What is missing? Todays Hunting Films/Content

[Eastman528]

I want to hear your opinion on what current "content creators" in the hunting space are missing when it comes to producing films or content for YouTube etc. What are they getting right? What type of films and content resonate with you as a hunter the most. This is obviously very subjective but I am curious how others feel on the topic particularly fellow Roksliders sense I feel were a unique subset of the hunting space. For some context as to why I am interested in this topic I'll share my perspective. I have always had an interest in videography/photography and dabbled in filming my hunts, mostly self filming. In 2017 I filmed my wife kill her first elk (she was about 6 months pregnant at the time). The motivation was mostly to share with family and eventually our kids, I threw it up on Youtube to make it easy to share but never pursued it any farther. I always struggled with impacting my hunting with the filming aspect and kind of just got burnt out on the whole idea. My interest in that realm now lies mostly in photography, keeping it simple and just getting good quality photo's of my hunts to share with my kids, friends and family. There is still a spark there at times to film something but I would have to have real meaning and purpose to go through the effort.
My personal opinion is so much of todays hunting content lacks STORY or depth, there are exceptions but so much of it is just highlight reels with no back story or gear promotions. Things have kind of went full circle from the hunting television days to the early days of Youtube and film tours like Fulldraw to where we are at now, its just being done in a different way. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with this entirely I consume as much of it as the next guy. Not all content needs to or can be cinematic. Maybe its partly the space is so saturated now days but seems the push to constantly have to produce content were sacrificing quality for quantity. Again there are exceptions and it seems those really do stick out.

Thoughts?!

 

[Steve300xcw]

Thoughts?

I like looking back on old pictures. I dont personally understand the need for a guy to film every second of his hunting season, but to each his own.

I do think "content creators" and the clowns trying to be the next youtube star have done more harm than good. Be it with hunting/off roading/ etc etc. The world would be a better place without it.

 

[NealS02]

Personally, I do not consume much of the media content associated with hunting except the learning components. This includes educational podcasts like Rokcast and Live Wild (not so much the purely entertainment ones) and video series (ex: Outdoor Class, Eastman’s Elk Collective, etc.). To answer your question more directly, I like some story behind the hunt video and a sense of “being there” as much as that is possible with a YouTube video. I think GoHunt does a pretty good job with some of their stuff minus an educational component. In general, I think people would relate more to/enjoy seeing video of everyday hunters and their journey. Where I get disinterested is seeing people with seemingly unlimited budgets within the hunting industry always being successful. I know this may be convoluted, but in summary I would like to video content that captures the spirit of hunting (I know that is vague), the ability to relate to the hunter(s), and some component of learning something new.

 

[Dos XX]

They need to be more like Bill Dance fishing shows.

 

[Jsmalls273]

Personally I love the shows like "the hunting public". Real people who hunt public land without a bunch of fancy stuff. They might have some sponsors now but for years the were wearing wal mart camo and equipment that normal everyday people actually use. Not decked out from head to toe with a 1k sitka suit. They don't shoot $2000 bows with another 2k of accessories on them. Most importantly most of the episodes didn't have a kill in it. They showed the bad shots and explained them, one could see the sadness on their face for the bad ones just as much as the pure excitement from a good shot. Plus they brought some awesome "new" whitetail tactics to the light that actually work.

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[woods89]

I wish they'd all just quit......

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Main thing I dislike is seeing too much of their face. I prefer the scenery and maybe narration for a short update but I can’t stand when half of the video is their face talking in a selfie.

 

[TaperPin]

I’d be ok if every new video had Hannah Barron or Vicki Stark in it.

 

[mt100gr.]

There's more than enough "content" out there already. They could all just consider it created and just hang it up. There's only so many ways to spin it....seriously.

 

[Eastman528]

Thoughts?

I like looking back on old pictures. I dont personally understand the need for a guy to film every second of his hunting season, but to each his own.

I do think "content creators" and the clowns trying to be the next youtube star have done more harm than good. Be it with hunting/off roading/ etc etc. The world would be a better place without it.

Same here, I always loved looking through my families old hunting photos.

 

[Eastman528]

Personally, I do not consume much of the media content associated with hunting except the learning components. This includes educational podcasts like Rokcast and Live Wild (not so much the purely entertainment ones) and video series (ex: Outdoor Class, Eastman’s Elk Collective, etc.). To answer your question more directly, I like some story behind the hunt video and a sense of “being there” as much as that is possible with a YouTube video. I think GoHunt does a pretty good job with some of their stuff minus an educational component. In general, I think people would relate more to/enjoy seeing video of everyday hunters and their journey. Where I get disinterested is seeing people with seemingly unlimited budgets within the hunting industry always being successful. I know this may be convoluted, but in summary I would like to video content that captures the spirit of hunting (I know that is vague), the ability to relate to the hunter(s), and some component of learning something new.

I am with you on the educational content. I agree Gohunt does a good job, I think Gritty also does a good job adding in some educational content that to other hunters might seem obvious but makes it more informative to the general public or less experienced hunters. I know what you mean and that was kind of what I was getting at with we have went full circle from the hunting television outdoor tv primos days right back to allot of the similar stuff just through different forms like youtube.

