Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › New TBM, question for Don Thomas
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I just read Don Thomas’s editorial in the new TBM about trad bow celebrity. I was wondering if something happened specifically, or if this was just a general warning about hero worship?
Regardless, great words Don. We should remember them in our every day lives, not just with respect to bowhunting. Thanks.
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rnorris wrote: I just read Don Thomas’s editorial in the new TBM about trad bow celebrity. I was wondering if something happened specifically, or if this was just a general warning about hero worship?
Regardless, great words Don. We should remember them in our every day lives, not just with respect to bowhunting. Thanks.
Don is one of the most down to earth guys I have had the pleasure of dealing with–with that said — he can write, and I look to his writing as something to aspire to in my own writing. That is called indirect mentor-ship, something that has happened among men for thousands of years.
With that said I think it is healthy to have mentors. Don, and many others, is one of mine!
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Might I add, I worry about the future of our lifestyle, as the trend is to make hunting a SPORT, something that is won. People who deal with Nature as a “game field” have missed the point! If our lifestyle turns into mere sport, along the lines of MMA, Hunting will turn into something dark.
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Chiloquin wrote: Might I add, I worry about the future of our lifestyle, as the trend is to make hunting a SPORT, something that is won. People who deal with Nature as a “game field” have missed the point! If our lifestyle turns into mere sport, along the lines of MMA, Hunting will turn into something dark.
I haven’t received my copy yet, so I haven’t read the editorial. But I wanted to respond to the above quote. Chiloquin, if I could reach through the computer screen and shake your hand, I’d gladly do it. Well said!
While we’re on the subject of Don’s writing, I think he summed up my feeling quite well in a piece of his years ago. I’ll have to paraphrase it from memory, and I hope he forgives me if I butcher it, but it was something along the lines of bad things happen when people bring copetition to bear on pastimes where it doesn’t belong.
Heaven help us if bowhunting ever turns into the circus that bass fishing has become.
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rnorris wrote: [quote=J.Wesbrock
Heaven help us if bowhunting ever turns into the circus that bass fishing has become.I agree, but I think most hunting has passed bass fishing long ago. Traditional bowhunting might be the last stand….
Agreed. Its funny how fast everything has changed… -
J.Wesbrock wrote:
Heaven help us if bowhunting ever turns into the circus that bass fishing has become.Sorry to say it already has. I made a comment on Longbow Hunters on Facebook yesterday. While waiting for the Rose Bowl to come on I was flipping stations on the “Sports” channels and stopped at the opening of a show on the Outdoor Channel: “The AWA (“American Whitetail Authority”) Whitetail Pro Series” – a COMPETITION Show where sponsor / self proclaimed “pro’s” compete in getting the best deer (or something like that)! Since when is hunting a competitve sport! I thought oh great, here we have a group of Forrest Gumps and celebrity wannabe’s giving hunting another huge black eye in the view of the non-hunting public. One of my New Year’s resolutions is going to be to start writing these show sponsors, and let them know I will lobby hard against their products, if they keep supporting these shows.
The real hero’s are the Mom’s and Dad’s, Grandad’s and those that take their children out and teach the outdoor way of life, give advice freely to others and share knowledge without expecting to get paid for it.
Always look forward to reading Don Thomas’ writings!
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SteveMcD wrote: One of my New Year’s resolutions is going to be to start writing these show sponsors, and let them know I will lobby hard against their products, if they keep supporting these shows.
Root of a good idea Steve… But I think it is not likely to work, as this advertising generates great revenue for the sponsor companies. But maybe it is possible to alter the content / spirit of the shows.
I think we can all agree that the spirit and content of the old Fred Bear Video’s was good. So it is possible to make a show with redeeming qualities.
Maybe contacting the sponsors and suggesting that they support shows that promote woodsmanship, sportsmanship, etc would be a positive way to get the point across.
A lot (not all…) of the people doing these shows are good people. But they are trapped by the same thing that traps us all. Money. They have deadlines, and bills that need to be paid… They want to put out a product that will be watched. So if enough people express the concerns you are expressing, maybe they will adjust the content of their shows…
I would join you in your resolution, except for 1 thing… I don’t watch these shows cause we don’t have a TV 😯
Well, actually we do, but it is hooked up to a DVD player only. Netflix rules.
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Folks–Apologies for the late reply. I’m away from home–nothing unusual–hunting waterfowl in Washington with Lori and Kenai. First, thanks for the kind words. As for the original question, there was probably nothing specific–there’s plenty of cause for concern out there. However, the immediate impetus may have been a cover letter from an intended new contributor–well known in non-TBM bowhunting circles, or at least trying to be–explaining that he wanted to write for the magazine in order to enhance his prestige and reputation. How do you spell DELETE? I’m on board with the “no TV” policy too. I threw ours out years ago when I saw our eldest glued to it as a toddler. The kids all grew up TV-free, and I’ve never seen any reason to change. Best and thanks, Don
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“However, the immediate impetus may have been a cover letter from an intended new contributor–well known in non-TBM bowhunting circles, or at least trying to be–explaining that he wanted to write for the magazine in order to enhance his prestige and reputation. How do you spell DELETE?”
