[ALW]

In the interest of balance, and not to simply come on to match wits with the witless, I offer the following hunting related thread.

For those that have never watched them I highly recommend checking out The Hunting Public on youtube. There are several 30+ episode seasons ranging from deer, elk, turkey and occasionally waterfowl or small game hunting. They are primarily whitetail deer hunters, and although most of them are under 30yrs old they are some of the most knowledgeable and successful hunters I have ever seen. If I didn't watch their video showing how close an approach can be made to game with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe some of it. I'd be happy to hunt with any of their core crew, any day, anywhere. They seem to be really good guys.

They didn't have nearly as successful a season this year as the past two, unless they have several episodes waiting in the wings. Take the time to check out some of the incredible hunts from especially the last two seasons. They also showcase the wildly varying, and beautiful, landscapes, habitats and hunting styles from the numerous different states they hunt in.

Their youtube page is here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHuntingPublic

These boys are hardcore, and their efforts are generally rewarded with results, in due course. If you want to have a good laugh and meet a few of the regulars, among others, check out their last 2 episodes from this/last week which is a two parter during several late season muzzleloader deer drives. It isn't one of their typical hunts, but it shows some of the strategizing and map reading to identify terrain features these guys carry out; as well as being a fantastic exhibit of the camaraderie and memories with family and friends that are such a huge part of why many of us hunt.

Oh to be that young and full of piss and vinegar as Jake, Zack, Ted and the fellas... and to have a medium such as portable camera gear and youtube when I did. Cripes I might have been the next Red Fisher! 🤣

Today, I'd be satisfied with having the habitat and populations to see a fraction of what these fellas often see in a single hunt... and that generally in locations they've either never set foot in before, or at best hunted a few days in a past season.

Happy Hunting!

 

[TrueGrit]

Definitely got close to that bull elk!

 

[ALW]

I forgot to mention that the hunts include archery, rifle, muzzleloader and shotgun as they hunt the various states and seasons taking advantage of the different tag opportunities. I also like that their shows aren't endless product promotions camouflaged as a hunting show. I appreciate they always show the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly that we all recognize real hunting entails, if you're at it long enough. I also like the real emotion, yet respectful celebration when one of them fills their tag. Not the gawd awful displays common on many hunting shows on network and cable programming. Like I said above, I'd be happy to spend time at the hunting camp with any of them.

Not that anyone asked, but personally, my favourite regular is Ted. I think he's the youngest, and was one of the newer fulltime members but he has become a deer hunting machine over the past few seasons. Ted, and this season's new addition Nick, are a pair I could watch all day long. They crack me up! I find it hard to believe that Nick is a Marine and a veteran, he's such a easy going joker... but guess that's further proof I'm getting old! LoL

My favourite hunts are when Jake goes home to hunt the Wisconsin firearms opener with his family, on his grandfather's hunting property on the marsh. It reminds me a lot of the best hunting area I ever frequented. A section of marsh in close proximity to numerous agricultural crop fields and hectares of mature softwood stands. I had that area completely to myself for several years and was fortunate enough to have shot many deer there, including 4 bucks over 200lbs on the scales at Brookfield. Word spread, hunters hunted it out, and I ended up moving. Sure miss that area today. Although my stand wasn't any elevated box blind like Jake's gang. My 'stand' was a 6' closed cell foam sleeping pad, wrapped around and duct taped in place on a stout white spruce limb 20' up on the edge of the marsh. I had a spruce sapling tied in front of me as a steady shooting rest, and draped it with fresh fir limbs in front and above my head each season. I was totally invisible from below, and protected from all but torrential rain and winds from above. I believe Hawkeye is probably hunting out of it now, if the tree still stands.

Sorry TrueGrit, I'm not sure which episode/elk you are referring to. But having seen how close they can crawl, sneak, and/or sprint up on animals unbeknownst to them I'll take your word for it. That the 'shooter' can get as close as they often do, let along the hunter and the videographer! Just goes to prove that a deer/elk/moose/bear's senses, although far better than our own, are not like superhero powers.

 

[Statik]

Been a fan of the Hunting Public for while now. Learned some of what I used to start hunting from them.

 

[TrueGrit]

I forgot to mention that the hunts include archery, rifle, muzzleloader and shotgun as they hunt the various states and seasons taking advantage of the different tag opportunities. I also like that their shows aren't endless product promotions camouflaged as a hunting show. I appreciate they always show the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly that we all recognize real hunting entails, if you're at it long enough. I also like the real emotion, yet respectful celebration when one of them fills their tag. Not the gawd awful displays common on many hunting shows on network and cable programming. Like I said above, I'd be happy to spend time at the hunting camp with any of them.

