The Bowhunter Podcast

The saddle-hunting boom continues among bowhunters, and Trophy Line continues to be at the forefront of the tree saddle movement. In this episode, Trophy Line's Shawn Ferguson and Nick Betts go over all in the innovations built into the company's all-new Venatic saddle and explain why a saddle needs to be part of every serious deer hunter's arsenal.

Trail cameras are very powerful scouting tools, and bowhunters can use them as much or as little as they like. In this episode, Field Editor Bill Winke joins us to discuss basic, intermediate and advanced trail-cam strategies that will help you locate and pattern a buck worth hunting this fall.

When the first buck you see for the season is a Booner, it can obviously catch you off guard. Not so with David Jones of Indiana, who made good on his chance at a giant 13-pointer last November. Jones joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to share the story behind the 182 4/8-inch buck, one of the largest taken in the Hoosier State last year.

Every bowhunter wants to make perfect shots in the field, but what happens when your arrow doesn't hit where you hoped? In this episode, Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo from Archer's Choice join us to discuss Ralph's botched attempt at a big Wyoming bull elk in the fall of 2021 and how several days of all-out effort led to a miraculous happy ending that defied the odds.

Known simply as the 'Pigman,' Brian Quaca has a big personality and a passion for all things bowhunting. Quaca joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss his interest in hunting feral swine, his love for bowhunting other species and his past and present bowhunting setups. Plus, he shares his hairiest hog-hunting moment ever.

Few topics generate more discussion in bowhunting circles than broadhead selection. In this episode, we provide a sneak peek at the results from our 2022 Fixed-Blade Broadhead Test, featuring 14 top models worth considering for your fall hunts. From sharpness and penetration to accuracy and durability, we've got the data you need to make an informed broadhead decision!

Last fall, Dustin Huff of Indiana arrowed a gigantic 12-pointer that ended up scoring 211 4/8, making it the largest typical whitetail ever taken in the United States and the second-largest of all time — only 2 1/8 inches off Milo Hanson's world-record Saskatchewan buck that scored 213 5/8. Huff joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the fateful November hunt.

Last September, Ian Craig took Pennsylvania's new state-record, non-typical archery elk — and the 400-inch bull was the first animal he ever shot with a bow! Craig joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to recap the hunt, which was anything but easy. After more than 65 miles of hiking, he tagged his incredible trophy on the eighth day of his hunt.

If you're a bowhunter who likes to travel, few guided hunts offer the action, adventure and affordability of a Canadian black bear hunt. Mike Stroff, host of Savage Outdoors TV, joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the challenges and high success rates that make spring bruin hunting so exciting, as well as what to look for in a guide and a potential destination if you're planning your first hunt north of the border.

There's no better bowhunting practice than 3D archery, from learning how to accurately estimate yardage and understand shot angles to becoming more familiar with game-animal anatomy and handling high-pressure shots. In this episode, Brandon Waddell from Mountain Archery Fest and John Keene from the Bowtreader 3D Tour of Georgia join Editor Christian Berg to discuss the many benefits of 3D and highlight some unique shooting opportunities.

These days, it seems public-land etiquette is a lost art. From bowhunters intentionally interfering in one another's hunts to stealing trail cameras and treestands, there is an epidemic of bad behavior on public hunting ground. In this episode, contributors Clint Casper and Jace Bauserman join Editor Christian Berg to discuss the problem and what we as bowhunters can do to solve it.

With all the mapping technology available today, finding "secret" public-land hotspots is nearly impossible. For some bowhunters, however, canoeing across a lake or boating across a river is the key to escaping the crowds. Accomplish buck slayers Travis Keith and Bob Schwalm join Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss how you can paddle your way to success, what you need to plan for and the challenges that come with boat-in and paddle-in hunts.

Whitetails are North America's most accessible big-game species. Outdoor writers Will Brantley and Jace Bauserman join Editor Christian Berg to discuss their favorite DIY deer destinations across America, where blue-collar bowhunters can pursue big bucks for nothing more than the cost of a hunting license and the gas to get there.

Southern West Virginia isn't the first place bowhunters look for trophy whitetails, but perhaps they should. The state's four archery-only counties consistently produce Pope and Young-caliber bucks for hunters willing to put in the work in this rugged, mountainous region. Check out this episode for an overview of this sleeper destination, including its public lands and the secrets to unlocking its big-buck potential.

These days, more and more mobile bowhunters are converting vans into "rut rigs," living and hunting out of them for weeks on end. In this episode, rut rig creators Sam Soholt and Zach Owsley explain how they created one-of-a-kind deer camps on wheels. Find out how they found the perfect project vans, the challenges they faced in converting the vehicles and how you can build your own rut rig and spend more time hunting and less time traveling to and from the field.

As one third of the Bone Collector brotherhood, Travis "T-Bone" Turner is one of the most recognized names in bowhunting. Turner is also one of America's foremost experts on bow tuning, and in this episode, he joins Editor Christian Berg and Gear Testing Editor Jon Silks to discuss some of his top tuning tips and provide an update on his ongoing battle with cancer.

