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This week Matty sits down with Zoran Art, President of Twin City Bowmen and a bloke with a heap of experience chasing deer with a bow. After spending time together around the Trophy Takers event, we got into Sambar hunting around the Albury-Wodonga region… when Zoran likes to call, why patience matters after making a call, and the hunt that ended with his biggest Sambar stag to date. From there we cover his Snake Island hog deer hunt, chasing whitetail on Stewart Island, bowhunting elk in Montana and getting amongst scrub bulls and buffalo in the Northern Territory. But a big part of this conversation is simply years spent bowhunting. Learning from other hunters, making your own mistakes, developing your "bush eyes" and realizing that sometimes the only way a lesson really sticks is to get out there and bugger it up yourself. 🔍 What We Cover: How Zoran, Tarryn and the crew have built Twin City Bowmen around practical bowhunting and 3D archeryWhy September and October can bring increased Sambar rutting activity around Albury-WodongaCalling Sambar hinds and why a stag may be following behindWhy Zoran will wait 20–30 minutes after calling instead of moving too earlyThe stalk and calling sequence that produced Zoran's biggest Sambar stagUsing wallows, game trails and tree stands to target SambarHunting Stewart Island whitetail from tree stands and broadleaf feeding areasFive days on Snake Island before spot-and-stalking a hog deer on the final eveningWhat Zoran would do differently when hunting the later Snake Island ballot periodsA frustrating guided Montana elk hunt that changed once Zoran decided to make his own moveStalking scrub bulls and buffalo in the Northern TerritoryShot placement, shoulder hits and why bad shots are an unavoidable part of learning to bowhuntHow time in the bush develops the "bush eyes" experienced hunters use to pick out tiny movementsWhy the next generation matters for Twin City Bowmen, Trophy Takers and Australian bowhunting 🧠 Key Takeaway You can listen to every tip and hunting story you can find, but eventually you've got to get out and do it. Make mistakes, learn what works for you and keep putting time into the bush… that's where the lessons really start to stick. 🔗 Find Our Guest Zoran Art Instagram: @zoran_art Twin City Bowmen 🎙 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 Willie Waldrip, a 21-year-old bowhunter from Texas who's already packed an unbelievable amount of hunting into his life. Willie grew up in a hunting family, killed his first deer with a bow at seven and was hunting by himself at 10. Today he's balancing full-time college with guiding, filming and spending pretty much every spare day he can hunting. We get into axis/chital, bison, sheep, a Kodiak brown bear at six or seven yards, and a wild Utah public land mule deer hunt that eventually ended with Willie taking a buck just shy of 197 inches. But what really stood out was Willie's approach. Slow down when you get close. Learn something from every stalk. Stay present when the pressure builds. At only 21, he's already got a heap of experience… and a really interesting perspective on what it takes to keep getting better with a bow. 🔍 What We Cover: Growing up in a family where holidays meant hunting tripsKilling his first bowhunted deer at seven and hunting solo by 10Why networking and simply being a good person has opened hunting opportunitiesLearning something from every stalk, failure and successful huntWhy axis/chital are one of the toughest animals Willie has ever spot-and-stalkedStaying calm when a hunter starts losing their shot process in the final momentsWhy the closer you get to an animal, the slower everything should becomeBowhunting a bison and why Willie kept sending arrows when given the opportunityThe chaotic Utah public land mule deer hunt that ended with a near-197-inch buckShooting a Kodiak brown bear from six or seven yards and the brutal pack-out afterwardsHow sheep hunting taught Willie to take things one step at a timeTurning hunting, filming and YouTube into the life he wants to build after collegeWhy a five-pin slider has simplified Willie's shot process in fast hunting situationsHow Willie changes broadheads and arrow setups depending on the animal he's hunting 🧠 Key Takeaway Every hunt gives you something to learn if you're willing to look for it. Slow things down, control what you can control, and keep stacking those lessons… because that's how hunting starts becoming instinct rather than something you're constantly trying to figure out. 