EP99: Rich Gardner ↣ Tales of the Stick & String

In this Episode, Rich Gardner - Local legend from the traditional 3D Archery circuit - shares a quiver-full of stories from his past. Known for his highly addictive archery footage landing across millions of people's Facebook feeds. Episode 99 gives us an insight to the jolly man behind the camera. This one's got some great tales from the wilds of California, competitive 3D tournaments, and plenty of other adventures from afar too.Be sure to give Rich a follow on his Facebook page, where he regularly posts footage of archery that's guaranteed get you itching to grab the bow and heading for the hills. Be sure to also sign up for the Longbow Safari happening at Rancho Neblina on the 4th of July, and say hi to Rich yourself!Watch/Follow Robin and The Wild Dispatch on:InstagramFacebookSpotifyApple PodcastsYouTubeIn this episode of The Wild Dispatch, Robin sits down with Rich Gardner for a fascinating conversation about traditional archery, bow hunting, wildlife encounters, and the stories behind Rich’s viral social clips. From his first bow-killed buck to unforgettable turkey hunts, Alaska fishing adventures, mountain lion sightings, and the mindset behind shooting instinctively, this episode is packed with practical insight and wild outdoor storytelling.If you’re interested in traditional archery, recurve and longbow shooting, bow hunting tips, wild game, hunting stories, or the outdoors lifestyle, this conversation delivers plenty to learn and enjoy. Whether you’re a beginner archer, an experienced bowhunter, or simply love real stories from the outdoors, this episode offers a mix of humour, wisdom, and hard-earned lessons from years in the woods and on the range.Chapters:00:00 Intro to Rich Gardner and his viral archery content02:12 Episode 100 giveaway announcement03:52 Rich’s background and early archery interest05:27 Turkey hunting stories and calling techniques10:12 How Rich moved from rifle hunting to archery11:14 First bow setup and first buck story14:13 Early fishing adventures and bowfishing attempts21:42 Sturgeon fishing and Alaska salmon trips29:57 The first buck and transition to traditional archery30:17 Longbow hunting and the first wild pig36:05 Bow setup, arrows, and broadheads40:09 Bear and mountain lion encounters52:08 How Rich’s Facebook archery videos took off54:24 3D competitions and travelling for shoots57:58 Learning to shoot from mentors and tuning bows68:35 Neck injury, pain, and choosing lighter bows73:20 Why Rich no longer hunts with rifles or shotguns75:36 Judging distance by eye and shooting uphill83:17 Mitchell story and a meaningful connection at the range87:06 Closing thoughts and where to find Rich