Survivorman/Man vs. Wild.

[spiritman]

Nice summation Spiritman!:rolleyes:

Gee thanks Sarge!!!

[tarheelfan]

spiritman - There are about 50 threads about this and they all have something different to say. They all end on a few simple truths though. Bear is fake but entertaining, Les Stroud keeps it more real but doesn't like to kill anything with fur, There will always be BGG's, and we will all watch both shows anyways.

Spiritman just summarized half the forum w/ one paragraph...lol :D

[Dark786]

LOL, Thats no joke.

[spiritman]

Spiritman just summarized half the forum w/ one paragraph...lol :D

A few of my teachers got outright mad when i would summarize too much. I always used as little description as possible when they wanted as much as possible.

[Strider]

I think that (by the sound of it) most of the show isn't totally true. Some of the things I've heard would make any normal human sick, and people have noticed he never really gets sick or hurt badly or anything... i don't really know... most things on TV aren't always real either... of course, there are people I guess like that... i don't really know... :):)

[blewgrass]

But still no answer if Man Vs Wild was CANCELLED FROM DISCOVERY. Show me the press release, or an official word that saying the show has been cancelled.

I looked and there isn't 50 threads on man vs wild being cancelled...

[spiritman]

But still no answer if Man Vs Wild was CANCELLED FROM DISCOVERY. Show me the press release, or an official word that saying the show has been cancelled.

I looked and there isn't 50 threads on man vs wild being cancelled...

there's one that says he will have his show again but with more disclaimers. W will all be watching it again anyways.

[trax]

He's no match for SurvivalDude2007, SurvivalDude has American Express and Martha Stewart for backup!!

[Sarge47]

But still no answer if Man Vs Wild was CANCELLED FROM DISCOVERY. Show me the press release, or an official word that saying the show has been cancelled.

I looked and there isn't 50 threads on man vs wild being cancelled...

I contacted Discovery Channel and they told me that He would be back on, but with disclaimers, everything being explained up front, etc. This is supposed to apply to his earlier shows as well, so maybe they're re-editing?:confused:

[wareagle69]

survival dude this is the front desk with your wake up call.

[trax]

:D :D :D :D That was perfect!!

[donny h]

A few of my teachers got outright mad when i would summarize too much. I always used as little description as possible when they wanted as much as possible.

I can appreciate that, it's like Einstein said, "make things as simple as possible, but no simpler".

Because the Bear bashing seems to have slowed, let me point out another piece of his bad advice.

In the Moab episode, he drinks water seeping from rocks, and explains this naturally filters it and it's safe to drink.

In that region of Utah some of those seeps are naturally too salty for human consumption, and others are contaminated with URANIUM:eek: , both from naturally occuring and manmade sources.

My point? Just because water has filtered through soil does not mean it's safe to drink, no matter what Bear says.

Also in that episode, he swims under a log snag in a slot canyon. There is no scenario (including infotainment shows like Bears) where that act is considered anything but suicidally stupid.

[blewgrass]

Thanks for the clarification. I thought it strange that it just disappeared and Les Stroud shows up. I like survivorman anyway, but my five year old daughter is asking for Bear Gryls. The drinking of the pee and other advice can be dangerous and kill someone lost in the bush.

[Chris]

Also in that episode, he swims under a log snag in a slot canyon. There is no scenario (including infotainment shows like Bears) where that act is considered anything but suicidally stupid.

I think I remember that episode, and I remember thinking how utterly stupid that was and how irresponsible it was to put that on TV in a frame as if it were a good idea.

[ATough]

I cant beleive that theres no thread about this.
what do you guys think about the new season?
I love it.:)

[Sarge47]

I cant beleive that theres no thread about this.
what do you guys think about the new season?
I love it.:)

We HAVE been posting about it, I've watched them all and really enjoyed the last one as it utilized more equipment.;)

[ATough]

that ones my favorite episode of all times.

[Sarge47]

that ones my favorite episode of all times.

What I found interesting is that he had a gun never fired because he couldn't locate any game. He had a fishing kit and a hole cut through the ice, yet he couldn't catch any fish. I thought the scene where he had to eat the old meat he'd given to the dogs was pretty gross.:p

[Fog_Harbor]

Because of the discussions here, I've looked more critically at both shows (MvW and SM). I like Les' show more, becuase it IS more realistic, and he takes criticism better...

[ATough]

hey does anyone know the two medical supplys les used to start a fire in his new episode?

[Sarge47]

hey does anyone know the two medical supplys les used to start a fire in his new episode?

It's something you can't buy in America because of the "pyrotechnic capabilities". US Govt. & Homeland Security. He probably got it in Canada or even Africa. I know it involved Rhino poop and durned if I can find any Rhinos here in Ill.!:rolleyes:

[ATough]

check ebay.;) :D

[Fog_Harbor]

It's something you can't buy in America because of the "pyrotechnic capabilities". US Govt. & Homeland Security. He probably got it in Canada or even Africa. I know it involved Rhino poop and durned if I can find any Rhinos here in Ill.!:rolleyes:

Yeah, Stalin and Hitler both knew - unarmed citizens are MUCH easier to control.

...My shame is, I teach cops to kill...

[survivalhike]

In light of the whole truth coming out about Bear Grylls and what he actually did while the cameras were turned off, there is one thing that really makes me mad. If he would have just told the truth about some of the things that he faked, or let people know that he would be trying some survival skills out that are more unorthodox, I would have given him a break. If you are going to fake something to teach people what to do in the situation...JUST TELL ME YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT! I think I speak for everyone when I say that it's hard to film a survival show because you don't know if a situation will come along where you can film skills other than shelter making and fire making. If you need to dramatize something just let the people know that you are doing it for educational purposes, and we'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Survivorman told his audience that he had a two way radio, walkie talkie, and tied his raft to a rescue boat in a storm during his "lost at sea" episode, and no one bit his head off! He said that the storm could possibly send him so far out to sea that he could die, and that no TV show was worth that. No big deal, he was honest, and we understand.
Also, BG should stop doing things like jumping into rivers that he has no idea of the depth, jumping over gaps in rocks that are fifteen feet plus in depth, and running in whatever direction he pleases because he is going to get viewers killed. In a survival situation the last thig you should be doing is taking big risks with your body. If you break a leg jumping into a river, the rescue crew will find your dead body about 100 yards from the river because you couldn't crawl any further before you died of exhaustion.
Survivorman might be a bit mre bland of a show, but that is because he does things logically and does not take chances with his life. I believe he is more honest than BG, and because of that he'll last longer. BG should take a lesson and just be more honest. Oh...and stop staying the night in a hotel that serves blueberry pancakes in your hot tub for breakfast too.

[Sarge47]

In light of the whole truth coming out about Bear Grylls and what he actually did while the cameras were turned off, there is one thing that really makes me mad. If he would have just told the truth about some of the things that he faked, or let people know that he would be trying some survival skills out that are more unorthodox, I would have given him a break. If you are going to fake something to teach people what to do in the situation...JUST TELL ME YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT! I think I speak for everyone when I say that it's hard to film a survival show because you don't know if a situation will come along where you can film skills other than shelter making and fire making. If you need to dramatize something just let the people know that you are doing it for educational purposes, and we'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Survivorman told his audience that he had a two way radio, walkie talkie, and tied his raft to a rescue boat in a storm during his "lost at sea" episode, and no one bit his head off! He said that the storm could possibly send him so far out to sea that he could die, and that no TV show was worth that. No big deal, he was honest, and we understand.
Also, BG should stop doing things like jumping into rivers that he has no idea of the depth, jumping over gaps in rocks that are fifteen feet plus in depth, and running in whatever direction he pleases because he is going to get viewers killed. In a survival situation the last thig you should be doing is taking big risks with your body. If you break a leg jumping into a river, the rescue crew will find your dead body about 100 yards from the river because you couldn't crawl any further before you died of exhaustion.
Survivorman might be a bit mre bland of a show, but that is because he does things logically and does not take chances with his life. I believe he is more honest than BG, and because of that he'll last longer. BG should take a lesson and just be more honest. Oh...and stop staying the night in a hotel that serves blueberry pancakes in your hot tub for breakfast too.

I really believe, after your post here, that could do alright on your upcoming trek. Way to go SH!:cool:

[survivalhike]

If you go to google and type in "Man Vs Wild scandal" you will get a thousand hits about the things that people have come forward and said he has done to spice up the action and fake things. It's more of an entertaining show than anything else. For real survival skills watch Survivorman Les Stroud...Much better, and more honest.

[survivalhike]

Thank you very much Sarge, I really appreciate it. I've been sick for two days now and being bored and surfing the internet has landed me on this forum. I couldn't be happier to have found this page and I have learned much in the last couple of days. I am really enjoying this forum, and thanks again.

[Sarge47]

Thank you very much Sarge, I really appreciate it. I've been sick for two days now and being bored and surfing the internet has landed me on this forum. I couldn't be happier to have found this page and I have learned much in the last couple of days. I am really enjoying this forum, and thanks again.

No problem, check out the advice I gave on your introctuctory thread about Cody Lundin.;)

[wareagle69]

there are at last count seven survival schools in az the two most famous being cody"s and BOSS yes i know it is the boulder outdoor survival school but they are based out of az even flagstaff i do believe my favoritve school is ancient pathways up on flagstaff about 3 hrs or so from gilbert all depending on the trafic going up the 17 hey have they finished the 101 and the 202 loops yet when i lefi in 2001 i lived of the 101 in glendale that side was finished. r u a country fan? i used to ride bulls down at mr luckeys off of indian scholl rd but my bro says they closed it down finally any how best of luck to ya.

[survivalhike]

I think the new season is great. I like that he is using more stuff now than he has been in the past from his kit. I wouldn't even mind seeing him use a regular survival kit that he personally made (more comprehensive than the Labrador one) and show us how he can live out of a paint can full of goodies. Everything from shelter, to fire, to water, to food.

Also, though he never seems to be able to catch any food for himself I think that is a more realistic protrayal of survival than not. It's like professional fishing tournaments where 18 hours of footage is edited down to only contain the 3 quick minutes where they actually caught a fish.

Survival sounds boaring.

[Fog_Harbor]

I think the new season is great. I like that he is using more stuff now than he has been in the past from his kit. I wouldn't even mind seeing him use a regular survival kit that he personally made (more comprehensive than the Labrador one) and show us how he can live out of a paint can full of goodies. Everything from shelter, to fire, to water, to food.

Also, though he never seems to be able to catch any food for himself I think that is a more realistic protrayal of survival than not. It's like professional fishing tournaments where 18 hours of footage is edited down to only contain the 3 quick minutes where they actually caught a fish.

Survival sounds boaring.

Yeah, plus he spends about 60% of his time filming, so that lessens the chances of getting food.

I've never found survival boring. If you're doing what you should be, there's no time to be bored.

[survivalhike]

Good point.

[BillHay]

Plus the guy is always going somewhere, so setting up a good set of traps and snares is out of the question... would be nice to see one of these survival shows show what the average lost/stranded person SHOULD do, that could be a good show!

[BillHay]

If you go to google and type in "Man Vs Wild scandal" you will get a thousand hits about the things that people have come forward and said he has done to spice up the action and fake things. It's more of an entertaining show than anything else. For real survival skills watch Survivorman Les Stroud...Much better, and more honest.

If you go out in the woods and **** around in real life and in real time.... you might not need to watch these rediculous shows. Just sayin...

[survivalhike]

"A lying douche" That's classic...I Love it!

[survivalhike]

If you go out in the woods and **** around in real life and in real time.... you might not need to watch these rediculous shows. Just sayin...

I am planning on going out in real life and doing some trips (which I have been doing for a while now). I just need to find some form of entertainment to keep me busy between trips thats all.

