Petersen's Bowhunting Radio

Not many hunts are harder than pursuing big-woods whitetails on public ground. In this episode, Steve Sherk of Sherk's Guide Service in Pennsylvania discusses his lifelong passion for pursuing mature bucks on the public, offers tips for locating bucks in areas of vast timber and explains how he used his know-how to build a business that offers a unique opportunity for hardcore bowhunters willing to embrace the ultimate whitetail challenge!

Many bowhunters develop eye problems as they age, impacting their effectiveness in the field. Optometrist and competitive archer Joe Vincent and Adjustable Red Dot co-owner Tim Zelenka join Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss why our eyesight changes over time, how it erodes our ability to see clearly and focus on the pin and target and how we can cope with the challenge of aging eyes.

Nolan Johnson of California kicked off his 2022 hunting season in a big way, taking a spectacular 4x4 mule deer on the second day of the archery season. Johnson joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to share the story on the hunt, which ended with him taking the longest bow shot of his life at the biggest buck he’s ever seen.

Deer season is finally here, and we get you ready with our annual season preview. Field Editors Eddie Claypool and Bill Winke join Editor Christian Berg and Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the best days to hunt this fall and the strategies and tactics that will help you punch your tag, from opening day all the way through the late season!

No other county in the United States produces as many Boone and Crockett bucks as Buffalo County, Wisc. Legendary whitetail guru Tom Indrebo from Bluff Country Outfitters joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about the county’s world-class hunting and share some of the some of the insights he’s gained from 40 years of studying mature bucks.

Few bowhunts offer better odds of success than blind hunting for pronghorns over waterholes. Shantane Strohschein of Crazy Horn Outfitters in Gillette, Wy., joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about the world-class pronghorn hunting in her corner of the state, the excitement of bowhunting for speed goats and the things you need to keep in mind when antelope hunting.

Whitetail season is almost here for bowhunters lucky enough to hunt states with early-September openers. Zachary Estridge and Wess Brown from Palisades Bowhunting in Kentucky join Editor Christian Berg to discuss late-summer strategies for velvet bucks and why tree saddles have become an increasingly important part of Palisades' low-pressure bowhunting philosophy.

With bowhunting seasons right around the corner, now’s the time many hunters begin their trail-cam scouting in earnest. Tom Rainey from Browning Trail Cameras joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about how you can get the most out of your trail cameras this year, as well as what’s new from Browning Trail Cameras in 2022.

When you think of bowhunting whitetails from the ground, the first thing that usually comes to mind is sitting in a ground blind. Years ago, Michigan’s Tracy Breen chose to forego manufactured blinds for a more natural approach. On this week’s podcast, the longtime bowhunter talks about the benefits of simply tucking yourself into the vegetation, as well as the many things you need to consider when trying to ambush wary whitetails at eye level.

Pronghorn antelope are almost certainly the most accessible western big-game species to bowhunters. From geographic distribution and abundance to license costs and the amount of public land available to pursue them, pronghorns truly are an incredible resource for those seeking affordable adventures!

Covert Optics recently rolled out an all-new lineup of thermal optics designed especially for bowhunters. Whether you hunt predators, hogs and gators or just need help searching for a wounded big-game animal in the dark, thermal optics can help! Covert's Lucas Johnson joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to talk about the company's innovative, new products.

The saddle-hunting boom continues among bowhunters, and Trophy Line continues to be at the forefront of the tree saddle movement. In this episode, Trophy Line's Shawn Ferguson and Nick Betts go over all in the innovations built into the company's all-new Venatic saddle and explain why a saddle needs to be part of every serious deer hunter's arsenal.

Trail cameras are very powerful scouting tools, and bowhunters can use them as much or as little as they like. In this episode, Field Editor Bill Winke joins us to discuss basic, intermediate and advanced trail-cam strategies that will help you locate and pattern a buck worth hunting this fall.

When the first buck you see for the season is a Booner, it can obviously catch you off guard. Not so with David Jones of Indiana, who made good on his chance at a giant 13-pointer last November. Jones joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to share the story behind the 182 4/8-inch buck, one of the largest taken in the Hoosier State last year.

Every bowhunter wants to make perfect shots in the field, but what happens when your arrow doesn't hit where you hoped? In this episode, Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo from Archer's Choice join us to discuss Ralph's botched attempt at a big Wyoming bull elk in the fall of 2021 and how several days of all-out effort led to a miraculous happy ending that defied the odds.

Known simply as the ‘Pigman,’ Brian Quaca has a big personality and a passion for all things bowhunting. Quaca joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss his interest in hunting feral swine, his love for bowhunting other species and his past and present bowhunting setups. Plus, he shares his hairiest hog-hunting moment ever.

Few topics generate more discussion in bowhunting circles than broadhead selection. In this episode, we provide a sneak peek at the results from our 2022 Fixed-Blade Broadhead Test, featuring 14 top models worth considering for your fall hunts. From sharpness and penetration to accuracy and durability, we've got the data you need to make an informed broadhead decision!

Last fall, Dustin Huff of Indiana arrowed a gigantic 12-pointer that ended up scoring 211 4/8, making it the largest typical whitetail ever taken in the United States and the second-largest of all time — only 2 1/8 inches off Milo Hanson’s world-record Saskatchewan buck that scored 213 5/8. Huff joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the fateful November hunt.

Last September, Ian Craig took Pennsylvania’s new state-record, non-typical archery elk — and the 400-inch bull was the first animal he ever shot with a bow! Craig joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to recap the hunt, which was anything but easy. After more than 65 miles of hiking, he tagged his incredible trophy on the eighth day of his hunt.

If you’re a bowhunter who likes to travel, few guided hunts offer the action, adventure and affordability of a Canadian black bear hunt. Mike Stroff, host of Savage Outdoors TV, joins Associate Editor Mark Demko to discuss the challenges and high success rates that make spring bruin hunting so exciting, as well as what to look for in a guide and a potential destination if you’re planning your first hunt north of the border.