Let me say that "Tracks" used to be a given at 3:30P every Sunday no matter what exciting NFL game or NASCAR race was on at the same time. Never missed switching to TAA. Even watched if it was an episode I had already seen. Not so much now. Not the "must see" that it was.

After watching a few of the shows without the presence of Mr. Craig Boddington the passion has subsided considerably. Craigs' "magic" is no longer there and my enthusiasim for the show has greatly diminished. Craig used to take off with his camerman, Dave Fulson in tow and the adventure was on. With a little bit of Ivan Carter, thrown in as a guest appearance, things were always interesting.

TAA has now become very predictable, with Ivan and his camerman Dave F. The airplane lands, hunter(s) get out, shake hands, load the gear on the truck, drive to camp, camp staff dancing around, off to the range and finally into the hunt. But just as the hunt gets started, they break away to that Mahoney guy. We are pulled down from the Cruiser, plucked from our tent to hear this guy, in Dallas or wherever give a two or three minute speech about Conservation. Then they try to get back to the hunt, but never quite get into it after the disconnect. It's always as if the viewer is on the "outside looking in".

Contrast "Under Wild Skies". When Tony Makris opens that journal and announces "Ivory Camp - Botswana". I instantly feel the sand under my boots, smell the smoke, hear the noises of the camp life. In the field when TM reaches for the "old lever gun", or pulls the little Sako .375 out of the slip, it feels as if the guns are actually in my hands. Over in the shade Tony and Johan are discussing the spotted quarry, checking the wind and making a plan to proceed with the stalk. It seems I am standing right there with them. The viewer is made a part of the Safari instead of just an observer. A real plus in my way of thinking.

Is TAA still a good show? Of course, it is Africa afterall. Camerman Dave Fulson, still gives us viewers great shots of the hunt, wildlife and vistas that are only Africa. The hunt excitement is sometimes still there, but it is vary obvious that the show is now sorely lacking the "Boddington Touch". JMHO, and I am sure others will have there own take.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

And when Tony picks his ass of the groung after the 600 NE doubles, you know this is the real deal. Yes it is always Tony on the hunt but so what he has a way with the camera. Also I like the BIG hat!

Having met Ivan several times and CB as well, I still look forward to the show. What I have gone to doing is DVR it on a permanent schedule so that I can watch it and forward through the commercials. They get their advertising dollars and I still don't have to watch them. My DVR has all of the african hunting shows set cause I never know when I can get to see them each week. This way I don't miss them.

It used to air where I live not only on Sunday but Wed. as a repeat so if I missed it on Sunday,, I could see it Wed.,,, now only Sunday,, do you guys know when and if it airs more than once? I guess I will have to record it, I still enjoy it,,TAA

There's always the entertainment factor of guessing which ammo Tony is going to try and shoot out of the weapon de jour!!

Last time it was a 404 in a 375! What will it be this week?!

Larry, our show is quite different today, and will be more so in upcoming episodes. The" magic" you allude to is gone for several reasons, countless reasons actually, yet I continue to try to take a high road regarding the changes you speak of. But let me crystal clear on one thing, and it is a very important thing when you produce 39 dangerous game episodes a year. Ivan brings a dedication unmatched in our years of producing outdoor TV , with over 200 days afield spent dedicated entirely to the common good of our TV series and our sponsor partners. It has been a transition that has been seemless and enjoyable on our end, and the change is paying dividends in many ways that will soon come to light. Things, business, and people change- human nature. We are no different. I am beyond happy with our change, and believe our audience will be as well. You may disagree, it will not be the first time for that. Your guy will be doing his thing, we will do ours. It is not a one or the other situation in my mind, but the viewer, as he always does , can make up his own mind. As for the conservation message you seem so bored with, well DSC and Safari Classics believe in the message, need, and production of that weekly message. It will not be changing . Sorry if conservation messages are of no import to you. Unfortunately many people around the globe share your feelings. We see the items discussed as rather important to all who love Africa and the safari life. By the way, we have five full time videographers working for us, so compliments on the footage goes to them.