[Nomad]

OK I know who Les Stroud is, I'v watched his show 5 or 6 times. Not really impressed. What i've seen from him is basic boy scout stuff. I've heard of this gryllis or whatever his name is, but haven't seen him since I haven't watched tv in about a year. What is he like??

[Sarge47]

OK I know who Les Stroud is, I'v watched his show 5 or 6 times. Not really impressed. What i've seen from him is basic boy scout stuff. I've heard of this gryllis or whatever his name is, but haven't seen him since I haven't watched tv in about a year. What is he like??

Just check out all the threads already started on Bear and you'll soon get the picture.:rolleyes:

[weasel473]

Les Stroud is the man. Despite what some people might say, Bear is a fake. If you don't believe me, than go tubing for videos. Yeah, some of the stuff Stroud does is a little elementary, but some of the other stuff he's done is cool. Just watch some of his new shows.

[survivalhike]

Stroud is boaring because it's real. Bear is entertaining because it's entertainment. That is what makes Les better than Bear. Reality + Truth

[wareagle69]

honestly these shows are not really intended for ppl like us, other than some entertainment value. these shows are designed other than for ratings(sponsors ideas) les' ideas of teaching the common folk that they could survive with the basic necessity of life. if we here in this forum find the shows elementary then good, we have the knowledge to survive. I was going to type the skills to survive but that would lead to a whole other discussion.

always be prepared.

[Dark786]

I totaly second that, that had to be one of the most true statements said in this les and bear mess.

[Nomad]

thanks guys!!!

[misslexi8]

ya kkay well man vs wild is SO much better then Survivor man cuz man vs wild doesnt carry guns with him and he didnt get a jeep when he went to tha desert! i mean come on! You people are retarded if you think he has everything when he goes out!

[Sarge47]

ya kkay well man vs wild is SO much better then Survivor man cuz man vs wild doesnt carry guns with him and he didnt get a jeep when he went to tha desert! i mean come on! You people are retarded if you think he has everything when he goes out!

Bear goes to a motel and has his crew take care of him. C,mon, you got the wrong forum, you need to join "The Bare Wilderness Numptys", you sound just like 'em. Go to www.barewilderness.com and join them, leave us "Retarded people" alone.:mad:

[owl_girl]

ya kkay well man vs wild is SO much better then Survivor man cuz man vs wild doesnt carry guns with him and he didnt get a jeep when he went to tha desert! i mean come on! You people are retarded if you think he has everything when he goes out!

Did you sign up just to post that or are you interested in the rest of the topics on the forum?

[FVR]

Thread still alive, hmmm.

[Xplosive22]

I like both shows. I'm sure I've said that before but since the topic is still hot a month later... :)

Man vs Wild is coming back for a second season. I wish I knew when it starts. If you read Bear Grylls' personal web page it has a good bit of information about whats going on. That is where I learned about the new and improved disclaimers.

There is also a sort of blog thing and several people that are personal to him vouch that a lot of what he does isn't garbage. If you have read his book accounting his trip and climb of Everest you may find those peoples' opinions to be credible. I read it, and I believe what they say.

I've seen some of the unusual stuff that is staged on his show or the life vest scene in the river but you have to admit that Bear Grylls is a good-hearted guy. Not all of his advice is bollocks and he does a lot for charity and fundraising.

I also like Survivor Man. No one should take this post as argumentative. :D

[rt36crazyfists]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpSlpvb1is

i heard that he admitted to staying in a hotel during one of his episodes. Les stroud is the real deal.

[Sarge47]

I like both shows. I'm sure I've said that before but since the topic is still hot a month later... :)

Man vs Wild is coming back for a second season. I wish I knew when it starts. If you read Bear Grylls' personal web page it has a good bit of information about whats going on. That is where I learned about the new and improved disclaimers.

There is also a sort of blog thing and several people that are personal to him vouch that a lot of what he does isn't garbage. If you have read his book accounting his trip and climb of Everest you may find those peoples' opinions to be credible. I read it, and I believe what they say.

I've seen some of the unusual stuff that is staged on his show or the life vest scene in the river but you have to admit that Bear Grylls is a good-hearted guy. Not all of his advice is bollocks and he does a lot for charity and fundraising.

I also like Survivor Man. No one should take this post as argumentative. :D

You can see all of Bear's Season 1 & 2 episodes starting 9/24/07. I don't have any info yet on new episodes.:confused:

[Sarge47]

Okay kiddies, time to grow up. I think most of us here realize that it's not about who's the best in a "My survivaldude can beat up your survivaldude" type thing. Discovery Network hypes both guys and we're going to keep on watching both because we all got a "Survival Jones." Let's face it, we're "Survival junkies". we'll watch any "bug eating", "urine drinking", Lone Survialdude that makes it to the Tube and yell for more! That being said, if Bear wants to come back he's going to have to eat some crow, along with a serving of humble pie for desert. His hype was "over the top" to say the least. I just watched the latest, and probably the last, season #2 episode of Survivalman: The "behind the scenes" episode showing the how & the why of what it took to make the show. It brings it down to "keeping it real" and Les Stroud is to be commended. He explains how he had to scout each location, use the indigenous survival experts/consultants in each area, and why. I truly enjoyed this show and believe that when Bear returns, and I believe that he will, he's going to have to do the same thing. This should prove very interesting. My problems with Bear were several. Bad advice like drinking urine straight from the bladder is the 1st that comes to mind. Selling a $700 knife was simply "unbecoming" to say the least. But the reality is this: Never put your favorite actors up on a pedestel, they'll always let you down. Forget the hype and enjoy the shows for what they are. A way to live vicariously through their exploits out in the field when we're stuck on the couch watching the tube.;)

[BillHay]

I like both shows. I'm sure I've said that before but since the topic is still hot a month later... :)

Man vs Wild is coming back for a second season. I wish I knew when it starts. If you read Bear Grylls' personal web page it has a good bit of information about whats going on. That is where I learned about the new and improved disclaimers.

There is also a sort of blog thing and several people that are personal to him vouch that a lot of what he does isn't garbage. If you have read his book accounting his trip and climb of Everest you may find those peoples' opinions to be credible. I read it, and I believe what they say.

I've seen some of the unusual stuff that is staged on his show or the life vest scene in the river but you have to admit that Bear Grylls is a good-hearted guy. Not all of his advice is bollocks and he does a lot for charity and fundraising.

I also like Survivor Man. No one should take this post as argumentative. :D

If you post up supporting this guy, be prepared for argument. His advice is unsound and dangerous and some of it is outright bull****! That Is a Fact. Not all of what he says is unsound and dangerous, but some of his advice is REALLY unsound and dangerous. Do your homework, Man vs. Wild is for " entertainment puposes only" ! Just cause its on TV doesnt mean its true! New and improved disclaimers? To "show " someone how to get through it? By suggesting its a viable option to float "about twelve miles" down a Sierra Neveda river?then hop on out at dusk, make a small stick fire and give the impression of being well rested? let alone how did he avoid hypothermia, not to mention getting the clothing dry?? Jeeze, sorry to rant, the show is fake, check the details....

[WildGoth]

bear has done a supposed how its made episode as well i show it it was rubbish no diffence from the episode unlike les's which are quite differnt

[Fog_Harbor]

Personally, I think we've about beat this subject to death. Let it lie already...

[Jleone87]

Okay kiddies, time to grow up. I think most of us here realize that it's not about who's the best in a "My survivaldude can beat up your survivaldude" type thing. Discovery Network hypes both guys and we're going to keep on watching both because we all got a "Survival Jones." Let's face it, we're "Survival junkies". we'll watch any "bug eating", "urine drinking", Lone Survialdude that makes it to the Tube and yell for more! That being said, if Bear wants to come back he's going to have to eat some crow, along with a serving of humble pie for desert. His hype was "over the top" to say the least. I just watched the latest, and probably the last, season #2 episode of Survivalman: The "behind the scenes" episode showing the how & the why of what it took to make the show. It brings it down to "keeping it real" and Les Stroud is to be commended. He explains how he had to scout each location, use the indigenous survival experts/consultants in each area, and why. I truly enjoyed this show and believe that when Bear returns, and I believe that he will, he's going to have to do the same thing. This should prove very interesting. My problems with Bear were several. Bad advice like drinking urine straight from the bladder is the 1st that comes to mind. Selling a $700 knife was simply "unbecoming" to say the least. But the reality is this: Never put your favorite actors up on a pedestel, they'll always let you down. Forget the hype and enjoy the shows for what they are. A way to live vicariously through their exploits out in the field when we're stuck on the couch watching the tube.;)



I totally agree with you on where you say to take the shows as they are...they're just entertainment and just happen to be about survival. But in reality if I was to get lost in the woods, the last thing on my mind would be, ok now what was that thing survivorman said in episode #3?

p.s. just for the record, I too respect Les Stroud's "behind-the-scenes" episode. It shows that he is just a real person doing something he loves to do, unlike Baer Grills who wants to look like superman.

[blewgrass]

The you tube stuff is pretty impressive, hence the new disclaimers on the show. Bear has been put in check by the more savvy members of his audience. They whip through the disclaimer so quick that you can barely read the part that says in so many words "THE SHOW IS STAGED".

It's Bear and his producers own fault for any loss of respect by trying to pass his show of as real.

[tom61089]

i have to say survivorman is far better as a whole.. man vs. wild is entertaining but its all staged...they have an article about how a couple of the nights he was supposed to be staying in the wild he was actually in a motel...heres the link

http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN2439321520070724

even if this wasnt the case les doesnt use a camera crew which not only means the obvious which is he has no one to help him if he gets hurt, it means that he has no one to communicate with and is alone...when surviving in the wild loneliness and boredam lead and to depression and then your really screwed...les may whine all the time but thats because hes actually surviving for a week not acting like hes surviving like bear..

oh and bear is always running around at full speed...if you really were surviving on the bare minimum u wud want to be conserving energy that rite there is enough to make me want to turn man vs. wild off

[the edge]

wow here i am 65 replies later and 2900 views later thanks for posting guys and gals

[the edge]

recorded all the epsodes for them ^^

[saiga7]

i still like his show. seems to be more about trying to get to civilization fast (2-3 days) while being chased by Ninjas vs. Survivorman's show of waiting it out for 7 days and being rescued.

Bear takes more risks probably because he's got a crew with full equipment to watch his back. still dangerous though. he would jump into quicksand to show us how to get out of it while Les would walk around it.

just like drinking water from elephant crap. not because he needs to, but just to show that it's doable...and the camera crew's going to give him some antibiotics right after. i guess if you're nearing death due to dehydration (thus not able to walk another 50 feet in the scorching sun), germs & bacteria wouldn't be your biggest worries at that moment.

both shows have their merits. Survivorman is more realistic for the average guy who's not looking to break his neck alone in the wood. but maybe at some point, should rescue never arrive....you may have to climb that 80ft tree to get your bearings like Bear does and find your own way out.

the pre-built raft was a big and only, letdown for me though. i remember Les building a raft in the swamps and it fell apart immediately. but Bear's was almost perfect.

this one in Hawaiian volcanoes was not a big deal to me because having lived in Hawaii, there's not that many places that's not a tourist money making spot.

http://ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/32385

[pilgrim]

Bear does alot of amazing things and shows how to get out of extreme situations, (falling into a frozen lake in the alps) but how do we know hes not eating ham sandwiches with the crew when the cameras stop rolling. The bottom line is Les does it on his own and thats really surviving!

[MCBushbaby]

I like both, thought Survivorman has been overly deceptive since it's beginning. I figure a survivor show's success lies in if I can actually learn something from it. From Les I realized how to boil water in a plastic bottle, from Bear I learned about a fire bed and rapid descent techniques.

