Glad to see a nearly unanimous reaction in the comments to this video and Meateater in general, I will say that I still consider myself a fan, I discovered Steve and Meateater years ago after using his video gutting a Coues deer to teach myself how to field dress, the whole vibe was much more humble and realistic back then. Just another example of the direction this country is headed, you either have, or have not, and the gap gets wider everyday.
This episode perfectly illustrates the modern issues surrounding waterfowling. Huge tracts of land developed to attract and hold waterfowl for the few while public lands suffer overcrowding and substandard habitat. I wonder what resident Montana waterfowlers think of absentee owners buying up properties and creating the "Kings Game" properties. Meateater continues to champion public land big game but have a totally different ethos when it comes to waterfowler. The difference between these dudes hunting a private refuge compared to Dr Duck hunting Arkansas public flooded timber is incredible
It's not just waterfowl here in Montana, it's out of staters buying huge chunks of land to come in the fall and hunt elk on for a month, or buy river bottom to hunt deer on. Montana has become an oasis to rich out of staters to buy up large places for their vacation time and continue to push out locals who are born and raised here.
Yeah this video isn't going to resonate with a lot of guys who don't have 8k of private to do whatever they want on and running a massive trailer with DSDs....Just sayin...
Some out of state moron buying an 8k acre ranch to absentee manage, is everything that's wrong in Montana right now. What a joke. The rest of us will be slumming it in the public marsh
I'm really hoping that Meateater can come up with another duck hunting series that slaps as hard as Duck Camp Dinners. This series seems rigid and if I scroll passed it on RUclips, I feel like I'm not really missing anything.
Your son not emptying his gun when the bird was out of range is the ethical thing to do. Terrible advice to give a young buck “when in doubt empty it out”. You should shoot when you know you have a kill shot - not when its a Hail Mary. That is how you wound birds. You’re hunting on 8k acres of private corn dude, you’ll get some kill shots. Don’t hunt with the wind at your back thats the lesson.
Looking for a GOOD explanation here: You did a burn to get rid of non-native and encourage native grasses to grow. Awesome! I get that 100%. But, what i don't understand is, why would you then turn around and plant non-native Japanese millet? I understand that it is a great feed, but why not find a native species for a food source?
The money some people have to play with is remarkable. I could never imagine owning 8K acres of property in Montana and not even living there full time. Interesting video. The boys shot a ton of geese which was cool.
I have been a Meateater fan since day 1. It’s hard to see this crew, along with the rest of the Meateater folks, doing this “hunt private with 50k worth of sponsored gear” game. That’s not how Rinella founded this company, and I’m afraid his early values that made the show what it was are now vanishing pretty quick. This is probably the first negative comment I’ve ever posted on RUclips, as I’m generally not that kind of a person. It’s like the late great Toby Keith said “I ain’t as good as I once was.
Thank you for showing us poors what the 1% lives like, maybe if we keep working hard and don't ever get sick or get laid off or have a child, we'll be able to afford this too. 🙏🙏🙏🙌🙌🙌
I really enjoy watching Meateater, but this video seems different... like, this is for the elite wealthy landowners or maybe its filled with all the sponsors' gear (DSD, Firstlite, On X, Flying V Ranches, etc.) as a way to promote the brands in one collaborative video. But, none of this video seems like I'm watching the typical Meateater show with a couple of buddies like Cal and Steve going after geese in a Montana public land hunt. (I've also noticed a lot of sponsored ads on social media that are marketing the Firstlite Stormy Kroemer hats that the guys are wearing in this video). Almost feels like one big commercial.
Like everything else. Public land as a broke young go getter to private ranches once the money starts rolling in. Meateater isn’t who they once were anymore. At least they are still big on conservation. Glad to see them still putting their money where their hunts used to be, on public ground.
Ya, it is really disappointing to see what Meateater is becoming. Even the main show is now almost entirely private land or guided hunts. I remember the early seasons Steve would almost always hunt diy on public land. Now he always has some expert who shows him the honey holes.
I really want to like this series but something just feels off about it and I just cant get in to it. Like it feels fake and forced like writers from meateater are telling them to act a certain way on camera.
@@FrontierOutdoorsman right? I was expecting something more along the lines of Duck Camp Dinners with Jean Paul. Loved that series this one just misses the mark.
@@flarpsgamingnothing about this series seems attainable to the average Joe, I’d much rather have a series that highlights the ups and downs of real duck hunting across the country. Not some perfectly managed piece that 95% will never get to experience
This land they're hunting is thousands of acres. Last season when the late push came for ducks, 20k of them were on this property. Basically, these places screw everyone over who hunt public or even private in some cases.
Agreeing with all the below comments… meat eater isn’t what it used to be. This style of hunting just isn’t feasible for the average duck hunter. 8k acres of private refuge and 30k worth of DSD’s.
Man, I don’t understand this comment section. None, I mean none of us would say no. If given the chance to participate in/own/hunt/visit this amazing trek of land none of us would say no. So enjoy the documentary of the folk that have that chance. These places have always, and will always be here. At least we get to see them.
