It’s been four years since readers were introduced to Dave Shaw’s first book, “Off the Beaten Track,” and here we go again – this time venturing even further. The new journeys and adventures are carried out by the sponsored team of hunters who are members of “The Red Stag Timber Hunter’s Club.” This latest book compares well with the 2020 edition, featuring a similar number of pages and format. It’s divided into six parts and includes 31 chapters, each superbly supported by excellent colour images extracted from the broadcast’s films. The author’s preference for subdued lighting often captures the outdoors in a dark, sombre mood, and many shots, particularly the expanded double-page photographs, are outstanding.
This time, readers are introduced to spearfishing experiences undertaken by the team from Dave Shaw’s most recent production, “South Seas Spearo”. As with the previous book, the outdoor accounts described within the pages are drawn from the series created for television and social media viewing. However, there’s a significant difference between watching the hunting and fishing exploits on screen and reading about them in the book. The book details the difficulties, intense skill and fortitude required to deliver a final product that satisfies the team. Consequently, both the land and sea series have attracted a large audience who have been privileged to witness the team’s live action in stunning locations, showcasing hunting and fishing within wild New Zealand and offshore.
Viewers and readers of these series will notice that the backcountry and underwater adventures are generously sponsored by multiple branded businesses, with “Red Stag Timber” as the major sponsor. Readers of the book will gain insights from the author’s revelations about the considerable stress and hard work required to produce some 18 hours of film content as well as the highs and lows involved in capturing epic moments and maintaining the viewer’s attention. All the action filmed is factual and on the spot, with perhaps the occasional climbing scene or camp view requiring a reshoot. There are significant physical demands in backpacking an array of high-end cameras, drones, batteries and hi-tech equipment into some of these isolated locations. Dave Shaw does this to meet the unrelenting expectations of an often fickle audience. The not-ideal transportation, rigorous weather and the frequent challenges in handling hi-tech equipment can prove frustrating and expensive. Nonetheless, Shaw’s determination and vision to achieve perfection never wavers.
The book reflects the stories of a team achieving stellar results with their spearfishing experiences both in New Zealand and overseas, earning them the right to claim world record status. Alongside this, the high-country hunters celebrate victory with the taking of a national trophy chamois in our New Zealand mountains. These are just two examples from a wide and appealing range of outdoor adventures that the team undertakes, all of which are skilfully recorded, edited and produced by Dave Shaw alone.
The journey through the seasons often includes light-hearted interludes with humor and perhaps a cold one at the end of some very hard hours on the hill or beneath the waters. However, there are few moments where the author can relax because the camera just keeps rolling! The good times are intertwined with the bad, and these are not glossed over – one such instance being the coverage of a furious wild boar chase during hunting on the Chatham Islands. Two trophy boars are successfully bagged, with the cameraman and team elated with the recorded film, only to have it disappear into oblivion following a backup glitch.
In the closing pages of the book, author and cameraman Dave Shaw presents his vision and thoughts for the future of “The Red Stag Timber Hunter’s Club” and “South Seas Spearo.” He is acutely aware of the possibility of losing his viewing audience if the programme content slackens or begins to show any hint of becoming tiresome or repetitive.
Publisher Bateman Books’ presentation of “Further Off The Beaten Track” is excellent reading and provides a visionary record of Dave Shaw’s expertise and his deep connection to the wilderness.
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