Jake Herak (Mountain Men) Biography: Age, Net Worth, Wife, Career, and Rich Lewis Connection

Jake Herak is an American professional hunter and reality television personality best known for his role on the History Channel’s Mountain Men. He joined the cast in Season 7 (2018) and has since become a key figure, recognized for his expertise in tracking and hunting mountain lions in Montana’s rugged wilderness. Over the years, Jake has drawn comparisons to veteran lion hunter Rich Lewis, sparking frequent viewer questions about whether the two are related. Beyond his hunting career, Jake’s personal life—including his marriage to Anika Ward, his age, and his outdoor lifestyle—has captured the curiosity of fans. This article explores Jake Herak’s early life, Mountain Men career, net worth, wife, and answers common questions about his connection to Rich Lewis.

Quick Facts

Name	Jake Herak
Birth Date	February 28, 1989
Birth Place	Montana, United States
Age	36
Hometown	Dixon, Montana
Parents	John Herak and Alisa Smith
Spouse	Anika Ward
Wedding Date	July 2, 2022
Known For	Mountain Men reality series
Debut Season	Season 7 (2018)
Role	Lion hunter
Notable Fact	Compared to Rich Lewis by fans

[book-thief]

Early Life and Background

Jake Herak was born on February 28, 1989, in Montana, United States, to parents John Herak and Alisa Smith. He spent his childhood in Dixon, Montana, a rural community where outdoor activities like hunting and fishing were common. Although neither of his parents were trappers, Jake developed an early interest in the craft and pursued it independently. He later noted,

“My parents didn’t trap and I somehow fell in love with it… it’s a tradition… keep Montana wild!”

Jake attended Dixon School District and graduated in 2004. During his teenage years, he moved with his mother to Twin Bridges, Montana, where he enrolled at Twin Bridges High School. In his senior year, he joined the Falcons football team and participated in competitive sports.

After high school, Jake focused on developing his outdoor skills. He began working with hunting hounds, starting with his first dog, Henry. Over time, he expanded his pack and started tracking mountain lions in Montana’s rugged terrain. By his early twenties, he had tracked more than 25 lions while refining his hunting and dog-training abilities.

In 2021, Dixon School District invited Jake to return as a guest speaker for the eighth-grade promotion ceremony. The school recognized his accomplishments in professional hunting and his growing public presence on the History Channel’s Mountain Men.

Hunter by Trade

Though lion hunting is his primary livelihood, Jake’s passion for the outdoors extends beyond hunting predators. He actively hunts various game and enjoys fishing, keeping his freezer stocked with clean, fresh meat.

Jake’s early hunting experiences began with his first hound, Henry. As detailed in an article by Abigail Dennis for The Loop magazine, Jake initially trained Henry and later expanded his pack to four dogs. He collaborated closely with Hutch Hutchinson, a mentor who helped Jake develop his dog-training and mountain lion tracking skills.

Jake and Hutchinson often used raccoons to train the dogs, tying a raccoon hide to a stick and dragging it to simulate a scent trail. One of Jake’s notable early successes was tracking a male mountain lion that could cover up to 20 miles a day. Jake and Hutchinson worked together to pursue and eventually tree the lion.

Jake credited his hounds with pushing him beyond what he thought possible. As he noted, “These hounds compete as I did when I played sports and they push me harder than I ever thought possible and take me places I never thought reachable.”

His hunting philosophy emphasizes both challenge and respect for the outdoors. Over the years, Jake has tracked and harvested dozens of mountain lions while continuously honing his skills in dog handling, tracking, and predator management.

Reality TV Career

Jake made his television debut in the seventh season of Mountain Men. He first appeared in Season 7, Episode 2 titled “Time and Tide,” which aired in 2018. As one of the younger cast members, he quickly earned a following for his skills and dedication. During his debut season on the show, Jake demonstrated his skills by successfully tracking and managing multiple mountain lions alongside his trained hounds.

Jake remains cautious and respects the wilderness. He ensures he returns home before nightfall to avoid the dangers posed by bears, mountain lions, and other predators.

Filling the Void: Mountain Men Debut Season and Rich Lewis Connection

Following the departure of veteran lion hunter Rich Lewis after Season 6 in 2017, Jake Herak joined Mountain Men in Season 7 (2018) as a lion hunter working with hounds. Although no official replacement was declared, his arrival naturally drew comparisons as he took on a similar role. Jake made his debut hunting in the Tobacco Root Mountains of Montana, introducing viewers to a demanding and dangerous profession rooted in both tradition and necessity. From his first appearance, he demonstrated a methodical approach to preparing his pack of hounds for the challenges ahead.

