Your thoughts on Lakosky, Glesinger?

[IowaBowHunter1983]

Sure. The Chernin Group purchased controlling interest in Meateater. They are completely far left, anti 2nd Amendment and have made donations confirming. Steve said his content wouldn't change and he still has creative control over content, but when the profits are going to that does it matter.
BHA. On the local level seems like a good organization. On a national level they won't make comments on predators. Many of their chair people have made comments supporting Colorado wolf reintroduction. That is not what any sportsman or woman from that area want. Also I've listened to and read a few financial experts and accountants follow the money on BHA and it is not being used for public land and also not going to desirable groups. Don't take my word for it as I'm far from a finance guru, research it. Not sure that is an organization a hunting company should hitch to.
And lastly some of his employees have made bold statements stating that ARs are not needed and semi autos have no place in hunting. Hard to said that, and then in the same breath bolster that more public lands are needed and we need to take better care of the ones we have. Those guns and the ammo from them are what pays for those lands. Do you think the guy who busts out his 30-06 once a year for 5 shots to go hunting contributes more, or the guy who gets together with his buddies a few times a month and burn through 1000 rounds with their ARs.
Like I said his content used to be great, but there has been a subtle difference IMO since the purchase. Maybe its just mental for me and knowing where the money is going has me jaded.

When did that sale happen?

 

[bigbuckhunter88]

When did that sale happen?

Late 2018 I believe

 

[Obsessed]

We have to also remember that this is their livelihood, if your not killing big bucks, no sponsors no shows and podcasts.

Exactly! The Lakosky's have something else that helps or at least helped them along the way though. Tiffany. The first time I encountered them years ago was at the IA Deer Classic. The line to get her autograph was a mile long, while Lee's was maybe 10 people. I googled them when I got home and saw all of the pics of Tiffany shooting bow in Daisy Duke shorts and skimpy bikini tops, etc. Yep, I though. This is what deer hunting has become. Sad. (Not that I didn't enjoy the pics...)

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

I'm all for habitat improvement.

The L's are locking down thousands of acres for their own private use, for the sole purpose to raise and harvest BIG bucks on camera and to be marketed in order to put $$$ in their pockets. All the while, promoting to the general hunting community that anyone can replicate what they do. It's the commercialization of deer hunting, under the pretense that they're just like the 99.9% of the rest of us avid deer hunters. So many people continue to put $$$ in their pockets because of the horn porn industry, which just expands and perpetuates the problem. Many people are either ignorant or stupid to the fact that this does more harm to the the rest of us avid deer hunters than it does good.

I'm a constitutionalist and capitalist, so I don't begrudge them from doing something that is totally legal. It doesn't mean that I have to like it agree with it though, and I certainly won't ever give them a penny of my $. Nobody else should either.

Understand your position. I don't agree with it completely, but I get it. Talking in absolutes degrades the argument. I don't think Lee's "sole" purpose is to shoot big bucks to make money. Guy is ate up and always has been, well before the money and the fame. I do agree the commercialization of deer hunting is way over the top. It started when it became an "industry" .

 

[Muskrat24]

Sounds like a few are a little more jealous than they'd like to or will admit to on this site! Habitat and managing your habitat is the big factor because you need to have it or you won't see the deer. Not everyone is interested in killing big bucks and just hunt for meat, nothing wrong with either way you like to hunt. I chuckled at the comments about having cameras everywhere pretty much seals the deal on killing the big buck. If it was that easy then why don't all those hunters who have multiple cameras not kill a big buck every year? I'd love to be able to follow Lee around for a year to see what he does during the off season to improve habitat.

