Using Deer Data To Improve Your Bowhunting with Kip Adams
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
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1:22:55
How Loud Are Your Arrows with Jamie Macintosh & Hayden Rylewski
In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty is joined by Jamie Macintosh and Hayden Rylewski.
These two recently conducted a sound test on arrows, and what they found is pretty incredible.
Inside this episode, we go into all of the elements they tested and break down exactly what makes your arrows loud or quiet while they’re soaring through the air.
The boys then help to draw the lines between their data and what that means for us bowhunters.
Pretty much the sound of your arrow in flight could be the difference between an animal ducking the shot or not.
Podcast Topics:
Testing Methods: How they measure bow and arrow noise with chronographs, microphones, and a backyard DIY setup that actually worksChallenges in Testing: The impact of changing humidity, shifting light, and what it takes to get results that hold up in the fieldArrow Flight & Noise: How fletching, helical twist, and nock setup all change the sound of your shotBroadhead Comparisons: Two blades versus three, long and pointy versus wide and stubby, vented versus solid, and what that means for noiseReal-World Impacts: Stories of animals jumping the string and how small sound changes can make a big differenceFuture Gear & Testing Plans: What the boys have planned for further tests, plus where you can see the data and use this information for your arrow setup.
Whether you’re a gear tinkerer or just want to make your setup as silent as possible, this is one of the most practical deep dives we’ve ever done.
Find Our Guests:
Hayden Rylewski - Instagram: @dos_bowhunting
Jamie Macintosh - Instagram: @archery_sound_lab
Find 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
Wild Deer Outdoors & Hunting Expo – 11th & 12th October 2025 Lardner Park, VIC - https://www.deerexpo.com.au/ @wilddeerexpo
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1:42:12
Improve Your Accuracy With a Traditional Bow with Tom Clum
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
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2:24:25
Animal Anatomy for Bowhunting Success with Brian Johnson
In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty is joined by Brian Johnson, also known as The Anatomy Hunter, for a deep dive into why understanding the anatomy of your target species can make or break your hunt.
Brian’s mission is simple: to help bowhunters take more ethical, effective shots by knowing exactly where to aim. From deer to elk, pigs to predators, we unpack how a little anatomical knowledge can dramatically improve your odds in the field.
We cover everything from broadside and quartering shot placement to 3D targets, bone structure, and why visualising the vitals before you draw is critical. Whether you’re new to bowhunting or a seasoned hunter, this conversation will make you think differently about your next shot.
Podcast topics:
Why animal anatomy is a bowhunter’s best tool for successHow to adjust your aiming point based on angle, species, and body positionCommon mistakes bowhunters make when picking a shot placementUsing 3D targets and realistic visuals to train your shot processThe mental game, visualising the kill zone before releaseEthical hunting: reducing tracking time and lost animals through precise shootingHow Brian built The Anatomy Hunter and what’s next for the platform
Follow Brian:
Instagram: @theanatomyhunter
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
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2:15:02
Meaningful Connection To The Land with Alesha Tomasi
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
South Africa