Bill Busbice Pleads Guilty
Elk
I'm not sure why anyone would support his company anymore.
Link doesn't work, but I don't even know who he is.
He's just another her tv douche bag with less than stellar hunting ethics.
Him and his sons own Wildgame Innovations. The link works for me when I try it.
Don't know how anyone could watch that pathetic show in the first place.
What a POS.
never liked the show, I cant believe its still on
You would think the former chairman of Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries would know better.....
Another POS with deep pockets who thinks he's a great hunter. I've watched their show a couple times and can't stand him or any of his sons. They all have a "greater than thou" attitude.
What company does he have? I want to make sure I don't inadvertently purchase any of his products.
Wow! That's disgusting....
Thanks for sharing. I'll never buy another product of his again.
With that particular person........it doesn't surprise me one bit.
Looks like he also loses his hunting privileges in Louisiana, as they are a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Wonder how they will spin this on the tv show?????
I hope the Outdoor Channel has enough sense to cancel their show. Never cared for that pompous sphincter from the 1st time I saw the show.
Guess "Big Bill" won't be hunting on tv for a couple years. His company's products are all junk by the way.
Wow...he was already hooked earlier for another violation. Be curious to see if his sponsors and the Outdoor Channel drop him.
The only thing that will determine someone like Bill Busbice is revocation of hunting rights. Should have been for at least 5 years for wantonly breaking the law.
What a scumbag, he leaves the calf out and tells his ranch manger to hide it in a ditch, wow. His dumbass and his two idiot sons should be run out of the hunting industry on a rail. Never liked their show and never purchased any or their products and never will. Just think of how many animals this moron has killed while he was the commoner of game . The judge should have made him serve the 180 days in the big house, maybe we'll get lucky and he brake probation and will end up in jail. What a disgrace.
Well lets see if I can get this to work. This is a list of all of the "brands" that they own.
This mean I have to kill my Avian X decoys at Thanksgiving ? I haven't owned any Wild Game IMITATION products since the first two game cams I bought back in the stone age. Worthless crap !
Glad to see the list of which I own none of, and will never own. Any sportsman who supports big bill is a trader to the hunting world.mmaybe big bill and spook span could get a new show, call it poaching pals.
He's a POS and even though he only loses his hunting privileges for two years it's for all 45 states in the Wildlife Violator Compact. That means the boys will have to do all the hunting to film the show for the next two years or take him to the five states that aren't in the compact. The SOB should have lost his privileges for ten years, served some time in the clink, and the show should be dropped from TV. A guy on MM lives near him and said he and the entire family are pompous jerks! That's what a little money does to you!
Saw the pic on the link and recognized him from his show that I've made sure to never watch after seeing one episode a long time ago (if it's the same guy). He comes off as a real douche and his dyed-black beard looks ridiculous. Is this the same guy who has a couple sons and one of them weighs like 450 lbs? It was pretty sad seeing a young man pant so much just walking into a flat field...
28k and two years is a slap on the wrist considing he is a repeat violator.
He owns a ranch on the upper end of LaBarge Creek here in Wyoming. I won't bore you with the details, but back in '09 when I drew my moose permit he did something that caused me to question his integrity. Then I saw one of his shows and that pretty well confirmed what I already thought of him...complete jackass.
They should have really hammered him because of his past.
OutdoorHub on Facebook
SOCIAL | 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know about the Busbice Family, the Stars of A&E’s ‘Country Buck$’
OutdoorHub Social 3 years ago 1 Shares SHARE TWEET TEXT 1. The family patriarch, Bill Busbice was the Chairman of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and he was on the board for 8 years prior to assuming the chairmanship. So it’s pretty much a given that this family knows a thing or two about wildlife.
bill b 2. The Busbices live on a 55,000-acre property that has been hunted on by celebrities like Dick Cheney the Robertson Family. The property is actually so expansive that it extends through three different parishes in Louisiana it is home to a lucrative timber harvesting operation.
Anyone who knows people could see that these people were fakes long ago. The stink always leads to the turd.
Wow. That's almost 86 square miles...
freaking douchebag! Never did care for anything their operation. Disgrace to my home state
I have never had a visceral reaction to any show as I have had to that one. I actually find something to enjoy in most shows...... but everything about this guy just makes me dislike him. It is THE show I am incredulous is still on the air. When surfing and he pops up I can't change the channel fast enough.
That this happened is no shock. But even if it hadn't it wouldn't have effected my opinion. Now that it has...... you reap what you sow......
Accordi g to celebrity net worth, he is worth 100 million. His $28000 fine would be like me paying $28. He can just hunt Africa and New Zealand the next couple of years. The only way to make him py is to stop buying their products.
Do ya think he dye's his hair??
Wild Game Girls is another one of the shows....
Good luck, Robb
Never watched his show and never will , glad they caught him !
Griz34: my research lines up with yours. This guy owns a number of companies. If he is rich enough to own all of these companies then certainly he can buy his own airtime on any channel. My guess is that his show will continue to run. It would be difficult to stop buying his products because they are so diverse.
Explains why Avian X wouldn't replace my defective decoy ......DSD for me
Wonder if he can still hunt in his enclosure in La??? I bet he can.
a man with his means does not need to violate the law to have excellent hunting opportunities. shame he has to be that way.
