Mike Brownlee

Shane · May 19, 2004

I am glad to see Mike on the front cover of Hunting Illustrated. He did wrong years ago and has payed for it and he deserves to be able to get back in the swing of things. Mike Eastman hammered him in his article which he deserved but I think a lot of it had to do with Mike making winter range videos on the same wintering grounds that the Eastmans were filming. I think Mike had better films just not as good of quality of equipment as the Eastmans. I hunted the same area as he did for years and he came into our camp several times to check out the rumors of us killing some dandies and he seemed like a real good guy to me. I ran into him in the woods several times and BSed for a long time several times and he came across as a great guy. Two minutes with Eastman and I want to shoot him. I am glad Brownlee has some new videos out. Nobody would allow him to advertise in there magazines after Eastmans article. I will buy one thats for sure. That was one hell of a buck also.
Later,
Shane

cohntr6 · May 19, 2004

I just read the new HI today. Its pretty good. What Eastmans magazine did Mike get after him? I would like to read it.
Jeff

Shane · May 19, 2004

It was several years ago. Mike Brownlee bought a resident license in Wyoming when he lived in Utah and he got caught. Eastmans Journal had a big article with Poacher in big letters across the top and when you were done with the article you didn't know if he was spot lighting or what. I admit what he did was wrong but he is not a poacher. He took the animals that year during a season with the proper tags just he wasn't a legal resident. The push to harvest Popeye was to much I guess.
Shane

Muleyslyr · May 20, 2004

Shane....I know what you mean about Eastman, love his magazine but he's got no personality. I've met and talked to him several times, but what a joke. I guess I just don't know the guy.

Foreman4x4 · May 20, 2004

LAST EDITED ON May-20-04 AT 12:56PM (MST)[p]"He is not a poacher. He took the animals that year during a season with the proper tags just he wasn't a legal resident. The push to harvest Popeye was to much I guess."

If that's not poaching in your eyes, what exactly is your definition? He used the proper tags if he were a Wyoming resident, but he wasn't, and it was illegal.

To me, a poacher isn't just limited to those who spotlight or kill animals on the winter range or out of season, it's anyone who uses an illegal and/or unethical means to harvest, or attempt to harvest, an animal. This includes party hunting and obtaining a license under false pretences, which it appears is exactly what Brownlee did. Walks like duck, talks like a duck, must be a duck, or a poacher in this case.

GrandpaNasty · May 20, 2004

Foreman is exactly right, it was still poaching. Maybe not in the true sense of the word like most think, but it was illegal. And Eastman is just pathetic to listen to, I can't stand that guy... but he was telling the truth.

Shane · May 20, 2004

I am not saying what he did was right. I think he deserved to lose his hunting priveleges but in my eyes he isn't as bad as a guy that kills on the winter range in the dark with a spot light. Just my opinion.
Shane

Foreman4x4 · May 20, 2004

Funny thing is, that's exactly how people justify their illegal and unethical behavior, by convincing themselves that they're not as bad as the guy who kills on the winter range or uses a spotlight at night. However, the end result is the same, is it not? They kill or attempt to kill an animal they have absolutely no right to.

Morty_Pass · May 21, 2004

the locals around the winter ranges he films really hate the guy. For more reasons than one. I just hope he doesnt show back up to make more vids.. I have heard of people running him off the road, breaking his windshield all kinds of stuff like that... The also arent please with mike eastman either. Both those guys have ruined it for us..They exposed way to much information. Which will be the end of throphy mule deer. Like these hunting boards will eventually do.

Founder · May 21, 2004

I've meet Mike and I think he's a pretty good guy. I didn't pry much on what all happened in Wyoming many years ago, but he said it was a huge mistake.
He does good videos.

I know some of you dislike him, and that's OK, because there are definitely people I dislike myself. However, please, don't single a person out and begin trashing them. There are rules against it here, so please don't do it.

PS - I don't think either of the Mike's have ruined hunting in Wyoming, atleast not them alone. The area is over hunted, and in my opinion, they need to limit those resident tags.
Maybe do away with residents hunting altogether and only let us non-residents hunt. LOL Wouldn't you Wyoming boys agree? LOL

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

Longun · May 22, 2004

Dream on Brian,

I think your philosophy is right on except you need to turn it around 180 degrees!! HEHEHE

Founder · May 22, 2004

OK, I can compromise. Elk for the residents and deer for non-residents. Sound good?

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

Wes · May 22, 2004

It seems some people are willing to except some form of poaching when they know the poacher or think they are doing something good, like making videos. It surprises me to see the founder of this site being that excepting. I on the other hand make NO exceptions when it comes to poaching of any sort. A few years back I turned in a person who at the time was my best freind for poaching. When I saw him break the law I immediatly turned him in and have had nothing to do with him since. Over the years I've reported evey instance of poaching I've seen. Last year I accompanied a friend and his cousin, who had a tag on an elk hunt. The cousin shot a nice bull then thru his laziness he left the elk to rot. I immediatly reported this to UDOW. My buddy was a little pissed that I'd turned his cousin in. I simply told him that if I ever saw him poach I'd turn him in also. Every one has thier own standards, but I'll be dammed if I'll lower for a poacher. I also will not patronize a business that breaks the law or campains against something I belive in. Just one man's opinion!
Wes

Shane · May 23, 2004

I am glad to see most people that have responded to this are perfect. I should have guessed the type of post I would get from my original post. The guy will admit he was young and dumb when he did it.He regrets it and he admits he deserved to lose his hunting licenses. It happened when he was young and he says it won't happen again. That is all anyone could ask for after doing something that dumb. I was glad to see him back doing what he loves to do and was happy to see him with a nice buck he took legally. Comment what you want but if you knew the guy and talked to him I think you would feel the same way I do. I know I did some dumb stuff when I was younger! I would bet money you will not hear of anything illegally taking place from him in the future.
Shane

