Matt is joined by Wayne Savage, creator of BrassTrack, an Australian-developed platform designed to help shooters organise and keep track of their shooting and reloading data.

Wayne's journey into shooting quickly became a family affair, with his daughters joining him in competitive benchrest shooting. As he became more involved in the technical side of the sport, he found himself recording more and more information — and realised that scribbling notes on pieces of paper wasn't exactly the best long-term system.

When he couldn't find something that suited what he wanted from an Australian perspective, he decided to build it himself.

In this episode, Wayne explains the story behind Brass Track and how it can help shooters organise their range sessions, load development, targets, equipment and other important information in one place. We also discuss some of the additional features Wayne has incorporated, including equipment and barrel tracking, inventory management, a community section and the ability for shooters to share information and learn from each other.

From there, the conversation dives into the rabbit hole that is precision shooting.

We talk about rifle harmonics, ammunition selection, barrel tuners, group sizes, reading wind, consistency and just how much seemingly tiny variables can influence what happens downrange.

Wayne also shares his experiences competing in benchrest and fly shooting, including travelling to Wagga for competition and the friendly rivalry he now has with his daughters — who are already giving Dad a serious run for his money!

That leads into a great discussion about shooting as a family sport and the supportive community surrounding competition shooting. We talk about getting kids outdoors, away from screens and involved in something that requires patience, concentration and continual improvement.

Matt and Wayne also get into the psychological side of shooting. Why does that final shot of a great group sometimes seem to go flying? Why can you occasionally shoot better when you're not trying so hard? And how much does overthinking affect what happens behind the rifle?

There's also plenty of discussion about equipment, scopes, upgrading gear, hunting rifles versus dedicated precision setups and why you don't necessarily need to spend a fortune when you're first getting started.

Finally, we return to Brass Track and the role technology could play in the future of shooting. Wayne explains how the platform can help keep information organised and accessible, while Matt and Wayne discuss both the opportunities and potential limitations of emerging technology and AI within highly technical areas such as reloading.

Whether you're into hunting, recreational target shooting, benchrest, precision shooting or you're considering getting into reloading, there's plenty in this conversation about improving your shooting, learning from others and making better use of the information you collect along the way.

For the latest information, news, giveaways and anything mentioned on the show, you can find all the links here. If you have a question, topic, gear review suggestion or a guest you'd like to hear on the show, get in touch via our socials.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. Always follow applicable firearms laws, range rules, manufacturer instructions and established safe reloading practices. For the full disclaimer, click on this link.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Tim to talk about something every hunter remembers... their first deer!

What makes Timm's story a little different is just how quickly it happened. After spending months waiting for his firearms licence, listening to hunting podcasts, researching State Forests and trying to learn as much as possible before he could get started, Timm managed to take his first fallow buck just two weeks into hunting with a rifle.

Timm takes us through the hunt, from initially throwing his game plan out the window on his first trip, to returning the following weekend determined to sit in one location where all his preparation was suddenly put to the test. Rather than rushing the opportunity, Timm explains how his background in spearfishing and target archery helped him stay calm, follow his shot process and eventually take his first deer.

But apparently one deer wasn't enough. Only two weeks later, Tim headed back out and managed to put a second fallow deer on the deck. We talk about how much easier everything became the second time around — from taking the shot to breaking the animal down, carrying it out, processing the meat and getting everything vacuum sealed and into the freezer. We also have a laugh about some of the lessons that only come from actually doing it, including Tim discovering the hard way that he was looking at the wrong end of the animal for the tenderloins on his first attempt.

That leads into a broader discussion about one of the things we both love about hunting: you never really stop learning. We talk about reflecting after every hunt, learning from mistakes, developing routines and having a consistent process so that when an opportunity finally presents itself, you're ready.

Tim's background in spearfishing also takes the conversation in an unexpected direction as we discuss the similarities between hunting on land and underwater. From remaining calm when an opportunity appears to completely immersing yourself in the environment, there are plenty of lessons that transfer between the two.