However I have a beef with Man vs. Wild being filmed only a few hundred meters from a highway or tourist resort, etc. You can see all the "Bear is a fake" stuff on YouTube.com

Kind of makes me mad that they couldn't just say "The locations and situations filmed are not always as real as they appear to be" at the beginning of each episode.

[wolf]

If you want to know the truth about the "born survivor" or Edward Grylls click here http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/bearwiki/Evidence

[mbarnatl]

The shows are for entertainment. I tell my daughters when we watch the shows... what is the wrong and what is right. I ask them to figure out what they would do... by using common sense. By discussing the show with them they are learning on making their own decisions when it comes a survival situation.

[saiga7]

If you want to know the truth about the "born survivor" or Edward Grylls click here http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/bearwiki/Evidence

i don't see the big deal. drinking water from elephant poo was never a necessity neither because the camera crew probably had a ton of water with them should he need it.

giving advice on what to do when you encounter a guy in a bear suit is about the same as him jumping into quicksand on purpose. just an illustration on TV on how to handle the situation. Bear's setting of survival is about 2-3 days only. it could be forever before running into a real bear...should he waits for one.....what if the bear attacks? the crew would have shot the poor thing.

Bear teaches many risky techniques that most novices shouldn't attempt, but what if you're stuck in that situation? consider the Korean guy who got stranded in the snow drift of Oregon with his wife and child. after 6 days of staying in their car and surviving....after they exhausted all of their resources, he had to do what he had to do. he trekked out for help and died.

both shows has their merits and i like them both.

[FVR]

Both shows are getting pretty freak'n old.

But that's just my opinion.

[carcajou garou]

Showing dangerous, risky techniques is never good even for entertainment purposes, novices can't see the difference and will take it as gospel when such ideas are presented; that's what a novice does, seeks out knowledge but they aren't knowledgable enough to sift the gems from the S**t. They may miss the rapidly displayed disclaimer and think all is OK.
Bear is a dangerous behaviour model and sooner or later someone will get hurt or even die trying to emulate his "panache".
Les is less so but he should be showing proper techniques rather than proving his toughness (I am really no longer impressed)
I have come accross some misguided people in the bush, who had just such rotten info, that they were on the verge of collapse because idiots those 2; had to be evaced out of there.
There some very intelligent people here with lots of sound experience and knowledge, maybe we should listen to them:rolleyes:
Yah what FVR said

[Sarge47]

Showing dangerous, risky techniques is never good even for entertainment purposes, novices can't see the difference and will take it as gospel when such ideas are presented; that's what a novice does, seeks out knowledge but they aren't knowledgable enough to sift the gems from the S**t. They may miss the rapidly displayed disclaimer and think all is OK.
Bear is a dangerous behaviour model and sooner or later someone will get hurt or even die trying to emulate his "panache".
Les is less so but he should be showing proper techniques rather than proving his toughness (I am really no longer impressed)
I have come accross some misguided people in the bush, who had just such rotten info, that they were on the verge of collapse because idiots those 2; had to be evaced out of there.
There some very intelligent people here with lots of sound experience and knowledge, maybe we should listen to them:rolleyes:
Yah what FVR said

I hope TBWN is tuning in, though it probably won't do any good.:rolleyes:

[saiga7]

well people who emulates risky moves on TV ...falls into the backyard WWF wrestler catergory. not much can be done to help them other than a few trips to the emergency room.

i learned how to get out of quicksand from Bear....doesn't mean that i'm going to jump in it for fun nor climb a tree for avocados because i saw it on TV.

[danman17a]

I think bear is cool and all, but Les Stroud, Survivor man does it for a better cause, he isnt trying to just show how to survive, but at the same time explain the power and beauty of nature.

[Sarge47]

Let's see. Bear BAAAD! Les GOOOD! Got it!:D

[wareagle69]

i am surprised that grylli vannilli is still on the tube but one show that no one ever talks about is ray mears he is the best and most realistic wish he would come out with more shows, but i guess that unless you live this lifestyle ppl would find him boring..

[Sarge47]

i am surprised that grylli vannilli is still on the tube but one show that no one ever talks about is ray mears he is the best and most realistic wish he would come out with more shows, but i guess that unless you live this lifestyle ppl would find him boring..

Ray Mears isn't shown down this-a-way that I know of...bummer!:eek:

[wareagle69]

you should look up his bush craft series also ultimate survival.

[Sarge47]

you should look up his bush craft series also ultimate survival.

Where would I find that WE?:confused:

[mbarnatl]

Ray Mears video on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ray+Mears&search=Search) His actual website is: http://www.raymears.com/

[owl_girl]

Ray Mears World of Survival was the show I use to watch back in year 2000 I think. I want to get some of his dvd’s when I get the money. He sells them on his my space. http://www.myspace.com/raymears

[saiga7]

well since the Kalahari thread got locked for no logical reason other than the moderator's a big fan of Les....the question still remains...if this were a real survival situation and no rescuers came....someone taking Les' advice of staying situated would have also ran out of water and energy to go out and search for water or civilization......and perhaps die.

while Bear's approach would be to go look for a way out while having water and full strength.

[trax]

well since the Kalahari thread got locked for no logical reason other than the moderator's a big fan of Les....the question still remains...if this were a real survival situation and no rescuers came....someone taking Les' advice of staying situated would have also ran out of water and energy to go out and search for water or civilization......and perhaps die.

while Bear's approach would be to go look for a way out while having water and full strength.

Man, that's just sad. How long do you think you have "water and full strength" wandering around in the Kalahari desert? The moderator, I believe, suggested that your argument be moved to this thread to begin with, I see it hasn't discouraged the argument any having to move this far, you must have brought water and full strength to get here. I think the truth is that in either situation, if no rescuers came, you'd die-- whatever either Les or Bear tell us notwithstanding. You'll just die faster walking around.

Personally, I'm just feeling better and better about not watching either show. I don't have a currant bush to plug my tv into when I'm outdoors.

[owl_girl]

I agree with trax. Also cars are easier to spot so you would probably be more likely to be found if you stayed with it.

[hello15944]

i agree with you owl girl

[trax]

Hello hello agrees with owl_girl, owl_girl agrees with me! Shazam! and I agree with FVR, so he's the smart one, both shows are gettin' pretty freakin' old. BTW, I loved what WarEagle said "grylli vanilli", I thought it was brilli-ant.:)

[BillHay]

i don't see the big deal. drinking water from elephant poo was never a necessity neither because the camera crew probably had a ton of water with them should he need it.

giving advice on what to do when you encounter a guy in a bear suit is about the same as him jumping into quicksand on purpose. just an illustration on TV on how to handle the situation. Bear's setting of survival is about 2-3 days only. it could be forever before running into a real bear...should he waits for one.....what if the bear attacks? the crew would have shot the poor thing.

Bear teaches many risky techniques that most novices shouldn't attempt, but what if you're stuck in that situation? consider the Korean guy who got stranded in the snow drift of Oregon with his wife and child. after 6 days of staying in their car and surviving....after they exhausted all of their resources, he had to do what he had to do. he trekked out for help and died.

both shows has their merits and i like them both.

This qoute concerns me, especially the part about both shows having merit , then the part about the Korean guy dying. These shows and people dying is what concerns me. TV makes life look too easy. It is sad , The Koean guy had a name. The Korean guy had a family and people are hurting cause hes gone, The Korean guy is a hero for trying, in my mind any way. These shows glamorize a "scenario" that is bull**** , or the scenario is far fetched and has happened to NO one. Why cant they see this? We all need to brainstorm. Get a plan, then write a script, a realistic script, then present it to the networks.

[Sarge47]

This qoute concerns me, especially the part about both shows having merit , then the part about the Korean guy dying. These shows and people dying is what concerns me. TV makes life look too easy. It is sad , The Koean guy had a name. The Korean guy had a family and people are hurting cause hes gone, The Korean guy is a hero for trying, in my mind any way. These shows glamorize a "scenario" that is bull**** , or the scenario is far fetched and has happened to NO one. Why cant they see this? We all need to brainstorm. Get a plan, then write a script, a realistic script, then present it to the networks.

The networks main concern is their ratings and subsequent profits. could those here that are qualified to write such a program sell it to some "chair-bound fat-cat" who's concept of "Survival" is that it's a reality show.

[warrigal]

Ok here is my problem with Bear. I first came across the show a couple months ago when it was brought to my atttention by some Army Cadets( 15 to 18yr olds) I was running a survival course for over about nine weeks. The problem is some of the information is reasonable, viable and good and some of it is just downright dangerous. But I know more about survival in arid and jungle areas than I do about mountains and frozen wastes. Only because thoses are the areas I have lived in and played in.
But If you don't have enough info on a certain area you might think that piece of infomation is something I have heard before so it must be OK so the next bit info I haven't heard before must be OK as well.
I was livid that now that I had lit the fire in these kid about being aware in the bush and this idiot is filling their heads with crap that might kill them.
Having said that I wonder how much of this is Bears doing and how much of it is the show producers saying "No,No lets do it this way it'll make better television."
You don't get to climb Everest or be excepted to the Special Air Service, (Even if it is the national guard version) if you are a complete idiot.
Carl

[explodingearth]

I have only seen Man vs Wild one time and almost threw my Bud Light at the television and some of the crap he was doing. I believe he was in the Copper Canyon region of Mexico and just doing some stupid s$%t in my opinion.He was climbing down a sheer cliff and then jumping over a gulch to get down when it was obvious that an easier and SAFER route was visible from the top of the ridge he was on. Then he was jumping off of waterfalls into a river with no way of knowing what lay beneath the water. If you are in a survival situation these are things you should never take a chance on,unless someone's chasing you with an AK 47! I like Survivorman much better as it is more realistic and Les rarely takes stupid chances like whats his face does. Just my opinion.

______lol!______

[explodingearth]

i dont see the point in killing animals for a TV show. he could just as easily and effectively caught the animals, shows us how would COULD kill and cook it... and cook up a batch of rice in the animals place. why kill something if you dont have to?

[sticks65]

im fed up now im never going to watch either show again or read these threads again enough is enough.

[FVR]

I can't stand fraud. That is what he is. If you are going to portray trapping, killing, skinning, and preparing a critter to eat, then by god do it.

I went to school today in my buckskins, my wife met me in school and asked "hun, you're wearing a breech cloth, no underwear?" I said "sweety, if I'm going to portray a Native American, I'm going to do it right, no BS."

Hey, the teachers did not mind. Kind of got around the school, real fast.

[Beo]

Yeah from your pic I see ya look alot like a Native American... lol... just kidding. :D So the kids loved it didn't they, most do when I wear my long hunter clothes.

[FVR]

I shaved smartarse, also slicked back the hair.

Yeh, they loved it. They got to play in the onepole, he ll, they called it a tepee, that's all that matters.

Honestly, I'm not fond of buckskins. Yeh, leather mocs and leggins up to my knees, but the rest I prefer either wool or muslin.

[Sarge47]

I can't believe that this thread is still going! OK guys, in less that an hour Bear's new show is starting on Discovery. I'd heard they were breaking it up to two hours. Maybe Holiday Inn gave him a break on the room rates, huh? See ya in a few.:rolleyes:

[FVR]

2 hours of constant BS. Naaa, I'll just surf the net. I'll let Bear wallow in his own self rightousness and gross eating habits.

Face it, Bear's reputation is questionable, no matter what he does, where he goes, there will always be those that look at him as a fraud. And rightly so.

You can take away my money, my possessions, my family, everything, I could be standing there completely nekked and I will always have two things; the fact that I am a Marine, and have a good reputation.

