" Primal Dreams "

[Barry Wensel]

I just got off the phone with Marty McMahon about fifteen minutes ago. This weekend he renewed his wedding vows with his bride Ruth Ann. Somehow the conversation got turned around and we got laughing so hard I got scared. I can't tell you guys the details on here but let me just say I was laughing so hard I started choking and got dizzy and had to sit down, with tears streaming down my face. The man is a gem... a real, honest, piece of work! I gotta go.. I still feel dizzy. bw

[Marty]

Tom, you are correct. Biggie isn't in Primal Dreams. He tried out for the speaking voice, but no one could understand him. Something about y'all and crick( you know like the one in his avatar). And Ray " An Impala Too Far" is more appropriate for you Sweet Cheeks. I had 'em close in Africa, you were still in Ga.!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ray Hammond]

You do have that right, Barry...there's no one even close to the funny of Marty.

Marty,you got it, bud....that's your story and you're sticking to it...

I love ya, Man!!!!!      

[Wary Buck]

Hype?...I think not.  Just a groundswell of very positive feelings from a lot of hunters who wanted something different and found it here.  Doesn't necessarily mean they don't like kill videos either, but this is a video one can watch with the family or non-hunters without them being grossed out.  

(Gruesome...come on, give me a break.  If this video is gruesome, I can't believe you could even watch 90% of what's on the market without losing your lunch).

To the fellow who demands a video be educational, I would say I like educational videos also.  But I think there are very few standard hunting videos that educate in any way.  Usually these sponsored hunters are climbing up in stands set by others; no educational value there.  Instead we usually see poor shot selection that goes unexplained, or is passed off as "I had to take that shot," or poor shot placement that also goes unexplained.  Too often, I wish they'd explain the shot and the trailing results.  How far was the trail, where did they actually hit?  (And, how many other shots were actually taken to make this video that didn't end up with the lucky ending?).

Did I have my favorite and least favorite parts of Primal Dreams?  Of course.  I'm kind of from the camp if you've seen one turkey, you've seen 'em all.  But the elk and moose (mountain) footage was awesome and something that is almost impossible for me to experience until retirement.  And I can never get enough whitetails...  To each their own.

I don't think anyone's mentioned it yet, but I'm thinking the reason the moose footage doesn't have any shot sequences, etc. was the fact that it may have been a solo hunt.  I'm not sure, but I think this was also the TBM story which made me sore just from reading it (the packing of the moose back to camp).

I think constructive criticism is beneficial to the boys, but for many naysayers, if you've never tried to film your own hunts, it's a three-ring circus up in the tree all the while you're trying to kill something.  Quite frankly, the whole experience (trying to juggle all that) is very over-rated.  And it can cost you shots at critters, which is a high price to pay.

[Gary Logsdon]

You're right Bryce, the moose recovery sequence was from Mike Mitten's Alaskan solo hunt, the one featured in TBM.  Hey, I hate to put a negative spin on retirement, but I booked an archery elk drop camp 3 years ago and have been saving up those precious preference points in anticipation of being out of the classroom to chase elk. When I first booked the hunt 2 pts was just about a 100% draw for my unit . . . weell, I just retired and was all-pumped to FINALLY hit the mountains in Sept. after a 30 year wait, just to find out that my unit has become, according to the outfitter, "popular", and that 2 points will give me less than a 50% chance in 08.  Look's like it may take at least one more year to get a tag.  Hopefully I'll get one before I age out, HA!

[Tom Mussatto]

Marty, I was just having a bit of sport with Biggie. Of course I saw him in his cameo appearance in PD. How could one miss him? He was in the last scene, with Mike walking off camera stage left.    

And don't worry about missing an impala. I missed an animal once in 1973. Hey, it happens.

PD is a great hunting film (yes, it actually is a "true" hunting film) any way you slice it. The way the masses hunt these days, and the way they view hunting, I suspect there are more people outside the hunting community who appreciate what the film is than there are those who buy a hunting license.

[T.J.]

Wary Buck,

I agree with everything you said and that's a great explination for the moose hunt. No video is worth missing or jepordizing a shot on an animal. PD was a diffrent kind of hunting video and in my opinion was needed very badly. It shows what hunting is really about and that's becoming one with nature. 99% enjoying nature and 1% shooting. (hopefully that doesn't come off as me under estimating the importance and thrill of the shot)

I can't wait to find out what you guys roll out with next. But if it's ever crossed your minds I think you guys could make a better educational video then anyone out there    SO feel free to think about it lol.

[rybohunter]

I think it should be mandatory viewing for all hunters, but I think bowhunters could appreciate it more.

[Biggie Hoffman]

I have a phone message from Uncle Barry...can't understand a dang thing he said except Marty, HHAhHHHHahaHha, funny, hHAhhaHAhhaaahahhahooooheheeheehhh, call you later, hehehahahahhahaahwwhwhwhwhooho
then I started laughing...the man has an infectious laugh......

[Rick Perry]

I just finished watching "Primal Dreams" ............. outstanding  ...........  no arm pumping and disrespectful  celebrations ..........sure dont miss that  .................... well done  ......... worth every penny

[Tdog]

Rick I agree. It's a video for the true hunter. Looking forward to the next one. Keep up the Great Work...Tdog

[Gene Wensel]

With the exception of the walk-ups, almost ALL the footage was filmed "solo", as we didn't use any cameramen and carried our own cameras and tripods or treepods. Easier said than done.

[T.J.]

I really respect that approach. That's one of the reasons I really like survivorman on Disc. because he carries all his own camera gear and is truley alone out there. No camera men to keep him company.

[Herdbull]

TJ   ... I like your quote ... spread the word.

[T.J.]

Thanks Mike! Out of the whole dvd that line really jumped out at me. I just started bow hunting last year and had that exact senario happen, and when it did I was happier and more excited at that moment then any other. And that caught me by suprise but it's true. I'll definatly spread the word. I hope you have a great season.

[Herdbull]

TJ, There were a lot of good behind the scenes moments for us, and that one with the big 5x5 at the low fence was of them for me. We each shared in writing and contributing to the narrations, and I can remember how that scene grabbed me when I heard the words that Gene wrote to go with it. Boy, did me and my brother David ever want to get that buck. I had him another time at 28 yards, but he was just too alert for me to draw. Had to let him walk passed. We have 5 sets of his sheds… he’s just a great representative of the species. Very peculiar buck in that most big bucks are more visible and a little easier to film during the summer velvet season, but this guy we never saw until the rut.... and then we saw him quite a lot for a buck of his age. He was 5 ½  years old at the scene by the fence and the following year when he chased that doe down by the water (yes same buck) he was 6 ½. He eventually was taken by a muzzle-loader hunter, but I hope that dose not spoil your dream. :>)   Mike

[T.J.]

Mike, The scene where the doe was sitting in the water and stood up and walked away with the buck in trail? He was a beautiful buck and a perfect representation of the grand savy of a whitetail. 5 sheds, 2 close encounters, and the film. I bet you wanted him bad! Doesn't spoil my dream lol just makes it stronger. There's more like him and eventualy I'll get him. Great story thanks!