the stickboys podcast

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, this photo of Brian's 2025 bear speaks 10, 000 words!” This week Brian Koelzer joins Alan Altizer and shares stories from this year's camp, including his mega-giant. As discussed in the podcast a few weeks ago, this camp is unsurpassed for mega bears. Join us for a great bowhunting conversation. If you are interested in a chance to hunt this private hunt, Brian discusses a chance to join them in 2026 as the PBS, The Professional Bowhunters Society, gives away a slot in a PBS hunt. Not only does this one cover a bear hunt of a lifetime, it covers the chance at a free hunt of a lifetime. Enjoy!!!  

PART 2: This week Alan Altizer is honored to be joined by world renowned hunter Bob Foulkrod. Bob and Alan have been friends for many years. Bob is one of the most experienced hunters in the world today having traveled the world in pursuit of adventures. Bob's accomplishments have included the Big 5, sheep throughout the world, and big game species on all the continents. Having been raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Bob was taught woodsmanship and traditional values at an early age by his father and mother. His hard work has allowed him to hunt the world with both bow and gun. The amount of knowledge he has gained in 70 years of hunting and guiding has been freely shared with hunters over the decades. Being a bowhunter who started out with a trad bow, Bob still loves the simplicity of the stick and string as he plans the trad hunts for the upcoming seasons. This one holds a wealth of common sense, traditional values, and tips.   

PART 1: This week Alan Altizer is honored to be joined by world renowned hunter Bob Foulkrod. Bob and Alan have been friends for many years. Bob is one of the most experienced hunters in the world today having traveled the world in pursuit of adventures. Bob's accomplishments have included the Big 5, sheep throughout the world, and big game species on all the continents. Having been raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Bob was taught woodsmanship and traditional values at an early age by his father and mother. His hard work has allowed him to hunt the world with both bow and gun. The amount of knowledge he has gained in 70 years of hunting and guiding has been freely shared with hunters over the decades. Being a bowhunter who started out with a trad bow, Bob still loves the simplicity of the stick and string as he plans the trad hunts for the upcoming seasons. This one holds a wealth of common sense, traditional values, and tips.   

This week set in with Alan Altizer and Dalton Lewis for a recap of the spring season, some bear hunting, and some great tips on how to be a more successful bowhunter in the upcoming seasons.  These two discuss some of the most fundamental, basic steps both new and older bowhunters can take to ensure they successfully take advantage of shot opportunities during this fall's hunts. The basics are the foundation to becoming a successful bowhunter. So, join in and enjoy.

