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Bone collector/wydell

Flipping through the channels and saw a elk hunt and decided to watch. It was Micheal wydell and hunting in Utah at Wild Country outfitters. So, I decided to look up the outfitter to see what they were all about. Well , now I know why it's harder to get to new hunters in the game. They watch a show like bone collector and then see what it costs, and then probably say screw this. To hunt one elk, it's $19,500 for a 5 day hunt be it archery or rifle, one one one. Then they recommend tipping and the average tip is listed at 1800-2500 . Then cooks , packers standard tip. So for one elk your looking at 22 k min. I thought one of the objectives of these shows is to try and recruit more people into hunting, but how many folks who watch these shows can afford 20 k elk hunt. Shame on wydell for putting that on the air. I guess once you make the big time of tv hunting then you don't need to worry anout the average hunter. Would love to know if he paid the full cost or was that a give away hunt ffor the tv time, but it's safe to say the tv hunting celebs are doing more to hurt hunting then help. Least that's the way I see it.

I think most can figure there are other options other than a top end elk hunt if they want to go hunt. Most people are a little less stupid than you seem to think. And it is Waddell.

That’s right. I’ve never been a fan of Hollywood hunts. But there there are $30,000 elk hunts and $1750 drop camps. Anyone who’s heard of Google is aware of that. They probably also realize that Waddell didn’t pay a dime to hunt there.

Calm down uncle Bernie...

Waddell is class act, But he is a public figure that gets paid to do a job just like you and I. If you were paid to hunt for a living I guarantee you would jump all over it. Don’t slam him for getting paid for what he loves to do. What do you think cam hanes does? He gets 22k $ if not more. The hunts are paid for by his sponsors. He shoots 4-5 elk a year, do the math! Everyone has the opportunity do get out there and do what these guys do. You just decided to take a different path in life but don’t knock them

“I thought one of the objectives of these shows is to try and recruit more people into hunting”

You thought wrong on that one. Non-hunters don’t watch hunting shows any more than people who don’t do gardening watch gardening shows. Gardening shows are not on TV to recruit more gardeners.

Deseret CWMU in Utah, Ressy draw tags but no Non-Ressy draw tags

Day dream hunt for elk for sure------->

Lee & Tiffany get some Gagger Muley bucks there too!!

Good luck, Robb

It's for entertainment, not hunter recruitment. Waddell puts it on the air in an attempt to get people to watch. Sounds like he succeeded. Have seen shows where he just takes the kids out for deer, turkeys, or squirrels. So all his shows are not high $ hunts.

Outfitters typically give away made-for-TV hunts to "celebrity" hunters in return for the advertising. Sponsors pick up the travel related expenses, usually.

I grew tired of Wadell's schtick years ago. How many times can you hear "BOOMSHOCKALOKA!!" before it gets old?

Matt

“I thought one of the objectives of these shows is to try and recruit more people into hunting....”

Seriously?

The sole objective of these shows is to create/maintain a culture of hero worship so that Fan-Boys will buy whatever their hero uses/tells them to use. Full stop.

Wait, you mean I shouldn’t buy the next generation of “ BoneHawk” deer calls.

Ranch bulls....yawn.

You know...I don't mind going to an exotic sports car show now and then just to see them. I'll never be able to own one but don't mind looking at them. I don't get mad at the local pro sports guy who buys one either.

For me these TV shows are strictly for entertainment, for which the TV celeb (hunter) pay nothing or at least a very reduced rate (IMHO) ....... and ....... the outfitters get a 30 minute TV commercial advertisement promoting their business. So the actual cost means nothing to them - again IMHO.

Without turning this into another - trash the TV celebs. "Waddy" may be a great guy - never met him but (used to) watched his shows and I agree 100% with Matt, gets really old watching him doing karate kicks, jumping up and down with the "Boomshockaloka, smoked him, dirt nap, etc, etc." ....... Same can be said of "most" of the TV celebs.

Plain rule of thumb. If it's on TV, it's there for entertainment. It needs to be entertaining otherwise it won't get watched. If it don't get watched it dies. So what's it there for? Entertainment. You can maybe slide a teeny tiny bit of something else in there and still make it. But it has to be entertaining.

