Navy SEAL Auctions Knife Used in bin Laden Mission for $35,000 on Charity Site

How much would knife collectors pay to own a piece of history? A fair amount, especially if the knife itself is already top-quality. A knife reportedly used in the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan recently went for auction, drawing in a...

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Sportsman Channel’s Miniseries Wanted: Ted or Alive Earns #1 Ranking Across Key Demos

Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor television for the American sportsman, announced its reality-based miniseries event hosted by Ted Nugent—Wanted: Ted or Alive—finished its eight-episode series with a No. 1 ranking in its time period for all midsized networks in the advertiser coveted M25-54, M18-49 and M18-34 demos. The one-hour miniseries event ran March 4 – April 22, exclusively on Sportsman.  Due to the strong audience response and ratings, network executives are airing a special encore presentation of the entire miniseries event Mondays at 7pm ET.

“We’ve seen strong ratings increases throughout this entire miniseries event so we aren’t surprised by earning No. 1s in these key demos for the aggregated series,” said Graig Hale, VP of Business Development at Sportsman Channel. “Sportsman Channel is continuing to pave the way for a new era of outdoor TV that spans the diverse interests and lifestyles of the more than 80 million Americans who call themselves sportsmen and sportswomen. And our ratings boosts are proving our programming is really resonating with our viewers.”

Hosted by the original, All-American outdoorsman, Wanted: Ted or Alive introduces five young adults to the sportsman lifestyle of self-reliance and responsibility as they compete in outdoor challenges that only the Motor City Madmen could contrive.

Considered a “master outdoorsman” and one of the world’s best guitarist showmen, Nugent pushes the limits of each contestant as they are thrown into the wild and forced to live off the land to eat, win and survive with Ted’s tools and by Ted’s rules. From using buffalo skin to make their own clothes to learning the sharp shooter skills of an archer, they participate in various challenges throughout the episodes, accruing points in the form of cash dollars along the way.

Read and join the discussion on Sportsman Channel’s Miniseries Wanted: Ted or Alive Earns #1 Ranking Across Key Demos at OutdoorHub.com.

Captured Mountain Bandit Admits to Targeting Hunters

Notorious cabin burglar Troy James Knapp, 45, admitted to law enforcement after his capture that he held a grudge against hunters. During Knapp’s six-year spree of burglaries and vandalism in the Utah mountains he raided numerous cabins, many belonging to sportsmen. Knapp would pillage any firearms, supplies, and especially liked to vandalize any cabin he felt was too well stocked.

According to Fox 13, Knapp told officers that he lived a survivalist lifestyle in the wilderness because he disliked people. Knapp expressed a particular disdain for hunters.

“He didn’t like all the money they spent on their ATVs and guns and different things like that,” Sevier County Sheriff Nate Curtis told Fox 13. “He basically told us he’d rather they have a bow made out of their own hands. So he really, in particular, expressed that he did not like hunters.”

In past years several well-equipped but abandoned camps have been seen in the area of Knapp’s break-ins. These camps often contained stacks of stolen firearms and outdoor equipment. It is suspected that Knapp stole these items just to dump them out in the wild.

Officials now believe Knapp to have committed over 40 burglaries and will be pressing multiple charges against him, including attempted murder for shooting at a police helicopter.

Read and join the discussion on Captured Mountain Bandit Admits to Targeting Hunters at OutdoorHub.com.

Sportsman Channel’s Ted Nugent-Powered Miniseries Wanted: Ted or Alive Scores No. 1 for March

Ratings Momentum Continues to Build as Reality Lifestyle Mini-Series Strikes a Chord with Key Male Audiences

Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor television for the American sportsman, announced that audience interest and popularity continues to grow for its reality-based mini-series hosted by Ted Nugent—Wanted: Ted or Alive—scoring a No. 1 ranking for the month of March in its time period for all midsized networks in the advertiser coveted M25-54, M18-34 and A18-34 demos.

