TELEVISION · RADIO · OUTDOOR MAGAZINEMike Avery
Mike Avery moved from local television reporting and camera work into outdoor television, then made radio and podcasting the focus of Outdoor Magazine. His interviews connect listeners with hunting and fishing knowledge and the traditions of Michigan’s outdoors.
Career highlights
- 1985Interviewed Fred Bear at Grousehaven hunting camp, according to Avery’s own career account.
- 1992Began working in radio while continuing his television career.
- Radio & podcastOutdoor Magazine grew from a one-hour local broadcast into a program heard across Michigan and available as a podcast.
PUBLIC TELEVISION · MICHIGAN OUT OF DOORSJimmy Gretzinger
Jimmy Gretzinger helps tell the stories of Michigan’s hunters, anglers and natural resources through Michigan Out of Doors. The program’s own biography traces his path from Ludington and an audio/video production degree at Michigan State University to a career producing outdoor television.
Career highlights
- 1998Joined the Michigan Out of Doors team.
- 2001Became the show’s executive producer.
- On screenHis work covers Michigan’s outdoor pursuits and the sportsmen and women who keep those traditions alive.
DIGITAL MEDIA · BOWHUNTERPLANET · GEAR COVERAGEDave Thomas
Dave Thomas founded Bowhunterplanet and contributes to its reviews, interviews, videos and podcasts. BHP’s original biography describes an early interest in bowhunting that developed into a media platform for sharing equipment knowledge and hunting experiences.
Career highlights
- Early 1990sBegan hunting, as described in BHP’s original founder biography.
- BowhunterplanetBuilt a platform around bowhunting stories, product coverage and conversations with the industry.
- Original archiveBHP’s video reviews and interviews document changing bows, equipment and the people behind them.
BOWHUNTING · TELEVISION · SPIRIT OF THE WILDTed Nugent
Ted Nugent’s outdoor media work includes Spirit of the Wild, a television series centered on hunting and bowhunting. His on-screen work brings archery and hunting stories to an audience that also knows him through music.
Career highlights
- 2012A trade announcement documented Spirit of the Wild airing on Outdoor Channel.
- 2026Pursuit Channel continued to feature the series in its outdoor programming.
TODAY’S VOICES · MICHIGAN OUT OF DOORSJenny Ciolek
Jenny Ciolek brings the stories of Michigan hunters and anglers to television as a Michigan Out of Doors co-host and producer. Her official biography highlights an interest in introducing young people to outdoor pursuits and documenting the experiences of women in the outdoors.
Career highlights
- 1999Began her outdoor television career as co-host of Michigan Out-of-Doors TV.
- ProductionLater became an associate producer, traveling Michigan to develop stories.
- StorytellingHer coverage includes fishing, bowhunting, women’s outdoor adventures and youth participation.
TODAY’S VOICES · HUNTING EDUCATION · TELEVISIONBrenda Valentine
Brenda Valentine’s outdoor work spans writing, photography, television and hunting education. Her Legends of the Outdoors biography describes a sustained effort to introduce women, children and newcomers to ethical hunting.
Career highlights
- Hunting educationFounded hunting schools for women, as documented in her Hall of Fame biography.
- Outdoor televisionHer career includes hosting Whitetail Adventures and other outdoor video work.
- 2003Recognized in the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.
TODAY’S VOICES · ADVENTURE TELEVISION · WRITINGJim Shockey
Jim Shockey’s media career brings together outdoor writing, photography, video production and hunting television. His work documents hunting journeys and experiences in remote places through both published stories and long-form programs.
Career highlights
- Print & filmPublished outdoor adventure articles and books alongside his video productions.
- TelevisionHosted Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures and Jim Shockey’s Uncharted.
- 2009–2015Outdoor Channel credits his productions with 15 Golden Moose Awards during this period.
TODAY’S VOICES · MEATEATER · BOOKS & PODCASTSSteven Rinella
Steven Rinella connects hunting, fishing, wild food and conservation through writing, television and audio. The MeatEater founder’s work reaches audiences across several formats, pairing outdoor stories with conversations about wildlife and the natural world.
Career highlights
- Michigan rootsBorn in Twin Lake, Michigan, according to his official MeatEater biography.
- MeatEaterFounded the outdoor media company and hosts its television show and podcast.
- Books & televisionHis work also includes books and The History Channel’s Hunting History with Steven Rinella.
TODAY’S VOICES · ARCHERY JOURNALISM · EQUIPMENT EDUCATIONP.J. Reilly
P.J. Reilly explains archery equipment and technique through articles and on-camera instruction. His work connects practical bowhunting education with reporting from the competitive archery world.
Career highlights
- Equipment educationAppears in Lancaster Archery Supply’s instructional and product video coverage.
- Bowhunting instructionFeatured in Bowhunter’s Better Bowhunter video series.
- Competition coverageCompetition Archery Media identifies Reilly as a journalist on its broadcast and production team.
