Ep. 38: Dad Caught a Giant Trout...Then Opening Day Went Off the Rails

This episode kicks off with one of the funniest moments we’ve had in camp — and no, it’s not about deer or turkeys (at first). You’re getting trout stories, massive fish, and my dad unexpectedly stealing the show.Then we get into the first weekend of Pennsylvania’s spring gobbler season, where things took a wild turn before daylight even settled in. We talk about:A 23 3/8-inch trout that blew everyone awayWhy my dad might secretly want to be on the podcastOur morning hunt setups, how things unfolded, and who got shots off earlyThe weather swings that made gobbler movement unpredictableReal-world spring turkey hunting takeaways you can useThis is one of those episodes where the hunting was solid, the stories were better, and we left the woods with full hearts and full coolers.🧠 Why listen?I’m Mike Manley — a retired Green Beret turned bowhunter and strategist. I bring decades of experience planning missions, scouting terrain, and executing under pressure — and I apply all of that to helping everyday hunters like you hunt smarter.[0:00] My dad’s podcast debut and a monster trout story[10:30] How the trout turned into a “trout gun” (yeah, really)[14:00] Our spring gobbler opener and what went down before 6:30 AM[19:45] The challenges of shifting weather and adjusting on the fly[26:00] Key lessons for any turkey hunter heading into the woods📬 Join the Insider (100% Free)Get weekly strategy tips, gear picks, and exclusive downloads → https://geni.us/everdayinsider🔗 Useful Links:Website: https://archeryhunting.comGear: https://geni.us/2025gearlist🎯 Follow on Social:Instagram | Facebook | YouTube → @EverydayBowHunter

Most bowhunters set their sight and forget it. But dialing in your bow sight the right way—with real field feedback, not just range sessions—can make the difference between a clean shot and a clean miss.In this episode, Dan and I break down some of the overlooked details about bow sight setup, especially for mobile and public land bowhunters. We talk about second and third axis leveling, why most bowhunters don’t practice the right way, and what you should actually be thinking about before you draw back on a buck.We also talk gear, practice habits, and how to build confidence in your setup—not just in your yard, but in real hunting situations. If you’ve ever second-guessed your sight in the moment of truth, this one’s for you.What We Cover in This Episode:The common bow sight mistake most hunters overlookHow to think about yardage and angle compensation in the woodsReal talk about practicing for real-world bowhunting, not 3D targetsWhy second and third axis leveling actually matters (and when it doesn’t)Confidence, sight adjustment, and what makes a system reliable under pressureMike and Dan’s personal sight setup tips from the fieldMentioned Gear & ToolsTruglo Apex Covert Pro Bow Sight ➡︎ https://geni.us/Hp5sCBE Trek 3-Pin Bow Sight ➡︎ https://geni.us/gXdM9WBGardePro Trail Camera ➡︎ https://geni.us/gardepro-liveMy 2025 Gear List (What I'm Carrying): ➡︎ https://bit.ly/2025-gear Best Bow Hunting Gear of 2025 (My Picks) ➡︎ https://bit.ly/42pM7jOConnect with Mike & Dan:🎯 Website: https://archeryhunting.com📺 YouTube: The Everyday Bow Hunter🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast for weekly bowhunting insights from the field.

Spring scouting is the key to unlocking mature buck bedding areas in hill country. If you want to tag a big buck this fall, now is the time to hit the woods and find primary and secondary bedding, travel routes, and terrain features that hold deer year after year.In this episode, we break down exactly how to scout hill country buck beds, including:✔ Where Bucks Bed in Hill Country – How they use ridges, points, and leeward slopes.✔ Key Bedding Sign to Look For – Identifying buck beds, rub lines, and transition areas.✔ How Thermals & Wind Impact Bedding – Why bucks bed in specific spots based on wind and thermals.✔ Using E-Scouting to Find Bedding Before You Scout – Tips for mapping out your scouting trips.✔ Trail Camera Strategies for Bedding Areas – How to monitor bucks without blowing them out.✔ Boots-on-the-Ground Scouting – Why spring is the best time to locate untouched buck beds.If you hunt in big woods, hill country, or pressured public land, these scouting techniques will give you an edge when the season rolls around.=============================All Products and Gear Mentioned in this Video=============================Bohning Pocket Quiver: ➡︎ https://amzn.to/4ipwKimBohning Fletching Jig (w/Straight Clamp): ➡︎ https://amzn.to/4iFvwiABohning Right Clamp (for Right Helical Fletching) ➡︎ https://amzn.to/4bGUU5jSitka Equinox Guard Insect Shield Hoody ➡︎ https://alnk.to/3U2AUtFEaston 4mm FMJ Arrows ➡︎ https://eastonarchery.com/arrows_/4mm-fmj-match-grade/My 2024 Gear List Breakdown: ➡︎ https://bit.ly/2024-gear

