The Rinella Effect

[Wild Bill]

Your not wrong, it also keeps the firearms, optics, and hunting industry alive.

The firearms and optics industry relies more on recreational shooters than on dedicated hunters, although there is some overlap between the two.

 

[jmcd]

The “strength in numbers “ issue is definitely real. This is one thing I agree with Rinella (Steve) on. I also hate it. In my perfect world we would just be this silent group that didn’t attract any attention and we could all just hunt the way we always have and never need to worry about new people crowding in on us. Unfortunately, without strength in numbers and expanding our presence we are doomed to be swept aside as antiquated relics that really don’t fit into the picture when it comes to use of the resources. In order to have a seat at the table it takes numbers.

Our own @Big Fin gets it. A big reason why he does all of the things he does is for this reason. I’m thankful that these guys are stepping up to the plate and making the impact on our behalf.

Unfortunately one of the byproducts of this “recruitment “ is that things don’t stay the same. I get it, encouraging people to apply for tags, talking about areas, etc. puts more focus on them and increases the pressure.

It’s one of those damned if you do damned if you don’t things. Rinella may not be my favorite and I do think that he could be more discreet about things but overall the impact he’s had on the way hunting is viewed is a good thing and has garnered us more support.

I’m probably going to get hammered for saying it but there it is.

I couldn’t disagree more. You could “recruit” 10x more hunters than we have currently and we’ll still be outnumbered. These guys know this.what they really care about is 10x more “hunters” buy 10x more stuff.

The “strength in numbers” disclaimer is just to get you to look away while he reaches for your wallet.

 

[SaskHunter]

Your not wrong, it also keeps the firearms, optics, and hunting industry alive.

So that this industry can sponsor more influencers and hunting celebrities to lease up private and crowd public, by dropping multiple bulls for content.

 

[RemingtonRules]

I take issue with public funds being used to promote/advertise with a purpose of getting out of state interest. That is not the goal of a wildlife department. Their primary purpose is to the state and its residents. They have moved to advertise for money in license sales. Not their purpose or mission.

 

[Wild Bill]

I take issue with public funds being used to promote/advertise with a purpose of getting out of state interest. That is not the goal of a wildlife department. Their primary purpose is to the state and its residents. They have moved to advertise for money in license sales. Not their purpose or mission.

I also take issue with state agency funds being used to promote and pander to out-of-state interests, however, their primary purpose can't solely be to the state and its residents, as most Game and Fish Depts out west would be SOL without the license revenue by nonresidents.
I get sick of seeing IA/MN/WI/IL/NE/etc., license plates when I'm out chasing birds around, but I'm also not too ignorant to realize those NR license dollars fund SD GFP to the point where they can acquire additional public access, or improve public access and lands. It's a give-and-take.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I couldn’t disagree more. You could “recruit” 10x more hunters than we have currently and we’ll still be outnumbered. These guys know this.what they really care about is 10x more “hunters” buy 10x more stuff.

The “strength in numbers” disclaimer is just to get you to look away while he reaches for your wallet.

i think you guys way over estimate the income and intent of a lot of folks.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Isn’t this forum ran by a guy who drops bulls for content? Correct me if I’m wrong.

Might be useful to see how much of his content covers issues/problems and how much is hunting.

Fresh tracks weekly is basically the only source of wildlife/conservation news. If anyone knows of a comparable weekly source of information about wildlife/hunting id love to know.

 

[Hem]

i think you guys way over estimate the income and intent of a lot of folks.

The Rinella " brand" storefront on main street Bozeman?
Did you mean " under estimate" ?^^

 

[Forkyfinder]

The Rinella " brand" storefront on main street Bozeman?
Did you mean " under estimate" ?^^

Right. If hunting media was cocaine dealing - that guy is pablo escobar. Dont think thats the rule for all cocaine dealers.

 

[3006Sprng]

The firearms and optics industry relies more on recreational shooters than on dedicated hunters, although there is some overlap between the two.

Might be useful to see how much of his content covers issues/problems and how much is hunting.

Fresh tracks weekly is basically the only source of wildlife/conservation news. If anyone knows of a comparable weekly source of information about wildlife/hunting id love to know.

I don’t disagree, that’s why I don’t hate on rinella, both guys are generating income off the hunting industry, and in doing so they can push their agendas for the good causes. Tough to be a strong source if you aren’t followed by the masses.

 

[Hem]

Right. If hunting media was cocaine dealing - that guy is pablo escobar. Dont think thats the rule for all cocaine dealers.

