Becoming a Bowhunter

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

In this episode of Becoming a Bowhunter, Matty is joined once again by Ben Salleras, one of only a handful of hunters to ever complete the elusive South Pacific Slam. But what even is that? Ben unpacks the  “South Pacific 15,” the challenges of defining a slam in our part of the world, and why the pursuit became such a personal obsession. We dive deep into the last hunt that finished off his South Pacific Slam, the Wapiti from the intense terrain in Fiordland, NZ  Podcast Topics: The South Pacific 15: What species make the list, what gets left out, and why the official slam isn’t quite officialFiordland Realities: Brutal terrain, vertical jungle, and one of the harder hunts Ben has ever doneCatseye Block Breakdown: Choosing the right block and period for wapiti successCompleting the Slam: The planning, prep, and long-range logistics that led to the final tick — the Fiordland wapitiGotta Catch ’Em All: Why collecting species hits the same nerve as childhood card collectingHybrid Bugles & Elk Behavior: Why most wapiti calls in Fiordland sound more like elk than red deerMindset in the Mountains: Choosing the right hunting partner, dealing with weather windows, and staying cool under pressureThis young bull wants to fight… The story of Ben nearly being attacked by an aggressive young Wapiti bull.I saw two possible locations for the tent in the 6 days we were there From hunting pigs in Queensland to global adventures… Anything is possible when you set your mind to it. Ben shares future goals, trips planned and a reflection on just what he has achieved with a bow. Whether you’ve dreamed of your own slam or just love hearing in-depth yarns about a hunt, this is a thoughtful and wild ride through Benny’s  South Pacific’s bowhunting feat. Find Ben Salleras: Instagram: @bensalleras Find Becoming a Bowhunter: Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @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 Steve Dimitrakellis—chairman of Trophy Takers Australia—for a yarn that dives deep into traditional gear, bowhunting history, and why community is everything in this game. Steve shares how he got started with a bow as a workaround for not being allowed a rifle, and how that decision sparked a lifelong obsession with bowhunting. From building wood arrows and tuning longbows to keeping the culture alive through Trophy Takers, this is a rich conversation full of wisdom, laughs, and bowhunting tradition. What You’ll Hear About: Growing up with a strong bowhunting culture in Albury and Twin City BowmanHow traditional gear shaped Steve’s hunting style and preferencesTips for tuning arrows, brace height, and reducing bow noiseThe appeal (and obsession) of longbows over compoundsThe story and mission behind Trophy Takers AustraliaThe importance of community, mentorship, and passing on the passionScoring systems: Douglas vs Pope & Young vs Boone & CrockettThe evolution of bowhunting gear from plastic rests to precision carbonsWhy the Trophy Takers annual awards are more than just a trophy night Whether you’re a trad bow shooter, new to bowhunting, or someone who’s been around long enough to remember wood arrows and score sheets by post, this episode is a celebration of everything that makes bowhunting special. Find Steve Dimitrakellis Instagram: @memosity48 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. @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. @jabstickoutdoors