Not the first "hunting celebrity" to fall from grace...it's sad when you're so pressed for "entertaining content", that you think you have to bend, or break the rules.
Seems like over the years a lot of the horn porn tv guys get caught poaching for money and fame. I quit watching all of the shows except on your own. The rest are embarrassing
A line from Wedding Crashers popped into my head. In the words of Chazz, "What an idiot".
Outdoor channel probably won't drop his show. They have no standards, as long as you have the money for the air time.
Like already mentioned, he isn't the first hunting celeb to get pinched. Business-wise however....because his various companies are sponsors to alot of other hunting celebs, will those other hunting celebs keep his products as their sponsors? That maybe the big story in this.
Cut him some slack... maybe he was drunk.
Big money guys. I like that he loses 45 states to hunt but only 2 years!! So he will just be going to Africa for months on end filling hundreds of tags and expanding his company. Accidents happen but this is just blatant poaching F him and his stupid show. I'll never buy anything from his companies.
Anytime I watched that show I always felt like he had a screw loose or had been hit in the head. Everyone is ripping them so bad on Instagram they are deleting posts to try to hide the comments.
If memory serves Lee and Tiff have WGI as a sponsor.
WOW!!!!!!!!!! Talk about SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never heard of this guy or watched his show. Had no idea all those companies had a connection. Don't buy a lot of their stuff, but do have a plano bow case and I think a tackle box. Won't be buying any more of their stuff though.
This guy apparently had a history of violations. One time I might give the guy the benefit of the doubt. But when you get busted several different times, you don't get any benefits! ;-)
Disagree Rut Nut...even if it was his 1st time and he disrespectedly wasted a critter like that, and knowing it is against the law, no way one should get the benefit of the doubt.
Most of the "TV celebrities" have hunted with the Busbice family in Olla, LA. The Bone Collector Crew, Buck Commander crew, Swamp People, Red Arrow, Jackie Bushman, etc. They all either hunt with the Busbice family or promote their products. The outdoor industry is incestuous. They're all in bed together. Avoiding the Busbice companies and products with all of their connections isn't easy.
The punishment definitely doesn't fit the crime in my opinion.
Wow I definitely am surprised to see Tenzing on that list. Curious how there sales will be affected. I bet nothing will change.
Unacceptable. However, the board of directors (if there is one) should vote him out and replace with someone else.
A lot of people out there that buy and use the stuff he owns and they still will. I've had "quality" stuff before that doesn't tote the mark and he didn't own the brand...
Hopefully Cam Hanes will stop repping Tenzing. I'm sure there are a bunch of backpack companies that would love to sponsor him.
A year or two ago the scumbag was in court in Wyoming and convicted for applying for and obtaining a resident general elk tag when he's a resident of LA. On top of that he was also convicted for buying more deer licenses that is legal in Wyoming. He should have done time along with losing privileges for ten years, not two, in all 45 of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact states!
With his money you just go to New Mexico and buy all of the top tags you could care to punch. Hunt deer and hogs local and you don't have time to poach in WY.
My dad always told me that you can't polish a turd.
It is refreshing to see that BS folks can still be outraged. I was sickened to see the BS support of Elite Archery for what was in some ways a far worse violation. And people still shoot their bows......
I doubt this will hurt sales. Very few people are tuned in enough to know who owns what or where it come from. I know a guy that has bought GMC 1/2 ton trucks for years because he's convinced the sheet metal is thicker than Chevys.
I don't care to pad this guys pockets but the truth is that trying to avoid buying products from companies who have Dbags at the helm could be a full time job.
Also, he is one guy. Probably a bunch of quality, outdoors-minded folks making a living at these companies
This is interesting as "Big Bust" Bill is probably the biggest money guy in the entire hunting industry by far. Thinking back, I've seen about every celebrity hunter I can think of kissing up to him and his sons. I never completely understood why until now seeing his estimated net worth and swath of companies he started or bought out. For those of you who pledge not to support him, you'd better be prepared to start hunting with self bows and homemade arrows. I don't see how other shows and networks can totally disassociate with he and his companies given how much money they throw in. Don't worry about Ole' Bill, he can and has the money to hunt deer preserves, Canada, Africa, New Zealand, Russia etc....The hunting industry makes me nauseous at times but as many seasoned hunters move away from the TV stuff, there are waves of younger folks that are enamored with them and keep them propped up:(
Good for them!
BREAKING NEWS: Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks Indefinitely Suspends Bill Busbice and Wildgame Nation
I think congratulations are in order to anyone that is able to stomach more than 5 minutes of one of their shows. You could use that TV in an episode of "Fear Factor" back in the day. I'd barely seen any of it on TV and the vomit just starts to rise. Just like TD the quicker I'm able to move on the better for my physical and mental health.
As suspected, it looks like the domino's may be starting to fall. Who's next?
Congrats to the outdoor network for dumping the scum ad poacher. The judge should have ruled that he's not allowed to hunt for five years and should have thrown him in jail. Just like most scumbags, they never learn and it's just a matter of time until he screws up again.
"I think congratulations are in order to anyone that is able to stomach more than 5 minutes of one of their shows."
Worst hunting show to ever air...
RTH3212 I agree with you 100%..... the BS locals accepted that one.
