What does it take to build a career preserving memories from the hunt?

This week on the Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by Karissa Jones, owner of Countrified Glitz LLC, to talk about her journey into one of the most unique careers in the outdoor industry taxidermy.

Karissa shares how she walked away from sports, chose trade school over the traditional college route, became a certified welder, and unexpectedly built a successful business creating custom European mounts before expanding into full taxidermy.

We dive into the art and business of taxidermy, what it really takes to preserve an animal, how technology like 3D printing is changing the industry, and why skilled trades deserve more respect. We also discuss social media's role in growing the hunting community, the future of taxidermy, and the "sweet dance" every hunter experiences while pursuing a mature buck.

Whether you're a hunter, entrepreneur, artist, or someone looking to carve your own path, this episode is packed with stories, insight, and conversations that go far beyond the mount on the wall.

In this episode:

• Karissa's journey into taxidermy
• Choosing trade school and becoming a certified welder
• Building Countrified Glitz LLC from the ground up
• The art and science behind great taxidermy
• Common mistakes hunters make before taking an animal to a taxidermist
• The impact of social media on hunting
• How 3D printing is shaping the future of taxidermy
• The business of preserving hunting memories
• Why the chase makes a successful hunt even more meaningful

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves hunting, archery, and the outdoors.

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In this episode of the Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by Mark Bussell of South Louisiana Archery, one of the most outspoken voices in the archery community. If you've spent any time on Archery TikTok, you've probably seen Mark in his shed, working on bows and giving his unfiltered opinions on everything from bow setups to the future of the sport.

We dive into Mark's journey into hunting and the outdoors, the special bond he shares with the hunting camp he's built with the same guys he grew up with, and why those friendships are just as important as punching tags. We also discuss the differences between hunting the swamps of South Louisiana and chasing whitetails in the Midwest, why public land 135-145 inch bucks are true trophies, and how social media has changed hunters' expectations.

Of course, we couldn't have Mark on without talking archery. We tackle the current state of the archery industry, Bow of the Year debates, custom strings versus factory strings, why some companies are doing a better job of serving everyday archers, and whether the industry is becoming too expensive and gear-focused. We also discuss Oregon's IP28 initiative, hunter apathy, and why sportsmen across the country need to pay attention to threats facing hunting and conservation.

This episode is full of honest opinions, hard truths, and the kind of hunting camp conversations that make you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile.

🏹 Topics Covered:
• Mark Bussell's hunting and archery journey
• South Louisiana hunting culture and camp life
• Midwest vs. South Louisiana deer hunting
• Why 140-inch public land bucks are trophies
• The state of the archery industry
• Bow of the Year and bow technology debates
• Factory strings vs. custom strings
• Oregon IP28 and hunter advocacy
• The future of hunting and archery

Grab a cup of coffee, head to the bow shop, or kick back at camp and enjoy this conversation with one of the most authentic voices in the archery world.

Posters by Mack specializes in custom plaques and prints, including Billboard plaques, album cover posters, YouTube plaques, pull photo prints, and more. Mack designed and created my 100th episode plaque, and the final product was top-tier. Communication was seamless from start to finish, and my order shipped in under 48 hours. If you’re a creator looking to showcase your milestones with high-quality custom work, check out postersbymack.com.

This week on the Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by De'vina Jackson (Melanated Archer) and Ana for one of the most honest and inspiring conversations we've had on the show.

What started as a discussion about archery quickly became a conversation about resilience, personal growth, friendship, and the impact a community can have on someone's life.

De'vina shares her powerful story of battling chronic pain, multiple surgeries, depression, and the difficult moments that left her questioning how much more she could endure. She opens up about how her son's archery coach recognized the pain she was carrying and encouraged her to pick up a bow—an experience that ultimately helped her find a new sense of purpose and motivation to keep pushing forward.

Ana also shares her archery journey and how the sport has challenged her to step outside of her comfort zone. We discuss her decision to begin competing in USA Archery events, the confidence she's gained through competition, and what it's been like growing as an archer while embracing new challenges.

Together, De'vina and Ana talk about what archery truly means to them, the friendships they've built through the sport, and their passion for volunteering at Impact Archery. We also discuss their experiences attending the Vegas Shoot, one of the biggest archery events in the world, and how it helped deepen their connection to the archery community.

The conversation also explores representation in archery, the growing number of African American women entering the sport, and how culture, self-expression, and individuality are sometimes viewed within traditional archery spaces.

This episode is a reminder that archery is about much more than scores, equipment, and competition. Sometimes it's about healing. Sometimes it's about finding confidence. And sometimes it's simply about finding a community that helps you become the best version of yourself.

Posters by Mack specializes in custom plaques and prints, including Billboard plaques, album cover posters, YouTube plaques, pull photo prints, and more. Mack designed and created my 100th episode plaque, and the final product was top-tier. Communication was seamless from start to finish, and my order shipped in under 48 hours. If you’re a creator looking to showcase your milestones with high-quality custom work, check out postersbymack.com.