Petersen's Bowhunting Radio

West Virginia bowhunter David Miller grew up pursuing whitetails in the mountains of Appalachia. Later, he discovered many of the same tactics work for pursuing elk and mule deer in the mountains of the American West. Drawing on years of successful Western adventures, Miller shares his top tips for Eastern bowhunters who want to pursue their Western big-game dreams.

Every year, turkey hunters across America tag some really unusual gobblers with colors that just don't match the local flock. Are these birds mutants, escapees from a the local turkey farm or some kind of hybrid between domestic and wild turkeys? A new project called WildturkeyDNA, spearheaded by the National Wild Turkey Federation and its partners, aims to find out — and turkey hunters get to participate in the science!

Love them or hate them, crossbows are occupying an ever-larger space on the bowhunting landscape. What does that mean for the future of our sport? Brad Fenson, a highly successful hunter and author of our new crossbow column, joins us for a fascinating discussion about the changing bowhunting landscape. 

KUIU's Justin Shaffer is an extreme mountain hunter who chases everything from sheep and goats in Alaska to high-country elk and mule deerin the Rockies to ibex in Mongolia. Your 2025 bowhunts might not be that rugged, but that doesn't mean you won't benefit from getting in shape for your adventures. Jared talks about his approach to bowhunting fitness and how taking care of your body will make you a more effective predator in the field.

Prime Archery's new-for-2025 Form is the first aluminum-carbon hybrid bow in history. Prime's Brian Anderson joins us to discuss why the company was willing to try something completely different to bring bowhunters a rig that not only looks unlike anything you've ever seen but offers some significant performance advantages.

Deer season may be winding down, but that means gear season is heating up! Colorado bowhunter Jace Bauserman joins us to recap a pair of successful, DIY rut hunts and discuss some of the recently released new-for-2025 archery gear.

Regardless of how your season has been, you should be thankful to be a bowhunter. With the Thanksgiving season upon us, Editor Christian Berg and contributor Eddie Claypool reflect on their many blessings and the privilege of enjoying the great outdoors.

The late archery season can be a great time to tag a mature whitetail buck — if you have the right conditions and know how to approach the hunt. KUIU's Micah Sirek and Thomas Krick join us to discuss the keys to late-season success and also highlight KUIU's new Super Down Haven line of cold-weather hunting apparel.

Like most bowhunters, Michigan's Jim Bouchard knows the challenge of hunting highly pressured whitetails. He owns no hunting ground, has no food plots and competes with many other hunters on every property he hunts. Yet, in spite of the challenges, Bouchard is highly successful and filled both his 2024 buck tags in October. Bouchard details his proven, out-of-the-box tactics for locating and hunting mature bucks that have become masters of survival.  

All bowhunters get excited for the whitetail rut, but sometimes Mother Nature can throw you curveballs with warm weather and other challenges. Jake Shaffer, owner of Branded Outdoors guide service in Maryland, shares his top rut-hunting tips for mid-November, including how to adapt to hot weather, tactics he's learned from hunting the flatlands of the Eastern Shore and what to do when the deer seem to disappear.

Would you pay $180 to shoot a 170? Well, that's essentially what Nebraska bowhunter Zeke Pipher recently did, tagging a 174 7/8-inch monster on a 25-acre conservation property where he made a $180 donation for hunting rights. This week, as the rut heats up, sit back and listen to Pipher's amazing story about why you should always expect the unexpected when hunting mature whitetail bucks.

It's Halloween Week, and we're getting amped up for some ghoulishly good whitetail action. Christian and Mark discuss the most recent trail-cam intel on scrapes and rub lines, and then we get with Rob Babbit from King Whitetails in Kansas to learn what he's seeing and preview our upcoming King Whitetails rut hunt for Bowhunter TV. 

The whitetail rut is just around the corner, and this week we speak with two of the nation's most successful DIY buck hunters about how to get mature whitetails in bow range! Tethrd's John Eberhart and Greg Godfrey have successfully hunted bucks in more than 20 states and recently published the Ultimate Guide to DIY Bucks, a comprehensive, three-volume book that covers everything you need to know to punch more tags. 

Tethrd co-founder Taylor Chamblain is a deer-slaying ninja who operates in the shadows of Washington, D.C. Just a few miles from the White House and a stone's throw from CIA headquarters, Chamberlain uses his saddle gear and businesslike approach to deer management to help suburban homeowners combat a burgeoning whitetail population. Along the way, Chamberlain has a ton of fun as he fills his freezer, helps feed the hungry and even tags a few trophy bucks.

