DOCUMENTARIES
Rinehart-Newlon Water Catchment
Arizona’s Harcuvar Mountains, a groundbreaking conservation effort has created a vital new water source for desert bighorn sheep. The Reinhardt–Newton Water Catchment, built through a partnership between private landowners, the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, and funded by the Wild Sheep Foundation, marks the first guzzler the Society has ever constructed on land it owns. To document this unique project, the Wild Sheep Foundation hired Aptitude Outdoors to capture the hard work, collaboration, and determination that made it possible. This short film highlights how creative partnerships can restore habitat and strengthen the future of bighorn sheep in the region.
Gulf Great White Sharks: The Return of an Icon
This documentary explores the evolving story of great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico—once dismissed as myth, now confirmed through science, eyewitness accounts, and groundbreaking satellite tracking. What begins as a childhood memory on a Gulf Coast pier becomes a decades-long investigation, culminating in the remarkable journey of “Lee Beth,” a tagged great white whose record-setting migration reshaped shark science. Through interviews with leading researchers, visits to Cape Cod’s shark hotspot, and insights from Gulf Coast conservationists and young ocean lovers, the film reveals how great whites are returning to the Gulf and why protecting these apex predators is crucial for future generations.
Michigan Illegally Closes Coyote Hunting Season:
This documentary exposes a pivotal moment for Michigan’s conservation future after the Natural Resources Commission suspended three months of coyote season based on unsubstantiated “social perception” rather than science. Through the voices of MUCC leaders and lifelong hunters, the film reveals how this decision signals a deeper threat—one that could erode science-based wildlife management and jeopardize future opportunities for Michigan’s outdoorsmen, women, and youth. Highlighting the ecological importance of predator control, the documentary follows MUCC’s appeal effort and calls for unified action. It underscores that safeguarding Michigan’s outdoor heritage requires members, advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to sound biological science.
Discovering Bighorns
This award-winning documentary explores the dramatic decline and inspiring recovery of America’s iconic big horn sheep. Once more than a million strong, their populations were nearly erased by disease before hunter-led conservation sparked a remarkable comeback. The film follows a filmmaker’s search for renewed purpose and the dedicated work of the National Bighorn Sheep Center in Dubois, Wyoming. Through programs like Camp Bighorn, kids learn wildlife biology, outdoor skills, and the importance of protecting wild sheep. As young photographers encounter bison, pronghorn, and big horns in the field, they discover that the future of these species depends on their passion and stewardship.
Finding Hope in Yellowstone
This award-winning documentary follows a wildlife journalist who, facing burnout in the summer of 2024, seeks renewal in the wilds of Yellowstone. Inspired by the rare sighting of a white buffalo, he leads a group of kids—many navigating their own hardships—on a wildlife photography expedition into one of America’s most important conservation landscapes. With support from the National Bighorn Sheep Center, the group explores the Lamar Valley, capturing images of bison, elk, pronghorn, and grizzlies while learning the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Through Higher Calling Wildlife, the journey empowers young people to share conservation stories and rediscover hope.
The Hunt Within: The Role of Hunting in Wildlife Conservation
"The Hunt Within" is an award-winning and captivating film that delves deep into the heart of wildlife conservation. Narrated by Paul Fuzinski of Aptitude Outdoors, this film is not just a documentary; it's an exploration of the intricate relationship between humans and nature.
At its core, "The Hunt Within" challenges perceptions, intertwining the seemingly conflicting worlds of hunting and our love of wildlife. Through the lens of various conservation experts—including Gray Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation; Renée Thornton, Chair of the Women Hunt Program; Chester Moore, renowned wildlife journalist; and Andrew Austin, ecologist and naturalist—the film navigates the complex and often misunderstood role hunting plays in conservation.
Flying Upstream: A Story of Fly Fishing and Friendship
Join Chester Moore, Paul Fuzinski, and Seth Geib in an enthralling expedition, where they traverse from the tranquil Beavers Bend in Oklahoma to the vibrant Texan streams, showcasing the unifying power of fly fishing. This journey delves into the soul of the sport, breaking stereotypes and revealing its accessibility to all, regardless of background or experience, while fostering a deep connection with nature and the bonds of friendship.