The hunt doesn’t start in the fall—it starts right now in the off-season. In this episode of The Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast, Mike Manley and Dan Zeamer break down what bowhunters should be doing now to set themselves up for success when the season rolls around.From fine-tuning your shooting form to scouting better spots and analyzing what worked (or didn’t) last season, this episode is packed with real-world strategies for the everyday bowhunter.🔑 Key Topics in This Episode:✅ Off-season shooting routines – How to keep your form sharp and avoid bad habits✅ Why your scouting isn’t over – How to analyze last season’s deer movement and adjust✅ Bow setup and tuning tips – Adjustments you should make now, not in September✅ Gear check: What’s working and what’s not – How to optimize your setup✅ Hunting mindset & mental preparation – Why your confidence matters just as much as your bowIf you’re serious about becoming a better bowhunter, the work starts NOW. This episode gives you a step-by-step approach to making the most of the off-season.🔔 Subscribe & Follow to The Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast so you never miss an episode!📌 Resources & Links:📍 Website: The Everyday Bow Hunter📍 YouTube Channel📍 Instagram📍 Facebook💬 Have questions or a topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message on Instagram or in the YouTube comments!

Bowhunting success isn’t just about what happens during the season—it’s about theadjustments you make in the off-season. In this episode, Dan and I talk abouthow we’re dialing in our bows, fixing last season’s mistakes, and prepping for next year’s hunts.After my visit to theGreat American Outdoor Show, I picked up anew bow and I’m walking through thesetup and tuning process to optimize it for my hunting style. Dan shares how he’s tweaking hiscurrent bow setup to get better accuracy and consistency.We also coverthe best ways to save money on hunting gear by timing your purchases, using specific websites, and findingoff-season gear deals.----------------------------------------------Topics Covered in This Episode:🎯New Bow Setup: How I’m setting up my new bow for maximum performance.🎯Tuning & Adjustments: What we changed in our bow setups and why.🎯Off-Season Bow Prep: What every bowhunter should do before next season.🎯Saving Money on Hunting Gear: The best websites, deals, and when to buy.----------------------------------------------------Why This Episode Matters: • If you’rebuying a new bow, this episode will help you set it up the right way. • If you’retuning your current bow, learn the key adjustments to improve accuracy. • If you want tosave money on hunting gear, we share the best ways to do it in the off-season.Listen & Subscribe:📍Website:ArcheryHunting.com📺YouTube Channel:The Everyday Bow Hunter#bowhunting #bowtuning #offseasonhunting #newbowsetup #archeryhunting #huntinggeardeals #beginnerbowhunting

Bowhunting success isn’t just about what happens in the fall—it starts with the work you put in during the off-season. In this episode, Dan and I dive into essential off-season bowhunting tips to help you prepare for your best season yet. What’s Inside This Episode: • Trail Camera Strategies: Learn how to maximize battery life, improve placement, and gather valuable data for next season. • Exodus Outdoor Gear Closure: What this means for hunters and how to take advantage of trade-in programs from Tactacam and Moultrie for new trail cameras. • Bow Shopping Tips: How to upgrade or tune your gear during the off-season. • Late Season Hunting Insights: Lessons from my recent cold-weather hunt and practical takeaways for hunting in frigid conditions. • Winter Scouting Tips: Key strategies for identifying scrapes, rubs, and other deer sign to prepare for next season. Whether you’re tracking mature bucks, upgrading your gear, or scouting for better stand locations, this episode has something for every bowhunter looking to maximize their off-season efforts. Connect With Us: 🌐 Website: ArcheryHunting.com 📺 YouTube Channel: The Everyday Bow Hunter

Late-season bow hunting offers unique opportunities to tag a buck and set yourself up for future success. In this episode, we discuss how to hunt during the cold weather months when deer are focused on food sources, and how to use snow tracking to locate them more effectively. We also cover the importance of post-season scouting, sharing tips on how to identify scrapes, rubs, and trails left behind from the fall. By using these signs, you can better understand deer movement patterns and prepare for next year’s archery season. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How to locate deer in the late season using food and snow tracking. • Cold weather bow hunting strategies for better success. • Scouting tips to interpret deer sign and plan future hunts. • Why late-season hunting is ideal for learning and improving for next year. Whether you’re looking to fill your tag now or gain a competitive edge for next season, this episode provides actionable advice for every bow hunter. Connect With Us: • Website: ArcheryHunting.com • YouTube Channel: The Everyday Bow Hunter #lateseasonhunting #deerhuntingtips #scoutingfornextseason #coldweatherhunting #bowhuntingstrategies #theeverydaybowhunter #bowhunting

