Huskemaw optics and the Best of the west clowns

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pinkmoon said:
I enjoy most of the outdoor and huntimg programs that I watch. I understand that they have an obligation to promote their sponsors and their products. After watching a few episodes of "the best of the west" I could not get over the non stop hyping of the Huskemaw optics. In addition to the over hyping of an extreamly overpriced range of optics they seem to promote hunters with very limited shooting backgrounds taking long range ( and in my opinion unethical ) shots at animals.
This is by far the worst show currently on the wild TV line up that I have seen. I was wondering if anyone has watched these episodes and what your thoughts are on the program...maybe it is just me who thinks these guys are a bunch of clowns
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A friend showed me a Best of the West DVD a few years back and I didn't care for it but hunting shows in general aren't really my thing.
Shortly after seeing that DVD another friend and I did a big hunting road trip across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and then ending up in Wyoming for antelope. I filmed a bit of the hunting as we went, snow goose hunting, etc. I also filmed my buddy taking his antelope which was fairly hilarious because the guide insisted my buddy use him as a rifle rest, so I have film of buddy climbing all over the guide and dropping a really good antelope. So we're all back at the lodge at the end of the day and the other parties want to see some of the film from our trip which I show them and everyone is cracking up at the end with buddy climbing on the guide. The film ends and the outfitter says "hey I got a DVD y'all can watch" it's his own try at making a Best of the West as he puts it. It's a half hour of him and his buddies wounding antelope does and flubbing long range shots. It was disgusting to the point that you couldn't believe anyone would actually film this and then show it to people. His film ends and everyone is dead silent. One of the other guys says "well, time for bed" and everyone filed out silently, my buddy was last out and says to the outfitter "I don't think you should ever show anyone that film", so as to drive home the extremely obvious.
It's not that I think long range hunting is necessarily bad, I've succeeded with some long range shots myself, but practice is key. If the show is tryijng to sell a shortcut to long range proficiency I don't think that's a very good plan.
I have no experience with Huskemaw, I don't think I've ever seen one in use either.
 
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stubblejumper said:
I watched one guy, with a new Huskemaw scope, fire a box of shells at 25 yards, then turn to his buddy and tell him that he was ready to shoot game at 800 yards. He never fired a single shot, at any range other than 25 yards, and that was the first day, with his new scope.
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You've got to be kidding. Did you really witness this?
 
stubblejumper said:
I watched one guy, with a new Huskemaw scope, fire a box of shells at 25 yards, then turn to his buddy and tell him that he was ready to shoot game at 800 yards. He never fired a single shot, at any range other than 25 yards, and that was the first day, with his new scope.
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Definitely sounds like the scope was to blame.:rolleyes: People have been shooting at extreme ranges forever, it's just now that they have gear that's capable of doing it. Whether they are up to the task or not is another question but if anyone is so naïve as to think that this is new phenomenon caused by gear or marketing they really are naïve. How many tales have you heard of guys shooting elk or deer at 800 yards with their 270 and 3-9 Bushnell....blah, blah, blah. Nothing new to see here other than now maybe they have a chance of actually killing the animal. From what I see these shows talk a lot about practice and ethics but it sounds like many of you watch a lot more of BOTW than me so perhaps I'm missing all this other unethical stuff.....
 
I have to agree with the OP, Best of the West is most definitely an infomercial but they do have some decent shooting tips here and there.

I'm an avid shooter with some long range experience and let me tell you, there's more to shooting long range than just dialing it in...

Going from shooting 1/4" groups at 100 yds to shooting >MOA groups at 800 was a real eye opener. Also, my ballistics program was way off. Like 1.2 MOA off...

IMO, if you're thinking of trying to take game at long ranges you should find a place to dope your rifle. Plus, hearing steel ring at 800+ yards is a blast!
 
You've got to be kidding. Did you really witness this?
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I watched the entire process first hand. This person had read and seen just enough to be convinced that with a 25 yard zero, he could accurately calculate the trajectory to 800 yards or more.
 
sheephunter said:
I have no doubt they purposefully shoot from longer ranges to promote their products...I don't think that was ever in question here.
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I do not care what ANYONE says... "INTENTIONALLY" increasing the risk of wounding game "IS" unethical... Period.

If one has the skill to successfully and reliable make lethal shots at 500-800 yards, then more power to them, but those shots should only be taken when you have no other option (for me personally "walking away" is always an option)... Each increased yard of distance exponentially increases the risk of an unsatisfactory conclusion...
 
