In this episode, Matty sits down with long-time mate and experienced red deer hunter Mick Cullen.

Mick is someone who’s been in Matty’s ear for years, helping break down mistakes and sharpen decision-making in the field.

This is a practical conversation about what actually works when you’re chasing red deer in the rut.

Mick shares the systems he’s developed over more than a decade of consistent hunting. From calling setups and reading terrain, to understanding how stags behave across different phases of the rut.

There’s a big focus on execution under pressure, why most hunters get busted at the last moment, and the small decisions that separate blown opportunities from clean kills.

Podcast topics:

• Early vs late rut behaviour and when calling works best
• Why wind and setup matter more than the call itself
• Using terrain (benches, folds, cover) to force movement
• Drawing early vs getting busted at full draw
• Hind & fawn calls vs stag roars
• Spot-and-stalk vs calling, and when to use each
• Why most hunts fall apart inside 50m
• The importance of repetition and experience

Find Our Guest:

Mick Cullen

Instagram: @bows_dogs_n_rods

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