It's entertainment. Do you think you can afford a Bentley because some movie star drives one? I have no desire to own a Bentley, but I wish I had the expendable income to hunt some of the same places as Michael Wydell.

I agree with GF

Deseret Land & Livestock is the ranch, 200,000 plus acres.

Truly an Elk hunting paradise.

Good luck, Robb

As mentioned.....it’s a SHOW that is made for ENTERTAINMENT....not recruitment.

I really try to not concern myself with how others choose to live their lives as long as it doesn’t directly affect mine. JMO

Midwest- are you implying that you wouldn’t hunt there even if it was free?

200,000 plus acres! All I can think is the property taxes have to be astronomical.

Waddell is a good cat but I am sure he did not pay full price or at all for that hunt. He ain't rich either by any means. He isn't Bill Jordan and he don't own the brands he promotes. Good for him for doing what he loves for a living!! Shawn

I guess you have never been in sales- you don’t recruit people to your cause by driving around a beat up crappy car, old ugly clothes, using a flip phone etc!!

You recruit people by have the newest, latest and greatest high dollar stuff so others want to have it to. So with hunting you show them an awesome amazing elk hunt and they want it!! Of course they realize that usually it won’t be the first thing but that what it can be.

You aren’t going to inspire many hunters by only putting up cow/spike elk hunts that in reality are unsuccessful! How many hunting shows would you watch if they never killed anything?

Taxes base acreage out west isn’t comparable to eastern land taxes. The 200,000 may include a good portion of BLM or other government holdings which they don’t pay taxes on. And the private acreage assessment value can be rather low due to inability for land to produce anything much of value. So taxes aren’t near as astronomical as you may think.

Of course these people hunt at slam dunk outfitters! They have to film/produce how many hunts to fill a season? They need to put animals on the ground, on film. Sure they show tag soup hunts some times, but if they put episode after episode of no animals on film, the sponsors would pull out.

I think the bone collector crew is one of the genuine ones, I've met them at shows and they are a riot. You can't have that much fun, hour after hour, day after day, if it wasn't genuine. They are the one and only "TV folks" I'd hunt love to hunt with.

"I grew tired of Wadell's schtick years ago. How many times can you hear "BOOMSHOCKALOKA!!" before it gets old?"

uh oh!......true. Seen a few threads about that. Never could get into smack downs, shlocking, smoked'em, etc.

Many high end & down guided out there. They are in the business of entertainment that happens to be hunting. Never a fan of shows but do watch on occasion. It's our choice.

I wouldn't mind people thinking I am a semi-god and throwing money and hunts at me. It would be a nice change of pace actually.

Seriously, it may not be for me but I love stories of success and they should inspire us. Tons of very successful folks here on BS, and I have never been jealous of a single one of them.

Thanks for the info on the taxes.

I must confess I really don't get these threads and complaints. . . .

Before I get jumped on, I don't watch them. I don't have satellite or cable. I watch a few things on Youtube and web based channels from time to time. But not consistently

I understand not liking Waddell's schtick (I absolutely see no reason not to take 5 seconds to see how someone spells their name either), but you can just change the damn channel. No one is making you watch. Don't watch. It's really easy

But the thinking that ANY of these shows are anything other than a way to make money, just shows a level of naivete that I can't personally fathom. They are entertainment, and the sole purpose is for whoever owns the show to make money. Period.

And I REALLY don't understand the gripe about how much the hunts costs. I would bet money the OP is a self-professed conservative. . . . Just seems hypocritical to me I guess griping about how someone else spends their money.

This attitude has also I believe really devalued this website. There are MANY people who used to be quite active posters and posted some great hunt recaps, that no longer do so. Whether they don't want to take the time, or whether they're just tired of the same old "Wish I had the money for that hunt" type stuff, I don't know.

It's ridiculous though. Why should anyone care if Waddell goes on a $20,000 hunt? It's none of your business.

I'm done. . .

Bake X 2

I agree with you, Bake!

You guys done with your B.S. lets get back to elk hunting the way we do it.

As far as the "class act" thing goes I have hunted with some that would dispute that statement that have had first hand business dealings with the dude, and had less then nice things to say about him from there first hand experience.

