The Archery Project

Zakk Plocica

All archery all the time. Your go to archery and bowhunting podcast.

  1. Bow Tuning Q&A: Fixing Tear Issues, Arrow Builds & FAST Bow Setup | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    5 DAYS AGO

    Bow Tuning Q&A: Fixing Tear Issues, Arrow Builds & FAST Bow Setup | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    Your bow didn’t “just stop shooting” overnight, and the fix usually isn’t a mystery product or a random twist of the rest. We take a stack of listener questions and turn them into a clear troubleshooting path for the most common accuracy killers: drop-away rest timing that’s ripping fletchings, cam timing that’s out of sync, and setups that drift so far off-spec you end up chasing one paper tear after another. We also get into what modern speed is doing to real hunting and 3D setups. If your new rig is so fast that your 20 and 30 yard pins are basically touching, you’re not stuck. We talk through smarter pin-gap configurations, how to “change the zero” without overthinking it, and how to validate your holds with practice so you’re not guessing when it matters. Along the way, we break down when paper tuning is non-negotiable, why it gives immediate feedback, and how it can even help spot equipment issues beyond your form. On the gear side, we cover sidebars and bow lean at full draw, why grip repeatability matters more than bolting on stabilizers, and how to think about arrow builds for Total Archery Challenge and hunting. We share practical ranges for total arrow weight, point weight, and typical FOC, plus thoughts on durability with low GPI shafts, inserts vs half-outs, and when carbon vs aluminum risers really comes down to feel, sound, and balance. If this helped, subscribe to the show, share it with a buddy who’s fighting a paper tear, and leave a review with the tuning problem you want us to tackle next. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    35 min
  2. Top 10 Total Archery Challenge Tips | TAC Survival Guide (Beginner to Advanced)

    23 APR

    Top 10 Total Archery Challenge Tips | TAC Survival Guide (Beginner to Advanced)

    Your legs are burning, the target is steep downhill, and a line of shooters is waiting while you try to range, dial, and execute a clean shot on uneven rock. Total Archery Challenge doesn’t just test how well you shoot a bow, it tests whether your process holds up when terrain, fatigue, and pressure all hit at once. We walk through the biggest TAC pain points we see every season and the fixes that actually move the needle. That starts with angle shooting fundamentals (draw and anchor first, then bend at the waist) and the often-missed detail that can wreck steep shots: third axis leveling on your bow sight. From there we get practical about rangefinding with angle compensation, bringing spare batteries, and using the same rangefinder you used to sight in so your sight tape matches reality. Next we go deep on gear and performance: why you must true your sight tape at longer distances, how to build a repeatable shot process when crowds and congestion make you rush, and how to find stable footing on off-camber ground. We also cover TAC arrow strategy (durable carbon, sensible arrow weight, small diameter options for mountain wind), stabilizer choices that balance holding steady with carrying your bow for hours, and the endurance side most people underestimate: hydration, electrolytes, snacks, and broken-in boots that won’t destroy your feet in heat, rain, and slick climbs. If you want TAC to feel like smart bowhunting practice instead of an expensive arrow hunt, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with your shooting group, and leave a review, then tell us in the comments what tip helped you most. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    46 min
  3. Buying Your First Hunting Compound Bow Q&A | Friday Kill Notes

    10 APR

    Buying Your First Hunting Compound Bow Q&A | Friday Kill Notes

    Buying your first hunting compound bow should feel exciting, not confusing and expensive. We see tons of new archers get stuck comparing brands, speed ratings, and “flagship vs budget” arguments, then end up with a bow that never feels right because it was not fitted or tuned correctly. So we go straight at the real problem: how to choose a compound bow you can grow with, and how to make sure it actually shoots the way it should. We dig into the sweet spot of the mid-price bow market, where bows like the Hoyt Enduro and other standout models now include features that used to be reserved for top-tier releases. We talk through what matters most when you’re shopping, including draw length, draw weight, grip feel, draw cycle, and the tuning systems that can make ownership easier. We also answer a classic dilemma: should you take a brand new mid-priced bow or an older flagship bow at the same price? The decision comes down to performance expectations, durability, warranty coverage, and whether the seller is truly reputable. We also get practical about archery shop service. You should be able to test shoot bows without paying a fee, and you should feel welcomed even if you bought your bow somewhere else and just need professional setup and tuning. If a shop makes you feel rushed or dismissed, that’s your sign to keep looking. Subscribe, share this with a new archer, and leave a review, then drop your questions and tell us what bow you would choose and why. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    26 min
  4. Turkey Broadheads Explained: What Actually Works (Full Setup Guide)

