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Old Vintage Hunting Films: Advice on The Hunt

Via: Rock Creek Hunt Club hunt, (1925), from The Public Domain Search.

If you’re looking for a cosy night in, you may want to sit down and watch some old vintage hunting films because seeing how people hunted in the 1940s and 50s is fascinating. We have decided to showcase a few films to entertain you so that you can experience hunting at the turn of the mid-century and reflect on how we hunt today. What do you think has changed the most?

1940 Going On A Moose Hunt

Via: Moose Hunt, by Parmelee 1940 - YouTube.

This 1940 film by Parmelee was produced in Canada following a moose hunt. The film begins with a group of hunters getting ready for the adventure wearing classic hunting tartan clothes as they load up their car for the trip. Soon we are out in the wild with our fellow hunters and trusty dog friend set against beautiful lakes and dense forests with high snow-capped peaks. After a leisurely drive and boat ride, rifles are loaded, and the hunt begins. Although a short film, it is an enjoyable watch showing the complete story of a simple hunting trip.  

1954 Safari Hunting

Via: Safari Hunting (1954), by Robert Ruark - YouTube.

If you want to see what a classic mid-fifties African Safari looked like, you can get a firsthand account of a hunting holiday. The voice is informative but should be cautioned as a product of its time and outdated. However, you can learn a lot from this film about hunting history and how it might change how we hunt today. You see great pictures of East Kenya and the types of animals you’d see on the Safari, including crocs, lions and elephants. 

1959 Bear Hunting

Via: Kodiak Bear Hunting (1959), by Pinnell & Talifson - YouTube

This film is a classic filmed in Kodiak, Alaska, showing the hunting of the brown Kodiak bear. Filmed by Pinnell and Talifson, this follows the hunting exhibition into the wild arctic lands of Kodiak, which is half a hunting record and a nature documentary. We follow a group of four hunters as they set off into the wilderness to conquer a bear trophy. Across a 14-day journey, they become fully immersed in the wild, observing game until they find the perfect specimen. Once the kill is made you get a few shots of how they skin the animal and prepare the skin before they eventually return home. 

1967 Alaskin Group Hunting Trip To The Ice

Via: Group Hunting on the Spring Ice (1967), by Netsilik series by Quentin Brown and Asen Balikci.

Filmed between 1963 and 1965, this film follows Native Alaskans showcasing the traditional lifestyle of Netsilingmiut living around Kugaaruk. It should be noted this film uses the term ‘Eskimo’, which is outdated and shouldn’t be used outside of a bygone era. However, despite these outdated terms, this film is a great time capsule presenting hunting fish practices on the ice in Alaska.  You will see how they lure seals out of the water and skew them with their hunting spears, a technique passed down for generations. 

1970s Film by The North American Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators, "Shoot Don't Shoot".

Via: Screenshot of film that can be seen here: "SHOOT / DON'T SHOOT", 68554, by PeriscopeFilm - Stock Footage.

Written and produced by Murray Woroner, this film gives you some safety and shooting tips while using a hunting rifle. You’ll learn how to shoot safely and effectively as they put you through various situations for shooting animals. They go through popular American hunting targets, from squirrels, white-tailed deer, birds and antelope, to ducks, pheasants and other birds, with the optional aid of hounds. Although it's old, its advice is still relevant today. 

1974: Cree Hunters of Mistassini

Via: Cree Hunters of Mistassini (1974), by Boyce Richardson, Tony Ianzelo, from NFB.

In 1974 the NFB crew followed a group of First Nations Cree hunters in Mistassini, where they showcased their continued hunting traditions intermixed with modern technology. We see how they live in their village, including cooking meat from their kills and drying out their animals’ skins on wooden racks. Hunting is an important way of life for these people and key to their survival as one bear feeds the whole village, and its furs also keep them warm. This film is close to an hour and needs to be seen to be fully appreciated, and it's a great hunting film with great advice on hunting ethically. 

Final Remarks: Old Hunting Films

Via: Fox hunt (1920), Glass negative photograph. Public Domain Media Search.

There are so many great vintage hunting films with advice on the hunt. We had only touched the iceberg of what we found when we researched this post, so you can expect a part two to this in the future. However, until then, enjoy these old hunting films, and hopefully, you will learn something valuable to help make your hunting hobbies extra special. 

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