I for one think TAA continues to deliver a fine product and my previous complaints of the pervasive advertising have subsided. The ads are not woven into the hunting content near as much as in the past.

Nice job Dave!! It's obvious you listen to feedback, including this thread.

Dave,
you have the patience of Job!! I myself like the show better with Ivan hosting. And I wouldnt even have justified the sleepining lion post with a response, but I dont have 2 sucessful hunting shows either. Keep up the great work!!

This is like trying to discuss different tastes in music.

When the guy with the big hat opens his journal and tries to channel Hemingway, I almost puke and change the channel.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
Larry, our show is quite different today, and will be more so in upcoming episodes. The" magic" you allude to is gone for several reasons, countless reasons actually, yet I continue to try to take a high road regarding the changes you speak of. But let me crystal clear on one thing, and it is a very important thing when you produce 39 dangerous game episodes a year. Ivan brings a dedication unmatched in our years of producing outdoor TV , with over 200 days afield spent dedicated entirely to the common good of our TV series and our sponsor partners. It has been a transition that has been seemless and enjoyable on our end, and the change is paying dividends in many ways that will soon come to light. Things, business, and people change- human nature. We are no different. I am beyond happy with our change, and believe our audience will be as well. You may disagree, it will not be the first time for that. Your guy will be doing his thing, we will do ours. It is not a one or the other situation in my mind, but the viewer, as he always does , can make up his own mind. As for the conservation message you seem so bored with, well DSC and Safari Classics believe in the message, need, and production of that weekly message. It will not be changing . Sorry if conservation messages are of no import to you. Unfortunately many people around the globe share your feelings. We see the items discussed as rather important to all who love Africa and the safari life. By the way, we have five full time videographers working for us, so compliments on the footage goes to them.

Dave,
You and TAA would do well if you were to thicken your skin a bit. In general, many of your responses to any criticism to TAA come off as defensive, at times childish, and even hostile.

Where did Larry say conservation messages are unimportant? He didn't. It is the timing of them that he thinks is disruptive to the flow of the show. But you go on the offensive, and attacking him for a position he doesn't advocate.

When folks state opinions, your replies and explanations aren't going to do much to change them. And your attacks certainly won't. You mention 'taking the high road'. I would humbly suggest you publicly ignore 99% of any negative opinions expressed here, graciously thank folks for their positive comments, and do what you want with your show because it is your show.

Personally, I like TAA both before and after CB departure, DVR them all, and watch most.

What I would really like to see is shows focused on one animal, say kudu, with the entire episode more as a tutorial/documentary on hunting them.

Watch the umpteeth buff getting shot by some old fat guy in shorts gets old after awhile.

There is more to hunting Africa than killing an elephant or buffalo in Zim, isnt there?

quote:

JMHO, and I am sure others will have there own take.

There is no doubt about it. The "new" show is not better, not worse, just different. I like it.

1. Ivan is a great PH. No doubt about it. It seems too cozy between TAA and Ivan Carter. To have a PH and his clients every week is not good. Or, just change the name to the "Ivan Carter Safari Company" and be done with it.
2. Ivan does not have the on camera charisma that Craig Boddington does.

TAA was working towards being a 30-minute infomercial for Ruger, and Trijicon. Fortunately, that has subsided a little. My nephew set me up to record the show. It just does not have that "you can't miss this" pizzazz anymore.

There is a life to everything and a life cycle.
Things start out, grow, mature, and decline with age. The public moves on the the next neat thing to have/do. Even HD has seen this happen.

I would suggest that TAA make a clean break with the past. For me, the new format would feature a different country each episode in rotation, and some variety in animals and Safari Companies.

Take me to the Kalahari Desert for black maned lions and Sable.
Take me to Botswana for big ivory.
Take me to the Drakkensberg (sp?) Mtns to see herds of Eland migrating, and then shoot a big one.

Do a segment or two with Buzz Charlton. If you have ever been around him for ten minutes, you know what I am talking about.

