Despite their popularity, recent threads have highlighted an evolving disappointment with African hunting programs. Perhaps because it has been the most popular safari program with the AR crowd, Tracks Across Africa has been the focus of several critical comments, even from longstanding fans. Perhaps these criticisms reflect a growing sophistication of TAA’s audience - now that such programs are no longer novel - along with an expectation that the production correspondingly evolves.

With that as a premise, I would like to propose some unsolicited considerations for producers of hunting programs and DVDs in general, and especially for Dave Fulson, Tim Danklef, and now Ivan as they prepare for the 2012 broadcast season. Some of this I’ve stated before, but there now seems to be a groundswell of viewers agitating for some tweaks in that show’s production.

Let me first say that I am very appreciative of Dave, Tim, and Craig Boddington for having taken the financial risk to bring us quality hunts on Tracks Across Africa. As I’ve said before, there are those that will savage the best of what's on TV (all the while watching every week, reminding me of Woody Allen's observation, "dirty movies are terrible; and they're so poorly lit"). TAA is by far my favorite hunting show and I want it to continue being a success.

Okay then, here are the characteristics I would like to see in any African hunting program – TV or DVD - in no particular order:

1) Keep the advertising above board. I think most of us who have given this any thought understand that, given the small universe of viewers, it’s necessary for a show to have advertisers and sponsors in order to defray costs, enhance quality, and make a profit. That’s fine with me – but don’t soft-pedal what it is that’s being advertised. We feel insulted when it appears that a product or company is being ‘subliminally placed’ in a production, as though somehow we won’t notice. We do every time. If you’re upfront with who is helping foot the bill, then we’re in a position to distinguish between advice and salesmanship.

2) Don’t let your sponsor undermine the show’s quality. Perhaps due to a smaller budget than competing shows like Under Wild Skies and Dangerous Game, in the past year or so Tracks Across Africa has become the most aggressive in product placement, going so far as to place ‘billboard’ ads on the stocks of rifles – and blocking out non-sponsor product names on scopes. The former is obnoxious, but in my view the latter smacks of deception. Now, I don’t believe for a minute Dave & Co. are encouraging these actions; I suspect it’s at the sponsor’s insistence. But it’s shortsighted and ultimately turns the audience against both the show and the sponsor. Dave, you guys know your audience better than your sponsors ever will, so help by educating them and keeping a lid on the bullshit.

3) Respect your audience’s desire to learn. Sure we want the show to be entertaining, but we also want it to be educational. Don’t leave us wondering about the rifle being used or the caliber or round employed (though this may conflict with sponsor demands). Even if you have to convey such information with screen text or a text crawler, hey, we want to know the details! Also, my favorite shows are those that, upon their conclusion I realize that I learned something, whether it’s about the game, the region, the people, or the kit. If, every week, you can incorporate non-commercial education with entertainment, you’ll hold our attention.

4) Keep staged emotions in check. Hooting, hollering, frenetic high-fiving, and other histrionics often appear inauthentic – and more importantly are disrespectful, unprofessional, and unseemly. Hunting programs should display exemplars of behavior as part of their instructive intent. Tracks Across Africa has always been very good at this – keep it up.

5) Fair Chase or forget it. To me, wild Africa is incompatible with high-fenced, small-acreage hunting areas or captive animals. Obviously, the audience needs to know if there is any question about the fidelity to the concept of 'Fair Chase' on a hunting program. Again, unlike some other hunting programs, TAA leads the field in this area.

6) Minimize the staged hunt scenes. Even on Tracks Across Africa you will occasionally note the cameraman crouched behind the downed game filming the PH, with hunter in tow, carefully approaching the animal to ensure it’s kaput. I can appreciate the need for some recreation, but in the case of hunting programs most of us are looking foremost for a documentary approach.

7) Don’t be afraid of failure. We all look forward to the successful conclusion of the hunt, including that perfectly placed one-round kill shot. But too often it’s apparent that there was more to the hunt than that. Recently I saw a hunt on TV where the client took the shot, the camera panned to the downed animal, and then the PH and client hugged and made their approach – only, as the client was walking towards his animal he was loading no less than four new rounds into his bolt-action. Huh? What happened that we didn’t see? We can learn as much from the less-than-successful hunts/shots as we can the perfect ones.

