These famous names are helping set a good example for hunters and fishermen everywhere.
Hunting and fishing can be hot button topics in the modern age of the internet. We’ve noticed that it seems like there’s this unfair perception that famous actors, athletes and other celebrities don’t love or appreciate the outdoors.
We’re here to tell you that is simply not true. The old saying is accurate; never judge a book by its cover.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of famous people who enjoy hunting and fishing. For the purposes of this list, we included ones who not only enjoy it, but who actively set a good example for everyone who loves the outdoors through their advocacy and actions.
Mike Fisher, Retired NHL Center
“You can never hunt enough!” That’s what Fisher told us during an interview last year. The husband of Carrie Underwood had a long and successful professional hockey career in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators. He never won the Stanley Cup, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
Once his playing career ended, that gave Fisher time to focus on his love of hunting. He didn’t just retire to a big ranch though. Instead, he teamed with his brother Bud and jumped head-first into the clothing industry with a line of hunting apparel called “Catchin’ Deers.”
The humorous gear has proven a hit. Mike and his brother have also taken a liking to making funny hunting videos to promote the brand. In the process they’ve come up with original characters like “The Vegan Hunter” and “Rut Daniels, the greatest archer who ever lived.” Not only is he promoting hunting, but he’s having a lot of fun doing it!
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Former Professional Wrestler/Actor
The charismatic former professional wrestler helped put the WWE (formerly the WWF) on the map. He then successfully dove-tailed the name he’d built in wrestling into an acting career. Now he’s the biggest action film star on the planet and he’s never lacking for work.
Seriously, if you read up on it, his filming schedule sounds simply hellacious. That’s not even factoring in all the other public appearances the guy does. We’re wondering if ever sleeps?
So, what does the world’s biggest action star do in his rare downtime? He loves to fish, of course! We’ve started to notice a subtle trend of fishermen and women getting attacked on social media in recent years, so it’s refreshing to see a celebrity this famous not being afraid to share his love of the outdoors.
Keep in mind this guy has a staggering 172 MILLION Instagram followers! We’re fortunate to have an ambassador who can spread the message “fishing is cool” to so many people worldwide.
Chad Mendes, Retired UFC Fighter
The former two-time NCAA All American wrestler went onto a successful career in mixed marital arts, fighting in World Extreme Cagefighting and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mendes retired from professional fighting in 2018 and began focusing full-time on a career in the hunting and fishing industry.
Mendes has his own guide service called Finz and Featherz. What makes this guide service unique is how hands-on Mendes is with it. The hunts are usually with Mendes himself. They also tend to include other professional UFC athletes and various other celebrities.
He has also started his own clothing line and his YouTube channel is full of top-quality outdoor content. We like that he doesn’t focus just on the harvest, but also the cleaning and meal preparation aspects too. Go check him out, his channel should really have a lot more subscribers.
Andy Janovich, Fullback, Denver Broncos
In the world of professional football, there’s a lot of emphasis put on money and fame. Sadly, many athletes don’t properly manage their finances and end up broke due to poor spending habits.
We don’t think Andy Janovich will have that problem, even though he signed a $5.7 million extension with the Denver Broncos in 2019.
He raised a few eyebrows in the sports world when it was revealed he drives a battered 2000 Dodge pickup with 138,000 miles on it. It turns out, he’s just a thrifty country boy, one many hunters can relate to.
“About the only things I spend money on are Busch Light, chew and hunting gear. It’s plenty for me. It suits me,” Janovich told ESPN.
While that statement may have had some people scratching their heads, his down-to-earth country style won him tons of new fans in the outdoor world. It’s a refreshing attitude to see from a pro athlete. In a way, it also contradicts the stereotype of the “dumb jock” most athletes get saddled with.
We wouldn’t be surprised if he gets some endorsement deals from outdoor brands in the future for his relatability with the everyday outdoor enthusiast.
Chris Pratt, Actor
There’s this unfortunate perception in outdoor circles that anyone involved with Hollywood these days hates hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general. It’s one that simply isn’t true. Pratt has had notable roles in several notable movies the last 10 years of so including the Jurassic World franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy and more.
It also turns out he loves to hunt and fish. He hasn’t been shy about sharing his love of the outdoors with the press or on his social media channels. In 2016, he fished extensively on the set of “The Magnificent 7” remake during his downtime.
Pratt has explained in numerous interviews what we hunters already knew. Hunting isn’t about the harvest, it’s about being in the outdoors and enjoying nature. Pratt has 27 million followers on Instagram. We’re glad someone with that much of a following is out there defending hunting and fishing.
Luke Bryan, Country Music Artist
Admit it, you’re not surprised to see a country music singer on here. Bryan has sold millions of albums and won countless awards for his music. As a result, he has a net worth estimated to be nearly $140 million.
One would think that would make him almost too big for the outdoor pursuits of the common man. However, it turns out he’s a die-hard hunter and fisherman and he’s not afraid to show it. Bryan is even a member of the Buck Commander team and you can watch his hunting adventures both on the Outdoor Channel and YouTube.
Oh yeah, he’s also incorporated his love of the outdoors into his music. The video for his song “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” has over 185 million views on YouTube. That’s a huge reach. We’re hoping he’s reaching some people who misunderstand hunting and fishing and changes a few minds along the way.
Carson Wentz, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
The quarterback arguably has the toughest job on the field for any NFL team. There are expectations of winning, leading and being the face of the franchise. The job is even harder when you’re under constant scrutiny for your job performance, like Carson Wentz is for the Philadelphia Eagles.
That’s why Wentz likes to unwind from the stress in the comfort of the outdoors. He also hasn’t been shy about sharing his love of hunting and fishing on social media. This has earned him some negative backlash from non-hunters. However, Wentz has always handled it in a calm and respectful manner. We can appreciate that. Hunters aren’t going to win more supporters by alienating people.
Further showing his love for the outdoors, he has a show on the Outdoor Channel with his brother called Wentz Bros Outdoors. If he can get just a handful of non-hunting football fans to look at hunting and fishing in a different light, we’d call that a win.
Adam LaRoche, Retired MLB First Baseman
Thank you Lord for the Rocky Mountain Elk! #BuckCommander pic.twitter.com/GFJdiJhvuk
— Adam LaRoche (@e3laroche) November 5, 2014
The season for professional baseball is long and grinding. We’re not surprised so many pro ball players choose to spend the little free time they have in the great outdoors. Adam LaRoche retired from the MLB in 2016, giving him more time to spend afield. He’s now a notable member of the Buck Commander team and has harvested many nice bucks on camera.
These days, when he’s not enjoying time afield with friends and family, he’s often working with his E3 Ranch Foundation which raises money for a variety of causes.
Most notable here is his work with veterans, who he invites to his Kansas ranch where he gives them personalized outdoor experiences and a chance to connect with other vets and heal from their experiences while serving our nation.
For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his YouTube channel.
NEXT: 8 PRO WRESTLING PERSONALITIES WHO LOVE HUNTING AND FISHING
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