Mantracker
Encyclopedia
Mantracker is a Canadian reality television series produced by Bonterra Productions. It premiered in Canada in April 2006 on the Outdoor Life Network. In the United States, the show currently airs on the Science Channel and in the UK on Extreme Sports Channel
. The program features Terry Grant, an expert tracker
called the "Mantracker", who pursues two individuals in the remote Canadian or American wilderness. The pursued, referred to as "Prey", must elude capture while attempting to reach a finish line within thirty-six hours.
Each episode features a two-person team of Prey who usually (but not always) have a pre-existing relationship. The Prey have varying wilderness survival skills and physical fitness levels. The only items provided to the prey are a map (which includes the location of finish line) and a compass for navigation. The Prey also carry the gear they consider necessary to complete the challenge. The Prey determine for themselves how to avoid capture.
The Mantracker does not meet the team before the chase or know their destination. Travelling on horseback and aided by a local guide (known as the "Sidekick"), the Mantracker relies on his tracking skills to trail them, though some equipment (such as regular and infrared binoculars) is sometimes used.
The Prey are given a head start
, usually about 2 kilometres, although in more rugged terrain that distance may be greater. The chase is started by a flare gun fired from the Prey's position. The Prey head towards the finish, using the terrain to hide their location. The Mantracker and his Sidekick ride to where they believe the Prey began and attempt to determine the direction in which they are headed.
The Prey travel through varied terrain, often going off-trail and "bushwhacking" through dense brush, over hills, rocky ground, and even rivers and lakes to reach the finish line and to escape the Mantracker. The race often includes overnight camping, but there is no pre-set stopping point on day one or starting time on day two. Although the Prey travel on foot, they can use other transportation modes. For example, in one episode the Prey hitchhiked
a ride for a short distance. In another episode, the Prey used rock climbing gear to scale down a steep cliff.
Unless time runs out, the race ends when the Prey successfully arrive at the finish line or if the Mantracker or the Sidekick captures them. To capture the Prey, the Mantracker or the Sidekick must tag or somehow block their movement, but if the rider and horse get close enough, the Prey often concedes. If one of the Prey is caught, the remaining one can continue alone.
In the first two seasons, Mantracker had a successful capture rate of 68% (10 Prey have reached the finish line, 23 have been captured, and one contestant had time expire on him).
Team, and an expert in utilizing clues such as footprints, probable path, and other signs of human presence to track prey. Grant announced that Season 6 would be his last as he planned on retiring. From February 8-11th 2011, auditions for the new Mantracker to replace Terry Grant took place.
. By the end of Season 4, the provinces
of Manitoba
, New Brunswick
and Prince Edward Island
, and the Northwest Territories
and Nunavut
have yet to be featured. For the first time, in Season 4, an episode was taped in Newfoundland
and was aired between April and June 2009.
The show's typical production schedule has Grant arriving at the location on a Sunday; on Monday morning, the producer and cinematographer travel to the site with the Prey for pre-chase interviews, learn the Prey's strategy, and to shoot background shots. The Prey never meet Mantracker until they are caught or make it to the finish line, whichever happens first. Mantracker and the Sidekick are on horseback, and often finish the pursuit by galloping to the prey location.
The hunt starts on Tuesday and lasts for 36 consecutive hours. Scenes need to be re-shot for dramatic effect, after the race. This never changes the race's outcome but is to capture wide-angle shots and get better footage. Each episode is edited immediately, awaiting the season run on OLN.
In past interviews, Grant has indicated that the camera crew has him stop to prove where he sees tracks, and also has at times sent out false Prey and production staff to prevent him from just looking for the actual camera crew. Additionally, the Prey's camera crew often change footwear, and are expert woodsmen who often mask their presence in various ways.
