Tuesday, March 24, 2015

10 Qs with Tom Miranda on Outdoor TV

Tom Miranda is known as the "adventure bowhunter" with books and DVDs of the same name chronicling his pursuit of the Super Slam® of North American big game. An accomplished TV bowhunter, Miranda has taken 60 plus whitetails on video and the Super Slam® North American Big Game animals with archery tackle. If it's big game bowhunting, Miranda likely has done it – including arrowing Africa's Big Six, 15 SCI Slams and is nearing SCI's World Hunting Award with bow & arrow. Tune in to "Mathews Territories Wild" Monday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel. Learn more at http://TomMiranda.com


Q: You've been in outdoor TV since it first started back in the "Chevy Outdoorsman" days and TNN time. How is outdoor TV back then different from outdoor TV of today?

A: I started making "How To" trapping videos in 1984. My first TV show was called "Tom Miranda's Outdoor Adventure Magazine," which debuted on SportsChannel America in 1989. In early 1992, ESPN picked up the show and on Saturday, July 4, 1992 "Outdoor Adventure Magazine" aired at 8 a.m. on ESPN. TV was very different back then. ESPN required Betacam format and we edited shows from tape to tape. Back then ESPN was the place to be and only eight original series ran from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. on Saturday morning. Only the highest quality, most select shows made the ESPN cut. It was an elite group and a real place to cut your teeth on serious broadcasting skills.

Q: Do you believe outdoor TV is better today than back then? Why or why not?

A: Intense competition for quality time slots and the digital technology has made the shows better. Plus, it's easier to be in the industry now. My first edit suite cost $1 million to outfit in tape decks, switchers and all the gear. Today $25,000 can buy a pretty sick HD edit system. Cameras are smaller, cheaper and higher quality. In the old days there was more 'fame" as there were limited shows. Today there are hundreds of shows and it's easy to get lost in the expansion.

Q: How did you get your start in outdoor TV? And if you had to do it all over again, would you?

A: I used to give lessons to trappers on how to trap fox & coyote. In a summer I could book 20 trappers for a 3-day course and make $750 ($250/day). In 1984, I made a VHS video called "Fox & Coyote Trapping East to West." In two months after it's release I sold $100,000 worth of videos and taught hundreds of students with the video format. TV came next and I have never looked back. No doubt I would do it all over again.

Q: You hunt big game species that are typically controversial due to media frenzy and ignorance. How do you best educate those who are unfamiliar with the 'why's' and 'how's of what you hunt?

A: Actually, trophy hunting is more accepted now than it was 20 years ago. The difference today is the Internet and connectivity that allows activists to attack hunters with impunity from their laptop in the sanctuary of their home. There's no doubt that when I hunt species that command activist attention... I focus on the predator / prey relationships, the need to control populations, cultural carrying capacity of the habitat and other factors. Good TV is held together by a story and it's my job to weave a strong conservation message into these type hunts.

Conservation is defined as "wise use" of natural resources and hunting the number one conservation tool. Whether the hunt is for antler, bone, meat or trophy.... hunting is beneficial to animal populations in the form of studies, habitat preservation, population control, disease control and most importantly... hunting gives wildlife value. A photographer parked alongside the road taking photos of elk in Colorado has no skin in the game. Hunters have paid for and protected that elk and continue to... while the photographer gets a free ride to enjoy the wildlife. Think if someone had to buy a $500 license to take photos of an elk?? Activists wouldn't do it.

Q: What is one thing our industry could be doing better to get more people involved in the outdoors?

A: In my opinion the biggest catalyst to bringing more people into the outdoors is exposure to the outdoors. Farm kids are indoctrinated by default. Suburban & urban kids need a kick-start. What Mathews has done with NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) is a huge boost.

Q: What piece of equipment would you never give up – even if offered $1 million for it?

A: Gear wise there's nothing I have that I wouldn't take a million bucks for... My determination and drive to be successful.... well, I wouldn't take a trillion dollars for that! Self-motivation and persistence is what has made me successful in all aspects of my life, including TV and bowhunting.

Q: What is the commonly most asked question your audience asks?

A: Lately, the buzz question involves my drive to complete the archery Super Slam. The Super Slam is the harvesting of the 29 North American big game species. five deer, five caribou, four sheep, four bears, three elk, three moose, muskox, mountain lion, pronghorn, bison and mountain goat. It took me 13 years to take these animals on video and the DVD and book set that I compiled takes viewers to the four corners of the continent hunting difficult animals with bow and arrow.

Q: Tell us about that one hunt you always remember – either because you finally got the animal you were seeking forever – or it could have been the adventure itself.

A: My toughest hunt was the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. I hunted in Canmore, Alberta- the Canadian Rockies- at 10,000 feet in November. It was a tent camp hunt, minus 20 degrees, two feet of snow and very difficult. The most exciting hunt was my elephant bow hunt in Zimbabwe. Dangerous and difficult, the hunt finally ended at 12 yards toe to toe with an African bull elephant. I have done many hunts.... and have many special memories.

Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to start in the outdoor TV world – either as a host/TV talent or film editor/producer?

A: Learn the behind the scenes part of the job first. Be a grip or cameraman or an editor or production assistant. The TV production skills are what have kept me in the game. There are a lot of hunters and fisherman out there- some characters, but if you're interested in TV learn the business first.

Q: What's next for you?

A: Of course every TV season, we try to raise the bar on our production. That said my personal goals include finishing the Safari Club "World Hunting Award." Only four bowhunters have achieved it and of course.... I have all my hunts on video. I am also in the final stages of completing my second book & DVD series Adventure Bowhunter "Dark Continent," which includes 29 unique African big game animals.