Field Merit
ProfilesGear
Categories
HuntingFly FishingUltrarunningCyclingClimbingBackcountry Skiing
Log inSign up

Field Merit

The gear behind the best in the field.

Browse

ProfilesGearCategories

Account

Log inSign upWishlist
AboutNo Ads PledgePrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceFeedbackContact

This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more in our Terms of Service.

© 2026 Field Merit Co.

Profiles

Michael Waddell

Hunter
American·b. ~1973
Known for:
Founder of Bone Collector, LLC. Host of Bone Collector on Outdoor Channel. Turkey calling champion discovered by Bill Jordan in 1994.
Sponsored by: Hoyt Archery, TrueTimber, Element Outdoors/Xpedition, Stoeger, Muck Boots, HAWK Treestands, Outdoor Sportsman Group, Scent-Lok

Michael Waddell grew up in Booger Bottom (Meriwether County), Georgia, and won the Grand America turkey-calling contest as a teenager. Bill Jordan spotted him at a turkey calling contest in 1994 and brought him onto the Realtree junior pro staff. Waddell worked as a camera operator for Realtree before leaving in 2008 to found Bone Collector, LLC. The show, which he co-hosts with Travis "T-Bone" Turner and Nick Mundt, has been a ratings staple on the Outdoor Channel, and the Bone Collector brand has expanded into licensed products. In February 2025, he signed a partnership with TrueTimber.

Michael Waddell's Gear List(6)

VTM 31

Hoyt

Product description

Third generation of Hoyt's Ventum line, a compact hunting bow running 60-70 lbs draw weight, 30 5/8" axle-to-axle, 6" brace height, 80 or 85% let-off, and 342 fps IBO on the HBX Pro cam. Hoyt redesigned the TEC riser and added HoleShot V2 silencers, resulting in a reported 31% reduction in shot noise over the Ventum Pro. An optional In-Line System integrates sight and rest mounts directly to the riser. Mass weight is 4.6 lbs.

Connection note

Primary compound bow
Source: Website ↗
Hunter Pro 340 Arrows

Gold Tip

Product description

Mid-weight carbon hunting arrow with .300" OD and .246" ID, weighing 8.9 GPI in 340 spine. Smart Carbon Technology with ±.001" straightness and ±0.5 grain weight tolerance. Ships with Accu-Lite inserts, GTO nocks, and GTO bushings. 340 spine for 55-70 lb draw weights.

Connection note

Arrow setup
Source: Website ↗

Know something Michael Waddell uses that's not listed?

Log in to submit

Related profiles

LL

Lee Lakosky

Hunter

Last updated March 12, 2026

Megameat 125gr Broadheads

G5

Product description

Three-blade mechanical (rear-deploying) broadhead from G5 Outdoors, weighing 125 grains with a 2" cutting diameter. Stainless steel blades are retained in flight by a SnapLock collar that releases on impact, and the chisel tip is designed for bone penetration. All components including blades and collar are replaceable.

Connection note

Broadhead choice
Source: Website ↗
Muck Boots Bone Collector Edition

Muck Boots

Product description

Collaboration between Muck Boot Company and Michael Waddell's Bone Collector brand. 100% waterproof rubber construction with Realtree Original camo for wet, muddy, or cold hunting conditions. Fieldblazer uses quadruple heel and triple toe rubber reinforcement. Pathfinder includes flex notches and modified bob sole for terrain clearance.

Connection note

Licensed hunting boots
Source: Website ↗
TrueTimber Bone Collector Apparel

TrueTimber

Product description

Collaborative apparel line between TrueTimber (South Carolina-based camo pattern company) and Michael Waddell's Bone Collector brand. Includes hunting shirts, jackets, and base layers in TrueTimber Atera and XRC patterns with polyester-spandex fabric, UPF 50, and four-way stretch. Distributes through TrueTimber and BoneCollector.com.

Connection note

New collab line
Source: Website ↗
P3000

Stoeger

Product description

12-gauge pump-action shotgun introduced in 2016 by Stoeger, part of the Benelli/Beretta group. Shares its bolt assembly and dual action bars with the Benelli Nova but at roughly half the price, with an MSRP around $299. Ships with a 28" ventilated rib barrel, 3-inch chamber, 4+1 capacity, synthetic stock, and weighs 6.9 lbs. A Tactical variant with an 18.5" barrel was added in 2025.

Connection note

Collaborative shotgun with TrueTimber camo
Source: Website ↗