. Season 4 finished filming in fall 2008 and aired Sunday, July 26, 2009 starting with "Billy and The Rev" on OLN with an encore on August 1, 2009. In spring 2009, Citytv
, another Rogers Communications
-owned station began airing repeats in local affiliates across Canada. Season 5 premiered on September 3. On the production company Bonterra, a season premiere party is scheduled for this night at a Toronto venue. It will air on OLN. Season 6 premiers April 17. A pair of Yellowknife women were shortlisted as prey for the season.
For Season 6, Bonterra announced that one of its teams of Prey would include NHL
player Shane Doan
and his brother, Brook.
In Season 1, 27.77% of contestants won.
In Season 2, 31.25% of contestants won.
In Season 3, 25% of contestants won.
In Season 4, 37.5% of contestants won.
In Season 5, 29% of contestants won.
In Season 6 (in progress)
Extreme Sports Channel
The Extreme Sports Channel is a Netherlands-based extreme sports television channel available across Europe and the Middle East. Al Gosling had the idea for the channel in 1998.-History:...
. The program features Terry Grant, an expert tracker
Tracking (hunting)
Tracking in hunting and ecology is the science and art of observing animal tracks and other signs, with the goal of gaining understanding of the landscape and the animal being tracked...
called the "Mantracker", who pursues two individuals in the remote Canadian or American wilderness. The pursued, referred to as "Prey", must elude capture while attempting to reach a finish line within thirty-six hours.
Format
The object of Mantracker is for the Prey to reach a designated finish line some 30 to 60 kilometres away without getting caught by the Mantracker within a pre-determined period of time (usually 36 hours). The Mantracker's goal is to catch the Prey before they reach the finish line, within the designated time period. There is no prize for succeeding, other than "bragging rights" and personal satisfaction.Each episode features a two-person team of Prey who usually (but not always) have a pre-existing relationship. The Prey have varying wilderness survival skills and physical fitness levels. The only items provided to the prey are a map (which includes the location of finish line) and a compass for navigation. The Prey also carry the gear they consider necessary to complete the challenge. The Prey determine for themselves how to avoid capture.
The Mantracker does not meet the team before the chase or know their destination. Travelling on horseback and aided by a local guide (known as the "Sidekick"), the Mantracker relies on his tracking skills to trail them, though some equipment (such as regular and infrared binoculars) is sometimes used.
The Prey are given a head start
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
, usually about 2 kilometres, although in more rugged terrain that distance may be greater. The chase is started by a flare gun fired from the Prey's position. The Prey head towards the finish, using the terrain to hide their location. The Mantracker and his Sidekick ride to where they believe the Prey began and attempt to determine the direction in which they are headed.
The Prey travel through varied terrain, often going off-trail and "bushwhacking" through dense brush, over hills, rocky ground, and even rivers and lakes to reach the finish line and to escape the Mantracker. The race often includes overnight camping, but there is no pre-set stopping point on day one or starting time on day two. Although the Prey travel on foot, they can use other transportation modes. For example, in one episode the Prey hitchhiked
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their automobile or other road vehicle to travel a distance that may either be short or long...
a ride for a short distance. In another episode, the Prey used rock climbing gear to scale down a steep cliff.
Unless time runs out, the race ends when the Prey successfully arrive at the finish line or if the Mantracker or the Sidekick captures them. To capture the Prey, the Mantracker or the Sidekick must tag or somehow block their movement, but if the rider and horse get close enough, the Prey often concedes. If one of the Prey is caught, the remaining one can continue alone.
In the first two seasons, Mantracker had a successful capture rate of 68% (10 Prey have reached the finish line, 23 have been captured, and one contestant had time expire on him).
Cast
Terry Grant is a 25-year-veteran of the Alberta Foothills Search and RescueSearch and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
Team, and an expert in utilizing clues such as footprints, probable path, and other signs of human presence to track prey. Grant announced that Season 6 would be his last as he planned on retiring. From February 8-11th 2011, auditions for the new Mantracker to replace Terry Grant took place.
