Becoming A Bow Hunter

In this episode of Become A Bowhunter, we sit down with Jim McWilliam. We discuss his transition from hunting with dogs to bowhunting in the rugged Northern Territory. Jim shares insights into hunting the massive boars of Darwin and its surroundings, the challenges of bows and living rurally, hunting in the heat, and much more. With a down-to-earth and humble perspective and a passion for continuous learning, Jim gives us a raw and unfiltered look at what it takes to become a better hunter. Topics Covered: From Dogging to Bowhunting: The mindset shift and what drew Jim to archery.Pigs in the NT: Characteristics and habits Jim’s picked up on while hunting boars in the NT.Tuning & Equipment: Why Jim took bow tuning into his own hands and the importance of understanding your gear.Shot Placement on Bedded Boars: The nuances of finding the right angles for a clean kill.Shot Placement for Better and Faster Dispatch: Jim share how he changed his thinking on shot placement and the better outcomes the perspecti

In this episode we welcome back Graham Cahill, one of 2024’s fan favorites, for an insightful and entertaining conversation about his bowhunting journey and overcoming target panic.  Known for his down-to-earth and highly positive personality, Graham shares the ups and downs of mastering the mental game of archery to overcome a multi-year battle with target panic. We dive into topics such as: The Reality of Target Panic: Graham explains how it feels like "a weight pulling your arm down" and how he battled this challenge through methodical practice.Building Better Habits: From daily routines to tools like release trainers, Graham details his transformative six-week training regimen that made all the difference.Gear Insights: Graham discusses his transition to a Bowtech SR bow, the advantages of single-pin sights, and the game-changing impact of rangefinder binoculars.The Importance of Doing the Work: Practical advice from seasoned bowhunters, including daily exercises that helped Graham rebuild his form a

In this unique episode of Become A Bowhunter, we explore the fascinating and often overlooked world of camel hunting in Australia with Pete Griffiths.  Known for their resilience and intelligence, Australia’s wild camel population poses distinct challenges for bowhunters. Pete brings his wealth of experience to the table, sharing in-depth knowledge about these animals, their behavior, and how to successfully hunt them.  From understanding their grazing habits to navigating the expansive Australian outback, this episode is packed with actionable insights and intriguing stories on camels. And then the adventure begins when Pete starts to unleash some jaw-dropping stories of the most pain he’s ever suffered whilst bowhunting, multiple near misses with crocodiles, and much more. Topics Covered: - The history of Australia's wild camels and their unique purity as a species. - Key behaviors of camels and how to use them to your advantage when hunting. - Strategies for tracking camels, even in the

In this episode of Become Your Bowhunter, we're joined by Ayden Doumtsis for a deep dive into Chital deer hunting strategies both in and out of the rut.  Ayden shares his extensive experience in North Queensland, covering topics from rut behavior to the best hunting approaches in varying conditions.  We discuss key signs of Chital activity during the rut to look for — such as rub trees and the significance they play in scouting and area.  Some of the highlights from this episode include: Chital Rut Insights: Ayden explains how the rut can vary based on rainfall and the condition of the hinds.Patience Pays Off: Learn why taking your time is crucial when hunting Chital deer, especially when working with multiple stags and hinds.Hunting Tactics: Do you call them? Can you rattle them in? We discuss all possible methods to use when chasing these skittish animals, the importance of wind direction, and how to handle both lone stags and rutting mobs.Deer Behavior: Discover how Chital deer’s interaction with their

This episode is packed with experiences and lessons learned from a first-time bowhunter, Grant Muir, as he takes on his first-ever hunt.  Joined by host Matty, Grant navigates through equipment setbacks, unexpected challenges, and the intense emotions of the hunt.  From a cracked bow to the powerful moments of stalking animals, they discuss the trials and triumphs that come with the journey. Topics Covered: The journey of a first-time bowhunterEquipment woes: From bow failure to upgrading setupsThe science behind bow setup, tuning, and arrowsThe adrenaline dump and the emotional rollercoaster of bowhuntingStalking techniques: Lessons learned in the fieldEthics in bowhunting and respecting the animalThe importance of preparation and gear: What worked and what didn’tOvercoming mistakes and the value of patience in the huntThe lessons learned about bow hunting after the first shot and the first animalOvercoming a bow malfunction on the eve of a big huntLessons on stalking and shot placementThe emotional hi