Founder · May 23, 2004

Well, it has nothing to do with "excepting". I don't really know all the details, nor do I know Mike beyond just chating for a few minutes at the ISE show.
He seems to be a nice guy and has made some good videos. Regardless of personal opinions, Popeye on video was great. I haven't seen any better video of a giant buck.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

Foreman4x4 · May 23, 2004

My posts were not so much to bag on Brownlee because I do realize people make mistakes and hopefully he learned from his, but were to make the point that what he did is poaching, not simply a matter of not possessing the proper tags as Shane made it sound. Again, people wouldn't break the law or do unethical things if they couldn't somehow justify it in their mind that what they're doing is somehow alright, and it's easy enough for them to do that without us providing excuses for them. Some of the excuses they use to do this are: they feel they are owed something, or they simply convince themselves that what they're doing is somehow not as bad as what the other guy did.

I read King's magazine with Brownlee on the cover, and there's one thing for sure, that's one heck of a buck. Just hope he keeps his nose clean from here on out.

MDQ · May 24, 2004

deja vu... I'm sure I've read this debate before - here or somewhere just like it.

I will add this to the mix. We can all vote with our $$$$. I would consider his poaching history when making the decision whether to give him my $ for a video...

pointblank · May 24, 2004

If we all withheld our money and support of a person and/or business because they had committed wildlife violations there wouldn't be a single video sold, a single magazine sold, a single website logged onto or a single product purchased. No one is perfect.NO ONE!

you may justify what you have done, you may be totally ignorant of some of the things you have done.

I'm no angel. I just get sick of listening to folks point and talk about so and so that did this and that.

Just be glad there isn't someone with a GL2 following you 24/7.
and becareful there just might be.

pb

Morty_Pass · May 25, 2004

Founder, I do agree with the footage of popeye being one of the best clips of any big buck, or bigger. Popeye, Morty Sr. and Morty Jr. are my favorites by far..

later, MP

Wes · May 25, 2004

Is'nt it funny that people will except poaching from someone they know, the makers of so called great hunting videos or the best guides in the state, then critisize others that stand up against it and condem the agencies that are committed to uphold the laws or try to shift the attention away from the poacher to the ones that are unexcepting of poaching. If I or any other less famous member here coommited the same crime as Brownlee you that are supporting him would rail against us as if we were the devil himself. I may not be "perfect" but I dang sure never poach or except it from anyone. I also never support anyone or company that does.
Wes

GrandpaNasty · May 26, 2004

I can understand each side of the arguement. Poachers are a huge detriment to our hunting community but I can forgive one mistake. He got caught up in the moment and made a BAD mistake. He's paid for it over and over again and its something he will forever live with. Everyone has made a bonehead mistake in his or her life they wish they could take back but you can't. Its sad that a guy is remembered for the lowest point in his life and not for some of the better things he's done. I believe people can change and see the err in their ways, I think maybe he has.

MDQ · May 26, 2004

no where in my post did I judge anyone or did I state my decision on this particular individual. I simply said we all get to express our opinion with our hard earned $.

I am all for forgiving & second chances. But, I also believe it calls for a closer look when the individual is trying to profit from their actions.

As for caught up in the moment? That's a stretch... The "moment" took planning & lasted multiple years.

& 1 other thing - what's a GL2?

BeanMan · May 26, 2004

There's nothing left for him to do except accept his mistake and learn from it.

BeanMan

pointblank · May 26, 2004

A GL2 is a canon camera. In the woods it's like having you under a microscope.

Shane · May 26, 2004

Wes you really sound like a bonehead to me. If you can see anywhere in the post or any other post of mine that tries to shift the blame from Mike or appove of poaching point it out to me. He made a mistake and deserved the punishment he got. He payed the price and has gotten over it. This will be my last post on the subject. You can only beat a dead horse for so long. I am so glad you would turn in your mom for poaching. Who cares. I would to but I don't get on a high horse and talk about how pure and perfect I am. I can see why people get so bent out of shape with people talking out there a$$ on the internet.
Shane

fin little · May 26, 2004

In my opinion everybody has a right to sell thier product reguardless of thier history. We as consumers also have a right to know what our money is supporting. People that are making a living selling wildlife and hunting videos need to be aware that if they cross the line there will be consequences. Alot of people are willing to forgive and forget if thier product is exceptional like Brownlees's. There are also alot of folks that will have 0 tolerence for anyone that crosses the line. These people understand in order to deter wildlife crime it must be unacceptible in the hunting community. To turn your head in any situation is sending the message to the next person trying to gain a reputation that what ever it takes is worth the risk. If the risk is to high the next guy might think twice. I guess what I'm saying is we as consumers have a right to know the sellers history. Mike Brownlee has exceptional videos and its up to the indivisual hunter/consumer to decide wether to purchase or not. Its a personal choice.

MDQ · May 28, 2004

Pointblank - thanks for the GL2 answer - no wonder I didn't recognize it - I shoot Nikon! Also, thanks for being civilized in your response.

MDQ · May 28, 2004

the other deja vu of this message / thread is that it looks & feels exactly like when this issue was debated on a different message board a couple years ago. Hunters fighting among themselves.

At the time, the board was the biggest & best on the net. Today it is practically dead. The end of MM is in sight...

Our inability to agree to disagree & instead resorting to name calling & threats will destroy every online community & will eventually be the demise of hunting as well.

As hunters, we have to decide whether it is more important for us as individuals to be "right" or to be united as a group & save our hunting heritage.

Together we stand.

Guy