Becoming a Bowhunter

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: 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 sits down with a true icon in the world of archery, Fred Eichler. Known for being the first person to complete the North American Super Slam with a recurve, Fred is absolutely full of life and an amazing storyteller, but he’s also a hunter, outfitter, and steward of the bowhunting tradition. In this episode, Fred recaps some of his favorite hunts of various species from the Super Slam. Fred opens up about the real-life highs and lows of being a bowhunter, including the grit it takes to hunt with traditional equipment and the mindset required to stay sharp. This episode is packed with stories, strategies, laughs, and life lessons from one of the most respected voices in the game. Podcast Topics: The Super Slam: What it is, how Fred accomplished it, and what it taught himRecurve Realities: The extra challenge and satisfaction of hunting with traditional gearFred’s Favorite Game Meat: Listen to til the end to find out what it is.Mindset Over Muscle: How mental preparation often trumps physical prowess in bowhuntingHunting stories Fred shares stories of Muskox, Bison, Antelope, Dall Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Moose, Elk & Deer. The real trophy is: Fred shares his absolute love for each hunt and being in the outdoors. Whether you're a die-hard trad bowhunter or just picking up a bow for the first time, this chat with Fred is a refreshing reminder of what bowhunting is all about: connection, challenge, and conservation. Find Fred Eichler: Instagram: @fredeichler Website: www.fredeichler.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fredeichler 📲 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Host: @mattyafter Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – @dogandguncoffee Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off. Kayuga Broadheads – @kayuga_broadheads Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off. Venture Hunting & Outdoors – @venturehunting Gear up for your next hunt. Jab Stick Outdoors – @jabstickoutdoors Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off.

In this episode, Matty is joined by Kip Adams (@kipadams_nda), the Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association (@deerassociation), to talk about all things whitetail, conservation, and the evolving role of hunters. Kip brings over two decades of experience in wildlife biology and land management. In this conversation, we dig into deer behavior, nutrition, and management strategies, and how hunters can make better decisions in the field and in the off-season. We also touch on the science behind antler growth, buck-to-doe ratios, and habitat improvement tips that the average hunter can apply. If you want to become a better hunter, it starts with a deep understanding of your target. This episode takes the data collected over the past 23 years from the National Deer Association in America and compiles it in one place for you to learn all you need to know. Podcast Topics: How Kip got into deer conservation and his time with the NDADeclining hunter numbers in the U.S.Buck and doe movement in the rut and how it can help dictate your hunting outcomesAntler size myths vs. science: what determines growth potentialImproving your hunting property for both habitat and herd healthUnderstanding “predator-prey balance” and what we can learn from itWhy hunter numbers matter and how recruitment efforts are changingKip’s take on Australia's bowhunting challenges and advocacy needs Find Our Guest: Kips Adam - Instagram: @kipadams_nda @deerassociation 🎙️ 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 Tom Clum Sr., a lifelong bowhunter and founder of RMS Gear, to talk all things traditional archery, effective shot execution, and making clean kills with a trad bow. Tom has coached hundreds of archers through form issues, target panic, and inconsistent results. This episode cuts through the noise and gets straight to the stuff that actually makes you a better archer and bowhunter. They talk about how to practice with purpose, what really matters in high-pressure moments, and how Tom uses coaching and failure as a platform for growth. Whether you shoot compound, trad, or something in between, you’ll walk away from this one with plenty to chew on. Podcast Topic: Bio-mechanics for repeatable and accurate shots with a trad bowThe role of the central nervous system in executing a shot you can trustWhy most hunters fail when the moment counts—and how to fix itCoaching through target panic, collapsing, and anticipationHow shot mechanics translate to real-world hunting scenariosWhy form is more than just physicalHow to train your subconscious for better consistencyPlus some hunting stories from Tom Follow Tom: Instagram: @tom_clum_sr Website: www.rmsgear.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. @dogandguncoffeeKayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off. @kayuga_broadheadsVenture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt. @venturehuntingJab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off. @jabstickoutdoorsWild Deer Outdoors & Hunting Expo – 11th & 12th October 2025 Lardner Park, VIC - https://www.deerexpo.com.au/ @wilddeerexpo

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty sits down with Alesha Tomasi — a passionate hunter, cook, and content creator — to talk all things meat, mindset, and meaningful connection to the land. From harvesting her first goat to launching a female-led hunting community, Alesha shares how she went from tagging along on hunts to being an advocate for sustainable meat, mental health, and women in the outdoors. This episode is equal parts inspirational, educational, and grounded in the reality of rural life. Podcast topics: How & why Alesha started huntingThe moment her social media mission began — and the powerful promise behind itWhat it's really like processing your own wild meat week after weekHer go-to gluten- and dairy-free recipes using wild game and homegrown produceThe rise of Daughters of the Wild — a growing community for female huntersThe power of slow cooking, venison steak for breakfast, and making sausages from scratchHow the outdoors helps with mental clarity, purpose, and well-beingPack training for Fiordland and the all-girls Wapiti trip that changed her perspectiveGavin the pack goat. The story behind Gavin, how they’ve trained him to be their trusty sidekick and the gear issues they’ve had thus far.New Zealand’s got it all to offer, from crayfish dives to deer to chamois and tahr. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, an aspiring provider, or just someone who wants to live a little closer to the land, this is a conversation that hits home. Follow Alesha: Instagram: @alesha_tomasi Community: @daughters_of_the_wild Follow Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Episode Sponsors: Wild Deer Hunting & Outdoor Expo – Live at Lardner Park in Victoria on the 11th & 12th of October. Get your tickets at https://www.deerexpo.com.au/ 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 catches up with two stickbow hunters and top blokes — Benny Fensom and Jack Spinks — for a laugh-filled and brutally honest yarn about traditional archery, wild meat processing, serious health scares, and why red deer still haunt their dreams. From hand-pumping 20 kilos of sausages to dodging disease from deer urine, this one covers all the messy, meaty, and memorable moments that come with hunting hard and living wild. Podcast Topics: Rutting Chaos – Benny & Jack give some detailed recaps of their fallow rut together plus some yarns from previous rut experiences they’ve shared. Red Deer Vs Fallow – Which deer is harder to hunt and why is it reds? Stickbow Only – No wheels here. The boys break down why they’ve gone all-in on trad bows and what it takes to consistently get kills inside 10 meters.Sausage Shenanigans – Making 100kg of snags with a cement mixer, exploding cheese sticks, and the absolute art of tying off links without losing your mind.Q Fever & Lepto – Benny’s experience with leptospirosis, which had him bed-bound for a few weeks. The wild strain, not native to Australia that landed him in hospital for a week.Big Kev the Stag – The legendary red named Big Kev. Stickbow Dropouts – Why many trad shooters burn out after 6 months, and how to stick with it when the compound itch creeps in. This one’s got it all — equal parts funny, filthy, and full of hard-won bowhunting wisdom. Find Benny & Jack: Benny: @benny_fensom Jack: @jackspinks_ Jabstick Outdoors: @jabstickoutdoors https://jabstickoutdoors.au/ Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcastHosted by: @mattyafter Episode Sponsors: Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off. @dogandguncoffeeKayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off. @kayuga_broadheadsVenture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt. @venturehuntingJab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off. @jabstickoutdoors