This week set in with Alan Altizer and Dalton Lewis for a recap of the spring season, some bear hunting, and some great tips on how to be a more successful bowhunter in the upcoming seasons.  These two discuss some of the most fundamental, basic steps both new and older bowhunters can take to ensure they successfully take advantage of shot opportunities during this fall's hunts. The basics are the foundation to becoming a successful bowhunter. So, join in and enjoy.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by Mr. Mike Yancey to discuss successful Black Bear experiences and strategies with a traditional bow. Mike's woodsmanship skills are unparalleled making him one of the most accomplished trad hunters alive today. Mike has applied the skills in the pursuit of Black Bear as he has successfully hunted them over the bears. His unique experiences and down to earth, hard core hunting knowledge is freely shared in the podcast and Mike and Alan's conversation will benefit any bear hunter. Whether you are a first-time bear hunter, or one that has hunted them for years, you will gain a new perspective when in pursuit of bear!!!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dalton is sitting down with nearly the entire group of folks headed north the New Brunswick after Ursus americanus in June. The group is "BigEd Schlimme, Curt Cabrera, and Cade Cabrera, and this is the third year going. They break down some of the lessons they have learned the hard way and what makes trips like these so special. As always there is a healthy dose of bowhunting stories and humor. Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The name Koelzer and big bears just go together!” This week Brian Koelzer joins Alan Altizer and shares 35 years' worth of knowledge gained through his experiences in the northwest and Canada. Brian began hunting bear at the age of 12 and has taken numerous trophy class black bear and grizzly. His travels have allowed him to refine his skills and try numerous techniques. Brian was awarded the “The 2024 Montana Bowhunter of the Year” by the Montana Bowhunter's Association for good reason. We are honored to have him as a regular guest as Brian continues to share his love for bowhunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Set in on a great conversation between old friends Gene Wensel and Alan Altizer. Gene shares where life has taken him over the last 80 years, friendships bowhunting has provided him, lessons learned, and the love of family and friends.  His new book not only covers these aspects but is a wealth of knowledge in trophy whitetail hunting which has been forged from his lifetime of ethical bowhunting of mature whitetail with a traditional bow. If you want to be a better bowhunter, a much better whitetail hunter, or a better person, this book is a must.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan and Dalton set down and discuss what the gang has been up to during the post season. They are taking advantage of the off season with scouting for next season's bucks, fine tuning their bowhunting skills, and getting ready for spring turkey and bear. It's apparent these two are yearlong bowhunting fanatics! Join them as they discuss family, various mind sets, and techniques to becoming better woodsman and hunters.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is honored to be joined by another of Montana's legendary traditional bowhunters, Peter Iacavazzi. Peter was not only mentored by, but became close friends with Paul Schafer, Gene and Barry Wensel, Paul Brunner, Rosey Roseland and many more of Montana's premier bowhunters. We are so humbled to hear some insights into the kind of men these guys were as Peter shares stories of his friends and how they helped forge a young man's life as a bowhunter and a world-renowned martial artist. This one is special.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by Mr. Mike Yancey to discuss successful turkey strategies with a traditional bow. Mike is one of the most accomplished trad hunters alive today and turkey hunting is a passion of his. He has hunted spring gobblers in the Wyoming snow covered mountains all the way to the far south. Having learned as an old-time turkey hunter, Mike has greatly expanded his knowledge as he traveled the country chasing spring gobblers. Mike and Alan's conversation will benefit any turkey hunter as they freely share things learned over several decades. A lot of gobblers are going to be in trouble after this one!!!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by his friend Aaron Miller. Alan considers Aaron to be one of the best Trophy Whitetail hunters he has ever known. Aaron's detailed scouting, planning, and approach to locating and hunting mature whitetail is the reason he has taken so many animals with a trad bow. Over the years he has not only taken many incredible animals, but he has freely shared his knowledge for the betterment on bowhunting. Now Aaron is taking that to a new, more personal level with his new project, “Miller's Whitetail Consulting”. Through seminars, bootcamps, and personal one-on-one time scouting Aaron plans on sharing his knowledge in the future.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Dalton sits down with Traditional Archery's teddy bear, Ed Schlimme. "Big Ed" is a perfect example of what makes the Traditional Archery community great, you won't find a better guy! We dive into several topics on this one from Ed's incredible 24' season, to the "why" of archery in general. It's a great discussion you'll definitely want to hear!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us this week as we rejoin a guest from 5 years ago, Mr. Joey Buchanan. Joey is one of the most accomplished turkey bowhunters we know. The amount of knowledge he has gained from both success and failures is invaluable and he freely shares the “do's and don'ts” when bowhunting turkeys. His knowledge will make you a better turkey hunter. Enjoy this one.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are extremely honored to have Mr. M. R. James, founder of Bowhunter Magazine, share some memories of his close friend, Fred Bear. Fred Bear was one of the greatest bowhunters in modern times. But beyond his hunting accomplishments, Papa Bear did as much to promote modern bowhunting as anyone. This week M. R. and Alan Altizer discuss the impact of Fred on their early bowhunting careers as his films fueled their bowhunting passions. After meeting their hero, they share their time spent with Fred and the realization that he was still just another passionate bowhunter, a good man, and friend. M. R. shares some little-known facts of contributions Fred made to ensure bowhunting's future. M. R. James and Fred Bear, what more could you ask for? We all owe a huge debt to these two men who have devoted their lives to making the future of bowhunting better for us all.  