Ethnography: Deer Hunting Culture

I really struggled with what to do my ethnography blog post on.  Options that popped into my head were things like Justin Timberlake Fan Club websites and musical concerts, but I decided that those were too accessible to me. I decided to go with something I like to refer to as “Deer Hunting Culture.” A couple of weekends ago my boyfriend’s family was in town.  The conversations that consumed a large amount of our time revolved around the activity of deer hunting because the season opener in Wisconsin over Thanksgiving weekend is a time when all the men in my boyfriend’s immediate and extended family head up to the cabin (or man cave) and participate in this activity. To me, this means waking up early, and sitting outside in the cold for hours upon hours for the opportunity to possibly see one deer. But, alas, it is much more than that, as I have learned through listening to their conversations.  First of all, during this conversation, my boyfriend stated that he was nervous for deer hunting because of the drama that would ensue. That’s right, DEER HUNTING DRAMA. Who knew? In addition, there is also deer hunting etiquette, which I will delve into more deeply later.  Now, my boyfriend has told me many a time that I can be a little dramatic at times- I fully own and accept this accusation, however, he has always FAILED to tell me that his life can get a little dramatic at times too.  One might ask, “What could possibly cause deer hunting drama?” According to my boyfriend, it is always a fight for which deer stand each person gets.  Should it be based on family ties (my boyfriend’s father is not directly related to the uncles that own the cabin they hunt at) or should it be based on who sets all of the stands up, the person that happens to be my boyfriend’s father?  I would say in my oh-so-dramatic head of mine that it should be based on who takes the time to set all of the stands up, that person should get first choice.  However, this is not the case.  Apparently during decision-making time these rough and rugged men turn into emotional creatures that whine and complain about something as simple as a deer stand.  Furthermore, there is a set of rules, or “etiquette” involved in the activity of deer hunting. As I have been informed, sometimes the DNR regulates on if you have to shoot a doe first before a buck.  This, in addition to the deer stand dilemma, is another source of drama for the crew.  Apparently, sometimes you can cheat the system if you see a buck that is within range and shoot it and then call to your comrades to hook you up with a doe when they see them.  Some men in the crew though take this responsibility lightly. They see a buck, shoot it without getting a doe first, and then call it a weekend and wait for someone else to get them a doe.  Unfair as it may seem, it is the truth of what goes on at deer camp, and I have valiantly uncovered the hypocrisy.

I decided to take this observation one step further and really immerse myself in the culture I have been speaking about.  The next weekend, I joined my boyfriend in a pheasant hunting expedition. I was more of a spectator/backpack carrier/complainer, but I was interested to witness the interactions between him and the other hunters. One thing that I noticed is that you always want to “one up” the individual you are talking to in regards to one’s own hunting experiences/knowledge.  It is sort of like a fight for the alpha-male position, a fight that I find absolutely hilarious.

In conclusion, I find it interesting the differences between what my boyfriend and I find dramatic. I may consider a comment that a friend made to another completely mind blowing whereas he thinks it is nothing. This also works the other way as well, with him and his doe dilemma and all the other drama and etiquette that surrounds deer camp.  

Genre Analysis: Reality TV and my Favorite Housewives

 After moving into my house this past summer, I thought I was doing myself a favor by not getting cable…or even having a TV for that matter. Then I found out that there is this little thing called Hulu that allows for me to watch all of that trashy television without cable OR a TV.  Nevertheless, I have been able to keep up with my favorite housewives--The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Don’t let the title deceive you; there really is nothing real about them.  From plastic surgery to their moral values, they display a fake body as well as a fake personality. To be honest, I think I subconsciously watch this to feel better about myself, and I am interested in why other people get sucked into this trend. 

I recently just watched episode 5 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s season three.   I have included the hulu link in this post if there is a chance that one would want to see with their own eyes what I will be talking about in this post. I first want to talk about this show’s authenticity.  Its main goal is to keep its viewers engaged and interested; that being said, there are times during this show (and other reality shows I am sure) where editing is necessary to do this. For example, in this episode, at 41 minutes and 20 seconds, we see one of the housewives talking about her marriage.  At exactly this time, her lips are the only part of her body shown in the screenshot, but they do not go along with what she is saying.  They have voiced over what she actually was talking about to make the story most likely seem cohesive and entertaining.  In addition, there are other times throughout this episode that the gestures that are shown do not go a long with what is being talked about.  The show uses the shots taken by the camera and then includes a storyline that is implemented at a later time in some scenes. 

The value system of these women is also very interesting, and in my opinion, an incorrect representation of this so called “real” factor that they claim to possess.  It seems to be more about money than anything else. Who can have the best house, who can have the most lavish parties, who can wear the nicest clothes and drive the nicest car.  Most of these women have married into money, and if not, they are in pursuit of finding a man with money rather than being in love. This is displayed to the audience when one of the women speaking of a man she just met. She was very displeased when she found out that the next date he was going to take her on was not at a five star restaurant. Rather, he was going to cook dinner for her.  She also first makes the claim that a relationship is a 50-50 split between money and love but then ups it later on to 65-35. 

In another scene in this episode, a woman (the same woman that was complaining about her marriage) goes to get plastic surgery because she was feeling unhappy. I don’t know about you…but when I am feeling unhappy I eat cookies and ice cream, and watch romantic comedies. I don’t go get a tummy tuck because someone is ruining my day. This also relates to the viewer what happiness to them is founded on. It is founded on being skinny and pretty. That is what makes these women happy, or cheers them up.    

Also, in this particular episode, another one of the housewives takes her daughter shopping to buy new furniture for her bedroom. The daughter continually expresses interest in having a sports themed bedroom to which her mother vehemently disregards and implies that there will be none of that in her little girls room.  This show also reinforces gender roles.  There is nothing wrong with a little girl who is interested in sports, and for a mother to disregarded those interests in her ploy to create a perfect girly daughter who displays femininity is apparent. 

So after analyzing this show, and others like it, it is clear to see that there really is not that much that is real about the Real Housewives of Atlanta.   You can bet that in every episode there will be a blowout between 2 of the characters, and you can also bet that one of the housewives will find out via text that a different one of the housewives is talking trash about her. Reality TV is interesting.   It allows for the viewer to feel distanced and loose feelings of sympathy and empathy toward what they are watching. Although I semi actively participate in the viewing of reality TV, the motives behind some of the people who watch these shows can become problematic.  

THE EPISODE