Sidekicks
- Phil Lemieux
- Curtis Hallock
- Leon Chow
- Barry Keown
- Martin Dillabough
- Mark Murphy
- Jeff Damberger
- Neil Carey
Production
The series is recorded primarily in Canada, but as of Season 4, two episodes were shot in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. By the end of Season 4, the provinces
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
of Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
and Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, and the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
and Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
have yet to be featured. For the first time, in Season 4, an episode was taped in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
and was aired between April and June 2009.
The show's typical production schedule has Grant arriving at the location on a Sunday; on Monday morning, the producer and cinematographer travel to the site with the Prey for pre-chase interviews, learn the Prey's strategy, and to shoot background shots. The Prey never meet Mantracker until they are caught or make it to the finish line, whichever happens first. Mantracker and the Sidekick are on horseback, and often finish the pursuit by galloping to the prey location.
The hunt starts on Tuesday and lasts for 36 consecutive hours. Scenes need to be re-shot for dramatic effect, after the race. This never changes the race's outcome but is to capture wide-angle shots and get better footage. Each episode is edited immediately, awaiting the season run on OLN.
In past interviews, Grant has indicated that the camera crew has him stop to prove where he sees tracks, and also has at times sent out false Prey and production staff to prevent him from just looking for the actual camera crew. Additionally, the Prey's camera crew often change footwear, and are expert woodsmen who often mask their presence in various ways.
Episodes
Season 3 aired on OLN on Sundays at 9:00 pm, and Saturdays 10:00 pm ESTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
. Season 4 finished filming in fall 2008 and aired Sunday, July 26, 2009 starting with "Billy and The Rev" on OLN with an encore on August 1, 2009. In spring 2009, Citytv
Citytv
Citytv is a Canadian English language television system owned and operated by Rogers Communications under its Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. division...
, another Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. is one of Canada's largest communications companies, particularly in the field of wireless communications, cable television, home phone and internet with additional telecommunications and mass media assets...
-owned station began airing repeats in local affiliates across Canada. Season 5 premiered on September 3. On the production company Bonterra, a season premiere party is scheduled for this night at a Toronto venue. It will air on OLN. Season 6 premiers April 17. A pair of Yellowknife women were shortlisted as prey for the season.
For Season 6, Bonterra announced that one of its teams of Prey would include NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player Shane Doan
Shane Doan
Shane Albert Doan is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and captain of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . Doan is the longest tenured player on the club, having played all fourteen of his NHL seasons with the original Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise...
and his brother, Brook.
Winners
Out of 38 teams, 7 teams have had only one member making it to the finish, and 9 teams have had both members making it to the finish. So far, the individual odds of beating Mantracker are 30%, and the team odds of beating Mantracker are 20%.In Season 1, 27.77% of contestants won.
- 1.02 – Nicolina & Lisa ( used car to win )
- 1.06 – Vlad & Nate
- 1.08 – Mike
In Season 2, 31.25% of contestants won.
- 2.03 – Dustin & Ian
- 2.04 – Brent
- 2.08 – Steve & Jeff
In Season 3, 25% of contestants won.
- 3.05 – Taylor
- 3.06 – Bruce
- 3.07 – Buck & RJ
- 3.10 – Kaleigh
In Season 4, 37.5% of contestants won.
- 4.02 – Lauren
- 4.03 – Rene & Dave
- 4.05 – Hainsley
- 4.07 – Tommy & Steve
In Season 5, 29% of contestants won.
- 5.01 - Clayton & Jason
- 5.02 - Layney
- 5.04 - Brendyn
- 5.08 - Dylan & Travis
- 5.09 - Tim
- 5.11 - Ben & Darrell
In Season 6 (in progress)
- 6.01 - ShaneShane DoanShane Albert Doan is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and captain of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . Doan is the longest tenured player on the club, having played all fourteen of his NHL seasons with the original Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise...
& Brook - 6.04 - Melanie
External links
(Canada)- Mantracker – OLN website (Canada)
- Mantracker – Science Channel website (United States) of Terry Grant