Sorry fellas, I'm not going to stop using Plano products. USA made and great products for the hunter and fisherman. Other than that, it is what it is. God Bless
I've known about that poaching POS and his companies for awhile now and have avoided his brands like the plague. However I didn't know that they owned Plano tackle......That just sucks because they actually make good quality tackle boxes. Damn shame the judge didn't nail him to the jail wall.
As a member of the plano/synergy pro staff, I will continue to stand behind the company and the companies we rep. Bill may own these companies, but has nothing to do with day to day operations of these companies.
I've been a member of Bowsite for over 17 years, and it's truly sad to see and read these comments made about companies that so few no nothing about. These companies are privately run, and again, Bill has no say in these companies day to day operations. These companies are great companies that do more for the support of this nation and the kids then anyone here. We, as members of plano/synergy, are supposed to keep quiet and not say anything, but I refuse to stay quiet when guys come on here and run their mouth about companies that are only owned by the family corporation. Say what you want about Bill, but the companies were not involved in any wrong doing and do not deserved to be run down like what is going on here. If you still feel the need to run down and bad mouth these companies, please feel free to pm me and include your email and I will forward to the ones that are dealing with the media...
I could not find where Busbice is an owner of Plano Synergy. He is not the president or ceo. There is no clear owner that I could see in this corporation. I think his cameras are pure junk but I don't see the connection to him and the products you listed unless Plano Synergy aquired his company,
Bill's company does own a lot of the businesses mentioned, or his corporation does. He is not involved with day to day operations of any of the companies, just like he wasn't involved in Duck Dynasty, or Country Bucks. AS for the Wildgame Innovaction cameras, I've been running the same ten cameras for three years with no issues or failures. I did have the cards stolen last year, but that wasn't the camera's fault. As long as the batteries are taken out when stored, I've had no issues.
Damn, now I'm headed out back to build a big bonfire out of all my Barnett crossbows!
If Bill the poacher profits from the company to continue his poaching ways I will not support, sorry. With his money I'm sure he will have plenty of hunting over the next two years, they just won't be in the 45 states. The only company that I have actually purchased items from is Plano and that will not happen in the future. I wa going to buy a new Muskie nest for the fall but I'll have to look for something different, maybe just keep hand grabbing them.
Poachin Bill might not run the business day to day but if he owns them he is getting our hard earned money to fly his jet to Wyoming and poach elk. Buglmin you might be a real good guy but I won't spend another penny on anything he is involved with. Nothing to do with you. Same with Elite bows. I bought a new bow 2 years ago and didn't even look at Elite bows. If I can help it my money isn't going to support poachers !!
I read the post defending the companies but it is these companies pushing must have products to kill giant bucks, must lease so I can grow food plots etc. These companies and the sell, sell,sell attitude totally sold out true hunters. The pressure to kill and have it on film so people will buy more products are a direct result of greed, ambition and poor judgement. Most tv guys with the exception of a few are just like door to door vacuum cleaning salesmen. They stop by for 30 minutes or so and tell you what you need to be successful. Just like a Hoover rep stops by to see your wife and sell her a $2000 vacuum cleaner when the one you have in the closet works just fine. The companies that Bill stands for, represents and promotes will suffer I am sure. Wake up call for the industry and hunters alike.
This thread is a crazier read than that time rowdy dowdy didn't kill a bear.
Pretty amazing to see all this vitriol.
Too bad the guy didn't just make a funny show about killing the calf by accident. I'm pretty sure his Commisioner's tag was valid for "any elk". To me, that story line would've been hilarious.
jdee X2! All I have are avian dekes off of that list and I won't be buying anymore of them.
Fickle, fickle, fickle. And to think, just a few short days ago some of this stuff was used and owned without a second thought. Funny actually...
Muche x2!!!! Never been a fan of them, their show, or anything related to them since the beginning. Never bought anything of theirs.
HDE, a few days ago we didn't know the company owner was a poacher. Kind of like an ex wife.....damn, if I had known that I never would have married her. You get the point.
If in fact he is the owner or an owner of Plano folks have every right to come down on the company. Every right. I understand lots of people have to work for a POS boss..... but that does not clear up anything WRT the company being owned by a POS. Changes nothing WRT where I want to spend my money.
If he in fact does not own or is not an owner of Plano..... my apologies, but that's not what I read, I read a tapdance about he has no day to day control of the company. If he does in fact own it..... sorry. That product is off my list. It would have been anyway prior to this if I'd known.... just on the fact from all I've seen on TV is he's a pompous jerk. If anyone wishes to report me to headquarters they can do so of their own free will. Not on my time.....
^ This. I had purposely stayed away from anything I KNEW was owned by the Busbice crew. This action just solidified my previous choice. I also know of more stuff to steer clear of now.
But the company, or employees for that matter, that make and market the product(s) didn't commit the crime nor are they the jerks.
I hope everyone feels the same way when an oil executive screws up. They already have the POS arrogance part down...
Well maybe big bill might have some sympathy for his employees and realize that his action have hurt each and every employee. So maybe, just maybe big bill will sell off the companies and retire so that he can do more poaching without effecting his employees? I doubt this will happen because he seems like a guy with a huge ego, and probably doesn't care about anyone else except himself. I wonder if big bill will make a public apology or will he sit back and wait for things to blow over. Wonder how many times in the past he shot animals and left them lay and what about his sons, how many have they killed for the thrills?