Take me to RSA and show me the quality hunts that can take place on high fenced large acreage game farms.

regards,

Rich

It is different. I still like it. The first episode with the various elephant charges was spectacular. I enjoy seeing normal people going, people who have no agenda. Are they always perfect? Hell no. Who is?

I do think the comments about the cows at the beginning is a little hokey (oh look, there is one on the right) and will not win an Academy Award. That is clearly acting.

As far as the conservation message, it is a little like all of the political e mails I receive. I am already convinced. This does not change my opinion. Will it convince others? Who knows?

I like CB, I like IC.

I like TAA.

I disagree with Larry's opinion and I'm fine with that.

It's HIS opinion, although I don't believe many here agree with him.

Well I'm certainly no "CB" or Ivan Carter, nor do I produce shows like the boys at Safari Classics. However, I have done a fair bit of TV/Video stuff, and I know first-hand how difficult it all can be.

The most difficult part is trying to produce something that "everyone" likes, which lets face it, just ain't possible. To me however, the Safari Classics guys bring us each week, some of the BEST of what we all crave - AFRICA!

I think we all see things from time to time that we don't like or disagree with. But for me, I'm glad these guys are doing what they do, and considering all the difficulty involved, I think they are doing a great job!!! JMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
The first episode with the various elephant charges was spectacular.

Agreed - that episode was simply oustanding. Understandably, it would be pretty difficult to recreate that weekly ....

I enjoy all of the shows mentioned above - glad each is different. That said, I also agree I could do without the "Mahoney guy" on TAA.

TAA is still a quality show, and yes very different. Don't you think that it might be difficult for two alpha males to be hosting a 30 minute program? Not even 30 minutes when you take out the commercials, focus on safari, and the conservation add-ins. Like many on this website, I have met and visited with both Craig and Ivan. They are both first class men who are very knowledgeable in their fields. TAA to me still ranks quite a lot higher than than the majority of hunting show offerings on either network. Mr Fulson intimates that changes are fothcoming that we will like. That's a bit of intrigue I look forward to. I do also think that the suggestion that the show focus on one animal is a good one. Speaking from ignorance here, but unless something goes terrible wrong the allure of poleaxing a six ton pachyderm with a big freakin gun doesn't exude edge of your chair excitement. No way to get across what it's like to essentially stand next to or in front of something that will churn you into pie dough. Literally leading the intrepid hunter (SHOOTER) by the shirt sleeve to the moment of truth is underwhelming to me.
People are different, elephant drama or T.V. shows. I very much like Tony Makris's prose woven into his show. It has become my own favorite for now. Wonder where he did get that hat?

Duckear
Perhaps you are right on the thick skin, and yes, after re-reading, Larry did not slap the conservation piece, but as you say, said it disrupted the flow in his eyes. Point taken. Apologies to Larry on that. My mistake. Guys, our team works insane hours , often away from home and family for great lengths of time, and all in the effort to bring our viewers the best product we can deliver. I understand that each show may be viewed differently from one guy to the next, and that is OK, it really is. As some of you know, it has been a trying time on some deep levels ( speaking ONLY for myself here) with "The Change" but trust me that without the changes we have made, my enthusiasm for our productions would be severely dampened. Lets just leave it that I am thrilled about our current direction, it'd potential within the industry, and our ability to produce a show you fellas will enjoy. Did not mean to come off as defensive as it came over. I am a very direct guy,but I can be a bit quick to bite at times. If this was one of those times, than my apologies.

tygersman:

I was in Argentina shooting doves with Ivan in January. I commented to him about that episode and how much I liked it. He indicated that it took a lot of filming to get that show. They wanted to make the first episode really spectacular for both their viewers and their sponsors. I would say they accomplished both. It would be hard to get any better than a charging elephants trunk right at your feet! I hate that I erased that episode.

The Big hat is labeled Beretta. Personally I would like to see more shows with the NON dg, but I am sure I am in the minority - Hell I love hunting Pygmy antelope on purpose not taken by chance. Like a good Bongo or Mt Nyala hunt. I have never seen a special hunt for Zebra Duiker or Bates antelope. I won't mention Royal antelope, oh sorry I did.