Easton is an iconic name name in archery, and this year the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. Easton Marketing Director Gary Cornum joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the company's growth from a small, family-owned archery shop in to the world's leading arrow producer. Cornum also highlights the latest advances in arrow technology and how even Easton's development of world-class Olympic arrows has lead to better bowhunting.

Spring is near, which means gobbler season is here. Mark Hatfield and Peter Muller from the National Wild Turkey Federation join Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk turkey, including current population trends, what NWTF is doing to boost bird numbers and tips and tactics for bowhunting success.

The best bowhunters never settle, regardless of the challenges they encounter. In this episode, Ohio big buck killer Emily Schaad joins Editor Christian Berg to share her nearly five-month quest to fill her 2021-22 buck tag. Despite incredible obstacles and long odds, Schaad refused to give up, stuck with her plan through more than 70 days afield and finally punched her tag in early February on the second-to-last day of the season.

Now is prime time for shed antler hunting across most of the whitetail range. Shane Indrebo, co-owner of the North American Shed Hunters Club, joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss his passion for shed hunting, his organization's scoring and record-keeping system for shed antlers and tips for finding more bone!

Saddle hunting is all the rage among bowhunters, and no saddle-hunting tactic is hotter than "one sticking." In this episode, Greg Staggs from the Staggs in the Wild YouTube channel joins Editor Christian Berg for an in-depth, how-to discussion of one sticking and how this climbing method can help you be more efficient and effective in the field.

Working Class Bowhunter is the biggest podcast in bowhunting. In this episode, Curt Geier and Clint Casper from the Working Class crew join us to discuss their meteoric rise within the bowhunting community and how they've managed to create a digital community for blue-collar bowhunters across America.

Michigan bowhunter Mike Callas traveled to Iowa this past fall for a DIY, public-land hunt, taking a 200-plus inch, 21-point bruiser on his very first sit. Callas joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about how he planned for the hunt, scouted and tagged a true whitetail giant! He also shares his tips to help other bowhunters tag out-of-state trophies.

After chasing a giant Ohio 8-pointer for parts of five months and more than 70 hunting days, contributor Clint Casper finally dropped the string and tagged his trophy! Casper joins Editor Christian Berg to recount the epic hunt for this monster 8 and shares the secrets to his hard-earned success.

It's Christmas Eve, and Contributor Clint Casper joins Editor Christian Berg to recap their fall hunts and share lessons learned along the way. Berg recounts his trifecta of whitetail success in Kansas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, while Casper reflects on grinding for 47 days in the Utah backcountry without punching a tag.

Safari Club International has been a leading voice for hunting for five decades and will hold its 50th anniversary conference in January in Las Vegas. Ben Cassidy, SCI's Executive Vice President of International Government & Public Affairs, joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the Club's conservation heritage and new initiatives to protect our hunting heritage well into the future.

Ravin continuously pushes envelope when it comes to crossbow technology and performance. In 2021, Ravin's R500 became the first production crossbow to shoot 500 fps, while the new R18 features a super-compact, takedown design that you just have to see to believe. Ravin Product Manager Jacob Aldridge joins Associate Editor Mark Demko for a deep five on these new bows and offers a sneak peek at what Ravin has in the works for 2022.

U.S. Olympian Casey Kaufhold became the the second-youngest archer to ever represent America at the Tokyo Games this summer. This fall, she's got her sights set on taking her first trophy whitetail buck. Kaufhold joins Editor Christian Berg to recap her Olympic experience, her silver medal win at the 2021 World Championships and the many parallels between how she prepares for competition and bowhunting.

Ethical bowhunters do all they can to recover wounded game. But what happens when the blood trail runs out -- or there's no sign at all -- and you simply cannot find the animal? In this episode, we dive into the use of leashed tracking dogs and explain how these amazing animals help hunters recover quarry that would otherwise never be found.

Few things match the whitetail rut when it comes to bowhunting excitement. However, hunting this magical time can also be frustrating without a solid game plan. Veteran outdoor writer and TV host Mark Kayser joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to share his top rut-hunting tips, including how to increase the odds of success on small parcels, how to tackle highly pressured public ground and what to do when the deer seem to all but disappear.

Deer season is here, and this episode will help you stay on top of the whitetail action! Field Editors Bill Winke and Eddie Claypool join Editor Christian Berg to discuss some of the best days to be in the woods this fall and how your hunting strategies should change over the course of the season.

If it seems like all the big bucks have disappeared from your trail cameras, this episode is for you! Kip Adams from the National Deer Association joins Editor Christian Berg to discuss the dreaded "October lull" and how changing deer behavior during the early part of archery seasons can make it difficult to relocate bucks that have abandoned their summer patterns.

