Jake Herak is one of the top stars of the Mountain Men. He has been a regular presence on the show since 2018, where he has made a name for himself as a Houndsman.
Jake Herak’s net worth is estimated at around $100,000. He is not the wealthiest Mountain Men cast member, but he certainly stands out as one of the show’s more financially successful stars.
So, how did Herak build his wealth? Below is a detailed look at his sources of income, from his TV career to mountain lion hunting, and more.
Earnings from appearing on TV
A portion of Jake Herak’s net worth comes from his earnings from TV appearances. He is a main cast member of the Mountain Men, having appeared in 74 episodes to date.
There is little information about how much he earns from appearing on the TV show. However, according to online sources, cast members earn between $3,500 and $20,000 per episode, with Herak rumored to earn around $10,000 per episode.
Houndsman career
When he is not filming for Mountain Men, Herak works as a houndsman in Ruby Valley, Montana. He owns a pack of dogs, which he uses to hunt mountain lions (cougars) that encroach on ranches and towns in the area.
In an interview with Hook & Barrel Magazine, he revealed that he was mentored in mountain lion hunting for three years before he took on the vocation.
He also added that for him, mountain lion hunting is more about his dogs than killing the cats. Therefore, his hunting work usually involves him chasing the cougars back into the mountain areas.
There is no information on how much Herak makes from hunting mountain lions. However, given that it is a risky job that involves navigating rough terrain, it could entail high costs.
Hunting guide
A portion of Jake Herak’s net worth also comes from his work as an outdoor guide. He owns Treed Up Outfitters, a company that offers guided mountain lion hunts in Montana.
According to the company’s website, a guided mountain lion-hunting experience costs $10,000 and includes five days of hunting with two guides.
Herak also works as an outdoor guide for other companies in Montana, including Four Dot Outfitters and Rack & Reel Montana.
Other sources of income
In addition to TV, hunting mountain lions, and working as a guide, Jake Herak also engages in other activities that have contributed to his net worth. These include:
1. Brand promotion
Due to his TV appearances, Herak has a substantial social media following, with over 18,000 followers on Instagram and over 10,000 on Facebook.
As a result, he uses his social media platforms to promote brands and various hunting-related products, including knives, hunting rifles, and rifle scopes.
2. Seasonal gigs
In his interview with Hook & Barrel Magazine, Herak revealed that it was impossible to survive in an isolated region with only one job. Therefore, he often takes up other seasonal gigs to supplement his income.
The seasonal gigs include spraying noxious weeds in the spring and summer, and working as a cowboy on a cow-calf ranch.
Jake Herak did not disclose how much he earns from his seasonal jobs. However, according to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly wage for a weed sprayer in the United States is $15.38.
On the other hand, online reports suggest that seasonal cowboys earn between $1,500 and $4,000 per month, with benefits like food and housing provided.