The Dreaded Archer Podcast | Archery, Bowhunting & Conservation

Hunting has always been about more than harvesting an animal. It's about traditions, family, community, and passing our passion for the outdoors on to the next generation.

On this episode of The Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by Jason Everett to discuss his journey into hunting, his passion for the outdoors, and the hunting culture that makes East Texas and the Four States region unique.

We dive into the upcoming Whitetail Round Up, an event bringing hunters, families, and outdoor enthusiasts together for a day of education, hands-on activities, and community involvement. We also discuss the Four States Hunting Expo, the challenges facing today's hunters, and the importance of supporting local outdoor businesses.

But the conversation goes beyond hunting events. We tackle some bigger questions: Are we doing enough to introduce kids to the outdoors? Is hunting becoming too expensive for the average family? And what can experienced hunters do to make sure the next generation has the same opportunities we had growing up?

We also discuss the vision behind the Dreaded Archer Mobile Outdoor Campus and how partnerships within the outdoor community can help introduce more young people to archery, hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Whether you're a lifelong hunter or someone just getting interested in the outdoors, this conversation is about preserving our traditions while creating opportunities for the next generation.

Whitetail Round Up
November 7, 2026
North Shore Park – Wright Patman Lake, Texas

Get In DemWoods! 🏹🌲

#TheDreadedArcher #WhitetailRoundUp #HuntingTraditions #EastTexasHunting #OutdoorEducation #Bowhunting

Colton David returns to The Dreaded Archer Podcast for Part 2, and this time we're diving into a conversation that goes far beyond bows and hunting.

We kick things off with a powerful discussion about mental health and the impact archery can have on someone's life. Colton shares how picking up a bow helped him navigate some of his darkest moments and how archery became more than just a hobby. We explore the importance of finding an outlet, overcoming personal struggles, and using our platforms to make a positive impact on others.

From there, we catch up on Colton's recent hunting adventures, the lessons learned along the way, and his goals heading into the 2027 hunting season. We also turn our attention to the archery industry, sharing our predictions for the 2027 bow lineups and debating whether manufacturers are running out of meaningful innovations. With flagship bow prices continuing to climb, are hunters actually getting better technology, or are we paying more for marginal improvements? We also discuss magnesium risers, emerging technology, and which bow manufacturers have the most to prove.

Throughout the episode, we share our thoughts on the current state of archery, the influence of social media, and the importance of growing the sport while preserving the community that makes it special.

Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter or someone just discovering archery, this conversation is a reminder that the outdoors can offer something far more valuable than a successful hunt.

On this episode of The Dreaded Archer Podcast, I sit down with Colton Davis for a conversation that goes way beyond bows and broadheads.

We get into the gear-obsessed side of modern archery and one simple truth: spending more money won’t fix the suck. From constantly tinkering with setups and chasing the newest flagship bow to understanding when the problem is actually the person behind the string, we talk about what really makes someone a better archer.

We also dive into the controversial world of high-fence hunting and ranches. Is high-fence hunting still hunting? Does the size of the property matter? Where does fair chase begin and end? And are hunters actually arguing about ethics or about what should count as an accomplishment?

But this episode goes deeper than hunting and gear. Colton and I also discuss mental health, the peace we find behind a bow and in the woods, and why the outdoors can become such an important outlet when life gets heavy.

Gear. Tinkering. High fences. Hunting ethics. Mental health. And plenty of archery hot takes.

This is one of those conversations where we probably won't all agree and that's exactly the point.

On this episode of The Dreaded Archer Podcast, I sit down with Austin Comrie, an Idaho hunter and outdoorsman with a serious passion for the wild.

Austin has experienced some incredible hunts, from red stag and fallow deer to mule deer, ducks, and mountain lions. We sit down and talk about how he got started hunting, some of his most memorable experiences in the field, the gear he relies on, and what he's looking forward to this upcoming season.

But Austin's story goes beyond hunting.

Austin is on the autism spectrum, and he shares his personal experiences and how the outdoors and hunting have become such an important part of his life. We also talk about his goal of building a brand that encourages and inspires more people with autism to get outside, experience nature, and discover the hunting community.

And of course, we get into some crazy hunting stories, including the time a mountain lion jumped over Austin's head! 😂

This is a conversation about hunting, the outdoors, overcoming challenges, chasing adventures, and finding a community where you belong.

I really enjoyed getting to know Austin, and I think you're going to enjoy this one.

In this episode of The Dreaded Archer Podcast, I sit down with Dustin Ennis for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state and future of the archery industry.

Dustin and I originally connected over a conversation about the difference between customization and personalization when it comes to compound bows, but that discussion opened the door to a much bigger question: Where is archery headed?

We talk about Dustin’s journey into archery, the state of the industry, and why bow manufacturers continue to release new flagship bows every year. Are these annual releases actually driving innovation, or has the industry become too focused on marketing and selling the next new thing?

We also dive into where the next major breakthrough in archery could come from, where the industry still has room to grow, what the perfect compound bow might look like, and whether manufacturers should focus on completely new bows or building platforms that allow archers to truly make their equipment their own.