After Matt's recent family trip to Sea World, the boys also get into an interesting discussion about keeping intelligent wild animals in captivity. Dolphins, seals, polar bears and orcas all come up as Matt and Tim debate the educational and conservation arguments for zoos and marine parks against the experience of seeing wildlife behaving naturally in the wild.

Tim shares some incredible encounters from spearfishing, including seeing dolphins, octopus and cuttlefish in their natural environment and an unexpected encounter with what he believes was a pygmy sperm whale. This leads into a conversation about something that hunting, fishing, spearfishing and simply spending time outdoors can give us that is becoming increasingly difficult to find in modern life — the opportunity to switch everything else off and simply focus on what's happening around you.

From taking your first deer and learning through experience, to spearfishing, wild places, firearm ownership and why getting outdoors can be such an important escape from everyday life, this is a great conversation with a hunter right at the beginning of his journey.

For the latest information, news, giveaways and anything mentioned on the show, you can find all the links here. If you have a question, topic, gear review suggestion or a guest you'd like to hear on the show, get in touch via our socials.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. Always ensure you understand and comply with the relevant hunting, firearms and public-land regulations in your jurisdiction. For the full disclaimer, click on this link.

Matt is joined by Jason from Australian Hunting Podcast for an in-depth and at times fiery discussion about the current state of firearms laws in New South Wales, what the changes could mean for licensed firearm owners, and where the shooting community goes from here.

Jason has been talking about firearms legislation and politics on his podcast for more than a decade, and many of the concerns he raised years ago are now becoming reality. Together, Matt and Jason discuss why they believe licensed shooters are facing some of the most significant changes seen in years and why firearm owners need to understand exactly what is happening rather than simply assuming it won't affect them.

One of the biggest issues discussed is the removal of access to NCAT appeals for certain firearms licensing decisions. Jason explains why he believes the loss of an accessible avenue to challenge a decision could have consequences extending well beyond firearms, particularly when the alternative of pursuing a matter through the Supreme Court may be financially unrealistic for an ordinary person.

The conversation also turns to firearm limits, lengthy licensing and PTA processing times, the effect on firearm dealers and businesses, and the proposed compensation figures for affected firearms. Matt and Jason question whether the scheduled payments realistically reflect the value of many firearms and discuss the potential financial impact on shooters who have invested thousands of dollars into rifles and shotguns that may be affected.

With the NSW election approaching, politics inevitably becomes a major part of the discussion. Matt and Jason examine the response from Labor, the Liberals, Nationals, Shooters Fishers and Farmers, the Libertarian Party and One Nation, and discuss why promises to oppose legislation are very different from an explicit commitment to repeal it.

The conversation goes well beyond simply telling people who they should vote for. Instead, it raises a bigger question for Australia's shooting community: after decades of relying on the same political strategies, does something need to change?

Matt and Jason also discuss the importance of firearm owners becoming more engaged, contacting representatives, supporting organisations that genuinely represent their interests and having conversations with people outside the shooting community.

Importantly, both reinforce throughout the conversation that firearm owners must continue to comply with the law. Their argument is that change needs to occur through democratic and lawful processes, particularly through political engagement and the ballot box.

The episode also examines the response of Australia's major shooting organisations and asks whether the shooting community could have been better organised years ago. With organisations increasingly working together now, Matt and Jason discuss whether the industry needs a stronger united voice and whether personal interests, politics and organisational differences have prevented that from happening in the past.

This isn't a traditional hunting story. It's a long-form conversation about firearms ownership, politics, due process, the future of shooting in Australia and what could happen next.

Whether you agree with everything said or strongly disagree, this is a conversation worth having. Have a listen, make up your own mind, research the changes for yourself and, most importantly, understand what the decisions being made today could mean for the future of hunting and shooting in Australia.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Australian Hunting and Beyond. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered legal advice. Firearms owners are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws and regulations. For the full disclaimer, click on this link.