Petersen's Bowhunting Radio

When you have a once-in-lifetime buck running around in your area, but no real reason for it to visit your property, you need a game plan to get your shot. That’s exactly what Kansas resident Darin Williams did in 2022, creating an oasis at his five-acre woodlot surrounded by acres upon acres of wide-open farmland. The end result was a close — and we mean close — encounter with a 230-plus-inch buck called Megatron. Don’t miss this amazing story!

Planning a far-flung bowhunting adventure — from Western elk or Alaska moose to African plains game or New Zealand tahr — is no easy task, and it certainly helps to have an expert on your side. Ryan Martin with Rolling Bones Outdoors explains how a good booking agent can help with everything from submitting license applications and choosing a reputable outfitter to booking travel and purchasing the right gear for your hunt.

Since its start in Kentucky two decades ago, the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Program has grown rapidly, now reaching more than a million middle and high school students every year. NASP President Tommy Floyd and Easton Archery Sales Manager Carri Garrett join Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the numerous benefits of NASP, including how it teaches kids important life skills, inspires them to excel in the classroom and serves as a stepping stone to the world of bowhunting.

This week, we are on location at All Terrain Bear Hunts in Canada. Outfitter Cory Grant joins us to discuss the world-class black bear hunting and walleye fishing he offers from his remote, boat-in camp in the wilds of northern Manitoba, and Christian and Mark share their experiences in the woods and on the water.

More than 16 million acres of public ground nationwide are surrounded in whole or in part by private lands. Land Tawney and Eric Hansen from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers join us to discuss the controversial practice of "corner crossing" to move from one public parcel to another where they join private land in a checkerboard pattern.

Getting a mount done is a great way to preserve your trophy, but if you don’t have or want to spend a ton of cash, there is an excellent, low-cost alternative — taking quality photographs! Professional wildlife photographers Ron Spomer and Lance Krueger join Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss tips and techniques you can use to preserve memories that will last a lifetime.

Are crossbows taking over the bowhunting world? In this episode, we reveal just how dominant crossbows have become in many of America's top bowhunting states and what it means for the future of our sport. Michigan DNR’s Chad Stewart, Wisconsin DNR’s Brian Dhuey and Easton Archery’s Clint Warner join us to discuss the crossbow's growing impact on whitetail populations and the many opinions people have about the crossbow as a hunting weapon.

Trying to take an animal with your bow is hard enough. Throw in self-filming the experience and you have a daunting task. Well-known self-filmer Kaitlyn Maus (@kaitlynmausoutdoors) joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about her passion for bowhunting and how she got started filming her own hunts. Plus, she shares her top tips for self-filmers who are just starting out, as well as what gear and equipment you really need to get started.   

Public-land turkey hunting isn't always easy, but success can be found by those hunters willing and able to put in the work and overcome challenges. In this episode, Contributor Clint Casper and good friend Ryan Bertsch join Editor Christian Berg to recap their spring season and share stories about how they overcame low turkey numbers and bad weather to get the job done in Kansas, Nebraska and their home state of Ohio.

Ted Nugent has sold more than 40 million albums and performed to sold-out audiences around the globe. He also eats, sleeps and breathes bowhunting. The rock icon joins us to discuss his lifelong passion for the outdoors, whether he writes music in the stand and why this summer’s tour may be your last chance to see the Motor City Madman live!

Sure, you know about the saddle-hunting craze. But do you know about one-sticking? In this episode, YouTuber Greg Staggs from Staggs in the Wild joins us for an in-depth discussion of the one-stick climbing method and how it can take your mobile bowhunting the next level in terms of weight reduction and stealth!

The National Deer Association’s Field to Fork initiative introduces adults to bowhunting. Mark, Christian and PJ discuss the importance of outdoor mentors. Then, Pennsylvania Field to Fork Coordinator Elizabeth Kligge explains how archery plays such an important role the innovative, food-focused recruitment program.

It's 3-D shooting season, and Brandon Waddell from Mountain Archery Fest is here to discuss this year's event lineup. Featuring seven tour stops from coast to coast, Mountain Archery Fest offers bowhunters an awesome opportunity to hone their shooting skills, compete for prizes and connect with fellow bowhunters in a fun atmosphere that also includes activities such as novelty shoots and corn hole tournaments.

Can an affordable, compact pickup truck be a capable bowhunting and overlanding vehicle? Editor Christian Berg discusses how his new 2022 Ford Maverick can be a great outdoors rigs with just a few modifications. Christian also has guests from Ford Motor Co., Leitner Designs and more.

The beat goes on for John Dudley and Nock On Archery! In this episode, John discusses the new-for-2023 PSE Nock On Unite bow, shares a number or archery shooting and bowhunting tips and dishes all about the new ownership group at PSE and why he believes the brand will be a force to be reckoned with well into the future.

Hearing ability diminishes over time, and for a bowhunter that loss is perhaps most noticeable during spring turkey season. TETRA Hearing founder and audiologist Bill Dickinson joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss how hearing loss impacts the hunt, what aging sportsman can do to offset that loss and how TETRA Hearing products can make a world of difference in the field.

It's turkey time, and we help get you ready for the hunt! P.J. Reilly of Lancaster Archery Supply joins us to talk turkey hunting, and editor Christian Berg shares his favorite spring gobbler memories. Plus, the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Doug Little andJared McJunkin discuss what hunters can expect this year as far as turkey populations and hunting opportunities around the country.

Shed antler season is upon us, and we've got great advice for putting more bone in your backpack! Cody Robbins from Live 2 Hunt and Whitetails columnist Jason Snavely share their best shed-hunting tips and discuss how this great springtime activity can help set you up for bowhunting success in the fall.

We’ve all experienced magical days in the woods where deer seem to be everywhere, as well as sits where you’d swear there isn’t a whitetail within 10 miles. This week, the National Deer Association’s Kip Adams and Mississippi State Deer Lab’s Steve Demarais join Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss how various environmental factors and weather conditions affect deer movement, as well as some of the misconceptions that hunters have about when, where and why deer travel.

Todd Snader from Bowtech Archery and Excalibur Crossbows joins us to discuss the 2023 model lineup. Whether you prefer to hunt with a compound or a crossbow, there are some great, new options on the table.