10 Shows Like MeatEater (2012) for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Description: Deadliest Catch shares MeatEater's gritty, unfiltered portrayal of harvesting food from the wild, though in an oceanic setting. Both shows highlight the dangers, skills, and camaraderie involved in subsistence work. The respect for nature's power and the ethical considerations of harvesting resources are central to both.

Fact: The show follows crab fishermen in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and opilio crab seasons. It has documented real-life tragedies, including ship sinkings and deaths. The crews often face sub-zero temperatures and 40-foot waves, making it one of TV's most dangerous jobs.

Description: The River Why, a film adaptation of the novel, shares MeatEater's philosophical approach to fishing and nature. Both explore the deeper connection between humans and the natural world, with a focus on solitude, reflection, and the pursuit of fish. The movie's contemplative tone aligns with MeatEater's thoughtful portrayal of outdoor pursuits.

Fact: The film stars Zach Gilford as a young man who retreats to a remote cabin to fish and find meaning in life. It is based on the cult classic novel by David James Duncan. The movie was filmed on location in Oregon, capturing the beauty of river landscapes.

Description: Similar to MeatEater (2012), Dual Survival focuses on survival skills in the wilderness, often showcasing hunting, foraging, and outdoor survival techniques. Both shows emphasize the importance of understanding nature and adapting to harsh environments. The show features experts with different survival philosophies, much like MeatEater's blend of hunting expertise and conservation ethics.

Fact: Dual Survival originally starred Cody Lundin and Dave Canterbury, who had contrasting survival styles—Lundin was a barefoot survivalist, while Canterbury was a military-trained expert. The show was filmed in various extreme locations, from deserts to jungles, testing the hosts' skills in diverse environments. It has had several host changes over its seasons, reflecting different approaches to survival.

Description: Like MeatEater, Mountain Men follows individuals who live off the land, showcasing hunting, trapping, and wilderness living. Both shows celebrate traditional outdoor skills and the rugged lifestyle of living close to nature. The focus on self-sufficiency and the challenges of surviving in remote areas resonates strongly with MeatEater's themes.

Fact: The show features real-life modern-day mountain men, including Eustace Conway, who has lived off the land for decades. Some cast members, like Tom Oar, are renowned for their primitive skills and craftsmanship. The show highlights seasonal challenges, such as preparing for harsh winters, much like the survival strategies in MeatEater.

Description: Life Below Zero shares MeatEater's focus on living off the land in extreme environments, particularly through hunting and fishing. The show's depiction of subsistence living in Alaska parallels MeatEater's emphasis on ethical hunting and resourcefulness. Both shows highlight the beauty and brutality of nature, as well as the skills required to thrive in it.

Fact: Life Below Zero follows several individuals and families, each with unique survival strategies. Sue Aikens, one of the stars, lives alone at the Kavik River Camp, 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The show has won multiple Emmy Awards for its cinematography and storytelling.

Description: While more extreme, Naked and Afraid shares MeatEater's core premise of surviving in the wild with minimal gear. The show's emphasis on hunting, fishing, and foraging aligns with MeatEater's practical survival skills. Both highlight the physical and mental challenges of living off the land, though Naked and Afraid amplifies the difficulty for dramatic effect.

Fact: Contestants are paired with strangers and must survive 21 days naked in the wilderness. The show has spawned multiple spin-offs, including Naked and Afraid XL. Many participants have military or survival training backgrounds.

Description: Alone shares MeatEater's deep connection to wilderness survival, but with a more solitary and raw approach. Contestants must rely on their hunting, trapping, and foraging skills to survive alone in remote locations, mirroring MeatEater's emphasis on self-reliance and respect for nature. The show's immersive, unfiltered portrayal of survival aligns with MeatEater's authentic outdoor ethos.

Fact: Alone is filmed without a crew—contestants document their own experiences using provided cameras. The show holds the record for the longest solo survival stint in reality TV history (100 days by Roland Welker in Season 7). Contestants are often removed for medical reasons related to starvation or injury, highlighting the extreme challenges.

Description: Primal Survivor mirrors MeatEater's focus on survival skills and hunting, but with a global perspective. Host Hazen Audel travels to remote tribes to learn their survival techniques, much like MeatEater's exploration of different hunting methods. Both shows emphasize respect for indigenous knowledge and the universality of wilderness skills.

Fact: Hazen Audel is a survival instructor and artist with a background in biology. The show features rare access to tribes like the San Bushmen and the Mentawai. Audel often undergoes tribal initiation rituals to earn their trust and knowledge.

Description: While North Woods Law is more focused on law enforcement, it shares MeatEater's setting in the wilderness and its themes of conservation and respect for nature. The show often deals with hunting regulations and wildlife management, topics that resonate with MeatEater's advocacy for ethical hunting and environmental stewardship.

Fact: The show follows Maine game wardens as they enforce hunting and fishing laws. It highlights the balance between human activity and wildlife conservation. The wardens often perform search-and-rescue operations in remote areas, showcasing the dangers of the wilderness.

Description: This show shares MeatEater's celebration of a life deeply connected to nature, though with a more eccentric and nomadic approach. Mick Dodge's barefoot, minimalist lifestyle in the Hoh Rainforest echoes MeatEater's themes of simplicity and harmony with the environment. Both highlight unconventional ways of living off the land.

Fact: Mick Dodge claims to have lived in the Olympic Peninsula rainforest for over 25 years. He teaches survival skills and 'forest yoga,' blending physical and spiritual connection to nature. The show was criticized for its reality TV dramatization, but Dodge's skills are genuine.