Looks like new Ray Mears on TV this May

[tobes01]

Just stumbled across these two:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_(TV_series)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Wi...=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1269937104&sr=8-15

Looks like Ray's going to be on the box again soon

There's also his new books coming in September:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1444711393/ref=pd_luc_sbs_03_01

 

[Robin of Nottingham]

That's some good detective work!

 

[Nat]

The books have been on pre-order on Amazon for a couple of weeks now (saw a link somewhere could of been on here), not heard anything about the show

 

[tobes01]

That's some good detective work!

I think that would come under the heading of "stalking" if I'd set out to find it - was actually searching Amazon for a book for a mate's birthday when I spotted the DVD...

 

[Celt_Ginger]

Is this the wildlife show as opposed to bushcraft type that has been talked about?

 

[dave53]

hi all does anyone know what date in may please
regards dave

 

[durulz]

Is this the wildlife show as opposed to bushcraft type that has been talked about?

Hope so. That would be good.
I've found Ray's last few series (with the exception of Wild Food) to be...well...boring.
Just hope he stays well clear of Australia and Africa - nothing against those countries, but Ray has laboured the point a bit too much now.
I suppose I want to see something relevant to me and where I live. Truth is, I'm no longer excited by Ray. Maybe I'm at fault, maybe he's at fault. Either way, it's not working for me. But I still find myself wanting to look forward to his programmes. But I just feel let down by them.

 

[tobes01]

I know what you mean, I've enjoyed the last few series but have struggled with their relevance. He wasn't as well known when he made the early survival series, and I think it's time he revisited some basics: 30 minute episodes focusing on bushcraft basics - fire, water, shelter, food etc. Stuff that you can watch on TV on Wednesday and be out in the woods copying it on Saturday.

 

[slammer187]

Hope so. That would be good.
I've found Ray's last few series (with the exception of Wild Food) to be...well...boring.
Just hope he stays well clear of Australia and Africa - nothing against those countries, but Ray has laboured the point a bit too much now.
I suppose I want to see something relevant to me and where I live. Truth is, I'm no longer excited by Ray. Maybe I'm at fault, maybe he's at fault. Either way, it's not working for me. But I still find myself wanting to look forward to his programmes. But I just feel let down by them.

I have to agree with you there
From Wild food onwards I think his programs have gone down hill a bit, but I think he prefers learning about explorers and the sort as opposed to going out and practicing Bushcraft!
I loved all of the Bushcrafty scenes in Northern Wilderness but it got a bit boring when he was looking at old records and stuff!
He should stay in temperate environments like he did in season 2 of Bushcraft and and most of season 3 in Extreme Survival IMO they were his best programs!

 

[khimbar]

His latest series' have just been nice travelogues and free holidays for him. I've almost given up watching them. Almost.

 

[Grey Owl]

Although I did enjoy some of the earlier series a great deal, I did appreciate the way he portrayed the history and landscape of my country in Northern Wilderness. And if he inspired even a few Canadians to get outdoors, to explore their land and to be a little prouder of our history, then he did a fantastic job.

 

[JonathanD]

Nothing bushcrafty about this new ITV series. He does touch upon some tracking but that's about it

 

[Tengu]

Ah well.

But perhaps thats a better niche for him. I prefered his hitory stuff to bushcraft, which was a little flat.

 

[Alexlebrit]

The wiki article refers to a Guardian piece from April 2009 HERE.

"The three new programmes, to be called Survival with Ray Mears, will feature the tracker using his wildlife knowledge and field craft skills to follow three predators - bears, leopards and the grey wolf. It will be his first series for ITV."

So that'll be Canada, Africa and Russia?

From what I've read Ray Mears got into bushcrafting through reading, largely stories of the pioneers, so I can see why his series have featured the history of a particular area. He's always very keen to highlight the ways of the past, whether they be European settlers or indigenous peoples.

 

[locum76]

It'd be good if he included a female perspective this time.

 

[Tengu]

yes, he will track a Lioness.

(Unfortunatley shes very sleepy that day and wont make good TV)

 

[wattsy]

could do the wolves in belarus they're supposed to be huge there

 

[JDO330]

Personally, I cant wait for the TV series to air. Just wish I knew when...

Appreciate what some have said above about his stuff being boring now, but to me its always enjoyable to watch and makes a pleasant change to some of the rubbish on TV now days.

Im not clear what the book is? Is it a book based on the new series or something else?

ATB, Jon.

 

[JonathanD]

There are two books, both manuals. Tracking and attracting animals, and a bushcraft skills version.

 

[JonathanD]

There was a thread on here a couple of months back about them:

MANUAL V1Product Description
Ray Mears' field craft skills have been acquired through working alongside many of the remaining hunter-gatherer communities of the world today. In this handbook he shares the knowledge gained through thirty years of study and invites you to use all your senses to appreciate the natural world in a new way.

How to identify animals by their tracks and to follow them

How to find animals in different weather conditions and at different seasons

How to imitate animal calls

What to wear, what kit to use

'These skills have had a profound impact on me, they have changed my feeling for nature. Developing an eye for wildlife similar to that of our prehistoric ancestors brings the joy of many close encounters with otherwise shy secretive creatures. But beyond even this it develops a deep sense of respect and connectedness with the world of nature and our beautiful planet.' - Ray Mears


MANUAL V2 Product Description
Review
Product Description
Ray draws together his well-practised carving skills in this handbook. He teaches basic techniques including safety and choosing your tools, step-by-step instructions on how to carve, from a simple spoon to weighty canoe paddle. It is illustrated with Ray's photos and designs to copy.

How to choose the appropriate wood for the job

How to use different tools - straight knife, crooked knife, axe, saw, hand-drill

How to decorate your carvings

How to preserve your carvings

'When I carve I feel a kinship with the forest. Carving is an earth skill which comes into its own when you make a journey. Native people have a saying that I have long embraced: "do much with little".' - Ray Mears