Hunting Shows vs. Fishing Shows
4 Comments Published by David Blanton on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 8:30 AM.
I interrupt your day to bring you this news shocker...People don’t watch fishing shows as much as they watch hunting shows. My information comes from some pretty good sources, the “higher ups” at several different television networks that broadcast outdoor shows. Their observations are based on ratings.
What are the real reasons that make hunting shows more interesting or more compelling to watch? First of all, there has never been any comparison for me when it comes to how long I’ll sit and watch a hunting show as opposed to a fishing show. There was only one fishing show that I would sit and watch and it was “Flip Pallot’s Walker’s Cay Chronicles” on ESPN.
Why is this? This is something that I’ve always wondered and have actually, I think, figured it out. Here goes.
First, I think it has to do with the view. Turn on a fishin’ show and all you see are people in boats on the water, except for the rare trout fishing show. Watch a huntin’ show and the settings are endless. Mountains, swamp bottoms, hardwood ridges, prairies, cornfields, pine trees, well, you get the idea. We get to see so many different types of terrain.
And then there’s the species we hunt. Elk, moose, whitetails, turkeys, mule deer, bears, coyotes, caribou . . . there’s so many different types of game!
The argument could be made that there are just as many, or more, different types of fishing that takes place.
Correct! But herein lies the biggest reason hunting shows have always been and will always be more exciting to watch, WE GET TO SEE THE ANIMAL BEFORE IT'S CONQUERED! Think about it, if you’re watching a bowhunt for elk, you’re probably going to encounter that bull (through the television screen) way before the hunter shoots. Well, without even realizing it, we are watching the events play out leading up to the shot. We don’t know if the hunt is going to be successful or not. There are so many moves the animals can make to spoil the hunt. There are even more moves the hunters could make to spoil the hunt. And we get to watch it all play out, never knowing how it’s going to end!
Pretty much what happens on a fishing show is you see a guy set the hook and the quest is over. The fish is reeled in and held up and probably kissed, then released. You never got to see that fish as it was attracted to the bait, and you never got to see the fish as its trying to decide whether to bite.
On the other hand, you’re watching a show on turkey hunting and you’ve got a big ol’ gobbler strutting and gobbling out there hung up at 70 yards. You can almost sense that tom thinking, “Show me something; let me hear a different call that will coax me in closer. WHAT SHOULD I DO?” And all this before the hunt is over!
Hunting shows (good ones) are awesome television! Now if we could just pass a law that would prohibit any and all dove hunting shows from being aired! AAAAGGH!
It’s a blast to do, but I don’t want to watch it!
Don't forget to check out the Online Journal on Mitch Ensor.
What are the real reasons that make hunting shows more interesting or more compelling to watch? First of all, there has never been any comparison for me when it comes to how long I’ll sit and watch a hunting show as opposed to a fishing show. There was only one fishing show that I would sit and watch and it was “Flip Pallot’s Walker’s Cay Chronicles” on ESPN.
Why is this? This is something that I’ve always wondered and have actually, I think, figured it out. Here goes.
First, I think it has to do with the view. Turn on a fishin’ show and all you see are people in boats on the water, except for the rare trout fishing show. Watch a huntin’ show and the settings are endless. Mountains, swamp bottoms, hardwood ridges, prairies, cornfields, pine trees, well, you get the idea. We get to see so many different types of terrain.
And then there’s the species we hunt. Elk, moose, whitetails, turkeys, mule deer, bears, coyotes, caribou . . . there’s so many different types of game!
The argument could be made that there are just as many, or more, different types of fishing that takes place.
Correct! But herein lies the biggest reason hunting shows have always been and will always be more exciting to watch, WE GET TO SEE THE ANIMAL BEFORE IT'S CONQUERED! Think about it, if you’re watching a bowhunt for elk, you’re probably going to encounter that bull (through the television screen) way before the hunter shoots. Well, without even realizing it, we are watching the events play out leading up to the shot. We don’t know if the hunt is going to be successful or not. There are so many moves the animals can make to spoil the hunt. There are even more moves the hunters could make to spoil the hunt. And we get to watch it all play out, never knowing how it’s going to end!
Pretty much what happens on a fishing show is you see a guy set the hook and the quest is over. The fish is reeled in and held up and probably kissed, then released. You never got to see that fish as it was attracted to the bait, and you never got to see the fish as its trying to decide whether to bite.
On the other hand, you’re watching a show on turkey hunting and you’ve got a big ol’ gobbler strutting and gobbling out there hung up at 70 yards. You can almost sense that tom thinking, “Show me something; let me hear a different call that will coax me in closer. WHAT SHOULD I DO?” And all this before the hunt is over!
Hunting shows (good ones) are awesome television! Now if we could just pass a law that would prohibit any and all dove hunting shows from being aired! AAAAGGH!
It’s a blast to do, but I don’t want to watch it!
Don't forget to check out the Online Journal on Mitch Ensor.
I agree! Most fishing shows are boring to watch. I love to fish, but can't watch it on TV. Richard
David,
I agree with you hunting shows are more interesting than fishing shows. Don't get me wrong I love fishing also but the shows are boring. BTW: The blogs are great to read.
God Bless
Kristle
Mr. Blanton
I like to watch both hunting and fishing shows. The In-Fisherman show is a pretty good fishing show. A lot of the fishing shows focus on the "terrain" as well. It gives you information on family travel destinations. I have found that watching both is the best of both worlds. As all around sportsmen and sportswomen, we should appreciate all of nature's beauty!
Tom--Pennsylvania
I have to disagree with you here.
I cannot say that fishing shows are more widely watched than hunting shows; because they are not. I can turn on a fishing show in a room full of friends, and over half will tell me to "turn it off, thats boring. How do you watch this?" However, turn a hunting show on, and most people will watch. I believe the reasons you listed for this are accurate.
But, as far as the fishing shows being boring, that is all in the eye of the beholder. You, as a professional hunter, obviously favor hunting programs because it is your livelihood, your passion. You can connect all to easily with the miss on that 150 class buck. Someone who fishes avidly (not saying that you dont) can make the same connection with a GOOD fishing show.
I do not watch fishing shows to be entertained (unless it is tournament coverage). I watch them to better educate myself about the habits, behavior, and tendencies of the fish; as well as to gain a better understanding of how to work a certain lure or how to perfect a presentation. This is why I do not watch Roland crank in those 10 pounders (Oh Son!!) on every cast, or listen to the constant product pushing that envelopes some shows. If you do not want to learn, odds are you will not find fishing shows interesting.
BTW, as soon as you get that dove hunting law written up, let me know. I will write my Congressman every day!
Blake R.- Pensacola, FL