    7 APR

    Turkey Broadheads Explained: What Actually Works (Full Setup Guide)

    A turkey can look huge in the field, right up until you try to thread an arrow into a tiny vital zone on a bird that never stops moving. That’s why broadhead choice matters more for archery turkey hunting than most people want to admit. Zach from Extreme Outfitters sits down with JR Gettler to sort through the real tradeoffs between mechanical broadheads, fixed blade broadheads, and guillotine or decapitation broadheads, with a focus on what actually helps you recover a bird. We talk through body-shot setups that keep things simple and forgiving, including why a bigger cutting diameter can be your friend and why many hunters like mechanical heads that fly close to a field point. Then we get honest about fixed blades: reliable, yes, but often smaller cuts and less margin for error, plus more tuning demands. JR also shares what it took to get a guillotine style head flying well, including slowing the rig down, running a longer arrow for clearance, choosing the right arrow spine, and adding more steering with fletching so the front end doesn’t act like a propeller. You’ll leave with a practical checklist for bow tuning, broadhead testing, and setting a hard max range that matches your skill, your blind or run-and-gun style, and your ethics. If this helps, subscribe, share it with your turkey hunting group, and leave a review so more bowhunters can make cleaner shots this season. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    53 min
  5. Total Archery Challenge Reality Check (Indiana/Kentucky Recap) | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    3 APR

    Total Archery Challenge Reality Check (Indiana/Kentucky Recap) | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    TAC doesn’t care how confident you feel in the parking lot. Once you’re on a steep hillside, shooting in the rain, trying to range a dark 3D target through brush with a group watching, you find out what’s real about your setup and your shot process. We’re fresh back from Total Archery Challenge in Indiana and Kentucky, and we’re unpacking the stuff you only learn by being there: the terrain that sneaks up on you, how fast weather can swing, and why even “normal” yardages feel different when the cone is on slick ground. We talk through the gear that actually matters for 3D archery and bowhunting practice at TAC. That includes boots with real tread, rain gear you bring even when the forecast lies, and a rangefinder that can lock onto shadowed targets. We also get into the unsexy but critical details like third axis leveling on your bow sight for uphill and downhill shots, checking your setup after a long drive, and building a sight tape from solid distance data. If you’ve ever wondered whether a hunting setup can hang at TAC, we share what worked, what felt challenging, and why consistency beats chasing trends. We also cover what we noticed across the event, from arrow choices and 4mm vs 5mm considerations in the wind to the bows we kept seeing on the line, plus why TAC is such a good community reset compared to the internet comment-section chaos. If you’re planning your first Total Archery Challenge, we share booking tips, event-day expectations, and why a little fitness prep makes the whole experience more fun and more accurate. Subscribe, share this with your shooting buddy, and leave a review with your best TAC lesson so far. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    41 min
  6. Master Your Shot Process & Shoot More Accurately (Full Breakdown) | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    27 MAR

    Master Your Shot Process & Shoot More Accurately (Full Breakdown) | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    Your bow can be perfectly tuned and still throw random arrows if your shot process changes from one rep to the next. We get real about the hardest part of archery: consistency. I walk through the shot sequence I rely on when I’m trying to tighten groups on the range and carry that calm, repeatable execution into bowhunting season. If you’ve ever blamed your gear for a flyer, this conversation is a reset back to the basics that actually move the needle. We start with the foundation: stance, posture, and keeping that front shoulder down and out. From there, we dig into grip pressure and why adjusting your bow hand at full draw creates instant inconsistency. I also share the release aids I shoot and why release choice is personal, whether you’re running a thumb button, index release, hinge, or resistance style. The goal is not chasing the “best” release, it’s finding what fits your hand and building a repeatable process around it. Then we get into the mental side of shooting a compound bow. Peep sight alignment has to be the same every time, and your pin will always float. I explain how trusting that float helps you avoid rushing, punching the trigger, and building target panic. On execution, I share the cue that’s been helping me lately: combining steady pull with a controlled “squeeze” on the thumb barrel so the shot still surprises me and follow-through stays clean. If you want tighter groups, fewer bad habits, and a shot process that holds up under pressure, hit play. Subscribe for more archery training and bowhunting lessons, share this with a buddy who’s chasing flyers, and leave a review. What part of your shot process breaks down first when you’re under stress? 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    31 min
  7. Compound Bow Buying Guide: Entry Level vs Mid Range vs Flagship | FRIDAY KILL NOTEST

