It really is not about the cost of equipment, it's all about the talent needed to use it. You can outfit yourself with awesome equipment now days for under 10k but if you don’t know how to shoot, might as well stay home...

I know all about running through the woods with an ENG camera. I had plenty of that in my Combat Camera days. Today’s smaller camera systems with good glass smaller longer lasting batteries is all you need, if you know how to use it!

We are now in a transition in camera systems in the woods. I love the new Cinema style you get with the DSLR systems Heartland Bowhunters are the first to use this system, and it really has help evolve the production values. Won’t be long and it will be 4K... BlackMagic Design has a new camera coming out for $4,000 in July...

It's a young mans game, I'm 48 now, and it beats me up to much. My old bones don’t like to hump the hills with 40lbs of equipment anymore... When I return back to the States, I will be sticking to Turkeys...

Jeff we did have some good times with Livin It Outdoors. The radio show was my favorite also…

thats about the age I stopped at too, 48. Way to much for a 51 year old thats for sure. I always tell people wanting to do it..that it is a younger mans game.

I know there are some great systems and rigs out there for alot less money these days. But when the cameras evolved and people could do it without the big layout for equipment that is when there became more, and more,..and even MORE shows,..diluting the market.

And I definitely like less weight..its just that there are many shows out there running very cheap HD cams...with NO skill in using it at all. Heck..some dont even use tripods or camera arms..and even watching their shows..you feel you need a dramamine pill so you dont get motion sickness!
So I assume you and Jeff worked together on the show Living it Outdoors!
Glad you guys at least got to experience it. It can be alot of fun, thats for sure...especially when you are younger.

Are you overseas serving right now? If you are thanks for your service buddy!

We have a show on the Sportsman Channel currently, and everything that's been said is spot on. Tough, tough business nowadays for sure.

This was my point. Any schlub can go to Best Buy or online, buy an HD camera with gizmos and bells, put some camo tape on it and buy cheap airtime on one of the outdoor networks. But the filming may be bad, production may be bad, Mumbling Bob whispers or is half-obscured by glare from the "cool" campfire or sunspots, and the show sucks. But the hosts' family and friends will tell them it's great, super, 'real' and the cycle continues. Kinda like a hamster wheel.

Ive always said the two jobs that "look" fun but arent and I never would want to do it is running an outdoor show and a charter captain. Too much pressure to deliver big EVERY TIME.

Mine were Outdoor TV and Porn.... My wife would not let me do the later.... LOL!!

Double Thumbs Up!!

I serve those who serve... 24 years Television Production as a Soldier and Civil Service with the Army, retirement is real close!!

My goal after retirement is to produce Outdoor product commericals... Its a tough market also, but something I've always wanted to do...

How long have you been airing? the first two seasons are always the toughest now for new shows...after that if you show you have longetivity in the market..it gets ALOT easier. Believe me. Stick with it if you can. Lay the best footage you can and increase your production values as much as possible and it gets easier.

One thing I tell shows is to put together the BEST graphics package and opener you can. That is a HUGE part that they look for.
I put it like this..you have to catch people attention in the FIRST 30 seconds...then youve got to HOLD it for the NEXT 30 minutes. Your first impression..or beginning is the most important.

actaully ..those are called "flash in the pan " shows. No airtime is cheap...so if they cant get sponsors..it CONSUMES them financially. Just EATS them up. Like I said,..Ive seen shows like that where they cant afford the contract..get second mortgages..and end up losing their houses..even end up in divorce..just for their 15 minutes of fame.IT IS INSANITY!
Why risk your family and home? Those shows ALL crash and burn.

Yeah Scott we had some good times. Miss you man.

add outfitting to your list! Its as tough as both of them too.

Outfitting actually gave me a bleeding ulcer..in my darn early thirties even!

If you paid me to get you a game animal..I took it seriously and personally. At the end I was drinking a bottle of pepso bismol..A DAY from the stress.
I felt I HAD to get you game..and would do everything zi could to make sure I did.
If I didnt..I let them come back the next year for free.

as you saw in the links to my one show..we ran a full outdoor tv production company. We produced over 30 outdoor TV commercials for companies. It is tough too..but not as tough as producing hunting TV shows.

I think with your background actually that you will find it ALOT easier then most..as outdoor TV companies..LOVE VETERANS and soldiers!

I tell people you have to have a "hook",..something different then the rest. I would definitely highlight your military experience and formal training..as I went to school for it too..most do not. Any REAL training in it puts you at a higher level then most.

I used that for a "hook" as well.

Though to be honest I found that my real "hook" for getting backing was my attractive wife. She had the wholesome outdoorsy blond look they liked.

The industry really tries to get females and kids involved. That is why our first show went so well..and got us established.

They knew us from filming..my wife often travelled with me when I filmed and cooked for the guys. Our son traveled with us too. My first show was a family show back in 1999 and the early 2000s. There were only a few with woman hunting and fishing back then. Now it has become normal.

It was alot easier to get sponsors to talk to us when there was a very beautiful blond girl coming to their booth.

I remember at the shot show in Vegas or Orlando one year..we went to MDM Muzzleloaders booth. They were already talking to two guys right here from Alabama..Tony Nafe and Keith Davis..from "Gone Hunting"..(Im proud to say Tony is a friend of mine..a great guy..with good values and a good show, as well as a degree in TV production)and a few other shows were milling around waiting to approach them.

They saw my wife and I went straight to the front of the line!
I took advantage of it too. Signed them up immediately..and even made their commercial as well that ran on our show. They stuck with us the whole time..even sponsoring my last show in 2008 to 2010..as the title sponsor.

They also signed with tony and keith too..so it worked out for all of us.

I know how you feel there buddy..thats the hardest part..you REALLY miss your pro team members and the friends you made. I still keep in touch and weve all gone turkey hunting, mulie hunting and whitetail hunting in other states after...minus the cameras.

Dang ...dont make me remember how fun it was..it was the MAIN reaqson I did it so long. Great friendships and fantastic times!

The honest reason I did so well in outdoor TV. And the love of my like. In our 24 years together..we sure have done alot!

This is the year she made history as the first woman world champion. Shes the blond one.

http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/outdoo...?sort=3&o=3

heck of a woman, wife, mother, business partner and best friend. My life wouldnt have been what it is without her.

Shes a great shot too and a great athlete. still just as pretty and in great shape.

Heres she is these days..still as pretty as ever!

http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/outdoo...sort=3&o=33

This is first year with our own show, worked on some others before. Response has been great, ratings are great so can't complain on that end. We have niche and it was the first ever show of its kind, which is both good and bad. Good because it's original and caught the ratings and people tired of the same old, but bad because you don't have access to the the same sponsors in an already way saturated market. For the most part nowadays hunting shows are a large company that has a show, or a rich guy who wants his own. If you have enough money to blow, anybody can get in the game. Unfortunately we had neither, but still managed to scratch it together. Will we do it again? Don't know, working on something else that will be bigger. More headache and time then you could ever imagine.

you can check out a little at www.ironmanbowfishing.com

You got that right brother.... Won't be long now and we will be knocking back some cold coke colas!!