Ive read this whole thread. I see Matt's perspective, he has a fancy way with words and I dont agree with some of his views.
I'm 43yrs old and grew up in michigan with shitty wood goat (whitetail) hunting and a dream of being able to work hard, grow in life and one day be able to fuffill my dreams.
Now I'm in a point in my life that I can afford to come out west for a week of two every year and chase those dreams. I spend my hard earned money on an outfitter, food, fuel, tags, USA made equipment, ect, ect, ect.
What I read from his article, and the message from his "blood origins" podcast interview was.....
"i was here first, dont come, I dont like compitition, this isnt fair, its not like it used to be, whine, cry, gypsy tears...
If I were Steve, I'd be beyond super pissed.
Come on Matt, man up, you have had it pretty damn easy compared to the hundreds of hours of overtime I work to afford to be able to do something I enjoy too, for a few weeks a year while pumping thounds of dollars into your economy, in which you are fortunate enough to live in everyday. Id live in Montana if I could afford too, but I dont have $400k for a crackerbox shack in a no-name town 50mi from a gas station where my wife has to home school kids and home cook three square meals a day and beat the rugs with a straw wisp and keep the coyotes and lions out of the chicken coup.
I couldnt afford to give a shit about "grip & grins" if I had to finance it. Its not ruining hunting out west or anywhere. The problems you are worried about are called inflation, population growth, and limited resources.
Taxation is just a "legal" form of theft. The game and fish dept. of any state tax the shit out of me for an out of state tag. OTC or draw. Its $500-$700 just to get started, and if you want a preferance point, well thats $100 or so. Hey, okay, I dont live there so I will pony up. Thats the deal, those are the rules. I dont bitch or complain or make a podcast or write an article on how I'm a middle class american who works and saves and hunting out west should be an affordable asset to all americans who want to do it. Id bet to say that about 90% of the people on rokslide are middle class, and 10% who think they know a bunch of shit they dont. The memebrs here do their due dillegence and try to get a tag, time off of work, and be able to afford to go.
Lets change my tone a little bit,
I like Steve, Janis, Cal, and the crew at Meateater and enjoy their content. Its well put and well written. I enjoy the content and listen to all of their podcasts. Its great entertainment. I will continue to enjoy their show.
I DO NOT and WILL NOT buy XD, FHF, Phelps, BCO or Meateater merch or equipment because it is owned by the cherenin group. And its a Damn fact that they are againt the 2nd amendment.
It unfortunate that Steve Rinella has his XD equipmpent made in ASIA, as well as Remmy and Cam haynes sponsered by UA thats made in ASIA. And KUIU and Sitka made in ASIA and china.
How about these "Star hunters" go over to ASIA and kill some animals? Hunt China, or Vietnam or Tiawan or Shri-lanka? THey can make an episode about how the kid that made the $500 coat they are wearing is now guiding them on safari for $3/day.
I agree with MAtts point that some of these guys are not transarent on the tags they get. The costs of some of their hunts are simply out of the middle classes reach unless we win the lotto.
Joe Rogan admits that he has "**** you money", and that if you have **** you money and dont say "**** you", than whats the point of having the **** you money, "your wasting it"
I totally get why Joe shoots 2 or 3 high dollar tag bulls a year, because he can. And, you would to if you could afford it. I cant hold that against him because he is rich.
Lots of rich guys **** me over every day.. Their called politicians.
-Off the soap box now.