Not sure if this is referring to me or not but I am far from jealous. My main point of this is that hunting is changing and A LOT and quickly because of these hunting personalities and the need to shoot bigger bucks therefor buying more land and then the viewers do the same because that is what it takes to replicate with any regularity what they see and WANT for themselves. Ask yourself where the people that used to hunt these properties on permission now hunt??? I have talked to Lee and he was very clear that he controls 100% of all human intrusion on his properties!! NO RACCOON HUNTING, NO SQUIRREL HUNTING etc. So hunter numbers will continue to fall because our younger hunters can’t have their 200” deer they see on tv so they quit hunting (over generalization! But hopefully you get the point) so the outdoorsman vote gets smaller and smaller and more fragmented. Not sure how old you are but I am young enough that I will see an end to trapping and an Old England style hunting (if any hunting at all) in Iowa. It is getting closer and closer to own/lease the land or hunt public if you going to hunt at least in my area. Just my 2 cents. Prime example I grew up killing piles of raccoons in high school with a dog. A high percentage of those properties have since been purchased or leased for deer hunting and no longer allow ANYONE access to coon hunt because that scares their 200” deer yet they complain about raccoons tearing up their deer feeders (even back when fur prices were decent)!
I believe and support capitalism and understand what is driving “The Industry” but the current path does not bode well for the future of hunting. JMO

 

[mplane72]

Can you provide more detail on above re Rinella?

Sure. The Chernin Group purchased controlling interest in Meateater. They are completely far left, anti 2nd Amendment and have made donations confirming. Steve said his content wouldn't change and he still has creative control over content, but when the profits are going to that does it matter.
BHA. On the local level seems like a good organization. On a national level they won't make comments on predators. Many of their chair people have made comments supporting Colorado wolf reintroduction. That is not what any sportsman or woman from that area want. Also I've listened to and read a few financial experts and accountants follow the money on BHA and it is not being used for public land and also not going to desirable groups. Don't take my word for it as I'm far from a finance guru, research it. Not sure that is an organization a hunting company should hitch to.
And lastly some of his employees have made bold statements stating that ARs are not needed and semi autos have no place in hunting. Hard to said that, and then in the same breath bolster that more public lands are needed and we need to take better care of the ones we have. Those guns and the ammo from them are what pays for those lands. Do you think the guy who busts out his 30-06 once a year for 5 shots to go hunting contributes more, or the guy who gets together with his buddies a few times a month and burn through 1000 rounds with their ARs.
Like I said his content used to be great, but there has been a subtle difference IMO since the purchase. Maybe its just mental for me and knowing where the money is going has me jaded.

Can you provide more detail on above re Rinella?

If you've followed Rinella at all you've heard him use the word "nuance" a time or three. Here's his response to some of this.
https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/f...4GxURZNyObouCOxpr2rJPOCuZT0MpZsE81jk2omqb736o

A meat eater article on the wolf situation in CO.
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/coloradowolvesballotboxbiolgy

Rinella and Newberg have both been labeled as "Green Decoys" by a group from the right. You can search that term and find all kinds of BS.

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

If you've followed Rinella at all you've heard him use the word "nuance" a time or three. Here's his response to some of this.
https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/f...4GxURZNyObouCOxpr2rJPOCuZT0MpZsE81jk2omqb736o

A meat eater article on the wolf situation in CO.
https://www.themeateater.com/conservation/wildlife-management/coloradowolvesballotboxbiolgy

Rinella and Newberg have both been labeled as "Green Decoys" by a group from the right. You can search that term and find all kinds of BS.

Thanks for sharing. Pretty strong response from Steve.

 

[Daver]

Sounds like a few are a little more jealous than they'd like to or will admit to on this site! Habitat and managing your habitat is the big factor because you need to have it or you won't see the deer. Not everyone is interested in killing big bucks and just hunt for meat, nothing wrong with either way you like to hunt. I chuckled at the comments about having cameras everywhere pretty much seals the deal on killing the big buck. If it was that easy then why don't all those hunters who have multiple cameras not kill a big buck every year? I'd love to be able to follow Lee around for a year to see what he does during the off season to improve habitat.

I really didn't detect jealousy from anyone in this thread FWIW. Not everyone sees the situation the same way...and that's OK if you ask me.

