The Everyday Bow Hunter - podcast cover

The Everyday Bow Hunter

Mike Manleyarcheryhunting.com
Join Mike Manley, a retired US Army Special Forces Green Beret, and his brother Dan Zeamer, a seasoned ground hunter, as they dive into the world of bow hunting. On 'The Everyday Bow Hunter' podcast, they share strategic hunting insights, discuss gear, interview experts, and provide practical tips to improve your hunting skills. Whether you're in a treestand or on the ground, this podcast is for every bow hunter looking to gain an edge in the field. Mike is the owner of ArcheryHunting.com and The Everyday Bow Hunter social media channels on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and others.
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Episodes

Ep. 42: Fine-Tuning for Archery Season & Our New Giveaway!

In this episode, Dan and I dig into how we are fine-tuning our bows, arrows, and training for the upcoming archery season. I dive into how I am testing different vanes and fletching my arrows differently to test broadhead flight at longer ranges.Dan discusses conservation and ongoing collared bear studies in Pennsylvania, and we highlight the potential Sunday hunting options that will soon be available in the state.We talk about how advanced training techniques that go beyond just shooting your ...

Jul 26, 202554 minSeason 1Ep. 42

Ep. 41: Public Land Grab Denied, PA Sunday Hunting, & Giveaway Winners Announced!

In this episode of The Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast, we tackle three big stories every bowhunter should care about: 🔥 Mike Lee’s Public Land Sale Proposal – We break down Sen. Mike Lee’s attempt to sell off up to 1.2 million acres of BLM land in 11 states. We explain what it means for hunters, how it almost made it into the “Big Beautiful Bill,” and why it sparked backlash from hunters, veterans, and even fellow Republicans. 🦌 PA Sunday Hunting Bill (2025) – The Pennsylvania Sunday hunting bill...

Jul 04, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 41

Ep. 40: 150 Yards or Bust? What 10 Years of Buck Data Taught Us

n this episode, Dan and I dig into the data from our 10-year deer study — specifically the post “Where Bucks Bed (and How to Hunt Them Without Blowing It)” — and break down what it really means for bowhunters trying to get within 150 yards of a mature buck before the rut. We also talk arrow building: Our current setups What mistakes we see most hunters make Why your arrow weight matters more than you think (especially inside 30 yards) Plus, we share some interesting early-season trail cam intel ...

Jun 12, 202547 minSeason 1Ep. 40

Ep. 39: Why The Next 4 Months Matter For Every Bowhunter!

If you’re a bowhunter, your success this fall starts right now . In this episode, I break down why the next 4 months, from June through September, are the most important prep window of the year. Whether you’re brand new to bowhunting or have a few seasons under your belt, this episode will help you make smart moves all summer long. The real reason summer matters more than most hunters realize What to focus on right now (and what can wait) Why gear testing and layering should happen now , not in ...

May 30, 202551 minSeason 1Ep. 39

Ep. 38: Dad Caught a Giant Trout...Then Opening Day Went Off the Rails

This episode kicks off with one of the funniest moments we’ve had in camp — and no, it’s not about deer or turkeys (at first). You’re getting trout stories, massive fish, and my dad unexpectedly stealing the show. Then we get into the first weekend of Pennsylvania’s spring gobbler season , where things took a wild turn before daylight even settled in. We talk about: A 23 3/8-inch trout that blew everyone away Why my dad might secretly want to be on the podcast Our morning hunt setups, how things...

May 09, 202551 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Ep. 37: Why Your Bow Setup Might Be Holding You Back

Most bowhunters set their sight and forget it. But dialing in your bow sight the right way— with real field feedback, not just range sessions —can make the difference between a clean shot and a clean miss. In this episode, Dan and I break down some of the overlooked details about bow sight setup , especially for mobile and public land bowhunters. We talk about second and third axis leveling , why most bowhunters don’t practice the right way, and what you should actually be thinking about before ...

Apr 10, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Ep. 36: Spring Scouting Buck Bedding Areas in Hill Country – Find More Mature Bucks!

Spring scouting is the key to unlocking mature buck bedding areas in hill country. If you want to tag a big buck this fall, now is the time to hit the woods and find primary and secondary bedding, travel routes, and terrain features that hold deer year after year. In this episode, we break down exactly how to scout hill country buck beds , including: ✔ Where Bucks Bed in Hill Country – How they use ridges, points, and leeward slopes. ✔ Key Bedding Sign to Look For – Identifying buck beds, rub li...