8) Do be afraid of predictability. It’s inevitable, but shows like TAA can become ‘formulaic’ after a couple of years, and in the process lose their audience. Consider a few more plains game hunts and fewer buffalo and elephant hunts. As much as I prefer dangerous game, watching basically the same hunt only with different faces each week creates an unwanted sense of déjà vu. And who says you have to document a hunt every episode? How about the occasional tutorial on elements of safari, perhaps using ‘B’ roll and previous hunt footage? Shake things up, be a little creative, and employ Ivan as an instructor to the rest of us.

If we, the consumers of these programs, don't voice our thoughts, concerns, and recommendations, then we have only ourselves to blame when our favorite programs go off the air - or worse change into unwatchable palaver. I’ve undoubtedly left some things out, but knowing the members of AR, that will quickly be remedied. Thanks again to the guys at TAA for bringing us a great show, best of luck to Ivan Carter in his new role, and thanks to Craig for his years of making Tracks Across Africa the best show of its kind. You'll be missed.

Very well said Kim.

At the end of the day, make the show as a HUNTING show.

Not a Hollywood show.

I personally enjoy Boddington's and TAA.

I most definitely NOT enjoy many of the silly shows they have on the Outdoor Channel.

I have not managed to force myself to sit and watch that chanel for a full hour, as I planned to do once. Because I wanted to time the actual show and the actual adverts - the worst part of which is "ONLY ON THE OUTDOOR CHANNEL" repeated endlessly.

Of course, "the high-fiving and cheerleader screams" are a definite turn off for me.

Kim,

I think that was an excellent critique! It highlighted the good points of the show as well as the areas that need some improvement to keep it fresh and interesting.

It's nice to see someone take a positive approach for a change.

All very good points but I doubt the producers really care what you think. The only thing they really care about is if the show makes money. I suspect maybe the majority of viewers are not experienced hunters or shooters and swallow a lot of the hype hook, line and sinker.

Used to love that show. No more. Who in his right mind would choose a Ruger over a Dakota? And a Hornday soft over an A Frame? A Trijicon over a high-end Leupy? And stickers on gun stocks?

No, thanks.

Latest Hornady softs are pretty damn good!!

Kim: Thank you for taking the time to post such a thoughtful critique.
Grumulkin: Even the greediest producer realizes that if the show loses viewership, he's losing money.

In my opinion another thing that could possibly be shown, especially since I see so many men take their wives on safari with them, is how the different safari companies prepare the food served on safari and also a little more detail as to the accomodations. Since I was involved in our family restaurant for so many years it would interest me how meals are prepared and possibly some of the recipes used. The chefs on safari in remote areas cook in some of most interesting kitchens I have ever seen. When I do go to Africa I will try to check out the kitchens and hopefully pick up some ideas.

Excellent post!

And I agree "Tracks" and "Boddington" are the best.

Music!
On TAA the jungle drums are good, but on most other shows it is some raging rock music that is just irritating.

Mark

The show should be about the whole experience of the hunt. The ads get a little over the top.
Lately I've really enjoyed Shockey's The Professionals because it typically shows how the hunt was done warts and all.
BTW one of the reasons I have enjoyed Saeed's DVDs over the years is because he shows a lot of the other flora and fauna in Africa which contributes so much to the experience of safari.

Guys...I usually stay out of these posts because it opens me up to get hammered, but I think I would like to say a few things here. First...I think you make a lot of excellent points and ones producers should take note of...

In 2012, we are probably going to have roughly 35-40% of our episodes of Nosler's Magnum TV from Africa...We want to tell a story and show quality hunting as best we can. As part of that story, we try to show a little of the travel/culture, show the camps we are in to give folks more of a feel for the place we are and a bit of info on the location. Obviously these are secondary to the hunting. Those are our goals.

In points one and two of the original post concerning sponsors: Please take a few things into consideration- if shows don't have sponsors, they are not on the air; period. This may not be what everyone wants to see, but unless a show's producer is just filthy rich and is doing the show just to be on TV and feed his ego, sponsors are part of production, and they must be taken care of. You may not want to see Hornady on the side of a gun, but would you rather watch the show and see the sticker, or the show not exist and miss out on all the great action the guys at TAA bring you? It is a trade off for everyone.

