Influencers Then and Now

As I sat here sipping my coffee and scrolling through news this morning, I ran across an article discussing the top 120 hunting influencers in the world of social media. It took my mind back to a time before technology had advanced to the point it is now, and guys like Fred Bear were known to be Top Dog. No one needed a published article to know who Bear was, or what his passion consisted of. Fred's love for archery spanned over 60 years. Six decades of design, production, hunts, and filming all along his journey to bring other enthusiasts along for the ride. Instagram, YouTube, Facebook didn't exist until many years after Bear's passing in 1988, but with the help of VHS players and cable TV shows like "The American Sportsman" there is no denying that he was not only a pioneer in the world of archery, but also an original influencer.

In the 1990s the outdoor world and advancements in televised capabilities allowed us to follow people like Michael Waddell through his hunts, to learn what he knew, and to involuntarily hold our breath as he made that well calculated fatal shot. I remember turning on an episode, seeing Waddell sitting in a blind with Jeff Foxworthy, and my initial thought went directly to "The Incomplete Hunter". While it was a bit disappointing, they went the entire show without one clip of those talking deer discussing the most feared huntsman in the red checkered flannel, it was still very much entertaining. It was the day I learned Foxworthy was a far better hunter than he had painted himself to be, and Michael Waddell possessed a slightly comedic mind. It was around that time I began seeing that glowing buck skull of the Bone Collector brand spanning the windshield of pickups across parking lots alongside Browning and Realtree logos, because there are no influencers quite like your local teenage enthusiasts.

Influencing, in my opinion, has been around since the beginning of time. Starting with cave painting of great hunts, stories told by word of mouth, evolving into Field and Stream writings on greats such as Larry Benoit, and moving into televised broadcasts of Buckmasters with Jackie Bushman, to now having ideas and techniques available at the click of a button. With 120 influencers today competing to sit at the top, it leaves me curious if any will be as memorable as Bear. No question many of them have the drive and dedication, but do we as a culture have the ability or desire to put them is such a position? Or have we simply moved into an era where the majority of people are more focused on their individual improvement and no longer seek the advice or guidance of hunting legends?

My hope, is amongst those educating and guiding future hunters in this new age of technology, are those who remember and speak of the legends such as Benoit and Bear. Those names have earned a place in the hearts and minds of all hunters, now and in the future. While I'm not fully convinced we will see an influencer again who can reach the iconic roles of those in the past, I admire the dedication and work involved in sharing what you love with the world and ensuring there are outstanding videos for those just learning. I respect your knowledge and perspective, and I wish you all the best. Happy hunting.