ROADKILL04 Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 well i have been trying to find out for years what you have to do to become a prostaffer i have talked to some people at semianars and stuff but it never really seems to help i have always wanted to be a realtree prostaffer since i was a lil boy i even have it tatooed on my back lol silly huh but anyways if anyone could help me i would greatly appreciate it i got hooked up with this guy this past year and have been helping him on his farm in kentucky he has started a hunting operation this year and i have been guiding for him and etc just please someone help me become a prostaffer i am willing to travell anywhere for the oppurtnity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 that's a tough one, and one that gets asked at least weekly. hard work, a specialty in something realtree needs, an extensive resume in the outdoors, and a few truckloads of pure luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 I think one thing left out here is financing.....i have looked into it several times and it all comes down to finances... not necessarily with being a Realtree Prostaffer, but turning pro and all that jazz takes $$$... Videographers have an upper hand as well...that is a shoe in, and they go from there. I went to high school with one of the videographers from the Archers Choice...Fred Lagos...he's a year older than me, and thats how he got in the picture...same with Mr. Waddel, he was a camera guy first, then went in front of the camera... The funny thing about Fred, is that no one ever even knew he was a hunter in high school, now i see him on TV once in a while...go figure...and yes, i'm jealous of Fred:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 Right place ,right time and like Steve said a whole lotta luck. I started with realtree in 1996 as a local pro and then worked my way up to national level. Im not sure where Im at now (level wise) but it took time. Wouldnt change it for anything, get to meet a ton of great people here on the forums as well as at shows. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROADKILL04 Posted December 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 well i am willing to spend the money to get what i want but i just dont know where to spend in and what on i am only 22 yrs old so i still have the ability to learn anything as long as i put my mind in it i am willing to take the time and spend the money and be the cameraman or even the deer skinner lol for that reason i am willing to do whatever it takes to get in the production and i just dont know how and what to do to get recongnized Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 Well if I was your age.....oh wait I am and had the money to afford a good HD video camera I'd get one of those as well as a good camera mount so you can take good video. I'd take some video production classes at college too. Then I'd get out there and start shooting my hunts. Maybe ya could have a friend who would want to partner up with you...and you two could create your own show so to speak. You could film each others hunts. Think of a way to keep it exciting, perhaps try a new approach to hunting shows. From there ya need to make contacts with your local pro shops, and even your local tv networks once ya get enough footage to have a show, or a dvd. Call as many folks as ya can to get your name out in the air. Then maybe with a lil luck....ok alotta luck....someone will see you and be interested, or maybe just maybe, your own show will catch the eye of producers and network managers that you could catch a break and land a spot on the national scheme. It will take alot of hard work, alotta patience.....and tons of luck BUT it is possible. I know some guys that produced a show called Anything Wild, and guess what.....4 years later they are getting their big break n will air on the outdoor channel in 2009. Good luck man.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 ALso, try and bag sponsors...you are going to need a lot of sponsors...but that will come after you get past stage one and two with the vido camera and filming hunts....Best of luck to ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt fanatic Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 Why does nobody but Bass Pro have junior pro staffers?!?! I am a 15 year-old who does archery, rifle hunting, bow hunting, fishing, shoots pistols competitively on a national level and loves the outdoors. Whats up with that?!?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROADKILL04 Posted December 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 i cant even get on the bass pro staffing this must be a hard job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 i cant even get on the bass pro staffing this must be a hard job I don't think you have any idea how hard this is to get into........More luck than anything I would say. There is thousand of hunters that want that job.....actually probably millions of hunters. So the line is long and lots of people to pick from. Be patient and persistent is the best advice I can give you. Oh and good luck;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROADKILL04 Posted December 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 well i have a hard worker and i will do anything for something that i want bad enough but i can tell you know that i have probably the worst luck ever lets hope it changes so maybe i can get on the staff lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 (edited) It's not easy, and don't expect to jump right on with some major company. It's about luck, and people knowing your name. IMO, if they don't know who you are, chances are it won't happen. Get out, film your hunts, film friends and family hunting, then edit it and send it to some companies. Start out local, find some small companies around your area and try and get on with them, and work your way up. Just don;t expect to jump right on with Realtree or Bass pro or any other major company in the industry. Good Luck Edited December 18, 2008 by Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Be an articulate, informed and passionate spokesperson for the company/products that you love. Be the type of person that an organization would feel proud to have on their Pro Staff. Be successful in your other ventures (I don't think Realtree would be interested in hiring someone who just got fired from their "day job" because of poor performance). Be a role model to others, especially young people. Stay the course and opportunities will come. Just don't expect it to happen overnight. And if it doesn't work out...oh well, at least you will have led a good life and left a proud legacy for those around you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt fanatic Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 What about if you are a young person? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Why does nobody but Bass Pro have junior pro staffers?!?! I am a 15 year-old who does archery, rifle hunting, bow hunting, fishing, shoots pistols competitively on a national level and loves the outdoors. Whats up with that?!?!?!?! randy oitker, also a rt pro staffer, was a matthews pro staffer at age 12. but, i would not approach them for a job with the name "hoyt fanatic":D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt fanatic Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 I just wanna be on a pro staff. Im sure I could learn to shoot a Mathews. How did he become a pro so young? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 I just wanna be on a pro staff. Im sure I could learn to shoot a Mathews. How did he become a pro so young? Lifesavers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Hoyt, ya sure sound alot like I did when I first joined this forum....it makes me smile lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 I am also seeking a career in the outdoors industry, but it is not easy. I am a writer and am majoring in English and Multi-Media at the University of Sioux Falls. I've been doing freelance work for a while and have been published in North American Hunter Magazine and have held several columns in local newspapers. I am the youngest individual media member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association all thanks to our very own Bill Konway (Billkay). I am an outdoors columnist and have been featured on several outdoors shows including Kent Hrbek Outdoors, Wild Dakota and Tales of the Hunt and even have a turkey hunt with Jim Zumbo that will air in late 2009 or early 2010 on Jim Zumbo Outdoors on the Outdoor Channel. The majority of all this success is due to God's work in my life and the good friends I have made here on the RT Forums. While I enjoy freelancing, I do hope to eventually become a regular contributor to an outdoors magazine. I have made many friends in the outdoors industry and have been taken under the wings of many I consider not only as my friends but my mentors. It is not easy making a name for yourself in the outdoors industry, but it is very possible and we are in need of more people to take up the mantle that many shan't be able to hold for much longer. There is need for new blood in the industry and, if a person works hard and is determined to do so, one can make a good living for himself doing what he loves. HOpe that helps you out some! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt fanatic Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Hoyt, ya sure sound alot like I did when I first joined this forum....it makes me smile lol. What were you like when you joined? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Lifesavers Yep. Randy has a unique talent. He is also a unique individual, any company who sponsors him is getting one heck of a young man. Hoyt, ya sure sound alot like I did when I first joined this forum....it makes me smile lol. What were you like when you joined? He was a lot like you.:D:D:D:p:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt fanatic Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 So you mean he was opinionated as the day is long and all he did was talk about a certain brand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I can be very opinionated lol . But what I was refering to, was wanting to become a name in the outdoor industry. I remember starting a website and what not for youth hunters and all the good stuff. Heck Realtree Inc. even backed me a lil bit with resources and legal stuff believe it or not. It fizzled out over a year or so, but I worked really hard on it. But you can ask anyone, I wanted to become the next Michael Waddell. I wrote a few articles for Realtree.com, and I had two articles published in RACK magazine as well. Thats my only claim to fame I quit writing back in college, and I'll be honest the dreams fizzled out quite a bit. But if ya set your mind to it and use the advice given in this thread, ya just might make it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt fanatic Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 Cool. Did you make any money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I am also seeking a career in the outdoors industry, but it is not easy. I am a writer and am majoring in English and Multi-Media at the University of Sioux Falls. I've been doing freelance work for a while and have been published in North American Hunter Magazine and have held several columns in local newspapers. I am the youngest individual media member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association all thanks to our very own Bill Konway (Billkay). I am an outdoors columnist and have been featured on several outdoors shows including Kent Hrbek Outdoors, Wild Dakota and Tales of the Hunt and even have a turkey hunt with Jim Zumbo that will air in late 2009 or early 2010 on Jim Zumbo Outdoors on the Outdoor Channel. The majority of all this success is due to God's work in my life and the good friends I have made here on the RT Forums. While I enjoy freelancing, I do hope to eventually become a regular contributor to an outdoors magazine. I have made many friends in the outdoors industry and have been taken under the wings of many I consider not only as my friends but my mentors. It is not easy making a name for yourself in the outdoors industry, but it is very possible and we are in need of more people to take up the mantle that many shan't be able to hold for much longer. There is need for new blood in the industry and, if a person works hard and is determined to do so, one can make a good living for himself doing what he loves. HOpe that helps you out some! Dakota All of you aspiring writers, Pro Staffers, and other outdoors wannabe's can take a lesson from what Dakota just did. He presented himself well. His passion for the sport is evident. And notice his attention to detail. Correct spelling and punctuation throughout. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there isn't a time and place for slang or sloppy writing skills, but if I were on this forum with the intention of pursuing a career with Realtree or some other organization, I'd certainly be making an effort to present myself as a professional. Well done Dakota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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