Not that anyone asked, but personally, my favourite regular is Ted. I think he's the youngest, and was one of the newer fulltime members but he has become a deer hunting machine over the past few seasons. Ted, and this season's new addition Nick, are a pair I could watch all day long. They crack me up! I find it hard to believe that Nick is a Marine and a veteran, he's such a easy going joker... but guess that's further proof I'm getting old! LoL

My favourite hunts are when Jake goes home to hunt the Wisconsin firearms opener with his family, on his grandfather's hunting property on the marsh. It reminds me a lot of the best hunting area I ever frequented. A section of marsh in close proximity to numerous agricultural crop fields and hectares of mature softwood stands. I had that area completely to myself for several years and was fortunate enough to have shot many deer there, including 4 bucks over 200lbs on the scales at Brookfield. Word spread, hunters hunted it out, and I ended up moving. Sure miss that area today. Although my stand wasn't any elevated box blind like Jake's gang. My 'stand' was a 6' closed cell foam sleeping pad, wrapped around and duct taped in place on a stout white spruce limb 20' up on the edge of the marsh. I had a spruce sapling tied in front of me as a steady shooting rest, and draped it with fresh fir limbs in front and above my head each season. I was totally invisible from below, and protected from all but torrential rain and winds from above. I believe Hawkeye is probably hunting out of it now, if the tree still stands.

Sorry TrueGrit, I'm not sure which episode/elk you are referring to. But having seen how close they can crawl, sneak, and/or sprint up on animals unbeknownst to them I'll take your word for it. That the 'shooter' can get as close as they often do, let along the hunter and the videographer! Just goes to prove that a deer/elk/moose/bear's senses, although far better than our own, are not like superhero powers.

It was the episode that came up when I clicked on the link in your post. Archery elk hunt. The bull elk almost ran them over!

 

[WoodsMaster]

These guys are great! There are some really good channels on YouTube, you just have to look for them in between all the Sitka Wearing High-Fence Hunters. Some notable channels that I frequently watch: Big Woods Bucks (Hal Blood and his team of Deer Tracking guides in Maine), The Maine Woods (Another Maine deer tracker that also does a lot of fishing and back woods adventures), UnderFortyYards (Great upland bird hunting channel), WhiteRook85 (Great videos on deer hunting and always puts out annual deer camp videos from their Pennsylvania deer season. Great comradery!)

Stuff like this is what keeps me entertained through the winter months.

 

[ALW]

You are correct Woodsmaster, there are some really good channels/shows out there if you look around. For people interested in the possibilities for opening up urban areas experiencing issues with exploding urban deer populations check out the guys at Seek One. I've only ever watched a couple of their shows after first seeing them on a hunt with the fellas from The Hunting Public. I'd like to think we Canucks are at least as smart as US hunters, and could easily & safely accommodate similar urban deer management hunts here in NS. I've seen a montage clip of some of the bucks those boys quilled in sight of homes, and it is impressive. I shouldn't be that surprised however, as I've seen some of the trophy class bucks parading around Truro.

I decided to jump back into duck & goose hunting after an almost 30yr hiatus. I've been devouring waterfowl hunting content on youtube as I get excited about getting back to my actual hunting roots, and start taking time from deer hunting to get back to bird hunting. I've really enjoyed watching Outdoor Limits, Freelance Duck Hunting, Chasing Green, Surviving Duck Season, Black Belt Waterfowl, Bobby Guy Films, and two Nova Scotian channels that have some of the best (IMO) duck hunting videos online, Hunting Pros and Ducker (Christian) who is a member of this site, and is often referenced in David G's moose hunting thread. Unfortunately Ducker dosen't seem to be too active on his youtube channel any longer, but he has some really good hunts online, and a honey hole of a blind location on a river (I assume just inland from tidal water?) that seems to produce a limit of birds every visit.

If you haven't seen the videos by Hunting Pros I really encourage you to check him out, He does a fair bit of duck hunting, rabbit hunting, and has several videos of sea trout and mackerel fishing in a small boat along the coast that has me determined to give it a go. I haven't watched his older stuff, but it looks like he's been posting hunting/firearms/gear review content online for some time (since he was a teen it appears). He seems to be a pretty good fella, and he kind reminds me of the Bluenose Seth Rogan of hunting & fishing by the sound of his voice. I really enjoy his videos.

 

[KEVIN]

Great thread !! Thanks for posting this Andrew !!
I used to follow the Benoit boys exploits back in the day. Quite an accomplished crew of hunters !

