Becoming a Bowhunter – Details, episodes & analysis

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 dog trapping: Methods, tools, and insights

- Navigating the of herd dynamics year-round (when to shoot and not shoot what)

- Filming The Season

And much, much more.

Find Sean Chick:

@src_huntntrap

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 order. Check out https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

Venture Hunting & Outdoors @venturehunting

For all of your hunting gear and needs head over to https://venturehunting.com.au/

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

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 order. Check out https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

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 years
• Quick 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:

@dogandguncoffee

https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/

Use checkout code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next order ✌️

@kayuga_broadheads

https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

Use checkout code BAB10 for 10% off your next order ✌️

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 Penetration: Why Momentum Matters Most

- The Future of Bowhunting: Innovations and Challenges Ahead

And much, much more…

Find Dr. Ed Ashby’s Work:

https://www.ashbybowhunting.org/

Make a donation to the foundation: https://www.ashbybowhunting.org/make-a-donation

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 order. Check out https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

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

- Sometimes, the best hunts are the unsuccessful ones

- Promoting positive perceptions of bowhunting to the wider community

- The growing popularity of traditional archery and bowhunting in Australia

And much more...

Find Ben Maher:

@benmaher73

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

Join Matty as he recaps his week of chasing red deer in the 2024 roar.

This week was full of explorations, learning and a lot of freaking effort — All of which was not a waste.

In typical hunting style, it came right down to the 111th hour to have success on this hunt. 

Podcast Topics:

• Slow afternoon into an exciting morning
• The damn wind
• The weird rut
• Why’s this happening
• Hello spikey
• Now we’re talking, and yes, I want you to come here. 
• Pick yourself up, the jobs not done yet
• What are you really hunting for? 
• The 11th hour

And much more… 

Find Matty and Becoming a Bowhunter:

Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast

@mattyafter

Podcast sponsors:

@dogandguncoffee

https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/

Use checkout code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next order ✌️

@kayuga_broadheads

https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

Use checkout code BAB10 for 10% off your next order ✌️

This episode delves deep into the behaviors, strategies, and experiences surrounding the fallow deer rut, featuring seasoned hunters Grant "Randy" Rand and first-time guest Toby Hines. With their extensive knowledge and firsthand experiences, they unpack the intricacies of hunting during the rut, offering invaluable insights for both novice and veteran bow hunters.

Podcast Highlights:

• Preparing for the rut: understanding the timeline and behaviors of fallow deer.
• Strategies for hunting pre-rut, during the rut, and post-rut.
• The importance of knowing your hunting block and how seasonal changes affect deer behavior.
• Tactics for setting up game cameras, using scents, and strategic stalking.
• The role of genetics in trophy hunting and managing deer populations.
• Each week of the rut broken into what to do’s and hunting scenarios. 
• Calling Masterclass: Understand how to sound like a buck and doe and when to use the calls
• The boys ambitions for this years rut

Where to Find the Guests:

Grant Rand: 

@grant_randy_rand

@kayugabroadheads

Toby Hynes: 

@hunt_mountains

@thebighorndeercaller

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 code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next purchase. Visit https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/

Kayuga Broadheads: For precision and reliability in your hunting gear, choose Kayuga Broadheads. Use code BAB10 for 10% off your next order. Check out https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

This week Matty is joined by Aaron Whitaker. Aaron’s social media presence across instagram and YouTube has helped to educate many and spread the good word of hunting to thousands.

From bowhunting goats to reloading bullets and everything in between that the outdoors have to offer.

Recently Aaron went on an exploration to New Zealand to hunt bull Tahr and Matty and Aaron showcase the trip and items needed/things to think about if you’d like to mirror a trip over the pond like this.

Podcast topic:

• Clips from the early days of bowhunting.
• Getting into hunting. 
• Rifle or bow
• Prep & planning
• Gear for NZ
• Finding and Hunting the best parts of public land
• Pricing for a trip like this

And a whole freaking heap more…

Find Luke:

@ta.whitaker_

Find Becoming a Bowhunter:

@becomingabowhunter.podcast

@mattyafter

Podcast sponsors:

@dogandguncoffee

https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/

Use checkout code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next order ✌️

@kayuga_broadheads

https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

Use checkout code BAB10 for 10% off your next order ✌️

Somewhere between the inception of magazines being the only bit of Australian bowhunting content and the creation of myspace, there was a time when online forums reigned supreme.

And the guest on today’s episode Mr Luke Griffin, is the man behind the wildly popular forum: The Bowhunters Group Of Australia.

Luke shares som incredible yarns from while he was running the forum and explains some of the great journey’s it took him on.

And while the forums are back up and running (once again because of Luke) despite being switched off for a few years…

They’re not his main focus in the hunting realm anymore.

Recently, Luke and his friend acquired Braden Wear, the camouflage/hunting/outdoors clothing brand.

As well as running "The Hunting Republic Podcast."

Podcast topic:

• Before Facebook 
• Hunting forums
• Creating a bowhunting magazine
• The crash of the forum 
• Hunting beginnings 
• Taking on Braken Wear 
• Camo 101
• Quality control 
• Things to come
• Future adventures to have…

And a whole freaking heap more…

Find Luke:

@the_hunting_republic

@braken_hunter

@brakenwear

Find Becoming a Bowhunter:

@becomingabowhunter.podcast

@mattyafter

Podcast sponsors:

@dogandguncoffee

https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/

Use checkout code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next order ✌️

@kayuga_broadheads

https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/

Use checkout code BAB10 for 10% off your next order ✌️

Welcome to the second century of the podcast.

This week Matty fills you in on some event successful hunts…

Plus, The 10 lessons he’s learnt from bowhunting that translate into everyday life as well!

The lessons are:

Progress comes in small steps

Slow is smooth smooth is fast

The world doesn’t owe you anything 

You have to develop your own moral and ethical compass

There’s support in every community 

The work starts where you think the journey ends 

Learn from your mistakes or be ready to walk a long unsuccessful road. 

The small things really matter matter. 

Perfection is unattainable but Persistence does pay off.

Learn to use your senses

Find Becoming a Bowhunter:

@becomingabowhunter.podcast

@mattyafter

Podcast sponsors:

@dogandguncoffee

https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/

Use checkout code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next order ✌️