I have been looking for a source of quality hunting shows for my sons and I to watch, both Africa and otherwise. We have a subscription to Wildtv online, and so much of it is not to my taste.

What I have learned is that many hunting shows today are pretty awful to my taste. Obviously overdone, the content is ridiculously dramatized, it's not really about hunting as much as whack and stack...frankly, I can't even describe most of what I find distasteful.

I am not putting down others' tastes, everyone likes what they like, and I am fine with that. But I was hoping to get some recommendations on more classic, informative...I don't know how to describe it exactly, but quality stuff that is more like a documentary rather than a thin, artificially amped up action show where the word 'xtreme!' is used as much as possible

I watched 'In the Blood", but no longer have it (it was VHS). I have watched Petersen's Hunting adventures and like some, but not all, of those reasonably well. Some Magnum TV episodes were great...the one where they hunted Tajikastan (I think it was) for Marco Polo Sheep was great. I like the episodes that show more of the prep, the travel, the adventure, the struggles, show how to hunt. I love when they get nothing because it shows what hunting is really like. The final 'shot' is nice but sometimes not necessary.

Anyway, I have a list of videos that I have not actually seen (they are not available on Wild as episodes), I just picked up the names online. Perhaps you all could tell me what they are like and maybe give me some additional recommendations. Some of these are pretty expensive, so I am loathe to dive in before hearing what others think.

Here is the list I have gathered of unknowns:

Tracks Across Africa
The 'Boddington On' Series of videos
The Professionals Series
Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures Series

Thanks for your recommendations!

I enjoy watching the titles you have listed.
They are better than most and not at all "in your face".

I'm a fan of Meat Eater with Steven Rinella and Fresh Tracks with Randy Newberg. Fresh Tracks was previously On Your Own Adventures with the same host. Both tend to hunt public land / unfenced, hunt a variety of game outside of whitetails, and are honest enough to show unsuccessful hunts and some of the work behind the kill.

I agree with you completely in your distaste for the over-the-top theatrics of the average whitetail show with the crazy host.

Not to sound like a fan-boy, but I'd rather watch Saeed's hunts than anything I've seen lately.

Only have the last two, wish I had them all.

Has 'Boddington On' ever been screened on TV?

Nosler Magnum Tv...

quote:

Originally posted by Dan Miller:
I'm a fan of Meat Eater with Steven Rinella and Fresh Tracks with Randy Newberg. Fresh Tracks was previously On Your Own Adventures with the same host. Both tend to hunt public land / unfenced, hunt a variety of game outside of whitetails, and are honest enough to show unsuccessful hunts and some of the work behind the kill.

I agree with you completely in your distaste for the over-the-top theatrics of the average whitetail show with the crazy host.

***Definitely agree with you and I'd add in anything that Jim Shockey puts out too!

quote:

Originally posted by Dan Miller:
I'm a fan of Meat Eater with Steven Rinella

+1 - Joyce's favorite show.

Dark & Dangerous
Under Wild Skies
Beverly Hillbillies

All of Jim Shockley shows and tracks a cross Africa as well as dark and dangerous those Are the ones I try and watch

Meat Eater is excellent and one of the few shows
I'll watch.

quote:

Originally posted by Chad T:

Here is the list I have gathered of unknowns:

Tracks Across Africa
The 'Boddington On' Series of videos
The Professionals Series
Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures Series

Thanks for your recommendations!

All great choices! Very tastefully done and without "over the top" theatrics. You won't go wrong with any or all of these.

+1 and add Dangerous Game with Jeff Rann.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny reb:
All of Jim Shockley shows and tracks a cross Africa as well as dark and dangerous those Are the ones I try and watch

Might need to enjoy this "Snow Day" with some such entertainment. Thx for the tips.

Buzz Charlton has some great videos out. They are available at Safari Press

Bob

Super, thanks to all of your suggestions! This looks like a good list to pursue, should keep me busy for a while.

Thanks!