Just because you choose to stop buying products from one company, doesn't mean you stop buying those products from another company. Yeah, it might suck for those who work for Big Bill but it will help the others who don't. That's how a free market works.
Outdoor Edge Cutlery dropped their sponsorship of the show.
Plano/Synergy is a big company with A LOT of employees who work hard every day. I won't try to hurt them by not buying products. Boycotting them will only hurt the employees, not the Busbice family. They don't need the money, but the employees do.
Does this corporation have a Board? If so, could/would they oust him?
I make one exception for buying items from those who are total DBs and that is Heinz ketchup. John Kerry's old lady gets a pass but I would buy Heinz if they were owned by Bin Laden.
This thread is a crazier read than that time rowdy dowdy didn't kill a bear.
Pretty amazing to see all this vitriol.
Too bad the guy didn't just make a funny show about killing the calf by accident. I'm pretty sure his Commisioner's tag was valid for "any elk". To me, that story line would've been hilarious.
I don't think there is any way of making that situation funny. Slinging multiple rounds carelessly into a herd of elk is the epitome of irresponsibility and disregard. Its quite sick IMO and that takes a lot. I get so disgusted when I see things like this on the show Wardens, I'd issue as many tickets possible in those situations. It is absolutely unacceptable. Its worse than watching a d-bag leave 90% of his rage tipped arrow dangling from an elk.
I'm still trying to figure out what Elite bows did????
He may not be involved in the day to day operations, but if he owns part of any of those companies he is profiting from them. I for one, will not patronize any company that is associated in any way with a convicted serial poacher! IMHO, these companies should do the right thing and do everything in their power to dis-associate themselves with him ASAP!
BTW, you have a PM Buglemin
"...it might suck for those who work for Big Bill but it will help the others who don't. That's how a free market works."
Free market?!?! Free market gives you choice based on what your needs and wants are. Choosing product A over product B because the owner of product B does something you don't like isn't free market, it's vengeance. It's takes a negative public (and illegal) circumstance of an owner and not the worker to make someone decide to switch? Naw, that ain't free market...
Flog away - the floor is open.
Try googling "elite archery poaching.". Read til your heart is content.
"Free market gives you choice based on what your needs and wants are."
Agreed. I don't need or want to spend my money on items that don't align with my personal reasons. I can choose not to buy Plano because Bill Dance is a klutz or I could choose to buy Plano because Bill Dance is a klutz.
What a turd sandwich. I don't own many hunting products from those brands but own ALOT of plano/frabill fishing stuff. I used to dream of someday working in hunting/fishing industry but the more I see this stuff and frequent social media in general the more convinced I become 90% of the people in them are grade A douchebags. They draw the vain narcissists like moths to a light it seems.
So, it's not funny to you if a guy pays over 10K for a commisioners elk tag.... misses the herd bull and kills a calf? I think that's pretty funny.
Accidents happen. People miss shots. That's reality. The choice happened when he subsequently chose to shoot the bull anyway, and waste the calf. That's the part that's aweful.
Applause for managing to mention Rage broadheads on this thread. THAT took imagination.
Refreshing to see people standing by their values. I mean after over three decades in law enforcement I've arrested hundreds of drunks who were drinking just about everything from wine, beer, and hard stuff. Those companies are making a profit by selling to people who have killed, maimed, and endangered thousands. No one on here buys from those companies?? Oh, and they drive every brand of vehicle going. Don't buy one of those either because you'll be supporting companies profiting by giving people the possibility of killing you.....
Don't support poachers but there is a big picture.
The really sad part is the ONLY reason he got caught is because another hunter saw them do it. If it was never witnessed it would have never happened because who would have reported it. How many other times has he done something like this that we will never know about. It is what I have come to call the Pedestal Mentality. They are either placed or place themselves on that Pedestal and will do everything they can to keep from coming off of it. When the do it usually isn't a self imposed climb down, normally a fall off with a crash and burn impact. DANNY
I youtubed a couple of the video's yesterday ,.... crossbows, shooting moving animals and shooting through brush and the video's showed the best shots filmed I imagine
ughhhh
Yesterday I looked at his "Wildgame Nation" facebook page and it had over 447,000 likes. That's impressive I thought for a hunting related page, and I was more surprised that several of my "facebook friends" that don't even hunt or are weekend warriors had liked the page???
Harem type animals during the rut like elk and mule deer have been accidentally shot many times when they're grouped up next to or behind a buck or bull. He could have personally weathered the storm if he'd handled the initial accidental shooting differently.......
Those pesky locals lurking along his property lines as witnesses were the wildcard he hadn't counted on:)
That's got to be 447,000 likes from the new breed, young hunter that just goes with the flow no matter how stupid it is. I did watch Poachin Bills tv show a couple of times and couldn't believe how damn dumb he acts. It was one of those shows you had to watch because you couldn't believe something so stupid is on tv.
"I don't need or want to spend my money on items that don't align with my personal reasons. I can choose not to buy Plano because Bill Dance is a klutz or I could choose to buy Plano because Bill Dance is a klutz."
That's more like the bandwagon when you hear people like Jim Shockey state "I shoot them and you should too" and a little off the mark on what free market is.
And for being a "klutz" Bill Dance has done very well for himself...
