I think that TV hunting is a double edge sword (or broadhead if you like) On one hand they may be a help to recruit new hunters to our sport but they also furnish and abundance of ammunition to our enemies. The best of the hunting experience is sometimes portrayed by folks like Cameron Hanes, Guy Eastman, Will Primos, and Jim Shockey to name a few. I think TV hunters shine most when they do it the hard way, show respect the game, and emphasize skill over gadgets. There are however some real ego driven bozos with a camera that exhibit none of this behavior and do our sport a real disservice. The high fives, thumbs up, silly giggles and chest pounding as an animal dies doesn't show any originality or more importantly class.
I admit I enjoy watching a close encounter culminated with a well executed shot. Good photography of trophy game is cool too. But then I have been a hunter for many years, not some city voter that has never had the drive to go afield and bring their own meat home. I understand the reality of hunting and what it takes to be successful. The city guy doesn't know the difficulty of getting to the point of a shot. The reality is that you don't kill a giant bull or buck everytime out or every year or sometimes every decade.
When these "experts" give their tips and seminars I want to puke. Hunting with expensive outfitters, and prime properties does nothing to make one an expert. Surely something rubs off in the process, but I would rather hear from a good public land hunter anyday. In fact I suspect that these shows have spurred an interest in outfitted hunts that is unprecedented. There are enough well heeled "hunters with lots of cash and little time that are perfecly happy keeping the best lands out of reach of the average guy.