🔗 Find Our Guest Willie Waldrip Instagram: @williewaldrip_ Youtube: @WillieWaldrip 🎙 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 Jeff Helm, bowhunter, guide and owner of Arrowhead Bow Shop in McGregor, Texas. Jeff's been bowhunting for around 40 years and chasing elk for more than 20 of those… and last season he managed to go four for four on elk across four different states. We work through those hunts and how much the game changes as the season progresses. Calling bulls on public land, switching to spot and stalk when they shut up, reading terrain, predicting where an elk is heading instead of simply chasing it and learning to recognise those little signs that tell you you're suddenly right in the red zone. But what I really liked about this conversation is Jeff's approach to hunting after doing it for so long. He'll be the first to tell you there's an exception to just about every rule. You can have a plan, but you've still got to listen to what the animals, wind and terrain are telling you and be willing to change it. And sometimes you've just got to stay out there long enough to give yourself a chance. Jeff doesn't sleep in, doesn't head back to camp for lunch and doesn't quit when nothing's happening. After 20 or 30 days chasing elk, he reckons you might only get four to seven days where everything really fires… but those are the days you're out there waiting for. 🔍 What We Cover: How Jeff went four for four on elk across four different states and adapted as the rut changed through the seasonWhy Jeff isn't overly aggressive with bugling on pressured public land and how other hunters can change his calling strategyThe Idaho hunt where calling wasn't working, forcing Jeff and his mates to abandon the plan and switch to spot and stalk Why 20 or 30 days of elk hunting might only give you four to seven days where the bulls are really fired up and vocal Reading terrain and predicting where an elk is going rather than simply chasing it... including a move that put an arrow in a bull about 10 minutes later Developing those "Spidey senses" where smell, a hoof, an ear flick or a feeling tells you you're suddenly right in the red zone Why Jeff refuses to sleep in, head back to camp midday or give up when he's committed to an elk huntThe ridiculous moment Jeff and Donnie Drake simultaneously shot the same bull... and the lesson Donnie learned about checking his bubbleJeff's experience guiding axis, whitetail, aoudad, scimitar oryx, blackbuck and pigs across Texas Why Jeff opened Arrowhead Bow Shop in McGregor, Texas, and wanted to build an archery shop where beginners don't feel judgedThe importance of keeping a beginner's mindset, even after decades of bowhunting, and giving keen new hunters a hand up  🧠 Key Takeaway You can learn the rules, but elk haven't read the rulebook. The more time you spend hunting, the better you get at reading the little things... terrain, wind, behaviour and those tiny clues that tell you when it's time to stop following and start predicting. 🔗 Find Our Guest Jeff Helm @helm.yeah Arrowhead Bow Shop – McGregor, Texas 🎙 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 one's a little different. I was invited to speak at Hunt Fest, and my talk was all about two things that can make or break a hunt... stalking and shot placement. I broke stalking down into a framework I've built from eight years of bowhunting, plenty of mistakes, and hundreds of conversations with hunters through the podcast. It's called STALK: Spot the animal, Test the wind, Assess the approach, Let the animal dictate your pace, and Know your shot. From there, I get into wind and thermals, reading animal behaviour, using terrain and shadows to close distance, and knowing when to move versus when to stay completely still. For me, the goal with a bow is always to get close. Ideally, I'm looking for 20 metres or under rather than stretching the shot just because I can. Then we get into the other half of the Hunt Fest talk... shot placement. I use models of the heart and lungs to show where the vitals actually sit, why shot angle matters, and why I prefer aiming around the vital triangle rather than simply thinking "middle of the lungs." The whole idea is pretty simple: get closer, understand exactly where you're aiming, and give yourself the best chance of making a clean, ethical shot. 🔍 What We Cover: The STALK framework: Spot, Test, Assess, Let and KnowWhy my goal is to get within 20 metres before taking a bow shotUsing a grid system and close-range glassing to find animalsWhy watching an animal for five minutes can completely change your stalkReading herd behaviour and identifying the animals keeping watchTesting wind, understanding thermals and recognising how terrain moves your scentUsing dead ground, trees, bushes and shadows to hide your approachMovement can give you away even when an animal hasn't smelt youReading tails, ears, feeding behaviour and tension to know when it's safe to moveUsing a red light, yellow light and green light system during the final approachKnowing your effective shooting distance instead of relying on what you can hit at the rangeHeart, lung and vital-triangle shot placement across different shot angles 🧠 Key Takeaway A good stalk isn't about getting to an animal as quickly as possible. Watch first, understand the wind, build your approach and then let the animal tell you when you can move. The closer you can get while staying in control, the better opportunity you give yourself to make an ethical shot. 