Not Impressed With AK Outdoor TV Show

[Sockeye Salm]

Well I just watched the show tonight and I have had enough of the praise they have been receiving here on ODD. I'm going to speak out with the negative view. I'm going to try and keep this post civil so as not to get deleted, but there is always two sides to a discussion. I think that they have shown several shows that they refuse to reveal the destination. I understand the reasoning behind this but i don't agree with showing a bunch of buffed out guys doing a hunt that the average Alaskan couldn't do or afford in the first place, and then keep the destination a secret.

I would much rather watch a show like Larry's, Audrey's and Smokey Joe's any day. I apologize to those that don't agree, but lets hear your rebuttal. Bring it on.

 

[T11R17]

I Love North to Alaska, I think its a great show

 

[Vance in AK]

Didn't watch today's show, but have seen pieces of a few others. I guess I'd say it's better than most of what's on the Outdoor Channel.
Don't know the fellow you are insulting & calling unethical. And I'm sure you are right, there probably are 2 sides to the discussion.
As for revealing destinations on public land, I don't expect any hunting show to do that.

 

[gusuk1]

Better alaskans

Better alaskans

then guy's from from Ohio (miami)have done a couple shows for larry and even saved his A-- for another guide,only to get slapped in the face in my own back yard with some guide comeing during the peak of fishing from california.did only one other hunt on film to were we did not restage any part of it like with larry, and was happy,tim and his crew are welcomed by the campfire here.

 

[BRWNBR]

win some loose some....
some will be happy some won't....bottom line becomes favoring the lesser of the two evils.
I haven't seen the show and probably won't, i have a hard time watching alaska hunting of fishing on tv with out crituiqing (sp) everything they do. as for not showing where they are...DUH.
I think its fine that you don't favor the show and i think its fine you've expressed your views in here, thats what we all do. Another viewpoint on any subject i belive is always necessary.
if you want to see some more good stuff check out www.greatlandproductions.com for some awesome alaska hunting videos, they don't tell you where they are though....lol

 

[akrstabout]

I think they are pretty good, but....

I think they are pretty good, but....

I would have to watch the shows again to remember what I had seen. But it seems like there are a few episodes where they broke the law. Probably a lot of people do the same thing. The problem is to broadcast it for the general puplic. Granted everyone should know the laws though. One is king fishing. I know somewhere in the regs it says you cannot remove a king salmon from the water that is not gonna be kept. Even to remove the hook they are to be kept in the water. Might be only for a certain area, have not looked it up. Another is I belive they were hunting with bow. The guy had the lighted knocks=illegal from what I get from the law, it is artificial light. Seems like some other stuff I have seen, just can't remember.

As far as locations. I am surprised at the info they have given out! Even shown the GPS screen while hunting on the boat! Otherwise a pretty good show. I could be wrong about the things I think are illegal too.....

 

[Vance in AK]

if you want to see some more good stuff check out www.greatlandproductions.com for some awesome alaska hunting videos, they don't tell you where they are though....lol

Jake, I agree on the Greatlands Production stuff. Top shelf, & the wife even enjoys them. Just picked up "Big into Bears" at Wiggy's when I was in ANC, & while it was good, I didn't enjoy it as much as the others I have. It was more of a "whackem-n-stackem" kind a video than the others.

Akrstabout, I may be wrong but I think the illuminocks are OK. They aren't producing light until they are shot & the light doesn't aid in the shooting of the game. Kind of like using a flashlight to bloodtrail a wounded animal.

 

[Justin]

At least they are trying.

At least they are trying.

I watched todays show, saw it before. I give them props for producing & airing a show. Takes a lot! U can not please everyone that is for certain.
The two things that stuck out for me in this show was crossing a stream in glacier socks you could have hopped over & the fact they said two guides in the area were also hunting in that area. They reported that one had taken 7 legal rams out of that area in one year??? Nice to know it is an "UNLIMTED" resource for that particular guide to exploit. There any self control or did someone fall asleep in Biology class.

 

[J in AK]

Makes ya go, huh?

Makes ya go, huh?

This may be shooting from the hip a bit, and I don't voice my opinion too often, as you'll notice by the post count, but that 7 rams, by one guide got me thinking. I have knowledge of one outfit, taking 15 rams out of 16 hunters this past season. Granted planes are a great thing, but I gotta think logistically speaking, an outfit that size would wanna keep things pretty close.