Sure, none of us would say no, but we'll never get the chance because this is bourgeoisie hunting. Meateater was founded on hunting that felt relatable. Hiking 6 hours to kill a spike. Not whatever this is.
Im blessed to have a massive lake with literally thousands of acres of marsh to play in it takes a little bit of effort and a good boat but i literally live 20 minutes from some of the best public lands in the country
I really like the concept of the video but it seems to jumpy. From one quick Subject to the next. Definitely like other episodes where they take the time explaining it for the build up.
This is not "perfect duck habitat". This is the perfect duck HUNTING habitat. There is a very big difference. Large tracts of prairie grasses (CRP) and seasonal wetlands are "perfect duck habitat" Don't pretend to be doing the waterfowl world a giant favor by creating your own private hunting oasis with money from the uber wealthy.
I miss the OG Meateater episodes where Steve hunted public land, wasn't always successful and didn't always harvest a "Trophy". It's just my opinion, but anymore the show seems stepped with product advertisement, celebrity hunters and unobtainable aspects of hunting that the average folks will never experience. I guess the true essence of the show is over. I love the first 6-7 seasons though.
Glad to see a nearly unanimous reaction in the comments to this video and Meateater in general, I will say that I still consider myself a fan, I discovered Steve and Meateater years ago after using his video gutting a Coues deer to teach myself how to field dress, the whole vibe was much more humble and realistic back then. Just another example of the direction this country is headed, you either have, or have not, and the gap gets wider everyday.
This episode perfectly illustrates the modern issues surrounding waterfowling.
Huge tracts of land developed to attract and hold waterfowl for the few while public lands suffer overcrowding and substandard habitat.
I wonder what resident Montana waterfowlers think of absentee owners buying up properties and creating the "Kings Game" properties.
Meateater continues to champion public land big game but have a totally different ethos when it comes to waterfowler.
The difference between these dudes hunting a private refuge compared to Dr Duck hunting Arkansas public flooded timber is incredible
It's not just waterfowl here in Montana, it's out of staters buying huge chunks of land to come in the fall and hunt elk on for a month, or buy river bottom to hunt deer on. Montana has become an oasis to rich out of staters to buy up large places for their vacation time and continue to push out locals who are born and raised here.
I appreciate a think piece like this about the kind of stuff I could be doing on my little 8000 acre place.
Yeah this video isn't going to resonate with a lot of guys who don't have 8k of private to do whatever they want on and running a massive trailer with DSDs....Just sayin...
Exactly 💯
Some out of state moron buying an 8k acre ranch to absentee manage, is everything that's wrong in Montana right now. What a joke. The rest of us will be slumming it in the public marsh
Sad to see meateater “stoop” to this low.
Its all bout money now
I'm really hoping that Meateater can come up with another duck hunting series that slaps as hard as Duck Camp Dinners. This series seems rigid and if I scroll passed it on RUclips, I feel like I'm not really missing anything.
Your son not emptying his gun when the bird was out of range is the ethical thing to do. Terrible advice to give a young buck “when in doubt empty it out”. You should shoot when you know you have a kill shot - not when its a Hail Mary. That is how you wound birds. You’re hunting on 8k acres of private corn dude, you’ll get some kill shots. Don’t hunt with the wind at your back thats the lesson.
Looking for a GOOD explanation here: You did a burn to get rid of non-native and encourage native grasses to grow. Awesome! I get that 100%. But, what i don't understand is, why would you then turn around and plant non-native Japanese millet? I understand that it is a great feed, but why not find a native species for a food source?
Lol. True.
Someone did the same thing with Phragmites and now it's a major menace!
That’s what I’m questioning. Sounds like a very aggressive seeding plant.
Great question
The money some people have to play with is remarkable. I could never imagine owning 8K acres of property in Montana and not even living there full time. Interesting video. The boys shot a ton of geese which was cool.
I have been a Meateater fan since day 1.
It’s hard to see this crew, along with the rest of the Meateater folks, doing this “hunt private with 50k worth of sponsored gear” game.
That’s not how Rinella founded this company, and I’m afraid his early values that made the show what it was are now vanishing pretty quick.
This is probably the first negative comment I’ve ever posted on RUclips, as I’m generally not that kind of a person.
It’s like the late great Toby Keith said “I ain’t as good as I once was.
Perfectly said!
Well said
I really tripped out thinking I somehow commented on this already. Turns out there's a 1 L'd me out there watching good stuff lol
Great work guys ! Love seeing the work put in for the waterfowl.
Thank you for showing us poors what the 1% lives like, maybe if we keep working hard and don't ever get sick or get laid off or have a child, we'll be able to afford this too. 🙏🙏🙏🙌🙌🙌
I really enjoy watching Meateater, but this video seems different... like, this is for the elite wealthy landowners or maybe its filled with all the sponsors' gear (DSD, Firstlite, On X, Flying V Ranches, etc.) as a way to promote the brands in one collaborative video. But, none of this video seems like I'm watching the typical Meateater show with a couple of buddies like Cal and Steve going after geese in a Montana public land hunt. (I've also noticed a lot of sponsored ads on social media that are marketing the Firstlite Stormy Kroemer hats that the guys are wearing in this video). Almost feels like one big commercial.
