Expect the Unexpected with Mature Bucks

Many bowhunters will tell you they never feel more free than when they are afield with a bow in hand. But for guests at Camp Freedom, that is true on many levels. Matt Guedes, Camp Freedom's executive director, joins us to discuss how the nonprofit organization uses archery and bowhunting to aid the healing process of thousands of military veterans, first responders and their families.  For more information, visit https://campfreedompa.org

Spot-Hogg is an iconic name in the archery world, and it's all about accuracy. In fact, the company got its name after its founding father was accused of "hogging the spot" on a tournament target. Two decades later, Spot-Hogg continues to produce some of the most advanced, precise and durable bow accessories on the market. Co-owner Josh Johnson joins us to discuss the new ROTI Modular Sight System and much more.

Bowtech and Excalibur recently launched their 2026 lineups, led by the new Bowtech Alliance and Excalibur RevX TD. Brand Manager Todd Snader joined us at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas to talk about the new models and explain the many high-tech innovations that boost accuracy and help you be more successful in the field.

You could say that Bowhunter TV co-host Danny Farris is lucky. But the truth is, persistence is the real key to his success. After a quarter century of applying for bighorn sheep tag in his home state of Colorado, Farris finally drew the once-in-a-lifetime license in 2025, taking a massive, trophy-class ram during his December hunt. Farris recounts a quarter century of patient waiting, followed by an intense four days in the mountains that culminated with a perfect shot at a range of just 25 yards.

The 2026 Archery Trade Show is just around the corner, and we're expecting a host of new saddles, climbing sticks and related gear to debut in early January. Saddle-hunting authority Greg Staggs, host of the popular Staggs in the Wild YouTube channel, joins us to recap his successful fall whitetail hunts and offer his predictions about what the New Year has in store when it comes to equipment trends for the mobile bowhunter.

January has always been a big month for the bowhunting community, and in 2026 it's going to be bigger than ever thanks to the inaugural Archery and Bowhunting Super Show, a two-day consumer event being held on the heels of the annual Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. ATA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Poole joins us to discuss this exciting new event, which will give bowhunters an opportunity to attend the archery industry's largest annual gathering to see all the new-for-2026 bows and bowhunting gear up close and personal. Add in the NFAA's Rushmore Rumble and S3DA Indoor Open tournaments happening in tandem with the show and you have the perfect recipe for an all-out stick and string celebration in Indy!

As November winds down and the holidays loom, the rut is waning across the northern two thirds of the whitetail range. Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg, Digital Editor Drew Pellman and Social Media  Manager Tony Jenniges recap their recent hunts, share observations and insights gleaned along the way and look ahead to late-season hunting and upcoming coverage of the 2026 Archery Trade Show in January.

With archery deer seasons now underway, what's the best way to make your trail cameras work for you. Moultrie's Mark Olis joins us to discuss how in-season trail-cam placement differs from pre-season placement and how you can make the most out of your trail-cam data to be a more efficient bowhunter this fall.

Derrick Dixon, founder of Whitetail Research, has been setting the deer-hunting world on fire of late, thanks to the amazing insights he has gathered on mature buck movement and behavior. Armed with a high-tech, infrared drone, the Missouri resident has literally been following mature bucks on the daily, recording their travels and interactions to piece together patterns and glean new understanding about arguably the greatest mystery in all of bowhunting – why mature bucks do what they do. Dixon joins us to discuss his amazing, ongoing research projects and how what he's learning can, and can't, benefit us as hunters. For more information, visit https://whitetailresearch.net

If you bowhunt long enough, it's going to happen. You hit an animal, and the shot placement is not ideal. The decisions you make after the shot are critical to maximize your odds of recovery. Noted Colorado bowhunter Jace Bauserman recounts his recent elk hunt and the multi-day, 30-mile effort to recover his bull.