* For whatever it's worth . . .
I have a couple of long time friends who are (semi) retired wildlife photographers and film makers.
For years they shot footage and sold to Marty Stouffer Productions, so they knew him personally.
I can't tell you how many baby animals I have given them to raise ( and of course film ) in the last 30 years.
Coyote, fox, skunk, raccoon . . . the list goes on and on.
I am someone who has access to wildlife after all.
Is filming a hand raised animal in it's natural environment considered 'staging' ?
Depends on how you look at it !
Regardless, it is how a lot of it is done.
And done by the best of them.
You wouldn't get the footage otherwise.
It is entertainment after all and that is what they are selling : Entertainment !
Never forget that 98% of the population does not have contact with wildllfe the way a hunter and trapper does.
And that ! , my friends, is who is the audience of shows like Wild America.
Marty Stouffer doesn't care that you, a hunter and / or trapper doesn't like his views, his show or him.
He selling entertaiment.
And that gives that 98% of the population a chance to view animals up close and personal.
You do whatever it takes to get 'the shot' .
Now did he STATE this is all natural footage.
Not sure I've ever seen that in print.
Overall the footage is outstanding , induced or otherwise.
I mean, wasn't it film maker (and trapper) TOM MIRANDA who said of old westerns : 'The cowboys didn't really shoot the Indians . . .yeah, I believe it was.
Every great story is better with a little embellishment
