DSC Campfires with Larry Weishuhn

In this episode of DSC's Campfires, Larry Weishuhn ("Mr. Whitetail") sits down with David Cotton at the Becker Bottoms Ranch for an in-depth conversation about wildlife management and hunting memories. The two friends share campfire stories covering comprehensive land management, from transforming a 20-acre lake into a thriving bass and bluegill fishery to creating ideal waterfowl habitats. David reflects on his early hunting days with his father, his passion for competitive shotgunning, and the patience required to age trophy whitetails. The episode concludes with thrilling hunting recaps, including Larry's impressive 500-yard handgun target shooting and David's successful harvest of the "Never Give Up" buck. David Cotton is an avid outdoorsman and dedicated wildlife manager who has spent years cultivating the habitats at Becker Bottoms Ranch. Raised by a Dallas fireman, David grew up hunting Colorado mule deer and upland birds before discovering his passion for competitive shotgunning under the mentorship of his Uncle Carlos and JR Hardman. Today, he focuses on intensive land and water management, balancing trophy whitetail hunting with a dedication to waterfowl conservation and lake restoration. Early Hunting Roots: David shares memories of growing up hunting quail, dove, and mule deer with his father, who served as a Dallas fireman. Shotgunning Passion: David details his journey into skeet, trap, and sporting clays, as well as his preferred firearms, which include Beretta and Caesar Guerini shotguns. Waterfowl & Wetland Management: The duo discusses the challenges of changing duck flyways and the ongoing efforts to create ideal waterfowl habitats by managing water levels and planting food plots at Becker Bottoms. Fisheries & Lake Restoration: David explains the intensive management of a 20-acre lake on the property. This project involved working with a biologist, removing 167 bass to balance the population, and installing a Vertex aeration system. They also built brood ponds stocked with tilapia and copper-nose bluegill, and sank cedar trees and PVC "Georgia Cubes" to create structure. The "Never Give Up" Buck: David recounts a late-season hunt for a mature buck he pursued for nearly four years. After initially thinking he missed his shot, David and Larry teamed up to track the deer, culminating in David harvesting the buck with a .44 Magnum Rossi Model 92 lever-action rifle. 500-Yard Handgun Target: David recalls witnessing Larry ring a 515-yard steel target with a .454 Casull Taurus Raging Hunter revolver, successfully hitting the mark on his third shot by adjusting his aim with "Texas windage". Whitetail Aging & Rattling: The conversation covers the importance of aging deer on the hoof, passing on younger bucks to let them reach their maximum antler potential, and Larry's proven techniques for rattling in stubborn whitetails. Guest Profile: David CottonEpisode Highlights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of DSC’s Campfires, Larry Weishuhn shares a collection of his favorite whitetail hunting memories and biological insights. He recounts a fascinating story of predicting a buck's location from a napkin map in a restaurant, which inspired a popular magazine feature. Larry also details the exhausting but rewarding pursuit of the "never give up buck" on the Cotton Ranch. Transitioning to deer biology, he discusses the unpredictable nature of antler growth peaks, highlighting a breeder buck that reached its maximum size of 232 inches at 13 years old. Along the way, he reflects on the importance of learning woodsmanship, hunting during the midday hours, and the nostalgic memory of his very first rifle—a Model 33 Remington .22. Key Topics Covered: Can This Deer Be Killed?: Larry recalls mapping out a successful hunt for a stranger in a restaurant, a concept he later turned into a popular feature for deer hunting magazines alongside Pat Durkin. The "Never Give Up" Buck: The story of tracking a distinct white-haired eight-point buck for hours across a massive pasture on the Cotton Ranch, culminating in a successful February harvest. A Hunter's First Rifle: A nostalgic look back at Larry receiving his grandfather's Model 33 Remington .22 single-shot rifle when he was six years old. Midday Buck Movement: Larry explains why mature bucks often shift their movement patterns to the middle of the day and why hunters should stay in the field while others head back to camp. Peak Antler Development: Challenging the conventional wisdom that bucks peak at seven years old, Larry shares the story of a 13-year-old breeder buck that scored 232 inches in its final year on the Hindes Ranch. The Lost Art of Woodsmanship: A discussion on the reliance on modern technology and the importance of traditional tracking, understanding wind, and reading deer sign. Sponsors & Partners: DSC: Conservation, Education, and Hunter Advocacy Hornady: Accurate, Deadly, Dependable Taurus: Makers of award-winning pistols and revolvers Stealth Vision: High-tech precision optics and rifles for today’s hunter Agar Coffee: Elevated coffee, elevated life from BobbysBetterLife.com Destination Hunts: Your premier hunt advisor Wraith: The world's first four-way scent eliminator Choctaw Hunting Lodge: Some of the finest hunting in all of North America Double Nickel Taxidermy: Preserving your memories Burnham Brothers Game Calls Red 55 Wines: Award-winning wines inspired by Emmy award-winning artist Miranda Lambert The Crown Bar: Located in La Grange, Texas Texas Wildlife Association Larry Weishuhn: larryweishuhn.