly give them the credentials to tell other people/give advice on how to hunt. If they want to be retired and hunt as much as they want then good on em, but promoting themselves and those sellout companies for their own financial gain is weird.