NoMercy, that is funny. I'd like to see what the comments are. I'd half way believe his bullshit story if it weren't coupled w/ the outright truth and several past violations.
This incident is an absolute reflection of what kind of "outdoorsman" you are.... ***You as in Bill B, just reread that, certainly not directed to you NoMercy.
Funny,
The shot was a accident.... But he had others cover it up and didnt report it. Hit and Run............
It absolutely is not off the mark. There is no government intrusion causing me to buy or not buy Plano or any other Bill Busbice company. I have chosen not to enter into a buyer seller agreement. My reasons for choosing to or not don't matter. They can be valid or ridiculous but there is nothing that makes me purchase from Bill Busbice.
Bill' Facebook apology is hollow "it was an accident .... I have never and would never intentionally poach." WRONG after the first elk went down you were done hunting license filled. Yet he continue shooting at the bull which is intentional poaching. As per his own video . Wyoming law enforcement officer Baird said. The video and audio recording shows that Mr. Busbice shot several times at a large bull in a herd of elk and missed several times. The video then shows Mr. Busbice shooting and hitting a calf, and the calf goes down.
“On his fourth shot, Busbice hits the bull in the left shoulder,” Baird said. It then falls to the ground. "
Must have been poaching because they didn't let ya keep the 350 bull!
Apparently he got off to lightly because it sure hasn't changed his mind about the incident. Only thing he thinks he did wrong was not reporting the calf kill.
"...but there is nothing that makes me purchase from Bill Busbice."
True, at least not until he did something dumb. Before that, it was ok? The gov't doesn't set the selling price for a tackle box, the store does - hence "free market". And then the guy who owns the store gets the proceeds less tax obligation - hence "capitalism"
Yes. It is ok. What do you not understand about the freedom to purchase as you may? I can decide to not purchase from Wildgame Innovations because I don't like Bill's dyed beard. Yes. Capitalism....and if the store owner wants to earn my business it won't be anything associated with those boobs.
HDE.... I kinda think you missed the point. Along the lines of the Ditzy Chicks...... they have every right to say what they like...... but they have no rights or protection from being called stupid fish (dumb basses) for saying it or from people who turned their concert tickets back in protest over their very free speech. At the time I believe they had to cancel several concerts.
They employed a good number of folks as well... and their stupid talk cost those innocent folks who didn't say anything. But that's the way it goes..... point being those employees as well as the support companies, etc.... their welfare is not my responsibility in any way, shape or form. In truth the lions share of it was on the Ditzy Chicks. If any responsibility it was theirs. Pretty much the same as it is the responsibility of "Big Bully Bill", not any of us here. Not in any way.
What the Ditzy Chick example also shows is most Americans have very short memories/attention spans. I don't listen to them but my understanding is they are currently doing quite well. Big Bill can take heart.......
Hell Spook Spann is still on TV , and there are companies still backing him .
All these comments from people on here, private pm's I've received and the way these individuals went off has shown me the true colors of a lot of guys on here. I now have lost all respect for certain individuals... As of 1:56, Plano/synergy and Bill had agreed to end their current association. Plano and the companies they own are no longer part of Bill's company. That being said, I hope many of you keep your promises and threats and don't buy anything from Plano or the companies they are associated with. Associated companies include Elite, Mossy Oak, Real Tree, and several fishing lure companies. Thank you for your past support, and good luck in the future...
Synergy is owned by Bills son, Ryan.
Let's get real, if he just transferred leadership/ownership to the boys then nothing really has changed. Have to wonder how the father taught the sons, and is their attitude the same as big bill, only time will tell. I will not purchase any product that is connected with the bus ice family. They certainly don't need the income no doubt, but, I will no support anything they are connected with. The apology bill wrote left out the fact that he ordered his ranch manager to throw a perfectly good elk in a ditch to go to waste, so he's not to sorry. He states that for 40 years he has preached against poaching, yea for everyone else but him. Typical do as I say not as I do. To bad he has put a black mark on him and his family forever in my mind. His apology is weak at best and it doesn't wash.
Yeah, let's get real, get your panties out of your crack, and be level headed. You guys and your "morals". You blow off the hook at unknown situations, insinuate that you got it all figured out, then hold those not guilty, As guilty. It's your right but, be clear with your intent and your feelings. Instead of making lame excuses for your feelings. God Bless
Looks like Bill has his share headaches back home too! Land deals, political favors , good ole boy dealings......
Read the story , it says everything you need to know. He was convicted, not just suspected.defend if you like but the guy is a scumbag. Go read his so called half hearted apology on his kids face book, he left out the fact he ordered the cow to be dumped in a ditch, poacher plain and simple.
To me, the most surprising part of this whole story is that people are surprised. Have you not kept up with the sickening trend in television outdoor programming?
I see Justin fell off his rocker as usual.
The Bill Busbice apologists on this thread act like those that choose to not buy Plano/Synergy products are drowning puppies. I would venture to guess that each an every one of you who are completely distraught over the fact that someone would look elsewhere have done and are doing the very same thing that you are preaching against. None....and I mean none of you can tell me that they haven't avoided a restaurant because of poor service, or a particular auto manufacture because the local dealer is a tool or whatever. Aren't good people being hurt in all of these situations? The only difference is some of you have vested interest in Plano/Synergy. That is ok and quite understandable that you aren't comfortable with the backlash but you should be agitated at the guy who was covey shooting elk and trying to hide his transgressions NOT me or anyone else who chooses not to spend our money to support them.