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 Frank Megali and Rob Campbell, the creators of The Hunting App For years, NSW public land hunters had access to a free mapping option that allowed them to load their maps, see exactly where they were and head into the bush. When that disappeared behind a subscription, Frank and Rob saw an opportunity to give hunters that functionality back. The result is The Hunting App. An app designed by hunters, for hunters… with a free version that actually stays free. You can load your maps, download areas for offline use, mark waypoints, build geofences, keep track of hunting locations and start building your own database of what you're seeing in the bush. Then there are paid tiers coming for hunters who want to take things further with e-scouting, weather, property boundaries, terrain analysis and a heap more. But what I really liked about this conversation is the thinking behind it. These guys aren't trying to take something hunters already had for free and sell it back to them. They wanted to give the community a useful free tool first… then let the hunters themselves help shape where it goes from there. What We Cover: How Rob got into hunting through a mate's backyard target shoot before discovering R-Licence hunting and NSW State ForestsWhy Rob reckons new hunters should start scouting, setting trail cameras and learning animal behaviour before they've even got all their hunting gearHow watching deer without the pressure of taking a shot helped Rob understand feeding, bedding and movement patternsFrank's background hunting rabbits, foxes and deer, and how he now hunts with big-game indicating dogsHow Frank and Rob train their dogs to recognise deer scent, ignore non-target animals and work within a controlled range in front of the hunterWhy Avenza's pricing change became the catalyst for creating The Hunting App and why keeping a genuinely free version mattered to themHow the free version handles georeferenced maps, DPI maps, offline satellite and topo mapping, pins, notes and up to nine square kilometres of offline mapsHow private-property hunters can use boundaries, geofences, gates and no-go zones to make communication with farmers clearer and saferHow the upcoming e-scouting tools combine property boundaries, routes, watercourses, terrain, slope, weather, wind forecasts and other map layers before you leave homeHow NSW public land hunters can store licences and permissions while still carrying the required DPI-provided maps to remain compliantHow bowhunters can use points and distance markers for blood trailing, marking last blood and navigating back to where an animal was standing when the shot was takenHow pins, photos and hunt history could build a long-term record of wallows, rubs, sightings, weather and animal movement so hunters can start recognising patterns over time Key Takeaway: Good mapping isn't just about knowing where you are. If you can combine scouting, wind, terrain, boundaries and years of your own hunting observations in one place, you can arrive at a new block with a plan instead of burning the first day figuring everything out. 🔗 Find Our Guest Frank Megali & Rob Campbell @the_hunting_app The Hunting App Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/the-hunting-app/id6763955844?utm_source=chatgpt.comGoogle  Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?hl=zh_HK&id=MAP+BASED+APPS+PTY+LTD&utm_source=chatgpt.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

In this episode, Matty sits down with Ned Makim, President of the Australian Pig Doggers & Hunters Association (APDHA). What started as an obsession with hunting pigs has grown into one of the most influential hunting advocacy organisations in Australia. Through research, data collection and building relationships with the government, the APDHA has helped change the conversation around hunters from being seen as part of the problem to becoming part of the solution. This isn't just a conversation about pig hunting. It's about how every hunter whether you chase pigs, deer, goats or any game, can help protect the future of hunting in Australia. If you've ever wondered how hunters can earn credibility, influence government decisions and secure hunting opportunities for future generations, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Podcast Topics Why Ned believes every hunter represents the entire hunting community.How the Australian Pig Doggers & Hunters Association was formed and why it exists today.The biggest threats facing hunting in Australia and why "being left alone" is no longer an option.Why data not emotion is changing the way governments view hunters.The story behind the Great Australian Pig Hunt and how it recorded millions of pigs harvested across Australia.How hunters built the world's largest wildlife DNA collections through the 10,000 Ears Project.Why building relationships with researchers, media and politicians is just as important as hunting itself.The biggest mistakes hunters make on social media and how they damage the image of hunting.How APDHA is working towards expanding public land hunting opportunities across Australia.What every individual hunter can do to protect hunting for the next generation. Key Takeaway Hunters don't protect hunting through arguments they protect it through credibility. Every conversation, every social media post and every interaction with the public shapes how hunting is viewed. When hunters work together, present themselves professionally and back their