The Game Trail

World champion archer and bowhunter Paige Pearce joins The Game Trail Podcast to break down what actually separates great shooters from elite ones. We dive deep into her new mental performance program, Insight, and how archers can build a repeatable shot under pressure. From shot execution and tuning fundamentals to managing nerves, and confidence in the field, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for bowhunters and competitive archers alike.

This week on The Game Trail Podcast, Trail sits down with Dave Brinker to relive his epic elk hunting story from last fall. They also dive into the new year mindset—discussing goal setting, building strong habits, and creating systems to get healthier and stay disciplined. Whether you’re chasing big game or chasing personal growth, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few good laughs along the way.

In this solo episode, Trail walks listeners through his full 2026 application playbook — species priorities, state-by-state reasoning, risk tiers, backup plans, and how he balances premium long-term goals with hunts he wants to draw now. If you’re looking to refine your own strategy for 2026, this is a blueprint worth copying.

Trail takes a deep dive into his personal optics system — from binos to spotters and tripods. He breaks down why he chose each piece, what he prioritizes in the field, and how to find the right balance between cost, weight, and performance. A must-listen for anyone obsessed with glassing and gear refinement.

GOHUNT’s Dave Barnett joins Trail to talk through the ins and outs of Montana's draw system and the changes to Idaho’s nonresident general elk and deer system for 2026. From preference points, bonus points, and the new random draw for nonresident general elk and deer in Idaho, they cover how to approach these states for upcoming seasons. Dave also gives a full recap of his latest Utah archery elk hunt—what went right, what went wrong, and what he learned along the way.

You think you’re ready, but you’re not, and neither is Trail. On this week's episode, Trail breaks down the most common ways hunters show up unprepared and what you can do right now to fix it. From overlooked gear checks and mental readiness, this is your no-BS guide to making sure your next hunt doesn’t end in regret. Don't get blindsided by reality—gear failures, poor physical prep, or just plain lack of time in your boots. Whether you’re chasing elk in September or deer in November, you’ve still got time—if you start today.

We all want confidence in our pins, especially when the shot matters most. Tristan from Precision Cut Archery jumps on The Game Trail podcast to walk us through their smart, easy-to-use online sight tape builder. No more guessing or swapping tape after tape—this tool helps bowhunters cut straight to the best match for their setup. Tristan and Trail also talk wind drift, shot angle compensation, kinetic energy, and why factory sight tapes are likely an inferior option if you want the most accurate sight tape. Listen to learn how it works and why it’s becoming a must-have.

In this episode of The Game Trail, Trail walks through his personal process for tuning a compound bow—from bare bow to hunt-ready. He breaks down how he sets up his rest, camp timing, how he paper tunes, the importance of d-loop location, arrow spine, and why broadhead tuning can’t be skipped. Whether you're building out a brand-new setup, replacing strings for the upcoming season or just trying to get the most out of your current rig, Trail shares the real-world steps he takes to make sure his bow is dialed in.

Trail is joined by his friend and hunting partner, Chris Neville, to recap their experience at the 2025 Vegas Indoor Archery Shoot. They discuss equipment, practice and preparation, expectations, as well as what went well and what didn’t. They talk about identifying holes in their archery game, and how they will approach it in the future. The guys also discuss how the pressure and anxiety of competition archery relates to bowhunting and what lessons they learned that will translate to hunts later this fall.

On this week’s episode, Trail’s older brother, Tyler Kreitzer, joins the podcast. They talk about their roots growing up in rural southern Utah. They discuss the role that hunting and the outdoors played in their upbringing. They dive into the topic of hunting in grizzly country and how Tyler deals with the intimidation and fear that some feel when hunting big bear country. The guys also talk about antelope and bear hunting, two of Tyler’s favorites. They wrap up talking about meat care, and they recount a story of an archery elk hunt they shared.

On this week’s episode of The Game Trail, Trail chats with Weston McArthur. Weston has a unique story, leaving his full-time job to pursue his passion for the outdoors and build the Rise and Shed brand. Rise and Shed focuses on content creation and merchandise, with a desire to inspire and encourage people to get outdoors and discover nature. Weston talks about his love of shed antler hunting and later recaps his 2024 archery elk and mule deer season.

On this episode of The Game Trail podcast, Trail talks with Colorado Bowhunters Association chairman Henry Ferguson. They discuss the recent conversion of all nonresident elk units in Colorado to a draw system and what it might mean for both residents and nonresidents. The conversation then moves to Henry’s true passion, spot and stalk mule deer. Henry offers tips and tricks for stalking mule deer and how he maintains his composure in the heat of the moment. They talk about archery practice, shot execution, bow selection, and the keys to becoming a better shot with your bow.

Trail is back with a Game Trail Podcast! This week he sits down for a solo episode to talk about his thoughts on the outcome of Prop 127. He also discusses the recent film, “One Good Chance.” Specifically, what it’s like to hit and lose an animal and what he is working on to try to eliminate those misses in the future. He concludes the podcast talking about some of his favorite gear pieces from this year.