Don, that answer makes me like TBM all the more. Thanks for taking the time.
Roger
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rnorris wrote: “However, the immediate impetus may have been a cover letter from an intended new contributor–well known in non-TBM bowhunting circles, or at least trying to be–explaining that he wanted to write for the magazine in order to enhance his prestige and reputation. How do you spell DELETE?”
Don, that answer makes me like TBM all the more. Thanks for taking the time.
Roger
Double Ditto….TBM is still a honest hunting publication. I don’t read many anymore, but I never miss TBM.
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J.Wesbrock wrote: [quote=Chiloquin]Might I add, I worry about the future of our lifestyle, as the trend is to make hunting a SPORT, something that is won. People who deal with Nature as a “game field” have missed the point! If our lifestyle turns into mere sport, along the lines of MMA, Hunting will turn into something dark.
I haven’t received my copy yet, so I haven’t read the editorial. But I wanted to respond to the above quote. Chiloquin, if I could reach through the computer screen and shake your hand, I’d gladly do it. Well said!
While we’re on the subject of Don’s writing, I think he summed up my feeling quite well in a piece of his years ago. I’ll have to paraphrase it from memory, and I hope he forgives me if I butcher it, but it was something along the lines of bad things happen when people bring copetition to bear on pastimes where it doesn’t belong.
Heaven help us if bowhunting ever turns into the circus that bass fishing has become.
Consider hands shooked!:lol:we enter the woods to learn, not to teach!
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“explaining that he wanted to write for the magazine in order to enhance his prestige and reputation.”
Boy is this ‘want to be contributor’ missing the mark. He has no clue, no clue at all. All glory to the animal hunted and the land that our feet are privileged to travel upon. That is what I like to see in TBM. Leave the ‘look at me types’ to the other magazines. Keep up the good work Mr. Thomas and gang at TBM!
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Having just received my latest copy of TBM, I have yet to read Don’s editorial. That being said, I hew to strong views on the subject at hand.
“explaining that he wanted to write for the magazine in order to enhance his prestige and reputation.” Hmmm? Whatever floats your boat … 😉
No matter … The real issue remains: a significant majority of bow hunters, especially young folk just entering the sport (invariably with compounds), fall under the spell of “dominionistic/sport” hunters; as described in Dave Petersen’s Heartsblood. And the hunting industry, even now the traditional industry, feeds this spell. My favorite traditional supplier now markets camo rubberbands (4 for $5) just like the ones used by a famous bowhunter … RUBBERBANDS, FOR GOODNESS SAKE! It seems we who shoot stick and string are no more immune from this marketing onslaught than people who shoot those things that look like sewing machines.
There’s nothing wrong with appropriate roll models, nor do I consider capitalism a bad thing. But we must take care, lest we fall into the abyss of complicating the obvious and trivializing the momentous.
Unfortunately, Fred Bear doesn’t live here anymore. 🙁
Chris
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Chris warns us against “complicating the obvious and trivializing the momentous.”
Brilliant! That’s the most succinct summary of “modern” bowhunting’s problems I’ve yet seen. 😀 dave
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donthomas wrote: How do you spell DELETE?
😯 D-E-L-E-T-E
I have no TV service either, although I do have a TV. It drives me crazy when I see the kids vegging in front of the TV. 👿
What a gulf there is in between traditional bowhunting and the rest of the hunting world. I’m glad to be on this side of the gulf!
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David Petersen wrote: Chris warns us against “complicating the obvious and trivializing the momentous.”
Brilliant! That’s the most succinct summary of “modern” bowhunting’s problems I’ve yet seen. 😀 dave
Thanks, Dave … I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
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I appreciate the lively discussion, and it’s reassuring to see how many folks share the same point of view, even though we may be a minority in this sad era of celebrity. However, let’s not forget that hunting with a selfbow doesn’t make anyone immune to the problem, anymore than hunting with a compound (or a rifle) makes anyone part of it. Egotism and the desire for fortune and fame represent the top of a very slippery slope that any of us can start sliding down if we’re not careful.That’s why I encourage everyone to THINK about what we’re up to our there, every season. There are lines to be drawn and many of us will draw them in different places. That’s just fine, as long as those choices represent an honest attempt to remain true to our core values. Now it’s time for me to head out with my dog and bang some ducks. Best to all for 2011! Don
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Chiloquin wrote: Might I add, I worry about the future of our lifestyle, as the trend is to make hunting a SPORT, something that is won. People who deal with Nature as a “game field” have missed the point! If our lifestyle turns into mere sport, along the lines of MMA, Hunting will turn into something dark.
Well said! And another cyber handshake!
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Duncan wrote: [quote=Chiloquin]Might I add, I worry about the future of our lifestyle, as the trend is to make hunting a SPORT, something that is won. People who deal with Nature as a “game field” have missed the point! If our lifestyle turns into mere sport, along the lines of MMA, Hunting will turn into something dark.
Well said! And another cyber handshake!
And to you Duncan. -
Hey folks –
New here, but reading through this thread just confirmed that I’m in the right place.
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Yep, you are where you need to be, and that is a comfortable thing to know whether it be a forum group, the company that you keep or your state of mind.
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I dabbled in the hunting media niche industry for a few years and was surprised at some of the people I thought were decent folks respectfully promoting our hunting lifestyle. Turned out some of them were shameless self promoters. With that being said, most of the hunting folks I’ve encountered in my hunting travels have been honest, ethical people. Just be sensible with the ones on the pedestal and scared to death of the ones doing whatever they can to get there. Great editorial Don.
-Brian
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Don (and Trad BH Mag).
Bless you for resisting the TV and media blitz path of hunting. I watched a few hours of “hunting” on TV this Sunday and amazed my wife at how soon I became bored and disgusted. They’ve reduced the hunt to 20 minutes of poor quality whispered soundbites (whispering just grates on my nerves), loud product endorcements and a hero shot.
One of my wife’s comments summed it up best: “Is that even legal?”
Legal perhaps, but it’s not the legacy of bowhunting I want to remember or be known for or anything I want any part of. Thank God Traditional Bowhunter exists as a refuge among these uncouth masses.
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Welcome, Stumpkiller! In fact, we must have extra hard stumps around here, as they kill more of my arrows than I kill of them. 🙄
You say in regards to “modern” “hunting” as portrayed on TV’s Outhouse channels and too many hook-and-bullet rags: “Legal perhaps, but it’s not the legacy of bowhunting I want to remember or be known for or anything I want any part of.” Brother, you have just stated more clearly and succinctly than I ever could with a zillion words why the old cop-out “If it’s legal, it’s ethical” just don’t get it. Thank you! dave
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Very true Dave, but unfortunately we are but a small voice being rolled over by a jugernaut of maketing hype and BS. Unfortunately the dollar speaks, and is heard by the none hunting voting public that will determine our future for us.
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Anti’s always looking for a morsel to garner support in any way they can, especially with the “Urban Folk” who have never Hunted. I just argued this on the PBS forum! I do not claim my Bow hunting to have ever been a Competition with anyone else but myself!!!!!! How is it that a “Professional Bow Hunter” would have it on his magazines front page?? Yes and think about it for a moment. Just the sort of thing those against “Our way of life” would like to say “Bloodsport” and along with it, all the chest beating drama they could muster to those who could really only remember the negative as they enter the voting booth! It is not, and should not be considered a “Sport”. It is the fulfillment of the total outdoor experience and a way of life. Yes! The “Sporter-iz-ing” of our Beloved Bow Hunting are actually butchering the real reason we hunt!
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A friend forwarded me this the other day. Submitted both for comic relief, and as the epitome of what we’re talking about here:
I don’t have cable, or TV reception at all, so I thankfully miss this ridiculous crap. It might as well be a transmission from another planet, as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately, shows like this are the only depiction of bowhunting most ever see, and I can totally understand how they grab the imagination of young folks. And most trad folks like us tend to be the ones who pursue our interests in a more quiet, reclusive (and dare I say “humble,”) manner. But sometimes I think we need to find a venue to reach the larger audience that only sees the type of stuff pictured above, to counteract this ridiculousness and show people that there is another way…particularly younger folks.
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The mentality that “if it’s legal,it’s ethical”, I feel is what separates us from modern bowhunting marketing. Being ethical is a large part of what drives us to be better hunters,and avoid most of the hype that others fall prey to from the hunting industry.:roll:
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And now Parker has a self cocking Crossrifle! I cannot believe they are in Archery seasons. MONEY!!!!!!Drives the Hunting channel for sponsorships. The Hunters on the shows strive for “kill footage”, “Did you get that”? etc. Turned it into a “Sport” with the Roman Empires Lust for the Arena! Same mentality only legal. The Hunt is a Journey. How you prepare yourself and conduct it depends on what you expect to gain from the experience. To me it is like a Venture into the Wilds with a minimum amount of disturbance. I do not disturb it, I blend in! When I leave, nothing knows I was there. Anything more than this is Rape of the gift! Go, be there, leave it unmolested. Monstor trucks and ATV’S along with diesel started campfires and trash is the sibling of the techno thrill and kill adrenaline rush, arm waving Drama Masters of the hunting show Groupies. Arena style Samantics and false emotionally inflicted success upon the Eco! Yes! I pick up Beer cans from these SLOBS too. We must protect it from these Rapists along with Preserving Bow Hunting! How? Notice the spread of the Virus and join those who actually do something about it. BCHA!!!!!!
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