position with real data, they earn a seat at the table where decisions are made. Find Our GuestNed Makim Instagram: @themakimmethod Australian Pig Doggers & Hunters Association (APDHA) Website: https://apdha.com.au Instagram: @pigdoggers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APDHA Follow Becoming a BowhunterInstagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Episode SponsorsDog 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 Dallas Hemeyer of 365 Pursuit. Dallas has spent years filming hunts around the world through 365 Pursuit, from Tanzania and New Zealand to Mexico and across the US. Along the way he's survived a helicopter crash, a rifle exploding in his face, dangerous infections and more than a few situations where getting home wasn't guaranteed. We talked about hunting some of the wildest places on earth, what it takes to prepare for the unexpected, and why hunters play such an important role in conservation across Africa. This episode will have you sitting on the edge of your seat from word go. Podcast topics: The story behind Dallas' viral Instagram post showing the injuries and close calls he's experienced while hunting around the world.A hunter collapsing from severe dehydration in remote Mexico and why simple mistakes can become life-threatening hours from medical help.Dallas' terrifying helicopter crash in Tanzania, rescuing injured passengers, and spending hours stranded before help could arrive.How a rifle exploded while shooting a Cape buffalo, leaving metal lodged beside Dallas' optic nerve and permanently changing his bow setup.Why learning to shoot left-handed after losing vision in his dominant eye actually made him a better archer.What years of hunting alongside African PHs taught Dallas about reading country, adapting to different species and becoming a more complete hunter.The reality of conservation in Tanzania, including anti-poaching patrols, hunting concessions and why hunters fund the protection of huge wild areas.Why banning trophy imports can have unintended consequences for wildlife and the communities responsible for protecting it.Dallas' current arrow setup, broadheads and the lessons he's learned after years of obsessive testing and building hundreds of arrows.Why getting closer—not shooting further—is still one of the biggest challenges and rewards in bowhunting. 🧠 Key Takeaway The wilderness doesn't care how experienced you are. Preparation, good decision making and staying calm when things go wrong will save you long before any piece of gear does. Dallas' stories are a reminder that every hunt carries risk—and the people who come home are usually the ones who planned for it. 🔗 Find Our Guest Dallas Hemeyer Instagram: @dallashemeyer 365 Pursuit Instagram: @365pursuit YouTube: @365PURSUIT One of the stories we discuss in this episode is featured in Dallas' film Taking a Bow to a Gun Fight follows Devin Leonard bowhunting elk during a Utah rifle season: https://youtu.be/e9LvqgN9P0U?si=go-QXQg2NtySYjpK 🎙 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

Every now and then it's worth looking back at the gear you've bought and asking yourself... was it actually worth it? That's what this episode is. No sponsorship fluff. Just my honest thoughts after putting this gear through its paces over the last 12 months.  Some of it has been worth every cent. Other bits I'm still on the fence about. From cameras and boots through to wet weather gear, rangefinders, camping gear and vacuum sealers, I break down what I paid, why I bought it, and whether I'd spend the money again. I also run through my brand new bow setup after finally pulling the trigger on the Darton TriTech. We talk through why I chose it, how it tuned, what it cost, and the first couple of hunts where it really surprised me. One moment that still sticks with me was watching a group of hinds barely react after I missed a shot through a lantana bush. They moved, stopped about 60 metres away and just stood there. It was the first real indication of just how incredibly quiet this new bow actually is. 🔍 What We Cover: Why I chose the DJI Action 5 Pro over a GoPro and Insta360, and how it's handled hunting, spearfishing and low-light filming.My thoughts on the Stoney Creek Nitz rain jacket after using it in Queensland conditions, including where it excels and where it falls short.Testing Reebok Tactical boots in steep, muddy country and how they compared to Volleys and Salomons for long days in the hills.The camping mattress setup that completely changed how I sleep in my swag, including the North Peak inflatable system and pillow combination.A new rechargeable head torch with adjustable beam patterns, red light mode and gesture controls that has replaced my old setup.Upgrading from a budget Aldi rangefinder to the Leupold RX-1400i and why quality glass and angle compensation make such a difference in the field.Why I invested in a chamber vacuum sealer, how it improves meat storage, and the biggest advantage over traditional vacuum sealers.The process behind choosing the Darton TriTech after the Truth bow production issues and why feedback from bow technicians convinced me.Setting up the new bow, tuning broadheads with the limb adjustment system, and how quickly it paper tuned.Two real hunting encounters where the Darton TriTech's incredibly quiet shot helped deer stay calm after the arrow was released.An update on preparing the camel euro mount, using acetone to remove oils from the skull, and plans for the new podcast backdrop. 🧠 Key Takeaway The best gear isn't always the most expensive, it's the gear that genuinely solves a problem once you've used it in the real world. Putting equipment through hunts, bad weather and long days in the bush quickly shows what's worth keeping and what isn't. 🎙 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