God bless them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The name Roger Rothhaar is legendary among serious whitetail hunters. Roger was way ahead of his time in whitetail bowhunting strategies and overall whitetail knowledge. With a special thanks to M. R. James, Jeff Warren of Bowhunter Magazine, and Ryan Rothhaar we are proud to bring you Part 4 of this long time out of print book, “In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetail”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is honored to be joined by one of Montana's legendary traditional bowhunters from the 1970's, 80's, and 90's, Mr. Rosey Roseland. Now living in Alaska, Rosie and his wife still live their lives in the wild places. Rosey was close friends with Paul Schafer, the Wensels, Paul Brunner, Dick Robertson and many more of Montana's premier bowhunters. This group of traditional bowhunters were so well known by residents for killing so many animals, they called them, “The Wolf Pack”! So, join us as Rosey graciously shares some amazing stories from the good old days! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The name Roger Rothhaar is legendary among serious whitetail hunters. Roger was way ahead of his time in whitetail bowhunting strategies and overall whitetail knowledge. With a special thanks to M. R. James, Jeff Warren of Bowhunter Magazine, and Ryan Rothhaar we are proud to bring you Part 3 of this long time out of print book, “In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetail” once. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After meeting a couple of years ago at ETAR, we've come to find out there aren't many folks as dedicated and obsessed with Whitetail and everything that goes with it as Chris Weist. From the Mountains of PA and Maryland, all the way to the hills of Southern Ohio, you'll find a mountain of a man working on filling next year's tag. In this episode, we dive into a myriad of topics that focus around Whitetails and Whitetail scouting. A perfect conversation for prime "Scouting Season." Enjoy!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The name Roger Rothhaar is legendary among serious whitetail hunters. Roger was way ahead of his time in whitetail bowhunting strategies and overall whitetail knowledge. With a special thanks to M. R. James, Jeff Warren of Bowhunter Magazine, and Ryan Rothhaar we are proud to bring you part 2 of this long time out of print book, “In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetail” once. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Mr. Mike Yancey of Pine Hollow Longbows and Trapping joins Alan Altizer to discuss the skills needed to become a better hunter, and person, as they discuss the dwindling arts of Woodsmanship, Hunting, Trapping, and Traditional Bowhunting. Mike brings a unique point of view in todays modern world as he not only strives to preserve the old ways of life, but he lives his beliefs on a day-to-day basis as he raises his family. Mike is not only one of the premier selfbow bowyers in the world today, but he has successfully Trad Hunted all over the world. His success is based on the fundamental skills that he and Alan talk about and shared as they grew up in different parts of the world. This is a fantastic podcast! Enjoy it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we Re-release part 1 of Roger Rothhaar's whitetail classic “In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetails”. The name Roger Rothhaar is legendary among series whitetail hunters. Roger was way ahead of his time in whitetail bowhunting strategies and overall whitetail knowledge. With a special thanks to M. R. James, Jeff Warren of Bowhunter Magazine, and Ryan Rothhaar we are proud to bring you this long time out of print book, “In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetail” once again.      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week our friend Rob Burnham once again joins Alan Altizer to recap his INCREDIBLE 2024 season. Rob is a hardcore bowhunter, hunting at every opportunity. And did he ever make the most of the last year's opportunities. So join us as Rob graciously shares a number of hunts, including his largest whitetail from Kansas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Alan Altizer and Dalton Lewis for a recap of both the 2024 Season and the Stickboys, podcast. You will enjoy some of the strategies employed during various hunts by the team, stories of a few hunts, and a recap of the podcasts over the last year and lessons learned. Additionally, they discuss plans for the upcoming year as they bring you the listeners a wide range of knowledge based “Woodsmanship” podcasts and pure bowhunting with some of the best bowhunters alive today.   It is our sincere hope to help the next generation of outdoorsmen be better woodsman and hunters. So, pull up a seat and enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of Aaron Miller's Iowa hunt: Alan Altizer is joined again by his good friend Aaron Miller. Many hunters dream of going on an out of state hunt in pursuit of a trophy of a lifetime but never cross their state lines due to not knowing how to get started in the planning of a hunt. Aaron shares in detail the planning and execution of the various steps that he implemented to draw an Iowa tag, planning the hunt, scouting, and execution of his hunt. The luckiest hunters are generally those that work the hardest and smartest. You will follow Aaron's path over several years of planning in getting to Iowa and his day-to-day decision-making process once he was on the hunt. Set in on the conversation as Aaron generously shares his perspectives on what it takes to plan a hunt of a lifetime.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by his good friend Aaron Miller. Many hunters dream of going on an out of state hunt in pursuit of a trophy of a lifetime but never cross their state lines due to not knowing how to get started in the planning of a hunt. Aaron shares in detail the planning and execution of the various steps that he implemented to draw an Iowa tag, planning the hunt, scouting, and execution of his hunt. The luckiest hunters are generally those that work the hardest and smartest. You will follow Aaron's path over several years of planning in getting to Iowa and his day-to-day decision-making process once he was on the hunt. Set in on the conversation as Aaron generously shares his perspectives on what it takes to plan a hunt of a lifetime.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by Montana bowhunter Brian Koelzer. The truth is this podcast was recorded prior to Brian's episode on the wind. Brian and Alan share their perspectives on the magic of hunting with a traditional bow and what it has meant to them though out their lives. Brian shares his 2024 Grizzly Hunt with us, as well as what it was like growing up in Montana with so many of the trad legends as mentors. These guys love traditional bowhunting and both work towards its future for the upcoming generations. Most of all, they share how much fun it is hunting with a stick and string.