The Dino Hunters

Dinosaur Cowboys is a one‑off TV episode that blends western grit with a dash of prehistoric curiosity. The story follows Montana rancher Clayton (played by a solid‑looking veteran of the genre) who stumbles onto what could be a priceless fossil on his family’s land. Across the state line in Wyoming, Mike – a grizzled outdoorsman – and his teenage son uncover a triceratops horn while out on a hunting trip. The cast is modest but competent, and the setting feels properly rugged, giving the premise a believable foothold. The episode kicks off with Clayton’s discovery and quickly pivots to Mike’s find, setting up a parallel hunt for ancient treasure that could change both families’ fortunes. As the two storylines converge, we get a mix of dusty ranch work, a few tense moments of fossil‑hunting, and the inevitable clash over who owns the bones. It’s essentially “Jurassic Park meets The Ranch” – a light‑hearted adventure that never gets too heavy on the science or the drama, keeping the focus on character banter and the oddball premise. Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. The pacing drags a bit in the middle, and the special effects look ropy by today’s standards – the triceratops horn glints like a cheap prop. Still, there’s a certain charm to the low‑budget practical sets, and the banter between Clayton and Mike feels surprisingly good, especially if you enjoy a bit of cheeky western humour. Think of it as a dated but fun curiosity piece, not a groundbreaking thriller. Rated PG‑13 for mild violence and some suspenseful moments involving the fossil dig. There’s a few tense confrontations, but nothing graphic. First terrestrial showing this weekend, it’s a stand‑alone episode from a late‑90s series that never got a proper DVD release, so catching it now is a bit of a nostalgic treat for fans of quirky genre mash‑ups.