Becoming a Bowhunter

In this episode, Matty sits down with Glen Thurston, the founder of MentalHunts, for a conversation that goes well beyond hunting. Glen shares his journey through mental health struggles that started early in life, including an attempted suicide at 18, years of self-medicating through alcohol, and eventually hitting rock bottom while running a growing business. From the outside, things looked like they were working, but behind the scenes, it was a different story. What followed was a complete shift. Glen opens up about getting sober, starting medication, and rebuilding his life from the ground up… Including time spent working on a high country farm, reconnecting with purpose, and finding stability again. But the turning point that led to Mental Hunts came later… when Glen made the decision to be proactive about his mental health and was punished for it. After seeking help, he had his firearms license revoked. That experience exposed a much bigger issue, one that affects hunters across Australia and New Zealand, where people are now hesitant to seek help out of fear of losing their livelihood, identity, and connection to the outdoors. From there, Glen set out to create change. This conversation covers the realities of mental health within the farming and hunting communities, the importance of being proactive, and why time in the bush can act as a powerful reset — not just physically, but mentally. It’s an honest, raw conversation about what’s really going on beneath the surface — and why more people need to speak up. What We Cover: Glen’s early struggles with mental health and suicide attempt at 18The culture of alcohol as a coping mechanism in trade environmentsBuilding a successful business… and burning out in the processGetting sober and the role medication played in stabilising his lifeMoving rural and finding purpose through physical work and huntingThe moment everything changed. Firearms license revocation after seeking helpWhy fear is stopping people from going to the doctorThe lack of consistency in legislation around mental health and firearmsThe real difference between “mental health” and violent intentWhy being proactive about your mental health mattersThe role of hunting as a form of meditation and mental resetBuilding Mental Hunts and advocating for change at a legislative levelWhy storytelling is more powerful than telling people what to doHow to actually have conversations around mental health with matesThe importance of listening and not trying to “fix” someonePhysical tools: exercise, cold exposure, nutrition, time in the bushWhy what you put into your body (food, alcohol, media) matters Key Takeaway Hunting isn’t just about the outcome… It’s one of the few places where everything else switches off. For a lot of people, it’s where clarity comes back, where conversations happen, and where you can actually process what’s going on in your life. But if people are scared to seek help… that becomes a bigger problem than anything else. Find Our Guest Glen Thurston Instagram: @glen_thurston Mental Hunts: @mentalhunts Follow Becoming a Bowhunter Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode, Matty sits down with Rob Herbert from R&N Blades for a conversation that goes well beyond knives. Rob shares his background growing up on a farm where hunting and using tools was simply part of everyday life — from trapping rabbits to learning how to keep a knife sharp from his grandfather. That early exposure eventually led him into knife making, but also into careers in the military, Victoria Police, and later the Game Management Authority. As the conversation unfolds, Rob opens up about the impact of trauma from his time in policing, and how making knives, along with time spent hunting, became a way to manage that mental load. There’s a strong theme throughout the episode around hunting as more than just a pursuit… For many people it becomes a form of reset, a place to think clearly, and a way to reconnect with something real. The discussion also moves into the current state of hunting in Australia, including challenges around legislation, representation, and the need for a more unified voice across the broader outdoor community. Rob shares a grounded perspective on how hunters are perceived, the importance of presenting the right image, and why education matters more than emotion when it comes to protecting the future of hunting. There’s also plenty of practical insight from Rob’s own hunting journey, from traditional bows through to compound and rifle, and how changing tools can expose weaknesses and ultimately make you a better hunter. This is a wide-ranging, honest conversation about hunting, mental health, community, and the role it all plays in people’s lives. 