This week, Matty is joined by Sean Chick, a dedicated hunter who shares the unique story of gaining access to a property with a struggling deer herd and taking steps to boost its numbers and quality. Sean’s journey highlights the practical challenges and rewarding outcomes of managing deer populations while balancing ethical hunting practices. If you, too, have deer numbers dwindling on your block, the information provided by Sean could be the information you need to completely turn the deer numbers around, just like Sean was able to do. Despite being limited in his bowhunting due to a shoulder injury, Sean’s passion for the outdoors and commitment to herd improvement shines through. Podcast Topics: - Sean’s bowhunting origins and evolution - The impact of wild dogs on deer herds - Ethical and sustainable deer management practices - Managing genetics: Why “mong heads” need to go - Balancing the herd: The importance of mature does - Strategies to create a thriving hunting block - Wild do

This week Matty is joined by living legend Dr. Ed Ashby. Dr. Ashby was the man who helped to reinstate bowhunting in South Africa. The man documented over 630+ animals that he took with his bow and arrow. Each time trialing different arrows, broadheads and total weight setups to come to a conclusion of best setups for bowhunters which is all documented and shared through “The Ashby Bowhunting Foundation.” https://www.ashbybowhunting.org/ “The goal of every bowhunter should be to achieve the most penetration possible on an animal, with the intent of a full passthrough.” - Dr. Ed Ashby  |  Founder Podcast topics: - The Science of Bowhunting: Ethical Hunting Redefined - Heavy Bone Thresholds and Their Impact on Success - Stalking Skills: The Lost Art of Close-Range Hunting - Lessons from 631 Animals: Dr. Ashby’s Bowhunting Insights - Mechanical vs. Fixed Broadheads: The Ultimate Debate - Conservation Through Bowhunting: A Hunter’s Role in Wildlife Management - The Physics of Penetrati

This week Matty is joined by Joel Turner from Shot IQ. Joel has cracked the code to override the human instinct and safety mechanisms that we have in place can negatively affect your accuracy inside of shooting.  Whether you’re shooting a gun or shooting your bow, this system is an easy-to-implement process that removes target panic and makes a repeatable process every time. Podcast Topics:  - The Australian paddy melons - how did this all come to fruition - The Science and psychology behind the shot process - Open and closed loop systems - Thoughts are not thinking - How to override your thoughts and take back control - Applying the system to each style of release aid  - Compound Vs. Trad Shot - An elk hunt to remember - The trick to calling in Bull Elk and Red Stags And much, much more. Find Joel Turner: @joelturneractual https://www.turnermodel.com/ https://www.shotiq.com/home https://www.mindiq.com/enroll Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast

This week is another solo episode in which Matty does his best to bring you a beginners' guide to bowhunting. Inside this episode, Matty takes you through the A-Z of everything you’ll need to know to get started in bowhunting in 2024 and beyond. Think of this episode as an open letter to anyone looking to get into bowhunting, new to bowhunting, or even someone still looking for their first success with the bow.  Episode topics:  Buying a bowAccessories Arrow weights and spinesBroadheadsPerfect practice - develop a repeatable processGain access (paid, public or private)How to approach a new hunting block on your first visitThe stalkAnimal behaviour Field dressing - different approachesMeat careMeat processing.  Relevant Episodes: #1 - Buying the perfect bow with Ian Summers  #133 - Using Wilderness First-Aid To Save Your Life with Christie Pisani #115 - Gaining Hunting Access w/ Matty Turner #98 - Liam’s Rut Recap and Perfect Shot Placement with Liam Woods #43 - Meat Safety When Hunting wit

In this episode, Matty is joined by renowned traditional bowhunter Ben Maher.  Ben has been pursuing his passion for traditional archery and bowhunting for decades. But it hasn’t always come easily, which sent Ben on a pursuit of gaining coaching and becoming the best shooter he can be. A lot of great tips and tricks were shared inside this one that helped Ben to overcome his target panic. Ben is a very passionate lover of all things traditional bows and bowhunting and has been a helpful pillar of the traditional community for a long time. Podcast Topics: - Ben's early introduction to archery and bowhunting through his father - Stuff your wheels, give me recurves & longbows - Bowhunting turkeys in New Zealand - Target panic: Overcoming mental hurdles and embracing a triggerless shot - Many mentors make light work — unless you’re Ben Maher (or so Tom Clum, Rod Jenkins, and Joel Turner would say) - Key lessons and takeaways from the best in the biz - Bowhunting transforms lives - So