 

[Camocam92]

Yup great topic! Most of my hunting media consumed is all on YouTube. Watch a lot of the Hunting Public, ever since the formed after leaving North American Whitetail. Watch a lot of Seek one, Chris Bee, Nock On, been following Hushin since 2015, Born and Raised Outdoors, Bobby Guy Films, The Untammed, Gritty Bowman: Brian Call. Even the larger legacy whitetail based Tv shows like the Drurys, Bone collector, Major League bow hunting, Buck commander are all putting their shoes on YouTube now. Most nights I sit down, and watch various hunting shows on Tv through the YouTube App once the wife and kid go to bed

 

[gary]

I pick n choose from several - here's a few I check on - in no specific order;

Big Woods Bucks
Jeff Doyle
Newfoundland Sportsman
HOTR
DIY Hunter
Eberhart Outdoors
Exodus Outdoor Gear
Fresh Tracks - Randy Newberg
sometimes someone posts clips from Shockey
Cedar Grove Camp

and on Flickr - Rob Debay

 

[DH11]

A lot of good ones already covered that I really like and a few new ones to check out. I’ll throw out a couple more for this cold day lol

Brad Fry Canadian Guide Life - has some of the best moose footage I’ve ever seen (The Ponds episode in particular) plus a lot of other great mountain hunts.

Modern Day Mountain Man - Longgggg movie like Alaska sheep, bear and moose hunts

and our course some shameless self promotion my very own channel Doug Hore OutDoors - Guiding flyin moose hunts in Ont and backcountry canoe/fishing trips at home in NS

 

[ALW]

Kevin, I can’t recall the names of shows/channels but there are several fellas from Maine and New York that hunt like the Benoit, and the way a lot of old timers in these parts hunted. Find a fresh track and walk that deer down - or another you happen upon while on the track - until you got a shot and hopefully the deer. Nowhere near as common here these days because we so seldom get regular snow to hunt on, and the overwhelming majority of hunters today primarily sit on bait rather than still hunting or tracking.

This is the way my grandfather hunted. Lord knows he walked the arse of me more than enough times hunting with him as a young fella. Many days we started out on Debert Mtn only to end up on Belmont Mtn or Folly Mtn… and I don’t mean road hunting! LoL

If you enjoy those hunts there’s several good ones on YouTube from this past season. Just look for the thumbnail of a fella in a green and black checked hunting coat and toting a pump Remington or maybe 742 or 7400 carbine… 😆 Seems to be the outfit of choice for the Northeast hunting crowd. Likely in honour of the Benoits and hunters of that era. That’s also how gramp dressed, only red and black check, and he carried a Remington 742 in .308Win for snap shooting at deer in the big woods. I still have his rifle, and have shot most of my deer with it. Including all my bucks over 200lbs. I like to think it is his spirit with me in the woods when carrying it. All the metal is now bare gun metal grey, and the stocks are worn to bare wood from both his, my brothers and his hands. That rifle will shoot 1 1/2” or less groups all day long with Remington 150gr CoreLokts, and the only time it ever jammed/failed to fire for me was after being drug through snow covered thickets all morning and getting an ice buildup in the receiver that impaired bolt operation. I used to joke that I could just point that rifle in any direction and squeeze the trigger and a deer would fall.

 

[ALW]

I don’t remember the channel but there’s a pair of Newfoundlanders that guide moose hunts and have some good videos online. They may be mentioned above? It’s worth watching just to listen to the commentary. Good hunts and good laughs!

 

[3macs1]

You guys follow any of the canadian trappers on you tube. I enjoy those especially the guys that go after wolves Man they are a huge dog some of them

 

[ALW]

Short, sweet and to your point...

"I had to reload... I think I shot 8 times..." which is why they seem to use Remington pumps & semis by and large I guess.

 

[ALW]

'nother...

 

[ALW]

One from the boys at Meateater...

 

[ALW]

Here's a bird hunting video from Logan of Hunting Pros. A fantastic hunting & fishing channel from a local sportsman IMO

 

[ALW]

Another Nova Scotian - and NSH member - that has some great bird hunting videos, but doesn't seem to be posting too much of late... 🤞

 

[ALW]

I wish I could have found some of the moose hunting episodes of this show. I only ever caught a couple episodes of Newfoundland Outdoors on CBC as a young fella; when it aired in place of an episode of The Red Fisher Show or Land and Sea. Lloyd & Bryce's banter back & forth is priceless! I could listen to Newfies talk all day I think. The episode I remember most was a moose hunt and the boys cooked up a feed of beans, baloney and tea over their spruce fire and at the end of the meal Lloyd says to Bryce, "What difference does it make whether its beans & baloney or filet mignon when your belly is full." It wasn't a question, but a statement, and words of sage wisdom hidden within their comical conversations.

These are trout fishing episodes, but the boys have a comical discussion as Bryce cooks them up a feed in the first show; and the second begins with a planning session over beans and bacon for breakfast. Priceless. Would love to have seen all the shows/seasons of this show.