I suggest you follow Team Bighorn as they travel America in search of heart pounding adventures to fit any outdoorsman’s budget. You’ll learn how to bow hunt bull elk in Colorado for under $800 and hunt huge whitetail in Ohio with just a $111 over-the-counter tag.  Plus, they provide some of the most exciting angling ever caught on video. Their tips and techniques will inspire you to expand your outdoor adventures. Team Bighorn’s productions air three times a week on The Men’s Channel.  Check it out.

On target- I really like Bighorn Outdoors direction.  They appeal to the average sportsman, showing how to hunt affordably and proving you don’t have to spend $2500 to $6500 on a fully guided private land hunt.  They also seem pretty down to earth; not like some of the big shots you see on some shows that need to loosen their hat bands to accommodate their big heads.

Off target- After watching a couple Bighorn Outdoor shows I came up with a couple of things I questioned.  First, while I was watching and getting into an intense hunt, all of the sudden I was serenaded by the Soggy Bottom Boys. I lost the feeling of being right there with the stalking hunter. I like the fact that Bighorn is doing something different with their music selection, but I’m not sure about the placement.  Second, was the over use of online bought jumpbacks from Digital Juice, which are already-made graphics used for editing purposes. Over use of them cheapen the production. Some original graphics would make a world of difference.

For more info on Bighhorn Outdoors and hunt swapping check out their site at: www.bighornoutdoors.com

Backland Outdoors wants you to come join in the fun and excitement that has brought American hunters to the edge of their seats, made them laugh and gasp all in the same half hour show. Backland Experiences is a professional production of the real hunt. It showcases the real story as it unfolds and stars real men and women who are proud to bring you one of the best darn hunting shows to hit the airwaves.

On target- I felt like the show flew by. There were no slow moments. The show is full of likable guys who love having a good time and throwing in practical jokes. It’s shot in a Primo’s style format where everything is mostly real and cutaways are minimal. I recommend you find time to watch Backland Experiences on the Men’s Channel.

Off target- Now for the part everyone loves. When watching shows I try not to sit there and look for ways to make it better. I try to enjoy them and watch with an open mind. But I wouldn’t be the critic if I didn’t find something to critique.

I will start off with the most obvious. While watching a turkey hunt, I was overwhelmed by the volume of the music. I don’t mind music, but I do mind if it drowns out the natural sounds, which create the feeling of actually being there. And I know it’s only a 30-minute show and it’s not easy to fit everything in, but there were really no lead in’s to the hunts. The reality of actually finding the birds was missing.

www.backlandoutdoors.com

A life-long sportsman, Ted Nugent is passionate about the values that hunting instills in our youths.  He aims to promote family values through father/son (or daughter) interaction in the outdoors.

On Target- Nugent’s passionate, informative and entertaining delivery kept me tuned in. You can sense the love he has for the sport and preserving its existence.  It is comforting to see someone out there who is truly behind protecting our rights and our sport.

Off target- Sorry Nuge, but when you start talking about the “Mystical flight of the arrow” I want to hit fast forward on my Tivo and get to the next hunt. Tone it down on the elaborate spiritual talk.  I don’t know if my arrows are mystical, but I do know they’re 310 fps of direct carbon killer speed.

www.tednugent.com

Paul Newsom’s Great Outdoors is one of the longest running outdoor shows on TV today. Each week, Paul takes viewers all across North America on exciting “Real Life Adventures,” featuring “Wild things in Wild Places.”

Paul is an eleven-time national award-winning outdoor writer and producer and an active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA).
Follow the famed professional outdoorsman, record book hunter, guide, game calling champion, award-winning outdoor writer and producer Paul Newsom as he uses over 40 years of experience to honor our great hunting heritage.

On target- Paul is a true outdoorsman and has always stuck to his guns in the outdoor industry. He shares a great knowledge and passion for his work and has never fallen short of tradition. His show appeals to a little older audience and I think there is a place for that. There should be a show out there for everyone.

Off target- The show hasn’t changed its intro in the last two years. I think a show should update its opens and closes annually. This small touch gives a fresh new feeling to the production.

Having worked with Paul in the past, I have come to know him and his family well. He is an extraordinary person who knows the outdoor industry in and out. I’ve learned a lot from him and thank him for allowing me the opportunity to work with him.

www.paulsoutdoors.com

Since 1976, Jimmy Houston has entertained and educated outdoor lovers. He is best known for his blonde locks and trademark laugh.

Whether he is tempting largemouth in Florida, enticing peacocks in South America, catching crappie on Lake Tenkiller or trying to outsmart the elusive whitetail buck in “Indiana”, Jimmy strives to make you feel like you’re right there in the boat or tree stand with him.

On target- If I look over his past hunting incident, Jimmy’s a great guy. I’ve worked with the man and have to say he’s a pleasure to hang out with. The show is very informative and fun. He is very passionate about fishing and loves introducing it to kids. There’s never a dull moment with Jimmy’s laugh.

