Meet the Backwoods Bowhunter Crew

Archery, big bucks and campfire storytelling from Southern Illinois.

Droppin' 'em in the Heartland

A pair of backwoods good ole boys, a podcast studio at the Whiskey and Whitetails Farm, and a mutual love of archery and the adrenaline of the hunt.

Pull up a chair by the fire

The Backwoods Bowhunter Podcast is recorded deep in big buck country in Southern Illinois. We serve up our own flavor of backwoods humor, crack open a little whiskey and/or beer, and talk bowhunting plus whatever else wanders into our heads. We drift off topic now and then. The goal is simple: you should feel like you're sitting around a campfire with a bunch of hunting buddies trading stories, lies and bad ideas, while we share our love of archery and the hunt.

We're based in Marion, Illinois, and Backwoods Bowhunter is part of River to River Outdoors.

The crew

Tim Jarvis — Capuchin monkey trainer

Tim knows nothing about hunting, but he is a certified Capuchin monkey trainer, and we don't know anyone else in Illinois with that skill level. He gets jealous of the taxidermy on everyone else's walls, so he now proudly displays one electrocuted gray squirrel in his living room.

Mike Edgin — Reformed protester

Mike came down from northern Illinois and once led his hometown PETA chapter. After a severe allergic reaction to soy burgers, he saw the light, headed south to learn bowhunting and fishing, and still has a bumpy road ahead. We'll make a hunter out of him. His eldest son is another story.

Justin Miller — Honorary member, Thailand

Justin took a vow of silence and moved to Thailand to live as a Buddhist monk. We respect his new path and are keeping his spot on the team for as long as he needs it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Backwoods Bowhunter Podcast about?
It's a bowhunting show recorded in Southern Illinois where the crew talks archery, the thrill of the hunt, and whatever else comes up — with backwoods humor, a little whiskey and/or beer, and plenty of campfire-style storytelling.
Where is the podcast recorded?
The show is recorded in the heart of big buck country in Southern Illinois, at the podcast studio at the Whiskey and Whitetails Farm. Backwoods Bowhunter is based in Marion, Illinois, and is part of River to River Outdoors.
Who is on the Backwoods Bowhunter crew?
The crew features Tim Jarvis, Mike Edgin and Justin Miller, each with a backstory of his own — from a certified Capuchin monkey trainer to a reformed protester and an honorary member living in Thailand.
What can I expect from an episode?
Expect the feel of sitting around a campfire with hunting buddies swapping stories, lies and bad ideas, while the crew shares their love of archery and the hunt. They wander off track every so often.
Where can I get Backwoods Bowhunter merch?
Backwoods gear is available through the Backwoods Bowhunter online store. Use the “Shop the store” link on this page to browse the merch.

Gear up with Backwoods merch

Shop the store

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Contact Terms

Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter or just getting started, the Backwoods Bowhunter crew invites you to tag along for archery talk, hunting stories and plenty of laughs from Southern Illinois. Explore the blog for more from the field, or reach out through the contact page to join the conversation.