We do take care of our sponsors on our shows, but against one of the original points, we strive for a "classy" soft sell. Yes, there may be a closeup on a scope showing the brand name, or my bino strap may have a Nikon logo on the back, but we rarely sit down and take hunting time to talk about a sponsors product. We would rather show it in use and show it working well in the field than shouting its Laurels. We might talk about the performance of a Nosler bullet, but that would be in a case where it indeed did perform and was pertinent to the context. I know I said something about a Nosler solid after I shot a buff with Buzz, but that was because the buff literally dropped on the spot. It wasn't staged or reinacted, that was my true response...In short, we would rather show the product or brand them with logos rather than talking a lot about them for the sake of talking about them (because viewers always complain that hunting shows have too much commercial time and hard sells taking away from the hunt).

I also think that as long as shows use products that work and work well, the producers shouldn't be judged. NOw shows that will use anything coming and going as long as they get paid sponsor $ it bad, but if you only agree to use quality products - what's the problem?

The main point I want to make is that sponsors are absolutely essential or there will be no hunting television- like it or not. Secondly, there are tasteful ways to promote sponsors that don't just shove them down your throat...

OK - so now go on and hammer me

Well said Tim!

Good post Tim. Good shows as well.

Cheers,

Todd

KPete is right on...

I would like to add one more thing to the list if I may and that is do not forget that most of the guys/gals interested in Africa and not JUST interested in the hunting alone. We buy books out the yin yang about the history of the continent and the history of it's people, including PH's. If it's possible to spice up a show with some of this information I think it would nicely balance out the talk-stalk-whisper-shoot-photo-op scenarios. An example... there was a recent DVD offered and the hunter hunted with Ronnie Blackbeard. As I watched it my mouth was watering for the segment where Ronnie was interviewed and we got to hear history from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Nada, zip, zilch...I couldn't believe it. The Blackbeards have a very long history in Africa and to pass up an opportunity to interview Ronnie (who I wasn't even aware was still actively Ph-ing) was very surprising and disappointing. Hell, the interview could have been the whole DVD and I would have enjoyed it as much. The point: When you have an opportunity such as that, don't let it pass.

There was a recent post showing Peter Hankin's grave. If a hunt takes place anywhere near that, it would make another great segment to give a small bit of history on who he was and his story. I think consumers of Africa-specific hunting shows are out of the norm as compared to the tree-stand whitetail hunting whack-em/stack-em shows and to cater a little more to the esoteric nature of Africa and it's history would be welcome.

On another note: I do not subscribe to any cable TV and I wish TAA or UNder Wild Skies would offer online viewing of full episodes. I would be happy to pay a nominal amount to either/both of these organizations to watch the full shows. Think about it, money from my pocket, straight to yours, no Outdoor Channel middleman. The episodes I have caught have been via friends DVR's but I'd like to watch more. It would also be an excellent opportunity to show 'B' roll footage as KPete mentioned: goofs, gaffs, misses and additional information would make a great vehicle for keeping viewers on the site and your advertisers logos in front of them. I am available for video editing... :-)

Kim and AR Family
Well said Kim, as are most of your AR post's. For one, anyone who knows any of my staff at Safari Classics Productions is aware that we DO CARE what our audience likes, as well as things they do not like. And we respond to the market as best we can.
The sponsor thing has been beaten like a rented mule, and as Tim and so many others explained before, is the reality in the "pay to play" world of outdoor TV. There will be no more gun stickers, although I found it funny we got such an outcry on ONE EPISODE when the TC sticker is on every gun, on every episode, on a ton of competing programs and has been for years ?
Oh well..
I am just home from Australia and Alaska filming and will jump back on this as time allows after the mad game of catch up. But my quick message is we do care, listen, and respond when convinced there is a better way to skin the cat. Our change to Ivan as our host, combined with his skill and commitment of time dedicated to actual show production will give Tracks a very much needed facelift and influx of enthusiasm which I believe our audience will find refreshing.
As always, thanks for the comments, and for watching. 2012 is going to bring great and exciting change !

quote:

And we respond to the market as best we can. The sponsor thing has been beaten like a rented mule, and as Tim and so many others explained before, is the reality in the "pay to play" world of outdoor TV. There will be no more gun stickers, although I found it funny we got such an outcry on ONE EPISODE when the TC sticker is on every gun, on every episode, on a ton of competing programs and has been for years ?
Oh well..

Is it possible not many here watch competing programs? I have watched as least some of most of the programs out there and, because of a bunch of stupid hype no longer watch most of them. The ones I watch are:

1. Tracks Across Africa. I would like that one better if you got rid of the narrator that says "Safari has been called the last great adventure..." I have learned to fast forward through the junk though.