How many drainages are being completely wiped out? And here I am, just a lowly resident, crossing my fingers for a permit in a week or two...
J

 

[AKMarmot]

a little off the mark

a little off the mark

Did they get their sheep? I would guess not, otherwise they wouldn't be complaining about another guide on a t.v. show. While I understand your point it seems hyprocitical because if they would have got their sheep nothing would have been said, or its a personal thing, neither of which should be on a professional show.
I did see some of the show where one went after the black bear with a bow & it ended up being shot by one of the two guys down below. Maybe it was just the camera angle but seems pretty unsafe to have some one crawling down from above trying to get within bow range & he said he was almost there when the other guy shot it. I sure wouldn't want someone shooting at an animal that I am with in 50 yds of from below me. Not real safe or professional again.
So while I give them credit for trying the show kind of misses. They obviously have the financial resources to do these hunts & possibly have a few sponsors but the end product isn't what I would expect.

 

[chinookee2004]

They do a good job

They do a good job

I saw todays show and I think they do a great job. I have viewed 2-3 of the shows now and I like them. THE MUSIC PORTION OF THE SHOW IS THE WORST AND WISH THEY WOULD TUNE THAT DOWN. Sounds like a Snowmachine video. Anyway, I look forward to seeing some more of the shows.

 

[danattherock]

Bring it on.

Watch Oprah instead. All her book reviews include all the info you need to locate and buy the books yourself and you don't have to be "buff" or wealthy to read self help books


Are you seriously complaining that you have another Alaska outdoor show to watch?

 

[tdelarm]

Well I just watched the show tonight and I have had enough of the praise they have been receiving here on ODD. I'm going to speak out with the negative view. I'm going to try and keep this post civil so as not to get deleted, but there is always two sides to a discussion. I think that they have shown several shows that they refuse to reveal the destination. I understand the reasoning behind this but i don't agree with showing a bunch of buffed out guys doing a hunt that the average Alaskan couldn't do or afford in the first place, and then keep the destination a secret.

I would much rather watch a show like Larry's, Audrey's and Smokey Joe's any day. I apologize to those that don't agree, but lets hear your rebuttal. Bring it on.

I appreciate all feedback pro or con for the show and will do my best to address these comments - the original post was edited so I can only reply to what I see here now.

Fact; not everyone here is going to like the show. Period.

I would be silly mad to think in any one given day of my 27+ years of producing TV that I would please everyone. Not happening. Alaska Outdoors TV (AKODTV) was designed (massaged over a 4 year period) to appeal to broad based outdoor group of enthusiasts; men and women both residents and non-residents alike. AKODTV is entertainment valued-outdoor recreation program meaning its purpose is to entertain and encourage people to become involved with Alaska’s outdoor recreational opportunities. This is not a how to – where to or tell all instructional video for hunting and fishing Alaska.

Sockeye Salm (John),

I think we’d both agree making public on television your special hunting area would not please you. It’s a professional courtesy to those hunting and to avoid impact to the area. Steelhead, Shrimp pot placement or over sensitive outdoor areas same rule applies. Exact locations for certain adventures in some episodes are not made public for these obvious reasons.

Buffed out, I think possibly your reference is to the physical shape Dall sheep hunting requires you to be in which may not be a realistic goal for anyone less than dedicated to physically preparing for this type of hunt. Moose, caribou and Bear hunting can be just as physically demanding especially packing out as I'm sure you know.

You statement is incorrect in reasoning this hunts cost is not within reach of the average Alaskan hunter and I believe you may even suggest Csonka’s adventures are more affordable. Alaska has the highest number of pilots per capita of any state -- six times the number in the Lower 48. That’s a lot of average Alaskan hunters that own planes. Total costs for that sheep hunt - Under $1,000 for plane fuel and food for three not counting hunting clothes, backpacks or other needed personal assets. If you can’t afford that than you certainly can’t afford to stay at any number of the 100’s of lodges Larry has visited and based his adventures out of over the years.

Alaska Outdoors Television was created by Alaskans for Alaskans to profile and showcase self-guided adventures and the Alaskan lifestyle. It’s not produced by an out-of-state million dollar production company nor is it designed to be slick and over acted. This first season we knew there would be kinks to work out and that not everything may go as plan but we decided to take a chance on something new for outdoor programming.

As always I appreciate the comments regardless what side of the fence you sit on. Know that its not often viewers have direct access with the shows producer so I think this can be a great opportunity to create a product many can enjoy.

Here are a few FACTS that may help out;

We refer to law enforcement agencies for regulation guidance and not the internet.

One illegal ram was taken by one of the two guiding outfits that had harvested 7 rams in that area which is why we made mention of the guiding pressure there. This was direct information from a Wild Life Trooper on scene that confiscated the ram and ticketed both the guide and out-of-state hunter. We’re not opposed to professional ethical guiding by any means and in fact support it. Many of our friends are professional guides.

AKODTV produces self-guided programs. This doesn’t mean we don’t on occasion pay for accommodations or borrow a boat or bum a ride but for the most part these adventures are paid for out of our pockets.

We don’t pay professional guides to guide us.