 

[Eastman528]

Main thing I dislike is seeing too much of their face. I prefer the scenery and maybe narration for a short update but I can’t stand when half of the video is their face talking in a selfie.

I have to agree with you, I get why its hard to avoid but I really am not a fan of the talking head vlogging style video's either.

 

[Eastman528]

There's more than enough "content" out there already. They could all just consider it created and just hang it up. There's only so many ways to spin it....seriously.

I understand where you are coming from, I agree its become over saturated with allot of the same thing being re-hashed. Personally I still think there is plenty of room for original "content" particular in more long form types of media like a longer hunting film that tells an actual original story or educational like NealS02 mentioned. That stuff is allot harder to come by though. Instead of these influencers or youtuber types having to constantly pump out content to work the algorithm appease their sponsors etc. and they only put out the 1/10 or whatever it is really standout video that actually provided something new or original it might feel different.

 

[liv3mind]

Need more crikey

 

[Jack321]

Personally I love the shows like "the hunting public". Real people who hunt public land without a bunch of fancy stuff. They might have some sponsors now but for years the were wearing wal mart camo and equipment that normal everyday people actually use. Not decked out from head to toe with a 1k sitka suit. They don't shoot $2000 bows with another 2k of accessories on them. Most importantly most of the episodes didn't have a kill in it. They showed the bad shots and explained them, one could see the sadness on their face for the bad ones just as much as the pure excitement from a good shot. Plus they brought some awesome "new" whitetail tactics to the light that actually work.

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Agreed. The "real" hunting aspect of it.

It's why I've quit watching Buck Masters, or Pigman (can't stand him and how he portrays the sport) or any show that they shoot a 800 pt deer overlooking a field with 100 deer in it as they wait for "Ol Blue Beard." Can't stand when they name deer or will pass up animals that I'd shoot in a heartbeat or will pass a 5 yr old 12 point 160 clsss deer to "let em grow a bit bigger til year 7." Sickens me.

And probably why you've seen the rise of guys like Steven Rinella in MeatEater, Western Hunter guys, Randy Newberg and The Hunting Public guys who go out on public ground and find success. I know guys knock em and now their "celebrities" and they also have sponsors and stuff. But what brought em up was authentic content. Now I do think they've kind of gone the way of the market to big trophy animals. But they didn't necessarily start out that way. So I guess their "early years."

But I also can't blame them for "turning to the dark side" because if someone's going to throw money at you and give you gear and tech and then eventually access to amazing opportunities and a crew to scout and find animals for you....I mean you gotta make a living right?

I like Western Hunter because they portray the back country hunting, "spend a week with everything on your back" Hunt while also hunting public land.

I like The Hunting Public guys because it's walmart shopping, every day gear and awesome/unconventional tactics and they are "average Joe" hunters. I like how they roll up in a Ford Focus, some cheap camo and camp in Coleman tents at camp grounds.

I like MeatEater because he shows the whole process, especially cleaning/gutting the animal yet also eating it. Not a fan of how he's becoming a pretty-boy, cook with high dollar ways to cook food and more of a fancy cooking show. I also like how he brings in a lot of the History or the Aldo Leupold/Teddy Roosevelt/frontiersman aspect. He's very well read and his MeatEater content in bringing in experts about their topics is top notch.

MeatEaters coverage of the Wyoming Corner Crossing issue was absolutely superb! Bringing in game wardens, Lawyers and the old 1800 laws that are at play and both sides of the issue. It was so well done.

Granted he's kinda morphed into FirstLite, Phelps, FHF, Weatherby and Federal and hunting premo spots with guides and scouts to find game. I liked him more when he had Under Armor, with a First Lite Hat, a Sitka Jetstream jacket, Schnee boots and a hodge-podge of gear a normal Hunter would have hunting public land.

I liked Newber and Fresh Tracks because he brought Western hunting and his YouYube videos to explain the complicated Western hunting states rules, draws and units to common language. I know guys crap on him for doing this, but the ways he breaks stuff down for average guys is helpful and anyone who hunts out of state in Western states or wants to try something new can find solid information from him.

Both Newberg and Rinella did to hunting what John Madden did to football. Explain it in a way for the average guy.

So I guess "authenticity" is the word I'd use.

But now so authentic that it's painful to watch (Ala the "Into High Country" guy!) Holy crap does that guy have a voice that will put you to sleep! Bob Ross anyone?!?! No music. Monotone voice. Strange....

And lastly I'd also second some hot blond or brunette with skimpy attire holding a nice rack or a big ol fish would also suit me just fine!

 

[SDHNTR]

What’s missing from todays hunting content creators is they all need to go missing.

 

[PathFinder]

The only thing missing is a proper psychological diagnosis of what makes a person spend their time outdoors with a camera stuffed in their face for the purpose of seeking attention from strangers on the internet. There's no way that's not pathological.
Every last one of them, from the wannabe nobodies to the most popular channels, are exploiting wildlife and a pastime for their personal benefit at the expense of everyone else. And it's about time there was some serious social ostracism to counter it.

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