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Melissa Bachman

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Melissa Bachman (born July 17, 1984)[1] is an American hunter, producer, and host of hunting television programs, currently of the cable television program Winchester Deadly Passion on the Sportsman Channel, Pursuit Channel, and Wild TV.[2] As a prominent female hunter, she has received personal online attacks.

Melissa Bachman
Bachman in 2014
Born (1984-07-17) July 17, 1984 (age 40)
EducationSt. Cloud State University

Early life and education

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A young Bachman with gun and duck.

Bachman was raised in Paynesville, Minnesota. Her parents, Dale and Karen Bachman, were both avid hunters who took her on their hunting trips since she was five years old.[3]

Bachman was not able to actually hunt until she was twelve, and had to do push-ups for over a year to develop the muscles to pull her 40-pound (18 kg) bow.[4] Later her parents would sign a work permit so she could start high school at 10 a.m., after hunting in the mornings.[5]

Bachman attended Paynesville Area High School where she competed in pole vault for the track team, setting school and section 5A records.[6][7] She served as student representative to the Chamber of Commerce board, winning an Outstanding Young Person award, played saxophone in the concert, pep, and marching bands,[8] was homecoming queen, student council treasurer, a member of the National Honor Society, captain of track and speech teams, a lector in her Catholic church,[9][10] and earned the Girl Scouts Gold Award by organizing younger Girl Scouts to interact with the elderly.[11]

Bachman graduated Paynesville Area High School magna cum laude in 2002,[12] and attended St. Cloud State University with a double major in Spanish and broadcast journalism.[13] She survived a likely bout with viral meningitis during a 2004 summer Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica.[14] While pole vaulting in high school and college, Bachman would wrap her pole in camouflage to symbolize her passion for hunting.[15]

Career

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Bachman bowhunting (2015).

After graduating in 2006, Bachman sent out 76 video resumes without finding work, and had to take an unpaid internship with North American Media Group's North American Hunter Television in Minnetonka, driving 150 miles (240 km) round trip each day, and working nights as a waitress at a nightclub.[2][3] Four months later she was hired as a full time producer for the show. She progressed to camera work, first by giving on-camera archery tips that other hunters were unwilling to, and later by filming and editing many of her own hunts to be aired for free, including a bow hunt of a 202-inch (510 cm) Illinois White-tailed deer.[3][13][5] She has said: "Nobody turns down free work, I learned."[2] As a camera professional, she shot, produced, and edited the first season of Mark Kayser's Extreme Pursuits program.[13]

In 2010, Bachman left NAMG to found her own production company named Deadly Passion Productions. She edited and did post-production work for hunting television shows including Dangerous Game, created online and instructional videos, led seminars on hunting at sports shows, managed social media sites, and wrote magazine articles.[13] In January 2012, she returned to North American Hunter as a host.[16][15] Among her work for NAH was a five-day-a-week video series called "My Take" with Melissa Bachman, that ran from February to August.[17][18][4]

 
Bachman with SureShot Jewelry ammunition based necklace (2015).

In March 2012, Bachman took the world record for a red stag shot by a female archer in a New Zealand hunt.[3][19] The hunt was aired both on "My Take" and on Winchester Deadly Passion.[20][21]

The Winchester Deadly Passion program, also produced by North American Media Group, began airing in July 2012 on the Pursuit Channel,[22] and was picked up by the Sportsman Channel for its third season, July 2014.[23] It is named after and sponsored by Winchester Ammunition. In it, Melissa Bachman is filmed traveling the world to hunt animals using rifle, bow, or shotgun.[24] Bachman stars in, produces, and edits the program herself. She works around 200 days a year in the field, switching between two cameramen who need more time off.[3] In 2014, the program came out with a clothing line,[25] and in 2015, Bachman sponsored an ammunition based jewelry line.[26]

 
Bachman with her son Jaxon Bearshield, mother Karen, and father Dale (2022).

Bachman's parents accompanied her on hunts for her shows. Her mother Karen hunted deer and antelope with her in multiple states from 2013-2015, then alligator in South Carolina in 2016. Her father Dale went bear hunting with her in Alaska. Her 79-year-old grandmother hunted deer with her in Colorado in 2016.[27]

Controversies over trophy hunting

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On August 30, 2012, the National Geographic Channel was planning to have Bachman as one of their contestants for the show that would become Ultimate Survival Alaska, until a Change.org petition to exclude her because of her hunting background received 13,000 signatures in under 24 hours.[28] National Geographic's statement, in three Twitter posts, said she was eliminated because hunting was not the focus of the show.[29][30] Conservationist Tim Martell, who launched the petition, had previously launched a Facebook campaign against Rosie O'Donnell for appearing with a hammerhead shark she had caught. Martell stated he did not oppose all hunting, but primarily trophy hunting, which he considered wasteful.[31][32]

In November 2013, Bachman posted a photograph of herself smiling by the body of a lion, captioned "An incredible day hunting in South Africa! Stalked inside 60-yards on this beautiful male lion... what a hunt!" to her Twitter and Facebook accounts.[33] The photo quickly drew Internet outrage, including multiple wishes for her death,[34] comedian and animal welfare activist Ricky Gervais re-tweeting Bachman's message while adding "spot the typo", and an online petition from a Cape Town resident calling on the South African government to eject her from the country,[35] which gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures.[36] In reaction, Bachman temporarily deactivated her public Facebook and Twitter accounts.[37] Many of the death threats instead went to an unrelated person with a similar name.[38]

The Maroi Conservancy, which facilitated the hunt through another outfitter in Zeerust,[39] defended the hunt, stating it was both legal and ethical, and that food and funds from these kinds of hunts go to the struggling local community.[40][41][42] International commentators[who?] said that the online anger directed at Bachman was extraordinary, sexist, and misogynist,[43][44] and that evidence showed that banning hunting drives species extinct much more than controlled hunts do.[45][46] At the time of the hunt, African lions were not listed as endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act, though their status was under reassessment and debate.[36][47]

Bachman did not directly comment in response to the controversies, though she has said that hate mail from anti-hunters was one thing she "could do without".[4] In 2015, she stated, "No response at all seems to be the best. It doesn’t matter what you say, or how you say it, some people will always disagree and attack."[48]

Personal life

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Bachman with her family (2022).

Bachman met Rosebud Sioux game warden Ben Bearshield on a hunt on their reservation in 2012, which was shown on Winchester Deadly Passion in 2013.[49][50] They became friends and he accompanied her on more of her hunts in subsequent years.[51] Their son Jaxon was born in August 2018.[52] Bachman hunted throughout her pregnancy, and resumed hunting a few weeks after delivery.[53][54] Bachman and Bearshield married in 2019 on a beach in the Dominican Republic.[50] Jax appeared on Winchester Deadly Passion in 2022, hunting turkey with a shotgun at the age of three.[55][56]

As late as 2015, Bachman struggled for an answer when asked about her life outside TV programs and hunting, saying "I can't even keep a plant alive — that's how little I'm home".[2][3] On Christmas Day 2015, Bachman received a female Boston Terrier named Pork Chop that began to accompany her on her hunts.[57][58]

Bachman and Bearshield built a house in South Dakota, where she lives with her husband, Jax, two dogs (Pork Chop and Ribeye), and three older stepchildren.[59][50]

