Mantracker

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Mantracker is a Canadian reality television series that airs on the Outdoor Life Network. It debuted in spring 2006.

Each episode sees two people, who are often but not always strangers to one another, form a team referred to as the "Prey". The Prey must travel from the Start to the Finish without getting caught by the "Mantracker". The show always takes place in rough, remote terrain.

Mantracker has completed two seasons and is currently filming season three.

[edit] Rules

The prey begin their trek with a two kilometre head start, and need to reach a goal destination(often located over 40 kilometers away), equipped with a simple map and compass for navigation. The Prey have thirty-six hours in which to outrun and outwit the Mantracker and make it to the finish.

The Prey travel through varied terrain, often cutting through dense brush or rocky ground and even swimming across lakes to escape the Mantracker. Although they travel on foot, they are not restricted to that mode of transportation: for example, one episode featured the Prey hitching a ride for a short portion.

The "Mantracker" is Terry Grant, a 12 year veteran of the Alberta Foothills Search and Rescue Team, and an expert in using clues such as footprints, probable path, and other signs of human presence to track prey. In each episode the Mantracker is paired with a local guide who knows the territory. Traveling on horseback, the Mantracker and the guide have no information on who they are tracking (other than a flare that marks the starting point of the Prey). The Mantracker takes every chase as a matter of personal and professional pride, considering his reputation at stake.

The race usually contains an overnight stop along the way, but there is no set stopping and starting time for the nightly break.

The race ends if either the Prey successfully arrive at the Finish, or if they are caught by Mantracker or his guide. Mantracker does not have to physically catch the Prey but usually he and his horse will have to get close enough to the prey to be able to physically catch them.