In this episode, Matty is joined by Jordan De Jong and Adam Barter as they recap the hunt that was on their drive home. This hunt was Jordan’s first-ever experience of bowhunting. Matty and Adam made it their goal to help fast-track Jordy’s hunting abilities and get him his first animal with the bow. They were successful; however, they didn’t come without challenges. This recap gives great insights into what worked well, what didn’t work at all and what each member of the hunting party would have done differently to make good of the opportunities that weren’t fruitful. Podcast Topics:  - How’d we get here?  - The excitement that new blocks bring - Seeing your first critters in the wild - The first stalk failed - Good! - The second stalk failed - Good, what did you learn? - What made the third stalk a charm? - Pigs, & goats… Take your pick - Wind - Day 2 - Hello Mr Fox - Check your gear, DUMMY. - The mountaintop that keeps on giving. - Biggest takeaways - Bowhunting changes l

This week, Matty is joined by Poldi, the man behind the YouTube channel Westcoast Adventures. To keep the adventures alive, Poldi set himself the challenge of going stickbow only moving forward and has been trying to master his craft for the past year.  What’s cool to see is with the system Poldi has adopted he has truly become a beast with the recurve, especially when it matters with a live animal in front of him. Podcast topics:  - Kayaking Norway - The influence of Bruce Barns - Getting the right start in the outdoors - I sold my wheels to go on an adventure - Push archery  - Hunting is tough with a bad back - Stewart Island - Patterning the animals year-round. - Springtime red deer - Chamois can see - Tahr love slips And much more… Find Poldi: @poldi_wm https://youtube.com/@westcoastadventures8877?si=-pmAiUl2sAvUQ8s3 Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Podcast Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee @dogandguncofee Bloody grea

This week Matty is joined by Christie Pisani. Christie has a background in both paramedics and bowhunting. She now teaches wilderness first aid courses, sharing her knowledge and time in the bush to teach people how to save their lives if things go wrong. Podcast topics:  - Heart Of The Huntress - Why do Bowhunters need to understand first-aid? - Personal location beakers - What’s in a good first-aid kit? - Broadhead and knife wounds - Gunshots - Common farm injuries to be prepared for - Rolls and breaks - What to do if you’re bitten by a snake And much, much more. Find Christie Pisani: @wildernessfirstaidconsultants www.wfac.com.au Heart Of The Huntress: https://youtu.be/mU--NjlNE70?si=dkr4SQNZVWKOlSJA Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Podcast Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee @dogandguncofee Bloody great coffee ready for adventure — Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next purchase. Visit https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/ K

This week Matty is joined by Colin Gair from Outlaw Custom Bows. Colin recently created Matty’s daughters two absolutely stunning bows, to help them transition from toys to real bows. Colin has a background in engineering that allows him to tinker and recreate traditional longbows and recurve bows. Through applying basic maths, physics and what he learned through his structural engineering degree Colin has created many variations of specialised custom trad bows. Podcast Topics: - Kids bows - What led to Colin making custom bows  - The different types of low bows and recurve bows - What goes into making a bow - The Australian naming series - Why do people question the speed of your bows? - How are you able to make these bows so fast? - The current lineup - What to look for when buying a trad bow - Bringing your kids into hunting - Hunting stories with the trad bow And much, much more. Find our guest: @outlawcustombows Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast

This week is Matty is in Deer Camp With Grant Rand, Corey Seymondsbergen, and four relatively new hunters. It was very cool to go back to basics and help fast-track the learnings in the field within a few hunts. Podcast Topics: - Matty’s Buck - Why it’s important to introduce others to good bowhunting practices - Great questions - Simple mistakes leading to stalks ending - Be mindful of your movements - You usually have more time than you think - Danny’s Boar - The penetration test - Good mates = great camps And much, much more. Find our guest: @corey_seymo @grant_randy_rand Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Podcast Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee @dogandguncofee Bloody great coffee ready for adventure — Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next purchase. Visit https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/ Kayuga Broadheads @kayuga_broadheads For precision and reliability in your hunting gear use code BAB10 for 10% off your next o