References

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  1. ^ Bachman, Melissa. "Melissa Bachman Online". Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Francisco, Mollee (March 26, 2015). "Straight shooter". Chaska Herald. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Wessel, Ann (August 23, 2014). "Paynesville woman shares hunting passion with TV show". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "20 Questions with Melissa Bachman". Bow Adventures. Issuu. Summer 2012. pp. 28–33. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Wilson, Doug (May 9, 2013). "Celebrity hunter helps shooters raise money for Boy Scouts". Quincy Herald-Whig. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  6. ^ Meyer, Mandy (June 5, 2002). "Bachman, Hess advance to state track". Paynesville Press. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  7. ^ Flanders, Ryan (June 12, 2002). "Hess wins third individual state title". Paynesville Press. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  8. ^ Jacobson, Michael (March 27, 2002). "Band members compete in solo/ensemble contest". Paynesville Press. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  9. ^ Aagesen, Erin (June 13, 2001). "Five to vie for Miss Paynesville". Paynesville Press. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  10. ^ Jacobson, Michael (January 16, 2002). "Chamber announces its awards at banquet". Paynesville Press. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  11. ^ Jones, Andy (July 17, 2002). "Bachman earns Gold Award". Paynesville Press. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  12. ^ Jacobson, Michael (June 5, 2002). "Graduation will be held Sunday at PAHS". Paynesville Press. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d Reich, JJ (January 30, 2012). "Behind the Scenes with Melissa Bachman". Big Game Hunting. Realtree. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  14. ^ Hanson, Bonnie Jo (November 3, 2004). "Student survives serious illness while studying abroad". Paynesville Press. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  15. ^ a b John, Weiss (January 26, 2012). "Hunter has a message for women". Post-Bulletin. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  16. ^ "She's Back: Melissa Bachman returns to the North American Hunting Club". North American Hunter. Facebook. January 31, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  17. ^ Melissa Bachman [@MelissaBachman] (February 13, 2012). "Checkout my new web series called "My Take" that I'll be posting 5-days a week which revolves around hunting..." (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2016 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Melissa Bachman [@MelissaBachman] (August 23, 2012). ""My Take" is going on hold and Melissa has a pretty good reason why! How does a new series with her on National..." (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2016 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Bachman, Melissa (April 27, 2012). "World Record Red Stag". Hardcore Huntress with Melissa Bachman. North American Hunter. Retrieved November 30, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  20. ^ ""My Take" with Melissa Bachman: World-Record Red Stag Bow Kill". North American Hunter. YouTube. May 4, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  21. ^ Bachman, Melissa (February 9, 2014). "New Zealand World Record Stag - Winchester Deadly Passion". Vimeo. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  22. ^ "North America Media Group Unveils Winchester Deadly Passion". The Outdoor Wire. July 6, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  23. ^ Scheuermann, Michelle (July 2, 2014). "Winchester Deadly Passion with Melissa Bachman Debuts This Week". Ammoland Shooting Sports News. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  24. ^ "Winchester Deadly Passion TV Series". Winchester Ammunition. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  25. ^ Scheuermann, Michelle (August 27, 2014). "Deadly Passion Apparel Now Available". AmmoLand Shooting Sports News. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  26. ^ Scheuermann, Michelle (May 11, 2015). "Melissa Bachman Teams Up with SureShot™ Jewelry". AmmoLand Shooting Sports News. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  27. ^ Zeitler, Jennie (October 16, 2021). "Paynesville woman enjoys wealth of hunting experiences". Dairyland Peach. hometownsource.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  28. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 31, 2012). "National Geographic Channel Drops Survivalist Over Animal Rights Complaints". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  29. ^ Kepler, Adam W. (September 2, 2012). "National Geographic Takes Hunter Off TV Show". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  30. ^ Nat Geo Channel (August 30, 2012). ""Upon further reflection, we plan to eliminate one of the survivalists from the ensemble cast, Melissa Bachman…"". Twitter. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  31. ^ Pfeiffer, Eric (August 31, 2012). "National Geographic Channel removes 'hardcore huntress' from show after online protest goes viral". Yahoo! News. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  32. ^ Brantley, Will (September 12, 2012). "On Melissa Bachman, Nat Geo, Tim Martell and Anti-Hunters". Big Game Hunting. Realtree. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  33. ^ Smith, David (November 15, 2013). "US hunter criticised over picture with dead lion in South Africa". The Guardian. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  34. ^ Zara, Christopher (November 18, 2013). "Melissa Bachman Twitter Fury: Death Wishes, Vicious Insults Follow South African Lion Hunt". International Business Times. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  35. ^ Leung, Marlene (November 17, 2013). "What was she thinking? TV host Melissa Bachman posts photo of lion kill while on African safari". CTV News. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  36. ^ a b Pak-Harvey, Amelia (November 21, 2013). "Melissa Bachman's African lion hunt draws anger". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  37. ^ Swaine, Jon (November 15, 2013). "TV presenter causes outrage after posing with lion she killed - Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  38. ^ Zara, Christopher (November 20, 2013). "Melissa Bachman Twitter Hunters Bully Wrong Target: Terrified Grad Student Harassed, Threatened In Mistaken Identity". International Business Times. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  39. ^ Howard, Brian Clark (November 21, 2013). "Lion Hunt Photo Touches Off Heated Conservation Debate". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on November 20, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  40. ^ Mohney, Gillian (November 16, 2013). "Hunting Star Stirs Outrage After Posting Photo of Dead Lion". ABC News. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  41. ^ Jivanda, Tomas (November 16, 2013). "Melissa Bachman blasted over smiling photo with lion she 'stalked and killed'". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  42. ^ Grenoble, Ryan (November 18, 2013). "Lion-Hunting U.S. TV Host Has South Africa In An Uproar". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  43. ^ Davis, Rebecca (November 18, 2013). "Analysis: Melissa Bachman and online misogyny". Daily Maverick. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  44. ^ "Is Melissa Bachman A Fugly Bitch For Killing A Lion?". The Vagenda. November 27, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  45. ^ Vegter, Ivo (November 19, 2013). "In defence of a lion killer". Daily Maverick. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  46. ^ Moosa, Tauriq (November 23, 2013). "Lion hunter Melissa Bachman isn't the problem. South African law is". The Guardian. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  47. ^ "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Initiates Review of African Lion Under the Endangered Species Act". Press Release. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. November 27, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  48. ^ Paulson, Kevin (June 26, 2015). "Melissa Bachman talks the Hunting Life". Hunting Life. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  49. ^ "This Week on Winchester Deadly Passion: Fanning in Spring Gobblers". The Outdoor Wire. August 13, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  50. ^ a b c Bachman, Melissa. "FAQs". Winchester Deadly Passion. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  51. ^ The Sportsman Channel (October 28, 2017). "Ben Bearshield and Melissa Bachman". Facebook. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  52. ^ Bachman, Melissa (August 21, 2018). "Welcome to the world our new little man!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  53. ^ Bachman, Melissa (May 11, 2022). "Hunting and Pregnancy". NRA Women. National Rifle Association of America. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  54. ^ "Rosebud Elk Part 1 on Winchester Deadly Passion | Outdoor Wire". The Outdoor Wire. July 17, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  55. ^ Bunny, Mrs (May 26, 2022). "Spring Turkeys and Summer's Best Hunting Opportunities with Melissa Bachman". outdoortrailsnetwork.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  56. ^ McDougal, Darron (May 18, 2022). "Strut Report: Late-Season Turkey Hunting Tactics Still Working up North". Realtree Camo. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  57. ^ Bachman, Melissa (January 22, 2016). "Here Comes Pork Chop". Winchester Deadly Passion. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  58. ^ Philippi, Ben (April 1, 2016). "Melissa Bachman's got a new co-host named 'Porkchop' (VIDEO)". Guns.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  59. ^ Anderson, Dennis (March 9, 2019). "Anderson: Minnesota native has forged reputation with outdoors TV show". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
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