🔍 What We Cover: Growing up with hunting as part of everyday lifeLearning knife skills and craftsmanship from a young ageTransition from military and policing into knife makingThe impact of trauma and finding balance through making and huntingHunting as a form of mental reset and “medicine”Why time in the bush changes perspective and reduces stressThe importance of community within huntingChallenges facing hunting in Australia and lack of unified representationHow hunters are perceived and why image mattersSocial media, communication, and presenting hunting responsiblyFitness, discipline, and preparation for huntingTraditional bow vs compound vs rifle — and what each teaches youHow pushing yourself in the bush builds better decision-making For a lot of people, hunting isn’t just about the outcome — it’s about what happens while you’re out there. Time in the bush, working with your hands, and focusing on something real has a way of cutting through everything else. Find Our Guest Rob Herbert Instagram: @robert_herbert Follow Becoming a BowhunterInstagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode, Matty sits down with taxidermist and lifelong hunter Brian Anderson for a practical conversation about preserving memories from the field and the deeper meaning behind taxidermy. We do a full deep dive into caping any animal out for a shoulder mount… Covering every major cut needed, and even the finer details on flipping ears and splitting lips. Although it seems complex, the way that Brian explains and shares how to cape an animal makes it feel much easier and less overwhelming. Brian’s biggest bit of advice is to practice before game day. If you get the opportunity to shoot a nanny goat or hind/doe, then take the time to practice on these animals so that when it comes to doing an animal of a lifetime… You’re prepared. Brian’s hunted all over the world and taken some pretty incredible animals with both guns and bows. He shares some pretty epic stories at the end of the episode from some of his most memorable hunts. 🔍What We Cover: Brian’s journey into hunting and professional taxidermyWhat happens inside a taxidermy workshop and the process behind the scenesHow to properly prepare capes and hides immediately after harvestCommon mistakes hunters make that affect final mount qualityBalancing taxidermy collecting with home life and space limitationsWhy taxidermy is about memories, not just trophiesBrian’s personal hunting experiences and collection over the yearsPractical advice for hunters considering their first mount 🧠 Key Takeaway Good taxidermy starts in the field. Care taken during skinning, caping, and handling directly affects the final result and ultimately how well the memory of that hunt is preserved. 🔗 Find Our Guest Brian Anderson Instagram: @brianandersontaxidermy 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode, Matty sits down with Shane and Doug Dupille to talk about there many experiences bowhunting in Australia. We kick off the interview hearing some incredible stories from Doug (father), where he explains what bowhunting was like when he was younger. What the game numbers were like back in the 60’s & 70’s. And how they used to import arrow shafts by the thousands and make their own broadheads from steel shelving. The second half of the interview is centred around Shane Dupille. Shanes had a great life, with lots of passion and dedication to bowhunting. Shane tells many funny tales and also gives some incredible tips and insights into hunting and being successful with a traditional bow. If you enjoy honest hunting stories, practical lessons, and conversations that reflect the culture and reality of Australian bowhunting, this episode will resonate. 🔎 What We Cover Dougie Drops by the hundreds. Why you should never walk around the Macquarie Marshes barefoot. Hunting the camp with young kids in toeA 10-week of hunting with Dave WhitingThe Blurry Fox & The BootsHunting HaresCatching brumbies in the Snowy’sInstinctive hunting with a trad bowThe Alamo Boar Find Our Guests: Shane & Doug Dupille Instagram: @shanedupille 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