When a blood trail runs dry and sign becomes non-existent, recovering a wounded deer can be like finding a needle in a haystack. But drones are quickly changing the deer-recovery game, turning nightmare scenarios into dreams come true. Mike Yoder from Drone Deer Recovery in Ohio joins us to discuss how the legal, ethical use of cutting-edge drone technology is helping hunters recover deer that are mortally wounded and investigate non-lethal hits in a way that causes minimal disturbance to wildlife.

The popularity of saddle hunting is growing by leaps and bounds, particularly among DIY, public-land bowhunters who embrace a mobile strategy. This week, Latitude Outdoors co-founder Kevin Leach joins us to discuss how saddle-hunting gear can give you an important edge when it comes pursuing mature bucks on heavily pressured public ground.

Depending on where you live, whitetail season is either here, or opening day is just around the corner. This week, noted whitetail guru Bill Winke joins us to discuss tactics for the early weeks of the season. What is the best approach for the season's opening weeks, and how can you put yourself in position to succeed without jeopardizing your chances for success during the rut? 

Consistently taking mature whitetail bucks from highly pressured public lands in the East isn't easy. From mountain bikers and hikers to small-game hunters and fellow bowhunters, the disruptions are many. On this week's podcast, avid bowhunter Justin Ahart of Pennsylvania, who regularly hunts heavily pressured public parcels in New Jersey, shares his tips and tactics for scoring when human interference rises and deer sightings dwindle.

Dan Infalt, aka "The Hunting Beast," is one of America's most successful public-land whitetail hunters, consistently taking mature bucks on heavily pressured ground. We dive deep to explore Dan's unconventional methods and why hunting differently than the average deer hunter is the key to success. "If you hunt the same as everyone else," Dan said, "you get the same results."

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Bowtech recently launched the Honor, a limited-edition bow that celebrates the company's high-tech heritage while also supporting Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of military members and first responders killed or disabled in the line of duty. Bowtech's Todd Snader and Folds of Honor President Col. Nick Nichols join us to discuss how the bowhunting community is helping support this important mission.

Whitetails communicate in a variety of methods, and bowhunters can up their odds of success by using that to their advantage. This week, the guys from BuckStik join us to talk about how gland secretions play an important role in whitetail communication and how the company's innovative, all-in-one licking branch, rubbing post and mock scrape system can be a game-changer in the woods.

Last fall, Tethrd invited 12 experienced saddle hunters to its first-ever Huntin' Camp, a weeklong, DIY, deer hunt that forced participants to hit the ground running on a large tract of Indiana forest none had ever visited before. By week's end, an incredible six of the 12 hunters had put a buck on the ground — a testament to the effectiveness of saddle-hunting tactics. Tethrd co-founder Greg Godfrey and Tethrd ambassador Dustin Moll join us to recap the hunt, share key insights learned along the way and preview the upcoming 2024 Huntin' Camp.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has eliminated non-resident, over-the-counter, archery elk tags, starting with the 2025 season. We discuss what this change means for tens of thousands of non-resident elk hunters from across the nation, as well as what it means for Colorado's resident bowhunters and the long-term future of Colorado's elk herd.

Bowhunters are always searching for the next big-game trophy hotspot. Pope and Young Club Executive Director Justin Spring and Director of Records Tim Rozewski join us to discuss the trends in where record-book deer and other game are coming from in recent years, the impact of new technologies on “fair chase” and their organization's conservation efforts and educational initiatives.

Next to Fred Bear, there may not be another name in bowhunting more iconic than Chuck Adams. With an record-setting 226 Pope and Young animals to his credit and a 40-plus year hunting career that has spanned the globe, Chuck is a living legend who remains as passionate about archery today as he was five decades ago.

When it comes to scent control, former western hunting guide and avid bowhunter Cole Tanner of Ozonics has seen and tried it all. On this week's podcast, Tanner dishes some great hunting stories, shares tips for best scent-control practices and discusses how ozone technology, including the company's brand-new HR600 unit, can be a game-changer in the woods.

When it comes to bowhunting, there is perhaps no greater and more challenging feat than completing the Archery Super Slam, taking all 29 North American big-game animals with bow and arrow. It's so challenging, in fact, that fewer than 50 people have ever done it. The latest is Tom Edgington, who joins us to share the incredible stories of his 20-year quest.

