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.

They say a cat has nine lives, but we think Piet Goosen must have 90. He's been head-butted by a rhino, he's been knee-capitated by a giraffe, he's even survived wrestling a 15ft python while driving down a highway! Every single one of these mind blowing moments has conservation at it's core, because Piet plays a huge part in animal rescue and rehabilitation. Snakes, tortoises, birds, antelope... Piet has has helped them all. He even works against poachers too. Through his many years spent in the bush, he has grown to understand that nature is interconnected in the most complex of ways. Hang on to your headphones folks - this one's a bumpy ride!

Thanks again Piet, it was a pleasure meeting you.

Be sure to follow Klien Piet on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube, where he puts out a bunch of his wild animal encounters.

You can also donate to Piet's animal rescue center at the following account:

FNB Business Account

Branch: Potchefstroom (240438)

Account Number: 63197136394

Like many things in the wild, it’s small details that make the difference. Trained by the late Gordon Macpherson as part of an elite fly tying team in Zimbabwe, Ray Mutemeri has known this fact to be true for almost 40 years. It was this same attention to detail that brought him up through the ranks, and eventually gave him the opportunity to move to South Africa. He is now the lead tyer at the Johburg office of South africa’s biggest fly fishing shop and outfitter -Mavungana Fly Fishing. Perhaps the wildest part of this story: it was almost twenty years and hundreds of thousands of flies later that Ray could first experience the effectivenes of his own craftmanship in the water.

A huge thankyou to Ray for sharing his time and stories with us today!

Give Mavungana a follow on Instagram

and check out all kinds of information and classes including fly tying with Raymond at Mavungana fly fishing

Main Topics Covered:

• Raymond’s fishing journey from Zimbabwe to South Africa
• Evolution and specialization in fly tying
• Techniques for tying various fly sizes
• Environmental influences on fly selection
• Fly fishing culture in Zimbabwe and South Africa
• Conservation through catch-and-release
• Teaching fly tying to new generations
• Mentorship and continuous learning
• Identifying and adapting fly techniques
• Unusual fly requests
• Building a foundation in fly tying
• Impact of Zimbabwe’s economy on tourism
• Women’s role in fly tying and fishing

Timestamps:

00:31 - Introduction to Raymond Mutemere and his background

04:02 - The history of fly fishing in Zimbabwe and Raymond’s early life

06:36 - The influence of Scottish fly tyer Gordon MacPherson

07:45 - The scale of the fly tying industry in Zimbabwe 08:45 - Tying rates and specialization in dry flies

12:23 - Raymond’s childhood near rivers in Zimbabwe

14:01 - Fly fishing trips to Eastern Highlands for trout

16:14 - Personal stories of first catches and learning from guides

20:41 - Popular fly patterns like the Shamare Timi

22:00 - The cultural difference between catch and release and consumption

24:46 - The significance of size in catch-and-release practices

26:29 - Technical challenges in fly tying,

36:23 - Teaching others and passing on skills

41:44 - Creating custom flies and imitating environmental cues

44:41 - Types of hooks used in fly tying

46:12 - The process of tying a fly step by step

50:14 - Material application and proportions

54:33 - How observing insects in nature informs fly design 58:23 - Handling unusual requests, creative tying stories 60:18 - Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them 63:49 - Women in fly tying and fishing

66:00 - The importance of continuous learning and mentorship

68:51 - Philosophy of humility in skill mastery

70:15 - Maintaining connections with fly fishing peers

71:07 - How to find Raymond for lessons or custom flies 72:54 - Closing remarks and future episodes

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Sometimes when we hunt, it can feel like there's nothing out there... we loose focus for just a moment and suddenly that target animal bolts, alerting everything in the area. This visualization helps keep your focus, and maintain your belief in finding success. We bring many of the skills from this TFWM series together and apply them to a specific outdoor scenario. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the full series, it's a good idea to go back and build your toolbox!

Having grown up bowhunting the mountains of Nevada, it's clear Tim Bray has never been interested in doing things the easy way. The same can be said for the incredible fermented foods and drinks he creates. In this episode, Tim shares his own fascinating story, along with a bunch of tips and wisdoms he's learned over the past few decades.

A huge thank you again to Tim for his time, stories, and skillset today.

Give Tim a follow on Facebook –and check out his Ecology Hour show on local radio station KZYX

Key Topics:

• The process of fermenting apples into cider and the importance of apple varieties
• How weather and year-to-year variations influence cider flavor profiles
• The role of wild yeast strains and developing cultured yeasts like Kvike
• Techniques for aging and blending cider for flavor
• Historical context of brewing post-Prohibition in America
• The science behind lacto-fermentation in vegetables, fruits, and meats
• The cultural and natural history of yeast strains from Norway and Lithuania
• How fermentation preserves flavor and enhances gut health

00:00 - Introduction to Tim Bray
02:19 - Workshop setup and fermentation chambers explained
05:40 - The true meaning of cider worldwide
06:36 - Fermentation as a method of preservation and brewing basics
09:19 - Comparing cider and beer brewing processes
10:13 - The importance of starting with quality fruit for good cider
12:00 - Regional apple varieties and their influence on cider quality
13:30 - How acidity, tannins, and sugar balance in cider
15:30 - Variations in American cider styles, back-sweetening, and commercial practices
17:05 - Developing wild yeast cultures and homebrew brewing history
18:23 - Yeast strains like Scrumpy and their unique characteristics
19:00 - The aging process and fermentation byproducts
20:02 - Impact of weather and apple quality on seasonal cider variations
22:07 - Using sulfur dioxide and wild yeast in cider fermentation
24:22 - The art of blending different batches for flavor complexity
25:37 - How fermentation shapes flavors similar to seasoning in cooking
27:09 - Timeline for cider fermentation and aging techniques
28:33 - The influence of weather on apple and cider profiles
30:34 - Differences in flavor due to apple traits and conditions
33:00 - Adjusting process based on experience and weather patterns
35:10 - The craft of blending cider types and batches
36:04 - The basics of homebrewing beer and how it relates to fermentation
37:52 - Prohibition's impact on brewing and the rise of craft beer
41:16 - Notable craft brewers from homebrew roots, Sierra Nevada's story
44:06 - The innovative Norwegian Kvike yeast strain and its advantages
49:25 - Techniques for hunting and the story of a big Nevada buck
54:50 - Challenges of tracking and handling game in rugged terrain
63:17 - The historic Roxbury Russet apple and cloning techniques
66:45 - The significance of orchard diversity and cider apple varieties
70:10 - The cultural significance of fermentation in different regions
85:30 - The Norwegian Kvike yeast's unique fermentation traits
92:32 - The specificity and flavor contributions of different yeast strains
98:15 - Benefits of lacto-fermentation for preservation and gut health
103:25 - How modern food processing affects natural fermentation and health
105:39 - Using fermentation to digest carbohydrates and improve nutrition
106:00 - A preview of future demonstrations, including kimchi making

Exercise begins at 11.30

In this episode, Robin dives deeper into the practices that help him focus when they matter the most. He recounts his recent successful tradbow hunt in the mountains with a red hartebeest while it's fresh in his mind, and explains some of the techniques that helped him succeed when the percentages said he should have failed.