My own two cents..................
It would be unfair to not give Mike McMillan the credit for being the first to even try to put what we do down on video let alone a set of five. Seven years ago no one was sharing how to do very little back then.Trapper mentality was very different. Friendships and training often consisted of expensive long distance phone calls from the early 90's- till one day we stopped worrying about the competition learning what you know and became more concerned about others giving a black eye for the industry. All of us are better today learning from the trial and error of so many before us.
Mike was kind of unique on the podcasts because he never was formally trained and figured it all out himself and was successful. He never made friends at a NWCOA or WCT Seminar like most friends did. I bet Mike still don't know to use a computer today too.But because of competition even he has to change some of his methods to survive in his market today.
Even I got flack for free "how to podcasts" then which also included some very early podcasts with Mike McMillan. Mike was a pioneer and all of you who can do better please go ahead. These DVD's are Circa 2007,2008 and honestly I have watched this industry grow and get better every year. But no one has tried to even put out their own DVD and be the leader and do a better job what is now seven years later? Lets not forget all us are superstars in our own minds with egos bigger then a pair of cahones on a Tyrannosaurus Rex anyway. Lets give credit where it is due.
Back then most trade secrets were just that trade secrets . Bob Evans, Kirk LaPierre, Mike Flick, Kevin Dahn, Maynard Stanley, Bob Jameson, Ron Jones,Newt Sterling, Rick Schadel, Mike Page, Al Lafrance, Brent Saxton, Paul Dobbins, Mike McMillian,Stephen Vantassel, Wiggler, Andy "Nutoy" Williams and many others all changed how we learn in this industry. Many of you owe each of them for sharing it here on Trapperman, in print and on audio on the Wildlife Pro Network and on my podcasts.
Will you learn something worth knowing from Mike on his DVD's the answer is yes. Not sure if you want to buy his dvd series please listen to him on a few free podcasts. I know of at least five he did with me back then. Make your own decision based on your own findings.
Mike was very important to my initial Bat Removal Podcasts 101,102, 103 and 104.[
http://batremovalpro.com/the-bat-removal-professionals-of-us-canada/podcasts/ ] He also did our first skunk removal podcast with Bob Evans, & Bob Jameson. [
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-16456/TS-115722.mp3 ]. Mike is a great guy , the hillbilly trapper image works for him. Don't knock it.
I own all five of them some of its good , some of its bad. For what he he is asking it is a fraction of what you would pay to ride with Bob Jameson for a day or week. You are gonna learn things that worked for him and probably get more then your moneys worth if you even use any one of his experiences to make money. You will get your moneys worth many time overs if you give Mike a chance.
Most of you have a problem with his exclusion techniques, his business image in overalls and his long winded chats out side of his fur shed. Mike is respected by most if not all of his peers/competition in the Knoxville TN area. I have never known anyone in his region or who have actually met him ever speak badly of him as I have read here. Mike is a great mentor to many for a reason.Don't believe me pick up the phone and ask him for help. Paul Antzcak who commented in this thread is also his competitor. Mike is more of a fur trapper solving problems then the fine craftsmen business type that appeals to most of you.
Eric Arnold thank you for doing a new training video. You are the right guy to put a a well accepted polished product out from a more business man like perspective. I have not seen it but I am encouraged that if anything you do release will have the credibility to put out useful exclusion techniques and make your video well worth the money you will be asking for it. Eric is a great teacher , easy to follow and offers a great "hands on" bat exclusion course with classroom instruction every year.
Some other guys who should seriously think about doing some training videos include Bob Jameson,Reginald Murray, Rob Erickson, Paul Winkleman, Alan Huot, Ron Fry, Warrior, John Pearson, Tim Julien, Mike Flick, Paul Dobbins, Ron Jones, Rick Schadel, Kevin Cornwell,Justin Stephenson, Charles Holt,John Adcock, and the list goes on and on. Rick Federation you and warrior could do some amazing video training and you already work and cooperate so well as competitors in the same market.
So that's about as honest of an answer I can give you jstetter83 . I want to thank you for your service to our country and looking forward to you becoming one of us. Need something just pm me or call my toll free line 855-MYWILDLIFE (699-4535) ANYTIME!