Becoming a Bowhunter

Every now and then it's worth looking back at the gear you've bought and asking yourself... was it actually worth it? That's what this episode is. No sponsorship fluff. Just my honest thoughts after putting this gear through its paces over the last 12 months.  Some of it has been worth every cent. Other bits I'm still on the fence about. From cameras and boots through to wet weather gear, rangefinders, camping gear and vacuum sealers, I break down what I paid, why I bought it, and whether I'd spend the money again. I also run through my brand new bow setup after finally pulling the trigger on the Darton TriTech. We talk through why I chose it, how it tuned, what it cost, and the first couple of hunts where it really surprised me. One moment that still sticks with me was watching a group of hinds barely react after I missed a shot through a lantana bush. They moved, stopped about 60 metres away and just stood there. It was the first real indication of just how incredibly quiet this new bow actually is. 🔍 What We Cover: Why I chose the DJI Action 5 Pro over a GoPro and Insta360, and how it's handled hunting, spearfishing and low-light filming.My thoughts on the Stoney Creek Nitz rain jacket after using it in Queensland conditions, including where it excels and where it falls short.Testing Reebok Tactical boots in steep, muddy country and how they compared to Volleys and Salomons for long days in the hills.The camping mattress setup that completely changed how I sleep in my swag, including the North Peak inflatable system and pillow combination.A new rechargeable head torch with adjustable beam patterns, red light mode and gesture controls that has replaced my old setup.Upgrading from a budget Aldi rangefinder to the Leupold RX-1400i and why quality glass and angle compensation make such a difference in the field.Why I invested in a chamber vacuum sealer, how it improves meat storage, and the biggest advantage over traditional vacuum sealers.The process behind choosing the Darton TriTech after the Truth bow production issues and why feedback from bow technicians convinced me.Setting up the new bow, tuning broadheads with the limb adjustment system, and how quickly it paper tuned.Two real hunting encounters where the Darton TriTech's incredibly quiet shot helped deer stay calm after the arrow was released.An update on preparing the camel euro mount, using acetone to remove oils from the skull, and plans for the new podcast backdrop. 🧠 Key Takeaway The best gear isn't always the most expensive, it's the gear that genuinely solves a problem once you've used it in the real world. Putting equipment through hunts, bad weather and long days in the bush quickly shows what's worth keeping and what isn't. 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

This one’s a full recap of the 2026 rut and for once, it’s not just close calls. Across three separate hunts, Matty breaks down what actually played out in the field… the wins, the stuff-ups, and the moments that could’ve gone either way. The episode moves through three key hunts: A March trip focused on getting the drop on a red deer, gone a little differently.Easter weekend on family ground, including a camel hunt and pig encountersA return to the family red deer block during peak rut, putting everything together There’s a bit of everything in this one…  calling sequences that worked (and didn’t), pressure getting the better of moments, wild dog encounters, and what happens when things don’t go to plan but still come together over time. It’s not polished. It’s just how it happened. Podcast topics: Breaking the rut into three separate hunts and what changed across eachEarly mistakes under pressure: rushing shots and missing opportunitiesLessons from hunting with experienced hunters and adjusting setup decisionsDrawing early vs drawing late, and why it matters more than you thinkCalling strategies: when to use hind calls vs roarsHow stags actually respond when pressured by other deer in the areaA close-range wild dog encounter and the mental side of making the shot countThe reality of pressure in the moment, even when you’ve done the workCamel hunting… stalking, shot placement, and dealing with sheer sizeWhat happens when a hunt turns into a logistical challenge (heat, meat, time)Managing meat recovery and processing when things don’t go to planReturning to the red deer block during peak rutReading wind, terrain, and access differently after previous experienceHow small decisions (where you park, where you listen) change everythingThe importance of patience and positioning during the roarWhy some hunts finally come together after years of near misses You can do all the right prep. Shoot well, train hard, understand animals — and still mess it up in the moment. But over enough time in the bush, those lessons stack. And eventually… things start to go your way. 🎙 Follow Becoming a Bowhunter Instagram: @becomingabowhunter.podcast Hosted by: @mattyafter 🎧 Episode Sponsors Dog and Gun Coffee – Fuel your hunt with premium coffee. Use code BOWHUNTER for $10 off @dogandguncoffee Kayuga Broadheads – Precision and reliability for every shot. Use code BAB10 for 10% off @kayuga_broadheads Venture Hunting & Outdoors – Gear up for your next hunt @venturehunting Jab Stick Outdoors – Precision-engineered carbon shafts. Use code BAB10 for $10 off @jabstickoutdoors

This week Matty is joined by the machine Grant “RANDY” Rand. Grant’s only recently returned from his Bulgarian hunt, and this one is a well requested episode from the Becoming A Bowhunter community. The boys unpack everything you need to know about getting yourself over to Bulgaria to hunt what’s debatably the best wild fallow deer in the world. Podcast topic: - flights FlightsLanguage barriers - they’re a thingChanging the rules because of foolsThe traditions introduced by other culturesPay to play, no matter your handThe European brown bearUse the gear that leaves you with no fearIntroducing “The Keiler”3 dead in one afternoonMoving locationsI’m not going first, you go first Understanding the new rules Good omens - Do you believe in them?  And a whole freaking heap more… Find Grant: @grant_randy_rand Find Becoming a Bowhunter: @becomingabowhunter.podcast @mattyafter Podcast sponsors: @dogandguncoffee https://www.dogandguncoffee.com/ Use checkout code BOWHUNTER for $10 off your next order ✌️ @kayuga_broadheads https://www.kayugabroadheads.com.au/ Use checkout code BAB10 for 10% off your next order ✌️