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of DSC’s Campfires, Larry Weishuhn sits down with acclaimed wildlife photographer and author Dave Richards. Dave shares the origin story behind his photography career, starting from his first whitetail hunt in South Texas to documenting mature bucks for Big Roy and Little Roy. The two friends discuss the meticulous process of photographing whitetails, understanding deer behavior, and the incredible journey of creating the definitive book, Observing & Evaluating Whitetails, alongside wildlife biologist Al Brothers. Dave also highlights his wife Beth’s wildlife artwork and his upcoming spring bird photography workshops. Key Topics Covered: The Spark of the Outdoors: Dave recalls his earliest memories hunting south of Uvalde with his father and the unforgettable moment of harvesting his first deer—a five-point buck—in eighth grade. A Decade of Documentation: An invitation from Big Roy and Little Roy in the early 1990s to photograph deer led to a multi-year project documenting the lives and growth of specific whitetail bucks. Creating a Masterpiece: Dave discusses the collaborative effort with Al Brothers, John Wootters, Murphy Ray, and the QDMA to publish Observing & Evaluating Whitetails, a groundbreaking field guide on aging deer on the hoof. The Art of Wildlife Photography: The discussion covers the patience required to photograph wildlife, the challenges of shooting with 64-speed film, and the importance of understanding animal behavior to capture the perfect shot. Beth Richards’ Wildlife Art: A look into Beth’s meticulous pencil drawings and watercolor wildlife artistry, creating anatomically correct pieces inspired by their outdoor experiences. Spring Bird Workshops: Dave highlights his spring bird photography workshops in South Texas, offering attendees the chance to photograph vibrant species like Green Jays and Painted Buntings. Guest Contact Info & Resources: Website: Richards Outdoor Photography (richardsoutdoorphotography.com) Email: [email protected] Featured Book: Observing & Evaluating Whitetails (Available in hardcover and as a pocket field guide) Beth Richards’ Artwork: Available for custom canvas and metal prints, as well as original commissions. Sponsors & Partners: DSC: Conservation, Education, and Hunter Advocacy Hornady: Accurate, Deadly, Dependable Taurus: Makers of award-winning pistols and revolvers Stealth Vision: High-tech precision optics and rifles for today’s hunter Agar Coffee: Elevated coffee, elevated life from BobbysBetterLife.com Destination Hunts: Your premier hunt advisor Wraith: The world's first four-way scent eliminator Choctaw Hunting Lodge: Some of the finest hunting in all of North America Double Nickel Taxidermy: Preserving your memories Burnham Brothers Game Calls Red 55 Wines: Award-winning wines inspired by Emmy award-winning artist Miranda Lambert The Crown Bar: Located in La Grange, Texas Texas Wildlife Association Larry Weishuhn: larryweishuhn.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary: This episode of DSC's Campfires features a deep dive into whitetail deer behavior, drawing heavily from Larry’s decades of experience as a wildlife biologist, researcher, and hunter. Alongside a preview of an upcoming black bear hunt, Larry breaks down the science behind moon phases, the rut, spike buck management, and the importance of hunter unity. Key Segment Highlights: Upcoming Hunts & Bear Season: Larry opens by discussing his plans to hunt black bear at the Choctaw Hunting Lodge during the first couple weeks of October. He notes the rising black bear populations across the continent and praises their quality as game meat. Moon Phases & Deer Movement: Addressing questions inspired by Jeff Murray’s moon phase theories, Larry shares his own historical research charting deer movement against moon phases, temperature, and wind using clear plastic overlays. He notes that while the moon definitely influences deer, their movement is highly adaptable and heavily altered by human hunting pressure. Midday Buck Movement: Challenging conventional hunting wisdom, Larry explains that he has successfully hunted many of his largest mature bucks