Tactacam's Reveal is arguably the most popular cell camera on the market, and this week the company unveiled its all-new Reveal 3.0 lineup! The Reveal X 3.0 and Reveal Pro 3.0 offer unprecedented features and ease of use, automatically connecting to the strongest network in your hunting area, eliminating the need for SD cards, offering live aiming for hassle-free setup and using built-in GPS so you always know where your cameras are in the field. Tactacam's Greg Farrell joins us to dish all the exciting details.

Animal rights extremists are mounting a political effort to ban Colorado mountain lion hunting via a voter referendum on the November ballot. The measure — strongly opposed by sportsman and state wildlife biologists — could have a serious impact on Colorado's deer and elk populations and set a dangerous precedent for hunting opportunities across the nation. Dan Gates from Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management joins us to discuss this issue and explain how bowhunters from across America can help. 

The 4th of July is nearly upon us, and for most serious bowhunters, that means it's time to deploy scouting cameras in the field. Cuddeback's Dan Schultz joins us to discuss summertime trail-cam strategies as well as the latest high-tech offerings from this iconic trail-camera manufacturer.

Bowhunter Contributor Eddie Claypool has been chasing Coues deer for more than three decades and took his best buck to date last winter in Arizona. Eddie explains his passion for hunting these diminutive desert whitetails and shares bowhunting insights gained over 31 years of pursuing them across the Southwest.

It is difficult to be a consistently successful Western bowhunter without owning quality optics — and knowing how to use them! Swarovski's Dean Capuano explains how to choose the right binocular, rangefinder and spotting scope for your Western adventures and how to use them as strong allies in the field.

Imagine safely scaling trees of all shapes and sizes in just 90 seconds — without ladders, sticks or other conventional climbing aids. Scott Kurtenbach and Joe Delabarrera from newyorksaddlehunter.com join us to discuss the innovative Halfline 2.0 climbing system that can make you lighter, faster and more deadly in the field!

Steven Rinella is the face of Meat Eater, a multimedia brand that promotes the carnivore lifestyle to hunters and non-hunters alike. Rinella joins us to discuss topics that include his current bowhunting setup, Meat Eater's brand new, best-selling wild game cookbook and the upcoming election's political implications for those who value hunting and wildlife conservation.

This week, "Hunting Whitetails" columnist and noted deer biologist CJ Winand joins us to discuss some of the most useful bowhunting insights to come out of deer research, including how to deal with "string jumping," the best time of day to tag trophy bucks and more.

Beth Edwards of Missouri hunted hard for the entire archery season and was down to her last sit, one she'd hired a babysitter for so she could get out. On a frigid, snowy January day — with only hours to go in her season — the buck of a lifetime walked out!

Realtree's David Blanton is a living hunting legend. As one of the pioneers of outdoor television, Blanton was instrumental in exposing deer hunting to millions of Americans via wildly popular series such as Realtree Outdoors, Monster Bucks and Realtree Road Trips. In this week's episode, Blanton joins us to discuss three decades of incredible bowhunting success, the current state of the hunting world and how his perspective has changed over the years.

Diehard bowhunters know there's no off-season, and one way to extend your hunting is international travel. Tim Herald and Roger Jorgensen of Worldwide Trophy Adventures join us to discuss bowhunting opportunities around the globe. From South Africa and South America to emerging destinations in Europe, they cover the ins and outs of selecting your next adventure.

Spring turkey season is in full swing across much of the nation, with seasons in remaining areas set to open in the coming days. Contributor Clint Casper joins us to share his top tactics for the season. From scouting to where to aim at full draw and everything in between, this noted turkey assassin gets you ready to bowhunt birds.

Many bowhunters believe big-game animals possess a "sixth sense" that alerts them to imminent danger. Could there actually be some science behind this claim? Mike Slinkard from HECS joins us to discuss how animals detect electromagnetic fielders emitted by predators, and how blocking that energy can lead to more close encounters with trophy animals.

Saddle hunting is all the rage, but this popular hunting method can be intimidating and overwhelming for newcomers. Saddle-hunting experts Carl Kossuth from Tethrd and Shawn Ferguson from Trophyline break down this complicated topic, offer advice for obtaining the necessary gear and share their top tips for saddle-hunting success!

