Preparing Physically for Bowhunting with Matty Turner & Andy Leonard

🎧 Listen Now: This is a 2-part podcast. Part 1 is a solo episode with Matty Turner explaining how he gained 12 kg over 3 months and then lost it in the following 6 months. He gives you the calculations and protocol for what he calls “The Lazy Man’s Carb Cycling.” This was the exact method Matty used to drop the 12 kgs over a 12-week period. Part 2 is from an interview hosted by Andy Leonard from the Stalk Outdoors Podcast. Around July 2025, Andy interviewed Matty on his podcast to discuss all things nutrition and fitness for preparing for a backpack hunt in New Zealand. They cover potential exercises to focus on, nutrition for the mountains, and potential weight gain in the lead-up to the trip. Podcast topics Brett Meldrum’s Hunt GiveawayBoars for a CauseTerrorist attack in Bondi and what that potentially means for gun ownership in Australia.Gaining and losing 12kgs over a 6-month timeframe.How Andy’s own injuries reshaped his training philosophyFunctionality over weight in exercise every day.Key movements for mobility, core strength, and joint stability for bowhuntingWarmups in the field to mitigate shoulder injuries.Programming tips for busy hunters who can’t train 5 days a weekThe fitter you are, the more likely you’ll be successful in the bush Whether you’re preparing for an overseas hunting trip yourself or you just want to get in better physical shape for bowhunting in general, this is a great episode for you. Connect with the Guests Andy Leonard (Stalk Outdoors) Instagram: @stalkoutdoors.podcast 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: 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 is joined by Brad Murphy and Ben Atherton for a deep dive into Australia’s most elusive and challenging deer species: Sambar. Brad shares his decades of experience as a bowhunting coach, explaining how to pattern sambar behaviour, know where to find them and how to best set your expectations for hunting them.  Ben has hunted Sambar deer his whole life… It’s only within the past few years he’s chased them with a bow, but in that time he’s successfully taken them with a stick bow and has a lot of incredibly useful knowledge on Sambar deer to share.  We break this detailed overview into a few sections. Seasonal hunting, how to find them, habits of the deer, and how to best be successful on public land. Whether you’re planning your first hunt or chasing your 20th, this is the most comprehensive and practical episodes we’ve ever recorded on hunting sambar deer with a bow. 🔍 What We Cover: How sambar differ from other deer (and why so many hunters get it wrong)What to look for when trying to locate Sambar deer in new locationsSambar deer are Browsers… Which means what exactly?Visiting preach tree’s year-roundSambar are creatures of habit like every other deer.How to plan a trip and hunt them on public land. And a heck of a lot more. Find Our Guests: Brad Murphy Instagram: @thebowhuntingcoach Ben Atherton Instagram: @ben_atho_hunts 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 of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty sits down with Troy Fowler, better known as Ranch Fairy, to dive deep into the science, ethics, and gear setups behind repeatable bowhunting. Troy’s known for testing gear, sharing data, and helping bowhunters take clean, lethal shots on animals. He works closely with the Ashby Foundation, and everything they do aims to use physics and numbers to speak for the results. Whether you’re brand new to bowhunting or you’ve been flinging arrows for decades, this episode may challenge the way you think about arrow weight, broadheads, tuning, and arrow speed. What you’ll hear about in this episode: Heart Vs. Lung shotsThe different compartments of the lungs and how they functionWhy bowhunters need to stop chasing speed and start chasing penetration Why bow tuning + arrow nock tuning should be the standard Kinetic energy vs Momentum and what this actually meansArrow weight, mechanical vs fixed, and the real test: shoulder bones Troy’s journey into bowhunting and how Ranch Fairy was born from hard truths and experimentation Stories from the field: pigs, elk, shoulder shots, and what makes Troy trust his system This episode is a wake-up call. If you’ve ever hit an animal and wondered why it didn’t die… you need to hear what Ranch Fairy has to say.  Follow Troy Fowler (Ranch Fairy) Instagram: @ranchfairy YouTube: Ranch Fairy Channel Website & Resources: ranchfairy.com https://www.ashbybowhunting.org/  Follow Becoming a Bowhunter Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter Episode Sponsors Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium blends. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off. @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision-engineered for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off. @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for serious hunts. @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – High-performance carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off. @jabstickoutdoors

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 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

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 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

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