Mike Hawkridge was told the decision was very difficult and the producer of Canada’s runaway reality show Mantracker, said they took an extra two months to decide who would be the next star.
It wasn’t going to be Mike.
“I had a bit of a twinge when I found out I wasn’t chosen, but hey I was the runner up,” he said with a smile.
His run for the top spot to replace outgoing Mantracker Terry Grant began when his wife decided to try out for a spot as prey for the show. Although Karen auditioned alone, her partner would have been Mike, something he wasn’t aware of before the producers had his wife’s tape.
“I knew I didn’t want to be prey,” he said after Karen shared what she has done.
Her tape didn’t net her the prey role but she was told they were keeping her tape on file.
Both Mike and his wife figured that was the end of it and carried on with their business, a guest ranch 45km west of Quesnel where Mike’s skills as a hunting guide, rancher, cowboy and outdoorsman are much in demand.
He began honing his skills when his parents moved the family to a remote ranch near Stuart Lake. With no electricity or indoor plumping, the family lived a basic life learning to be self-sufficient and embracing the pristine wilderness and all the alone time they could want.
Not giving it much more thought, Mike was extremely surprised when Bonterra Productions contacted him inviting the Baker Creek cowboy to audition to replace Grant as the show’s Mantracker.
“I didn’t know how to take that,” Mike said.
“I had been told rumours were they were considering me for the sidekick, but I knew I didn’t want that job. I figured there were many others better suited to that role than me.”
Bonterra executives were canvasing all over Canada for the next star of their hit series and they wanted Mike in that bull pen.
“They asked me to meet them in Prince George. I had no idea it was a cattle call with piles of others. I didn’t figure I had a chance, so many of the others seemed more suited to the job.”
When Ihor Macijiwsky, executive producer and founder of Bonterra Productions, sat down with Mike, he told him they would selecting four finalists and that Mike was in.
“I didn’t know what that meant. I was so overwhelmed by the whole casting call process,” Mike said.
Putting no stock in his chances, he again returned home with no expectations, figuring that was again the end of it.
So when the production company sent him tickets to Florida, Mike was again surprised.
“I had no time to consider what this all meant, I didn’t know what to bring with me. All I knew was I was taking my saddle.”
He knew, regardless of the environment, the demands of the audition and even the horse he would ride, if he had his own comfortable saddle, he could handle it.
However, one of his first challenges was to navigate Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
“Can you imagine a Chilcotin boy in O’Hare Airport.”
After arriving in Florida, Mike was told two of the finalists were from Alberta and two from B.C.
Very quickly, the Quesnel hunting guide realized the show was more than he was ready for.
“When Ihor said horsemanship and tracking was a very small percentage of the show, I knew it wasn’t for me, but I was determined to see it through. I was honoured to have advanced this far.”
On Cracker Horse ranch, the four finalists were put through their paces and with each new challenge, Mike was more and more convinced he wasn’t the mantracker for the job.
Learning about Cracker horses and cowboys and experiencing a world totally foreign to him was an experience Mike will never forget.
“It was a magical experience, a window into a world I knew nothing about,” he said.
“It was a privilege to be one of the four finalists but I knew early on it probably wasn’t for me.”
Although convinced he wouldn’t be chosen, Mike contemplated and discussed with his wife what life might be like should he become the next Mantracker.
“I knew it would change my life, but I was concerned how it might change who I am.”
After finding out the executives had chosen Chad Savage from Alberta, Mike swallowed his disappointment and realized he was relieved to be back at his business which he loves and proud of his performance during the long and gruelling audition process.
“There were more concerns over being chosen than excitement about becoming the next Mantracker,” he admitted.
“Chad is the perfect choice, he suits the role better than me.”
Mike also confided he figured he wasn’t bad enough for the job, whatever that might mean.
Having advanced so far in the search for a new Mantracker and given the worldwide popularity of the reality series, Mike expects he can use his experience as a platform to promote his business.
Hidden Lake Guest Ranch offers the authentic western experience on a working ranch with cowboy Mike and cowgirl Karen as well as Celine Falloon, a knowledgeable and experienced Baker Creek rancher who shares her fascinating stories and her excellent cooking skills.
Mike also offers a guide training program with the goal to produce well-qualified and skilled guides for the hunting industry.
“I can’t imagine any other life; we have so many adventures and our family loves it at the ranch,” he said.
Hidden Lake Guest Ranch is close enough to town for his children to attend school but remote enough to provide the lifestyle they prefer.
To contact Hidden Lake Guest Ranch visit www.hiddenlakeguestranch.com or e-mail mkhawk@quesnelbc.com. The phone number at the ranch is 250-249-5056.