[Nativedude]

Man -v- Wild. . .how phony! I just saw the show for the first time the other night. That guy isn't teaching survival, he's teaching "how to be an idiot 101!"

There are probably 1000's, 10 of 1000's or even 100's of 1000's of people watching that show that are going to go out and try his stupid stunts (just like the show jackass) and get seriously ill, injured, maimed, or killed, and it will be because they take what this guy is spouting as the truth about survival.

I see it with people that I have taken out. They read a book or two and now they are survival experts. Never having applied what they have read in practical terms, but they know best!!

On Survivorman, Les shows the fact that surviving in the types of terrain he shows can be risky, or even dangerous, especially if you are not properly trained, or don't know the terrain. When he was in the desert, he plainly stated that: "this is not at all what I pictured the desert to be like". . ."I pictured it to be flat and sandy."

Most people think that wilderness survival is so romantic. That doing, what people like, Les Stroud, Ray Mears, Mors Kochanski, Cody Lundin, just to name a few, do is so exciting.

When I first decided to live, primitive and wild, I was truly scared. I had been out on thousand of primitive living trips (a.k.a. survival), I call it primitive living, because I went out of my own accord and I was practicing "survival" techniques, i.e.; fire starting, shelter building, trapping and snaring, etc. But living that way day-to-day, everyday, could I do it. Would I be able to find and grow enough food, have enough water? What about hygiene, medical emergencies, injuries, etc.? But I found after a couple of months, is that it really was no different than living in the "modern" world. Mother Nature is my TV, my daily education. But now I digress.

My point is that there are thousands of people each year that die in the remote back country areas of this country, and now there is this guy, "Bear Grylls," that propagates the "romance" of the wilds and is showing some very dangerous things on his show!!

This is my humble opinion from spending countless hours in the wood and wilds of this country and others, and I'm sure I will get many tongue lashing for my response to this thread. :confused:

[FVR]

Well, with a statement like this
This is my humble opinion from spending countless hours in the wood and wilds of this country and others and I'm sure I will get many tongue lashing for my response to this thread.

I FVR, 150% agree with you. The guys an idiot and will get people injured. If he had been in my team, he'd have been booted at the first chance.

[Rick]

Man. You guys are so lame. I have my tickets for the Kalahari already. I"m taking three spokes from my bicycle, the webbing from an old lawn chair and a rusty key. I AM READY! Next you'll be telling me wrestling is fake.

[Bladesypher]

Meh... I think its all staged, Ray Mears is the real survivalist! :p

[carcajou garou]

Ray Mears is a great teacher along with many others..Ron Hood, Tom Brown, Mors Kochanski, Cody Lundin etc.....

[Rick]

Oh, well sputter, cough, cough. I sat down to dinner tonight and there is the Baer in the Australian Outback. Wearing his underwear on his head, drinking his own urine and building a shelter in the middle of an arroyo in a rain storm.

As far as I could tell, no scrotum purse, though.

[mbarnatl]

I gave up on watching the shows this season. Went back to reading books.

[Sarge47]

Oh, well sputter, cough, cough. I sat down to dinner tonight and there is the Baer in the Australian Outback. Wearing his underwear on his head, drinking his own urine and building a shelter in the middle of an arroyo in a rain storm.

As far as I could tell, no scrotum purse, though.

I'll bet that guy's a real hoot at parties!:D

[Beo]

Bear does get help as in one episode he said: "the crew found this snake and wanted me to show you how to handle a cobra, so they brought it to this location" that would mean he did not find the snake, and on another show he said: "the crew gave me this" but at least he does say he didn't do this or that, and "they" meaning the crew found this or that. in the end its for the entertainment value, such as squeezing the water outta elephant dung to drink... okay 1st that is just nasty as he*l and I will not do that, to many criters in elephant poop to drink that would pretty much make you sick at the least. I guess if you were lost for days with no water someone might try that but it ain't gonna be me :D Next show he's lost in the city and eats the peanuts outta sh*t left by the wild wino :D

[Canadian-guerilla]

Bear really does go through the scenerios by himself.


the very fact that a camera crew is there, squews the " survival " aspect

IMHO
one of the main aspects of solo survival
is the fact that YOU KNOW you're on your own

one of the best examples i can think of is Aron Ralston
the stranded hiker who amputated his arm to survive (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-05-01-climber-amputate_x.htm)
i wish i had taped the show
when he went back to the spot with a reporter/camera crew

during the whole Man vs Wild show
Bear KNOWS that he has someone to talk to
and if he needs a helping hand with something
he has someone there that can help him, ( off-camera of course )

i'll watch Les Stroud every chance i get
the only contact he has with the outside world is a satellite radio
he is on his own for 5-7 days
and knows that help is not 25 feet away holding a camera

[MCBushbaby]

I'm still skeptical...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpSlpvb1is (100yards from a highway)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acYExF4RRqE (lifejacket hidden under sweatshirt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0qyKyWaNEQ (many explanations)

I mean, you can broadcast all this stuff but be damn sure to say "these aren't wild horses, they were brought in" or "drifting down a white water river is dangerous so I'm going to use a life vest". Don't EVER recommend something dangerous and portray fake instances of you 'doing' it or you'll kill someone indirectly.

"careful when crossing lava bridges" NEVER CROSS LAVA BRIDGES
"I'm going to attempt to ride these wild horses" IN REALITY YOU"LL BE KICKED IN THE NECK AND DIE
"I'm going to drift down this white water river" I'D RATHER SPEND 2 HOURS WALKING THE SHORE, STAYING SAFE AND DRY

[Rick]

This is from Discovery Channel's Man vs. Wild web site:
"Bear Grylls and the crew receive support when they are in potentially life threatening situations, as required by health and safety regulations.

On some occasions, situations are presented to Bear so he can demonstrate survival techniques.

Professional advice should always be sought before entering any dangerous environment."

Bear's Blog shows the crew filming one of the scenes:

http://beargrylls.blogspot.com/

I actually sent him an email about the "drinking urine" and "squeezing the water out of dung" thingies. Let's see if he responds.

[Borelli]

We are all survivalists right.

Why are we on this website?
What is the main purpose of this website?

These questions apply to the shows....THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL VALUE!!!

the program isn't about showing whos better at what....it is intended as the same way this website is.... TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE!!!

[Rick]

I guess the main concern is we have some newbies on the forum and the shows portray some dubious things that those just learning may interpret as okay to perform. This thread outlines a number of things that have been done on some of the shows that none (or few) of us would ever attempt in the wild. The TV shows are entertainment value and, while they do offer some good information, they also show and suggest things that could get one in serious trouble. The sharing of knowledge is to remind some of the younger and/or less experienced members that TV is TV and they operate according to ratings and how much advertising dollars they can attract. They should take what they see as entertainment and augment it and balance it with as much other survival information as possible whether it be from this forum or other sources rather than to rely entirely on the shows as their source of info. IMHO....

[Borelli]

Well i geuss that is true.

I mean i would never eat zebra raw, i wouldn't squeeze any kind of waste product to get water, i wouldn't eat a lot of the things he tries(camel fat)
A lot of the material on the show is good though....such as his numerous attempts to get out of quicksand.

Dom Borelli

[Rick]

That last one I would try. Trust me. If I were in quicksand, numerous attempts would be tried until one was successful. The rest of that stuff? Uh, no.

[Borelli]

That is what i mean he shows the public a good skill every chance he gets, I got stuck in quicksand before but it was only up to the center of my thighs. it was a bit scary but it had a tremendous sulfuric smell and had a very powerful suction.

[Canadian-guerilla]

but what the viewing public is maybe getting
mislead about is the reality of survival
as i stated in an earlier post
BEAR KNOWS that someone is only 25 feet away
and thus may take extra chances

with all these things that Bear " consumes "
who knows how many times he's been sick the next day
he is passing off his show as real-life survival situations
in reality, he is really never in any danger
and the public never sees how many times
he attempts something risky " to get a good take "

[Sarge47]

I've recorded and watched every episode of M. vs. W.. Alls I can say is to survive like Mr. Grylls does is going to require a better physical condition than I have. I perceive this as a "Sur-reality" show!:rolleyes:

[FVR]

I don't even watch him anymore. What in the he ll is he going to show me that I can't find out on my own? Honestly.

He and his show is glamorized entertainment, which I enjoyed until I found out that he is nothing but a b'ser.

I always wondered how he could spend time in certain climates, the same climates that myself and many others have spent more time in, and not have the same problems we had. His little busted indicated why, he's a fraud.

I don't give a crap what he's done, because if he b'sd his way through his show, then how do I know he did not bs his way through other things he claims.

That's just my buck two fifty.

[MCBushbaby]

I don't give a crap what he's done, because if he b'sd his way through his show, then how do I know he did not bs his way through other things he claims.


Maybe that "dung pile" was a sponge painted to look like crap. "by crickey I'm gonna drink water from this dung heap... watch me go... mmmm, tastes like apple juice, er, i mean water... that's right, dung water, nasty brown dung water... not like apple juice that's been soaked into a sponge." lol

[Rick]

Since these guys use locals to help with the survival skills I sort of picture three locals playing one of the worst practical jokes of all time. Then, sitting around the television, there is this huge collective Oooooohhhhhhh when Bear actually drinks from the elephant poo. High fives around. "I can't believe he really did it." "Dude, you are sooooo bad for tellin' him to do that," sort of comments.

[Borelli]

great answer Mitch..... The most important part of those show is the educational value that we can use to benifit ourselve's.

[Rick]

(fake British accent) I've been up for 36 straight hours facing some of the most dangerous internet search engines you can possibly imagine. I was forced to drink diet colas to avoid dehydration and to consume beer nuts AND pretzels. But it was worth it to uncover the most realistic Bear Grylls show to date. I hope you appreciate the sacrifices I've made.

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2880099

[owl_girl]

That’s hilarious, love it :D

[Borelli]

well all i havee to sa is that if we combine what our own knowledge offers us then yes there are things that Bear does that i dont think would be all that smart but he does offer a useful skill every once in awile. Such as the new Sahara episode...he shows that by digging down into the sandthat is in shade you find much cooler sand underneath, for many of us that is a no brainer but it still serves as a reminder

Apply your knowledge to things you know nothing about and you will learn to unnderstand an item better and faster than someone whom does not know how to apply what they know to every day situations

Dom Borelli

[Nativedude]

SURVIVORMAN ALL THE WAY!! :D ;)

Bear is a FAKE!. . .FAKE!!. . .FAKE!!! :( :mad:

[Rick]

This one is for you Nativedude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acYExF4RRqE

This one is for everyone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpSlpvb1is

[Beo]

I see at purely entertainment value, I mean come on now... squeezing brown waste water outta elephant poop I'd find other water sources like where the animals are drinking, although he makes quite a good living at it and I'll bet he has some real fun not to mention getting to travel.

[Beo]

I just saw the video where bear catches a rabbit in a snare and after ringing its neck he says to give it karate chop on the neck the make sure its dead! Is he serious?

[Two Rivers]

My dad once told me " you can learn something from anybody". I find both shows to be full of great information. Not real sure of survivormans background, but he seems to be someone who has spent some time enjoying life growing up in the woods as opposed to being trained in survival skills.
Bear never seems to be as fatigued or hungery at the end of his show as Les, but then he has a camera man to do the filming and whos to say .... a scout out in front, and a mule skinner leading the Borax Mule Train behind him. Sometimes its like watching an episode of fear factor. Would be interesting to see a behind the scenes show from both of them. I enjoy both show. Lots of good info. Its always good to refresh the knowledge.