Hosted by the original, All-American outdoorsman, Wanted: Ted or Alive introduces five young adults to the sportsman lifestyle of self-reliance and responsibility as they compete in outdoor challenges that only the Motor City Madmen could contrive. Airing Mondays at 7pm ET/PT, exclusively on Sportsman Channel, Wanted: Ted or Alive has contestants questioning if they can truly survive the outdoors—and Nugent.

Network executives are confident on the series’ continued ratings success, as it begins the three-episode countdown to the unforgettable season finale: April 8, “Guts, Glory & Scarecrows,” April 15, “Hunting, Cooking & Rocking the Nugent Way” and the big season finale on April 22, “The Final Dash for Cash.”

“This mini-series has been a big ratings win for the network and is exactly the type of innovative, new programming we’ll continue to deliver for our growing base of passionate viewers,” said Graig Hale, VP of Business Development at Sportsman Channel. “Sportsman Channel is continuing to pave the way for a new era of outdoor TV that spans the diverse interests and lifestyles of the more than 80 million Americans who call themselves sportsmen and sportswomen.”

Considered a “master outdoorsman” and one of the world’s best guitarist showmen, Nugent pushes the limits of each contestant as they are thrown into the wild and forced to live off the land to eat, win and survive with Ted’s tools and by Ted’s rules. From using buffalo skin to make their own clothes to learning the sharp shooter skills of an archer, they participate in various challenges throughout the episodes, accruing points in the form of cash dollars along the way. The participant with the most “money” at the end of the week will win the grand prize of $25,000.

Read and join the discussion on Sportsman Channel’s Ted Nugent-Powered Miniseries Wanted: Ted or Alive Scores No. 1 for March at OutdoorHub.com.

Interview: Survival Expert Dave Canterbury on Life, the Wild, and Sharp Things

Editor’s note: This interview is the first in a series with Outdoor Hub’s featured video partners. 

Outdoor Hub recently got the chance to interview Dave Canterbury, founder of the Pathfinder School and wilderness survival expert. Dave has amassed an impressive knowledge of  life-saving techniques and is now sharing that knowledge with law enforcement, Department of Natural Resources employees, and outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to teaching, Dave maintains a sizable following in both his channel on YouTube and television.

It is a rare treat for us to ask Dave a few questions and gain a little bit of perspective in the process. Dave talks a bit about his work, his experiences, and of course his love of a good knife.

Outdoor Hub: What are the important lessons you draw from your time in the Army, being a fisherman, and wilderness survival instructor?

Dave Canterbury: Repetition. You just have to consider the type of skills you need, and hone those skills until you get better and better. So you hone those and have a personal toolbox for use in the wilderness. If you just fish them out a few times, you’re not going to understand them. Repetition is the key ownership of the skill. This proved true for me in the military and in life. If you can’t repeat a skill in your sleep, you don’t own that skill.

In your years of experience, what was the most-life threatening situation you had to go through? How did that strengthen you as a person?

Probably when I was stuck in a heavy storm out in the south coast, fishing a couple miles from shore. One thing I’ve learned is basically not to get caught in that situation. Pay attention to your surroundings, pay attention to weather, understand what’s happening, and predict what Mother Nature may do so you don’t get caught in situations like that.

It taught me a very valuable lesson in paying attention–to be proactive in things rather than being reactive. By the time you’re reactive in a situation, it’s nearly always too late.

What is your favorite piece of gear?

My Pathfinder Knife and my axe.

Do you have a favorite knife or brand? 

Blind Horse knives. (Dave repeats this emphatically.) They’re my favorite. They make probably a hundred different styles of knives.

What would you say is your favorite hunting weapon? What is your favorite game?

Probably a 12-gauge shotgun. I like hunting small game a lot, to tell you the truth. As far as medium game or more dangerous game, I hunt all of them. I like to hunt them with a knife.

What is your goal with the YouTube channel? 

My goal is to spread “tribal” or “frontier” knowledge: how folks survive day in and day out in wilderness environments. I’m spreading that knowledge because I think it’s important for people to have those skills in this day and age. History always repeats itself, and its useful to understand those skills in case they want to go hunt possum for fun or for a living.

