EP 219: Matt Zirnsak
Matt Zirnsak, a renowned archery teacher and the man behind The Push, was the guest on this week’s podcast episode where he delved into the intricacies of traditional archery and deer hunting. The conversation covered a variety of topics, including the difference between hunting whitetail and mule deer, the influence of technology on hunting tactics, and the transition from compound to traditional archery. Zirnsak's journey into the world of traditional archery began in his early 20s. Unlike most archers who start with compound bows, Zirnsak started directly with traditional archery, thanks to a Christmas gift from his then-fiancé. His first bow was a PSE Coyote, a 55-pound, 60-inch recurve, which he still owns and cherishes.
One of the fascinating parts of the discussion revolved around Zirnsak's aggressive hunting style. He is always on the move, hunting based on the most recent intel he has. This includes utilizing technology like cell cameras for deer tracking. However, he also emphasized the importance of not over-relying on technology and not letting it cross personal ethical lines. For Matt, hunting is more than just taking down the game; it's about the whole experience and the skills you hone along the way. The conversation also touched on the evolution of traditional archery instruction. The creation of instructional videos and the launch of online schools have fast-tracked the learning curve for budding archers. These resources have opened up access to expert coaches and valuable learning material for traditional archery, helping new archers improve their skills more rapidly.
The guys also explored the different approaches to aiming in archery. They discussed instinctive aiming and hard aiming, two contrasting methods, and how finding the perfect tree for an ambush factors into their aiming strategy. They also emphasized the importance of a repeatable anchor point and using a three-point anchor system. The episode concluded with a discussion on bow setups and arrow choices for hunting and competition. Zirnsak shared his preferred setups, including the type of bow, draw weight, and arrow weight. He also touched on the differences between using a hunting rig versus a competition rig.
In summary, this episode was a deep dive into the world of traditional archery and deer hunting. It provided invaluable insights and tips for anyone interested in these areas, whether they're just starting out or already a seasoned archer.
Guest Info
The Push Archery