[Sarge47]

My dad once told me " you can learn something from anybody". I find both shows to be full of great information. Not real sure of survivormans background, but he seems to be someone who has spent some time enjoying life growing up in the woods as opposed to being trained in survival skills.
Bear never seems to be as fatigued or hungery at the end of his show as Les, but then he has a camera man to do the filming and whos to say .... a scout out in front, and a mule skinner leading the Borax Mule Train behind him. Sometimes its like watching an episode of fear factor. Would be interesting to see a behind the scenes show from both of them. I enjoy both show. Lots of good info. Its always good to refresh the knowledge.

Les DID do a "behind the scenes" show, and it was great!:cool:

[Beo]

I'll take Less and Survivorman, not only is he on his own after being dropped off, he has to do all the filming, and sometimes he has to be pulled out. I use the shows for entertainment value. But Les seems more real to me, plus he's got a simple man's comic style as I think he's funny in his comments, thinks of things the way I might such as after eating one small bug lays down and says "now that was filling."
And Bear is so fake its sickening.

[Rick]

Okay, check this out. In the November issue.

http://a1608.g.akamai.net/7/1608/1365/e17468b4b11732/away.com/images/outside/covers/cover_nov2007_toc.jpg

Bear comes clean on the fake stuff. Yep, on occasion, things were staged. No apologies. No faux paw. They cram a lot of stuff into a show. Going forward, they'll make sure viewers are aware of exactly what's what so everyone can rest easily at night. More behind the scenes stuff, too. I think they are doing it just for you Two Rivers.

Read it for yourself. Here is the link. It's a big file (8.48 Mb) in .pdf format. His confession is on the last page.

http://www.beargrylls.com/media/beargryllsoutsidemagazine.pdf

By the way, his first name is Edward. Blyme, who knew?!

[HERBz]

I have to say ray mears is my fave but might only be in the UK

www.raymears.com


P.S. i've actually met him on one of his survival courses I nearly met bear grylls too. :)

[HERBz]

There's lots of videos of him on youtube.

[Gray Wolf]

I just saw the video where bear catches a rabbit in a snare and after ringing its neck he says to give it karate chop on the neck the make sure its dead! Is he serious?

He even says he couldn't catch one with his snares, that the film crew gave it to him.

My concern is the same as Ricks: "I guess the main concern is we have some newbies on the forum and the shows portray some dubious things that those just learning may interpret as okay to perform. This thread outlines a number of things that have been done on some of the shows that none (or few) of us would ever attempt in the wild."

[Rick]

Let's venture into the bush and see if our snares caught anything last night. If we have, we'll want to be truly careful and give the human a good chop on the back of the neck if it's still alive.

[MCBushbaby]

Well, to be fair, survival isn't glamorous and certainly doesn't fair well in the public eye if they have to sit thru half an hour of it.

"ok, so here I piled a bunch of debris over a simple frame. I made a small fire with this flint, and I'm eating some bugs for food. I'm going to keep doing this for the next half hour so you can skip back to the Colbert Report."

vs.

"by crickey! A rabbit! KACHOP! Boy crickey I broke his neck with my chuck norris karate action. Now I'm jumping off an 80ft cliff into near-freezing water and float down the rapids until I find a bear! Grabbing my trusty SAS knife I kill and skin him, making a fur coat in the process. Blood smeared over my face, I defiantly scream into the heart of nature 'FREEEEDOM!!!!'"

[nell67]

I just saw the video where bear catches a rabbit in a snare and after ringing its neck he says to give it karate chop on the neck the make sure its dead! Is he serious?
Um beo,I grew up killing tame rabbits that way,but I had a bad experience with one that I prefer NOT to share,and that was the end of that,now I let someone else stronger than me do it,but lets just say that you need to make SURE its dead before you start to skin it:eek:

[Rick]

But here's the thing. If some guy had a show called Man vs. Urban and purported to show himself spread out on the 101 in L.A. demonstrating survival techniques for dodging cars or entering the subway system in New York to show how to avoid stepping on the third rail or even squeezing and drinking water from a doughnut found in the Chicago River people would think him seriously lacking in brain cells and his show would probably be canceled because everyone understands how stupid those risks are. But it would be entertaining.;)

[trax]

Um beo,I grew up killing tame rabbits that way,but I had a bad experience with one that I prefer NOT to share,and that was the end of that,now I let someone else stronger than me do it,but lets just say that you need to make SURE its dead before you start to skin it:eek:

You started ripping the skin off a live rabbit? Oh Cruella! j/k, must have been awful (worse for the rabbit, but awful) I don't know how many rabbit's necks I've wrung over the years, the only time I had to use karate on one was that killer ninja rabbit from hell.....

[nell67]

You started ripping the skin off a live rabbit? Oh Cruella! j/k, must have been awful (worse for the rabbit, but awful) I don't know how many rabbit's necks I've wrung over the years, the only time I had to use karate on one was that killer ninja rabbit from hell.....
Yea I did,and I dont know which one of us was screaming louder,never had that happen before,and it wont ever happen again,I dont want them to suffer.

[Chris]

I think now that the cat is out of the bag so to speak, Bear is getting lazier trying to fool people.

This last episode last night he walked up a glacier and slipped off (bugger!). His solution (despite the fact he had crampons with him) was to put socks over his boots. So he did that, and what do you know.. he could walk on the ice.... except he wasn't walking the same way as he did previously. To slip he walked on a steep ice slope to his right, to demonstrate the socks he walked off to his left.

Then he went down for this bit in an ice chasm, and was trying to climb out, but the video of him stuck down there and the video of him climbing out are not from the same hole. He must have went down one, had to get pulled out, and then went down a different/easier hole to demonstrate the climb out.

Then, later, he was climbing this cliff (unnecessarily I might add) only I'm sure he didn't really climb it. For about 5 minutes they showed him struggling on the rock with closeups, only they kept showing the same rock. They probably lowered him down, let him cling while they got some footage, and pulled him back up.

[Sarge47]

(fake British accent) I've been up for 36 straight hours facing some of the most dangerous internet search engines you can possibly imagine. I was forced to drink diet colas to avoid dehydration and to consume beer nuts AND pretzels. But it was worth it to uncover the most realistic Bear Grylls show to date. I hope you appreciate the sacrifices I've made.

http://www.ifilm.com/video/2880099

"Hello, I'm Bare Grills, I've looked at Mt. Everest, tried to join the SAS, drank water from elephant poo, not to mention my own urine, and eaten just about any insect and/or small animal I can find. I like long walks in the park, a girl who's a Libra...Oh crap! wrong intro..."

(voice from Off-Camera) "Cut! Okay Bare, try it without the "singles ad. Take it from right after 'I can find' And...Action!"

(BARE) "And I'm going to teach you how to survive by going out into the wilderness with nothing more that a water bottle and me $700 knife, and a 16 man camera crew who brought along the Winnebago and the 'Honey wagon"...

(Off-Camera) "Cut. Yo, BG baby, that's waaaayy to much information for the audience, OK? I mean they're stupid, I'll grant you that, but they're not complete morons, right? OK, take it from right after $700 knife...and..action!"

(Bare) "Right! ...and me $700 knife. I will also show off my naked Tush to give all you girls and flaming homo's a quick thrill...."

(Off-Camera) "OK! Cut! Uh, BG, you can't say that over the air. Too offensive. again from '$700 knife'...and...roll 'em!"

(Bare) "Right...and me $700 knife...(slaps hand down on the empty sheath) which you can get from...wait a minute, where's me knife? Any of you guys seen my knife? You didn't hide it from me again did you? (laughing from off-camera) You did! Where is it? (pause) out in the woods!? Now I'll never find it. Oh crap!" (Stalks out of the shot.)

(Off-Camera) "Cut! OK guys, that's lunch, be back in an hour."
(Off-Camera) "So, how long do you think it'll take him to find it this time?"
(Off-Camera "I got $20 that says he won't find if for four hours!"
(Off-Camera) "I'll take that bet, I've got it right here in my gear bag..."
(Off-Camera) "I still think it was great you telling him it was safe to drink his own pee! He was hitting the Scope for the next three days!":rolleyes:

[pnut]

I enjoy both shows. Each gives useful information if you take it in the right context.

[Beo]

I know you have to snap the neck of the rabbit, BUUUUUUUUUUT you do not have to give it a chuck norris karate chop to make sure it is dead, that is just ridiculas, I have killed my share of rabbits (wild & tame) and wrung the neck, but I never gave it a karate chop to make sure it was dead... lol... sure ya gotta make sure the critter is dead but karate chopping the neck is just plain stupid. IMHO.

[nell67]

I know you have to snap the neck of the rabbit, BUUUUUUUUUUT you do not have to give it a chuck norris karate chop to make sure it is dead, that is just ridiculas, I have killed my share of rabbits (wild & tame) and wrung the neck, but I never gave it a karate chop to make sure it was dead... lol... sure ya gotta make sure the critter is dead but karate chopping the neck is just plain stupid. IMHO.

I was raised using the side of my hand to kill the rabbit,but I do not do that anymore ( I am sure you read that little story elsewhere:mad:) so now if I have to do it myself,it involves a very sharp knife.

[Beo]

Really, I had no idea that you wre supposed to do that or anyone even did that, hmmm seems I learn something new everyday.

[nell67]

Yea I didnt say you were supposed to do it,I just am not going to go through what I did that time,I dont like doing it that way though.

[Elkchsr]

My GORSH!!!!

That was a lot of reading to catch up... Some times, it sucks to be new to a board...

These shows (like "Survivor") are only meant as entertainment and ratings

If people like us get some thing out of them, that is all the better, but the majority of people will never get much farther than their couch to experience a true survival scenario

If the shows were meant to be of benefit to us, the commercials would be of a different nature catering to our needs and not the general populace

I do like the fact that Les has made appearances to this thread and graced us with a little of his insight

Very cool... :)

[Rick]

I don't think that was Les. Was it? I think the survivorman on this forum is just one of us using that avatar and name. Sarge or someone, am I wrong here?

[nell67]

No you are correct Rick.

[Elkchsr]

Well shoot... :(

[nell67]

sorry Elkchsr.

[MedicineWolf]

Actually with all the threads we got going here on all the various topics, along with Chris' and Sarges moderating and running of the forum, and Trax, Rick, and Beo's witty banter we don't need any of those guys, there is a ton of real, good, and expert informatin right here. I for one love this site and when it gets down to it we hit every aspect with real survival answers, they work, and can be accomplished by the average person with a little practice. And this site is actually in the NFS (national forestry service) favorites on all our computers.
2 thumbs up for this site.

[Rick]

Well, at least it was thumbs.

[Beo]

I agree MW

[nell67]

I was gonna say it,but I thought better of it LOL!

[RBB]

I know you have to snap the neck of the rabbit, BUUUUUUUUUUT you do not have to give it a chuck norris karate chop to make sure it is dead, that is just ridiculas, I have killed my share of rabbits (wild & tame) and wrung the neck, but I never gave it a karate chop to make sure it was dead... lol... sure ya gotta make sure the critter is dead but karate chopping the neck is just plain stupid. IMHO.

Karate chop a rabbit? Huh! Well what next?

I guess I just don't get out much. I really will have to start watching these shows.

[tracks]

I have been hunting fishing and traping for quite some time and have stayed in the wilds for extended periods of time.I have yet to find
anything in survivor man or man vs wild that would actualy benifit
someone in a true life or death situation.dont believe me ,tell a friend
what your doing get a personal gps locator head out to the nearest
state or national park and try some of those so called survival skills
youll be home by dark with a whole new idea of what SURVIVAL SKILLS
really are.

[ws3445]

I can watck the first 2 seasons of man vs. wild and I can watch sivorman any time but man vs. wild is less reelistic because he only has a knife and stuff but not enough to be reelistic. :D

[Gunforhire126]

ive heard that 'bear' stays in a hotel every night

[Rick]

Okay, both you guys go back and read the thread. Realistic and hotel are covered....to death....