Dan and I sit down to reflect on the hard lessons we learned during this challenging bow season. From in-season scouting strategies to adjusting for tough hunting conditions, we’re sharing what worked, what didn’t, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes. We also dive into the controversy surrounding Tim Kennedy and the Antihero Podcast’s claims of stolen valor and combat experience exaggerations in his book Scars and Stripes. As a retired Green Beret, I share my personal reaction to these accusations and how I approach these types of discussions based on my own military experience. Hard lessons we learned from this year’s bow season and what we’ll do differently next year. The importance of in-season scouting and how it can change the game. How to layer for mid- and late-season hunts to stay warm and comfortable. My reaction to the Tim Kennedy stolen valor controversy as a former Green Beret. Bow hunters looking to improve their skills and avoid common mistakes. Hunters interested in strategies for mid-season and late-season success. Listeners curious about the Tim Kennedy drama and a military perspective on the claims. Whether you’re a seasoned bow hunter or just starting out, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in for actionable advice, honest reflections, and a little bit of drama. Connect With Us: Visit our website: ArcheryHunting.com Follow us on YouTube: The Everyday Bow Hunter Episode Hashtags:#BowHunting #TimKennedyDrama #InSeasonScouting #HuntingGearTips #ColdWeatherHunting Key Topics in This Episode:Who Should Listen:

In this episode, Dan and I dive into the drama we encountered after a buck was hit during the last weekend of fall archery in Pennsylvania. ⭐️See Our Video Podcast Episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvA2y-EH_jD7lK6QiCJPrkHXsGyLAFJyX Asio Gear - Get 20% OFF w/Code: ARCH20 - https://bit.ly/asio20-OFF True Timber - Get 10% OFF w/Code: MIKE10 - https://bit.ly/true-timber Pnuma Outdoors - Get 20% OFF w/Code: MANLEY20 - https://bit.ly/3Tdpag8 GhostBlind - Get 5% OFF w/Code: MIKE - https://bit.ly/summitghostblind Black Rifle Coffee - Get 30% OFF Coffee Subscription w/Code: COFFEE30 - https://bit.ly/3Xrohmt Moultrie Mobile - Get 10% OFF w/Code: MKT - https://bit.ly/moultriemobile My Medic - Get 15% OFF w/Code: TEBH24 - https://bit.ly/mymedickit ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Get "The Everyday Bow Hunter" SWAG Here: https://bit.ly/4g7pwyO 📌 SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL NOW! - https://bit.ly/youtube-subscribe-link ⬇️⬇️⬇️ THE BOWHUNTING GEAR I USE! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 2024 Mathews Lift - https://www.mathewsinc.com/product/lift29-5/ Tru-Fire 4-Finger Release - https://amzn.to/3U5d2g1 Apex Covert Pro Black Power Dot Sight - https://amzn.to/3X0stK8 SUNYA Archery Bow Stabilizer - https://amzn.to/3X1mQeX Trophy Ridge 5-Arrow Quiver - https://amzn.to/3dh8XEU MATHEWS QAD Rest - https://amzn.to/4bXQOED Victory VAP TKO Elite Arrows - https://amzn.to/4bF1rwp Trifecta 150g "Stealth Bomber" Fixed Blade Broadheads - https://bit.ly/trifecta-150 My New Toy - https://amzn.to/4aEOXnm 🔧 GEAR I'M CURRENTLY TESTING Lattitude Outdoors Maverick Saddle - https://alnk.to/bPdHLEd Lattitude Outdoors Profile Platform - https://alnk.to/4qLSzoq Millenium Tree Seat - https://amzn.to/3N6R0qZ Eberlestock X2 Pack - https://amzn.to/4dujWUA Mystery Ranch Anchor Bow Case - https://alnk.to/3nhkGxv MyMedic Sidekick - https://alnk.to/d3Ch4JR MyMedic MyFAK Mini - https://alnk.to/60ZXQ7S 📌 SUBSCRIBE NOW! - https://bit.ly/youtube-subscribe-link =========================== Connect with me! ============================= Facebook: ➡︎ / ArcheryHunting IG: ➡︎ / theeverydaybowhunter Twitter: ➡︎ / archeryhuntingx =========================== Want to work with me here at The Everday Bow Hunter: =========================== ⚡️Website: ➡︎ https://archeryhunting.com/ ⚡️Contact or Business Inquiries: ➡︎ https://archeryhunting.com/contact-us/ =========================== #bowhuntingpodcast #publiclanddeerhunting #theeverydaybowhunter #bowhunting #huntingstories #deerhuntingstories 🌟 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN =========================== Welcome to episode 30 of The Everyday Bowhunter Podcast where we discuss our intense focus on finding mature bucks and share insights about public land hunting. After a long break due to extensive early season hunting commitments, we're back to share our experiences with saddle hunting and discuss proven deer management strategies. We dive deep into successful food plot implementation that's been working for us this season. 🎙️🦌 In this episode, we detail the last two weeks of our public land deer hunting in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania. A lot of drama and crazy events happen that you have to hear to believe. Things don't go down the way we want them, but a nice buck was ultimately taken down. Hear the entire, gut-wrenching bow hunting story in this episode of the Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast. Dan I I went remote and hunted at the top of a mountain where you can only get to with an ebike if you don't want to hike all day to get there. We saw quite a few bucks along the way. I even had a buck at 5, 10, and 15 yards! DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Learn more here: https://archeryhunting.com/affiliate-disclosure/