2. Expedition Safari.

3. Jim Shockey's show though I no longer watch anything to do with Whitetail Deer hunting. He has quite a bit of hype but then I like T/C products and have learned to fast forward through the junk there as well.

4. Dangerous Game is OK except there is no "NEW" indicator so if I set my DVR to pick up the new shows, it gets filled up with a bunch of old ones quickly.

quote:

I found it funny we got such an outcry on ONE EPISODE when the TC sticker is on every gun, on every episode, on a ton of competing programs and has been for years ?

I think that should let you know that the consumers of the show are not the average viewer and demand a little more than stickers on every gun. If the consumers of the other shows really cared about a) the show and b) not being beaten over the head with silly advertising, they would let the producers know. Here, folks have an opportunity to do so and are taking advantage of the situation.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
For one, anyone who knows any of my staff at Safari Classics Productions is aware that we DO CARE what our audience likes, as well as things they do not like. And we respond to the market as best we can.

It's because you care (hell, wearing your heart on your sleeve has become your signature fashion statement) that I bothered to write my suggestions in the first place. The fact is, we don't hear from the producers of Dangerous Game or Under Wild Skies, but we can always count on you interacting with your friends (and occasionally foes) on AR. That says a lot about you, Dave, and about the Safari Classics Productions team, too. And I believe that you'll listen to your audience and make changes.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
The sponsor thing has been beaten like a rented mule, and as Tim and so many others explained before, is the reality in the "pay to play" world of outdoor TV. There will be no more gun stickers, although I found it funny we got such an outcry on ONE EPISODE when the TC sticker is on every gun, on every episode, on a ton of competing programs and has been for years? Oh well...

Come on, Dave, you know why you get the brickbats and Shockey & Co. don't: We expect more from you guys. I'd wager that Shockey and Dangerous Game and Under Wild Skies have production budgets far exceeding yours, yet for all their flash and glitz, it's Tracks Across Africa that everyone cares about. You guys get bashed because we don't want you to fail - and you're our friends. I wouldn't care if those other programs dropped off the air; but should TAA fall by the wayside, I'd be upset. And so would a lot of others.

That said, Dave, we're all looking forward to a new and improved Tracks Across Africa in 2012.

And thanks for listening.

Oh, one last thing, Dave, could you settle a domestic squabble?

Having watched your program all these many years, the wife and I couldn't help but notice the same hyena call and fish eagle squawk greeting your departing hunters every morning of every hunt.

Now, I'm convinced you keep both of them caged in the back of the videographer's truck and before filming someone gives one or the other's cage a swift kick in order to achieve the right atmospherics. Claudia, on the other hand, is a real cynic and thinks it's all an editing trick.

Which of us is right?

No one dislikes repetitive commercials more than I. Normally, I'll hit the mute button during the entire ad; unless it's a product or item I want to listen to. Like most of us, I get irk'ed when I see 9 minutes of hunting and 21 minutes of commercials. However, having been in wholesale and the retail end of our sporting hobbies, I can tell you it's numbing what sponsors have to pay to get a 30 minute time slot, not counting airfare, cameramen, travel expenses (food/loging) for staff, editing and production costs. It's truly staggering. Some shows have merit while others are so ridiculous, it proves money CAN buy anything...well, just about. We all love what we love and dislike what we hate. The fact that we can enjoy anything on television, especially from another country is amazing. We truly are a blessed nation..I think

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
KPete is right on...

I would like to add one more thing to the list if I may and that is do not forget that most of the guys/gals interested in Africa and not JUST interested in the hunting alone. We buy books out the yin yang about the history of the continent and the history of it's people, including PH's. If it's possible to spice up a show with some of this information I think it would nicely balance out the talk-stalk-whisper-shoot-photo-op scenarios. An example... there was a recent DVD offered and the hunter hunted with Ronnie Blackbeard. As I watched it my mouth was watering for the segment where Ronnie was interviewed and we got to hear history from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Nada, zip, zilch...I couldn't believe it. The Blackbeards have a very long history in Africa and to pass up an opportunity to interview Ronnie (who I wasn't even aware was still actively Ph-ing) was very surprising and disappointing. Hell, the interview could have been the whole DVD and I would have enjoyed it as much. The point: When you have an opportunity such as that, don't let it pass.

