Navigating the Suwannee during filming of season 4 of the History Channel show Ax Men. - Photo: Stephenie Livingston

After six weeks on the Suwannee, several lost pairs of Gucci sunglasses, daily cuts and bruises, and fresh Mohawks, the film crew of History Channel’s Ax Men is packing their bags and heading back to Hollywood.

“We’ve had lots of fun and a lot of support from locals,” said Producer Kelly Garner. “Everyday local people would come out to watch the filming.”

Audio man Jason Boswell said he has also enjoyed his time on the Suwannee, but after six weeks of sometimes brutal conditions, he said he’s ready to get back to his family.

Season four of the History Channel show features two local aqua loggers as part of a rugged new crew who compete against stars Jimmy and James Smith, S&S Aqua Logging, in the danger-filled black water of the Suwannee River in search of cut timber that was lost in logging campaigns years ago. Steve Livingston, who is “Uncle Buck” on the show, and Patrick Swilly, “Pond Bear” to his fans, were both filmed on the Suwannee for the entire six weeks.

Fans look forward to seeing who comes out of top in a competition between S&S Aqua Logging and local loggers Collins River Logging, led by Joe “Injun Joe” Collins.

“It’s going to be interesting to watch,” said Livingston. “There’s going to be a lot of twists.”

One of the twists will include a bet that results in three members of the crew getting new hairdos — Mohawks, courtesy of Joe Collins.

The crew couldn’t give away too much about season 4, but Garner said it’s going to be even better than last year. This year, the film crew was larger and a helicopter was used to capture shots of the Suwannee from the air.

With the larger crew, and more equipment, injuries were also more common. During this interview, Kelly gashed his foot while scoping out shots for the helicopter from the river. He bandaged it and continued on.

So will the crew miss the black waters?

“The Suwannee River is a thief,” joked writer Brent Jacoby, who lost a $500 pair of Gucci sunglasses while filming.

“The Ax Men crew is embracing river culture,” Boswell said as he practiced saying “How ’bout it now?” to a passing boater.

Cast and crew all agreed that locals and Gibson Park employees, where cast and crew camped, have been more than supportive. They hope to be back in river country next year.

Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, Steve “Uncle Buck” Livingston is the father of Jasper News reporter Stephenie Livingston.