What makes the internet different than television or teaching students in person?

We can reach a wider audience as well as a more specific audience. Television is limited because it’s about entertainment, television is about money and advertisement. I don’t have to script or worry about money I spend on video production on YouTube because nobody tells me what I can and can’t do. I’m my own boss. I don’t have to create unnecessary drama. I think that’s a big benefit the internet has over television. You can draw in specific audiences because they just type in what they’re looking for, you can’t search television on how to build a start fire, on how to build a survival shelter or trap. I can search for all of that on the internet and find it quickly.

When you film a new video, what do you do differently today than you did in the past?

I’ll probably say that my editing has gotten better over time. I’m better in front of the camera, it’s almost like I’m talking to people. I think that’s one thing to think about when you start filming and you get nervous when you first start doing that kind of stuff. Over time you get used to the camera and it’s like talking to your buddies over a campfire. Then you relax and you can do what you do.

Do you have any videos you’re especially proud of?

I’m proud of all my videos, but the 21st Century Longhunter Series especially because I was able to pass on a lot of historical information. I enjoy teaching and I enjoy history.

The series can be seen below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlpdmhGCgT0

You teach many, many students how to survive in the wilderness every year. What kind of person makes the best student?

You know, sometimes it’s the guy who’s never done it before–the guy who comes in there without the assumption that he knows what he’s doing. Those people make the best students because they’re open-minded and capable of thinking outside the box. They’re not stuck in the mind frame of only doing it this way or only doing it that way.

What do you keep in your bug out bag?

Man, I don’t have a bug out bag. But I do believe in what I call personally the 5 Cs of surviving. You got to have a cutting tool, a combustion device, cover element that can create a micro-climate, a container, and cordage. These five items are the hardest to recreate in nature and it takes skills and specialized material to recreate in nature. They most directly affect your survival ability in the wild.

If you were allowed only one of those, which one would you choose?

My knife. I think everyone should have a knife.

Where would you go on vacation if it wasn’t survival-related?

(He chuckles.) My wife really likes the Bahamas.

What’s the next chapter for Dave Canterbury, where do you go from here?

I think right now we’re building our school, opening up a few satellite locations. Grow everything as big as it can get. I also totally expect to do more television.

If you could choose anything and any place, what and where would be your ideal adventure?

I’m pretty partial to the United States. I think Alaska would be my ideal spot for adventure. Fish, hunt, trap–everything I do down here I’ll do up there.

Thanks again to Dave, who was able to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us. You can find more about his school here, or learn useful survival tips and techniques on his YouTube channel.

Or check out some of his most recent videos in the playlist embedded below:

Read and join the discussion on Interview: Survival Expert Dave Canterbury on Life, the Wild, and Sharp Things at OutdoorHub.com.

Pressure & Competition Rises as Final Few Battle at Camp Nuge this Week on Wanted: Ted or Alive on Sportsman Channel

The final contest for the remaining few contestants is the craziest invention yet this week on Wanted: Ted or Alive, staring rock and roll’s original wild man, Ted Nugent, airing on Sportsman Channel tonight at 7 pm ET/PT. In tonight’s episode, Ted continues to test the contestants’ endurance as human scarecrows to see who can last the longest. And later in the show, Ted’s final challenge includes drinking a raw meat smoothie and digging in manure for a bullet. The hour-long series follows five contestants as they “fight” to survive on Ted’s ranch, dubbed “Camp Nuge,” in Michigan and compete for cash prizes. Tune in for the unexpected as Nugent teaches his targets how to survive – Motor City Madman style.