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for Part 2 of the 2024 Moose hunt in Alaska's wilderness. Our friends Bryan Burkhardt and Jim Eeckhout were once again kind enough to record and share their 2024 Alaskan Moose hunt. As the 2024 deer season winds down, we are excited to bring their hunts to you. Their incredible day-to-day adventures are the things most of us only dream about. So set back and join them by the fire as they share their sixteen-day Alaskan Moose Adventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us again for a trip to Alaska's wilderness. Our friends Brian Burkhardt and Jim Eeckhardt were once again kind enough to record and share their 2024 Alaskan Moose hunt. As the 2024 deer season winds down, we are excited to bring their hunts to you. Their incredible day-to-day adventures are the things most of us only dream about. So set back and join them by the fire as they share their sixteen-day Alaskan Moose Adventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by the original “Stickboy”, Dalton Lewis, in the finale of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. In Part 5 of this series, Alan and Dalton break down the physical components of the wind and how animals utilize them on a day-to-day basis. Dalton shares his belief in the importance of understanding the animal's perspective when hunting mature animals. Enjoy this episode as these two discuss hunt strategies from scouting, approach, setups, and execution in gaining opportunities at trophy class animals. Whether you're a trad hunter, compound hunter, or a gun hunter, “The Stickboys” hope this series will provide you the listeners, a wealth of knowledge and improve your woodsmanship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by Montana bowhunter Brian Koelzer for a western perspective in Part 4 of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. Brian is one of the most successful traditional bowhunters hunting today. Having grown up as the son of trad legend Scott Koelzer, Brian also grew up hanging out with many of the other legends of Montana's traditional bowhunters. As an adult Brian has greatly expanded his bowhunting knowledge as he has successfully pursued big game throughout North America, including Grizzly and his specialty, trophy Mule deer inside 10 yards with a trad bow. Brian's perspective and approach on how to hunt the wind whether hunting Ohio whitetail, Montana elk, Wyoming Mule deer, or Alaskan grizzly has led to his amazing success in taking some incredible animals. Join Alan as Brian graciously shares his knowledge of hunting the wind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by his good friend Nathan Killen in Part 3 of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. Nathan is one of the most knowledgeable mountain whitetail hunters in North America. His ability to locate mature, public land whitetail bucks is hinged on his understanding of how the bucks utilize wind on a daily basis. Nathan constantly refines his knowledge of the secretive haunts of these bucks which is apparent with his ability to find their beds and sheds. His understanding of topography's effects on wind is unsurpassed. Set in on the conversation as Nathan generously shares his perspectives on what it takes to kill a mature mountain buck.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer is joined by his good friend Aaron Miller in part 2 of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. Alan considers Aaron to be one of the most knowledgeable whitetail hunters in North America. Aaron's success with a longbow and wood arrows on mature whitetail throughout North America is the result of years of quantitative studies, field experience, and hard work. His understanding of the winds of the whitetail and how mature bucks utilize it in varying environments has led to the demise of countless whitetail. Set in on the conversation as Aaron generously shares his perspectives on what it takes to kill a buck of a lifetime.  This series will continue over several episodes as Alan interviews some of the most successful traditional bowhunters he knows as they discuss each of their approaches on hunting the wind. Trad bow range does not allow for mistakes, so these guys have to have a solid understanding and approach. This series will provide listeners a wealth of knowledge and improve your woodsmanship.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Alan Altizer begins the start of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. This five-part series begins by breaking down the physical components of the wind and how animals utilize them on a day-to-day basis. Alan stresses the importance of understanding the animal's perspective, not the hunter's, when hunting mature animals. Once the hunter understands the animal's needs, they can then greatly increase their opportunities at trophy class animals. This series will continue over several episodes as Alan interviews some of the most successful traditional bowhunters he knows as they discuss each of their approaches on hunting the wind. Trad bow range does not allow for mistakes, so these guys have to have a solid understanding and approach. This series will provide listeners a wealth of knowledge and improve your woodsmanship.      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TBM Owner, T.J. Conrads and former PBS President Jim Akenson introduce the newly formed Traditional Bowhunters Hall of Fame. The Traditional Bowhunters Hall of Fame Inc. was created to preserve the rich history of bowhunters who hunt with longbows, recurves, and selfbows. The organizational goal of TBHOF is to recognize and honor individual sportsmen, women, adventurers, conservationists, and craftsman. Some have gone on before us and some are still here today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gene Wensel graciously shares stories of floating Jay Massey's Moose John River in Alaska with his friend Paul Bruner in pursuit of moose and caribou. Jay was one off the incredible outdoorsmen in modern times and defined the best parts of traditional bowhunting while living the ethics of the hunt. So, pull up a chair and join Gene and Alan Altizer as they pay tribute to Jay's life. God bless the "The Pathfinder". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Alan and Dalton talk adaption in the whitetail woods as the season progresses. Join in on this woodsman-centric conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gene Wensel graciously shares stories of floating Jay Massey's Moose John River in Alaska with his friend Paul Bruner in pursuit of moose and caribou. Jay was one of the most incredible outdoorsmen in modern times and defined the best parts of traditional bowhunting while living the ethics of the hunt. So pull up a chair and join Gene and Alan Altizer as they pay tribute to Jay's life. God bless "The Pathfinder".  