There was a recent post showing Peter Hankin's grave. If a hunt takes place anywhere near that, it would make another great segment to give a small bit of history on who he was and his story. I think consumers of Africa-specific hunting shows are out of the norm as compared to the tree-stand whitetail hunting whack-em/stack-em shows and to cater a little more to the esoteric nature of Africa and it's history would be welcome.

On another note: I do not subscribe to any cable TV and I wish TAA or UNder Wild Skies would offer online viewing of full episodes. I would be happy to pay a nominal amount to either/both of these organizations to watch the full shows. Think about it, money from my pocket, straight to yours, no Outdoor Channel middleman. The episodes I have caught have been via friends DVR's but I'd like to watch more. It would also be an excellent opportunity to show 'B' roll footage as KPete mentioned: goofs, gaffs, misses and additional information would make a great vehicle for keeping viewers on the site and your advertisers logos in front of them. I am available for video editing... :-)

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
The sponsor thing has been beaten like a rented mule, and as Tim and so many others explained before, is the reality in the "pay to play" world of outdoor TV.

Dave I'm just worried at the rate that you boys are going through optics sponsors Swarovski....Leica....Ziess that I'm going to turn on the TV one day to see TAA brought to you by Tasco!!!! Perish the thought!!!

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
The sponsor thing has been beaten like a rented mule, and as Tim and so many others explained before, is the reality in the "pay to play" world of outdoor TV.

Dave I'm just worried at the rate that you boys are going through optics sponsors Swarovski....Leica....Ziess that I'm going to turn on the TV one day to see TAA brought to you by Tasco!!!! Perish the thought!!!

Brett

Brett
I'm hoping/guessing that you understand that Tasco could be the sponsor if they outbid the others?

The sponsors are not chosen based on the quality of their product. They are chosen based on the size of their bid. Who had considered putting a Trijicon on their safari rifle before they started sponsoring the hunting shows?

And I may be reading something wrong, but it sounds like the hunting shows(TAA, Dangerous Game, etc.) have to pay the networks(Versus, ESPN, the Outdoor Chanel, etc.) to air them. Kinda like an infomercial. I could be wrong on this.

Stop helping the slimy used car salesmen!

Kim, your OP is spot-on. Thanks for taking the time to express what many others must have been thinking - I know I was.

I think that TAA is the best, but remaining the best in any enterprise requires willingness to adjust - being nimble, as it were.

I would encourage the producers to look beyond 'traditional' sponsors.

What does Tide detergent have to do with auto racing?
Nothing, but they sure seem to dump some money into NASCAR.

And they never made Darrell Waltrip do his laundry during a pit stop.

quote:

What does Tide detergent have to do with auto racing?

You are spot-on...There was a motocross racer named Jeff Glass and when none of the usual suspect sponsors would give him the time of day, he approached Lever Brothers (this about 1985) and got sponsored with them touting Surf detergent, he was the first guy to do something like this on his own. HUnting is different but hell, you gotta think outside the box. Filson would be a good one, "This episode of Tracks Across Africa brought to you by Filson. Filson, MIght as well have the best." That works... I need to stop giving away all my fantastic ideas.....;-)

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:
Brett
I'm hoping/guessing that you understand that Tasco could be the sponsor if they outbid the others?

The sponsors are not chosen based on the quality of their product. They are chosen based on the size of their bid. Who had considered putting a Trijicon on their safari rifle before they started sponsoring the hunting shows?

And I may be reading something wrong, but it sounds like the hunting shows(TAA, Dangerous Game, etc.) have to pay the networks(Versus, ESPN, the Outdoor Chanel, etc.) to air them. Kinda like an infomercial. I could be wrong on this.

All in fun Jason! Just giving Dave a hard time!

Brett

Brett
Maybe my tone was wrong. I just meant that they have to go with the highest bidder. I'm not try to knock you.

I just wish that these shows could be fully authentic.

I don't think anyone has a problem with 9 minutes of sponsor's commercials and 21 minutes of show in a 30 minute block.

The beef people have is when the sponsor advertising seems to keep on going during the 21 minutes of show...

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
HUnting is different but hell, you gotta think outside the box.

It might be worthwhile to try and think about getting in a little bigger box...

Discovery channel is doing two different gun themed shows now. And the History channel's highest rated show is about gator hunters in Louisiana.

It might be worth your while to put together a few "episodes" that fill a 1 hour timeslot and see if you can crossover to a bigger audience.

.