[Glenn]

We will be advertising on Waterfowl TV this summer and fall. Look for our new 30 sec mud ad.

HammerTime

“If This Don’t Light Your Fire, Your Woods Wet”

Do you ever watch any of the outdoor shows? If not, then don’t bother reading any further. This column is going to discuss outdoor TV, where it’s been and where it’s going … going as of this July! In particular I’m focusing on one new show, with worthy mention of a couple of others.
Like most industries outdoors TV has experienced a lot of changes, most of which seem to be the result of two factors … technology changes and the demand for quality.
Technological changes are simple to understand. For example, it doesn’t matter where we look, cell phones are everywhere and a lot of them have built in cameras. The same technology that gives cell phone users the ability to take a photograph also provides aggressive production companies the ability to obtain quality footage from smaller cameras. Smaller cameras are easier to hide and that makes a huge difference when filming waterfowl hunts. I’m convinced the sheer size of older cameras is the reason you use to see so many flooded timber hunts filmed, its easier to hide the big cameras in the trees!
The demand for quality is also easy to understand. Outdoor television has proven itself as a valuable advertising medium and as technology changes, sponsors look for production companies with a technological advantage. Viewers also expect more and their demand for quality will always impact production decisions. For example, one rainy Sunday morning my wife and I were flipping through the channels and came across a show with a direct focus on waterfowl, filmed in Arkansas. As we clicked on the channel, a guide was explaining the benefits of bright sunny days when hunting flooded rice fields. Then it happened, the very next shooting segment went from a clear bluebird day in a rice field where the shooting took place, to birds falling in rough open water and a dark overcast day … then back to the sunny rice field like nothing happened. The switch was so obvious my wife noticed it right off and she wasn’t the only one. That evening waterfowl chat rooms had numerous posts cussing and/or discussing the obvious blunder. My point is …viewers expect, demand and deserve so much more!
Beginning this July on The Outdoor Channel you can see first hand what a difference
focusing on these factors will make. Powerhouse Promotions grabbed the attention of waterfowl hunters last season when they put together “Final Approach TV” and they’re sure to grab top ratings again with their new show “Waterfowler TV”. WTV will be all waterfowl and the majority of shows will be focused around members of an Elite Team, consisting of nine world-class waterfowl professionals. Not only will viewers witness how the Elite Team hunts in different locations across the country, they will also pick up valuable hunting and calling tips, many of which will be contributing to the actual hunt. In addition to assembling the Elite Team, “Waterfowler TV” has taken technology to the next level.
In an effort to provide viewers with real time hunting action, they’re using multiple cameras. In fact, one such hunt I participated in utilized four different cameras. By using multiple cameras the editing staff will have the angles needed to provide viewers with more of the feel of the actual hunt and this camera crew and editing team are dedicated to bringing the essence of the hunt right into your living room.
Rod Haydel summed up his thoughts as a team member by saying, “I’ve tried to sell this idea to the industry for years and after failing I’m glad to see WTV had the same vision” and what a vision it is. In an industry that often times seems to be cutthroat and overly competitive, Powerhouse has once again broken the mold and set new standards by bringing together their Elite Team. The youngest member of The Elite Team, Hunter Grounds, was on the money when he stated, “After experiencing the action first hand, this show will have something for waterfowl hunters everywhere”.
Each and every member of The Elite Team has put forth the best of their ability and knowledge to make this show a success, but no matter how hard we try, the production of a show like this would not be possible without Powerhouse Promotions vision, state of the art equipment and an outstanding crew. Senior Editor Adam Hatmaker summarized it by saying; “Waterfowler TV is the ultimate show for the hardcore waterfowler and novice alike. You have the top professionals in the industry using techniques and strategies they put together in years past and now they’re passing them on to the viewers”. I do agree with Adam’s statement and I’ll be the first to admit, it’s been exciting hunting and filming for WTV and The Elite Team, but I still think Elite Team Member Jimbo Ronquest summed it up best after he viewed some of the footage and said, “If this don’t light your fire, your woods wet”. Why not tune in and check out the WTV action and/or visit their website www.waterfowler.tv for additional information on The Elite Team and show schedules and let us know … if your woods wet!
Charles “HammerTime” Snapp
snapp1@sbcglobal.net or www.arkansaswaterfowl.com

Powerhouse Promotions also produces the award winning show “The Hunter’s Journal” (www.huntersjournal.tv) Additionally they’re producing a waterfowl show for Rich-N-Tone Calls (www.RNTcalls.com) appropriately called “RNT-tv”. With a focus on hunting, calling and their manufacturing operation John Stephens, Jimbo Ronquest and the rest of the RNT gang have another “must see” show coming soon!