Mar 20, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Ep. 35: The Bow Hunters Off Season (Smart Strategies to Improve Next Season)

The hunt doesn’t start in the fall—it starts right now in the off-season. In this episode of The Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast , Mike Manley and Dan Zeamer break down what bowhunters should be doing now to set themselves up for success when the season rolls around. From fine-tuning your shooting form to scouting better spots and analyzing what worked (or didn’t) last season, this episode is packed with real-world strategies for the everyday bowhunter . 🔑 Key Topics in This Episode: ✅ Off-season s...

Mar 07, 202559 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Ep. 34: Dialing in Our Bows: What We Changed and Why!

Bowhunting success isn’t just about what happens during the season—it’s about the adjustments you make in the off-season. In this episode, Dan and I talk about how we’re dialing in our bows, fixing last season’s mistakes, and prepping for next year’s hunts. After my visit to the Great American Outdoor Show , I picked up a new bow and I’m walking through the setup and tuning process to optimize it for my hunting style. Dan shares how he’s tweaking his current bow setup to get better accuracy and ...

Feb 11, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Ep. 33: Our Tips for Bowhunting Success During the Off-Season

Bowhunting success isn’t just about what happens in the fall—it starts with the work you put in during the off-season. In this episode, Dan and I dive into essential off-season bowhunting tips to help you prepare for your best season yet. What’s Inside This Episode: • Trail Camera Strategies: Learn how to maximize battery life, improve placement, and gather valuable data for next season. • Exodus Outdoor Gear Closure: What this means for hunters and how to take advantage of trade-in programs fro...

Jan 23, 202549 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Ep. 32: Scouting the Late Season | What YOU Need to Know!

Late-season bow hunting offers unique opportunities to tag a buck and set yourself up for future success. In this episode, we discuss how to hunt during the cold weather months when deer are focused on food sources, and how to use snow tracking to locate them more effectively. We also cover the importance of post-season scouting , sharing tips on how to identify scrapes, rubs, and trails left behind from the fall. By using these signs, you can better understand deer movement patterns and prepare...

Dec 30, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 32

Ep. 31: Lessons from a Tough Bow Season & Tim Kennedy Stolen Valor Reaction

Dan and I sit down to reflect on the hard lessons we learned during this challenging bow season. From in-season scouting strategies to adjusting for tough hunting conditions, we’re sharing what worked, what didn’t, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes. We also dive into the controversy surrounding Tim Kennedy and the Antihero Podcast’s claims of stolen valor and combat experience exaggerations in his book Scars and Stripes . As a retired Green Beret, I share my personal reaction to the...

Dec 12, 202457 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Ep. 30: Buck Down (The Crazy Ending No One Expected!)

In this episode, Dan and I dive into the drama we encountered after a buck was hit during the last weekend of fall archery in Pennsylvania. ⭐️See Our Video Podcast Episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvA2y-EH_jD7lK6QiCJPrkHXsGyLAFJyX Asio Gear - Get 20% OFF w/Code: ARCH20 - https://bit.ly/asio20-OFF True Timber - Get 10% OFF w/Code: MIKE10 - https://bit.ly/true-timber Pnuma Outdoors - Get 20% OFF w/Code: MANLEY20 - https://bit.ly/3Tdpag8 GhostBlind - Get 5% OFF w/Code: MIKE - h...

Nov 26, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Ep. 29: Deer Drought is Over! But the Struggle is REAL!

An epic start to the deer season with a deer down in camp and a 51-year drought ended. This was an incredible start to the 2024 archery season here in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania. In addition, we dig into the first four weeks of bow season and talk about the trials and tribulations of whitetail deer hunting on public land in the mountains. 🔧 My 2024 Bow Hunting Gear List - https://bit.ly/2024-gear ⭐️SEE more of the Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playli...

Oct 29, 202449 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Ep. 28: Opening Day is HERE! | Your Bow Hunting Questions Answered

Archery season is here and we dive into our opening day plans, discuss how we measure deer hunting success on public land, and send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by Hurricane Helene on this episode of the podcast. 🔧 My 2024 Bow Hunting Gear List - https://bit.ly/2024-gear In this episode, we talked about these products: Huntworth Saskatoon - https://bit.ly/47cReG2 Huntworth Elkins - https://bit.ly/huntworthelkins Sitka Stratus Bibs - https://alnk.to/4Xw9w3v ⭐️SEE more of the Everyd...