Whether or not you like or approve of it there is NO QUESTION that access to good whitetail hunting ground is much tougher today than say 15-20+ years ago...AIIEC. The restrictions to private land today are also not limited to deer hunting...but include camping, other forms of hunting...including artifact and mushroom, and so on. When one entity tightly restricts access to their land, which is their right, then simply, others who would otherwise have a place to recreate...do not and give up or move to another area, possibly bumping or crowding someone else.

One key factor in the lessening of access in Iowa is landowners buying/leasing land to then manage for bigger bucks. Again, that is OK with me, it is their land...but there are implications to others too. That some identify and speak to these impacts does not necessarily make them jealous IMO.

 

[iowavf]

I really didn't detect jealousy from anyone in this thread FWIW. Not everyone sees the situation the same way...and that's OK if you ask me.

Whether or not you like or approve of it there is NO QUESTION that access to good whitetail hunting ground is much tougher today than say 15-20+ years ago...AIIEC. The restrictions to private land today are also not limited to deer hunting...but include camping, other forms of hunting...including artifact and mushroom, and so on. When one entity tightly restricts access to their land, which is their right, then simply, others who would otherwise have a place to recreate...do not and give up or move to another area, possibly bumping or crowding someone else.

One key factor in the lessening of access in Iowa is landowners buying/leasing land to then manage for bigger bucks. Again, that is OK with me, it is their land...but there are implications to others too. That some identify and speak to these impacts does not necessarily make them jealous IMO.

I see more land lost to big farmers than bought out by hunters. I've seen a lot of land I use to hunt is now farmed from fence row to fence row which is the farmers right because he bought the land and that's how he makes a living. Unfortunately not all of us will own land, me included. Some don't like or can't see why guys like Lee own and manage a lot of land for deer hunting? It's his job, the way he makes a living just like farmers or business people who own several businesses.

 

[Daver]

I see more land lost to big farmers than bought out by hunters. I've seen a lot of land I use to hunt is now farmed from fence row to fence row which is the farmers right because he bought the land and that's how he makes a living. Unfortunately not all of us will own land, me included. Some don't like or can't see why guys like Lee own and manage a lot of land for deer hunting? It's his job, the way he makes a living just like farmers or business people who own several businesses.

It is very possible that what you see in your area of the state and what I see in my area of state are not the same thing. In my area, SE Iowa, a very significant percentage of the high quality deer hunting land is owned or leased by people primarily focused on hunting big bucks. I don't see people losing access too much due to farmers clearing the land, etc. But that could certainly be true elsewhere.

It's Lee's right to own or lease more land so as to be able to hunt giant deer and/or farm more acres. I don't see anyone disputing that BTW. But...when one entity controls and tightly restricts access to more land for whatever reason, that reduces the opportunity/access by others. Someone can not like that and not be envious about it.

 

[6x6]

I see more land lost to big farmers than bought out by hunters. I've seen a lot of land I use to hunt is now farmed from fence row to fence row which is the farmers right because he bought the land and that's how he makes a living. Unfortunately not all of us will own land, me included. Some don't like or can't see why guys like Lee own and manage a lot of land for deer hunting? It's his job, the way he makes a living just like farmers or business people who own several businesses.

For sure


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[6x6]

Once the habitat is leveled and row cropped, the deer are gone. That habitat is not coming back ever. My area in western Iowa has lost a lot of timber in the last 20 years that I’ve been here


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[iowavf]

It is very possible that what you see in your area of the state and what I see in my area of state are not the same thing. In my area, SE Iowa, a very significant percentage of the high quality deer hunting land is owned or leased by people primarily focused on hunting big bucks. I don't see people losing access too much due to farmers clearing the land, etc. But that could certainly be true elsewhere.

It's Lee's right to own or lease more land so as to be able to hunt giant deer and/or farm more acres. I don't see anyone disputing that BTW. But...when one entity controls and tightly restricts access to more land for whatever reason, that reduces the opportunity/access by others. Someone can not like that and not be envious about it.