We DON’T barter w/lodges for free lodging or guiding services in trade for promotion in this TV series. This presents the average viewer with an adventure they can participate in and not a free $5,000 adventure package we just happened to get for free.

We do use some anglers/hunters in the show that do or have worked as professional guides. I’m sure some of you may have friends working as a professional guide that you also hunt/fish with.

Actions or judgment calls can be construed as mistakes depending on your take or who you ask. These are self-guided adventures with groups of enthusiasts that have either fished or hunted together for years and feel comfortable in groups. We take every precaution for safety with the goal of projecting a safe adventure environment. That said I’m always learning.

Black Bear episode - the bow hunter distance facts were overstated and misspoken. Unfortunate mistake exaggarated through editing. This was my first episode and a mistake on my part that I take full responsibility for as producer and you can be assured it won’t happen again.

Music – personal taste will always vary in this medium. It’s really a no win situation.

Best,
Tim

 

[Alaskacanoe]

Impressed

Impressed

I am always impressed with folks that have a vision and go for it.
My teenage son and I watched It kept me captivated and very interested,, yes I turned down the music, and he said,.
" Hey what you doing?".. I know that lots of personel taste goes into this kind of Art,, so I was not offended, just not interested in certain types of music,,, so it is ....a matter of taste..
As I watch different outdoor shows on all the different networks, I find that some fit my personality better than others..
One outfit that has always impressed me above all the other shows out there, is the Eastman shows. I used to watch the old mans work 40 years ago, and loved it, even back then it was much more professionally done than most shows now days.. Then what is cool is that Now days The Eastman boys are doing it, and doing a great job too.. they are polite, not showing flexing muscles, No crazy speed up video or weird angles, etc... and very down to earth. They are good about explaining stuff without creative camera work, like all the crazy movements etc that many shows think are the rage.... very stable shooting.. My son enjoys their shows too, and My wife likes them also.. Its only one a few that she will watch with me.. That says alot when you can get an old man like me, a young teenager and a Mom to sit and enjoy a hunting or outdoor show...
she said to me.. that she can't stand it when some dude shoots an animal and then does the " Thank you lord JESUS stuff". You know the all the over the top excitment stuff.. .. with the High Fives.. and all that ..crappin wispering stuff.. Its nicer she says for them to not have any talking during the stalk and Instead have it narrated later rather than the raspy crappy whisper talk.. annoying...
Anyway,, ,, I appreciate that you want to hear from folks.. and We can all do that without being rude..
It says alot about a man that embraces critiques..
Thanks again..
Max

 

[nbajack70]

hey, keep it up. The more alaskan outdoors shows the merrier. There is no place like Alaska, but if shows revealed all the secret spots they wouldn't be much of a secret anymore. I do think you should give a basic area without giving the spot away, but whatever. If it's an entertaining show, thats all that matters.

 

[Justin]

Greed

Greed

Ak Marmot,
They just briefly mentioned it. I focused on it, because my hackles go up when I hear or see that someone else is hunting sheep in the same area someone else is. In my opinion you should never see anyone or find a trace when out sheep hunting. Even more frustrated when I hear how many rams were nabbed. Just flat greed! This is not the first time I have herd of guides doing this, so this is not an isolated thing.
I am glad Tim did some fallow up on here for all of us. I particullary enjoyed the part about the Troopers. I have been passing up on "Barely Legal" sheep for a few years now just to walk in F&G & see the Biologist give a thumbs up on a NR harvested ram that to me is no way legal, as defined in the regs?
It just frustrates me to no end knowing the path that future sheep hunting is heading in this state. I just hope in 8 years when my daughter can take her own sheep she will not have to wait on a permit to do it. Or put on her track shoes to out run everyone else.

 

[Sockeye Salm]

My original post was edited and now this thread has gone in a direction that is not what I had in mind. In defense of Brian though I do understand why he edited my original post. I apologize for that rant Brian. I didn't use anybodies name, but I guess I came too close.

As far as not revealing an exact destination, I completely understand and agree with that. I just like to see somebody say at the end of the show something like "if you would like to do a hunt like this, start here or there with your research". They don't have to give an exact location but simply help a person along with some advise on how to do it and encourage them to try.

 

[AK flyster]

I watched the show last night and IT GOT ME PUMPED for sheep hunting! The images were beautiful and even if they didn't get a sheep, I really enjoyed watching it

Keep it up!

 

[AK-HUNT]

saw the show

saw the show

it was great. keep up the good work!! Varvil is terribly ugly though. Call me if you want to step up in the good looks department. Other than that, if I decide I don't like it one day, I'll just turn off the TV and take my fat butt outside.

 

[tccak71]

I guess I'd say it's better than most of what's on the Outdoor Channel.

I just got the outdoor channel, I love it so far! Guess a guy could get sick of it though.

When is the AK Outdoor show on?

Tim