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Eatamoose · Member

This video is my main beef with Gamo and their marketing. I think they make a fair product, and they are one of the leading names in the industry. They have all the potential in the world. But this one video that just won't go away has me wondering about their morals.

I've hunted wild hogs my whole life. From Georgia to Alabama, from Tennessee to Texas, I've hunted them whenever and however I could. They are one of my favorite animals to hunt. They are one of the toughest animals in North America, and one of the most dangerous. As such, hunting them demands respect and understanding.

Just by looking at the video, it's clear that the hogs they show aren't wild. The hog runs at the hunter several times, only to shy away at the last moment. I've never seen a wild hog stop short of mauling when it's on the attack. When the bay dogs have the hog cornered in that sink hole, the boar looks dazed, confused, or tame. It doesn't make a run at the dog, or the hunter standing a scant 10 yards away. It doesn't even growl or make a sound, it just stands there.

Another thing, there is no way that hog weighed 250 pounds. They do look big, until you put them on a scale. That hog weighed 130-150 pounds MAX.

These were obviously "ideal" conditions for testing their product. But to put it out there like anyone could do it is irresponsible. The average person won't have access to trained dogs, private land, or a guide. They will be hunting alone on public land. To hunt real wild boar on public land without dogs, with a marginal tool, would put you in REAL danger.

This post isn't about hunting hogs with an air rifle, it's about morals and marketing. The PBA pellets they are marketing have a very low success rate, and there's no way their results are repeatable. Gamo is one of the largest manufacturers of air rifles and pellets, I would like to see them become a force for the responsible use of air rifles and pellets in the future, and not focus on what a pellet rifle "could" do, but on what they "can" do safely.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Well written and said. I agree.

RedFeather · Member

We discussed this over on the Yellow Off Topics forum. My bet is you are right - that pig acts like it was farm-raised for hunts. No attempt to stand his ground and eviscerate the hounds. Also, while Mr. Big Game Hunter stands pumping his fist, you can see the hog still in the throes of death. No quick kill there. The "hunter" doesn't even put the poor animal down. Some sportsman!

Now let's see what they kill with their new .25 Hunter Extreme. Extreme stupidity!

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Even though it seems that we all agree on this one, this IS the second thread concerning this matter, if not the third. Neutral

We're gonna need a special Gamo bashing thread. Mr. Green

lostfighter · New Member

Eatamoose, I 100% agree with you. More than that, since I saw that video, I simply refuse to buy any Gamo product until they make it disappear from their website. That might keep me from getting some nice rifles but it's just a question of personal ethics.

Eatamoose · Member

I'm sorry to beat a dead horse on this one, but the topic came up in a few other posts and rather than hijack someone else's thread I thought it may be best to start my own.

It's up to the individual hunter to decide if their tools and skills are up to snuff for the challenges they may face in the field. A marginal tool isn't something for a beginner, but that exactly where much of Gamo's marketing is focused. Beginners and kids.

Gamo is one of the largest producers of air rifles and associated gear. With a little work, they could be THE authority on air rifles and their use, at least in North America. They have the money, the engineers, and the experts to make it happen. They could totally revolutionize the industry if they had a mind to. But putting fourth marketing that compromises safety is a compromise that should never be made.

Far from bashing them, I believe that every industry needs someone to "wear the black hat" as they say. Someone has to be the rogue. And these loners and vagabonds usually come up with engineous contributions to the industry as a whole. I would just like to see Gamo realize that they have a lot of influence, and should use that for a higher purpose than making money alone. If you do things right, the money will come anyway.

thepaladin · Senior Member

So, I shold cancel my Gamo .177 elephant hunt with my PBAs?

Sorry, just a joke in poor taste. Obviously we all seem to agree, the hog shot is the faux pas heard round the world. the really wierd thing is Gamo keeps tauting it as if we're all "mega impressed" by the paonful death of a hog. Use a 30-06 for hog hunting... I wouldn't even try this with my .25. Rolling Eyes

fritz · Silver Status Member

OMG! you were going elephant hunting with your PBA's and didn't invite me?

...How rude... Razz

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

Gamo is just going for the best sell. They don't seem to care that they have a responisibility to the airgun world. Thewy aren't the first ones to go for the fast buck.

thepaladin · Senior Member

Ya...now I'll have to down size to something more appropriate for a .177 air gun................ like Grizzly Bear. Rolling Eyes

fritz · Silver Status Member

Paladin, do you want to go caribou hunting with me, I'm gonna take the HUNTER EXTREME[/b]

sniper · Silver Status Member

as i said the last time this came up..... i have my mini-14, lets go bear hunting! pba is crap. if you look close at that clip that pig dies slooooooow! it really pissed me off. gamo's marketing sucks. that whole pig thing is gonna make a lot of drunk stupid rednecks do a lot of wrong.

rodents only in the .177 please.

sniper · Silver Status Member

thepaladin · Senior Member

I'd try my 2240, but the temp will be so low hunting in Canada or Alaske...hard on the co2.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Guys, this topic isn't really that much of a contribution anymore. We'll kick this one back up if someone ever needs to know about Gamo, okay? Wink

I'll make a Gamo bashing thread in the BS section. Exclamation