The Stickboys Podcast

This week Alan Altizer is joined by Montana bowhunter Brian Koelzer. The truth is this podcast was recorded prior to Brian’s episode on the wind. Brian and Alan share their perspectives on the magic of hunting with a traditional bow and what it has meant to them though out their lives. Brian shares his 2024 Grizzly Hunt with us, as well as what it was like growing up in Montana with so many of the trad legends as mentors. These guys love traditional bowhunting and both work towards its future for the upcoming generations. Most of all, they share how much fun it is hunting with a stick and string. 

Join us for Part 2 of the 2024 Moose hunt in Alaska’s wilderness. Our friends Bryan Burkhardt and Jim Eeckhout were once again kind enough to record and share their 2024 Alaskan Moose hunt. As the 2024 deer season winds down, we are excited to bring their hunts to you. Their incredible day-to-day adventures are the things most of us only dream about. So set back and join them by the fire as they share their sixteen-day Alaskan Moose Adventure.

Join us again for a trip to Alaska’s wilderness. Our friends Bryan Burkhardt and Jim Eeckhout were once again kind enough to record and share their 2024 Alaskan Moose hunt. As the 2024 deer season winds down, we are excited to bring their hunts to you. Their incredible day-to-day adventures are the things most of us only dream about. So set back and join them by the fire as they share their sixteen-day Alaskan Moose Adventure.

This week Alan Altizer is joined by the original “Stickboy”, Dalton Lewis, in the finale of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. In Part 5 of this series, Alan and Dalton break down the physical components of the wind and how animals utilize them on a day-to-day basis. Dalton shares his belief in the importance of understanding the animal’s perspective when hunting mature animals. Enjoy this episode as these two discuss hunt strategies from scouting, approach, setups, and execution in gaining opportunities at trophy class animals. Whether you’re a trad hunter, compound hunter, or a gun hunter, “The Stickboys” hope this series will provide you the listeners, a wealth of knowledge and improve your woodsmanship.

This week Alan Altizer is joined by Montana bowhunter Brian Koelzer for a western perspective in Part 4 of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. Brian is one of the most successful traditional bowhunters hunting today. Having grown up as the son of trad legend Scott Koelzer, Brian also grew up hanging out with many of the other legends of Montana’s traditional bowhunters. As an adult Brian has greatly expanded his bowhunting knowledge as he has successfully pursued big game throughout North America, including Grizzly and his specialty, trophy Mule deer inside 10 yards with a trad bow. Brian’s perspective and approach on how to hunt the wind whether hunting Ohio whitetail, Montana elk, Wyoming Mule deer, or Alaskan grizzly has led to his amazing success in taking some incredible animals. Join Alan as Brian graciously shares his knowledge of hunting the wind.

This week Alan Altizer is joined by his good friend Nathan Killen in Part 3 of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. Nathan is one of the most knowledgeable mountain whitetail hunters in North America. His ability to locate mature, public land whitetail bucks is hinged on his understanding of how the bucks utilize wind on a daily basis. Nathan constantly refines his knowledge of the secretive haunts of these bucks which is apparent with his ability to find their beds and sheds. His understanding of topography’s effects on wind is unsurpassed. Set in on the conversation as Nathan generously shares his perspectives on what it takes to kill a mature mountain buck.  

This week Alan Altizer is joined by his good friend Aaron Miller in part 2 of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. Alan considers Aaron to be one of the most knowledgeable whitetail hunters in North America. Aaron’s success with a longbow and wood arrows on mature whitetail throughout North America is the result of years of quantitative studies, field experience, and hard work. His understanding of the winds of the whitetail and how mature bucks utilize it in varying environments has led to the demise of countless whitetail. Set in on the conversation as Aaron generously shares his perspectives on what it takes to kill a buck of a lifetime. 

This series will continue over several episodes as Alan interviews some of the most successful traditional bowhunters he knows as they discuss each of their approaches on hunting the wind. Trad bow range does not allow for mistakes, so these guys have to have a solid understanding and approach. This series will provide listeners a wealth of knowledge and improve your woodsmanship.    

This week Alan Altizer begins the start of the “Secrets of the Wind” series. This five-part series begins by breaking down the physical components of the wind and how animals utilize them on a day-to-day basis. Alan stresses the importance of understanding the animal’s perspective, not the hunter’s, when hunting mature animals. Once the hunter understands the animal’s needs, they can then greatly increase their opportunities at trophy class animals.

This series will continue over several episodes as Alan interviews some of the most successful traditional bowhunters he knows as they discuss each of their approaches on hunting the wind. Trad bow range does not allow for mistakes, so these guys have to have a solid understanding and approach. This series will provide listeners a wealth of knowledge and improve your woodsmanship.     

TBM Owner, T.J. Conrads and former PBS President Jim Akenson introduce the newly formed Traditional Bowhunters Hall of Fame.

The Traditional Bowhunters Hall of Fame Inc. was created to preserve the rich history of bowhunters who hunt with longbows, recurves, and selfbows. The organizational goal of TBHOF is to recognize and honor individual sportsmen, women, adventurers, conservationists, and craftsman. Some have gone on before us and some are still here today!

Gene Wensel graciously shares stories of floating Jay Massey's Moose John River in Alaska with his friend Paul Bruner in pursuit of moose and caribou. Jay was one off the incredible outdoorsmen in modern times and defined the best parts of traditional bowhunting while living the ethics of the hunt.

So, pull up a chair and join Gene and Alan Altizer as they pay tribute to Jay's life. God bless the "The Pathfinder".