In this episode, the remaining contestant’s tactics continue to anger other players.  In their first fishing competition, the challengers meet up with fishing expert Charlie Moore at “Loch Nuge” to battle it out for the heaviest catch. While they’re lake bound, Big Jim decides to up the redneck meter with a belly flop challenge worth $1000. Afterwards, Ted confronts a contestant about his choices during the competition. With just one day left in the competition, one challenger’s body has finally reached its limit and an ambulance is called to transport them off Camp Nudge, leaving just three contestants to battle it out. Ted ups the ante during the final challenge – turning it into an opportunity for the contestants to double their money or walk away empty handed. With a race that includes drinking a raw meat smoothie, digging in manure for a bullet, a maze, target shooting, and boating – the final contest is Ted’s craziest invention yet. One of the campers is eliminated along the way leaving just two to duke it out in a dash towards Ted Nugent and a final pile of cash.

This reality show will have contestants question if they can truly survive the outdoors – and Nugent. From prepping live chickens for dinner to a “spiritual quest,” the five contestants battle themselves as well as each other – and without fail, Nugent is always in their head too.

Considered a “master outdoorsman” and one of the world´s best guitarist showman, Nugent pushes the limits of each contestant as they are thrown into the wild and forced to live off the land to eat, win and survive with Ted´s tools and by Ted´s rules. From using buffalo skin to make their own clothes to learning the sharp shooter skills of an archer, they participate in various challenges throughout the episodes, accruing points in the form of cash dollars along the way. The participant with the most ´money´ at the end of the week will win a grand prize of $25,000.

Read and join the discussion on Pressure & Competition Rises as Final Few Battle at Camp Nuge this Week on Wanted: Ted or Alive on Sportsman Channel at OutdoorHub.com.

Sportsman Channel’s Original Adventure Series Dropped: Project Yukon Delivers Viewers an Edge-of-the-Seat Finale

Intense, Action-packed & Exhaustive Journey in the Yukon Comes to a Close for Keefer Brothers Tuesday at 9pm ET/PT Exclusively on Sportsman Channel

‘Weathered and Worn’ is a fitting title to encapsulate the final episode of Sportsman Channel’s exclusive reality-adventure series Dropped: Project Yukon that tested the Keefer brothers with their most difficult hunting and survival journey ever—all set in the unforgiving elements of the Yukon. Airing Tuesday, March 19 at 9pm ET/PT, the final episode finds the Keefers crossing paths with a mature Yukon moose that brings exhilaration, intense action and delivers an ending fitting a finale. Dropped: Project Yukon is a Sportsman Channel original series produced in conjunction with Rusted Rooster Media.

Day thirty in the Yukon begins with great optimism and soon flourishes into an intense stalk for a bull moose that will make any big game hunter envious. The brothers are trailing along when they spot the moose from their horses. After closing the distance to within one hundred yards, the moose disappears. Not deterred, Chris and Casey do not give up and decide to move to higher ground where they relocate the moose. Casey begins to close the distance with his rifle before the bull-moose provides a clearing for a clean shot. Casey connects on his first opportunity and makes the most of his chance from 285 yards. The moose measures at 61 inches across and has an impressive body mass. The real work now begins as ravens and possible bears circle the meat as the brother’s travel back from base camp with plenty of surprises in store.

“Having an opportunity to take a moose on one of the last days is truly a blessing,” said Casey Keefer of Dropped: Project Yukon. “It was my goal at the beginning of this trip to take a moose and its mission accomplished. Chris also harvested a moose which makes our Yukon experience even sweeter. This journey provided the most difficult hunting and survival environment I have ever encountered. There were many instances where frustration became an overriding factor, but I would not trade the experience for anything.”

“We are extremely proud of Chris, Casey and the entire Dropped team for enduring the rigors of the Yukon Territory,” said Graig Hale, VP of Business Development of Sportsman Channel. “The sophomore season of Dropped is performing very well and resonating across multiple platforms from TV to digital and social media. Authenticity is synonymous with Sportsman Channel and is at the root of our programming – and the Keefer brothers are great ambassadors. The season finale is sure to engage and impress our audiences.”

The finale is also an interactive experience as the Keefer brothers will host a LIVE chat during the final episode on Facebook at 9pm ET/PT. ‘Like’ Dropped on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DroppedTV

Read and join the discussion on Sportsman Channel’s Original Adventure Series Dropped: Project Yukon Delivers Viewers an Edge-of-the-Seat Finale at OutdoorHub.com.