Honestly?

Is there someone here who does not know that Ivan Carter, Tim Danklef and Dave Fulson are and have been partners in Safari Classics for years now? And that they are the exclusive U.S. booking agents for Chifuti Safaris, owned by Paul Smith and Andrew Dawson, who operate in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe where they hunt primarily DG?

Really?

I personally think this a good thing and that it has and continues to work well for clients, of which I am one and who will become a repeat client this August. I have recommended and brought clients to them because I know they are a quality operation. After 16 safaris in 8 sub-Saharan african countries and having been a booking agent for outfitters in 4 of those countries I Feel qualified to make those comments.

Do I agree with Dave Fulson all the time? Certainly not. But that doesn't change the fact that he and his partners, along with their team, provide outstanding service, produce the best safari DVD a client can have made and also present the premiere safari TV shows in the world.

Of course that's just my opinion. Your experience may differ.

No animals were harmed in making the above statement and no renumeration was received.

Dave, your show is simply the best hunting program on tv. Thanks for all you do!

Thanks Dave. I liked the old TAA, and I like the new TAA.

Different but good and I DVR every one of them. Hopefully they will be available on DVD since I idiotically deleted a couple.

Too early to tell if I like it as much as I did the previous iteration with Craig but keep up the the great job.

Thanks Dave, Ivan and Co.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
1. Ivan is a great PH. No doubt about it. It seems too cozy between TAA and Ivan Carter. To have a PH and his clients every week is not good. Or, just change the name to the "Ivan Carter Safari Company" and be done with it.


Rich, you do understand the relationship of the parties concerned, don't you. Ivan IS part of Safari Classics.


I would suggest that TAA make a clean break with the past. For me, the new format would feature a different country each episode in rotation, and some variety in animals and Safari Companies.

You do realize that Safari Classics is the Exclusive Booking Agent for Chifuti Safaris, right?


Do a segment or two with Buzz Charlton. If you have ever been around him for ten minutes, you know what I am talking about.

See above comment! I agree with your assessment of Buzz. He is the guy I hunt with every year. But to ask TAA / Safari Classics to do a segment with Buzz is like asking the local BMW dealership to make you a deal on a Mercedes. They are in competition with each other. It's not a negative thing, just questioning whether or not you understand the dynamics at play here.

Take me to RSA and show me the quality hunts that can take place on high fenced large acreage game farms.

There are plenty of plains game hunting shows on already. Dangerous Game is what sets TAA apart. It's what makes them special and differentiates them from the others.

I like the new show. I also liked the old but things change and people go their different ways. I'm glad to see Dave, Tim, and Ivan carry on with the quality of the show. It's different from the previous episodes, but I think the quality is still there. To me, that's what counts. Keep up the good work fellas!

Todd
You see the thing with a clear eye as to the reality of the situation, start to finish. Thanks for your excellent comments, understanding, and continued support my friend. Means a lot !

I enjoy the show as is as well as Ivan and Dave's efforts to produce a quality show. Keep up the good work as without it I have only a few African shows to watch. Ivan has an intensity that Craig lacked, in my opinion, but I enjoyed Craig's enthusiasm. Both have the ability to to relate to the novice as well as experienced hunter and have tons more experience than I do. Kudos to Dave and Ivan as well as Craig's new show. There is room for everyone.


Dutch

I have tried to keep an open mind about the show without Craig. It just feels strange without him getting it started. Its growing on me week by week and is still one of my top 2 favorites. Keep working at it fellas, im sure it will get even better as Ivan settles in.

I cant concentrate on the conservation message for wondering how long he spends combing that beard.

TAA is still the best. UWS is a close second and I even like Jim Shockey.
Don't complain, all of these shows are a helluvalot better than all the other stuff on TV.
I for 1 would like to see a short segment on guns and loads of some of the non sponsored hunters. Too be clear, I don't want to see more of the corporate sponsors but when Joe from St Louis brings his pre-war M70 with reloads, it would be interesting to know a bit about the rifle and what loads he is using.
Keep up the good work!