[Arborius]

This link says it all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j_LkdCt2P8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpSlpvb1is

[arpeggio]

Wow, just wow.

I randomly come upon this page, and had the misfortune to read Elkchsr's post on the previous page, without reading the posts responding to it.

VERY long story short, anxious to see what "Les" said, I read THE ENTIRE THREAD up to the last pages, where I find out he was incorrect

/wrists.


Anyhow, now that I've devoted this much time and effort to this thread, I feel it's my duty and right to register and share my $.02 with y'all.

I'm in advertising, so my survival experience doesn't go much beyond two-week long hikes way back with my father in semi-tramped areas like New Mexico and Suwannee. I'm a pup compared to some of you grizzled vets, but I've spent a lot of time reading countless books on survival, with a focus on North American edible plants, which I've always found fascinating.
Heck, they found me qualified to instruct nature walks at the local YMCA sleepaway camp when I was younger, so I'm not a total babe-in-the-woods.

From advertising standpoints, both Survivorman and Man vs. Wild have a certain implicit agreement with the audience of what will be shown, just from the name - A man roughin' it, going one-on-one with nature.

Les doesn't always make it, but he keeps the agreement clean by sharing everything - the triumphs AND the setbacks - with the audience.
When he steals dog food, he lets you know. When the crew tows his dingy in for the night, he lets you know. Knowledge is power, and he really seems earnest in helping you learn from his success AND failures.

I have to admit, after questioning the show (skepticism) I finally watched it at the urging of a friend, and I am very impressed by the respect Les has not only for nature, but his audience. As long as he keeps to the agreement and continues to show me the truth, I'll be content to call his show the 'true' reality television.

Man vs. Wild, on the otherhand...I see him doing things that no one, in their right mind, under ANY conditions, should ever do.
I mean EVER.
Who climbs down a waterfall? It's not just a bad idea, but it's insulting to ME.

Well, if this thread rises from the dead maybe someone will read this and go
"I see..."

Thanks for the discussion and the interesting links, some of you people seem to have real personalities.

And personality is the #1 most imporant factor in survival :D

[crashdive123]

Welcome to the forum arpeggio.

[Canadian-guerilla]

Okay, both you guys go back and read the thread. Realistic and hotel are covered....to death....

i can't believe this thread has over 400+ posts :eek:

[Tahyo]

I can't say I've ever watched this show all the way through. I've glanced at it for a few minutes while surfing only to comment to my wife that it's basically entertainment and not to be taken seriously.

The other night I was flipping around and caught it for minute only to find the guy on some tropical beach somewhere making some sort of spear gun from the elastic from his Scooby Doo underwear.
Now mind you, my wife thinks it is hilarious that she buys me Scooby Doo boxers as Scooby Doo is one of her favorite old cartoons. When she saw the guy destroying those "Scoobies", she was about ready to write in and read someone the riot act.

"And that's all I have to say about that."

[Arkansas_Ranger]

My husband and kids love to watch these shows. Do you think they have anything to actually teach people about surviving in on "have-to" basis?

Survivorman is more realistic I think, yet Man vs. Wild is better entertainment. In practicality, I think you can learn a lot from both, however, like I said, in reality I think if you spend your time lost in the wild like Survivorman that you're more likely to survive.

[Omid]

Well first of all Survivorman is more ideal. Everything that Bear (Man vs Wild) does is 100% stupid.

Eating Fish raw is the worst thing you can do! And when it is alive..! Something that no one here has mentioned is that Beqar gets a huge paycheck. I wonder how much money he got for eating that camel crap, or snake, or scorpion!

Survivorman is more ideal for learning. It shows that not everything works out how you planned. Many times what you try to do does fail! Even if you never spent time out in the woods for a night, you'll know that if you just go fishing!
Survivorman's tactics are smart, interesting, and won't get you possible killed (much unlike what Bear teaches you).

What Bear does is going to get you hurt. And if you are hurt in a survival situation you could possible die!

Survivorman is helpful, and Man Vs Wild is ONLY entertainment. I wonder how many digits are in his paycheck...

[Rick]

Omid - Welcome to the forum. How about scooting over to the Introduction section and tells us a little about yourself. By the way, you don't actually think Les does that for free do you? I think there's a little in the way of renumeration for him, too. :D

Has anyone seen Survive Alaska? It was on last night and it stars Les Stroud. Last night's episode covered the cold water dunking we talked about a couple of months ago and had the doctor on the show that gave us the info. There was also a segment about snow shelters. I didn't get to watch all of it but what I saw was pretty good. The snow shelter piece had Les and a native Alaskan (Inuit? I don't know). Anyway, he had frozen white fish and seal oil. He said it didn't create thirst like other meats. The seal oil contained the fat and the frozen white fish contained the protein that you need.

[Tahyo]

**snip**
Has anyone seen Survive Alaska? It was on last night and it stars Les Stroud. Last night's episode covered the cold water dunking we talked about a couple of months ago and had the doctor on the show that gave us the info. There was also a segment about snow shelters. I didn't get to watch all of it but what I saw was pretty good. The snow shelter piece had Les and a native Alaskan (Inuit? I don't know). Anyway, he had frozen white fish and seal oil. He said it didn't create thirst like other meats. The seal oil contained the fat and the frozen white fish contained the protein that you need.

I saw about 5 minutes or less of it. Unless I was watching it for the scenery, I just can't get into something that I know is either phony or staged and trying to be passed off as something else.
I, personally just can't find any entertainment value in it.

The part I caught last night had a certain ethnic person(s) on there and I find them tromping around in the wild supposedly "alone" or with one or two people, as believable as me going to the south side of Chicago dressed in an Armani suit and making it out with my wallet.

[Rick]

It wasn't trying to pass off as something else. It was an educational show. How to's. That sort of thing. They did some staged stuff like some goofy wreck with a snow machine to show what could happen but then they went into what to look for from natural shelters and the various things you need to know to build a snow cave. It wasn't exceptional show material but it was good and solid.

[Tahyo]

It wasn't trying to pass off as something else. It was an educational show. How to's. That sort of thing. They did some staged stuff like some goofy wreck with a snow machine to show what could happen but then they went into what to look for from natural shelters and the various things you need to know to build a snow cave. It wasn't exceptional show material but it was good and solid.

Didn't mean for my post to come on so strong Rick. My wife hates when I watch t.v. with her because I find every flaw, boo-boo and unrealistic shot that's there and when it comes to any kind of reality or semi reality show, I just shake my head.

[Omid]

I saw survival Alaska too... There was one built by Survivorman and one build by Man vs Wild.

Ya I remember seeing Survivorman and his crash test dummies under an avalance, etc.

[LeaveThisLifeGuy]

my .02= Gryllis is a whimp. Stroud has the fortitude of an elephant.

[kx250kev]

Stroud has earned my respect.

[Rick]

Who would have thought these guys would have earned over 400 posts?

[wareagle69]

i can't beleive this thread is still open

[crashdive123]

Kind of fun to read through it when you're day dreaming and taking nothing serious.

[marberry]

anyone know when the new season (3) of Survivorman is airing?

[BIG TONE]

les gets my vote for sure not as exciting but more realistic

[Ameriborn]

Man Vs. Wild is a better show IMO. Not as a Survival show in anyway, but Some of what he says is very helpful. The things he does I am not so sure about. This one is for entertainment, anyway. Survivorman is much more realistic and gives more tips. Though, I do find some of the stuff he does really stupid. (Not stupid like Bear, just stupid - like when he wastes his only food as bait)

[Rick]

Bear Gryllis? Entertaining? Stop it! You're killing me.

http://th43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/repair_buck/th_bean_laughing_lg_nwm.gif

[crashdive123]

Man Vs. Wild is a better show IMO. Not as a Survival show in anyway, but Some of what he says is very helpful. The things he does I am not so sure about. This one is for entertainment, anyway. Survivorman is much more realistic and gives more tips. Though, I do find some of the stuff he does really stupid. (Not stupid like Bear, just stupid - like when he wastes his only food as bait)

The thing that bothers me most about M v. W isn't the fact that he stays in hotels instead of the wilderness, it isn't that he ties up wild animals and then pretends to stalk and kill them, it isn't the fact that when shooting a rapids using inflated pants for floatation but really is wearing a life vest under his shirt......what really bothers me is that alot of what he does is dangerous and stupid, and for the novice that watches the show and says -- "Wow, cool, I think I'll try that".....somebody is gonna die.

[1stcavmp77]

ok these guys would bo alot better by their viewers (especially the ones who think there's more than about 10% useful info in any given show) if they would at least start out by telling what you should take if you even think there might a chance that your little day hike could quickly turn into a survival situation. common sense ain't so common anymore. and i did see one episode where stroud built his shelter about 5 yards from the edge of a roaring river and it had been raining non-stop since he arrived at the location. that's just asking to get caught in a flash-flood. and lo and behold when he woke up the next morning the river was alot closer than when he went to sleep. i think anyone who has any possiblity of being caught in a survival situation owes to themselves to be as prepared as possible. prior planning prevents piss poor performance as my drill seargent once told me. just my two bits. :cool:

[snakeman]

Bear Grills is more daring but not always in a good way. He just shows you how to get out of bad situations. I think survivorman is better.

[crashdive123]

Bear Grills is more daring but not always in a good way. He just shows you how to get out of bad situations. I think survivorman is better.

You seem pretty wise for your years Snakeman. Just remember that a lot of what Bear is doing could put you in danger rather than get you out of it.

[yukon55]

one of man vs wilds epsoides i saw a resort in the distances.

[trax]

one of man vs wilds epsoides i saw a resort in the distances.

probably wasn't all that great of a distance....

[Rick]

Blasphemer!!!!! Bear mocker!!!!! Dost thou think we wouldst believe thine lies about Brother Gryllis? Hang on......I'm back. Had to bite the head off a wolverine. Where was I..Oh, yeah. Blasphemer!!!!!

[yukon55]

yeah i know but it was funny because it was like on the 2nd or 3rd day

[Ameriborn]

Anybody watch the new MvW last night?

[Sourdough]

Was it on one of them TV thingies, I have no TV. But I have something much better than TV. I have a LIFE. Try it you might like it. How you like them apples.....?

[Omid]

wow 22 pages....

[Rick]

Uh, click on Page 3 of 22? If that's what you're asking.

[TOOLTIME]

I Also Like Them Both...they Both Teach Different Things. Actually, Watching These Shows Is What Really Got Me More Interested In Finding Out More About Survival Type Info.

[Rambo JohnJ]

Before watching man vs wild, if i was ever stranded on a mountain or something i would have no idea at all of what i should do. even though the show is partially staged, if you guys didnt know anything about survival before watching these shows like me, you would realize that they are pretty helpful

even small things like getting to the top of a mountain to survey the land or following a river seem like simple things, but I dont think i would have thought of them in a survival situation. his show also does teach good techniques for setting traps and such which i didnt know before

[someguy1980]

I liked "Man vs. Wild" a lot until I realized it was totally fake.

[klkak]

It is good that the two shows have encouraged some folk to learn about survival. However. There are to many time on those programs where the techniques they use could kill you as apposed to saving you. Don't forget Bear is an accomplished mountaineer/climber. Trying to do some of his stunts without his skill is worse then a bad idea. For example, venturing into a glacial ice cave, climbing a waterfall or as Les did placing his camp on a river sandbar when its raining in the mountains above him. I would suggest viewing the programs as entertainment only and investing in some real world practical survival training.