Self Reliance Illustrated Releases Issue 13: Homesteading Issue

Issue 13 of Self Reliance Illustrated is all about homesteading. Whether you are getting off the grid or trying to become more self-sufficient, you will find helpful information in this issue. Learn about keeping poultry, home canning, hunting for your family, and stocking a pantry. Get moving by transforming your ATV into the ultimate homestead helper and by exploring mobile bug out options. Learn how to better protect your family with our article on long gun use for home defense, a review on River Rock LED Flashlights, and how to put a handgun bug out box together. Self Reliance Illustrated comes in print, pdf, kindle, or ipad formats.

You’ll find all of this and more in Issue 13 of Self Reliance Illustrated.

Subscribe, buy single copies, or electronic copies at www.selfrelianceillustrated.com

Read and join the discussion on Self Reliance Illustrated Releases Issue 13: Homesteading Issue at OutdoorHub.com.

Bear Grylls to Return to Discovery’s International Networks

Bear Grylls, best known for his six-year Discovery Channel series Man vs. Wild, is making up with the network after a reported contract dispute. The British survival star left Discovery Channel in March of last year, but apparently the ill feelings weren’t permanent. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Grylls is set to star in Ultimate Survivor, a show put out by the channel’s international arm which will put Grylls in dangerous scenarios inspired by real-life events.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bear back to the Discovery fold,”said vice president of Discovery Networks International Luis Silberwasser. “He is a true game-changer in the survival genre, integral in shaping it into the programming powerhouse that it is today. We are now poised to push the limits even further for our international audience.”

Grylls himself voiced great excitement in working once again with Discovery Channel and appeared to be ready for another jaunt to the edge of world.

“Man vs. Wild took me to some of the toughest climates and terrains out there, and this new series is an exciting evolution of that,” said Grylls. “The aim is to follow incredible real-life survival stories and demonstrate dynamic life-saving know-how along the way.”

The survival expert will also appear on a new reality show with NBC currently titled Get Out Alive. Grylls might have less of a chance to get his hands dirty while he puts eight contestants through a series of challenges that will require survival sensibilities and physical endurance.

All in all, looks like a good year for Bear Grylls. Maybe he’ll celebrate with some more roasted lobster brains.

The following is a video of Grylls taking on a feral pig with just his bare hands and experienced wildlife tackling skills:

WARNING: The video below contains some graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwRO54B8AFs

Read and join the discussion on Bear Grylls to Return to Discovery’s International Networks at OutdoorHub.com.

Hydrapak New SoftFlask Models Win ISPO Award

Win Announced at Product’s Unveiling

Hydrapak, a leading global supplier of active-lifestyle hydration equipment, today announced its new SF350 and SF500 SoftFlask collapsible bottles have been designated ISPO Award Winners in the Performance Accessories category.

ISPO’s international mix of 57 judges, with expertise in design, professional sports, media, and retail, have bestowed the prestigious award as the company introduces the new SoftFlasks to the market.

Extending the utility of the easily stored and collapsible SoftFlask line, the new SF350 and SF500 focus on performance hydration and feature wider filling ports, on-demand bite valves, shut-off switches, and are versatile multi-sport accessory produced in .35 and .5 liter capacity. The modular design is user-friendly and flexible: whether stored within a backpack, a cycling jersey pocket, or with Hydrapak’s optional integrated hand straps, these feather weight flasks are engineered to adapt.

“The SoftFlasks have great potential across a wide variety of sports and recreational activities,” said Hydrapak CEO Matt Lyon.  “We are excited to develop this entirely new category of hydration and feel honored to become an ISPO Award winner. It’s awesome.”

With an introduction at the ISPO trade show and launched to consumers in Summer 2013.

Read and join the discussion on Hydrapak New SoftFlask Models Win ISPO Award at OutdoorHub.com.

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