The HUNTXP Podcast

J.D. Larson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

Two real hunting buddies. Real laughs. Real fails. Real faith. Welcome to the deer camp you can tune into every week.

  1. 4d ago

    1,250 Miles to Get 25 Yards From a Giant Mule Deer | My First High-Country Mule Deer Archery Hunt

    Traveled 1,250 miles from the Midwest to the Idaho high country—and somehow ended up just 25 yards from the biggest mule deer we saw all week. In Episode 59 of the HUNTXP Podcast, JD breaks down his first high-country mule deer hunt and what he learned when months of preparation finally met the reality of hunting the mountains. This wasn’t a punched-tag story. It was a learning-how-to-get-close story. After hiking deep into the backcountry, JD and his brother Cody found bachelor groups of velvet mule deer, learned to play mountain thermals, crawled through loose rock, ditched boots to stalk in socks, and twice worked inside roughly 25 yards of mature bucks. One of those encounters put JD incredibly close to the biggest buck they saw all week—with no ethical shot opportunity before it disappeared. The biggest lesson? Getting within bow range and actually creating a shot are two very different skills. We break down what worked, what JD would do differently, the mistakes that cost opportunities, why patience matters once you're inside a buck's bubble, and why the “short game” may be one of the most overlooked skills in western bowhunting. We also get into Jonny's Wisconsin season, Wes punching his buck tag, Moose's blood-trailing debut, and a wild encounter with a pack of wolves. 🎁 EPISODE 59 GIVEAWAY: Listen for the giveaway word during the episode, then send it to us by DM, email, or in the comments for a chance to win a HUNTXP hat. 🛒 SHOP HUNTXP: huntxp.com/store If you're a Midwestern hunter dreaming about heading west for the first time, this one's for you. Level Up Your Hunt.

    1,250 Miles to Get 25 Yards From a Giant Mule Deer | My First High-Country Mule Deer Archery Hunt

  2. Sep 25

    E:58 The Most Lethal Arrow Setup? Ranch Fairy & Derrek Dixon Weigh In

    What’s the most lethal arrow setup for whitetails—and where do Ranch Fairy and Derrek Dixon agree? We’re bringing back a conversation from Huntstock that puts Troy “Ranch Fairy” and Derrek Dixon of Whitetail Research at the same table. Troy brings his experience testing arrow performance. Derrek brings what he’s seen finding wounded deer with thermal drones. Together, they dig into heavy arrows, broadheads, tuning, shot placement, and what happens when a setup meets something tougher than a foam target. These two get rolling, and JD and Jonny mostly get to sit back and enjoy the questions, stories, and laughs. Before the Huntstock conversation, Jonny shares the story of his son Jude’s opening-weekend Wisconsin buck, what he learned about coaching a young hunter through shot placement, and why they backed out before attempting the recovery. In this episode:• Arrow weight, FOC, and why straight arrow flight matters• Broadhead sharpness, durability, and penetration• What wounded-deer recoveries reveal about shots and setups• Crossbow range, deer reactions, and shot decisions• Early-season opportunities for young hunters• Derrek’s surprising observations of mature bucks bedding near coyotes 🎁 LISTEN FOR THE GIVEAWAY WORDWe share a giveaway word during the episode. Listen for it, then send us a DM or leave a comment with the word for a chance to win a HUNTXP hat! 🧢 SUPPORT THE PODCASTGrab hats, hoodies, tees, and more for everyday wear and days in the woods. Your support helps us keep these conversations going.Shop the HUNTXP store. 🎙️ ADD YOUR VOICEHave a different take on arrow setups, a recovery story, or a question for us? Send a short voice memo or video—30 seconds to two minutes—to JD@huntxp.com. We may feature it and respond on a future episode. Find Jonny’s 2024 buck hunts and Jude’s opening-weekend hunt on our channel, and subscribe for more hunting stories and conversations.

