DSC Campfires with Larry Weishuhn

About DSC Campfires with Larry Weishuhn

DSC's CAMPFIRES with Larry Weishuhn is a unique blend of hunting, fishing, conservation and the outdoor lifestyle. Learn from first hand stories told in an entertaining and informational fashion as only veteran outdoorsman Larry Weishuhn and his guests can do!

Publisher

Larry Weishuhn

Category

leisure · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2020

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

326 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   EP 418 Where Wildlife Thrives: Moon Phase Hunting and Deer Movement, Midday Bucks, Habitat & Conservation

   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

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   EP 417 Why Zebra Have Stripes with Dr. Mike Arnold

   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

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   EP 416 The Return to the Woods: Crossbow Black Bears and Early Season Rattling

   Episode Overview & Key Takeaways Larry Weishuhn opens the episode discussing his upcoming baited black bear hunt at the Choctaw Hunting Lodge in southeastern Oklahoma, marking his return to the woods after a bout of pericarditis kept him out of the field last year. He shares updates on his friends who are currently hunting antelope and European buffalo, while outlining his own plans to use a ten-point crossbow paired with Sever mechanical broadheads for his bear hunt. Listeners are encouraged to look for his bear hunting footage on Sportsman's Life and through bonus videos on CarbonTV, PursuitUP, and his YouTube channel. Whitetail Rattling & Early Season Strategies Weishuhn addresses a listener question regarding when to start rattling for whitetail bucks, advising hunters to begin as soon as they spot the first serious scrapes, which typically occurs around early to mid-October depending on the region. He recommends starting with light, non-aggressive sparring sounds before escalating, and notes that rubbing antlers on trees can effectively simulate a buck making a rub. For advanced scent control, he highly recommends Wraith by Burnham Brothers, a spray formula designed to eliminate human odor and disguise thermal imaging signatures. Handgun Optics & Stealth Vision Red Dots Responding to a question about red dot sights, Weishuhn details his use of the Stealth Vision SVT three-MOA red dot on his Taurus handguns, including the .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .357, and .460. He explains that a three-MOA dot covers exactly three inches at 100 yards, and he praises the optic's adjustable brightness settings for varying lighting conditions. Weishuhn highlights the optic's extreme accuracy, noting he can shoot five-shot groups within an inch and a half at 100 yards from a solid rest using Hornady 240-grain XTP custom loads. He also mentions successfully mounting and utilizing this same red dot sight on a Rossi 45-70 lever-action rifle. Episode Sponsors This episode is presented in partnership with DSC, an organization focused on conservation, education, and advocacy. Learn more at BigGame.org. Additional sponsors include Hornady, Taurus, Stealth Vision, Agara Cafe, Destination Hunts, Choctaw Hunting Lodge, and Double Nickel Taxidermy, as well as Burnham Brothers Game Calls and the Texas Wildlife Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

19 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact DSC Campfires with Larry Weishuhn

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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