Recently I've become involved with a television show called Pennsylvania Back Country. It's an exciting venture going from local television to a national platform. We now reach approximately 60 million viewers nationwide. The show airs five times per week. Check your local listings for air times, or visit www.pabackcountry.com.

Pennsylvania Back Country can also be viewed online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at www.myoutdoortv.com.

"Local TV Show Goes National"

January 2, 2007: After three years airing on leased-access television, Big Ten Tackle's Pennsylvania Back Country is leaping onto the national scene. Beginning January 2007, the locally-produced outdoor show will air three times per week on the Sportsman's Channel.

Created by show producer Mark Hoffer of Renfrew, Pennsylvania Back Country focuses exclusively on hunting and fishing in this state. "What makes us unique," says Hoffer, "is that we are a national television show that deals with a specific region of the country. It's all about Pennsylvania, its outdoor heritage and its people. We try to seek out talented Pennsylvanians and reveal their talents to a national audience."

Hoffer was a senior at Butler High School when he first decided to start Pennsylvania Back Country. "The show's initial purpose was to become an entertaining way for viewers to learn more about the outdoors," says Hoffer. "We haven't strayed far from that original intent. We explain the finer points of hunting and fishing, and provide tips to help our viewers be more successful.

"Our staff consists of skilled outdoorsmen who explain what they're doing, how they're catching fish, or why they're hunting a specific spot. Viewers can trust our staff and know that the tips they offer have been proven through years of experience."

That staff includes host Tom Brown, who worked on the Montana TV show Laurel Outdoors for nearly eight years before joining Pennsylvania Back Country. "From my experience, many shows start out with something you can do near where you live and then, in a few weeks, switch to Africa or somewhere you may never travel," says Brown. "With this show, we'll stay within Pennsylvania and bring attention to all the great hunting and fishing available to local outdoorsmen.

"We're not just a 'me and Joe' went fishing sort of show," says Brown. "On each episode we have various guests who may not be professionals, yet they have logged thousands of hours on one particular lake or stream and know the best way to catch fish from those waters. We bring in folks who are experts in the areas they hunt."

Co-host Ralph Scherder, award-winning author of The Taxidermist's Son (Rock Spring Press, 2005), agrees. "We offer something that no other show offers," says Scherder. "We showcase not only the wildlife of Pennsylvania, but its people as well. Pennsylvania is home to so many talented folks who are great at what they do, whether it's harvesting record book whitetails every year or making their own fishing lures. This show is a blend of hunting and fishing adventures and human interest stories."

Upcoming segments include flintlock deer hunting, taxidermy, fly tying, bow building, local fishing hot spots, and much more.

"It's exciting," says Hoffer. "We're expanding from an audience of 60,000 to one of almost 60 million, including broadcasts on MyOutdoorTV.com.

"Many people may think they know it all when it comes to hunting and fishing, but we can guarantee they haven't seen it all. With an unscripted show like Pennsylvania Back Country, anything can happen. And it usually does."

For more information about the show and air times, visit www.pabackcountry.com.