Eating the raw zebra was the last straw for me. I found myself yelling at the tv, "you have a knife in your hand!!!" He used the knife to cut the hide, then ripped the meat off the carcass with his teeth. Why you would put your face right into a dead zebra and pull off chunks with your teeth when you have a perfectly good knife in your hand.... I was expecting a lion to sneak up on him while he wasn't looking.

Personally, assuming that the meat was fresh enough as he suggested, I would have used the knife to cut off a large chunk and carried it away from the carcass. Why tempt fate? There are a lot of other scavangers big enough to ruin your whole day, that it wouldn't be advisable to hang around.

I don't think I will be watching him again after that one. I always thought he was dangerous, but this one tops the cake.

Ahhhh. Glad to hear Bear's sitcom will remain funny.

I like the show, but only because I take it with a grain of salt and keep the Hollywood goals in mind. I do wish they would put a disclaimer at the beginning which at least tells people to stay put if at all possible when lost.

The Everglades episode was probably the tamest and most realistic one yet. I do wish he would have shown ways to deal with the mosquitoes (like wearing mud), and maybe a few plant-based food options.

well, I live in south florida ( broward county )and am out in the everglades at least 4-6 times a month in my boat. ( a flat bottomed, duck boat with an outboard motor)

It's probably one of the most inhospitibale areas for being stranded I can imagine. I carry a considerable amount of survival equipment with me on board the boat every time I hit the water. Being standed in the everglades over night would be a very unpleasant experience, even with all the gear.

While I like bear grylls, I consider his show entertainment, especially this episode... I also laughed my posterior off at most of it. I'm sorry, but I dont for a second truly believe he spent the night out there, he would have needed a few pints of blood after sleeping on that platform.

In the areas of the everglades I frequent ( water management areas 1,2,3, rottenberger, and areas south of I-75 ) the terrain is ALOT more hostile than that. It would essentialy be impassible to a human being on foot, period. you would sink up to your knees in mud, or be forced to wade and swim for many miles in water that has not only leeches in it, but also has a prolific alligator population that actually do see man as prey. (His fear of swimming that canal might have seemed like hype but it was very, very, justified. )

Without a "bug suit" , mosquito net or tent/bivy bag to get into, you would be positively, absolutely be eaten alive by mosquitos after dark. Bug dope, even 100% deet is only marginally affective. you need a physical barrier between the bugs and you. That little smokey fire he had? please...

He was correct about it all looking the same in every direction out there, especially in the wetlands. Its super easy to get disoriented out there without a compass or GPS.

The episode was good for the entertainment value for me, but A real situation out there would probably be very different..

Great point, Bat. Thanks for the on-location perspective & expertise. Good stuff.

Fact remains, the Creeks, Seminoles, and the soldiers who were ordered after them slogged it out in that very terrain for many years with no bug suits, no Deet, and darn little else.

'Course, lots of 'em died of just about every disease imaginable. Too bad Bear wasn't there as an advisor.

Wait, that sounds cruel. Too bad Bear wasn't there to advise them and reduce their casualties with his vast knowledge of, well, everything. Yeah, that's the ticket.


Frank 2135