Why Hank Parker Walked Away From Fishing Fame | 100% Wild Podcast Ep. 431

Why Hank Parker Walked Away From Fishing Fame | 100% Wild Podcast Ep. 431 Legendary angler and TV host Hank Parker joins Matt and Tim on this week’s 100% Wild Podcast, powered by DeerCast. From dominating the Bassmaster Classic to starring in outdoor TV since the '80s, Hank reflects on his unbelievable career in the outdoors—and the moment he nearly lost it all in a treestand accident. The guys talk about public perception around hunting (including the blowback from Matt’s recent bear harvest), how Ray Scott turned largemouth bass into America’s favorite sportfish, and the early days of outdoor television when cameras were the size of briefcases. Hank shares untold stories from the Earnhardt docu-series, reveals what Dale Sr. was really like behind the wheel and in the woods, and explains why he walked away from the peak of fishing fame to be a better dad. This episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, and emotional moments as Hank recounts the fall that nearly ended his hunting days—and how faith, family, and safety gear helped him get back on his feet. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro & Matt's Bear Controversy 00:47 - Hank Parker Joins the Show 02:22 - Hank’s Career Highlights & Outdoor TV Legacy 05:30 - Tim’s 30-Year-Old Hank Parker Spinnerbait 06:45 - Building a Career in Bass Fishing & Sponsorship Deals 09:08 - Ray Scott and the Birth of Sportfishing 11:30 - How Bass Fishing Became Mainstream 13:07 - Early Reactions to Hank’s Career Choice 14:56 - The Grind of the Tournament Trail 17:30 - The Risk of Losing All Your Gear 9:17 - Hank’s Story About Stolen Rods 20:30 - TV Production Struggles in the Early Days 24:06 - The Earnhardt Docuseries & Dale Sr. Stories 28:04 - Old School Outdoor TV Style vs. Today’s Fast-Paced Content 31:10 - Keeping It Real on Social Media 34:00 - Why Hank Walked Away from Fame to Raise His Kids 39:00 - Family First: The Decision That Changed Everything 43:27 - Faith, Legacy, and Pointing People to the Creator 46:00 - Emotional Reflections on Dale Earnhardt 52:00 - Raising Earnhardt’s Kids the Hard Way 54:00 - Hank’s Tree Stand Fall & Hunting Safety Lessons 59:15 - Terry Drury’s Tree Stand Accident 1:02:00 - Having a Hunting Buddy Can Save Your Life 1:03:57 - From Fishing to Racing: The Parker Family Journey 1:05:25 - Passing on the Love of the Outdoors to the Next Generation 1:07:10 - Final Thoughts & Where to Follow Hank Parker Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deercast/id1425879996 Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.druryoutdoors.deercast.app For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off, follow us on social Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialDruryOutdoors Instagram: @DruryOutdoors Twitter @DruryOutdoors Be sure to check out http://www.druryoutdoors.com for more information, hunts, and more! Music provided by Epidemic Sound http://player.epidemicsound.com/ #dodtv