Thursday, March 28, 2013

Media Influencing Hunters

During the hunting off season I often spend a lot of time thinking and dreaming about hunting.  I am sure I'm not the only one who does this.  One of my thoughts this off season has been about my gear.  I often catch myself thinking, "Man I need a new rifle" or "I wish I could get those optics, that camo, that pack, etc...".  Every once and a while I catch myself feeling that if I only had this or that it might make a difference this year while hunting.  Then I take a step back and ask myself who is controlling my hunting experience?

Way to often people, including myself, allow media and other influences to create a materialistic outlook on hunting and the outdoors.  It is not their fault or their intentions, it is just good marketing!  After watching the a few hours of hunting shows I am convinced that if I was to have the same brand of bow those hunters have I would be able to harvest the same type of animals they do, or if I had their gear I could hunt the same way they hunt and have the same type of success.

Recently I have heard a lot about Colorado's recent gun laws and how many outdoors men are boycotting the State because of the new legislation.   I don't want to take either side on this sensitive issue, but items like this make me wonder how much of the media controls this sport which we/I love?  If I was hunting Colorado this year would I be making the decision myself to go or not to go on my hunt or would I let the media control what I did? I know that the marketing item and the legislation item are two very different topics of discussion, but the one thing they both have in common is that they both influence hunters and their decisions and behaviors.

I understand the importance of having nice gear compared to having cheaper, lower quality gear.  I am not suggesting that it is a bad thing in any way to have the nicest gear possible for your outings, but I am wondering how much of these decisions are based upon media's influence or on our own experiences in the field? What are your thoughts?

2 comments:

  1. Its hard to argue with your thoughts about the medias influence on us. That is their job and they do it well. Allot of times lately, I tend to go away from what is always hot in the industry, mainly because they are usually more expensive and other gear that is just as good. Just because so and so hunter star uses them really means nothing to me. Take for instance my bow, I shoot a mission bow, not the most famous, or most expensive, but shoots great, does the job and fits me. Just my own thoughts.

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    1. I agree with you Phil, I tend to use what works or make what I do have work good enough. I find that even with the nicest gear a lot of hunting comes down to skill just as much as it does luck.

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