between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. He notes that older bucks (4.5 years and older) behave completely differently than younger deer and often move during the middle of the day. The Rut & Late Breeding: Larry explains that the primary rut is biologically timed so that fawns are born approximately 230 days later during the peak nutritional season. He also details the "secondary rut," where does that were missed in their first cycle re-enter estrus about 28 days later, and notes that six-month-old doe fawns can occasionally breed in January or February. Spike Bucks & Herd Management: Referencing comprehensive studies from the Kerr Wildlife Management area, Larry discusses how poor nutrition frequently results in yearling spikes. While an individual spike can grow into a large buck if given proper nutrition, heavily harvesting spikes on a property can drastically improve the overall herd genetics over time. Hunter Advocacy & Venison: Larry advocates strongly for unity among hunters, reminding listeners that "any legal deer is a good deer" and urging the community not to criticize others' lawful harvests. He emphasizes the fundamental value of harvesting healthy venison to feed family and friends. Digital Content Expansion: Listeners are directed to Larry's TikTok channel ("LW's Whitetails") for short-form storytelling, as well as his YouTube channel, CarbonTV, and Pursuit Up for bonus video content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of DSC's Campfires with Larry Weishuhn, host Larry Weishuhn is joined by Dr. Mike Arnold, a geneticist, conservationist, and author. The discussion focuses on the critical role that hunters have historically played in saving species from extinction by relocating them out of hostile native habitats. Dr. Arnold also explores the science of animal adaptations, environmental shifts over time, and the stark contrast between historical market hunting and modern regulated sport hunting. Key Topics Discussed Hunters Saving the "Merely Extinct": Dr. Arnold is writing a new book, tentatively titled Hunters and the Merely Extinct, which examines species rescued from extinction by hunters moving them outside their native habitats. Examples include the North American Elk, which was redistributed to eastern states by early conservationists like Teddy Roosevelt, and the Fallow Deer, which is critically endangered in its native Balkan range but thrives globally due to introductions by Romans and modern hunting estates. He also notes that 80% of the worldwide Chinese Water Deer population now lives on protected estates in England. Climate Change and Habitat Shifts: Dr. Arnold explains that climate change and habitat shifts are biological norms, citing historical events like the Little Ice Age of the 1840s. He argues that trying to preserve species strictly within their historical "native ranges" is often a flawed strategy because those environments continually change and can become hostile to the animals. Genetics vs. Environmental Impact: The conversation highlights how environmental quality and year-round nutrition often dictate physical development more than pure genetics. For example, Eastern elk populations achieve massive body and antler sizes due to milder winters, unlike the harsh conditions faced by Rocky Mountain elk. Similarly, black bears in milder climates avoid long hibernation cycles and grow larger due to consistent food availability, whereas northern bears hibernate primarily to avoid starvation. The Science of Zebra Stripes: Dr. Arnold breaks down the three leading scientific hypotheses for why zebras have stripes. Research indicates that the alternating black and white patterns act as a repellent against disease-carrying biting flies, assist in thermoregulation by creating micro-wind currents across the skin, and create a "dazzle effect" that confuses predators during a chase. Market Hunting vs. Regulated Sport Hunting: The episode draws a sharp distinction between unregulated market hunting and modern, regulated sport hunting. Dr. Arnold points out that historical figures like Daniel Boone were commercial market hunters driven by European demand for deerskins and bear fat, a practice that decimated local wildlife populations. It was ultimately modern sport hunters who self-imposed regulations and excise taxes to fund the repopulation and conservation of these species. Upcoming Hunts: Dr. Arnold shares his plans for a snowmobile-based Muskox hunt in the Arctic this coming April. He highlights how regulated hunting provides vital economic support and necessary meat to local Inuit communities. Guest Projects: Dr. Arnold's books include Bringing Back the Lions and Bringing Back the Wild, with Hunters and the Merely Extinct targeted for a mid-2027 release. He is also the host of the Bringing Back the Wild podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices