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re: Honey Brake Opportunity
Posted on 11/1/26 at 7:31 pm to Delta Tiger 88
Posted on 11/1/26 at 7:31 pm to Delta Tiger 88
I never saw the “disaster” you’re referring to.
It sounds a little personal and if that’s the case I totally get it.
The reason I say I don’t necessarily agree with you on it being a disaster is because right up till the end they still had several clients on the books. Now, I can’t say what those folks were paying but it had the potential to continue being profitable if changes had been made (as you pointed out).
I never understood hiring guys from New York to shoot a show in Louisiana. Not because they weren’t talented because Chip and Breen are monsters, but because of those guys having to live at HB, being away from their families.
Of course I was never a big fan of the semi live stream (Midwest Whitetail) format, especially with the level of production Chip was putting into those episodes. He wasn’t being compensated enough for what he was doing there and the travel was probably taxing on him.
As for Tack, I was in the business just short of 30 years when I retired in 2023. In all that time I never heard anyone speak badly about Tack. In addition, I’m unsure how you “strong arm” a client in the industry. Either the client wants to be a part of HB and Confluence or they don’t. Hell, if anything they didn’t “strong arm” Realtree and certain other companies enough. The place was a one of a kind goldmine in the Deep South.
I still run into Klatt at DB from time to time. I’m sure Buzz and Chip are doing well. Both are supremely talented.
It sounds a little personal and if that’s the case I totally get it.
The reason I say I don’t necessarily agree with you on it being a disaster is because right up till the end they still had several clients on the books. Now, I can’t say what those folks were paying but it had the potential to continue being profitable if changes had been made (as you pointed out).
I never understood hiring guys from New York to shoot a show in Louisiana. Not because they weren’t talented because Chip and Breen are monsters, but because of those guys having to live at HB, being away from their families.
Of course I was never a big fan of the semi live stream (Midwest Whitetail) format, especially with the level of production Chip was putting into those episodes. He wasn’t being compensated enough for what he was doing there and the travel was probably taxing on him.
As for Tack, I was in the business just short of 30 years when I retired in 2023. In all that time I never heard anyone speak badly about Tack. In addition, I’m unsure how you “strong arm” a client in the industry. Either the client wants to be a part of HB and Confluence or they don’t. Hell, if anything they didn’t “strong arm” Realtree and certain other companies enough. The place was a one of a kind goldmine in the Deep South.
I still run into Klatt at DB from time to time. I’m sure Buzz and Chip are doing well. Both are supremely talented.
This post was edited on 11/1/26 at 7:32 pm
Posted on 11/1/26 at 9:41 pm to geauxbrown
Nothing personal on my side. Just a neutral bystander.
There is a huge difference in business in being busy and being profitable. They were super busy but not profitable. Again, poorly managed, very poor communication with the clients, very poor content delivery to the clients. These are things I heard directly from both clients and employees.
Sure they had tons of pics and video gathered but it wasn’t all edited and deliverable. If you can’t deliver you can’t charge and that’s why they are no longer in business. They spent a tremendous amount of time at Prairie Wildlife and collected only a small amount of money.
David made terrible deals and then couldn’t even remember what they were. Things he was supposed to do were basic business development and he struggled. That’s why he didn’t last. When the new owner took over he gave him 30 days to justify his position and he didn’t even try to. Everyone of the Confluence employees dogged on Tack and was glad he was gone without exception
Multiple companies complained to me and that wasn’t even my area. Some, not all felt strong armed because they wanted something to do with HB but not Confluence. They could have things done cheaper and actually get what they were paying for. They didn’t want to be involved with Confluence at all. Again this is direct knowledge straight from some of the employees and clients.
Too many people in top roles that did too little work and took too much pay while giving too little pay and credit to the people doing the work. The things I heard about Tack was mostly from the guys at HB and the companies associated with them.
They had super talented guys working for them but treated them poorly so they left.
If it was a viable business model it would be in business today. Like you said, they have everything you need in one spot. 20 years earlier with different management and a smaller team they could have killed it. They never had one profitable year. Never
There is a huge difference in business in being busy and being profitable. They were super busy but not profitable. Again, poorly managed, very poor communication with the clients, very poor content delivery to the clients. These are things I heard directly from both clients and employees.
Sure they had tons of pics and video gathered but it wasn’t all edited and deliverable. If you can’t deliver you can’t charge and that’s why they are no longer in business. They spent a tremendous amount of time at Prairie Wildlife and collected only a small amount of money.
David made terrible deals and then couldn’t even remember what they were. Things he was supposed to do were basic business development and he struggled. That’s why he didn’t last. When the new owner took over he gave him 30 days to justify his position and he didn’t even try to. Everyone of the Confluence employees dogged on Tack and was glad he was gone without exception
Multiple companies complained to me and that wasn’t even my area. Some, not all felt strong armed because they wanted something to do with HB but not Confluence. They could have things done cheaper and actually get what they were paying for. They didn’t want to be involved with Confluence at all. Again this is direct knowledge straight from some of the employees and clients.
Too many people in top roles that did too little work and took too much pay while giving too little pay and credit to the people doing the work. The things I heard about Tack was mostly from the guys at HB and the companies associated with them.
They had super talented guys working for them but treated them poorly so they left.
If it was a viable business model it would be in business today. Like you said, they have everything you need in one spot. 20 years earlier with different management and a smaller team they could have killed it. They never had one profitable year. Never
Posted on 11/1/26 at 10:02 pm to Delta Tiger 88
quote:
They had super talented guys working for them but treated them poorly so they left
I was only aware of one person leaving.
You’re correct about one thing. They had a terrible backlog when it came to editing photos. Buzz could go down and dirty but Klatt was a perfectionist, not what you want in this day and age.
I can’t say much for David. I worked with him but never truly understood what his role was. I always felt like Tack could have done his job with his experience from Mossy Oak.
As for the clients wanting to engage with HB but not Confluence, that wasn’t the business model.
At the end of the day the model wasn’t bad, it was just run poorly.
Good luck this season. Be safe and maybe our paths will cross somewhere along the way. You can find me guiding for a friend in southern Illinois in the fall and spring.
I did about 20 years with NWTF as Executive Producer. North American Hunting Club prior to that. A vet of both freelance editing and field production along the way. Bass Pro, Primos, Realtree, MO, Nikon. Knight and Hale
This post was edited on 11/1/26 at 10:04 pm
Posted on 11/2/26 at 1:48 am to geauxbrown
Thank you. Best wishes to you as well. I’m mostly in the boot now with an occasional border crossing into Arkansas and Mississippi
Posted on 11/2/26 at 11:01 am to Delta Tiger 88
You seem very knowledgeable. We’ll be there the last two or three days of December. What should you tip a guide? Thanks.
Posted on 11/2/26 at 1:32 pm to IHuntdux
10% is common. Some do more and a few less.
If you don’t have a guide already ask for Wes, Simon or Madison
If you don’t have a guide already ask for Wes, Simon or Madison
Posted on 11/2/26 at 10:42 pm to IHuntdux
The lodge and guys are great. The hunting outside opening weekends is no better than anywhere else.
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