Good analogy...Rinella/Escobar
Like it more and more.

 

[SaskHunter]

i think you guys way over estimate the income and intent of a lot of folks.

That's what's frustrating, the majority of hunting influencers or "celebrities" barely make anything out of it and prostitute themselves and the resource for free stuff or sponsors.

But let's not kid ourselves, some of them do make a good living off of it, and make it worst for you and I.

 

[Forkyfinder]

That's what's frustrating, the majority of hunting influencers or "celebrities" barely make anything out of it and prostitute themselves and the resource for free stuff or sponsors.

But let's not kid ourselves, some of them do make a good living off of it, and make it worst for you and I.

Does cabelas, scheels, and all other advertisement?

 

[oxn939]

But let's not kid ourselves, some of them do make a good living off of it, and make it worst for you and I.

Here's the problem- not all of them need to make a good living from it. Look at Busbice. Trust fund idiot who films and posts these ridiculous hunts all done on private land that was handed to him, thereby poisoning the next generation's idea of the outdoors.

That guy already has plenty of money; all he's looking for is attention from strangers through the internet.

 

[Bux_N_Beards]

One thing I rarely see talked about in these discussions is the impact on the wildlife we’re all supposed to care for and conserve.

We hear plenty about hunter numbers, recruitment, and funding, but what about the effects of intense crowding (not just from hunting) on the wildlife? There’s definitely more about that on this site than others, but in the grand scheme of things it’s rarely discussed. Just the same old shouting at clouds and chest beating mantra that “we need more hunters!”. This isn’t just a Western US phenomenon.

Arkansas has promoted duck hunting to the point that many public access areas are combat hunting zones. People sleeping on boat ramps, literally racing their boats they’ve designed specifically for this to spots, you name it. In addition to poor hunt quality, and even safety, the ducks can’t even use the area. Turkey hunting in the Southeast has been grossly over-promoted by influencers and state wildlife agencies in a time where populations have been on steady declines across the region. But many seem bent on riding that trend to the bottom if it means more clicks, likes, or sales. The downstream result has been a tremendous loss of opportunity for hunters. Look at the Wyoming doe antelope thread. The list goes on.

If we truly are conservationists, and not some cliche’ phrase for a bumper sticker, I think we could benefit from at least being honest about this often left out, but critically important piece if the equation.

And we can produce all the new hunters we want, but I’d argue we’d be better served to create more advocates than consumptive users. The Hunter % math is never going to add up against the general population, not even with Common Core math applied . But if the quality of the experience continues to degrade to the point that the wildlife suffers and those who should care the most no longer do, we’ve got a problem. I don’t think we’re too far off from that. I’ve seen it in my locale.

 

[SaskHunter]

Here's the problem- not all of them need to make a good living from it. Look at Busbice. Trust fund idiot who films and posts these ridiculous hunts all done on private land that was handed to him, thereby poisoning the next generation's idea of the outdoors.

That guy already has plenty of money; all he's looking for is attention from strangers through the internet.

If Josh Bowmar is the testicular cancer of hunting, Matt Busbice is rectal cancer.

 

[Jon Boy]

Here's the problem- not all of them need to make a good living from it. Look at Busbice. Trust fund idiot who films and posts these ridiculous hunts all done on private land that was handed to him, thereby poisoning the next generation's idea of the outdoors.

That guy already has plenty of money; all he's looking for is attention from strangers through the internet.

There’s a well known high end builder in paradise valley that is doing the same thing to pump his ego. The dude has enough money, just needs an ego pump.

 

[awells36]

Big game hunting is mostly a spectator activity nowadays. 10% people hunting and 90% people experiencing vicariously through videos of the 0.1% of people filming.

I drank a lot from that well. It’s entertaining as shit, but it’s toxic to everyone. No more for me. No Newberg or Rinella, or really much of anyone else for about a year and a half now. I wish I had quit sooner.

Right there with you. For a number of years I was quite literally addicted to watching hunting videos if I wasn't out hunting. I stopped last year almost completely and things life have been so much better.

 

[Elktrack]

Isn’t this forum ran by a guy who drops bulls for content? Correct me if I’m wrong.

The guy that runs this forum was dropping bulls long before “content” was a thing. He drops bulls because he loves it. He’s just fortunate enough to be able to take his passion and use it as a tool.
If his entire hunting business disappeared overnight he’d still be dropping bulls because he loves it. I think some people get jealous that these other guys have figured out a way to turn their passion into a profitable business. I wish I could make a living doing it too.