Ep. 288 "Inside the Shop at Bear River" with Justin Cannaday

This week we’re taking the show on the road and stepping inside the incredible new Bear River Archery facility in Van Alstyne, Texas for a conversation with owner and operator Justin Cannaday.

A lot has changed since our last conversation with Justin. What started just three years ago in a 400-square-foot starter shop has grown into a massive archery destination! Justin walks us through the vision behind what they have created, the overwhelming response to the grand opening, and what it’s like watching something you have built from the ground up continue to grow.

We also get into the stuff that really matters to hunters — Justin’s upcoming Colorado elk hunt, the difference between elk camp and whitetail camp, why elk hunting becomes such a team effort, mountain horses, bow setups, shot placement, and the preparation that goes into chasing an elk with a bow. The conversation eventually turns toward whitetails, hunting with family, the stories behind the taxidermy filling the walls of Bear River, balancing work and hunting, and the reality of turning something you love into your livelihood.

And perhaps most importantly, Justin talks about where Bear River goes from here — and why he's willing to put the future of the business in God's hands rather than trying to control every step of the journey. This one is a true shop talk — bows, hunting, business, family, faith, elk, whitetails, and a whole lot of catching up between friends.

Welcome back Bear River Archery!