Jimmy has been in this game for many years and his energy and fun personality has never diminished. He is always great on camera and consistently provides the viewer with a number of interesting and helpful tips. It says a lot when a guy in the business for so long still manages to have one of the top-rated fishing shows out there.

Off target- I’ve noticed a lot of footage from several years back re-aired in new episodes. Flashbacks are great, but I know Jimmy’s got to be on the water enough to give us more new footage.

www.jimmyhouston.com

Each week host Dave Watson takes viewers on two different hunts for two different species in two different locations. The show will travel farther, dig deeper and investigate more thoroughly to reveal more new hunting secrets and tips.

On target- What I did liked was that Dave Watson and his guest hunters are willing to talk to you instead of at you; while I didn’t like the interruptions of the hunts at times, the tips offered looked practical and useful to someone hunting in similar conditions. This I find unique; a lot of the hunting shows you see follow the standard prescription: Wait a while, kill something, shake some hands, show some advertisements, repeat as needed to fill time remaining.

Off target- Watson can be a bit corny at times, what with trying for the laid back country feel that every hunting show seems to want. It would be refreshing to see the hunters in front of the camera acting naturally, but, as usual, unnecessary talk often fills in the scenes while the game approaches, and you can most likely tell that most of the things done and said on this show are scripted. Along with that, the interruptions for tips, techniques, and commercials got a bit bothersome, I was really intent on watching the hunt and BAM an interruption.

www.bushnelloutdoors.com

Leading the ratings on The Outdoor Channel, “Mossy Oak Classics” stands as one of the most-watched hunting shows on television. Rebroadcasts of Mossy Oak’s Hunting the Country have been exclusively shown on The Outdoor Channel since the late 1990s. Mossy Oak Classics remains one of the original cornerstones of outdoor programming and one of the top-rated shows on The Outdoor Channel to date.

On target- Besides the fact that they’ve got a great group of guys who have been in the industry for sometime, the production quality is solid. Together they exhibit why MOC is a top notch program. I have always been a fan of Mossy Oak’s shows and hope they will continue to remain amongst the elite outdoor production teams.

Off target- Now to the part I love. First, let’s start with the obvious; REBROADCASTS. If you’re a regular at watching Mossy Oak’s Hunting the Country then you’ve pretty much seen all the Mossy Oak Classics. Prehaps I watch too darn many outdoor shows, but still I like seeing new stuff. We all love watching ESPN classics, even though I probably will try to never watch the great Fiesta Bowl game again. I don’t think I could watch my Sooners lose another heart-breaker. Overall, there are some of us who enjoy watching the great hunts over and over, but I like a little variety myself.

www.mossyoak.com

Cabela’s Memories in the Field features hunting, fishing and outdoor adventures. This unique program is comprised of video sent in by you, the viewer. This show gives outdoorsmen and women the opportunity to tell their favorite stories with videos of their outdoor adventures. Whether these exciting videos capture you, your family or friends hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or participating in any other outdoor sport, they’ll take them. Your videos just might be shown on The Outdoor Channel, putting you and your favorite outdoor memories in the national spotlight.

On target-It’s a great concept to get the viewers involved. I like the fact that anyone can submit video and have the chance to be on national TV.

Off target- Besides some of the footage being a little below par, I suggest that Cabela’s offer a fatter gift certificate based on the quality of footage you submit.

www.cabelas/tv.com

ESPN just knows how to produce good shows and Cindy Garrison is a nice bonus. Garrison takes us on exciting adventures all over the world and she manages to really bring the viewer into the show. Garrison is a true beauty and her upbeat attitude is refreshing. She sports some awesome outfits and always shows us that she takes physical conditioning very seriously.

-On Target- Cindy Garrison and her vivacious personality bring the show full circle, but it’s her fearless attitude that keeps me in tune. She is definitely a bad ass.

-Off Target- Beside the fact that I would like to see her harvest a big buck here in American with a bow, I think the show jumps around a bit too much. You get keyed in on her hunting bongo in Africa and the show jumps to her and the natives climbing trees for honey. It’s bad enough that the show jumps around, but when all the natives are enjoying some fresh honey, Cindy passes because she’s grossed out. I mean come on Cindy, you eat scorpions for breakfast. Lastly, the show is clearly overproduced and could be toned down to appear a little more realistic.

www.espn.com

The Woller’s and the Summit team have a pretty interesting show going for them. The information and graphics provided gives the viewer a good idea of what’s going on. The viewer has a perspective of where the deer are, where the crops are and where the stand sits. This provides some actual education, which is rare these days in television.

-On Target- The graphics are a great addition and help make the show what it is.

-Off Target- The host crew is a little lame and needs to drink some red bull or something. I know you guys aren’t a professional like Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN, but let’s get a little more comfortable on the set. You’re a little stiff.

www.summithighplaces.com