Since ancient times, hunters have been gathering by a campfire at day's end - talking about the hunting day, making plans for the coming day - and our group was no exception to that tradition. But, there was a glaring difference.

We kept the campfire to our backs. Our faces were lit by the glow of a video screen, where we watched the replaying of each other's hunts. Two outdoor television production crews were in camp, one for Cabin Country, a New York-based show hosted by Bill Saiff, then airing on The Mens Channel; and Getting' Close, an Outdoor Channel show, featuring husband and wife Lee and Tiffany Lakosky. We were archery hunting for black bear (I shot two) and wolves in Alberta, Canada.At that time, Wyomissing native Corey Brossman was a cameraman for Cabin Country. As the fireside video shows continued through the week, I found a growing respect for the cameramen and their hunters.I started to realize just how much work went into the making of a hunting show.The finished product that airs on television makes it look easy. But a hunter and camera person team probably spends a minimum of 40 hours in the field to get footage of a kill, which is just one segment of a show.There was a camp dog, and I noticed that Brossman was sometimes filming it, so I asked him why. Brossman said that if they want to get good footage, hunters should practice with their camera as they would with their other hunting equipment."There's no substitute for solid production technique," Brossman said. "And you're not going to get that unless you practice."I was impressed with him; he said that when he got ready for the assignment, he practiced by "interviewing" his wife and friends on tape. Here we all were, staying in canvas-walled tents, where gear was strewn everywhere inside, hunting really long hours - it stayed light until late evening - and this guy was practicing with his camera.Fast forward about eight years. Brossman has his own show on the Outdoor Channel, called Innerloc's Out There. He's on the road at least 220 days a year, but last week he made time to visit the Schuylkill County Outdoors' Taste of the Wild Dinner, held at Pine Grove Hose Hook & Ladder. It was the third year for the event, and its biggest turnout - about 200 people attended.Brossman showed a highlights video from his past season; the film was a highlight for the evening, especially a segment that featured him hunting with his daughter.As he interacted with the audience, he paid special attention to the youngsters there.I think what I liked best about the film and his show is that there is no "hero" stuff; it was just Brossman shooting wild game - not gigantic bucks or humongous elk. Instead, it's as if you were part of a hunting camp, having fun, seeing the work and experiencing another part of the country.Eight years ago, after the Alberta hunt, I quoted Corey in a story and this is what he said:"Stick to your ideals and do what you know is right. Just show what really occurred. Take the filming seriously but don't take yourself seriously."He hasn't changed a bit. And that's as refreshing as 200 people getting together to share wild game.