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hoytcanon said:
I do not care what ANYONE says... "INTENTIONALLY" increasing the risk of wounding game "IS" unethical... Period.

If one has the skill to successfully and reliable make lethal shots at 500-800 yards, then more power to them, but those shots should only be taken when you have no other option (for me personally "walking away" is always an option)... Each increased yard of distance exponentially increases the risk of an unsatisfactory conclusion...
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Totally agree with you on your comments. There is great "intent" to kill at extreme long distances from Best of the West Killers where it contradicts the act of hunting. Long distance shooting/killing is a trend that is marketed by todays hunting society for monetary gain. Don't ask Sheephunter not to advocate such activity/practice because his option is biased based on the fact that he promotes hunting shows with the same WildTV station as Best of the West.
 
hoytcanon said:
I do not care what ANYONE says... "INTENTIONALLY" increasing the risk of wounding game "IS" unethical... Period.

If one has the skill to successfully and reliable make lethal shots at 500-800 yards, then more power to them, but those shots should only be taken when you have no other option (for me personally "walking away" is always an option)... Each increased yard of distance exponentially increases the risk of an unsatisfactory conclusion...
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Meh, I'd put the skills of John Porter up against anyone on this board. When I watch skateboarding or sky diving on television I'm intelligent enough to realize that the heavily sponsored participants have a much greater skill set than me....I guess I look at Best of the West no differently. It doesn't make me want to jump on skateboard an try a back flip no more than Best of the West makes me want to shoot a deer at 1,000 yards. If people are that easily influenced by television I'm sure Best of the West is the least of our worries. I think my signature line explains a lot of what we see going on.
 
sheephunter said:
Definitely sounds like the scope was to blame.:rolleyes: People have been shooting at extreme ranges forever, it's just now that they have gear that's capable of doing it. Whether they are up to the task or not is another question but if anyone is so naïve as to think that this is new phenomenon caused by gear or marketing they really are naïve. How many tales have you heard of guys shooting elk or deer at 800 yards with their 270 and 3-9 Bushnell....blah, blah, blah. Nothing new to see here other than now maybe they have a chance of actually killing the animal. From what I see these shows talk a lot about practice and ethics but it sounds like many of you watch a lot more of BOTW than me so perhaps I'm missing all this other unethical stuff.....
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Rather an impudent/arrogant statement to most hunters that they are naive. Most hunters don't have "intent" to "kill" big game at extreme long distances. I've heard "tales"of long distance killing (500-600 yards) but those were bragging lies for the most part. However, extreme long distance killing is marketed/promoted on television for monetary gain, such as you conduct yourself. There is a vast difference from past long distance bragging lies to promoting/marketing long distance killing/shooting. I think it is time for you to pull something out of your arse for a change.
 
sheephunter said:
Meh, I'd put the skills of John Porter up against anyone on this board. When I watch skateboarding or sky diving on television I'm intelligent enough to realize that the heavily sponsored participants have a much greater skill set than me....I guess I look at Best of the West no differently. It doesn't make me want to jump on skateboard an try a back flip no more than Best of the West makes me want to shoot a deer at 1,000 yards. If people are that easily influenced by television I'm sure Best of the West is the least of our worries. I think my signature line explains a lot of what we see going on.
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Best that you follow your own signature line, your eccentricities are coming out............again.
 
track said:
Rather an impudent/arrogant statement to most hunters that they are naive. Most hunters don't have "intent" to "kill" big game at extreme long distances. I've heard "tales"of long distance killing (500-600 yards) but those were bragging lies for the most part. However, extreme long distance killing is marketed/promoted on television for monetary gain, such as you conduct yourself. There is a vast difference from past long distance bragging lies to promoting/marketing long distance killing/shooting. I think it is time for you to pull something out of your arse for a change.
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In your haste to insult me you obviously misread the statement of mine that you quoted. In no way did I say most hunters were naïve...I said you were horribly naïve if you didn't believe people were taking extreme range shots long before Huskemaw scopes. I totally agree with you that most hunters don't have the intent to kill game at extreme distances....I've been saying that all along :) But some always have and will continue to do so regardless of equipment. Blaming the equipment for someone's actions in my mind requires them to extract their cranium from their posterior. It's unfortunate that you can't carry on a civil discussion without instantly resorting to personal insults Track. You likely have a lot of knowledge to share but it quickly gets lost in your name calling but carry on.
 