In this special episode, Matty sits down with Australian chef, author, and passionate forager Jo Barrett to explore the deeper connection between hunting, food, and sustainability. Jo’s journey from top-tier kitchens to the wild has taken her into remote hunting camps, kitchens powered by fire, and now to her own venture Wild Pie—where she turns ethically sourced game meat into gourmet handheld experiences. Together, we talk about the respectful harvesting of animals, the power of real food, and what it means to eat with intention. If you’ve ever wanted to take your wild game cooking beyond snags on the grill… or understand why food is the great connector, this one’s for you. Jo shares insights from her partnership at Discovered Foods, her passion for whole animal butchery, how she approaches cooking venison, goat and wild boar, and why she believes food has the power to shift cultural perceptions around hunting. What We Cover in This Episode: How Jo’s hunting experiences influence her cooking philosophyWhy ethical sourcing and preparation matterHow to make a bloody good venison pieand sausage rollThe loopholes and legislation in place to stop wild meat from being sold.Thoughts on introducing kids to hunting and wild foodJo’s tips and tricks to cooking venison and other wild game species What’s coming up next for Jo Guest Info: Jo Barrett Instagram: @jobarrettWebsite: jobarrett.com.auWild Pie: wildpie.com.auDiscovered Foods: discoveredfoods.com 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

What do you really need to look for in a new bow? In this episode, I sit down with Ian Summers to unpack the process of choosing a 2026 model hunting bow. We get real about the 2026 bows and their stats, and what actually matters when you’re out in the bush versus what’s just clever marketing. Ian brings deep insight from years of archeryand bowhunting experience… Plus many years of running Summers Archery Solutions, where he tunes bows daily and helps to coach bowhunters and archers through better shot mechanics. We talk about the quirks and improvements of the 2026 flagship bows from top manufacturers, including Hoyt, Mathews, Bowtech, Elite, Bear, PSE, Expedition, Truth, Darton and more. We also explore some of the engineering changes, personal setup preferences, and why some bows feel better in hand than others even with the same specs on paper. Whether you're upgrading your current rig or diving deep into your first major bow purchase, this episode offers grounded advice and real talk about what's worth your money… and what’s not. 🔍 What We Cover in This Episode: All Flagship bows on offer in 2026How brace height, draw length, and axle-to-axle affect performanceDifferences in cam design and let-off feelTuning quirks and 2026 bow setup tipsAdvice for bowhunters with a 30” draw lengthWhy specs don’t always tell the whole storyConsiderations around noise, vibration, and hand shock Find Our Guest: Ian Summers Instagram: @summersarchery @iansummersofficial 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty sits down with Dave Whiting, a highly respected traditional bowhunter with decades of experience hunting Australia’s small game species. Today we’re diving deep into bowhunting the small game species Australia has to offer, specifically, rabbits, hares, foxes and cats. Dave shares stories and lessons gathered over a lifetime with trad bows, covering everything from finding productive ground to learning how to move slowly, read sign, and wait for the right opportunity. This is a practical, experience-driven episode that highlights how small game hunting builds better bowhunters. After bowhunting for 55 years dave has had some incredible experiences in the bush and after we cover the small game species, Dave enlightens us with some of his fond memories and tales. 🔍 What We Cover: All things rabbits… where to find 'em and how to hunt them with a bow.How hares differ from rabbits and how you should hunt them with a bow.Dave’s new-found method for hunting catsCalling in foxes. Trophy Takers Legend AwardWrestling with boarsStuck up a tree with a buffalo at your feetHe almost lost his thumb to a boar's tusks Being inducted into the International Traditional Bowhunting Hall Of FameWhat a life of bowhunting has offered Dave 🏹 Supporting Dave Whiting: Dave is currently being inducted into the International Traditional Bowhunting Hall Of Fame — a huge and well-earned honour. There is an active GoFundMe to help support his travel to the USA for the induction ceremony. If you’d like to contribute or share support, you can do so here: 👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/dave-whiting-travel-to-to-usa-for-hall-of-fame-induction 🔗 Find Our Guest: Dave Whiting Instagram: @whiting.dave 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