And then we tackle a controversial question:

Is the next generation of archers helping grow the sport or are we slowly losing what made archery great?

It's an honest conversation about innovation, technology, marketing, social media, gear, and the future of a sport we're both passionate about.

Is archery actually stuck or are we on the verge of its next big evolution?

What happens when someone who doesn't hunt becomes one of the strongest voices advocating for the future of hunting?

In this episode of the Dreaded Archer Podcast, I sit down with Colorado resident Ashley Johnson to discuss Oregon's proposed Initiative Petition 28 (IP28) and why she believes it could have implications far beyond the state's borders. Although Ashley isn't a hunter herself, she grew up around hunting, her family hunts, and she has become a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation and science-based wildlife management.

Together, we break down what IP28 proposes, discuss the concept of ballot box biology, and explore how wildlife policy is made. We also have an honest conversation about the challenges facing the hunting community, the importance of public education, and why hunters—and even non-hunters—should stay engaged in conversations that shape the future of wildlife management.

This isn't just a conversation about Oregon. It's a conversation about conservation, civic engagement, and the future of hunting in America.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ashley's journey into wildlife advocacy
• Oregon IP28 explained
• What is ballot box biology?
• Why this conversation extends beyond Oregon
• The role of science in wildlife management
• Common misconceptions about hunting
• How hunters can become more informed and proactive
• The future of hunting and conservation

Whether you're a lifelong hunter, new to the outdoors, or simply interested in how wildlife policy is shaped, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation on one of the most important issues facing the hunting community today.

In this episode of The Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by Matt Glassmeyer, owner of Tainted Carbon Archery Shop & Custom Arrows, and the creator behind @matt.veganless. We dive into one of the most important conversations facing the hunting and archery community today: Are we becoming our own worst enemy?

Matt recently sparked a lot of discussion after sharing his thoughts on what he calls the "cancer in the archery community". The growing trend of hunters and archers tearing each other down instead of building one another up. We talk about how social media has changed hunting culture, why negativity drives new hunters away, and why every hunter, regardless of experience or the size of their harvest, deserves respect.

We also discuss Matt's journey into hunting and archery, the story behind Tainted Carbon Archery Shop, the rise of bow customization, and why creating a bow that's uniquely yours has become one of the fastest-growing trends in archery.

Whether you're a lifelong hunter, a target archer, or someone just getting started, this episode is a reminder that the future of hunting depends on the community we choose to build.

In this episode:

• Matt's hunting and archery journey
• The story behind Tainted Carbon Archery Shop & Custom Arrows
• What sparked his "Cancer in the Archery Community" video
• How social media has changed hunting culture
• Why hunters attack other hunters
• The impact of negativity on new hunters
• The importance of conservation and growing the hunting community
• Bow customization, custom strings, skins, and building a one-of-a-kind setup
• Raising the next generation of hunters
• How we can make the archery community stronger together

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow hunter or archer. The more positive conversations we have, the stronger our community becomes.

In this episode of The Dreaded Archer Podcast, I'm joined by Matt Glassmeyer, owner of Tainted Carbon Archery Shop & Custom Arrows, and the creator behind @matt.veganless. We dive into one of the most important conversations facing the hunting and archery community today: Are we becoming our own worst enemy?

Matt recently sparked a lot of discussion after sharing his thoughts on what he calls the "cancer in the archery community". The growing trend of hunters and archers tearing each other down instead of building one another up. We talk about how social media has changed hunting culture, why negativity drives new hunters away, and why every hunter, regardless of experience or the size of their harvest, deserves respect.

We also discuss Matt's journey into hunting and archery, the story behind Tainted Carbon Archery Shop, the rise of bow customization, and why creating a bow that's uniquely yours has become one of the fastest-growing trends in archery.

Whether you're a lifelong hunter, a target archer, or someone just getting started, this episode is a reminder that the future of hunting depends on the community we choose to build.

In this episode:

• Matt's hunting and archery journey
• The story behind Tainted Carbon Archery Shop & Custom Arrows
• What sparked his "Cancer in the Archery Community" video
• How social media has changed hunting culture
• Why hunters attack other hunters
• The impact of negativity on new hunters
• The importance of conservation and growing the hunting community
• Bow customization, custom strings, skins, and building a one-of-a-kind setup
• Raising the next generation of hunters
• How we can make the archery community stronger together

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow hunter or archer. The more positive conversations we have, the stronger our community becomes.

This week, I'm joined by Jay for a conversation that starts with archery and ends somewhere completely unexpected.

We break down what it really costs to get into archery, why you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on your first setup, and how beginners can build a quality bow package without breaking the bank. We also discuss choosing your first bow, avoiding the gear rabbit hole, and why practice matters far more than having the latest equipment.

Then... the conversation takes a turn.

After discovering we're both fans of Power Rangers, Star Wars, and other classic nerd culture, we go completely off script and dive into some of our favorite childhood memories and fandoms. It turns into one of the most genuine and entertaining conversations we've had on the podcast.

Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter, someone looking to buy your first bow, or just a fellow 90s kid who grew up watching the Green Ranger morph into action, there's something here for you.

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.