    E:58 The Most Lethal Arrow Setup? Ranch Fairy & Derrek Dixon Weigh In

  3. Sep 18

    our First Western Hunt: Gear, Mistakes & Lessons from the Mountains

    What does it really take to prepare for your first backcountry hunt? With an Idaho mule deer hunt just days away, JD sits down with Jonny to talk through the gear, preparation, and mindset needed to trade Midwest whitetail woods for steep mountain country. Drawing on a decade of Western hunting experience, Jonny shares lessons from overloaded packs, long hikes, tough pack-outs, and an unsettling encounter with cougar tracks. The guys cover:• What to pack—and what to leave behind• Pack comfort, good boots, and “celebration socks”• Hydration, elevation, and physical preparation• Playing the wind and navigating after dark• Processing an animal in the field and planning the pack-out• Staying mentally in the hunt when the days get tough Whether you’re planning your first Western hunt or dreaming about the next one, join JD and Jonny for an honest conversation about the work—and the adventure—waiting beyond the truck. Have a backcountry lesson of your own? Drop it in the comments, and subscribe for more hunting stories, practical tips, and shenanigans. Explore HUNTXP: huntxp.comMore episodes: huntxp.com/podcastFollow us on Instagram: @HuntXPteam #HUNTXP #HUNTXPPodcast #WesternHunting #BackcountryHunting #MuleDeerHunting #ElkHunting #HuntingPrep #HuntingGear #HuntingPodcast

    our First Western Hunt: Gear, Mistakes & Lessons from the Mountains

  4. Sep 11

    Nick Andrews: What 4 Years on the THP Crew has Taught Him

    Nearly four years after joining The Hunting Public as an intern, Nick Andrews sits down with JD and Jonny to reflect on how life with the THP crew has changed the way he hunts. Nick shares the habits he has left behind, the value of hunting midday, lessons learned while filming elk, and why adapting to the conditions matters more than hunting the same stand the same way. The conversation also explores public-land pressure, the work viewers don’t see behind THP’s success, becoming a father, and why Nick now views his camera as a way to preserve hunting memories for his family. Plus, Nick previews the upcoming deer tour and explains why he considers himself a connoisseur of spikes. 🎁 WEEKLY HAT GIVEAWAY Listen closely for the giveaway word hidden somewhere in this episode. When you hear it, find this episode on the HUNTXP YouTube channel and comment the word. We’ll pick one lucky winner each week and send them a HUNTXP hat! 🛒 Shop HUNTXP hats, apparel and gear:https://www.huntxp.com/store

    Nick Andrews: What 4 Years on the THP Crew has Taught Him

  5. Aug 6 ·  Bonus

    New to Deer Hunting? Start Here | Post Hunt Clarity

    Are you new to deer hunting—or still trying to become more consistent in the woods? Start here. Gabe Denzine and Ben Resnick, founders of Post Hunt Clarity, join the HuntXP Podcast to explain how new and intermediate hunters can build real hunting skills, avoid expensive gear mistakes, and gain the confidence to fill more tags. Post Hunt Clarity was created to lower the barrier to entry for hunters who didn’t grow up with a parent or grandparent showing them the ropes. Their step-by-step deer hunting education covers the lessons many hunters are forced to learn through years of trial and error: finding places to hunt, choosing the gear that actually matters, scouting, reading deer sign, understanding wind and thermals, making ethical shots, tracking and recovering deer, and handling what comes after the shot. In this episode, we discuss: • Why modern hunting content can leave beginners unprepared • The gear new hunters need—and what they can skip • How to stop wasting money on unnecessary hunting products • Building woodsmanship, confidence, and ethical hunting habits • Finding hunting access and getting landowner permission • Why success should begin with filling a tag, not chasing a “booner” • The hardest parts of learning to hunt without a mentor • Post Hunt Clarity’s hunting courses, community, bonus resources, and partner discounts • Gabe and Ben’s hunting backgrounds, friendship, and decision to build PHC Whether you’re preparing for your first deer season, trying to harvest your first whitetail, or looking to understand why your current hunting strategy isn’t working, this conversation will help you hunt with more clarity. Learn more about Post Hunt Clarity: https://www.posthuntclarity.com/ Follow HuntXP and subscribe for honest conversations about hunting, outdoor life, and the experiences that shape us. #DeerHunting #HuntingPodcast #NewHunter #WhitetailHunting #HuntingTips #Bowhunting #PostHuntClarity #HuntXP

    New to Deer Hunting? Start Here | Post Hunt Clarity

  6. May 21

    Two Hunters and an Enviormental Activist Walk into a Podcast... | ft Robin Greenfeild

