This seems to be a popular topic you guys want us to cover, so we got it for you today. If you guys are like us, then we know you guys have experienced the heartbreaks of hunting, especially with whitetails. Well today, we are unlocking our memories and dragging out the ghosts of big bucks that we either missed, disappeared, or passed to only get shot by other hunters. We have the tales for all of them! We do bring in a palette cleanser at the end and talk about some of our most memorable whitetail hunts. So sit back and relax and relive some tails of heart break with us.

Besides being a method of survival, hunting has become a passion. Hunting can be an escape, a way to spend time with family, or even just a hobby. Millions of Americans love to hunt and continue to do so every season. However, a common issue continues to plague us. As familiar scenes unfold across public lands—with packed parking lots and unexpected encounters with fellow hunters—doubts arise. Can there truly be a place for new hunters in these already congested spaces? The frustration of trekking through seemingly remote terrain, only to find it teeming with others, is a common narrative. Even seeking permission on private land can lead to disappointment as other hunters have beaten us to it. We love getting folks and kids involved in hunting just as much as we love hunting ourselves. We enjoy seeing the parents who take their kids out with them for the first time. We sat down with this discussing because we want to see if there is a solution, or if the problem is already overgrown. Using information from studies, personal experiences, and even accounts from you guys, we want to try and answer one question: Is there a genuine need for new hunters?

In a recent episode, we posed the question: "Is bowhunting turkeys ethical?" Back then, opinions were divided, with the majority still leaning towards the ethical side. However, as we've progressed through this turkey season, we're starting to question our stance. In this episode, we're getting real with you all. We'll break down our turkey hunts from this season and candidly discuss what went wrong. Despite our extensive experience bowhunting turkeys and enjoying significant success in the past, this season has presented challenges. We've faced tough shots and, regrettably, experienced instances where a perfectly placed shot with the bird getting away. So, it brings us back to the fundamental question: Is turkey hunting with a bow truly ethical?

ANNOUNCMENT: Thank you to everyone who sent in their turkey harvest photos from this season! We love seeing you guys out enjoying the hunt, but also seeing your success that comes with it! Congratulations to the winners of the Raised Hunting Turkey fan mounts: Joseph Mains, Travis King, and Jim Holloway! If you guys can send us your name and address to [email protected] and we will get your mounts sent out! Keep up the excellent work this turkey season everyone and we still want to see photos!

The gobbler action in Iowa is really heating up! Within the first week of turkey season, all three of the boys have managed to punch at least one tag. But as the season progresses, the birds become more skittish under the pressure from other hunters. Whether you're waiting for your season to begin or scouting for new birds, obstacles can still stand in your path - quite literally.One of our RH Podcast faithful listeners raised an interesting topic: how to get a bird to cross a fence or creek. We dive into our experiences battling stubborn birds at fence lines and offer strategies to encourage them to break through. Additionally, we'll discuss Easton's recent hunt, where he conveniently bagged his turkey right after recording last week's episode!We're eager to see your turkey photos from this season, and if you share them with us, you might just walk away with a turkey fan mount!

Finally, it's here—turkey season has officially arrived in Iowa! We've got a short and sweet episode for you today because, like many of you, we're eager to get back out into the woods. Opening day of turkey season in Iowa started with a bang. Easton set a goal for the season: to take David on a hunt and call in a bird. The father-son duo accomplished their mission, albeit not without some turkey rodeo action. Meanwhile, Warren headed to a familiar spot, armed with knowledge of patterned birds, and bagged one early. We've got plenty more hunts to share with you in the coming week, so stay tuned for more turkey action. Good luck to everyone turkey hunting this season, and congratulations to those who've already punched a tag!

We're just a week away from getting back out into the woods for turkey hunting here in Iowa. There's nothing quite like the sound of fired-up toms in the morning, with the sun rising, or the shock gobble of a bird you had no idea was there. Over the years, the Raised Hunting crew has experienced some phenomenal turkey hunts all across the country. Today, we want to share some of our best turkey hunting moments with you. From the fastest bird call-ins to the farthest distances we've called them from, and even encounters with seemingly possessed birds, we cover it all.

Hunting has been a part of human existence since the dawn of time, initially a means of survival, now embraced for the thrill it offers. It provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature, dedicating precious hours to the pursuit. It's a time for bonding with family and old friends, sharing stories, and creating cherished memories. Achieving success in hunting is a quest unto itself, offering a satisfaction like no other. In a shut down world, hunting served as an escape. Months of preparation turned into a moment where success is measured in mere seconds. In this episode, we look to answer one question: Why do you hunt?

Turkey season holds a special place in our hearts – it's a time of excitement, strategy discussions, and the thrill of chasing gobblers. But in this episode, we're not just sharing turkey hunting tactics; we're diving into the hottest takes of the turkey hunting world. Drawing from comments across social media, other podcasts, and personal encounters, we've compiled a list of topics that ignite passionate debates. From reaping turkeys to the use of decoys and even the ethics of bow hunting for turkeys, we dive into some of the biggest debates we can find. This conversation seems to even strike a nerve with us, so you guys are in for a wild ride!

Today, we're stirring the pot once again in the hunting world, delving into a debate that never seems to lose steam: heavy arrows versus light arrows. Every hunter has their own opinion on the matter, and we're diving headfirst into this controversial discussion. While we've touched on this topic before, today we're going deeper, tackling a specific question: how does the weight of an arrow affect its ability to achieve pass-throughs and precise shot placement on big game animals? We give our own opinions on the debate as well as dive into a view past studies to provide some facts on arrow speed based on their weights. We even break down our bow set ups to provide some in-field insights to inform the discussion. So buckle up, because things are about to get interesting in the hunting community once again.

The countdown is on for getting out and chasing turkeys. With some turkey season for some states getting ready to open in March, we wanted to share our ideal turkey tactics for opening day with you all! We break down our scouting methods, ideal blind and decoy setups, and offer tips for hunting pesky pressured birds as the season progresses. Whether you're turkey hunting with a bow or a shotgun, we cover tactics to help you be successful with both! We hope these strategies can bring you success this turkey season!