As soon as I heard "Deseret" I suspected that the ranch is Mormon church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) owned. In fact, it is church owned and a for-profit cattle ranch that is considered a good investment for church funds and can provide resources for the church in time of need. Along with that 200k acre ranch, the church owns one of the largest ranches in Florida also called Deseret that comprises 312k acres. They own very large amounts of land in California and Nebraska as well. Apparently, the church realizes the market value for trophy hunting and charges accordingly. The various ranches assist in providing the church's own welfare resources where beef, pork, grains, fruit, nuts and so forth are grown and dispersed in Bishop's storehouses and canneries for the needy with surpluses being sold for profit of course. I'm impressed that Waddell was able to get the LDS church to spot him a free or discounted 20k dollar hunt:)

So it seems that this thread is ripe with opinions, presumptions, hearsay, and inaccuracies. And to be clear I don’t know that I have ever even seen one of his shows in its entirety, and really have little opinion of him either way. I I’m not in the jumping around high-five “swamp donkey” stuff, but certainly don’t knock him for it either, he has really made a name for himself with it, and that is how he makes a living/feeds his family/pays his bills.

I think it’s cute that guys think “I met him at a show and he was real nice” well no kidding, he has his big boy show smile on it’s his job! Then some one else says “I heard he was a jerk”, yup and of course they don’t know him, just second hand stories. I have “heard” he “is a pretty good guy” from outfitters who have had him in camp. so who is right? Impossible for any of us internet jockeys to know really. I like to “think” he is a nice guy or whatever, but I have no idea in reality. Hell, I recently read an article that said Ellen is a bitch in real life, she plays the queen of nice in TV, which is it? I have no idea...nor do I really care, she is an enetertinmwbt personality.

As for the the business part, you are kidding yourself if you think it’s about anything other than selling products (make $) it’s all just a big commercial.

Now I could be very wrong, or it could be different for Michael, but it’s my understanding that they (sponsors) buy airtime on those channels, the outdoor channel (or whatever) doesn’t pay them. And to Roufhcounteys point, I doubt that the hunt was “free”, even for the big name guys the return on free hunts is pretty tough to justify for a business oriented outfitter. In my limited knowledge in many of those situations the sponsors pay for the hunt (possibly at a discounted rate). That could vary for big name guys like Waddell or Miranda, but outfitters just aren’t giving those hunts away like they did back in the day.

But at the end of the day I really don’t care, more power to him, he is making a living doing what he wants. He is living a dream many of us on here have. Then guys get on their soap boxes bashing him because he gets to live the dream. I just don’t get it.

—Jim

I'd like to make a "donation" to them... :)

Bake and JTreeman said everything I was thinking, so I won't add any additional commentary.

Well, first off I apologize to Bake for miss spelling Waddells name, and 2nd I don't care how much someone pays to be led to a animal to shoot, truely I don't. My complaint is, and I think I clearly stated it, that I thought ONE of the objectives of these shows is to promote and recruit new hunters to the community. That's how I became interested in hunting, and when I started watching these shows they weren't pimping 1000 dollar bows and all the crap they push now. I understand these shows are informercials for manufacturers to sell all their crap, it seems today's hunters are much more gullible, and every piece of equipment to kill average size animals.

Bake you say that these shows are there to make money, duh, but shouldn't these shows/manufacturers be held a little more responsible by the hunting community at large as far as trying to help promote/recruit more hunters ? Tred Barta, who I'm sure you never watched, Showed hunts that the average Hunter could go out and do, and get involved with the outdoors. We always hear about Hunter numbers falling each year and yet the industry continues to show the hunts that very few can do, no wonder. Again let me state clearly state, I don't care what you pay for a hunt, if someone wants to spend 20 k to hunt a elk,moose or zebra that's fine, its their money. Show the pics and let everyone know what a great Hunter you are, that's fine. When our numbers fall so low and the antis begin to win more and more in banning seasons and game to be hunted we can all go and cry about are woes together and blame will fall on everyone else except hunters. As far as this site being devalued, that's a matter of opinion, maybe the guys you speak of are embarrassed about the hunts they go on and maybe realize that they aren't truely hunters but shooters? I don't know why they don't post and frankly don't care, that's on them. Have you posted any of your hunt recaps? You have quite a few trophy pics posted, I don't recall reading any of your stories.

Self professed conservative ? Lol that's rich.