Turkey seasons are opening across the country, and we're here to get you ready to chase gobblers! National Wild Turkey Federation Biologists Derek Alkire and Ryan Boyer discuss conditions around the nation and preview what hunters can expect. We also take a closer look at how turkey populations are doing in the Eastern U.S., discuss the NWTF's new Habitat for the Hatch initiative and, of course, cover bowhunting for birds!

The Bone Collectors — Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt and Travis "T-Bone" Turner — are among the best-known personalities in hunting. They join us to discuss spring turkeys, their love of bowhunting and the future of our sport.

Spring is shed season, and that means it's time to lave up your boots and hit the fields and forests in search of antlers! Shed-hunting experts Cody Gulvas and Clayton Read burn more than 400 miles of boot leather each spring scouting the public lands of Pennsylvania in search of shed antlers. This week, they share their knowledge with you and offer tips to help you find more bone on your next shed hunt.

Eva Shockey is undoubtedly one of bowhunting's best ambassadors. This week, Eva and Todd Snader from Bowtech join us to discuss the brand new Eva Gen 3 bow. Eva also shares her incredible Colorado mule deer hunt from last fall and explains how she maintains a passionate connection with archery and bowhunting despite an extremely busy "mom life".

The Reaser family of Ohio had a 2023 deer season to remember! It started with a 6-year-old taking a big 8-pointer for his first-ever deer and culminated with grandpa taking a 200-inch Booner. Oh, and there were also two more bucks that scored more than 150 inches, plus a unique non-typical taken by a daughter who was eight months pregnant. Hear the incredible story in this week's Bowhunting Podcast.

This is the best big-buck story you'll hear all year! Illinois bowhunter Gage Shepard joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about how he took down his first-ever deer from a saddle — a bruiser that green-scored 200-plus inches — in only his second year of saddle hunting. The kicker? The buck came off a property less than five acres in size!

Welcome to another thrilling episode of Peterson's Bowhunting Podcast with our vivacious host, Christian Berg. Our special guest of the week is the highly regarded hunter, Barry Wenzel from the legendary duo 'Brothers of the Bow', who shares his unrivaled knowledge and experiences in deer hunting. In this podcast, recorded at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Barry retraces more than six decades of his hunting adventures, providing a backdrop for his latest masterpiece 'The Old Man and the Tree'. Barry imparts invaluable insights and emphasizes the criticality of woodsmanship skills for the rising generation of hunters. Regardless of your level of hunting experience, Barry's stories and imparted wisdom promise a fresh perspective on hunting. Jointly with focusing on his remarkable hunting career, Barry also discusses his latest literary venture, encasing his rich expertise and experiences for the benefit of the youth. A native of Pennsylvania, Barry narrates his hunting odyssey, marked by numerous successes and failures but continually fueled by his unwavering passion for hunting. He freely shares his first hunting encounter, his victorious expeditions, and every treasure of knowledge he amassed over the years. In this enriching episode, Barry detailedly discusses his time-tested deer hunting method and his newly published book, 'The Old Man and the Tree'. He shares his hunting strategy that involves keen observation of deer behavior, interpreting their signs, and constantly refining hunting strategies in light of these findings while fostering a respectful relationship with wildlife. Join Barry on this exhilarating journey to gain precious lessons from a seasoned deer hunter who has a profound appreciation for traditional practices, the joy of being amid the grand beauty of nature, and the thrilling pursuit of game. As always, Peterson's Bowhunting Podcast is sponsored by Lancaster Archery Supply. Visit lancasterarchery.com for all your bowhunting needs!

Levi Morgan is one of America's most successful bowhunters and a 16-time world champion tournament archer. The greatest shooter ever to play the 3-D archery game joins us to discuss his new sponsorship deal with Altra Arrows and dishes his personal thoughts on the future of bowhunting, the impact crossbows are having on our sport and how recent personal struggles have changed his perspective on the role archery and bowhunting plays in his life.

It's our annual visit to the Lancaster Archery Classic! We are joined by Master's Open Pro champion Benton Christensen from Prime Archery, Bowtech shooter Paige Pearce and Darton shooter Tate Morgan to talk tournament shooting and swap bowhunting stories from last fall.

The 2024 Archery Trade Show recently concluded in St. Louis. This week, Lancaster Archery's PJ Reilly joins us to discuss some of the most exciting new bowhunting products seen at the show. We also preview the 2024 Lancaster Archery Classic taking place this weekend as most of the world's top shooters converge on Eastern Pennsylvania.