Are we "professional hunters"?

[MarlinMears]

Disclaimer: this post is merely an observation and a question that I will ask. I intend to consider the answers for possible marketing purposes. I am not pointing out one individual (because the list is too long) and do not intend to belittle anyone.

Having had the opportunity to travel across the US and several continents filming outdoor shows, and working at various expos, I get to meet many hunters. I realize that we all have varying degrees of experience in the field, including the type of game that we pursue and the methods involved. I have more opportunities to spend time in the woods that most, but that doesn't make me a better hunter than anyone else and I cannot be so vain as to place myself on a pedestal. However when I spend time in the field with "hunters" I quickly realize that some are simply better at marketing themselves as hunters than their skill suggests. When I meet someone who introduces themselves as a "professional hunter" and "host of ____ TV show" or "outfitter/guide for____ranch", I immediately become skeptical. In my experience, most of these types have yet to prove themselves to me. Of course, in Africa, your guide is a "professional hunter", but what makes a "professional hunter" in the US? Does it mean that you make money hunting? Or that you have guided others on hunts(with or without pay)? Or you have sponsors that you have convinced that you are a good hunter? Am I a "professional hunter" because I guide hunters during certain seasons or because I have been involved in many hunts? Are you a "professional hunter" because you have 20 years of experience? And lastly, what would you think of someone who "advertises" that they are a "professional hunter"?
I look forward to your responses and will also appreciate all the witty post such as "my wife thinks I am" Are you a professional hunter?

[Bones]

We used to have a "professional hunter" on here..... He fell a little "short" of expectation

[johnsonzl]

For me its whether they get paid or not. Gets paid = professional and for me it has nothing to do with their skill level, lets face it their are lots of professionals that are a joke.

[bowhuntertex]

We used to have a "professional hunter" on here..... He fell a little "short" of expectation

Did you gnome him?

[Mudslinger]

I don't think so. I love to hunt, but I am far from professional even though I did work for an outfitter guiding for about 4 years.

I believe the PH's in Africa are not really "professional hunters" so to speak. they are licensed guides by the country the are in. Most are probably better hunters than the majority and could be considered professional as this is their livelyhood.

I think the so called "professional hunters" aka "show hosts" here in the states are people that love the outdoors and love to hunt and have the money to do what they love. The one thing that stuck with me since i hunted in an elk camp with him was what Jim Shockey told me about the hunting shows and the "hunting business". Not sure if this is true but what he tole me was that with the fees that the Outdoor Channel and the other stations charged just to air a show, it was virtually impossible to make any money doing the shows. He used his first show to advertise his outfitting business in Canada and felt very lucky if he "broke even" during the year on filming and producing and getting his show on the air.

I would love to do what they do and I believe that there are a lot of hunters and some on this site that would do as well if not better thna some on TV right now. Not everyone gets to hunt some of the land and places they do at the times they do. Some of the property they hunt is only hunted byt the so called "professionals"
This is just my take.

[Artos]

Never heard anyone ever introduce themselves to me as a pro hunter?? In fact, I've only considered the established African Guide as a ph due to the catch phrase they have earned even though they guide for all arguement sakes.


If someone paid me to hunt and kill animals (not as a guide for others) but for my main source of yearly income, then it's the only way I could consider myself a 'professional hunter.'


I am however exeptional at the various campfire arts and all that it implies.

[Geezy Rider]

Hunting is not my profession therefore I am not a profesional hunter.

[Landrover]

I consider myself an outsdoorsman with a STRONG leaning to bowhunting!!!

For me its whether they get paid or not. Gets paid = professional and for me it has nothing to do with their skill level, lets face it their are lots of professionals that are a joke.

Ditto........U beat me to it!

[Tubby]

IMO a "professional" hunter is a person that gets paid to hunt. Not necessarily a guide, ranch manager, or just has a couple of sponsors. Just like a "professional" athlete. He/She gets paid to be an athlete.

Now someone that carries themself in a "professional" manner, i.e. very meticulous, spends time studying maps, moon phases, wind, weather patterns, etc. Is just someone that is very thorough, betters their chances, tries to teach himself as much as he can.

Then again someone that has spent many years in the outdoors, gets to hunt most every day out of the season, goes on safaris, isn't necessarily a "professional" hunter, more experienced more like it.

Someone that has spend time Guiding hunts with pay would be considered a "professional" guide (not hunter). Without pay, just a guide.

Someone that "advertises" that they are a "professional" hunter... I would have to ask them "who pays you to hunt"? Sounds like they are a braggart.

I don't consider myself as a professional hunter by any means. I have had experience. Anyone that has spent any time outdoors has some sort of experience. Some more than others.

I would much more rather be considered an "ethical" hunter than a "professional" hunter anytime.

[tinman]

The words should never be used together, IMO. The first time that I heard South African guides referred to this way, it struck me as wrong...I figured something was lost in the translation.

The "hunting industry" may do as much to harm the image and heritage of hunting as it does to promote it. The concept of "sport" seems to get lost easily with the commercialization of hunting. Labels like professional hunter, trophy hunter, etc...that are popular in some circles today carry a negative image with them that turns off many non-hunters...and some hunters.

There are no "professional hunters". There are professional products salesmen, professional video salesmen/producers, professional outfitters, etc...but the hunter is just a hunter, IMO.

What would Teddy say?

[Johnny Dangerr]

Wow - neat question.

Karen and I have been crazed turkey hunters for 20 years. I have guided hunts. We have a shelf with a small pile of beards, and numerous mounts.

A couple of weeks back a guy from Missippi hunted our place, and he had crazy good skills. He lurkes around here from time to time.

Three weeks ago I might of had a different answer from the one I would give you today....

Neat question.....

[Landrover]

What would Teddy say?

U had my attention until the above. Teddy LOVED hunting and everythng involved with it. But he was from one of the wealthiest families in the nation from New York. His biography clearly noted that the stories about mountain men (like superhero's now) is what pushed him to explore the west......thus hunting. Great hunter for sure but many of the things they did would not be acceptable today. His big change about conservation surely came when he got involved with establishing the Boone & Crockett club! All in all, PROFESSIONAL hunter title would not be a concept he could wrap his brain around back then. What would Fred Bear say would be a GREAT example!

[keep]

What would Teddy say?

[ATTACH]159280[/ATTACH]

What he should say is "Where's the other side of my hat?" or "I shouldn't sleep with my hat on."

[slayer]

[QUOTE=Landrover;2453504]I consider myself an outsdoorsman with a STRONG leaning to bowhunting!!!

ME TOO!

[keep]

I feel the professional hunter term being used in the states is merely to make the pereson saying it feel more important, qualified and elite than you. Its their way of say how good they are and how good you should think they are. And they usually are better than us and if you don't believe me ask them and they'll tell you they are.
It all revolves around their ego.