Oct 02, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Ep. 27: The Fall Shift is Here & Its About to Change Everything!

In this episode, we discuss the fall shift and what bucks are doing now as the early season kicks in and the Pennsylvania archery season opener looms. ⭐️SEE more of the Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvA2y-EH_jD7lK6QiCJPrkHXsGyLAFJyX ============================= All Products and Gear Mentioned in this Video ============================= Huntworth Gear (Elkins & Saskatoon): ➡︎ https://bit.ly/4e9NTtH Sitka Stratus: ➡︎ https://alnk.to/5ugl1Me Mystery R...

Sep 17, 202443 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Ep. 26: Deer Hunting Times, Weather, and Scenarios (WeLove!)

When is the best time and weather to hunt? This week we dive into our favorite hunting scenarios, the weather conditions we look for, and the time of year we want to connect with bow hunting success on a mature buck. ⭐️See all our podcast episodes on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvA2y-EH_jD7lK6QiCJPrkHXsGyLAFJyX ============================= All Products and Gear Mentioned in this Video ============================= Phase Scent Control System: ➡︎ https://amzn.to/3MC2NNH H...

Sep 05, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 26

Ep. 25: Beginner Bow Hunting Mistakes to Avoid 2024

Every archery season we find something to screw up. In this episode, Dan and I dig into a ton of beginner bow hunting mistakes you must avoid. In fact, you don't have to be a beginner for most of these because we mess things up when deer hunting all the time. 📌 SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL NOW! - https://bit.ly/youtube-subscribe-link ⬇️⬇️⬇️ THE BOWHUNTING GEAR I USE! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 2024 Mathews Lift - https://www.mathewsinc.com/product/lift29-5/ Tru-Fire 4-Finger Release - https://amzn.to/3U5d2g1 Apex Cov...

Aug 23, 202453 minSeason 1Ep. 25

Ep. 24: You've Found Deer, Now What? | The Steps We Take

You've found great buck sign, but what do you do next? Dan and I discuss what we do for treestand and ground-hunting scenarios in this week's podcast episode. ⭐️Check out my full deer hunting camouflage breakdown here!: https://bit.ly/deercamo ⬇️⬇️⬇️ THE BOWHUNTING GEAR I USE! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 2024 Mathews Lift - https://www.mathewsinc.com/product/lift29-5/ Tru-Fire 4-Finger Release - https://amzn.to/3U5d2g1 Apex Covert Pro Black Power Dot Sight - https://amzn.to/3X0stK8 SUNYA Archery Bow Stabilizer - htt...

Aug 14, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 24

Ep. 23: How to Hunt the Early Season (But Don't Be THAT Guy!)

In this episode, Dan and I detail how we hunt deer in the early season and mistakes to avoid for a safe and drama-free archery season. ⭐️Check out the entire "The Everyday Bow Hunter Podcast" on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvA2y-EH_jD7lK6QiCJPrkHXsGyLAFJyX ============================= All Products and Gear Mentioned in this Video ============================= Moultrie Edge Trail Camera: ➡︎ https://amzn.to/3YjQ74Z Moultrie Edge Pro Trail Camera: ➡︎ https://amzn.to/3Wmcwf...

Jul 26, 202448 minSeason 1Ep. 23

Ep. 22: Getting Ready for Early Season Bow Hunting

In this episode, we dive into what we are seeing in the woods right now, food sources that are popping, hunting in the early season heat, how to adapt with the hunting clothes you wear, and more. ============================= Resources Mentioned in this Podcast ============================= First Lite Wick Hoody & Trace Pants Review: ➡︎ https://youtu.be/Mts-n2bxKco First Lite Whitetail Catalyst Review: ➡︎ https://youtu.be/O7byefZzWEo Sitka Stratus vs. Huntworth Elkins: ➡︎ https://youtu.be/cV...

Jul 11, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Ep. 21: Summer Scouting & Identifying Key Food Sources w/Trevor Manley

In this episode, we dive into bow season prep, summer scouting, and how to identify key food sources for deer for stand selection and honing in your scouting for the season. ⭐️Check out my new deer hunting camouflage breakdown here!: https://bit.ly/deercamo Videos Mentioned in this Podcast Episode: Best Camo for Deer Hunting: ➡︎https://youtu.be/T1ZuvqByLxg 6 Steps That Made Me a Better Bow Hunter: ➡︎ https://youtu.be/pafzptPQ5JQ ============================= All Products and Gear Mentioned in th...

