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!

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In 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 content
02:12 Episode 100 giveaway announcement
03:52 Rich’s background and early archery interest
05:27 Turkey hunting stories and calling techniques
10:12 How Rich moved from rifle hunting to archery
11:14 First bow setup and first buck story
14:13 Early fishing adventures and bowfishing attempts
21:42 Sturgeon fishing and Alaska salmon trips
29:57 The first buck and transition to traditional archery
30:17 Longbow hunting and the first wild pig
36:05 Bow setup, arrows, and broadheads
40:09 Bear and mountain lion encounters
52:08 How Rich’s Facebook archery videos took off
54:24 3D competitions and travelling for shoots
57:58 Learning to shoot from mentors and tuning bows
68:35 Neck injury, pain, and choosing lighter bows
73:20 Why Rich no longer hunts with rifles or shotguns
75:36 Judging distance by eye and shooting uphill
83:17 Mitchell story and a meaningful connection at the range
87:06 Closing thoughts and where to find Rich

Howdy Folks Episode 100 is right around the corner. To celebrate this milestone, we're doing a giveaway:

Lancaster Archery, Easton, Tarp Tent, VPA, Western Obsession, The Mission Fly Mag, Mavungana Fly Fishing, Ethics Archery, Wilderness Athlete and Strand Coffee Roasters have all thrown their hats (and prizes) into the ring... more brands in the pipeline too!

Learn how to sign up to the comp here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZxz7A6OsmF/

Both a prolific hunter, and relentless entrepreneur... For Kurt Belding, it was inevitable that his two passions would collide. Western Obsessions TV is both a hunting channel that inspires people with their content, and an outfitter that gives fans the chance to experience some adventures of their own. This one's got it all: incredible stories from the wild, (including a very close call with a grizzly bear), and some gritty, but inspiring insights from the world of business too.

A huge thank you to Kurt for his time and stories today!

Watch more stories on Youtube and WOTV.com

And check out the many hunts they're offering too.