Tim Burnett
Tim Burnett is a devoted husband and father first of all. But he is also an extremely passionate and accomplished hunter and outdoorsman who just considers it to be a normal part his self sufficient lifestyle. It all started at 12 when he would grab a backpack and sleeping bag and take off for the mountains for days on end, with nothing more than a fishing pole and his dad’s old 22 rifle. During college Tim purchased the best camera equipment he could afford and spent every weekend and many evenings filming his fishing and hunting excursions. Hitting his favorite steelhead fishing holes by Friday night and barely rolling back into town for classes on Monday morning. Tim created SOLO HNTR to be different than any other hunting show out there. “I want my viewers to feel the experience rather than just see it.” In September of 2010 SOLO HNTR made its national television debut. A soloist by nature Tim is most comfortable with the simple things of life. He felt that he needed to keep the entertainment side of the show simple and as relatable to other hunters as possible.
onX: What was one defining moment for you, when onX Hunt helped your hunt?
TB: The first time I realized how valuable onX was, was on a late season archery hunt in Idaho. I found a herd of deer with two or three great bucks, but I assumed they were on private property. So, everyday I drove somewhere else. The deer hung out in a sagebrush flat, on the side of an alfalfa field during the day before hitting the fields in the evening. There had to be a way to get in on them in the sage. And sure enough, when I looked deeper at the OnX Hunt App I could see a small 80 acre swath of BLM land that led right through the private property and gave access to the foothills. Sure it was a 4 mile hike across the hills to get in on them but I later killed the biggest buck in the herd and drove home with a smile.
What is your favorite species to hunt? Why?
I’m not sure I have a favorite species of animal to hunt. If I had to choose it would be mule deer. I feel like muleys give you two or three good opportunities. Early season while in the velvet they are super visible and relatively lazy, but cunning as hell. During the rut they seem to be delusional and have tunnel vision. I think they are more prone to make a mistake during those times.
Who were your biggest inspirations in hunting (personal and industry)?
Larry D. Jones had the greatest impact on me wanting to get into hunting as a career. My brothers and I would watch old VHS tapes of him stalking high country mule deer with his bow. When I was 12 I told everyone I was going to grow up to make hunting movies. Those images of the high country and velvet bucks just never left me. Of course there were other “pros” we would watch but for some reason Mr. Jones just stood out to me.
Which conservation groups do you belong to/support?
Without conservation groups, hunters, hikers, fisherman, bikers and all outdoorsman alike would lack the organization and moneys needed to combat legislation and fight for the cause of publicly held lands.
What is one of your most memorable hunting trips?
My most memorable hunting trip was a pack trip into elk camp with my younger brother Boyd. He already packed in with my Uncle the day before and I hit the trail at midnight after leaving a college class one Friday evening. I hiked in the dark until 3am before stumbling on to camp. Then next day was awesome getting into elk. Boyd killed a good bull that evening and we woke to over a foot of snow the next day. I remember laying in our bedrolls reading Scooby doo jokes from the snickers bars rappers to each other. I have film of most of it somewhere. Man I’ve got to dig up those old tapes. Good times.
In your opinion, which species is the most challenging to hunt?
Chukar. Damn the Chukar.
What is the scariest situation you’ve ever had in the woods?
I packed in SOLO to hunt elk several years ago and decided to camp in the bottom of a slot canyon to avoid getting too close to the elk. It was super dark timber but I found a clearing big enough for my tent. The first night in the tent I heard something walking around the tent all night. I would holler or make noise to hear it run off, only to have it come back again. Then the second night, the same thing happened. I could never get my tent opened quick enough to get my light on it to ever figure out what it was. Just the fact that it kept coming back time and time again is what freaked me out. Needless to say, there wasn’t a 3rd night. It’s usually your mind that gets you. Not the critters.
In your own words, what does hunting mean to you?
Hunting is a major part of my life. Hunting is the overlying excuse I need to get out into nature. To be able to go out and harvest your own meat and actually provide for yourself and for your family is like no other feeling in the world. There is a nourishment of the body and soul that can only come from the solemnity of the wild. I need it to feel alive.