[crashdive123]

It is good that the two shows have encouraged some folk to learn about survival. However. There are to many time on those programs where the techniques they use could kill you as apposed to saving you. Don't forget Bear is an accomplished mountaineer/climber. Trying to do some of his stunts without his skill is worse then a bad idea. For example, venturing into a glacial ice cave, climbing a waterfall or as Les did placing his camp on a river sandbar when its raining in the mountains above him. I would suggest viewing the programs as entertainment only and investing in some real world practical survival training.

One of the better reviews of the shows that I have seen.

[nell67]

Well said klkak,if only people will listen.

[Gray Wolf]

klkak, Good post. I would also add, not only is Bear an accomplished mountaineer/climber, but he was in the British Special Forces (for 3 years), he's in outstanding physical condition, and passed the training tests for the French Foreign Legion (which is a great accomplishment). BUT the show is dangerous!

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

Those shows are dangerous but remember that they have teams of personel ready to respond to thier emergencies, so much for the "I'm realy surviving thing". Bear says clearly "I'm not staying here tonite but if you had to this is what you could do..."

[jrock24]

A better show is " The Grizzly man diaries".

[klkak]

Timothy Treadwell was a "MORON Echo-terrorist" that not only got himself killed but also his girlfriend. The bear that killed him should get a "Congressional Medal of Honor" and promoted to "Director of Homeland Defense"!!!

[crashdive123]

Don't sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel.

[trax]

Pardon my naivete ladies and gentlemen, but I've read references to this Timothy Treadwell person a time or two here and I really don't know anything about him. At the risk of having Kevin zero me out with his .338 all the way from Alaska,:) could someone fill me in a bit on the details of this guy?

and Crash, what are you even doing still here? Shouldn't you be marking down the hours til doomsday? There's still like...seven hours left in the day where I live, eight where Bragg lives!

[crashdive123]

Can only tell you what I've read about him. Born in New York, actor, self described eco warrior. He and his girlfriend were killed when he set up camp next to a salmon run late in the season. Bears were fighting each other over there "fishing hole"........guess they saw the two furless ones as easier prey.

If you google his name there are some sites with pics of the scene of the attack - pretty gruesome.

[klkak]

Don't sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel.

I had to sugar coat it or I might have damaged some young impressionable minds.:rolleyes:

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

Bears always Bite bigger than they bark! put sugar on your foot and they will knaw on it pretty good.

[crashdive123]

On a lighter note.....(I know it's been posted before, but I like it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTJlr6xVxKc

[klkak]

Pardon my naiveté ladies and gentlemen, but I've read references to this Timothy Treadwell person a time or two here and I really don't know anything about him. At the risk of having Kevin zero me out with his .338 all the way from Alaska,:) could someone fill me in a bit on the details of this guy?

He was a Greenie Weenie that thought he could commune with Alaska's coastal brown bears. The bears ended up using him and his girlfriend as communion.

By the way you can relax. I wouldn't draw a bead on someone I like. That's just plain bad manners.

[Sarge47]

Timothy Treadwell was a "MORON Echo-terrorist" that not only got himself killed but also his girlfriend. The bear that killed him should get a "Congressional Medal of Honor" and promoted to "Director of Homeland Defense"!!!
Timothy Treadwell, Christopher McCandless, Brad & Adrian...these are names that will go into the nominee envelopes for the Darwin Award. :rolleyes:

I saw the movie documentary: "Grizzly man!" Sheesh! What a NUMPTY!!! "Here Fluffy! Here boy! come here fluffy! See! Daddy's got a nice fish for.....AGHHHHHH!!!!!":eek: Freakin' film should have been called "Grizzly Lunch"!

Sarge's wisdom: Leave all wildlife, especially the real huge, heavy carnivores, THE CRAP ALONE!!!!:eek::rolleyes::rolleyes::cool:

[Dennis K.]

Bears - never encountered one in the wild. Hope to keep it that way.
The bear equation:

A small bear can outweigh a grown man by 2 : 1
+ Large bear 3 : 1
+ Bears have bigger sharper teeth, stronger jaws and 4 sets of claws.
+ Bears are faster than me
- I carry a knife.
= Bear wins.

only variable is if I can keep my wits about me enough to not become food.

For those of you that have spent a lot of time in bear country - any threads here you'd recommend or should I trust Baer Grylls? :)

[crashdive123]

Dennis - here's a thread dealing with bears that you may find useful. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2146&highlight=bear+spray

[tsitenha]

In the UK "Bear" Grylls has been vilified on many forums for his initial episodes those are now shown but with disclaimers.
The newer episodes try to temper extreme reactions to situations with a modicum of realistic responses.

[klkak]

"If you encounter a Bear. 1. Stand perfectly still. 2. Let the bear know that you know he sees you. 3. Back away slowly".

What movie did that line come from?

[trax]

"If you encounter a Bear. 1. Stand perfectly still. 2. Let the bear know that you know he sees you. 3. Back away slowly".

What movie did that line come from?

The Edge, one of my favorite movies "why is the rabbit unafraid?" Interesting that the man who gets to ask that question at the end of the movie is also the only character who follows that advice when they first meet the bear hey bro?

also good posting Dennis (awfully good at basic math) K.

[chiye tanka]

Love that movie. Mostly Bart the bear.

[Rick]

Les is a dork!!!! Bear shows you "how to". Rich!!!!

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1231_hysterically_laughing.gif (http://www.clipartof.com)

[crashdive123]

Might be a little bassackwards there IMO.

[Gray Wolf]

Les is a dork in my opinion. Most of the time he's just trying to survive the 5 days he's dropped there.

First it's 7 days he has to survive.


He doesn't take in enough protein or anything else to sustain him and most of the time he barely scrapes by by the skin of his teeth. As far as his survival skills go, he's a complete loser.
A loser? He survives! His shows are always set up as "your dirt bike breaks down", "you've lost your sled dogs", "your small plane goes down in the middle of nowhere", etc, situations where you wouldn't have much with you. Les does what we would all like to do, survive! How would you do in a strange place, with little or no equipment???? How would you have done being from where you're from and going on a sightseeing trip over the Northwest Territory and the plane goes down and the pilot didn't have a BOB on the plane, and he died in the crash? Humm, do you know the wild edibles in that area? Do some look the same, but are not, there poisonous... Oh No! It's snowing and starting to get dark... Les "as far as his survival skills go, he's a complete loser", I think not!

[Rick]

What is the difference between that and parachuting in?

Uh, my blood curdling scream interrupted by deep breaths interrupted by more blood curdling screams until I slam into the earth. Oh, yea. Ripcord. Duh!


Bear was pro-active in his survival because you can't always count on someone coming looking for you; he got off his arse, oriented himself, assessed the situation and made a plan to live.

Dude! He drinks his own pee and squeezes water from elephant poo. Need I say more?


Bear really takes a bum rap on this forum and Les is held to be almost a mythical figure.

All Hail, Les! All Hail, Les! All Hail, Les!


he *demonstrates* how to get your butt out of a crack.

Go look in the mirror. Your butt is a crack. (Or vice versa)


Personally I would follow Bear anywhere

So would we. It's how we rack up our frequent stay points at Residence Inn.:D

[Rick]

It's the old joke....

I radioed in. They said we could either die or squeeze water out of the elephant poo.

And?

And it looks like we're gonna die.

[Gray Wolf]

Compare the two shows of Les and Bear

You can't,
Bear has a whole team with him at all times! Les does not!
Bear stays in a hotel at night! Les does not!
Bear (as seen in the West Scotland show) has a cameraman help him out of a hole he fell into! Les does not! He films himself!
I could go on....

[klkak]

So he starts with a scenario "your dirt bike breaks down, sled dogs run away" etc. What is the difference between that and parachuting in? It all amounts to the same thing. Just because you say "my sled dogs ran away" changes nothing; you're still stuck out there and, chances are, you will die unless you know some serious survival skills. I'm not disrespecting Les; I just think he's irresponsible for promoting himself as "survivorman". A healthy person can go 6 weeks without food so 5 or 7 days is not a big deal.
Just recently in the news there was a story about a man that went into the desert on a dirt bike for a short camping trip. Sometime later they found his body. In other words. It's a believable scenario that could and has happened.


As to your question as to whether I would know what to do "being from where you're from" (point well taken). The answer is yes but only because I've watched Bear show how to make emergency shelters, build a fire with a flint, a bow starter (made in the wilderness) or using a 9v battery and steel wool. He points out edible plants and warns of poisonous ones. He shows how to trap successfully and use alternative and creative means of catching fish. Bear demonstrates the principals of how to get back to civilization by always going downhill and following a creek or river. He also emphasizes one of the most important things - morale. You have to believe in your getting out if you're in a situation like that or you will most certainly make mistakes (most often compounding on themselves) and die.
Thank you for letting us know the extent of your survival education.


Compare the two shows of Les and Bear when they were dropped in Alaska. Les ate rotten salmon that even an eagle rejected. Bear feasted on fresh salmon.
It wasn't rotten salmon and the eagle didn't rejected it. It is very common for an eagle to catch a fish, eat a couple bites and leave the rest. As for Bear feasting on fresh salmon. He was on a stream with spawning fish in it. Les wasn't.


Les nearly burned his flimsy little "shelter" (with no wind or rain protection) to the ground.
Les didn't nearly burn his shelter to the ground. It caught fire and he put it out. He was protected from the rain or did you miss that he found some plastic that he Incorporated into the roof?



Bear's shelter was warm and kept him out of the wind and rain completely.
According to him. It is common knowledge that Bear doesn't stay in the field. He stays in a hotel.


Les waited for the camera crew to pick him up. Bear was pro-active in his survival because you can't always count on someone coming looking for you; he got off his arse, oriented himself, assessed the situation and made a plan to live.
There are very few times when you should move from your present location unless it is for safety or to get into an area close by that makes you more visible. Most often it is best to stay where you are and do every thing possible to draw attention to yourself.


Bear really takes a bum rap on this forum and Les is held to be almost a mythical figure. For what, because he can go on a 7 day diet? Bear does some crazy things but drastic situations often call for drastic measures and he *demonstrates* how to get your butt out of a crack.
This is something that has been discussed before. Bear does things that will get you killed in a hurry unless you have his physical conditioning, strength, agility and climbing skills.


It's not like he actually enjoys jumping through the ice and into the water of a frozen pond but shows how to get out, warns of the urge to suck in water because of the thermal shock, and how to get out of the water and how to get your clothes dry and keep hypothermia from setting in. He eats the most disgusting things imaginable but it's all for the viewers sakes, to show us "you can do it and live". I'm not trying to bash Les; just put things in perspective. Surviving, to me, is taking control of the situation and making a plan and not getting yourself in a situation that spirals out of control. Personally I would follow Bear anywhere but I wouldn't take Les with me on a hunting trip in Alaska.
Venturing into a glacier cave, climbing down a waterfall or up a 1000ft cliff are not situations that could spiral out of control?

"What we have here is a fella (TrapperRick) with a very romantic view of what survival is!!!"

TrapperRick, I invite you to participate in the "Survival situation scenario's" after you have read a few hundred of the posts on this website.

[Sarge47]

Les is a dork in my opinion. Most of the time he's just trying to survive the 5 days he's dropped there. He doesn't take in enough protein or anything else to sustain him and most of the time he barely scrapes by by the skin of his teeth. As far as his survival skills go, he's a complete loser. He darn near starved to death in Alaska, even though food was all around him, not to mention that he almost burned his "hut" to the ground. Bear does do some risky things but you've got to use your head too. What he shows is a "how to" survive, techniques you can actually put to use. Les just stuggles until the camera crew comes to save him. It plainly says on Bear's website and on the show that some scenes are staged for instructional purposes but for the most part he's on his own. Anyone that would prefer Les over Bear either has a death wish or doesn't have enough survival skills or woodcraft to fill a thimble. Just my opinion.
So...then...you think it's ok to drink urine straight from the bladder?:confused:

[Gray Wolf]

As to your question as to whether I would know what to do "being from where you're from". The answer is yes but only because I've watched Bear show how

That's scary! And that's why his show is dangerous! :eek:

[Gray Wolf]

Were you aware that he is now selling knives (with the knife maker) with his name on them for $700!