Before the lion season began, Jake trained his dogs using tracking drills designed to sharpen their senses and discipline. He laid raccoon hides to create simulated trails with sharp turns and backtracks, ensuring the dogs learned to follow complex scents without getting distracted by the cattle they were meant to protect. During these exercises, he watched closely as dogs like Lefty quickly picked up the scent and followed it in the correct direction, ignoring nearby bulls—an early sign of their growing skill and focus.

Once the season opened, Jake’s hunts revealed both the skill of his dogs and the dangers they faced. On one occasion, he discovered fresh wolf tracks near the trail his hounds were following. Knowing wolves would see his dogs as competition and likely attack them, Jake made the tough decision to call off the hunt and prioritize their safety. His GPS collar system became a lifeline in these moments, helping him track his team when they ranged far ahead in treacherous terrain.

The perils became personal when Lefty, one of his most dependable dogs nicknamed “Mr. Consistent,” suffered a deep cut on his hind foot during a hunt. Jake abandoned the chase without hesitation, carrying Lefty down seven miles of mountain trails and driving another ten miles through a snowstorm to reach a veterinarian. When his truck slid off the road, he used a winch and makeshift mountaineering cord—wrapped multiple times for strength—to pull the vehicle free, underscoring his resourcefulness under pressure.

The season wasn’t solely about predator control. Jake also demonstrated his hunting skills for subsistence. With his freezer running low, he tracked a large mule deer buck across steep, rocky country. After hours of pursuit and a successful shot, he processed the 200-pound animal himself, securing over 70 pounds of meat to sustain both him and his dogs through winter.

Jake’s bond with his dogs extended beyond work. He carefully managed their habits, even discouraging risky behaviors. For example, when his young dog Clutch developed a dangerous tendency to climb trees in pursuit of lions, Jake patiently intervened to prevent injuries.

By the end of his debut season, Jake Herak had shown not only his effectiveness as a lion hunter but also his deep respect for his dogs, the land, and the balance between humans and predators. Notably, while Jake and former Mountain Men cast member Rich Lewis both specialized in lion hunting using hounds, they are not related. Fans often draw comparisons between the two hunters, as Jake’s arrival and role mirrored the work Rich Lewis had performed in earlier seasons, but there is no family connection between them. His combination of discipline, care, and problem-solving established him as a valuable member of the Mountain Men cast and earned the trust of Montana ranchers who depended on his services.

Jake Herak Net Worth

As of 2025, Jake Herak’s estimated net worth ranges between $300,000 and $600,000. His income is derived from multiple sources, including his role on the History Channel’s Mountain Men, which has provided national exposure and steady earnings since 2018. In addition to his television career, Jake operates Treed Up Outfitters, a successful hunting guide service based in Sheridan, Montana, specializing in mountain lion hunts and outdoor excursions. The business, combined with his television presence and social media influence, contributes to a diversified and stable income. While exact financial details are not publicly disclosed, these ventures collectively position Jake among the more financially successful modern outdoorsmen featured on reality television.

Personal Life

Jake Herak has shared many aspects of his personal life through social media, offering fans insight into his relationship, marriage, and growing family.

Marriage to Anika Ward

Jake Herak married his long-time partner, Anika Ward, on July 2, 2022. The wedding ceremony took place at Clover Meadows in Sheridan, Montana, surrounded by close family and friends. Before tying the knot, the couple had been together for several years, sharing outdoor adventures such as fishing trips across Montana and Florida. Jake has often expressed appreciation for Anika’s support in his demanding lifestyle, including her patience with his frequent absences due to hunting seasons and dog training. Their partnership has been a consistent theme in his social media updates, where he acknowledges both her personal support and their shared love for the outdoors.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jake Herak (@treedupoutfitters_)

Family and Children

Jake and Anika expanded their family in 2025 with the birth of their first child, Jhett Jacob Herak, born on March 21. Weighing 7.06 lbs and measuring 20 inches, Jhett’s arrival was joyfully announced by Jake, who shared his excitement about introducing his son to the outdoor traditions that have shaped his own life.

Outdoor Activities and Family Life

Beyond hunting, Jake and Anika frequently engage in fishing and outdoor recreation, often documenting their shared experiences. From catching northern pike in Montana to tripletail fishing in Florida, their family life reflects a strong connection to nature and self-sufficiency.

Life with Hunting Dogs

Jake’s family life prominently includes his team of hunting hounds. He regularly shares updates about the dogs’ training, hunting achievements, and their roles both in the field and as part of the family. His dogs are not only professional partners but also integral to his family’s lifestyle.

This blend of family, outdoor adventure, and professional hunting has become a hallmark of Jake Herak’s life both on and off the screen.