Silence and complacency are indicative of acceptance.
Not having cable/satellite, I don’t see too many outdoor shows. (Most are unwatchable IMHO.) I ran across this Busbice’s show once, and the main reason I remember it was because I’ve never seen such a dark beard. I remember thinking, “How much black shoe polish does he use every day?”
Yep. Pretty sure he was drunk.
Is there a Bowsite list of approved products?
Yes, a very short one no doubt;)
Bowfreak, I am upset about what was done and how light of a sentence he got and the small fine. What I'm upset about is all the trash talk about Plano without the lack of investigation from all before running your mouth!! Plano bought these companies from Bill and cut all ties from him and his family. Why not contact Plano and find stuff out before talking trash. Plano has people that will talk to you, but most on here just wants to the drama and needs the attention, so they'd rather talk trash here then contact people and find out the truth. I'm done with this post and all the drama that guys need in their day!!
I don't recall any trash talk about plano other than their affiliation, more than anything most were disappointed at the thought of abandoning plano. Geez, talk about drama.... irony at its best.
Again, contact Plano and you'll find out that Plano owned most of these companies, not Bill. Seems most were so ready to point fingers they didn't check into who owned these companies and Bill's association with Plano. Bloodsport released a public announcement on Facebook, so take time to read it. Then you'll realize that Bill wasn't making money from these companies that was talked about. Like I said, people should investigate stuff before running their mouths and saying stuff that later comes out as not true!!
An Important Message from: David E. Dudick, Chief Executive Officer Over the course of the past 48 hours, Plano Synergy became aware of a situation which required swift and decisive action. Today, Bill Busbice and Plano Synergy mutually agreed to end their association. Bill Busbice and his partners sold their outdoor brands to Plano Synergy in 2013. Since then, Bill has been providing services under contract to Plano Synergy, principally as a host of the Wildgame Nation television program, until today when that relationship was severed. Plano Synergy will also be cancelling the Wildgame Nation TV show. Plano Synergy has a culture that is grounded in integrity and great respect for the outdoors. This comes with the expectation that we will always do the right thing. Our decisions will always reflect our commitments to our customers and consumers. We have a deep respect for the law, tradition and the ethical practices of our sports. We take pride in serving our industry and promote the fair and lawful practices of game hunting. Every day we strive to be a company that is trustworthy, respectful and fair with our consumers, employees, customers and business partners. We thank you for your trust. Sincerely, David E. Dudick Chief Executive Officer
https://www.facebook.com/PlanoOutdoors
ohiohunter,
Spot on.
Buglemin,
Why not post a link up for all of us to see? If that is the case you might want to email your contacts at Plano Synergy and have them scrub all of the associations from their website. I am sure that a lot of people will be happy to know that Plano is in no way involved with the Busbice crew. I am still trying to figure out what is considered trash talk? If saying I will spend my money elsewhere is trash talk, I am guilty.
For the Bill apologist, I dealt with him when he was a commissioner for the LDWF, he was one of the most corrupt commissioners that I had to deal with. His agenda was strictly driven for personal gain with disregard for anything and anyone in his way. It seems as though is arrogance and complete disregard for the law has come back to bite him. Just do a little search for the commissioners he served with and you can see the corruption that surrounded him.
No Bowfreak, that is wrong. Your entire post that Rut Nut applauded is a gross speculation and quite frankly fulfills the addage of the word 'assume' only it just pertains to you. Hate will only hurt you because the 'boob' stores don't need you either. They'll be just fine with the people who don't give a rip about what Bill did.
TD, I did not miss the point. I get it that any consumer has the right to choose to buy or not buy a product. It's called 'voting with your dollars'. That is not what free market capitalism is. Even under a state socialist, or communist even, system you can choose to not buy the one bread type available from the one baker in town...
Getting money back because of a cancelled concert is a refund for no service. Choosing not to go because of a comment is a personal problem...
Maybe this incident will serve as a warning to these companies to be a little more careful who they align themselves with! It sounds like this guy has a history of questionable ethics, to say the least. The outdoor industry should take this as a warning and be a little more diligent in their vetting process(if they even have one) before signing these "celebrities" to endorse their products.
I'm with halibutman,,,,if he'd a stopped at shooting the calf/cow it would have made a good story line about how "stuff happens" on a hunt, even with a nice tag on nice private ground,,,,,,,,
it was his actions after that fact that caused all the issues,,,,,,,,
Trust me HDE.....there is not one ounce of hate in my heart for any person on this earth. What I said is spot on and you know it and you are just like the rest of us except this situation hits too close to home for you. Of course you are not going to crap where you eat. I am pretty sure that any personal problems conveyed on this thread have to do with Pro Staff associations and not internet "trash talk."
" Choosing not to go because of a comment is a personal problem... "
I respectfully disagree..... threatening bodily harm because of a comment would be a personal problem. Refusing to do business because you do not want to support or enrich or even be associated in any way with someone you feel is scum is simply exorcising your freedom, literally your rights. Several of them actually. That is not a problem. That is standing for..... or against.... something you feel is important.