Yes I left alone "it's ok to drink urine"....

[trax]

TrapperRick, you want to go out in the wilds anywhere and follow Bear Gryllis' advice, fill yer boots dude, let us know how it works out for you if you get back.

Fighting the urge to yawn mightily here.

[Gray Wolf]

Sorry I couldn't leave it for the young people that are here:

From the US Army Field Manual 21-76, Ch. 6, in the Do Not Drink table:[6]

"Urine: Contains harmful body wastes. Is about 2 percent salt."

From the SAS Survival Handbook How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea John Wiseman 2004 Harper Collins, p. 494:

"DO NOT drink urine."

From Dr. William Elfarr, Urologist and former president of the Texas Urological Society:[7]

""In general, it is not beneficial to ingest one's own urine during times of starvation and/or dehydration. The urine at those times is concentrated with high sodium, other electrolyte and mineral content. This is counterproductive when one is dehydrated.""

From Master Sergeant Gary L. Benton, survival instructor to B-52 crews:[8]

"Finally, a few things you should not do. Do not drink urine. It is a waste product of a body and is just that, waste (think about that for a second…when a body passes urine, it is not longer need or useful). Drinking urine can even make you sick."

From Tom Brown Jr., survivor school founder and instructor [9]

"Don't drink urine (unless you've first purified it by means of a solar still) because doing so will increase your body's rate of dehydration. "

From Equipped.com, a survival site:[10]

""Never drink blood or urine. They will only hasten dehydration."

From Adventure Sports Online's 5 basic survival tips:[11]

"Never drink urine."

From the USGI Canteen Group:[12]

"Also, don't drink urine or sea water. Some folks say that it's saved their lives, but there is no evidence to back this up. Both contain high levels of toxins that cannot be filtered out except by distillation or reverse osmosis"

From Wildernesssurvival.net, prominently in the "Remember!" section:[13]

"Do not drink urine."

Bear cites the case of three Mexican fishermen who were lost and supposedly lived off of turtle blood and urine. This claim seems to have been pulled from thin air. The fishermen reported drinking rainwater, not blood and urine:

"We ate raw seagulls, ducks and fish. We ate everything raw - any fish that came near the boat we grabbed it and gulped it down," Jesus Vidana told Televisa channel in an interview late Tuesday.

"We drank rain water because it rained every day," he said. "Twice we almost sank. The waves washed into the boat and we thought we were going to die."

Even if they had also drank blood and urine (which seems to have been reported nowhere but Man vs Wild), they're drinking freshwater, too.

Les Stroud has NOT drunk his own urine. Rather, in the desert episode, he distills the water from the urine and drinks the water from the resulting condensation -- he explicitly states the risks of drinking urine without proper filtration. As the various quotes above demonstrate, drinking urine especially while dehydrated is an extremely bad idea.

[klkak]

I think you guys are missing my whole point but then, according to Klkak, I know nothing about survival anyway.

I did not say you don't know anything about survival. I said:

Thank you for letting us know the extent of your survival education.

From another thread.
If you are going to be an active member of this forum you have got to have a tough hide! If you are tender skinned then you are going to get your feeling hurt. Most of us are not intellectuals. We range from barely able to read & write rednecks to Remy. With some of us, the filter between what pops into our mind and what comes out on the key board is broken.

"If you want to run with the "Wolf pack" then you have to expect to get bitten once in a while"

[klkak]

Thank you G.W. for that extremely informative post.

[Gray Wolf]

Again, that is why that show and Bear Gryils are dangerous, as we see here, even adults can be taken in, and believe some of that crap... :mad:

[Dennis K.]

TrapperRick - you like Baer Grylls. I like Les.
In any event, I am not about to watch their shows and then think that I am qualified to survive in those situations. Wilderness survival and bushcraft take time and practice, not TV shows. What I will greatfully thank both men for is that they do seem to inspire many people to think about wilderness survival situations. Once the brain is activated, that usually allows the rest of the carcass to follow.
Baer and Les are like Wikipedia - a good place to start, but by no means gospel.

All that to say, hey dude, I'm glad your here. No need to leave.

[klkak]

The following are quotes from earlier in this thread.


post #445 of this thread It is good that the two shows have encouraged some folk to learn about survival. However. There are to many time on those programs where the techniques they use could kill you as apposed to saving you. Don't forget Bear is an accomplished mountaineer/climber. Trying to do some of his stunts without his skill is worse then a bad idea. For example, venturing into a glacial ice cave, climbing a waterfall or as Les did placing his camp on a river sandbar when its raining in the mountains above him. I would suggest viewing the programs as entertainment only and investing in some real world practical survival training.


post #448 of this thread I would also add, not only is Bear an accomplished mountaineer/climber, but he was in the British Special Forces (for 3 years), he's in outstanding physical condition, and passed the training tests for the French Foreign Legion (which is a great accomplishment). BUT the show is dangerous!

[chiye tanka]

TR, LISTEN to what is being said. When I first joined, I got "bit" with my first post by Sarge. I licked my wounds, and am still here.
All the members here are open and willing to help anyone learn, provided we are willing to be taught.
Just some survival food for thought.:cool:

[trax]

I'm going to email Les Stroud and tell him not only can he have sex with my daughter, I'm also including him in my will.


Um, just for the benefit of the unattached younger gentlemen in this forum, how often do you.....no, never mind that would just be rude...

[crashdive123]

Trapper Rick - I don't think you offended anybody's feelings. BTW I have a few heroes in my life, and I can assure you that neither Les nor Bear are one of them. Here's the issue I have with Bear....1st, in another thread it was Klkad that noted he is SAS trained, an mountain climber, and competent athlete - nobody would deny any of that. Somebody watching the show that does not have the same skill sets that he has, but tries to emulate what they see are going to either hurt themselves or worse. Can valuable infromation be picked up from his show? I believe it can be. Since some of the exposure of what really takes place on the show, he now adds disclaimers. One time when he didn't - and was shooting a rapid sans kyak you can clearly see the outline of a life preserver under his shirt (youtube video). Now neglecting to let an inexperienced viewer in on that little trick could cost them their life. Here's what some from the other side of the pond think of him. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-470155/How-Bear-Grylls-Born-Survivor-roughed--hotels.html

[klkak]

No body on this forum hates Bear or Les! we dislike them passing on bad or dangerous information. In turn, We caution folks to view them as entertainment only. There is possibly hundreds of years of survival experience on this forum. The majority of experienced people on here agree a great deal of the things that Bear does on his show and to a lesser extent Les on his show, are either down right dangerous, careless or impractical.

[Rick]

The first thing you have to do is put all of this into perspective.

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1247_farting.gif (http://www.clipartof.com)

Done! No one has a bulls eye on them unless you hang it there yourself. As far an entertainment value it's fine. If you want to learn survival skills, you can learn some good ones from either one. You can also pick up some very dangerous ones. More from Bear, I'm afraid that from Les. Either way, I wouldn't put all my trust in either one. Hang on.

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1247_farting.gif (http://www.clipartof.com)

There! All better.

[Gray Wolf]

I was unaware that if you have a dissenting opinion of some on this board, people's fangs come out.

TR it has nothing to do with dissenting opinions, we have kids on this board that are members and are only 12 years of age. I don't want to be responsible for one of them getting sick or hurt or worse, because of what the adults here say. I don't idolize either of them. I was the one who posted:
"I would also add, not only is Bear an accomplished mountaineer/climber, but he was in the British Special Forces (for 3 years), he's in outstanding physical condition, and passed the training tests for the French Foreign Legion (which is a great accomplishment). BUT the show is dangerous!"

I'm sure your aware of kids imitating (at 10-16 years old) the WW- and have gotten severely hurt. They look up to us for answers here about wilderness survival. We even look to each other for new ideas, or answers to things we don't know. That's it.... Nothing to do with dissenting opinions.

[trax]

Unless of course you disagree then it's all about dissenting opinions again, but overall, I'd say that Gray Wolf guy sure does put some serious thoughts into his posts and the posts are always well composed. I'd probably vote for him for moderator (gotta balance out Crash's ego here) In fact I might befriend both those dudes ifn' they weren't durned Americans......(oh Whoops! We're already friends :eek:)

[klkak]

I think Trax should be a moderator. Oops, strike that. He can't be a moderator he's the Emperor or something already.

[crashdive123]

Judging from TR's avatar change, I'd say he may not want to play anymore.

[Gray Wolf]

Sign language is my guess. :D

[trax]

Judging from TR's avatar change, I'd say he may not want to play anymore.

Or he's flirting with someone. Heyyy, the guy said he had a sense of humor, come on now..

How about (or aboot if I wish to translate to my native tongue, Canajun) if I'm just a moderate emporer klkak?

[Sarge47]

I don't want you to go overboard about Bear or Les. Take them of leave them, but remember, there are certain things no one should do in a survival situation, & drinking urine is one of them. In one of his shows Les did show how to "distill" urine to make it safe to drink, & that's the only way to do it. I like Les cuz he blows a mean harp, mainly. But he also demonstrates certain survival tools, like the Magnesium Block for fire making, so everyone can see how it works. My favorite program with him in it was not "Survivorman", but rather an episode of "I Shouldn't be Alive; the Science of Survival." I DO think that Bear has a cute tush for an SAS guy, however, as does your avatar, is that a "self-portrait"?:D

[nell67]

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-les-stroud-ending-his-survivorman-discovery-channel-show-7983.php

[Dennis K.]

I can certainly understand Les Stroud's reasoning. I think he has done an excellent job of getting people to think more about their natural surroundings.

I think his blog mentioned that he working on more "off the grid" projects.

Looking forward to his farewell season, and sad to see it go.

[Gray Wolf]

In tonight's episode, Les needs a SAR team rescue, when he gets lost (it's a new one).
Should be interesting, being that he has lots of training. What goes wrong??? :eek:

[Rick-SAR]

Sarge47,

Right on! When we find lost subjects they DON"T have a survival pack with them. If they did they would also be smart enough to know navigation, tell somone where they are going etc. Most folks we look for are in trouble because they don't know enough to have good boots, warm clothes, water, PLBs, SPOT beacons, etc.

We also teach survival (not the Tom Brown kind) to med flight crews on how to stay put, stay warm and wait for rescue.

I do think these shows show more of what not to do then what to do. Eating bugs, vegetation, etc., will do more to harm (or not do much to help) you and you spend a lot of needed energy doing it.

A new book out "Lost Person Behavior" by Robert J. Koester, says that 93% of 12,900 world wide searches were located withing 24 hours of being lost. Of 1881 lost subjects that were surveyed only 6% had survival training.

Take care,

Rick-SAR www.SearchAndRescueTraining.com

[Sarge47]

To all members who don't know who Rick-SAR is he's a bona-fide "Search & Rescue" guy who has a lot on his plate, so he doesn't post as much on here as I would like, but I count every post he DOES make a blessing.:cool:

[Ole WV Coot]

I enjoy his no BS posts and the stats. Glad for his posts also.

[sgtdraino]

Looking forward to his farewell season, and sad to see it go.

Ditto. Survivorman has been great.


In tonight's episode, Les needs a SAR team rescue, when he gets lost (it's a new one).
Should be interesting, being that he has lots of training. What goes wrong??? :eek:

I was a bit disappointed when I saw this, and learned that nothing really went wrong. Les was participating in an excercise with the local SAR team, and got lost on purpose so that they could get some practice looking for him.