playnext.fm

The Push - A Traditional Archery Podcast

Episode 379 - Gettin Stickbow Close with Steve Stivaly

·1 hr 2 min·5 clips
Steve Stivaly has hunted with the same Black Widow bow and aluminum arrows for 34 years.
The episode features an interview with Steve Stivaly, a traditional archery content creator and hunter. Host introduces the episode with seasonal updates on late-season bow hunting and indoor competitions, followed by ads for products and online courses. Steve shares his background: he is 58, retired from UPS, lives in New Jersey, and grew up hunting with his father. He got his first bow at 14, a Martin compound, and transitioned to traditional archery after being inspired by Barry Wenzel's videos. Steve ordered his first Black Widow recurve in 1991 and has used it ever since, with minor limb replacements. He discusses early struggles and successes, including his first recurve buck. Steve and his hunting partner Jimmy started filming in 2003, hand-holding cameras initially, and released their first DVD in 2005 after gathering enough footage. They produced five DVD volumes before shifting to YouTube for easier distribution and feedback. Steve details his equipment: a Black Widow PMA bow, XX75 2219 aluminum arrows, Woodsman broadheads, and a split-finger instinctive shooting style. He emphasizes close-range hunting, with an average shot of eight yards over 140 deer, and shares a recent Kansas hunt where he killed a buck at seven yards. Steve talks about the mental game, focusing on specific spots and maintaining calm under pressure. He also touches on broadhead choices, sharpening techniques, and the importance of persistence in hunting. The episode concludes with motivational advice for hunters having a tough season, highlighting the value of time outdoors and consistency over new gear.

As heard by us

A grounded look at the gear, weight, and preset stands behind traditional archery films.

Traditional archery comes across as a craft built from work: the gear, filming habits, and fixed hunting setups that make a bowhunting film possible.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want to know what it takes to carry camera gear that feels like an elk quarter into a New Jersey bowhunt?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on
Apple PodcastsSpotify
Play clips from this episodeMore from The Push - A Traditional Archery Podcast