As soon as spring thunder started getting traction I became concerned. I’ve seen first hand the molestation arkansas wmas/nwrs receive during duck seasons ….. social media was 10 years ahead on duck hunting vs turkey hunting. Now the same thing is happening to turkey hunting via social media/YouTube. It has followed nearly the same path….now we are in the regulation phase where opportunities will be limited by DNRs. They can blame it on covid but they are not being truthful to us or themselves. If they gave a dam about turkey or turkey hunting’s future they’d hang it up and delete their “content”. But they won’t. They got a little taste of money and fame……and that’s a hell of a drug for most people.

Ditto on both counts.

It’s only gonna get worse.

Dave’s videos went south when mossy oak got involved

Daves videos went south when he started relishing the fame, attention, and money more so than the actual pursuit of the wild turkey.

x2...I used to loved his vids but now it's about selling merchandise and all. It's why I still really only watch the Chubbs vids b/c he doesn't care about the fame and all, just loves to turkey hunt.

It kills me these super famous hunters really have a platform to make a difference when it comes to promoting trapping and going against the season change bs yet they all are silent on it. They don't care because they make enough money on youtube vids to hunt any states they choose and it doesn't affect them really.

I sincerely hope all the people who are just now seeing the negative affects of social media will continue to voice their concerns.
I doubt we ever see THP, Dave, and the rest admit fault at this point.
Just maybe, they will quit leaving any cookie crumbs as to where they are at. If they are truly hunting for the love of the sport, why do they have to even name a state?

Do a little digging on YouTube monetization rates. Then go look at their view counts.
These YouTubers aren’t making chit in the overall grand scheme from their videos.
This is assumption on my part- I bet every single one of them is doing odd jobs in the off season to support their “career”.

They have to name a state so they can have their video show up first when someone searches " 'xyz' state turkey hunt". And SO many people watch their videos just try to find the next best state/spot to turkey hunt in. It is also why you routinely see them throw "public land" in the title. If they just titled a video "Southeastern Gobbler at 20 yards" or "Midwest gobblers galore!" it'd be tougher for them to show up in searches. Another reason THP has long video titles, they need as many 'key words' as possible.


It is all about building their brand and following.

I recently met with with Dave and asked him to quit naming states. Oh boy, that didn't go over well! Basically, I was told he's a traveling turkey hunter who has built his brand on traveling to different states so he is always going to name states! Told me all I needed to know right there.

Exactly. Dave is about Dave. Damn what is best for the resource.
He has the “I’m going to get mine” mentality worse than the other channels IMO. If anyone thinks he’s not about fame or recognition, they are sadly mistaken.

Congrata to Dave for making a career out of what he enjoys! If only everyone could be as fortunate.

Now I didnt say he was making money off of youtube now did I?

Only problem is he’s screwing the general public in the process.
Can the same be said other lines of work?

Just politicians and state game agency heads.

Heck he bushwacks half the turkeys he kills.

😂😂😂 this place never disappoints! Now we acting like he can’t call up a turkey

Heck, I guess if I’m honest I bushwhacked most of the turkeys I’ve ever killed. Ain’t been many of them sit by the tree call to him in the morning fly down killings in my experience.

Me too! But they just as dead as the ones that did fly down and come straight to me. I’ll take em however I can

The only difference is y’all are not on YouTube talking about how much you respect the turkey and it’s all about the hunt not the kill. There’s a difference between fooling one and just killing one.It’s not that hard to sneak into TSS range. I maybe a little sour since he films some on the WMA I hunt.He maybe be a World Champion turkey caller but his Yelp sounds like a puppy barking to me.😬

His yelps are snappy ain’t they Walker? What you think, Pomeranian or yorkie?