Petersen's Bowhunting Radio

Sooner or later, every bowhunter experiences a good run of bad luck, when absolutely nothing goes right. For Colorado bowhunter Danny Farris, the 2023 season was nearly four months of disaster, followed suddenly by two trophy whitetails in a span of just four days! Danny and Editor Christian Berg discuss how a positive attitude and refusal to quit are the keys to surviving the slumps and starting your next hunting hot streak.

Crossbow hunting continues to grow in popularity, and on this episode Barnett CEO Ryan Busbice joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss what to look for if you’re in the market for a new horizontal bow. Whether you are looking to purchase a first crossbow for your kids or upgrade your current rig with something better, this episode is one you won't want to miss!

Peak rut is winding down, and your deer tag is still burning a hole in your pocket. Don’t fret; you can still get the job done! Successful whitetail hunters and outdoor communicators Josh Honeycutt and Tim Kent join Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss how you can make your own deer-hunting luck in late November and December.

The Bowhunting crew downed three bucks in four days during last week's Ohio rut hunt! Join Editor Christian Berg, Contributor Clint Casper and certified whitetail fanatic Ryan Bertsch as they recap the hunt and discuss how adapting to ever-changing conditions throughout the rut was key to their success.

It's Go Time, and we help you score! Dave Mitchell and Matt Morrett from the Pennsylvania Game Commission — two avid deer hunters with more than 50 years of combined bowhunting experience — join Associate Editor Mark Demko to share their top rut-hunting tips, including tactics for adjusting on the fly when the deer seem to disappear, hunting pressured public lands and adapting to challenging weather conditions.

Every bowhunter knows playing the wind and employing proven scent-control practices are critical to success. But what about hunting marginal winds or tricky locations where swirling is common? Buddy Piland of Ozonics joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss best practices when it comes to scent control, how to overcome challenges and how ozone technology can boost your odds of tagging out.

Kill Your Buck Before HalloweenMost bowhunters live for the whitetail rut, but late October may be an even better time to kill a mature buck. This week, a pair of big-buck veterans — Billy See of Iowa and Damian Riffle of Ohio — join Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about why this is their favorite time to hunt and share the tips and tactics you need to bag your buck by Halloween!

Want to know the absolute BEST days to chase whitetails this season? Well, look no further! In this episode, our all-star panel of experts gives you the FIVE BEST days to be in the woods this fall and winter, as well as the longer periods of peak productivity you should key in on as you make your bowhunting plans. Field Editors Bill Winke and Eddie Claypool join Editor Christian Berg and Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss how you can maximize your time afield!

If you're a whitetail fanatic looking for some fresh field wear options, Vycah is right up your alley. Vycah owner Scott Estes is a self-proclaimed deer-hunting addict who created his products with whitetails in mind. From the original Vycah camoflauge patterns to super-quiet fabrics and a host of thoughtful design features, the entire Vycah lineup is built to help whitetail hunters remain hidden and be more successful. 

Some of North America's finest elk hunting can be found in the boreal forests of Northwestern Alberta. Bowhunting in this dense habitat takes place in close quarters, with shots often measuring 10 yards or less. Associate Editor Mark Demko and professional elk guide Brad Kercher take a break from chasing bulls to discuss what makes Alberta's elk hunting so good.

Just about every bowhunter has come to the end of a blood trail without locating the animal that left it. Now, there is a new option for finding game after the shot thanks to Ohio-based Drone Deer Recovery. Owner Mike Yoder joins us to discuss the growing popularity of using thermal drones to recover downed game, drone recovery success rates and how state regulations impact the use of this fascinating technology.

If you are looking for bowhunting adventure, few destinations can match Manitoba. From bruiser black bears to trophy whitetails and a shot at a 60-inch moose, this remote Canadian province offers bountiful game and stunningly beautiful landscapes. Keevin Erickson of Travel Manitoba joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss why this destination should be on every bowhunter’s bucket list!

Every bowhunter wants an edge. Well, what if you could know the best days to spend in the woods? Using data gleaned from millions of trail-camera photos gathered across many years, avid public-land bowhunter Steve Sherk did just that. In this episode, Sherk reveals the secret behind his "30/30" hunting strategy and how it has helped him and many others tag mature whitetail bucks. 

More and more state are banning the use of trail cameras on public land, with Kansas and Delaware the two latest examples. What does this mean for public-land bowhunters, and will more states follow suit as trail-cam technology continues to advance? Stuart Schrag and Jason Deal of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Rob Hossler of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and avid public-land bowhunter Jace Bauserman join us to discuss this complex and controversial issue. 

One of the best ways to enjoy bowhunting success is sharing fresh venison with friends and family. In this episode, we discuss ways to share the success with an even wider circle through venison donation programs around the country. Matt Simcox of Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry and Randy K. Ferguson of Pennsylvania’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest explain how you can do good in the field and in the community by sharing your deer harvest with families in need.

The size and health of your local deer herd is largely a function of the quality of your soil and the plants that grow in it. Whitetails columnist Jason Snavely, owner of Drop-Tine Seed Co. and Drop-Tine Wildlife Consulting, joins us for a fascinating discussion of soil biology, food plotting and how the management choices you make on your deer dirt can impact the future of your habitat and your hunting.

Opening day of deer season is just around the corner, and if you haven't already gotten your trail cameras out into the field, now is the time! Lancaster Archery's PJ Reilly joins us to discuss how, where and why to use your trail cameras and how to interpret the things the cameras do - and DON'T - reveal about the deer in your hunting area.

At the tender age of 14, Aleah Wozniak has killed more trophy whitetails than most bowhunters will in two lifetimes! Wozniak, who has taken 10 bucks with archery gear — including nine that scored more than 140 inches — is also an excellent shot, regularly hitting the bull's-eye from 100 yards or more with her Hoyt bow. Aleah and her father, David, join us to discuss her incredible run of bowhunting success and the dedication required to be among the top teenage bowhunters in America.

Pennsylvania bowhunter Brandon Austin is a broadhead junkie. Austin, who has worked at the Lancaster Archery Supply pro shop for more than 20 years, has tested hundreds of broadhead designs over the years and hunted with more than 100 different models. In this episode, he joins us to discuss the features he looks for in a broadhead, the most effective design features and some his favorite models — past and present — that he trusts to get the job done on big game.

Field Editor Bill Winke is one of America's most respected whitetail hunters. In this episode, Bill and Editor Christian Berg discuss some deer-hunting fundamentals and Bill's plans for his new farm in Iowa. They also reflect on some of worst gimmick products ever sold to deer hunters and discuss some crazy, off-beat hunting strategies that just might work for anyone brave enough to try them!