The "freedoms" being discussed are constitutional rights and have nothing to do with some literal textbook definition explaining the "free" market system. But in reality even that has many very important factors involved that the textbooks refuse to deal with and don't cover. Human factors. That the books don't cover it does not mean it doesn't exist, or that is not very important. Some things cannot be broken down into a soulless mathematical formula. Nor should they.
Nice job Plano. I will look to buy their products in the future.
Nice job Plano. I will look to buy their products in the future.
Whew, I get to keep my tackle box.
I don't boycott Plano for this incident........I choose to do so because I feel their products are subjacent to others.
Hmmm, Boycott if you feel so inclined or not, it is your choice and your decision. It's 'Merica after all. As for Mr. B., Keeping a few dollars out of his pocket is not going to have a big impact on a very rich man. I'm sure he has enough to last him the rest of his life. I believe the only thing that will have an affect on him is his reputation amongst those he felt he was important to. If he's got any pride left, he'll want to get his reputation back. If so, I hope someone close to him can influence him to do something he should have been doing all along, promoting Hunting in a positive light. He's got the money to do it, I question if he has the inner strength or anyone close that can help. Hope I'm wrong on that one.
I have no illusions that any "boycott" will have much effect on Big Bill. He's already made his money and likely set for life no matter. But I think those he is associated with think it could effect them, they are already disassociating themselves from him. So it does and is having some effect. May even serve as an example to some others too.
No Bark is likely right...... it is a shot to his ego and an ego like that is an easy target to hit. But probably large enough to take some big shots and keep on rolling. He may never make a full recovery from this..... but I'd bet money he'll be around somewhere....
Are BTM and I the ONLY ONES that are disgusted with this guy's ridiculous beard dyeing???
Just kidding, but seriously, sounds like Plano has resolved this as far as I'm concerned. Their trail cameras aren't the best, but they're occasionally super cheap on Camofire so I look out for them and pick one up here and there and will continue to do that. I'm not going to drop serious coin on game cameras since I only use them on public land. Same goes for hang-on stands.
As far as poaching goes and his FB comment, to me, it wreaks of BS. I generally don't join the mob "string em up" calls on these threads about individual poachers because I'm not the one to cast the first stone. I've been negligent of laws that I realized i broke in hindsight and I try to make the effort not to be the hypocrite, but...
On poaching, there are different kinds of poaching. I know some like to look at it as black and white, but to me, it's not that way. For the same reason that the penalty for murder is different if you kill someone in hot blood or cold blood, it's different. Some things are more egregious:
Hunting without a license is one kind of poaching and pisses hunters off because it's skirting what we all have to do and deprives the system of conservation money.
Hunting out of season, but with a license, is different. The money was given for conservation, but an unfair advantage and/or detriment to the game population comes into play.
Being negligent about certain laws is another kind of poaching. People call it poaching, but there are a myriad ticky-tacky laws that are the mainstay of CO's tickets that, so long as the person made an effort to know and follow the law and failed, I can forgive.
Another form of poaching is trespassing to poach on private land what would have otherwise been a legal animal if you had permission. This lights a lot of guy's fire more than anything because they have private land and when people come on it, it's poaching AND trespassing and they also view it as stealing, so, to them, it's particularly egregious.
But IMO, the two biggies are wanton waste and intentionally taking over the limit. Even then, I can forgive a guy who takes over the limit to feed his family. I could likewise forgive the guy who accidentally takes over the limit, so long as he turns himself in or at least, for Pete's sake, make use of the damn meat. At least make lemonade out of your lemon.
You can add to poaching's distaste by trying to cover it up and that's what happened here. You know, if Bill had said after the fact, "crap, I was shooting at the bull, I was caught up in the moment, I didn't see the calf get hit," turned himself in, even if he was lying, I'd have given him the benefit of the doubt. There's a possibility that the CO would have cited him for the one animal and let him keep the other (probably not though). Still, he'd have gotten a pass in my book because I wasn't there.
But that's not what he did. He covered it up and IMO, in the worst way. If he'd have butchered both animals and kept the meat, I wouldn't even be typing this right now. But to add wanton waste on top of taking over your tag limit in a trophy hunting scenario, that's the unforgivable sin in my book.
He said on Facebook: "...I have never, and would never intentionally poach."
That just makes me want to spit. You see into his mind there. His view of poaching is one as a landowner of a ranch in WY and a over 80 square miles of property in Louisiana. He see's "poaching" as going onto private land without permission. Why would he ever do that? He never would because he has more land than he could ever hunt.
To him, shooting an extra animal and dumping it is not poaching. Poaching is only a bad thing to him if it directly negatively affects him. The selfishness and arrogance in that is beyond disgusting. I wouldn't doubt if he's done the same thing on his land in LA because he doesn't see the animals as all of ours; he sees them as his to do with as he pleases.
In my book, he's the worst kind of poacher. He left meat to rot - this is no different than a guy who kills an elk, cuts its head off, and leaves the meat.
Just my opinion, but the actions of one man should not impact the companies and products that he may have some small tie to. If the president of my favorite adult beverage company did something like this, I would still have that icy cold one and go on with my life. Now if the company kept him on and actually supported him through the ordeal, that may be something completely different...