    20 MAR

    Compound Bow Buying Guide: Entry Level vs Mid Range vs Flagship | FRIDAY KILL NOTEST

    Buying a compound bow shouldn’t feel like a guessing game where the only safe answer is “spend more.” I’m Zakk Plocica from Extreme Outfitters, and I walk you through a clear, practical way to pick the right compound bow based on how you actually hunt, how often you shoot, and what you can realistically budget. We break the market into three price tiers: entry level, mid price, and flagship. You’ll hear what changes as you move up, from adjustability and ready to hunt packages to smoother draw cycles, quieter shots, better components, and modern tuning systems. I also explain why setup is everything, including draw length, cam timing, and center shot, and why a quick trip to a solid archery pro shop can matter more than the logo on the riser. Then we get honest about the numbers that surprise first-time buyers: “out the door” cost. A flagship bow is often sold bare, so accessories like a sight, rest, quiver, stabilizer, arrows, and a release can push the total far past the sticker price. I’ll help you avoid underspending if you know you’re all-in, and overspending if you’re still figuring out whether bowhunting will stick. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s bow shopping, and leave a review with your current tier and what bow you’re considering. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    37 min
  8. Is Archery Becoming Overcomplicated? A Bowhunter’s Perspective | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    6 MAR

    Is Archery Becoming Overcomplicated? A Bowhunter’s Perspective | FRIDAY KILL NOTES

    Feeling buried under bow specs, tuning hacks, and must-have accessories? We take a hard look at modern archery’s tech surge and make a case for something rarer and far more effective for bowhunters: simplicity with a purpose. Instead of chasing every new sight, rest, and arrow layout, we walk through a clean, goal-driven setup that holds up in the woods and under pressure. We start by drawing a clear line between target precision and bowhunting realities. If your whitetail shots live inside 40 yards, you probably don’t need a $600 sight or a micro-diameter arrow. We break down where to spend and where to save: a dependable rest you can trust, standard-diameter arrows that spin true, and broadheads that group with field points. Then we stack real-world results against internet theory—light and heavy arrows both perform when shot placement is solid, and the biggest animal losses come from buck fever and rushed execution, not a missing 1% of FOC. From there, we get practical. Define your hunting scenario, set a budget, and build the least complicated rig that meets your needs. Skip extra stabilizers if your shots are close and you hunt thick cover; fewer parts mean fewer snags and failure points. Once tuned, stop upgrading for the sake of upgrading. Pour your energy into the skills that pay off at the shot: neutral grip, consistent anchor, clean peep alignment, and a calm pull-through release. Practice from kneeling, at odd angles, and with an elevated heart rate so your process survives adrenaline. If you want the newest gear, we get it—and we can help at Extreme Outfitters—but don’t let trends outrun your goals. Keep archery fun, affordable, and effective by chasing confidence through reps, not receipts. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s stuck in upgrade mode, and drop your own minimalist setup tips or questions in a review. 🏹 Shop Extreme Outfitters for all of your archery & bowhunting needs: https://extremeoutfitters.com Use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% Quick reads, pro tips, and the latest episodes—delivered straight to your inbox every week. 👉 Sign up here: https://thearcheryproject.com/ ✅ Watch the video podcast here!        https://www.youtube.com/@thearcheryproject JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: ► Facebook: http://bit.ly/44UD7Vo ► Instagram: http://bit.ly/40Q2jLf

    26 min
See All (52)

About

All archery all the time. Your go to archery and bowhunting podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Zakk Plocica
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Archery Project
  • Show Website
    The Archery Project

You Might Also Like