60 Minutes piece on Wolf Re-Introduction

[idahohuntr]

Saw a post by Randy Newberg that 60 minutes is airing a piece on Yellowstone wolf re-introduction and they interviewed him to provide the hunter's perspective.  It's supposed to air Dec 23.  Will be curious to see it...and I'm very thankful they selected Randy Newberg to represent the hunters perspective. 

Randy made a FB post on the subject:

I am a bit apprehensive about the 60 Minutes episode that will air on CBS this Sunday evening. Last winter I was called by Rome Hartman, producer of 60 Minutes, and asked if I could provide some background and history about the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction through the eyes of a hunter. (Still not sure where he got my name.) They were coming to Yellowstone to do a piece about wolves 20+ years after the reintroduction.

We talked for quite a while. When they came to Bozeman a few weeks later to do some research on the project, he asked me to meet him and his assistant producer, Sara, for breakfast. I gave him more details about the history of the reintroduction through the eyes of someone who spends a lot of time on this landscape and has been here the entire time that the reintroduced wolves have been here.

Rome called me a few weeks later and asked if I would be willing to be interviewed for the piece they were producing. I told him I would think about it. He wanted the perspective of a hunter for this piece.

I talked to folks I trust who have a background in news media. Some cautioned against it, explaining that when interviewed you have no control over the final product or the context in which your comments would be used. Some in the hunting world encouraged me to do it.

I thought about it long and hard. Eventually I decided to do it, knowing full well it carries a lot of risk. I drove to Mammoth and spent a couple hours in an interview with Bill Whitaker. Bill was a very good interviewer, obviously very experienced in his craft.

Rome emailed me this week to let me know the episode will air this Sunday, December 23rd. I have not seen a draft of the segment, as they do not allow that. I have no idea what context will be given or what/how comments will be used. Rome assures me that I have nothing to worry about. I hope he is right, as it is a big risk for someone in my position to put words on camera without any control over how the editors cut and paste the pieces together.

So, if this effort to speak on behalf of hunters results in my platforms being demolished by Monday morning, it has been a good run.

[ribka]

I think Randy is a good spokesperson for hunting but 60 min has a terrible reputation for journalist integrity.

I was very involved in an investigation in 96 that aired on 60 minutes and it did not remotely reflect what transpired or air all of the facts. Very disappointing

Good luck Randy we all need it

[vandeman17]

I have liked and followed Randy for many years, since his early days of hunting shows. I enjoy his podcasts as well and like Ribka said, I just hope that what he said isn't spun and contorted like many so called "respectable" media outlets tend to do.

[WapitiTalk1]

Looks like it'll be on at 7:00 PM on KIRO this Sunday, 23 DEC.  I'll be watching it.  Thanks for the heads up idahohntr. 

[Sandberm]

Thanks for the heads up on the air date.

I just recently started watching Randys show on Amazon and I really enjoy it. He seems like a good guy. I cant see how 60 minutes could make him look bad based on he seems like a level headed guy, not someone who shoots from the hip with inflammatory comments and bluster.

[vandeman17]

Thanks for the heads up on the air date.

I just recently started watching Randys show on Amazon and I really enjoy it. He seems like a good guy. I cant see how 60 minutes could make him look bad based on he seems like a level headed guy, not someone who shoots from the hip with inflammatory comments and bluster.

I agree. He is a CPA and well educated so I have a feeling he will pick and choose his words wisely when answering questions.

[Rainier10]

I will be sure to watch it.  Thanks for the heads up.

[Skyvalhunter]

I sure wished they had interviewed Joe Balyeat

[Wunderlich33]

I agree Skyval but I believe Randy is the next best thing

[Nwgunner]

Aren't the hawks playing Sunday night against the chiefs?  Damn..

[cbond3318]

I Wonder why Randy and not someone a little more in tune like Hugh Glass?.

[huntingfool7]

Looks like it'll be on at 7:00 PM on KIRO this Sunday, 23 DEC.  I'll be watching it.  Thanks for the heads up idahohntr. 

Thanks for listing the time.  Setting up reminders to watch now.

[Rainier10]

Set the DVR to record. Will watch after the hawks game.

[Birdguy]

Not to impressed, more of the same pretty much. Look at how wonderful wolves are, they generate (35)millions to the local economies every year (not sure I buy that). They interviewed a rancher who has had no losses to wolves on his cattle and sheep farm (range riders and livestock dogs have protected him). The Ranger (and hired shooter for tagging and collaring wolves) was very pro wolf and all things wolf related, he even said the wolves eating the sick and injured elk was allowing birds, brush and beavers to flourish in Yellowstone. Randy was by far the shortest speaking part. He had a line about wolves not pooping rainbows as some believe and to understand how elusive and cunning wolves are you need to hunt one.  But you will all be glad to know all parties agree that wolves are here to stay!

Typical piece of reporting IMO, nothing special in any way  .

[cem3434]

  watched it after the Hawks game and I wasn't impressed.  More of the same libertad environmentalist pushed agenda about how great the wolves are.