Well I suppose it had to happen sooner or later, and I’m kind of surprised it took this long. For many years now I’ve promoted hunting and the shooting sports on my syndicated Outdoor Magazine Radio and TV shows. I’ve been very outspoken about my support of the outdoor lifestyle and promoting the history and tradition of hunting and the shooting sports
As a result, I’ve developed a large and loyal audience of outdoor enthusiasts. However not everyone appreciates my passion and outspoken style.
Last week my television show featured a bear hunt in northern Quebec. During that hunt I killed a black bear over bait with my crossbow. Within a half hour of the airing of that show on Sportsman Channel I received a disturbing email.
The sender did not give his name, but his email address was on the message. Here’s the content of that email…”Gee Mike, somehow we got a channel on our satalite station that featured you shooting a bear. I was so impressed that I think that I would like to hook up with you and see if your people would capture on film you trying to shoot somthing a little more able to defend its self? I reckon it would be way cool to see you shot in th head with colt 45……what do you think?”You game?
I suspect the writer isn’t serious about the threat, but I’m not ready to completely ignore it either.
After thinking about the best course of action (during that time I ruled out posting his email address online and giving it out during my radio show), I decided to contact the authorities. I did that for a couple of reasons. Number one, I was hoping they could trace the email back to a person and contact him directly….and secondly, I’m fed up with the left wing, anti hunting crowd getting carte blanche in today’s society.
The person I talked with at the Bay City Michigan FBI office said no federal law had been broken so the matter was best handled by the local authorities. He also said since I’m a public figure “unfortunately, it comes with the territory”. He did however, say they could provide help to local law enforcement in tracing that email.
While I realize the FBI has far more important matters to worry about than a crackpot anti hunter threatening an outdoor broadcaster, I can’t help but wonder if I represented a more politically correct group if my complaint would have been taken more seriously.
Anyway, I also called the local Sheriff’s Department detective bureau. Budget cuts have reduced that group to just one investigator and he did get back with me after a couple of days. The detective was very helpful and filed a complaint on my behalf. He also said they’d try to track down the source of the email and let me know if they find anything out.
Since the author of the email said he watched the show on “satalite” (his spelling, not mine) and he used the word “reckon” I suspect he’s probably a southern guy.
Regardless of where he lives I want this idiot, and all the other anti hunting animal rights crazies to know they don’t have the right to impose their beliefs on us. Furthermore, threats against us as individuals, and our way of life, will not be tolerated.
I certainly hope this is being taken seriously! This is AMERICA, and this is what we believe in, what we were taught by our fathers, and grandfathers! These people need to be held accountable for there actions as you or I would be. We do not go around throwing threats at them for their way of life, this just shows the type of people we are dealing with!! GOOD LUCK IN THE WOODS! SHOOT STRAIGHT!!
I hope you find him and educate him on the importance of hunting. If anything was to be considered politically incorrect it would be that anti hunter.
You’re doing a great job, keep it up.
Give em. Ell Mike! I agree with you whole heartedly. I could go on for pages…. These kind of people cannot comprehend the reverence and appreciation and love of the natural world that folks like us have. They can’t see past their hatred. If he is so anti-killing he better be a 100% vegan or he’s just another loud mouth hypocrate! Which I suspect he is. They like being carnivores. They just like someone else to do all the killing and bloody dirty work for them! Neatly packaged at the store! Uuggghhhhh!! I’ll stop now! Find out who it is and shut him up!
Wow, thanks for sharing this Mike. And glad that you were able to bring this to the authorities. It’s a shame that there are nut jobs like this out there. But like you said, we need to stand up them and not tolerate this crap.
Well this was bound to happen. I got one of those a year ago when I posted a hunt on you tube…I just got a good laugh and moved on…You do a great job and I will continue being a fan, the nut jobs are out there and we just have to take it with a grain of salt. Thanks you for all you do.
Hi Mike,
Glad you contacted the authorities. While there is probably not anything that can be done at least a pattern is being shown in case this person does anything further. Maybe this person can also get some spelling lessons.
Jayson
Mike,
Good for you for doing something. I am sure there are a lot of “Public Figures” that might have just sweapt this under the rug. But in this day and age I do not personally think you should let it slide. Hopefully they will track this crackhead I mean crackpot down and at least put a restraining order on him. That way he will not be able to get a CPL or if he has one he will lose it. You have a great radio and tv show. Keep up the good work.
Off to the Up North Hunting Camp for the Rutt.
Mark Lindenmuth
I have to agree that threats of this type are hard to ignore. This person is a coward and would not say this to you to you without electronic help.
Isn’t it interesting that someone so protective of the life of an animal would have no hesitation to threaten the life of a human. I do hope the authorities can find him and put the ‘Fear of God’ in him about doing something like this. God Bless and keep up the great work!