We have guys on here that can and do pay those kind of prices and multiple of them each year. Those shows aren’t on to recruit hunters, they are businesses. There for profit. If the economics didn’t work, they wouldn’t make the shows. We the consumers ultimately pay for their hunts. I’d most likely do the same if I could. On this site some guys own a 20 year old pickup, and some guys own multiple 6 figure exotic cars. Some shoot $2000 bows and some shoot hand me downs. Who’s right and who’s wrong?

LBshooter:

Usually I'm in the no-response camp. I said what I said and I stand by it. You and I will gain nothing with a back and forth exchange. But I do want to address one thing:

Regarding your comment that the hunters who don't post their recaps are ashamed of their hunts: I don't believe anything could be further from the truth. I can't claim to be buddies with most of these guys, but I have met some big time guys at P&Y and other places that I was referring to , and I can't believe they give a rat's behind what any internet guy on Bowsite or anywhere else thinks of them.

" I thought one of the objectives of these shows is to try and recruit more people into hunting..."

No. The only purpose of these shows is to make money as a business by entertaining hunters.

^...is that what Big Fin's (Randy) show all about?

Hah, spend $20,000 on an elk hunt and you get bashed on the internet.

And if you spend $20,000 on an elk hunt and DON'T post your pictures and stories then you'll get bashed on the internet because you must be embarrassed.

Maybe the reason people who spend $20,000 on a hunt don't post their pictures and stories on the internet because they know there are people on this site who will bitch and moan about it no matter what they do?

Wonder what the OP thought first time he watched a porno?

JL—yes it is, Randy is running a business. He doesn’t use the exaggerated slang and whooping, or the super obvious “can’t kill them without xxxx product”, but he is selling products. I’ve actually seen his show a few times. He wears Leupold hats and Sitka gear pretty prominently. Hell, I saw he has a new Gerber knife coming out, do you think he is doing that for free or to get more hunters involved? Doe he talk about helping guys out and “how to” topics, sure, but that is his “thing”, at the end of the day he is selling entertainment and products. It’s foolish to think otherwise.

—Jim

"Wonder what the OP thought first time he watched a porno?"

Oh man, my brain almost exploded with all the one liners that aren't site-approrpiate.

Oldgoat I think he is still a virgin because he assumed it was all out of reach. That led to bitterness and negative post toward Michael Wydell on bowsite.

Well, I might be one of the few bowsite members that has been in a hunting camp with Michael and talked with him about his upcoming with Realtree through the years. Now this was back in 2006, but my impression of him is good. Based on his story to me, he paid his dues early on working/filming from the bottom up. Bill obviously saw something in Michael and put him in front of the camera and the rest is history.

He's got a dream job that several of us would want. But there is also a downside like anything else in life. He's rarely at home and always on the road, so it's certainly not a lifestyle for everyone. I cannot comment on any business dealings, but only to say business is business and let us no forget, he works for Bill at the end of the day.

Guys, as I have written a few times, I don't care how much one spends on a hunt. I personally know individuals who Hunted Africa for 30 days at a crack and shot everything they could to the tune of 250 k, if you have it you spend it and I'm fine with that. My point or should I say my disappointment is that these types of hunts on tv that a new Hunter watches, sees it as undoable and the expense of hunting is to much which discourages them to get into our sport. I feel that the manufacturers should be encouraging new hunters not discouraging.

Old goat, first time I saw porn I said its for old goats who can't do it themselves of which I Don't qualify.

JT, Randy AKA BigFin does more to promote hunting then 90 percent of the tv clowns, yes he's making money and that's fine but I bet he recruits new hunters through his shows.

JohnMC , just a stupid comment .

Bake said that this site gets devalued because of people who complain, I would argue this site gets devalued due to the pack mentality to attack site members becuase of what they believe. I don't recall attacking anyone and yet guys like old goat, and the rest feel the need to make personal attacks, lol Makes you feel better go ahead. I simply made an observation and the typical response rears it ugly head. Are you ladies really that sensitive and feel the need to defend guys you don't even know? I don't understand that, but I guess you are wannabes, in the club of the expert hunting crowd. Other than Randy Newburg who I have seen post here and I think I've seen Miranda and Wells post a few times over the years, do any of the other guys who profit from the hunting community post here? Some of you feel the need to defend them when someone says anything remotely negative. I guess that's so you all can say your somehow associated with the celebs,I guess the word is fanboys. That's ok, if that's what your into, I just think the ones who profit from the hunting community should also promote the hunting community instead of just profiting from it.