Jun 28, 202453 minSeason 1Ep. 21

Ep. 20: Patterning Bucks in Hill Country, Turkey, & the New E-Bike!

In this episode, we dive into how to pattern bucks in hill country and the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania. Dan and I dig into the PA turkey season opener, and Dan talks about using his new E-bike for scouting and hunting for long-range hunts. A listener sent me a question on Instagram asking how we pattern deer in hill country since it is the primary area where we usually hunt deer. We talk about how we use different techniques to identify movement patterns and how we use e-scouting too...

May 11, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 20

Ep. 19: Bow Hunting Styles, E-Bikes, & the Need for Scent Control

Dan and I dive into the debate over high fence, lease, and guided hunts. Our new look at using E-Bikes for long distance scouting and hunting, when we start season prep, and how we feel about scent control. This episode has all that and more. The conversation doesn't stop there. We start unpacking our preparations for the upcoming hunting season—when and how we begin, what's new in our strategy this year, and the tools we find indispensable. Additionally, we take a critical look at scent control...

Apr 22, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 19

Ep. 18: This Can Only Happen on Public Land & Your Questions Answered

This craziness can only happen on public land, You won't believe what happened to me last weekend on state game lands here in Pennsylvania. Plus, Dan and I dig into your questions and tell our three most memorable hunting stories. This episode of the podcast runs the gambit from technical bow hunting advice to a public land encounter that is literally unexplainable. Check out the pod now and make sure you stick around for this story, It is weird. In this episode: Discover the Victory Vap TKOs an...

Mar 23, 202446 minSeason 1Ep. 18

EP. 17: A Bow Hunter, a Piss Bottle, and a Beaver

In this episode, we dive deep into some season prep, bows, arrows, and gear reviews, then go into a bunch of hunting stories that I think you're going to like. Starting with... A Crazy Beaver Story: First up, we've got a funny story about a beaver. Yes, you heard that right. It's not every day you have a run-in with a beaver while hunting, but let me tell you, it can make for a pretty memorable day. This story is a reminder that when you're out in the woods, expect the unexpected. Resources from...

Mar 04, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 17

Ep. 16: Unlocking Winter Scouting & Buck Bedding + Gear Insights

In this episode of "The Everyday Bowhunter," join hosts Mike Manley and Dan Zeamer for an in-depth discussion on their recent visit to the Great American Outdoor Show. Alongside exploring the latest hunting gear and technology, this episode dives into the essentials of winter scouting and understanding buck bedding areas. Whether you're fine-tuning your hunting gear or strategizing for next season's hunts, Mike and Dan share their expertise and personal experiences to help you get ahead. In This...

Feb 15, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 16

Ep. 15: Back in the Game: Gear, Scouting, and Off-Season Obsessions

In this episode, we discuss a range of topics, from our off-season obsessions to scouting strategies, and the importance of understanding deer behavior. We also touch on our experiences with various hunting gear and the excitement of trying out new equipment. Our conversation includes personal anecdotes and practical advice, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in bowhunting. We also pay tribute to a close friend and share our plans for upcoming hunting trips, including a scouting exped...

Jan 26, 202455 minSeason 1Ep. 15

Ep. 14: Year End Beginner Bow Hunter Questions Answered

As we close out the year, hosts we dive into a list of questions and topics most relevant to our beginner bowhunter audience. Here's what you can expect in this episode: Introduction: A brief recap of the season and what this episode will cover. Welcoming new listeners and a thank you to our community for their engagement and questions. Ethical Hunting Deep Dive: Mike and Dan discuss the importance of ethical hunting, sharing personal stories and the consequences of overlooking this crucial aspe...

Dec 23, 202359 minSeason 1Ep. 14

Ep. 13: Public Land Challenges, Thermals, and Late Season Strategies

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for those looking to refine their approach to hunting in varied terrains, especially when dealing with the unpredictable elements of public land. We tackle a listener's question about thermals, share our own archery season adventures, and discuss the ethics of hunting in shared spaces. Whether you're planning your next hunt or just love to hear about the intricacies of bowhunting, this episode is tailored just for you. In This Episode: Understanding T...

Dec 07, 202345 minSeason 1Ep. 13
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