Right now I only get one outdoor channel and most of the shows on it are not that good. I would love to watch even reruns of TAA at the moment.

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Honestly?

Is there someone here who does not know that Ivan Carter, Tim Danklef and Dave Fulson are and have been partners in Safari Classics for years now? And that they are the exclusive U.S. booking agents for Chifuti Safaris, owned by Paul Smith and Andrew Dawson, who operate in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe where they hunt primarily DG?

Really?

I personally think this a good thing and that it has and continues to work well for clients, of which I am one and who will become a repeat client this August. I have recommended and brought clients to them because I know they are a quality operation. After 16 safaris in 8 sub-Saharan african countries and having been a booking agent for outfitters in 4 of those countries I Feel qualified to make those comments.

Do I agree with Dave Fulson all the time? Certainly not. But that doesn't change the fact that he and his partners, along with their team, provide outstanding service, produce the best safari DVD a client can have made and also present the premiere safari TV shows in the world.

Of course that's just my opinion. Your experience may differ.

No animals were harmed in making the above statement and no renumeration was received.

Mike,
I think what makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end is, NONE of these guys were anybody special until CB MADE THEM WHO THEY ARE, and made their newfound independence possible. Now they figure they didn't need him and moved on.

I wish one could view past episodes on the website or maybe I am missing it somewhere?

Tracks is one of only three programs on both outdoor channel and sportsmans channel that I tape every week. If I NEVER see another bowhunter shoot a whitetail from a treestand it will still be to soon! How THOSE guys stay on tv is beyond me. Thank god for guys like Dave that make a great show every week.

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
Tracks is one of only three programs on both outdoor channel and sportsmans channel that I tape every week. If I NEVER see another bowhunter shoot a whitetail from a treestand it will still be to soon! How THOSE guys stay on tv is beyond me. Thank god for guys like Dave that make a great show every week.

I couldn't agree more

Nganga
FYI, each member of our team were involved, invested, and veterans of our combined profession before CB was anything other than a fine writer to us. Safari Classics was producing African video long before any arrangement with CB was even an idea in the back of our combined heads. You obviously are a great fan of CB. Thats great. He will continue to have a presence in this game for as long as he wishes I would imagine and you can admire him from a new platform.But you might want to tap the brakes a bit on a situation you have exactly less than zero knowledge about.

Larry,
Didn't you recently start a thread swearing off Hornady's Africa? Now this thread that TAA is just not the same. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not... only you know your heart and/or motives.

All things evolve or die out. People adapt or move on. Audiences watch TAA or they don't. Way of the world, man. And I agree that any company, Dave's or mine need and want constructive criticism to make us better. But just constant criticism... well after a while that gets old. But it is a free forum where each can post his or her own opinions. Like some others here, even my least favorite episode of Tracks beats 99.9% of the rest of the commercial hunting programs out there right now. And there would be a lot less watchable TV without it.

Dave... thanks to you, Tim and Ivan for producing TAA and Hornady's Africa. I appreciate your hard work in producing two top flight hunting programs!

And that is my $.02 worth....

Dave,
I have now been accused of being a CB Hater and a CB admirer on AR. I am neither, I am a sportsman. I am a sportsman who makes his own judgements, I don't participate in "groupthink". As you can see, I make no judgement about the show, you, Ivan or anybody else on the new show. I do however watch you and your short fuse say incendiary things to anybody who says the least little thing negative about you or your show.


Steve

For you that are interested, Tony's hat is not a Beretta Hat. It's a Rand Custom hat, from Rich Rand in Billings, Montana. I talked with Tony about it sometime ago and ended up ordering one from Rich just like it. He may have put a Beretta band on it, but rest assured, it's a Rand Custom Cowboy Hat. He has a couple of them that he wears.

Maybe Larry would like it if it was sponsored by SCI.

Seriously, in the world of DG broadcast quality hunting and filming, there's TAA then there's everyone else.