12 Comments 1 Twitter 50 Facebook 0 Google+
One of the things that often twists us up on MeatEater shoots is the fear of not getting into enough action to make a great episode of tv. This doesn’t happen often, and some of our least successful hunts have turned into very successful episodes. But even with that knowledge, it sure is nice to get in the field and get right into a bunch of action—it allows me to get into my sleeping bag at night saying “Alright, we have a good start,” instead of “Holy crap, I hope we see something tomorrow.” When stuff happens I breathe a little easier and sleep much better.
This turkey hunt in Montana was so full of action that the atmosphere was open and relaxed the whole time. It was a blast. The birds weren’t simply handed to us, we had to work hard, but the action started early and was consistent. Shoots like this—though always challenging in some capacity—don’t feel like work at all. They feel like what they are, real hunting trips plus a couple dudes with cameras. This was one of my favorite hunts we’ve done so far, the landscape was gorgeous, the turkeys delicious, and of course it’s always a big pleasure to have one of Steve’s brothers along. My hope is that the amount of fun we had, both on camera and off, translate to the screen and people at home can get in on some of the fun we had. –Dan Doty
I simply love everything your team does. Your show is the only “must watch” TV for me. Thanks to the Sportsman Channel for putting it on. Only wish it was an hour long!
It’s such a pleasure to watch a Hunting/Outdoors show that is laid back. I love the knowledge Steve has given out in all the episodes, of this show and his others. I also like the fact Steve, while he will get excited after a successful shot and kill, doesn’t run around yelling and screaming like an idiot afterwards. I can’t stand the majority of Hunting shows where after a kill the hunter starts yelling and screaming and acting like a fool, even talking semi-trash to the animal after the kill, instead of appreciating the animal and the hunt. Steve is a class act, and the show is Amazing.
It was a great episode of an awesome show. How do you keep your equipment clean in the field?
Mostly we are as careful as we possibly can be–we keep our cameras off the ground at all costs. We use dry bags and contractor bags to keep them dry, and keep our rigs in our tents with us at night. When they do get wet or full of junk we make sure to clean them up ASAP. Rain is tough but dry, dusty conditions might be tougher. We use special lens wipes and Vortex lens pens to keep our glass clean. The cameras we use are pretty rugged though, and they always impress me how well they stand up to the elements.
Great show last night. I really enjoy the camera work. You guys are great, the show feels more like a real hunting experience than most “canned” shows. I really like the fact you guys try and show actual hunting events and don’t edit the hell out of your shows. I do sometimes think Steve’s recipies could use some work, but the liver, heart, gizzard and shnitzle was a step in the right direction. Good job!
Love your show, it gives great insight on hunts and adventures you go on. It helps me to prepare for my hunts and love the action your show provides. I even love to watch the re-runs of previous episodes.
Dan, this show seemed a little more relaxed than others for all of the reasons you mentioned (scenery, weather, game activity, hunter interaction, and of course the llamas). And those birds were certainly willing participants!
The presence of the cameras and crew are almost always ignored on the show, which seems strange to me for a show that otherwise is pretty frank about most other aspects of your and Steve’s experiences in the field. I guess it might reduce the feeling of intimacy the viewer gets by being the “fly-on-the-tent-wall”, but it would be interesting to me to occasionally see the camera guy, his tent(s), and the added difficulty another 1-3 guys add to a hunt. Would you consider showing these aspects of the actual experience to the show?
And keep up the good work!
Longbeard, thanks for the comment and the kinds words. We’ve talked about breaking the 4th wall and showing the camera and crew–and while we’re not totally against the idea–we generally feel that it would have to make good sense for the story. From here forward I will be regularly dispatching notes from the field and sharing more behind the scenes pics, thoughts, and tips.
Should be interesting. We’ll look for it.
Dittos c/o Longbeard. I’ll add that it’s good to read you say “From here forward I will be regularly dispatching notes from the field and sharing more behind the scenes pics, thoughts, and tips.” – it was a long dry spell from April to late June! Also, showing the camera guys during the hunt may not fly, but perhaps around the campfire after the hunt(s) maybe? Speaking of camera guys, have you guys ever felt like taking the rap for a hunt gone bad?
Yeah we definitely spook a few animals here and there, some we’ve been onto and probably a whole bunch more that took off well before we were aware of them.
The turkey episode ranks among my favorites. It was obvious you guys were having fun. The run-in with the coyote reminded me of my hunt in Michigan this year. I had a respectable-sized tom practically jogging toward my decoys when the damn dog got between us. I only had a couple days to hunt. And it was my last morning out. I had worked my butt off locating the bird. And I hunted hard with the little bit of time I had. I didn’t get the bird, but It turned out to be a good season anyway. I spent some time with my son and learned a lot. Next year I’ll have more time and I’ll get him. I don’t watch a lot of outdoor shows. Most are boring and if you’ve seen one you’ve seen ‘em all. I’d rather be out there in the dirt, but I’ve seen every episode of MeatEater. You guys are really on to something. It’s kinda like going hunting with a buddy. Fun & entertaining.