Oregon logging crews are clearing out a spot on cable TV.

Mike Pihl and his crew are some of the stars of “Ax Men,” which premiered Sunday on The History Channel.

Camera crews followed Mike Pihl Logging and three other local outfits from August 2007 to December 2007. Photographers captured every moment on every job including some close calls.

The premiere episode, obtained early by NorthWest Cable News, shows loggers working in some of the most extreme winter conditions. “Ax Men” shows workers as they brave falling tree limbs and struggle with the intense pressures of the logging industry.

History Channel

The crews featured are all from Astoria and Vernonia, Stump Branch Logging, Browning Logging, Gustafson Logging and Pihl Logging, that operate out of Astoria or Vernonia.

The latest project for Pihl Logging has crews harvesting a 100 acre plot near Buxton. Lumberjacks cut down more than 1000 logs each day. However, few people know what it takes to get the logs out of the forest and to places as far away as China and Japan.

“Ax Men” is produced by the creators of popular cable television shows “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers.”

Background: Oregon crews star on new reality show

Loggers and producers of “Ax Men” hope the series will entertain, educate and clear misconceptions about the industry. Viewers across the country will soon know what it takes to be ax men.