Best Of The West

[QuietHunter]

I caught part of the "Best of the West" hunting show this morning while flipping through channels. I recalled the name because I read some posts on another forum where one of the guys involved with it was catching some flack.

I thought the show was put together well. Watched them kill a 6x7 bull at a ranged 454 yards and showed how it was done and could be done at longer ranges. I know some others had felt long range hunting was not suitable for TV, but I thought they had the right mix of knowledge, equipment and explanation to pull it off quite well. Shots were kept in reasonable ranges for the situations and it did not show any bullet lobbing.
Two things to improve on:
1. They actually showed a hunter (not a guide thank goodness) tying up his horse using the reins! Later in the show they used a lead rope, but you never know when someone might actually be trying to learn from their examples [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] .

2. Address the wind. While shooting some random targets they showed how they guessed the wind and compensated for it. Then while shooting at the elk at 454 yards, they only showed the elevation adjustments. It would have been helpful to newbies to repeat the wind lesson by explaining that it was a non-factor (and why) or what was done about it.

I noticed the show playing on the Mens Channel which usually runs infomercials.

[chris matthews]

You caught the rein thing too?
I'll have to bust John's nuts about that but he did admit to me during one of our phone conversations that he's not a cowboy, so I guess I'll let it slide this time! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Good show with some good tips.

[ 08-22-2004: Message edited by: chris matthews ]

[ss7mm]

Don't forget that they stated in the beginning that the hunter, Terry I believe, was on his first elk hunt and it was also his first time on horses. I can see how he might not know about tying up a horse with a lead rope and halter as opposed to using the reins. If you remember, John had moved to the left and was tying up his own horse. I saw the usage of the reins initially, but also noticed later the lead rope being used, so I would guess that John saw it as soon as he got his horse tied up and made the correction before they went after the bull. I have seen first time horse hunters not used to horses and hunting just get off their horse and go to the animal that they have down.

If you have seen all of their videos, as well as "Beyond Belief" you have noticed that some times they mention the wind and some times they don't. I agree that if they are going to stress the equipment and in particular the range finders, scopes and dialing the range that they should also mention the wind and how they read it. At long ranges, under windy conditions, it's just as important as the range.

[QuietHunter]

In an arena such as Long range hunting where new boundaries are being explored for TV, a wrangling issue is very acceptable. I only bring it up because those silly little leather straps get expensive. Anyone who knows better would notice and anyone who would not probably would not notice.

The results spoke volumes on the elk and obviously everything was determined correctly for the elk to buckle like it did. I just would like to see the information given so people can begin to understand the mental checklist that goes on before a long range shot is tried. 454 yards is not that far, but for the average point blank hunter it is a matter of lobbing lead and hoping.

I liked the show enough that I found a future airing and have it set to record on the DVR.

I guess my only hang up with this TV stuff is that it leaves the door wide open for MAJOR criticizm.... by people who may not have even choosen to view it... Thats why I think the Video/DVD thing is a better medium for interested viewers..
The horse thing is a prime example... just a very minor detail but if I was the outfitter or it was my horse there would have been a new wrangler/guide position open...
I've seen way to many bad things happen on a forgotten minor detail...
I realize I am nit-picking but maybe someone sees my point...

[QuietHunter]

Irresponsibility takes many forms and all aspects of hunting can be criticized by those who disagree. I agree that long range needs to be more careful than most traditionally accepted forms of hunting, but if it is done right the by all means broadcast it.
Long range hunting has a tougher path than most, but that is what I like about a program like this. I don't care if I ever watch somebody picking off trophy whitetail off of a feeder in Texas with whatever the latest thing Winchester is trying to market from 50 yards. To me a show that explains the preparation involved and then shows the responsible use and results of that effort is much more apealing.

I dislike half of what I see on TV now days, but I use this cool technological feature on my remote - the change channel button. If that does not work I use the power button and get back to the reloading bench. I sincerely believe more people I know are more offended by any show with "Queer" in the title than any hunting show.

[chris matthews]

So what you guys are saying is a show called "Queer Eye for the LongRange Hunter" wouldn't be a big hit?
[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 08-25-2004: Message edited by: chris matthews ]