Jim Shockey is a leading voice in hunting. He uses personal interviews and his very popular TV show to demonstrate hunting techniques and ethics. Last week he visited the Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show in Indianapolis and wandered the halls like thousands of archers. Easily recognizable by his tall stature and rugged good looks, he often chatted with fans who wanted a selfie with the TV Host. Many outdoor TV personalities schedule autograph signings and then disappear. Kudos to Jim for rubbing elbows with the crowds.
Off the Beaten Track
Realism and adventure are two hallmarks of Shockey’s TV shows. Their approach to hunting is unique. He tackles the major species of North America, yet often takes viewers into the high mountains of the Himalayas or the most dense jungles of Africa for seldom-hunted species. A truthful experience is the hallmark of Shockey’s hunts. For example, he came to Maryland a few years ago to hunt Sika deer, the tiny elk species that has prospered in the swamps of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. On his first hunt, he didn’t get a stag, but unfulfilled tags are part of hunting and the show presented it that way.
Meet the Man and his Mission
Shockey’s life is fascinating. He didn’t inherit a fortune or take over the family business. His success in hunting was learned in the field and his success is one we all can learn from:
For more than three decades, Jim Shockey has been a fixture of the outdoor world—first through his writing, then in the home-video market, and now on his groundbreaking TV show Uncharted. I recently spent some time with Shockey to talk about his success, the business of hunting, and the responsibilities that hunters have. Here’s the result, found in the new January/February 2018 issue of Sporting Classics.
