A Carberry-based taxidermist and avid hunter, who recently showcased record-setting local game, is now set to become a television star.
Justin Lilley has been signed to a four-season deal for a new reality series on WildTV, turning his passion for the outdoors into must-see Canadian content.
The new show, "Beyond the Blind Hunts," was officially greenlit after a whirlwind summer for Lilley, who was first featured by Portage Online in early July this year, in a popular article that highlighted his hunting achievements and taxidermy work.
That exposure acted as a catalyst, sparking interest from outdoor companies and ultimately leading to a deal with the national network.
"Yeah, I didn't expect basically, you know, anything to anything of this nature to kind of explode to where it's going," Lilley says. "We've been in talks with Wild TV. Initially, we were thinking about airing one season with them, and then from there, it's just kind of exploded to they have offered us a four-season deal, which is like 52 episodes."
The first season of 13 episodes is slated to premiere in January 2026, with new seasons following in subsequent years.
The production schedule is now in overdrive, with the first filming expedition for the show beginning this week.
Family takes center stage on new adventures
Unlike a solo hunting venture, "Beyond the Blind Hunts" will feature Lilley’s family, making it a central theme of the show.
His fiancée, Ruth, and nephew, Paul, who Lilley refers to as their "resident fish expert," began learning to hunt alongside him six years ago and are now both core cast members.
"Yeah, and that's kind of like a big highlight for the show. We wanted it to be like family-oriented, but also very informative for a lot of people who are just getting into hunting," Lilley explains. "It's going to be pretty action-filled. So there's going to be a lot of action and drama in it too."
He also calls it a full-circle moment for the trio. "It's all three of us, and we're now doing a show. So to me, that's pretty cool."
Global hunts and a tight filming schedule
The show will feature a diverse range of game, from local Manitoba whitetail and elk to exotic international adventures.
The first filmed hunts are set for Saskatchewan on September 3rd and 4th.
"My nephew, he's going to be going for exotic ram, and then my fiance, she'll be going for wild boar, so that'll be pretty exciting. As for myself, I will be going for bison, and I will be trying to take that with my archery equipment," Lilley says.
Future planned adventures include sturgeon fishing on B.C.’s Fraser River, a mountain goat hunt, and a potential nine-day trip to Africa.
The intense filming schedule requires 13 episodes to be completed in about two and a half months to meet the network’s deadlines.
Lilley credits local mentor and former "Trigger Effect" host Kent Mickey from Rapid City for providing invaluable guidance on navigating the television business.
Once it airs, fans can watch "Beyond the Blind Hunts" on the WildTV network through most cable providers, with episodes expected to hit YouTube by February 2026. A merchandise line is also in development.
