Venture Hunting & Outdoors
Rut Ready Workshop & Film Screening with Twin Elements
By Karoline Wasiak
Venture Hunting & Outdoors recently hosted its highly anticipated ‘Rut Ready’ night in partnership with Twin Elements. The event was designed to educate, inspire and prepare hunters for the upcoming deer rut seasons. Held at Venture’s Springwood megastore, the evening drew a packed crowd of around 170 passionate hunters, highlighting both the popularity of the rut period and the strong community spirit within Australia’s hunting scene.
The night featured James and Ayden Doumtsis, the twin brothers behind Twin Elements, who are not only acclaimed bowhunters and filmmakers but also qualified veterinarians. Their unique combination of field experience and scientific knowledge set the tone for a presentation that was both practical and deeply informative.
A huge thank you goes to Dustyn Oloman, the in-store bow hunting expert from Venture Hunting & Outdoors for hosting the event and sharing his own intel, advice and experiences with the captivated crowd.
The night began with the premiere screening of a cinematic highlight film showcasing rut hunts from the previous season. The 20-minute production immersed attendees in the intensity of the roar, featuring dramatic encounters with red stags and fallow bucks during peak breeding activity. For many, the footage served as both motivation and a reminder of what makes the rut such a thrilling time to be in the bush.
Following the film, the evening transitioned into an in-depth live Q&A session, widely regarded as the highlight of the event. Attendees had the opportunity to ask detailed questions covering everything from scouting strategies and property access to calling techniques and hunting mature animals. The discussion aimed to ‘cut through the noise’ and deliver actionable advice hunters could apply immediately in the coming season.
One of the most significant takeaways centred on shot placement for red deer: specifically, the target triangle of the humerus, scapular and upper leg bone. Drawing on their veterinary background, the boys from Twin Elements explained that many hunters mistakenly aim too far back behind the front leg, risking liver shots rather than quick, ethical kills. Instead, they recommended aiming further forward to target the heart, which sits protected behind the humerus. This anatomical insight challenged common assumptions and reinforced the importance of understanding the specific physiology of Australian game species.
Gear selection was another key topic. James, Ayden and Dustyn discussed the benefits of heavy arrow setups and higher draw weights for penetrating bone on large stags, sharing the exact specifications used during their filmed hunts. This provided attendees with a realistic benchmark for equipment capable of handling big-game bowhunting conditions.
Beyond technical knowledge, the event emphasised preparation, ethics and respect for the animals pursued. Hunters left not only with practical tactics for the rut such as calling strategies, scouting methods and understanding behavioural phases, but also with renewed enthusiasm for the season ahead.
In summary, the night covered
- Why shot placement on Australian deer is often misunderstood.
- Where the heart actually sits (and why ‘behind the crease’ can be too far back).
- Arrow weight, broadheads and taking quartering shots.
- How to get permission on private property (and why effort matters).
- Roars vs hind calls and how to read the situation.
- How rut timing changes by region, density, feed and temperature.
- When to move, when to stay quiet and why mid-morning can be ‘kill time’
- The ethics and use of thermals.
- Elk vs red deer: similarities and differences.
- Meat care, aging and whether rut animals really taste different.
Ultimately, the Rut Ready night exemplified Venture Hunting & Outdoors’ commitment to building a knowledgeable hunting community rather than simply retailing gear. By combining education, entertainment and direct interaction with experienced hunters, the event delivered genuine value to everyone who came along. As the roar approaches, those who attended are now better equipped mentally, technically and emotionally to make the most of one of the most exciting periods on the Australian hunting calendar.
If the turnout and feedback are any indication, Rut Ready has firmly established itself as a must-attend preseason event for serious deer hunters.
Follow the boys from Twin Elements on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to see their adventures, and be sure to sign up to the newsletters that Venture Hunting & Outdoors send out so that you don’t miss the next event.
To view footage from the night, specifically the Q&A, head over to the Venture Hunting & Outdoors YouTube channel: @VentureHuntingandOutdoors