Pull up a chair and join in on a discusion between Alan Altizer and Dalton Lewis on early season shooting, scouting, and setups in preparation for the opening of season. This is a continuation of Early Season Techniques which featured Nathan Killen in Part 1. These two buddies discuss their approaches and reasoning utilized to zero in on locations which will provide shot opportunities in early season. By the way, by the time this one is released, one nice buck could have testified these techniques work, if he was still alive!! "Dalton sure just proved it!!"

Hunting season is nearly here. Join friends Nathan Killen and Alan Altizer as they sit down to discuss advanced methods of scouting and setting up on whitetail, with a heavy focus on older class bucks. These two discuss in great detail their approaches to early season whitetail. This is woodsmanship at a top level. 

On May 26, 2024, we lost our friend and PBS member Stanley Rodrigue. Stanley not only bowhunted the right way, he loved his family and friends as he lived his life the right way. Share with us this tribute to this good man's life.

This week Alan Altizer sets down with his friend Gene Wensel to discuss Gene's bow hunting career outside of the whitetail world. Gene has taken countless species with traditional equipment from Alaska to Africa. Gene not only shares many of these stories, but passes on some sound wisdom, laughs, and great life stories.  

This week, Alan Altizer is joined by Virginia bowhunter Rob Burnham. Rob is one of the most gracious members of PBS, freely giving of his time and talents in support of bowhunting. Having bowhunted since the 1970s, Rob's adventures have carried him throughout North American and Africa. Join us as Rob and Alan spend the early morning hours before church reminiscing about nearly fifty years of bowhunting experiences.  

This week Alan is joined by a great friend of Gene Wensel's, Chris Blaskowski. Chris has bowhunted throughout North America, having taken numerous species with a traditional bow. His successful career has led him to being named the Montana Bowhunter of the year on two occasions. But tonight, heavy attention is placed on lion hunting with a twist and his pal Cain.

Join us this week as Dalton sits down with Clay Epperson, a hog's absolute worst nightmare. Clay lives in Texas, and finds himself chasing hogs all night more times than not. His approach is unique, and extremely fun. He has been particularly successful in recent weeks, as environmental factors have had the hogs up early and often. We talk night hunting hogs, bowhunting hogs in general, and gameplan on our hunt early next month. Enjoy! 

We're all bears this week on the pod as Dalton is joined by Curt Cabrera, Cade Cabrera, and "BigEd" Schlimme. With that kind of crew there's bound to be some laughs! This crew will be headed north in a couple of weeks, so they talk stories from last year as well as strategies and excitement for this year. Check it out! 

We've heard it said before that a wild hog is a "poor man's Grizzly." However you want to describe them, they're a ton of fun and a great animal to bowhunt! On this episode, Dalton and Alan talk everything hogs with a canoe full of stories included! Check it out! 

On this episode, Dalton sits down with Mike Funderburk from Hunt Better. Mike is a new traditional bowhunter, having just completed his first full season with a stickbow, after years of being very successful with a compound. Topics covered include struggles of getting started, common problems for beginners, remedies, and of course a lot of laughs along the way. Check it out--especially if you're a new, or about to be a new traditional bowhunter. 

On this week's Woodmanship episode, it's all turkeys! Dalton and Alan sit down and break down a few woodsmanship details that could make all the difference for you this Spring! 

This week we're joined by our good friend Tim Jones to talk about calling bears.  In many areas of Appalachia, baiting bears isn't legal and bowhunters have to learn to rely on other tactics.  Tim discusses how he utilizes woodsmanship and predator calls to draw them in close!