doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Death of Bird Dog & Bird Hunting TV on Versus?

But wait, it's made room for those great archery shows that have guys shooting giant carp trapped in mud holes. It doesn't get much more sporting than that!
It's disgraceful that we're inundated with all this crap, I even have to resort to watching a show dedicated to air rifles to get away from the mind numbing repetition of deer hunting from a tree stand.
You can't tell me that people wouldn't want to watch a majestic point versus that nonsense.

It's hard to believe that the American sporting public would rather watch professional bass fishing (about as realistic as professional wrestling) and the (fenced and baited) whitetali deer hunting shows than good men and women and their dogs doing it real in natural coverts with native birds.

I agree that the current state of programming stinks on these channels without a good line up of upland and bird dog shows, but I'm somewhat surprised that no one is calling it for what it is.

The audience probably isn't there as your average viewer of these channels is not likely to dump the $ into a beretta or a Benelli or subscribe to any magazine with the word "journal" in its name. Upland hunting is percieved as elitist and thats the new pariah these days. Sportsmen whom enjoy a fine double and a good bird dog, tend to be well to do, or at least the guys that host the shows. Lets be realistic, this sport costs $$. Sure anybody with a Mossberg pump and a dog could find some pheasants, but the purveyors of these shows market quality guns, quality dogs and quality sporting camps, all of which are not within the reach or grasp of the audience. The management of these channels know exactly who is watching their shows, so thats the programming you get.

-Chris

I'm guessing you haven't priced an out of state deer, elk or bear hunt to name a few. Just the cost of the hunt and tags will set you back an easy $4k, not counting airfare, rentals, etc. I could do a whole hell of a lot of guided Quail hunting down south here for a ton less.
I understand what you're saying though, I'm living in the Redneck Riviera. Only hunting dogs we see around here are gaggles of those god-awful noisy beagles lol.

If there is a viablemarket, I think the shows on upland will return. I hope so, anyway. Meanwhile, I just do as much upland hunting as I can, and hope I can remember it the rest of my life. Those memories are much more important to me than a show.

The folks to talk to are the people in the upland industry. I only do broadcast TV now but I used to be afilliated with a magazine with a TV show. The way it worked then was, you buy your air time and get your sponsors together. If you can't put enough sponsors togther to make a profit, you go out of business.

As a writer, I can tell you that about 90% of outdoor stories sold are bass fishing and deer hunting especially in smaller markets.

I'm pretty sure my friend, Dez Young lurks on this site. He could explain it much better than me, but, trust me, if the sponsors were there, the shows would be available.

All those TV shows are backed by people making megabucks off Chinese products sold to the American hunter.

Truism indeed, Dean. recalls to mind the words from the late H.L. mencken-- "You'll never go broke betting against the taste of the American public" and that said in the days before TV and the Internet. But take heart, the ruffed grouse can never be tamed by man, you'll never hunt for Sir Ruff on a pay to shoot pheasant club--like Mr. Bob, grouse and quail call for fine pointing dawgs and small bore side-by-sides--

I don't if it all the products were made in China but I sure agree with you on the rest of it.

In Texas upland hunting most of the money is spent for access to land. Cabelas doesn't sell bird dogs and after you have spent your money on a shotgun, hunting vest, a couple of training videos, and a beeper collar you are done going to the Cabelas website. Of course I spend a lot of money with Purina and so do a lot of other birddog owners but Purina probably doesn't want to offend the PETA cat loving lesbians by sponsoring a birddog hunting show.

Best,

Mike

Of course I spend a lot of money with Purina and so do a lot of other birddog owners but Purina probably doesn't want to offend the PETA cat loving lesbians by sponsoring a birddog hunting show.

Best,

Mike [/quote]


Now THAT is the funniest thing I've heard in awhile!