Scar
I have not seen any statements by any companies or the family that stand up to say the act of poaching, wanton waste, failing to tag the calf, etc, were not only regrettable actions but actions that bring shame to the family and brand. For all we know, the only issue being considered by the family and brand is how to keep his loyalty point in AZ from expiring the next two application years. That would really suck, right?
Hey Trail, why don't you tell everyone again who really fell off their rocker.
For alittle more insight into big bills personality go back and read the link Huntercell put up. He has 80 some square miles of land and he fences off one of his neighbors little 10 acre plot so that he can't even access the land. The neighbor had to file a a law suit against bill to stop the fencing. I can just see it, big bill and his sons sitting around the table laughing it up on how they fenced off the neighbors land, if this story is true it shows bill in even a worse light. I'd like to see his neighbors in LA and WY interviewed and see how they see big bill as a neighbor.
For alittle more insight into big bills personality go back and read the link Huntercell put up. He has 80 some square miles of land and he fences off one of his neighbors little 10 acre plot so that he can't even access the land. The neighbor had to file a a law suit against bill to stop the fencing. I can just see it, big bill and his sons sitting around the table laughing it up on how they fenced off the neighbors land, if this story is true it shows bill in even a worse light. I'd like to see his neighbors in LA and WY interviewed and see how they see big bill as a neighbor.
Nobody here is saying poor Big Bill. Why do you keep insinuating that?
Does anyone have a link where companies are backing off Bill Busbice?
Another question....how do they back off him if he owns their company?
Bowfreak, here is a statement from planosynergy. It seems as though they have cut ties with him and the outdoor networks have cancelled his show.
http://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/big-game-hunting/elk/plano-synergy-cuts-ties-bill-busbice/
Thank you. I looked on their website today and couldn't find anything. I am glad they were in a position to sever ties.
Now it's going to be harder for me to sneak in that 55,000 acres to hunt, Bill won't be in WY and probably spending more time at home. Dangit..
I'm not sure how anyone could stand him or his show before this incident
Just read the link. He fenced in his 86 square mile LA property. Why would you make a property that large high fence for white tails? You've already got deer that'll never leave the property their entire lives...
Ike.... because he can....
and i think he uses shoe polish on his beard x2.....
Don x2.... too....
"Only thing he thinks he did wrong was not reporting the calf kill."
true
"Why would you make a property that large high fence for white tails?"
Because once you high fence it, you own the big game inside and no game laws apply. I don't know how it works in LA, but in IA, when you high fence your property, the DNR does a survey and you pay for the estimated population of whitetails inside. At least that is what I was told by a landowner who was highfencing their ground next to a property I hunted.
Hey that's good news for bill that he owns the wildlife, now he can shoot and leave critters to rot without any jail time, he must be happy.
The guy put up an 8 ft fence around his 55,000 acres. The cost of that is unfathomable and would be in the millions. No wonder he thinks he can get away with anything.
When are we going to read a story about a high-and-mighty screwing up and just ADMITTING IT? I'd LOVE to hear about a guy shooting a cow and turning to the camera and saying 'wow, I just burned a (pick a number and add 4 zeroes) Commissioner's tag on a cow elk!' Then we could all have a good yuck at his/her expense and also comment that he/she did the right thing and it's good to know at least one of our so-called political/business/entertainment/whatever leaders have high morals - a lesson we can pass on to our kids. Not this fella, not this time.
He high fences his property pretty much shot up all the smaller native LA deer and bought tons of deer from breeder farms. Now he probably has the finest genetics in country all on his private property. Plus it's all a business write off.
Williamtell There was a great example of a story on Bowhunter TV show just the other night. Curt Wells shot a bull moose that measured 49" missing the required minimum by 1" He immediately called Game and Fish and turned himself in.
Bowfreak nails it ^^^^^^^^
Not close to home Bowfreak. Just dumb, I think, to say a product is all of a sudden garbage because of the stupid human syndrome, seems like an emotional knee jerk rxn to me. Funny now some of these product lines are disassociating themselves with him fast track. Does this mean those companies are ok now - did they get a little "moral awakening" because of public forums?
After watching a small snipit of video, I am glad I have never watched this knothead on tv.
TD, you are correct, I should have said personal choice...
He didn't fence in his place in Louisiana, what he did was worst, he fenced around some of his neighbors. There are some people who are within his boundaries, his land surrounds theirs. He did not want them killing "HIS" deer so he fenced around their properties.
How is that possible? Do they own property that no road goes to? Not arguing, just curious.
Edit. I reread your post HDE. I actually do agree that they probably troll forums.
Wayne- Just imagine you having say 100 acres and they fence you on three sides, all you have is the road side. That's the kind of stuff they have done.
If that happen to me I could certainly tell you that fence would be having holes put in it on a regular basis. What a POS he is , great neighbor.
So here is an article with some background history of the land Bill now owns and the corruption behind it. You can see some big politicians named.
https://louisianavoice.com/2013/01/15/dispute-in-winn-parish-over-55000-acre-hunting-lodge-reads-like-a-grisham-novel-with-cast-of-mike-foster-dick-cheney-and-imprisoned-former-winn-sheriff-bodie-little/
Horrible...but he does not own any companies...he sold them to PlanoSynergy a few years ago but still worked there, until today. The CEO of PlanoSynergy sent us an email that they have severed ALL relations with Bill Busbice.