This week Matty sits down with Grant Rand, Benny Fensom, Brett Meldrum, and Ben Atherton. Given the time of year, the boys reflect on 2025 to share their highlights. Plus, share their goals they’ve each set for 2026. This episode is full of laughs, stories, and some pretty aspirational goals for the year ahead from 5 Aussie bowhunters. If you haven’t already taken the time to reflect on your year of hunting in 2025 and set some goals for 2026, be sure to take a beat and write down some goals. Podcast topics Almost $40K raised by the bowhunting community The standout performance for the year goes to…Highlights of the year. Picking up the trad bow. Plans, goals and aspirations for 2026 Whether you’re preparing for an overseas hunting trip yourself or you just want to get in better physical shape for bowhunting in general, this is a great episode for you. Connect with the Guests Grant Rand Instagram: @grant_randy_rand Brett Meldrum Instagram: @brettmeldrum085 Benny Fensom Instagram: @benny_fensom Ben Atherton Instagram: @ben_atho_hunts Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

🎧 Listen Now: This is a 2-part podcast. Part 1 is a solo episode with Matty Turner explaining how he gained 12 kg over 3 months and then lost it in the following 6 months. He gives you the calculations and protocol for what he calls “The Lazy Man’s Carb Cycling.” This was the exact method Matty used to drop the 12 kgs over a 12-week period. Part 2 is from an interview hosted by Andy Leonard from the Stalk Outdoors Podcast. Around July 2025, Andy interviewed Matty on his podcast to discuss all things nutrition and fitness for preparing for a backpack hunt in New Zealand. They cover potential exercises to focus on, nutrition for the mountains, and potential weight gain in the lead-up to the trip. Podcast topics Brett Meldrum’s Hunt GiveawayBoars for a CauseTerrorist attack in Bondi and what that potentially means for gun ownership in Australia.Gaining and losing 12kgs over a 6-month timeframe.How Andy’s own injuries reshaped his training philosophyFunctionality over weight in exercise every day.Key movements for mobility, core strength, and joint stability for bowhuntingWarmups in the field to mitigate shoulder injuries.Programming tips for busy hunters who can’t train 5 days a weekThe fitter you are, the more likely you’ll be successful in the bush Whether you’re preparing for an overseas hunting trip yourself or you just want to get in better physical shape for bowhunting in general, this is a great episode for you. Connect with the Guests Andy Leonard (Stalk Outdoors) Instagram: @stalkoutdoors.podcast Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

🎧 In This Episode: Dr. James Park brings a scientific lens to the world of archery. As a highly respected archer, Olympic coach, engineer, and researcher, James has authored numerous scientific papers on arrow life cycle performance and physics. In this episode, Matty and Dr. Park dive into: The complete lifecycle of an arrow — from release to impactHow arrow drag, lift, and spine influence penetrationArrow shafts effect on dragWhy vane profile mattersWhat James would test more of and use if he were a hunter.Working with Olympians on shot process and mindset.What Technology upgrades are doing for the world of archery and bowhunting. If you’ve ever been confused about tuning, arrow weight, or whether speed helps or hinders your hunt… this is the deep-dive you’ve been waiting for. Find Our Guests: Dr James L Park https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James-Park-39 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty is joined by Brad Murphy and Ben Atherton for a deep dive into Australia’s most elusive and challenging deer species: Sambar. Brad shares his decades of experience as a bowhunting coach, explaining how to pattern sambar behaviour, know where to find them and how to best set your expectations for hunting them. Ben has hunted Sambar deer his whole life… It’s only within the past few years he’s chased them with a bow, but in that time he’s successfully taken them with a stick bow and has a lot of incredibly useful knowledge on Sambar deer to share. We break this detailed overview into a few sections. Seasonal hunting, how to find them, habits of the deer, and how to best be successful on public land. Whether you’re planning your first hunt or chasing your 20th, this is the most comprehensive and practical episodes we’ve ever recorded on hunting sambar deer with a bow. 🔍 What We Cover: How sambar differ from other deer (and why so many hunters get it wrong)What to look for when trying to locate Sambar deer in new locationsSambar deer are Browsers… Which means what exactly?Visiting preach tree’s year-roundSambar are creatures of habit like every other deer.How to plan a trip and hunt them on public land. And a heck of a lot more. Find Our Guests: Brad Murphy Instagram: @thebowhuntingcoach Ben Atherton Instagram: @ben_atho_hunts Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors