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MeatEater has only been on the air for three-and-a-half months, but that’s given us plenty of time to fall in love with you guys — our viewers. What we like about you is that you’re willing to watch a hunting show that doesn’t always include a kill.
To be honest, this was something that we worried about incessantly while we were filming our first season. On the one hand, we were committed to showing real hunts, with all the disappointment, suffering, joy, and triumph that go along with them. But on the other hand, we knew that we risked alienating an audience that has grown accustomed to hunting shows that focus on slow-motion kill shots played over and over on a nearly continuous loop. Often, at night, we would sit around our campfires worrying about the inevitable moment when we’d have to end a hunt without making a kill.
To be honest, that moment came much sooner than we expected. After filming a very solid start of our first season in Alaska (Tongass blacktail deer, Chugach Range black bear, and this Sunday’s Minto Flats waterfowl episode), we hit disaster on our fourth show; after a few days of busting our asses and covering massive amounts of ground while chasing mountain goats on the Kenai Peninsula, we had to wrap the episode without putting a billy on the ground.
You wouldn’t believe the amount of fretting and frowning that occurred as we packed down off the mountain and loaded the trucks. We weren’t at all unhappy about the hunt—it was a blast, actually. Instead, we were unhappy about the show that we’d have to put together. It became known in our circle as “the skunked episode,” and any mention of it was greeted by either icy silence or a bit of whispered cussing. We tried as hard as we could to postpone its airing, but we were convinced that it would be the end of us, that viewers would be so bored and disappointed that they’d never tune in again.
Thankfully, the most intense periods of our anxiety were short-lived. Partial relief came after the premiere of our second episode, blacktail deer, in which I miss a relatively easy 400-yard shot at a nice buck. While we fully expected to hear all kinds of negative things about the miss—that I’m a loser, that I should have done this or that differently, that I shouldn’t have my own hunting show—we were instead bombarded with compliments from a hunting community that was thrilled to see some realism on TV. The most common refrains went like this: “Missing is inevitable; it happens to everyone; thanks for showing it.” But as pleasing as this was, we still didn’t think we could air our mountain goat episode without losing some of our audience. After all, I did manage to kill another blacktail buck within minutes of missing the big one, so the show still had a happy ending and closed with a great meal.
A few weeks later, we decided that we ought to test the tolerance of our audience once again by airing an aoudad hunt in which nothing gets killed and cooked except for a fist-sized quail. We found ourselves getting increasingly stressed out as the premiere of that episode approached, and were fully prepared for a huge round of booing and heckling from a blood-thirsty crowd who’d been let down. But, once again, we were completely wrong. The audience’s acceptance of that show was even better than their acceptance of the missed shot. You guys flooded us with letters saying that you’ve all been there, that most hunts do not end with success, and that what really matters is that a hunter tries his hardest and respects his quarry.
By now you’ve probably guessed where this is going, and you’re right. We aired the mountain goat episode and we’re still alive and on the air. In fact, we’re gearing up to film about twenty more episodes that will undoubtedly include plenty of kills and a few clean misses. Not only did you guys respect us for showing a botched hunt, you took the time to tell us. We even had a couple of viewers who claimed that the mountain goat episode was their favorite show so far, something that makes me proud to be an American hunter. What this all says to us is that MeatEater has the coolest fans a show could ever hope for. You’re not just watching because you want to see animals get killed. Instead, you’re watching because you love all the possibilities of hunting. You love success, obviously, but you also love the bitter moments of failure and defeat that make success so sweet when it finally comes. For that, we owe you our eternal thanks.
Your fan,
Steven Rinella
I for one am glad that you folks show a real “hunt” if all I wanted to see was killing I would watch video’s from a slaughter house. Show it all the good and the bad keep your honor and integrity intact. That’s what we want to see.
Love the show, Steve!
When are the next DVDs coming out? Next season should 1 hr episodes… I’m sure there’s campfire strategy talk that we’d all love to hear.
Eager for more!
Alex
I am forever thankful that this show has been on the air. A real person with real hunts, with real consequences. Not over edited, not always successful, but always enjoyable to watch. There is a sense of story and movement that you don’t get in other hunting shows. I appreciate that it is more about the journey and the experience than it is about a kill. You have set the bar so high that I rarely watch any other hunting shows on television. They don’t stack up.
Thank you so much for your contribution to quality tv. I hope that you continue to film for a long, long time.
“There is a sense of story and movement that you don’t get in other hunting shows.”
Very well said.
I only watch 30 minutes of the Sportsman’s Channel. (hint, hint). I will not apologize for that. lmao. I like your show because its a journal of a person and what he believes in and how he believes from his perspective~the ‘meat’ of the show is presented. People that feel the same way follow. If you were looking to accomplish aesthetics, you more than done that. On one hand its the quality of the endeavor of hunting and mentality. Then you have the branching out of why its important to protect that right along with being informed on issues such as public access, conservation, economy threatening cuts or decisions, and impeding your rights plus way of life that plague or improve the hunting topic. Activism on your part even though it seems that its negated from the episodes and put somewhere else like it would be more valid elsewhere makes me wonder why? Your show is realistic on the hunting end but the bigger message that comes in the form of ‘small articulated informed warnings’ of the future of the very survival of hunting the viewers are looking at is in peril. Hunting or your right to hunting is as endangered as any animal found on “The List”. If the viewers focus on the actual hunting because its entertaining and not what you’re actually saying to them-clarity should rain and not be hidden away somewhere else (even if its seems appropriate to someone because they may need their blinders taken off so they to can see.) Its like blowing seeds in the wind on a high wind day from a mountain top. You do enough of that over time~there is no telling where it will go but the next time you check what you have sown will be everywhere even in places you wouldn’t think to look.
Well put everyone.
Steve, your show is a breath of fresh air in outdoors television. People relate to your show because it’s closer to how “real” people hunt. Your views and values represent ours, not those of your sponsors and promoters.
I am glad to hear that there are 20 more episodes being planned.
I love your show. It would be nice to know caliber are you using in the various hunts. Maybe I missed it, but couldn’t find any infor on the website.
Steven, your series was long overdue. Up until your first episode, the Sportsmans Channel would grow old quickly to me…at the end of every “show”, there’d be a stand hunter giggling madly at the way his shot animal (particularly bow-shot) reacted to the shot, followed by the posed tracking, and nearly every show involves a “trophy” hunt.
What I like about your show is that, I see ME in your show – the pursuit of the game, the successes, even if it’s just a forked horn, the disappointments, and the camaraderie…the addition of your train of thought is a big plus. I’d like to see your show expand so we can see what goes on in your hunting camps. Thanks for the REAL “reality” show – keep up the good work!
Every hunt is a journey, and that journey is what we want to see.
I am going to have to agree with my fellow meat eaters here about the show. It is awesome that someone can finally go out on a real hunt. You are sitting in a stand that a guide on a ranch put up for you. Back country hunting, to me, has to be the purest form of traditional hunting that we have left. When our ancestors needed to hunt they didnt call up and make an appointment. They got their gear, loaded up and went out in search of an animal. Love the show and keep em coming. I get entertained and learn something every time.
I am another person who is just thankful the The Meat Eater is a HUNTING show instead of a ‘killing’ show. I feel that there are a lot of shows out there that are honestly embarrassing and even detrimental to the image of hunting and hunters in the eyes of the general public.
Many of us that don’t get paid to hunt put in for a draw and plan our hunts months before our boots ever hit the ground. Often, out here in “the big west”, we may even be hunting hundreds or thousands of miles away from home.
While we would all like the chance to scout the area, talk to locals, etc… in many cases we just get four days off work to travel, scout, hunt, and get home. Weather conditions, hunting pressures, or just plain old lack of skill or luck means that some of us are going home with nothing more than new memories with family and friends. And in the end most of will still say that we had a great hunting trip.
Keep up the good work of focusing on the hunt and not just the kill.