This week host Matty is joined by Returning guest Corey. If you listened to the marathon episode “Bowhunting Bulgaria’s Finest Fallow, Boars and Mouflon w/ Grant Rand — You’ll be somewhat familiar with this story as Corey was Grant’s travel buddy on this hunt. Corey’s trip also included many ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and stepping outside of his comfort zone and boundaries. Note that this episode is not to warn off of hunting abroad — In fact, the opposite, just to give you a full perspective of what can go right and wrong on any hunt. Podcast Topics: - Trying to speak without talking - Doing the same old thing - I want to hunt like I do at home - Stalking unshootable critters - Cliffs are mild inconveniences - The Kieler: #1 human Killer - In hindsight… Actually nah - When push comes to shove - Expectations will kill the outcome Find Corey: @corey_seymo Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Podcast Sponsors: Dog and Gun

This week Matty is joined by returning guest Tobie Hynes. Tobie recently went to Stewart Island, New Zealand, to hunt Whitetail Deer in one of the only places in the southern hemisphere where they can be hunted. Stewart Island is an incredibly popular hunting destination and is booked out 365 days of the year. Based on Tobie’s stories, you’ll start to understand why. Podcast topics: The Whitetail deer herdOpportunities through the Hunters ClubLogistics of the tripDeclare EVERYTHING, and don’t buy a new pack of bulletsDon’t get lost — Here’s howGullies become a trip hazard at nightYour best chance at hunting these deer is… The sea lifePolicing and fisheries on the islandBringing hope your capes And much more…  Find Tobie: @hunt_mountains @thebighorndeercaller https://www.youtube.com/@thynes2995 Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Podcast Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee: Enhance your hunting morning with a rich cup from Dog and Gun Coffee. Use cod

This week Matty is joined By William Platell from Riverleigh Taxidermy. William has been tinkering with Taxidermy for the past 16 years. After suffering a nasty shoulder injury in the army, he decided to turn his passion into a full-time gig. As you’ll see and feel throughout the episode will is an absolute lover of animals and obsessive with mastering his craft. Will Loves the fact that he gets to preserve not only the animal… BUT also the adventure and story of the hunt for the hunter to hold onto for the rest of their days. Podcast Topics Include: Hunting or taxidermy, what came first Soulders, who needs them anyway?Picking the bow back up after many yearsQuick turnaround for big outcomes Obsessed is an understatement The one that got away Bring me the boars baby!Full body mount Camel you say? Next steps for Riverleigh And much more. Find William Platell : @riverleigh_taxidermy Where to Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Host: @mattyafter Podcast sponsors: @d

This week Matty is joined By Mark Pitts from Marksman Quivers. Mark grew up in The U.K. and lived on a farm managing game animals for harvesting each year. With opportunities for hunting being much more prevalent overseas, he found himself moving to Australia. Now, alongside his wife, he creates incredible gear for trad bowhunters at Marksman Quivers. Podcast Topics Include: Growing up on a game farm in the U.K.WTF is a beaterNZ is callingWhat do you mean you can hunt every day in AustraliaThe pull to traditional bowsThe bonds and friendships bowhunting providesThe forums of Australian BowhuntingPick a crew with a great vibeThe products at Marksman QuiversHow to ACTUALLY use the finger tabClose encountersUpcoming hunts And much more. Find Mark Pitts: @marksmanquivers https://marksmanquivers.com/ Where to Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Host: @mattyafter Podcast sponsors: @dogandguncoffee https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/ Use checkout code BOWHUNTE

This week Matty sits down with Ashlee Strange, who shares her incredible story of resilience and determination. From literally being moments away rom dying to thriving in the world of hunting, Ashlee's journey is nothing short of inspiring.  The conversation covers her health battle, her road to recovery, and her passion for hunting that was instilled in her from a young age by her father.  Ashlee also talks about the challenges and rewards of being a female hunter and offers advice for women looking to get into the sport. Plus future ambitions with her own hunting and guiding endeavours. Podcast Topics: Ashlee's health scare and recoveryThe impact of a life-threatening tumorTransitioning from rifle to bow huntingYTG in huntingAdvice for new hunters, especially womenHunters ed. In NZHunting in New Zealand vs. AustraliaConservation efforts and hunting regulationsAshlee's favourite hunting experiencesHave you seen how big a Tahr Bull is? And much more Find Ashlee Strange: Instagram: @ashlee.str