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

Two words; Tiffany Lakosky. Enough said. Lee and Tiffany make a good team as they bring us along on their hunting adventures. The reality style format and quick cuts keep the viewer wanting more. Scent-Lok’s got a good thing going.

-On Target- I like the fact that Scent-Lok has brought a woman into the equation and there are few better than Tiffany. She does a great job, bags awesome bucks and always looks good on camera. Sorry Lee, just speaking the truth. Your wife is hot.

-Off Target- The problem with a lot of hunting shows these days is the fact that it feels like your watching an infomercial. I know that sponsors pay the bills, but it’s getting a little overboard. That’s directed toward all hunting shows.

www.gettinclose.com

Will Primo and his team continue to be consistent with all their productions. The interaction between the guys is great and the hunting action makes you want to hunt all their locations. I truly appreciate the lack of faking stuff on camera. The true flow and minimal cutaways are refreshing.

-On Target- With production style, not a bunch of cutaways, the Primo’s crew continues to fool the viewer into thinking the cameras are always rolling. The use of push in fades is a nice touch.

-Off Target- Come on Will, I know you’ve been around awhile but let’s change the theme up a little bit. You’ve had the same type of intro to your show forever. I’ve about had it with your slow montage of game and 1980’s signature music. I know it’s not Hollywood, but it is the truth. And the truth is, I want something new.

www.primos.com

(GRADE:B-)

The professionals of Whitetail Country share some of their best and most memorable whitetail deer hunting experiences, strategies, tactics and techniques of the season. Each week they showcase different professionals and their most memorable hunts.

-On target- I like the concept of bringing all the great hunting personalities together and hearing their stories. The behind the scenes look at the pros from home is a nice bonus and creates a bond with the viewer and the pros.

-Off target- I either have chronic déjà vu or I’ve seen all the hunts on other shows or DVD’s before. Some more original content would be refreshing and a lot less redundant.

www.espn.com

(GRADE: C++)

This show reveals an epic battle between two master food plotters out to prove who can produce the best food plots. The viewer is taken through every step in creating good food plots, including scouting and hanging stands. Then, they are shown the plots at work.

-On target- The show is very informative. As far as I know, it is the only show that takes you through the entire hunt. You get to see the early season groundwork, the scouting and hanging of stands and the outcome of such preparation.

-Off target- I have never been a big fan of Mark and Terry Drury’s hosting technique. Nothing against them, I just think I see and hear them way too much throughout the show. Back off a little Drury brothers and let the show flow.

www.druryoutdoors.com