Public land hunting in Australia gives hunters access to millions of acres of huntable country, but getting started can be confusing. Alex Proft from Aussie Bush Harvest breaks down the NSW public land hunting system, how the R Licence works, where you can hunt, and why public land remains one of the best ways to build hunting skills and experience. The conversation also covers bowhunting, Sambar deer, public access, hunting culture, conservation, and the future of hunting opportunities in Australia. Alex shares stories from years of hunting public land and explains why learning a piece of country can be more valuable than constantly chasing new locations.  What You'll Learn • How the NSW R Licence system works for rifle hunters, bowhunters, and pig doggers • Where public land hunting is available in New South Wales • Why public land hunting helped develop Alex's bowhunting skills • The differences between public land and private property hunting • How hunting pressure changes deer behaviour on public land • Why Sambar deer thrive in remote public land country • The challenges facing hunting access in Australia • Why hunters, fishers, campers, and outdoor users need a stronger collective voice About the Guest Alex Proft is the creator of Aussie Bush Harvest and has spent years documenting hunting, fishing, bushcraft, and outdoor adventures across Australia. He's well known for his public land hunting content, thoughtful approach to hunting, and his passion for helping new hunters get started.  Find Our Guest Alex Proft Aussie Bush Harvest Instagram: @aussiebushharvest YouTube: Aussie Bush Harvest Follow Becoming A Bowhunter: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingabowhunter.podcast/ Hosted by Matty Turner: https://www.instagram.com/mattyafter/ Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off | @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Use code BAB10 for 10% off | @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors | @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Use code BAB10 for $10 off | @jabstickoutdoors

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty is joined by Amon Woulfe to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of hunting, sport, business and life... the mind. After a missed opportunity on a mature stag during the red deer rut, Matty shares the story that led him to Amon's new book, Missing In Action: Master Your Mind in Moments That Matter. Amon has spent years working with elite athletes, sporting teams, military personnel and business leaders, helping them understand what happens when pressure rises and performance falls away. Together, Matty and Amon discuss target panic, pressure, fear, confidence, anxiety, resilience and the mental tools hunters can use when everything is on the line. This episode isn't just about bowhunting. It's about understanding what happens when your mind leaves the moment and learning how to bring it back when it matters most. 🔍 What We Cover: • Why the modern mind is under more pressure than ever before • The connection between target panic and mental performance • Why pressure is the gap between your mind and the moment • How elite athletes train their minds for high-pressure situations • The difference between physical resilience and mental resilience • Why focusing on outcomes can sabotage performance • The four low-performance mind states: agitated, anxious, critical and foggy • Practical reset tools to regain control when pressure builds • How breathwork affects performance and decision-making • Why anxiety often comes from avoiding fear • The role of self-belief and limiting beliefs in performance • How these mental skills apply to hunting, business, parenting and everyday life And a heck of a lot more. 🧠 Key Takeaway The goal isn't to eliminate pressure. The goal is to stay present when pressure arrives. The moment your mind drifts into the future, the past, fear, outcomes or self-doubt, performance starts to suffer. Learning how to reset and return to the moment may be one of the most valuable skills you'll ever develop. 