Great to hear about the 20 upcoming shows! We watch because how you and your crew present what we do and how we do it. Keep that recipe and there will be more and more great shows to come, regardless if the hunt is successful by filling the freezer or not. Keep up the good work.
chasing mountain goats on the Kenai Peninsula,
many years ago I build hikers trail through Moose Pass, your video on the hell that is Alder thicket had me calling to my wife to show her what its looks like, hair wet with sweat until you’re been there you just don’t know. And the Devils Club, is there anybody who hasn’t grabbed that to keep from sliding back, Too bad about the goat. On one occasion we watched as an Easterner climbed high above our camp on Moose Pass in search of Mountain Goat, watched as he shot a nice goat. He stopped by our campfire that night with cape and horns. We gave him a little grief about leaving the important part on the mountain before he left that evening. Early the next morning we were surprised and hearten to see a glint of sun high on the mountain, he was there and packed the rest out, Quite impressive actually. After sharing a cup of coffee later that day, he left a backstrap before heading out to catch his flight. Long story short that ten yr old billy was some very fine eating.
John
I love the show for every reason that was stated above. I was so refreshed when I watch the trailer or you first show because it wasn’t a killing show. I grew very tired of the “rack farming” shows where once in a life time deer for regular folks are killed every episode. I pretty sure most everyone that watches your show would agree. I love the fact that your show doesn’t end with a posed picture with a rack. The first time they showed you field dressing and butchering your kill I knew your show was legit. I hope they allow you to expand your show, expand on the cook, outdoor comeraderie, your camp, amd you outdoor philosophy. I for one would like to thank you for your love of the outdoor and for stoking the fire for the outdoors in all of us.
Steven,
I am closer to twice your age than not, I have been hunting since I can remember, and since about 12 by my self. Mostly for squirrels and rabbits during that time.
I have been around long enough to watch, and remember, hundreds of episodes of American Sportsman, with Curt Gowdy as the host, and remember shows like Fred Bear taking an Alaska Brownie with his 90# recurve with one of the quickest shots I have ever seen. I am saying all of this because yours and one other show (Fred Eichler, Easton Archery), are the only hunting shows I deem worthy of my time.
As for you passing up taking the ewe, that would have been a tough decision for me, but I am glad you made it.
When we hunt we must learn to accept failure and success with equal enthusiasm, that is hunting.
I most admire your abilities and willingness to eat all that you shoot, and you seem to know how to cook it.
Keep up the good work, one of the 2 best hunting shows on the air, bar none.
It was a brilliant episode. This is why MeatEater is the only hunting show I watch. It’s about hunting, not trophies. It’s about adventure, not accomplishment. It’s about the food, not the rack. It’s real. Good on you, Rinella and team. Keep ‘em coming.
Steven,
Great show! You keep it real. I appreciate the field dressing tips. I like how you include locals from the area you hunt. You are a very experienced hunter, but you always respect you local host. Thanks
Steven,
For me and my children the show is as much about the adventure and the complete package of outdoor skills needed to participate in these kinds of hunts as any “trophy.” Keep up the good work and we look forward to MANY more episodes.
P.S. I purchased Charcuterie from Ruhlman soon after it came out so your chat’s with Michael are just another way the show resonates so well for me.
I agree with Polemera’s comment above…next season needs to have 1 hour episodes.
Yes one hour episodes please! Seriously, I had all but stopped watching hunting shows until MeatEater came along. Far too much time is spent on the kill on all the other shows, it’s nice to see the real adventure of a hunt. I could care less about the kill shot or getting the skunk. Show us everything. Keep up the great work…
Congrats on a great show and a great format! It is the detail, the how, why and what, that goes into a rewarding trip that sets MeatEater apart from the plethora of kill shot shows on nowadays. Keep it real and you will always have an ever increasing loyal fan base.
Keep up the good work boys. i love the shows. even when you come home empty. we all know you do not get a trophy on every hunt. one question though. who won the hunt with you i sure would like to know. i put in for it thats why i was wondxering.