Campfire Discussions

Who is the Best Survivor?

Wilderness Survival

by Outdoor Hub on December 29, 2011

Who is the Best Survivor?

Gather ’round this week’s Campfire Discussion with your opinion on “survival TV”. Probably the top three “legitimate survivors” with survival shows are Ray Mears (Extreme Survival), Les Stroud (Survivorman) and Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild). Just as unique as their names is each man’s survival television show. But who is the real deal? From which of these men do fans learn the most? Whose information can you trust?

Is there one of these shows that is overproduced leaving it less believable? Have you ever witnessed a situation in which you would have acted differently? Do you trust these men as prophets of the survival bible? Let’s strike up a campfire and create a source of “survival tips” for watching survival shows.

Photo: Frank Douwes
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  • http://www.skinnymoose.com/wanderings Brent Reece

    Can’t beat The Bear!!!

  • Keyman

    Where’s Cody Lundin? He’s by far the best in my book… but from the list provided, I’d have to go with Les Stroud. A real ‘true-to-life’ survivalist. If any average guy did half the stuff Bear Grylls touts as tips – they’d most likely die.

  • Widgeon

    Les Stroud by a mile.  A bit nuts to do the things he did, but being truly alone and doing all of his own camera work, while trying to survive in some crazy situations, is amazing.

  • Sean

    I’m partial to Dave Canteburry.

  • Fish Monstah!

    Go BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Clayton

    I am with Widgeon.  Les Stroud is a person I admire greatly and would love to meet.  Being an outdoor film producer for Heartland Bowhunter, I understand how hard it is to film for TV, but do it while trying to Survive???  Hats off to Les.  To his defense I have not viewed any of Ray Mears shows, but Bear Grylls shows is more of a show and a little over “produced”, not a documentary style format like Survivorman. 

  • http://logroom.tumblr.com AH

    I’m torn between Bear and Les. I’d say Les is more authentic, but Bear is very versatile. 

  • Azson

    Survivorman, it is just him out there and he was not caught staying in a hotel when he should have been out surviving.

  • Azson

    Also, Survivorman shows are real relaxing, he is not spending his time trying to impress you.