Duck Commander by Benelli... I was embarrassed to be called a hunter...

[Rob]

Now your talking! 

Hunters have no idea how to market to the masses, I think you are on to something!!

[ghgetter]

I realize that Phil may be a little rough looking but he has been one of the major innovators in the industry. Fred Zink has put a new spin on waterfowling but for years it was the Duckmen. These guys are real...and they flat know duck hunting. I would bet that if you asked Fred Zink who his boyhood idols were it was either Phil Robertson or Warren Coco...both of which come across as backwoods hillbillies. But you have to remember that the bayou is where die hard duck hunters came from.

For me...a kid who grew up watching all the Duckmen videos, you couldnt find a better example of a duckhunter's duckhuter...just my 

[jackelope]

these guys look perfectly normal to hunters from their own neighborhood.

[ghgetter]

That supposed to be a slam?

[jackelope]

nope...thats supposed to be in support.

[ghgetter]

Atta Boy!

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Duck Commander and Phil are awesome.  Love the videos and the show.  If you or anyone judges just on how someone looks...... well nuff said.  Phil also makes some of the best calls out there.  Sorry you feel that they embarrass you as a hunter.  

[Rob]

Yep, I see the point, and to be honest, I actually agree with you.  I'm not explaining myself clearly.  I'll try again.

My brother has downsyndrome.  I know what it is like to see judgement and bias based on the superficial all the time.

With my brother, we could let him dress in ill fitting clothing, leave him to take care of his own appearance (hair, shower, shaving, etc), and allow him to eat until he weighs in at 300 lbs.  If we did he would be happy as a clam and a lot of folks would write him off-even be scared of him.  Is that right?  My family does not think so.  By helping him to put his best foot forward, making sure he cleans up, showers, dresses in clean clothes that fit, etc, he is much more accepted by society, and they in turn get to see what a special guy he is - a person just like all of us.  It is a lot of work, but other folk's lives are enriched for knowing him and seeing the world through his eyes, and his world is enriched by the experiences he has and the people he knows.

I see a similar analogy.  

These Duck commanders seem like pretty good folk.  Honest, hard working, and great duck hunters.  I feel they probably have a heck of a lot to offer others too.  (while the show I saw was less than stellar, they clearly know and understand ducks an there were a few good pointers-football side story aside).  My hunting heritage is very important to me.  As a hunter, I feel (and perhaps I am alone in this) that I have an obligation to represent our sport while afield by putting my best foot forward.  I don't always succeed, but I try.  With so many Americans actively trying to take away our rights, and so many more Americans apathetic to our cause and likely to support the activists, I would like to see those who are our spokesmen and women to also put their best foot forward.  TV personalities are clearly spokespeople.

When a non hunter sees a show like that, I feel they jump to the conclusion that these are scary backwoods cast rejects from the Movie Deliverance and that must be what hunters are.  At least the three I was with did (one anti-hunter, two newbie hunters).  Not the best foot forward (my opinion).

Clearly I am in the vast minority on this one, but I have to be honest, image is important and perception is reality.  I'm sure the guys are great, but I think they do the cause of hunting a bit of a disservice.  Probably a blip on the radar anyway as with or without them we will most likely loose our hunting rights in the next couple of decades anyway.  But hey, at least we get socialized health care like Canada eh?

[rainshadow1]

Like 'em... like the beards... wouldn't grow one myself, but I get a kick out of 'em.

[jackelope]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-rfKvWBag[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLdFU7g4HRE&feature=related[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT9bYJdkkBo&feature=related[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3oiUfKjJWg[/youtube]

[WDFW-SUX]

I think he needs a local radio show..

[rainshadow1]

Knew I liked that guy...

[rasbo]

I think they do a good job..I dont know to many hunters that are pretty..except killbilly Im not a duck hunter anymore but do like to watch them..

[sisu]

They look like the Wildwood Boys: A Novel by James Carlos Blake
This is a GREAT read by the way.

[BC CHASER]

these guys look perfectly normal to hunters from their own neighborhood.

Hey, they look normal to me!  You have something against beards?