Guys, as I have written a few times, I don't care how much one spends on a hunt. I personally know individuals who Hunted Africa for 30 days at a crack and shot everything they could to the tune of 250 k, if you have it you spend it and I'm fine with that. My point or should I say my disappointment is that these types of hunts on tv that a new Hunter watches, sees it as undoable and the expense of hunting is to much which discourages them to get into our sport. I feel that the manufacturers should be encouraging new hunters not discouraging.

Old goat, first time I saw porn I said its for old goats who can't do it themselves of which I Don't qualify.

JT, Randy AKA BigFin does more to promote hunting then 90 percent of the tv clowns, yes he's making money and that's fine but I bet he recruits new hunters through his shows.

JohnMC , just a stupid comment .

Bake said that this site gets devalued because of people who complain, I would argue this site gets devalued due to the pack mentality to attack site members becuase of what they believe. I don't recall attacking anyone and yet guys like old goat, and the rest feel the need to make personal attacks, lol Makes you feel better go ahead. I simply made an observation and the typical response rears it ugly head. Are you ladies really that sensitive and feel the need to defend guys you don't even know? I don't understand that, but I guess you are wannabes, in the club of the expert hunting crowd. Other than Randy Newburg who I have seen post here and I think I've seen Miranda and Wells post a few times over the years, do any of the other guys who profit from the hunting community post here? Some of you feel the need to defend them when someone says anything remotely negative. I guess that's so you all can say your somehow associated with the celebs,I guess the word is fanboys. That's ok, if that's what your into, I just think the ones who profit from the hunting community should also promote the hunting community instead of just profiting from it.

There is so much I would like to share but it's probably best that I don't.

Treeman and Matt have this pretty much figured out

I stand amazed at some of the comments here but that's really not that rare on the internet I guess

Are you ladies really that sensitive... Pot calling kettle black?? Light up there Peter! :)

We'll I do know Michael and I am proud to call him a friend.Also know his Father and stepmother.Also T bone,Nick and the rest of the crew.Grunt and gobble is correct.Michael has put his time in and earned everything he has.He gets dream hunts just about every year.He also comes home empty handed some every season.He's not afraid to show another video either as he really doesn't have an ego.When I met Michael and his father probably 15 yrs or more years ago he was just beginning.He had the same drive and personality then that he does now.He won't poach or hunt high fence ranches.He puts every effort in to young people every chance he is given. He also makes himself available to youth hunts several times a year for nothing and does't film or show those appearances two often.He has done a few episodes though.The business has received hunts as appreciation for appearances.I say it that way as he does always take them himself. At his level of a celebrity status and sponsorship he really has little say in some of the hunts he goes on.Companies now days try and control every aspect whether they or whomever is making the plans for the prostaff(celebrity) know what they are doing or the possible perception will be.Plans are made and Michael is told he has to be somewhere probably at least once a month during hunting seasons. He really is one of the few good guys on tv and I think he will always be that way.He really does try and represent the sport in a good light. As for the hoopla thats just him.He does it on and off camera. I think this quarantine has affected everyone and opinions become strong. There really is a booger bottom and its a family farm that is really beautiful piece that he and his father grew up hunting. As was said it's a business and he hit a home run.But it's a business that is there to make money,recruit,sell product ultimately staying in the limelight to do so. Everyone be safe and lets spend the remaining quarantine getting ready for the coming season. Thanks

Agree with Bake, JTreeman and my guy JohnMC.

Wow your come back sucks!

Old goat, I guess you'd know, being the expert on sucking.

Still weak!

This is stupid shit, I used to really enjoy this site. You guys that like this kind of conversation regarding elk hunting should start your own STUPID SHIT ELK SITE. Lets get back to who we our or should be. Sharing good elk hunting info with your fellow elk hunters. Come on you are better than this. Marty - aka - bigmartbowhunter

1boonr, "Midwest- are you implying that you wouldn’t hunt there even if it was free?"

Oh, hell, yes I would! I just don't care to watch the private ranch hunting. Not a thing wrong with it, just prefer watching DIY, public land stuff.