Looking for some help...

[mr_steve]

Well, I am not usually one to do this but at the moment need a helping hand. Let me explain. I will try keep this short.

A friend and I started filming our hunts a few years ago. Last year we went to Montana on our first elk hunt in the Beaverhead NF and had a great time. My friend, Shayne killed a raghorn, and we came away with a great video, some of you may remember it. I spent over 40 hours editing. A couple months after releasing the video, the Forest Service contacted us saying we had illegally filmed and made us take it down, threatening jail time and a large fine. We found out we are considered commercial since we have a couple companies who have given us gear and we consider sponsors. We were genuinely shocked and asked what we could do to make it right since it was an honest mistake. The individual said there was nothing and that it would be best if we cooperated since he would be the one issuing the permits for the following years.

When it came to this year we made sure we were on top of it as we wanted to go to the same location. The individual said he would like 6 weeks before we planned to hunt to allow for processing. So after a few months past and we had our trip to Montana planned I submitted the film permit application 6 weeks prior to our trip (starts Sept 20th). I followed up the submission with a few voicemails to make sure they received it. After a week and a half I received a response saying that they were currently unable to process any applications and they ended with "good luck"! I called and they said they were under staffed and there was nothing they could do. Very frustrating to say the least.

I am still working with them to see if there are other options but I am also searching plan B, another area of public land, Gallatin NF. I spoke with the permit department and they said that they could easily help us if we submit the application early next week. There lies our problem, we have never been to Gallatin NF and need to tell them where we will be hunting.

We plan to do lots of scouting on google maps this weekend but we are wondering if anyone would be willing to point us in a direction. Not asking for coordinates but just a general area as it is a large forest. Also we can't film in any wilderness area.

Thanks in advance for the help. The lesson is that filming on public land and promoting the sport we love is sadly not easy.

Steve

[under H2O hunter]

Is your film for sale or are you planning on releasing it to youtube? If your film is for sale then yes you will need to pay the fee for filming which is 250 per day if you plan to release the film to youtube then you are free to film your family and friends on national forest without needing to go through the process of applying and going through the permit process. This is my understand after contacting our lawyer about this for our own film. Now granted we don't have any sponsors so maybe thats where we may differ. Currently there is a bill in Washington that would make parties of 5 or fewer considered "Non-professional" and they could pay a onetime fee rather then pay per day if they are for profit I don't know if this bill has had any movement or not. Maybe something to look into as well. Thats as much help as I can offer for you. Good luck and look forward to seeing some close encounters.

Oh and why were you told that you can't film in wilderness areas?

[Rizzy]

How do they know where it was filmed? I would say eliminate that variable and go for it

[under H2O hunter]

How do they know where it was filmed? I would say eliminate that variable and go for it

This is a lot harder then you think it is and it's not worth the risk. The mere fact that Rizzy is telling you to break the law is stupid. The law is the law. We may not like it but its still the law and you should fallow it and keep your ethics in tact. If you're a for profit/professional video company then you must pay to play. This is why most hunting shows are filmed on private property. I suggest you look into hunting on private ground or for-go this seasons video production. If you can't do either then I suggest you pull your sponsorships and video your friends and put the film on youtube or work the video footage into next season after you have acquired the proper permits. Best of luck and let me know if I can help you further.

[mr_steve]

Currently there is a bill in Washington that would make parties of 5 or fewer considered "Non-professional" and they could pay a onetime fee rather then pay per day if they are for profit I don't know if this bill has had any movement or not. Maybe something to look into as well. Thats as much help as I can offer for you.

Oh and why were you told that you can't film in wilderness areas?

I am interested in hearing more about that bill. Can't find much online.

The USFS office was the one that said no filming in wilderness areas. I have heard this from many people as well.

Thanks for the info and input.