Exactly, I like to have a bigger house like I see the people who live by the golf course has, but I just can’t afford that. So I criticize them every time I drive by their homes because I don’t live there. I’ll criticize the folks playing Des Moines county club every time I drive by there, it’s not fair they get to play that kind of course and I play a public course. See where I’m coming from with a few who don’t like people like Lee? Not making excuses for anyone but I do feel some are jealous and would trade places. Saying his way of hunting isn’t fair chase, please educate me on what fair chase is? Not picking fights just asking questions.

 

[Muskrat24]

I see more land lost to big farmers than bought out by hunters. I've seen a lot of land I use to hunt is now farmed from fence row to fence row which is the farmers right because he bought the land and that's how he makes a living. Unfortunately not all of us will own land, me included. Some don't like or can't see why guys like Lee own and manage a lot of land for deer hunting? It's his job, the way he makes a living just like farmers or business people who own several businesses.

FWIW I am not a fan of fencerow to fencerow farming either as all wildlife and hunting takes a hit not to mention the soil resource as well in some areas. Similar scenario whether it is a fencerow to fencerow farmer or a locked down piece of hunting ground. Fewer hunters get to enjoy something that most of us on this site are passionate about! I can assure you one thing that there are farms in all parts of the state and country and world that are being cleared for farming and once again we and our kids will pay the price in eroded landscapes and eroded opportunities.

 

[Muskrat24]

Exactly, I like to have a bigger house like I see the people who live by the golf course has, but I just can’t afford that. So I criticize them every time I drive by their homes because I don’t live there. I’ll criticize the folks playing Des Moines county club every time I drive by there, it’s not fair they get to play that kind of course and I play a public course. See where I’m coming from with a few who don’t like people like Lee? Not making excuses for anyone but I do feel some are jealous and would trade places. Saying his way of hunting isn’t fair chase, please educate me on what fair chase is? Not picking fights just asking questions.

Exactly, I like to have a bigger house like I see the people who live by the golf course has, but I just can’t afford that. So I criticize them every time I drive by their homes because I don’t live there. I’ll criticize the folks playing Des Moines county club every time I drive by there, it’s not fair they get to play that kind of course and I play a public course. See where I’m coming from with a few who don’t like people like Lee? Not making excuses for anyone but I do feel some are jealous and would trade places. Saying his way of hunting isn’t fair chase, please educate me on what fair chase is? Not picking fights just asking questions.

I see both sides and would not pay a dime for a $1,000,000 house next to a ritzy private golf club in the city! But to each their own! Not trying to change anyone’s mind and shouldn’t have even chimed into this thread but here is a spin on your analogy. That public course you LOVE to play with your kids next to your house just got bought out by Tiger Woods and now all the people that used to enjoy the reasonably priced public course have to drive across town to a run down course that was already packed! Quality of the golf experience for everyone except Tiger and his friends has gone down and people will quit golfing. I wonder if the city bond to improve that run down golf course gets as many votes after several of its patrons quit golfing. Same question goes for the hunters’ vote to stop a ban on ARs, semi autos, etc. But I bet Tiger sells some clubs for Callaway!

 

[Bucksnbears]

The word Word "Golf" should never be spoken on a hunting forum!

 

[Obsessed]

I see both sides and would not pay a dime for a $1,000,000 house next to a ritzy private golf club in the city! But to each their own! Not trying to change anyone’s mind and shouldn’t have even chimed into this thread but here is a spin on your analogy. That public course you LOVE to play with your kids next to your house just got bought out by Tiger Woods and now all the people that used to enjoy the reasonably priced public course have to drive across town to a run down course that was already packed! Quality of the golf experience for everyone except Tiger and his friends has gone down and people will quit golfing. I wonder if the city bond to improve that run down golf course gets as many votes after several of its patrons quit golfing. Same question goes for the hunters’ vote to stop a ban on ARs, semi autos, etc. But I bet Tiger sells some clubs for Callaway!

Very well stated. And soon, you and all other local golfers will have to drive a state over to golf a crappy public course, because some golfers would start buying up and converting all local area public courses to private. Just to attempt to get close to and replicate what Tiger has done.

And if local public courses didn't sell, they'd at least jack their prices sky high, because the demand would be there.