Ray Mears

[BorderReiver]

No TV so haven't seen it.

RM's biggest problem is that he has become "Mr Bushcraft", which of course has done him no harm at all.

BUT, he is a skilled communicator and broadcaster who has made a damn fine living out of exploiting his favourite hobby; there is no reason at all why he should not use his media skills to go in other directions.

His fan base will just have to grow up and realise that he is not a one dimensional bushcraft god but a human being with many facets to his life.

 

[jonajuna]

i find the "anti rays" to be no more irritating than the "ray mears is my god i want to have his children" brigade

i have never met the man, but i have spoken with people who have and they rate him as a tad arrogant and not "that" knowledgeable, maybe this programme is showing through his lack of the "all round" knowledge it takes to call yourself an expert in your field.

i like bear

ps, im a specialist in my field, but never claim to be an expert, just sooo much to learn and life is far too short

 

[Mahikan]

care to cite examples?
all this criticism is a bit of a joke to be honest all i'm seeing is a load of people bitter at a bloke who's got a more enjoyable job than them so when one of his successful ty programs come on they pan it.
you moan that there's not enough detail on the programs without thinking 'hang on, maybe not everyone watching this is an avid bushcrafter, perhaps they don't know as much as we do'.
i happened to enjoy it its a new take on wildlife programs imo combining modern radio tracking methods with traditional methods of picking up spoor. its not all out bushcraft no, but if anyone else thinks they could track leopards better feel free to crack on and make a video

rant over

Hmm I believe I was discussing his book and said nothing about there not being enough detail. I also believe I mentioned how very much I do enjoy his shows when he is in an area where he has a lot of knowledge, not sure how that makes me bitter, but ok.

As for specifics, I already though my rant was too long and didn't think it was appropriate but if you really want them let me know.

I'm not sure why you may assume he has a more enjoyable job than me but I hardly think that is a reason I'd go on a rant, but ok to that to I guess.

 

[Klenchblaize]

He is a skilled communicator and broadcaster who has made a damn fine living out of exploiting his favourite hobby; there is no reason at all why he should not use his media skills to go in other directions.

Couldn't agree more and I for one would love to see his Ambassadorial skills widen still further to encompass sporting rifle. I can though understand why his PR Department may not be quite so keen!

We know that he loves stalking and has been linked with the British Deer Society DVD dealing with carcass preparation so perhaps there is hope for those who recognise that hunting with a rifle could benefit from a passionate and respected champion such as RM.

Maybe he'll even change his mind about attending one of the British Sporting Rifle Club matches as my guest!

Cheers

 

[Rebirth]

It would of been waaaaaay better if it was presented by Bear Grylls.

 

[John Fenna]

It would of been waaaaaay better if it was presented by Bear Grylls.

okenest:

 

[Andy2112]

It would of been waaaaaay better if it was presented by Bear Grylls.

Get back to you barrel in the field, nothing to see here, lol

okenest:

 

[Rebirth]

Damn, will have to try different bait next time

 

[Andy2112]

Damn, will have to try different bait next time

Lol, you know it's coming

 

[rik_uk3]

It would of been waaaaaay better if it was presented by Bear Grylls.

Naaa, he'd be off licking up Leopard pee and eating trap bait, not nice when I'm sitting down for me Sunday night fish paste sandwiches and mug of coco

 

[poddle]

I think he is well out of his comfort zone with this one, and the further away he gets from traditional Bushcraft skills, the more evident this becomes.

I like Ray and have a lot of time for him, and have watched a lot or most of his stuff.
I think he has been a huge inspiration for many on this site and did a huge amount for BC generally.

I think he is genuine and sincere, and wish him the best, although he is no new David Attenbrough.

There are a lot worse pretenders around than Ray. Would you rather it was presented by Graham Norton, Dale Winton, or Paul O'grady?



There's a lot worse out there to watch, so I aint gonna moan.

We are better off with him than without him, that's for sure

 

[Andy2112]

I think he is well out of his comfort zone with this one, and the further away he gets from traditional Bushcraft skills, the more evident this becomes.

I think he is genuine and sincere, and wish him the best, although he is no new David Attenbrough.


We are better off with him than without him, that's for sure

I don't agree, surely tracking comes under the bushcraft banner ? Don't forget he spent a lot of time with the Hadza tribe doing tracking!

Yep, he's no Attenbrough but then again DA's been doing it for more years than i care to remember so he would come across as polished and dare i say it, more professional ? wouldn't he ?

I like RM, he's done loads for our hobby.

 

[poddle]

I would have liked to have seen a more focused production, sometimes his demonstrations are somewhat guarded, whether or not this is to protect his other business interests, I don't know.

I would have liked to have seen a more instructional programme, showing how and why he came to certain conclusions about the animal tracks.

Like I said though I still like him, I am a fan and will continue to watch and support him.

 

[nickg]

I have to say that i did enjoy watching the programme. I do agree that it was a little lean on real 'Teaching' unlike his previous stuff but then tracking is not an academic activity, it something that you have to go out and do yourself and keep going out and doing - the armchair bushcrafters are stymed on that point (not that im accusing ANYBODY on the thread of that NB). Spend some time with Andy Wood of Bushcraft Expeditions if you are keen to learn more of that stuff (or even Mors if you can)
Not only has Ray changed channel but he has also changed crew and that was the thing i noticed more that anything. Perhaps the new director needs to watch more of his previous stuff and pick up more on the style that he has developed - there really were some 'Am Dram' acting spots that were clearly set up for the camera - which i dont think either Ray or any of the other characters pulled off very well. And the attempt to raise the tension by leaving the sighting of the big leopard to the 'last night of filming' i found was a little cheesy and not particularly convincing, but there is always a formula to work to and in this type of programme i question how much genuine control input Ray actually has - i doubt its as much as he would wish.
I like the fact that he isnt just sitting back and pumping out the same old stuff forever - he is looking for new windows on his favorite environments and that is refreshing.
I take Mahicans point about the things he has wrong in northern wilderness but imho he/she is focussing on a fairly tight (and hard) area of a programme which had a really broad spectrum window on the subject (Canadian north, not just tracking)- clearly he doesnt live there and doesnt have his/her kind of first hand experience - and i wouldnt mind betting that the advisors and mahican would have a long and detailed discussion together on many points (possibly without resoulution at the end).
I personally will take the rest of the series as they come - and im sure ill find them intreresting - what are the options on broadcast TV these days??

2p's worth

Cheers
Nick

 

[Gavmar]

 

[Wolfie]

"I don't agree, surely tracking comes under the bushcraft banner ? "

Or should that be bushcraft comes under the tracking banner?!

 

[hog]

Say what you like, Simon King is better at this job.

 

[Whittler Kev]

Watched it. Wasn't "grabbed" like the other stuff and it was surprising that the farmer that lives with leopards coming onto his land couldn't tell the difference in the three types of tracks (or the leopard woman????).
Still.... entertaining and worth tuning in again next week

 

[dave53]

hear hear twodogs and mitch66 i watched it and enjoyed it and i was around when the origonal survival progams were about and enjoyed them to well done ray
regards dave

 

[redneck]

I found it quite an arrogant narration , it's always "I" did or "I" think, even thought those leopards have been known for ages before he arrived it's a case of "I" discovered a large male etc..I love Bushcraft Ray, I dislike narrator Ray..