Garmin's brand new Xero A1i PRO is the most technologically advanced bow sight ever, allowing you to range your target at full draw and instantly get a spot-on aiming point out to 100 yards or more. Other features include a digital level, flight apex indicator to help you avoid obstacles in the arrow's path and much more. Garmin's Chad VanCamp joins Editor Christian Berg to discuss how the A1i PRO can help you shoot more accurately and confidently!

Owls are super stealthy predators, and ASIO Gear designed its innovative RAPTOR camo pattern to mimic an owl's ability to disappear in the woods. ASIO Founder Joe Miles joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about the pattern's development and the company's full line of apparel built with bowhunters in mind.

Tree saddles are perhaps the hottest items in deer hunting -- and for good reason! Saddles offer a host of advantages, from helping you shed weight and be more mobile to making use of trees that simply won't work with traditional stands. Trophy Line's Shawn Ferguson joins us to discusses the saddle-hunting surge and how you can jump into the fray.

If you've ever wanted to break into the bowhunting industry full time, this episode is for you! Associate Editor Mark Demko joins the show to discuss his new role with Petersen's Bowhunting, his background in media and the outdoors and tease some of the new content initiatives we are working on behind the scenes.

Most elk bowhunters focus on the rut, but the early season can actually be the best time to bag a bull. In this episode, Field Editor Eddie Claypool shares tactics he uses to consistently tag public-land trophies on opening day.

In this episode, the legendary Ronnie "Cuz" Strickland from Mossy Oak joins Editor Christian Berg to discuss the company's all-new Country DNA camouflage pattern as well as share deer-hunting stories and dish his views on how technology is changing the bowhunting landscape.

Wildlife biologist Zack Vucurevich is an eligible bachelor who jumped into the online dating scene full throttle during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said his online interactions led to a lot of great conversations discussing hunting with non-hunters. In this episode, Zack shares some of those stories and dives into detail about how to better manage habitat for whitetails and get ready for this fall's deer seasons.

When traveling to hunt, an RV or travel trailer can put you right in the heart of the action! Jeff Cavins, CEO and co-founder of RV-rental company Outdoorsy, joins Editor Christian Berg to discuss how a mobile bow camp can simplify the logistics of your next bowhunting adventure.

Easton's Gary Cornum joins Editor Christian Berg in Florida hog camp to talk about the latest hunting arrows and why micro-diameter shafts can help you fill the freezer.

Editor Christian Berg and Brian Flaherty from TenPoint Crossbows take a break from this week's Florida hog hunt at Osceola Outfitters to discuss the latest trends in crossbow hunting and have a closer look at a couple of the company's top new 2021 models.

Calling all turkey fanatics! The Petersen's Bowhunting 2021 Mobile Turkey Tour kicks off next week in a 32-foot luxury RV. Contributors Clint Casper and Zeke Pipher join Editor Christian Berg to discuss this year's roving turkey camp, along with a discussion of our hunting areas in Nebraska, planned hunting tactics and and how you can follow the tour in real time.

Hunting shed antlers is an annual rite of spring, but LOOKING for them and FINDING them are two different things. In this episode, Whitetails columnist Jason Snavely and successful shed hunter Emily Schaad join Editor Christian Berg to discuss the finer points of shed hunting and how the antlers you find can help you be more successful this fall.

Thanks to a new partnership with Sportsman Channel, Competition Archery Media is now broadcasting live coverage of the ASA PRO/AM 3-D tournaments to a national audience. PJ Reilly, CAM's on-air host, joins us to discuss the new coverage, the growing popularity of 3-D shooting and how participating in 3-D shoots can make you a better bowhunter.

From the COVID-19 pandemic to increasing competition for big-game tags, the competition for quality, public-land hunting has never been stiffer. In this episode, public-land, big-game guru Randy Newberg discusses the current state of public-land hunting and offers advice on how — despite the challenges — bowhunters can still enjoy awesome DIY adventures on America's public lands.

Melissa Bachman, host of Winchester Deadly Passion on Sportsman Channel, commits herself to bowhunting year-round, and the results speak for themselves. Whether doing long-range shooting practice on the 3-D course, hitting the water for some bowfishing or enhancing habitat on the many properties she hunts, Bachman is always preparing to the make most of her next opportunity at a trophy buck or bull.

Xpedition Archery's new X Series bows feature the industry's first-ever risers that combine carbon fiber with metal alloy. The end result is a bow that is extremely strong yet lighter than many competing all-aluminum and all-carbon models. X Series bows also feature a host of other innovations, as explained by Xpedition's Curt Headington and Chris Cobbett.

From broadhead innovations to the new Prime Nexus bow, G5 Outdoors has a lot to offer bowhunters for 2021. G5's Ryan Silver and Brian Anderson join Editor Christian Berg to discuss the company's latest products and how they can help you be more effective in the field this year.

FORLOH is a brand new company bringing high-tech, made-in-the-USA apparel to the bowhunting community. Founder and CEO Andy Techmanski joins us for an in-depth look at FORLOH's product line and innovative features designed with bowhunters in mind.