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sheephunter said:
In your haste to insult me you obviously misread the statement of mine that you quoted. In no way did I say most hunters were naïve...I said you were horribly naïve if you didn't believe people were taking extreme range shots long before Huskemaw scopes. I totally agree with you that most hunters don't have the intent to kill game at extreme distances....I've been saying that all along :) But some always have and will continue to do so regardless of equipment. Blaming the equipment for someone's actions in my mind requires them to extract their cranium from their posterior. It's unfortunate that you can't carry on a civil discussion without instantly resorting to personal insults Track. You likely have a lot of knowledge to share but it quickly gets lost in your name calling but carry on.
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I stand correct with my comment and if you think that is an insult, well I can't help your over sensitivity. It's you who is naive to state that hunters are/were naive to think that there was never any extreme long distance killing in the past. Today it's in our faces to do so where I would not avocate it any way or form because there is no hunting skill involved in such activity, therefore it is not hunting but extreme long distance shooting/killing. Heaven forbid if our Hunter Education Programs promotes such actions.
 
The most telling comment IMO on this thread as regards ethics of long distance shooting. The longer distance means an animal can move after the trigger is pulled (my wording). The longer the distance the greater the possibility of this happening. In our efforts as hunters to attain the humane kill shot we are running a much higher risk of wounding an animal. To my way of thinking long range shots should be taken at targets.
 
Bland said:
The most telling comment IMO on this thread as regards ethics of long distance shooting. The longer distance means an animal can move after the trigger is pulled (my wording). The longer the distance the greater the possibility of this happening. In our efforts as hunters to attain the humane kill shot we are running a much higher risk of wounding an animal. To my way of thinking long range shots should be taken at targets.
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I agree with you, but I am sure someone will come up with a post "with enough experience and practice, you will know when and where the animal is moving" :)
 
sheephunter said:
Meh, I'd put the skills of John Porter up against anyone on this board. When I watch skateboarding or sky diving on television I'm intelligent enough to realize that the heavily sponsored participants have a much greater skill set than me....I guess I look at Best of the West no differently. It doesn't make me want to jump on skateboard an try a back flip no more than Best of the West makes me want to shoot a deer at 1,000 yards. If people are that easily influenced by television I'm sure Best of the West is the least of our worries. I think my signature line explains a lot of what we see going on.
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My statement was not addressing anyones "skill set" nor was it a commentary on "long range" shooting... It was my firm belief that "intentionally" increasing the risk of wounding game, simply for bragging rights, bravado, or to assauge a deep-seated insecurity... Is WRONG... And should not be supported by the hunting community. Take a long shot when there is no opportunity for a closer shot and when the shooter is certain (reasonably) of a clean one shot kill, is one thing... But to avoid getting into close proximity in order to flaunt ones shooting skills is reckless disregard for the animal and for the "spirit of hunting." In fact, I would go so far to say that it is NOT hunting, it is "shooting"... Since the shooter is intentionally avoiding proximity to his quarry and staying beyond a reasonable
"Fight or flight" response from the animal...that of course may not apply to certain species, in certain terrain (ie, mountain sheep, prairie goats etc...), but the principle holds... I'm a hunter, I get as close as I can, when I am within a range where I am certain of a lethal shot, I then consider taking it... I do not move from 20 yards to 100 yards and lob an arrow, to see if I can "make the shot."

All of the above is only my opinion.
 
I know it's fashionable to say we get as close as we can before we take the shot and I'm guilty of saying it as well but I must admit that more than once I've taken a shot at 300 yards when I likely could have made it to 250 or maybe even 200 yards. I suspect you've done the same...perhaps at different yardages but you get my drift. It's one of those things we say but it really isn't 100% accurate. If you got to 100 yards on a deer would you try to get to 80, or 60? Does that mean you are not hunting either? It's a slippery slope we tread on. I have no doubt that John Porter gets within a range where he is certain of a lethal shot too. His lethal shot certainty just happens to be twice or three times that of most people. So because he's more skilled than you or I it makes him unethical? I'm not a long range shooter by any means nor do I really have the desire to be but I'm not sure that choice gives me the right to judge those more skilled than I. It seems some feel it does though. You use a lot of popular buzz phrases in your post hoyt but they are neither quantifiable nor do they really bear any scrutiny. While many of us would like to consider our ethics superior....at the end of the day they are just our ethics.
 
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