What we've learned from this is: If you want to kill birds, get rich or become friends with someone who is!
Great story & video.
Like everything else. Public land as a broke young go getter to private ranches once the money starts rolling in. Meateater isn’t who they once were anymore. At least they are still big on conservation. Glad to see them still putting their money where their hunts used to be, on public ground.
Owners live and Michigan and own 8,000 acres in Montana. Wow. If I had 8 acres of private land, I'd be ecstatic.
Ya, it is really disappointing to see what Meateater is becoming. Even the main show is now almost entirely private land or guided hunts. I remember the early seasons Steve would almost always hunt diy on public land. Now he always has some expert who shows him the honey holes.
meat eater can't make up its mind on a waterfowl show. new show new host every year
I really want to like this series but something just feels off about it and I just cant get in to it. Like it feels fake and forced like writers from meateater are telling them to act a certain way on camera.
I agree. It feels almost like I'm watching a documentary on private land management.
@@FrontierOutdoorsman right? I was expecting something more along the lines of Duck Camp Dinners with Jean Paul. Loved that series this one just misses the mark.
@@flarpsgamingnothing about this series seems attainable to the average Joe, I’d much rather have a series that highlights the ups and downs of real duck hunting across the country. Not some perfectly managed piece that 95% will never get to experience
It feels like they hired out an HGTV team to produce this series. Cinematography, music, and script do not feel like a MeatEater product.
This land they're hunting is thousands of acres. Last season when the late push came for ducks, 20k of them were on this property. Basically, these places screw everyone over who hunt public or even private in some cases.
I'd like to see a waterfowl series of the failures that every waterfowl hunter has or will deal with.
Check out Heartland Waterfowl 👍 I think you’ll love it
wonder how many people from montana will actually get to hunt here......
1%
Zero just people that moved here from somewhere else.
Agreeing with all the below comments… meat eater isn’t what it used to be. This style of hunting just isn’t feasible for the average duck hunter. 8k acres of private refuge and 30k worth of DSD’s.
Man, I don’t understand this comment section. None, I mean none of us would say no. If given the chance to participate in/own/hunt/visit this amazing trek of land none of us would say no. So enjoy the documentary of the folk that have that chance. These places have always, and will always be here. At least we get to see them.
Sure, none of us would say no, but we'll never get the chance because this is bourgeoisie hunting. Meateater was founded on hunting that felt relatable. Hiking 6 hours to kill a spike. Not whatever this is.
I used to work with max at scheels probably 10 years ago now. That kid is really built different. Nothing but ducks in that guys head 😂
Did he just say 8,000 Acres??? One man ones 8k acres!!? Mind blowing like how seriously .
It's amazing what one can do with a measly lil 8,000 acres.
Not sure if this is supposed to be educational or a giant 'look at me video'....cool piece of property though for sure.
My birthday is Nov 11 also. Its like being in a club when you meet another 11/11…🎉
Im blessed to have a massive lake with literally thousands of acres of marsh to play in it takes a little bit of effort and a good boat but i literally live 20 minutes from some of the best public lands in the country
Only came here to say duck camp dinners is better
great day when they upload
That’s my birthday as well! 🎉 would be the best birthday if I could hunt with you guys!
I really like the concept of the video but it seems to jumpy. From one quick Subject to the next. Definitely like other episodes where they take the time explaining it for the build up.
This is not "perfect duck habitat". This is the perfect duck HUNTING habitat. There is a very big difference. Large tracts of prairie grasses (CRP) and seasonal wetlands are "perfect duck habitat" Don't pretend to be doing the waterfowl world a giant favor by creating your own private hunting oasis with money from the uber wealthy.
This feels rushed. Gives us a single video on the conservation aspect and then a hunting video.
Awesome stuff...thanks for sharing
Where’s Steven I like watching his videos more
Heck yeah guys!
This is probably the least relatable meateater video yet
Never been this early to a video before lmao
same
Seriously japanese millet
Hey im a Michigan vet please take me kieser permantie guy lol
💪💪💪
I made it to 1:47
Go vegan!
shut up
Plant killer…..i could never kill plants. Awful…..
Great channel to post that😂😂😂😂😂
No u
Camt even watch this new crap.
I miss the OG Meateater episodes where Steve hunted public land, wasn't always successful and didn't always harvest a "Trophy". It's just my opinion, but anymore the show seems stepped with product advertisement, celebrity hunters and unobtainable aspects of hunting that the average folks will never experience. I guess the true essence of the show is over. I love the first 6-7 seasons though.
Feels like the whole show has just turned into one big advertisement for their brands. FHF, first light, DSD etc. sad