🔗 Find Our Guest Amon Woulfe Website: amonwoulfe.com Human Performance Group: humanperformancegroup.co Instagram: @amonwoulfe 🎙 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 New Zealand ecologist and Sika Foundation member Cam Speedy for a deep dive into Sika deer, deer ecology, habitat management, and the role hunters play in conservation. Cam shares decades of experience working in wildlife management throughout New Zealand, including predator control, deer tracking studies, biodiversity work, and research around Sika deer populations in the Central North Island. The conversation explores how deer density directly impacts habitat quality, breeding success, antler growth, and overall herd health. Cam explains why healthy hunting systems rely on balanced harvests, particularly around female deer, and how hunters themselves often act as the primary predator within modern deer systems. There’s also a fascinating breakdown of Sika deer behaviour, including rut timing, scrape systems, home ranges, dispersal patterns, and why Sika have become such a sought-after species for bowhunters. This is a grounded conversation that blends science, practical hunting knowledge, and conservation into one of the most detailed discussions we’ve had on deer ecology and management. 🔍 What We Cover: Cam’s background in ecology and wildlife managementPredator control in New Zealand and the impact of stoats, rats, cats, and possumsWhy healthy habitat is the true foundation of sustainable huntingSika deer history in New Zealand and how they became establishedWhy Sika outcompete red deer in certain environmentsThe relationship between nutrition, breeding success, and antler growthWhy hunters should focus more on harvesting femalesHow overabundant deer populations damage habitat and herd qualityJaw studies, herd analysis, and measuring deer conditionGPS collar tracking and what it revealed about Sika movement patternsSika rut behaviour, scrapes, and vocalisationsHow to call Sika stags during the rutWhy Sika are such an exciting species for bowhuntersPublic land vs helicopter-access hunting in New ZealandThe role hunting organisations play in protecting hunting’s futureRetaining hunting’s social license through education and responsibility 👤 Find Our Guest: Cam Speedy Instagram: @SikaFoundation 🎙 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 long-time mate and experienced red deer hunter Mick Cullen. Mick is someone who’s been in Matty’s ear for years, helping break down mistakes and sharpen decision-making in the field. This is a practical conversation about what actually works when you’re chasing red deer in the rut. Mick shares the systems he’s developed over more than a decade of consistent hunting. From calling setups and reading terrain, to understanding how stags behave across different phases of the rut. There’s a big focus on execution under pressure, why most hunters get busted at the last moment, and the small decisions that separate blown opportunities from clean kills. Podcast topics: Early vs late rut behaviour and when calling works bestWhy wind and setup matter more than the call itselfUsing terrain (benches, folds, cover) to force movementDrawing early vs getting busted at full drawHind & fawn calls vs stag roarsSpot-and-stalk vs calling, and when to use eachWhy most hunts fall apart inside 50mThe importance of repetition and experience Find Our Guest: Mick Cullen Instagram: @bows_dogs_n_rods 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 one’s a full recap of the 2026 rut and for once, it’s not just close calls. Across three separate hunts, Matty breaks down what actually played out in the field… the wins, the stuff-ups, and the moments that could’ve gone either way. The episode moves through three key hunts: A March trip focused on getting the drop on a red deer, gone a little differently.Easter weekend on family ground, including a camel hunt and pig encountersA return to the family red deer block during peak rut, putting everything together There’s a bit of everything in this one…  calling sequences that worked (and didn’t), pressure getting the better of moments, wild dog encounters, and what happens when things don’t go to plan but still come together over time. It’s not polished. It’s just how it happened. Podcast topics: Breaking the rut into three separate hunts and what changed across eachEarly mistakes under pressure: rushing shots and missing opportunitiesLessons from hunting with experienced hunters and adjusting setup decisionsDrawing early vs drawing late, and why it matters more than you thinkCalling strategies: when to use hind calls vs roarsHow stags actually respond when pressured by other deer in the areaA close-range wild dog encounter and the mental side of making the shot countThe reality of pressure in the moment, even when you’ve done the workCamel hunting… stalking, shot placement, and dealing with sheer sizeWhat happens when a hunt turns into a logistical challenge (heat, meat, time)Managing meat recovery and processing when things don’t go to planReturning to the red deer block during peak rutReading wind, terrain, and access differently after previous experienceHow small decisions (where you park, where you listen) change everythingThe importance of patience and positioning during the roarWhy some hunts finally come together after years of near misses You can do all the right prep. Shoot well, train hard, understand animals — and still mess it up in the moment. But over enough time in the bush, those lessons stack. And eventually… things start to go your way. 🎙 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 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