An epic start to the deer season with a deer down in camp and a 51-year drought ended. This was an incredible start to the 2024 archery season here in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania. In addition, we dig into the first four weeks of bow season and talk about the trials and tribulations of whitetail deer hunting on public land in the mountains. 🔧 My 2024 Bow Hunting Gear List - https://bit.ly/2024-gear ⭐️SEE more of the Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvA2y-EH_jD7lK6QiCJPrkHXsGyLAFJyX ============================= My Discount Codes for You! ============================= Asio Gear - Get 20% OFF w/Code: ARCH20 - https://bit.ly/asio20-OFF Pnuma Outdoors - Get 20% OFF w/Code: MANLEY20 - https://bit.ly/3Tdpag8 Black Rifle Coffee - Get 30% OFF Coffee Subscription w/Code: COFFEE30 - https://bit.ly/3Xrohmt Moultrie Mobile - Get 10% OFF w/Code: MKT - https://bit.ly/moultriemobile My Medic - Get 15% OFF w/Code: TEBH24 - https://bit.ly/mymedickit ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Get "The Everyday Bow Hunter" SWAG Here: https://bit.ly/4g7pwyO 📌 SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL NOW! - https://bit.ly/youtube-subscribe-link ⬇️⬇️⬇️ THE BOWHUNTING GEAR I USE! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 2024 Mathews Lift - https://www.mathewsinc.com/product/lift29-5/ Tru-Fire 4-Finger Release - https://amzn.to/3U5d2g1 Apex Covert Pro Black Power Dot Sight - https://amzn.to/3X0stK8 SUNYA Archery Bow Stabilizer - https://amzn.to/3X1mQeX Trophy Ridge 5-Arrow Quiver - https://amzn.to/3dh8XEU MATHEWS QAD Rest - https://amzn.to/4bXQOED Victory VAP TKO Elite Arrows - https://amzn.to/4bF1rwp Trifecta 150g "Stealth Bomber" Fixed Blade Broadheads - https://bit.ly/trifecta-150 My Rattan E-Bike - https://amzn.to/4aEOXnm 🔧 GEAR I'M CURRENTLY TESTING Lattitude Outdoors Maverick Saddle - https://alnk.to/bPdHLEd Lattitude Outdoors Profile Platform - https://alnk.to/4qLSzoq Millenium Tree Seat - https://amzn.to/3N6R0qZ Eberlestock X2 Pack - https://amzn.to/4dujWUA Mystery Ranch Anchor Bow Case - https://alnk.to/3nhkGxv MyMedic Sidekick - https://alnk.to/d3Ch4JR MyMedic MyFAK Mini - https://alnk.to/60ZXQ7S 🔗 ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS Hunting Hot Deer Sign - https://archeryhunting.com/rubs-scrapes-tracks-how-to-scout-hunt-hot-deer-sign/ Deer Movement Patterns - https://archeryhunting.com/understanding-deer-movement-patterns-for-bow-hunting-success/ Still Hunting - https://archeryhunting.com/still-hunting-the-art-of-adaptability-in-bow-hunting/ Hunting the Wind - https://archeryhunting.com/how-to-use-the-wind-to-hunt-deer/ 📌 SUBSCRIBE NOW! - https://bit.ly/youtube-subscribe-link =========================== Connect with me! ============================= Facebook: ➡︎ / ArcheryHunting IG: ➡︎ / theeverydaybowhunter Twitter: ➡︎ / archeryhuntingx =========================== Want to work with me here at The Everday Bow Hunter: =========================== ⚡️Website: ➡︎ https://archeryhunting.com/ ⚡️Contact or Business Inquiries: ➡︎ https://archeryhunting.com/contact-us/ =========================== #deerhunting #publiclanddeerhunting #theeverydaybowhunter #bowhunting #huntingpodcast #podcast 🌟 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN =========================== In this episode, Dan and I dig into the first 4 weeks of the Pennsylvania archery season, what deer we have seen, and what our active scouting of hot deer sign and setting up on this fresh deer sign is doing for us while hunting public land here in hill country. We go into how the heat and lack of rain are driving what we are doing and how its affecting where we hunt deer right now. We get into how our uncle Mark killed his first archery deer after a 51-year drought and now is on the board at 69 years old. Congratulations Mark! We also talk about how we will go to the cabin for a week starting November 4th to go bow hunting for 6 straight days.