Outdoor Channel Spring Programming Roster Offers Array Of Riveting Adventure Entertainment

Tune in to Three New TV Series, including "GunnyTime with R. Lee Ermey," First-Ever Network Documentary, "Safe Haven: Gun-Free Zones in America," and More

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Outdoor Channel

Mar 26, 2015, 10:00 ET

DENVER, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Outdoor Channel's spring schedule is packed with gripping adventure entertainment that provides an in-depth look into the people and stories on the cutting edge of the outdoors. The network's second quarter (Q2) lineup is comprised of nearly 80 shows, including three all-new series; GunnyTime with R. Lee Ermey, Shootout Lane and Alaska's Ultimate Bush Pilots; the network's inaugural documentary, Safe Haven: Gun-Free Zones in America; and outdoor-themed and Western films.

"At Outdoor Channel, we're continuing to evolve our programming to provide a broad range of thrilling, thought-provoking content that is designed to appeal to the more than 130 million outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers in the U.S.," said Jeffrey Wayne, executive vice president of programming at Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel. "This quarter's uniquely immersive mix includes a series starring retired U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant turned actor R. Lee Ermey and a riveting documentary on gun-free and campus carry measures across America, in addition to our exclusive slate of all-new shows, returning series and other popular favorites."

Safe Haven: Gun-Free Zones in America, (Wednesday April 1 and 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET) is Outdoor Channel's first original documentary. Hosted by Townhall news editor, FOX News contributor and New York Times best-selling author Katie Pavlich, the hour-long film takes a critical look at the history of gun-free zones in the U.S. and their effect on crime prevention through a series of interviews with law enforcement, industry experts and survivors, among others.

New to the network is GunnyTime with R. Lee Ermey (Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET, beginning April 15), featuring retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee "Gunny" Ermey, a talented character actor best known for his award-winning role in Full Metal Jacket. The immersive host-driven television series focuses on weapons and weapons technology past, present and future. Also joining the roster of shooting shows is Shootout Lane (Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET), which follows an atypical southern family of world-champion competitive shooters and custom gun manufacturers from Louisiana. Watch as the Miculek family take on each other and the world, and see what happens when challenges mount and generations collide.

Alaska's Ultimate Bush Pilots (Mondays at 10:00 p.m. ET) chronicles the lives of some of the bravest pilots in the world, The Island Air team. Flying single engine planes out of Kodiak Island, Alaska, their mission is to move explorers, hunters, anglers and tourists deep into the remote wilderness and back safely again. But when the weather doesn't cooperate and tensions run high, tune in to see how these experienced aviators handle the wild skies. For more Alaskan air adventures, check out the second season of Flying Wild Alaska (Mondays at 10:30 p.m. ET). The unconventional Tweto family continues to navigate Alaska's unpredictable terrain to transport life's necessities to the people that need them the most via their family-run airline, Era Alaska.

Derek, star of The Reluctant Outdoorsman (Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. ET), has recovered from last quarter's misadventures and is back for a grueling second season of antics. This time, he's joined by Outdoor Channel veterans: Michael Waddell, Hal Shaffer and Laramy "Sasquatch" Miller to tame menacing alligators, survive the apocalypse and more. Outdoor Channel's bass fishing league Major League Fishing (MLF), is also back with all-new two-hour episodes of Jack Link's Major League Fishing (Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. ET), featuring 30 anglers battling their way through the Shell Rotella Challenge Cup. Companion series Major League Fishing GEICO Selects (Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET) also returns with the Bass Pro Shops Challenge Select. Also among the network's favorites returning with new episodes are Wardens (Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. ET), Bassmasters (Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. ET) and Madfin Shark Tournament (Fridays at 7:00 p.m. ET).

Additional fan favorites, some of which are returning with new episodes, include:

Michael Waddell in Michael Waddell's Bone Collector (Sundays at 10:30 pm. ET)
Ted Nugent in Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild (Tuesdays 8:30 p.m. ET)
Jim and Eva Shockey in Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures (Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET) and Jim in Jim Shockey's UNCHARTED (Weekdays at 7:00 a.m. ET)
Lee and Tiffany Lakosky in Crush with Lee & Tiffany (Sundays 7:30 p.m. ET)
Jessie Duff in NRA All Access presented by Taurus (Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET)
Mike Pawlawski in Gridiron Outdoors (Sundays at 6:00 p.m. ET)
Pat and Nicole Reeve in Driven with Pat and Nicole (Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET)
Mark Zona in Zona's Awesome Fishing Show (Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ET)
Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo Archer's Choice with Ralph and Vicki (Mondays at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Jackie Bushman in The Jackie Bushman Show Classics (Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. ET)
Don and Kandi Kisky in Whitetail Freaks (Mondays at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Following a successful launch in the first quarter, Outdoor Channel is expanding the airing of classic and modern-day outdoor-themed and Western movies from two hours to two and a half hours. Tune in on Fridays at 9:00 p.m. ET to catch The River Wild, featuring Meryl Streep's and Kevin Bacon's Golden Globe nominated performances; A River Runs Through it, a film by Robert Redford and starring Brad Pitt; action film Sniper, starring Tom Berenger and Billy Zane; and Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary, Winged Migration.

The network will once again highlight its popular talent seven-days-a-week throughout the quarter at 11:30 p.m. ET. This "strip" of programming will begin with back-to-back weeks of special "best-of" episodes of Fight to Survive, featuring Craig DeMartino. Starting April 13-26, catch episodes featuring Terry and Mark Drury on Drury's THIRTEEN. From April 27-May 17, tune in to see Michael Hunsucker and Shawn Luchtel on Heartland Bowhunter. From May 18-31, check out episodes of The Best Defense, featuring Michael Bane, Mike Seeklander and Michael Janich. June 1-14, catch Cabela's American Archer with Tom Nelson. Closing out the quarter are episodes of The Reluctant Outdoorsman from June 15-28.

Outdoor Channel offers a number of themed programming blocks that combine the network's leading shows with the most recognizable brands in the outdoor space. Primetime programming blocks include: "Mossy Oak Tuesday Night Pursuits," "MidwayUSA Wednesday Night at the Range," "Primos Thursday Night Calls of the Wild" and "AutoZone Fish and Game Fridays." Weekend programming blocks include: "Silverado Saturdays," "Bass Pro Shops Big Sporting Saturdays" and "Saturday Afternoons are #1 with Mahindra," along with "Bushnell Sunday at First Light" and "Wildgame Nation Sunday Night on the Hunt."

For the full Q2 programming schedule, please visit: http://outdoorchannel.com/Schedule.aspx. Check local listings or log on to OutdoorChannel.com to find out how to get the network in your area.

About Outdoor Channel
Outdoor Channel has been taking viewers across America and around the world on unparalleled adventures since 1993. Dedicated to the outdoor lifestyle and conservation, the independent cable network is a division of KSE Outdoor Group and provides a complete spectrum of riveting hunting, fishing, shooting and adventure entertainment. Outdoor Channel is received by nearly 40 million U.S. households – the largest outdoor TV footprint in the country – and is available in more than 50 countries internationally. Outdoor Channel can be viewed in HD and is accessible by broadband and mobile platforms. For program times and other information, visit www.outdoorchannel.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and download our iPhone and iPad app. #WhatGetsYouOutdoors

SOURCE Outdoor Channel