    Two hunters. One environmental activist. Twenty years since they last sat down together. In this episode of HUNTXP, Ashland, Wisconsin natives Jonny BeBeau and JD Larson reconnect with former high school soccer teammate and internationally known environmental activist and forager Robin Greenfield. What started as a reunion became one of our most unexpected conversations yet. Robin has spent years challenging modern food systems and exploring what it means to live in deeper relationship with the natural world. At the time of recording, he is immersed in a year-long campaign to forage 100% of his food and medicine—harvesting everything from herbs and greens to mushrooms, fruits, meat, and even salt while traveling with a mobile pantry of more than 30 wild foods and medicines to share at talks and interviews. Meanwhile… we’re hunters. So we asked the question: What do hunters and environmental activists actually have in common? Turns out—a lot. We talk conservation, fishing, food systems, sourcing protein from the land, sustainability, growing up in Ashland, old soccer stories, and why people often portrayed as opposites may share more values than they realize. Robin also shares about his new documentary film and his current work helping launch the 1 Million Community Fruit Trees Initiative. This one isn’t about agreement on everything. It’s about conversation. And it’s one we think more people should have. 00:00 – Reuniting after 20 years05:20 – Robin’s return to northern Wisconsin12:15 – What hunters and environmentalists have in common22:40 – Foraging 100% of food and medicine35:30 – Fishing, food sourcing, and conservation49:00 – Sustainability, values, and community1:02:00 – Robin’s documentary and what’s next Website: https://www.robingreenfield.org Year of Foraging:https://www.robingreenfield.org/foraging/ Why Robin Is Foraging 100% of His Food and Medicine:https://www.robingreenfield.org/foraging/why/ Foraging Guidelines:https://www.robingreenfield.org/foraging-guidelines/ 1 Million Community Fruit Trees Initiative:https://www.robingreenfield.org/fruit-trees/ Food Freedom (Book):https://www.robingreenfield.org/foodfreedom/ Start Here Guide:https://www.robingreenfield.org/start-here/ FAQ About Robin:https://www.robingreenfield.org/faq/ Robin in the Media:https://www.robingreenfield.org/media/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/robjgreenfield/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@RobinGreenfield Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RobinGreenfield Website:https://huntxp.com Listen to The HUNTXP Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. #hunting #foraging #robingreenfield #conservation #podcast #wildfood #outdoors #huntxp #ashlandwi #sustainability #fishing #publicland #foodfreedom TIMESTAMPSLearn More About Robin GreenfieldFollow RobinMore from HUNTXP

    Two Hunters and an Enviormental Activist Walk into a Podcast... | ft Robin Greenfeild

  7. May 8

    HUNTSTOCK Founders Pat & Pat Explain Why Hunting Needed Its Own Festival

    What happens when two diehard hunters with addictive personalities, event-planning experience, and a vision for bringing the hunting community together decide to build something different? You get HUNTSTOCK. In this episode of the HUNTXP Podcast, JD and Jonny sit down with Pat Burns and Pat Guyette — the founders of HUNTSTOCK — to talk about how this hunting festival was born, why traditional expos were missing the mark, and how they’re creating a true “deer camp meets hunting festival” experience for hunters across the country.The guys dive into: * The origins of HUNTSTOCK * Why community matters in hunting * What makes HUNTSTOCK different from a standard hunting expo * Stories from the Northeast hunting scene * Shed hunting obsession, suburban whitetails, and big woods hunting * The energy and atmosphere hunters can expect this summerIf you’ve ever wished deer camp lasted all weekend with live podcasts, hunting legends, gear vendors, campfire stories, and nonstop camaraderie — this episode is for you. 🔥 BONUS FOR LISTENERS 🔥Use code XP40 at checkout for $40 OFF your HUNTSTOCK registration.This code is limited to the first 10 people who use it — so don’t wait.Get tickets and learn more at: HUNTSTOCK Eventshttps://huntstockevents.com/

    HUNTSTOCK Founders Pat & Pat Explain Why Hunting Needed Its Own Festival

  8. Apr 25

    HUNT & HANG: The Hangr Co Story: Luc Douglas on Building Better Euro Mount Brackets

    USE CODE “HUNTXP” for 15% off at theHangr.coLuc Douglas from The Hangr Co joins the HUNTXP Podcast to talk Kansas hunting, bowhunting, 3D archery, turkey season, and the story behind building a small hunting business from the ground up.Luc is a lifelong Kansan from Abilene who got pulled deeper into bowhunting through 3D archery and eventually started creating better ways to display European skull mounts. What began as a favor for a family taxidermist turned into The Hangr Co, a Kansas-based company making American-made skull mounting brackets for whitetail, mule deer, antelope, sheep, turkey fans, elk, moose, African game, and more.In this episode, we talk about the early trial-and-error versions of Luc’s skull brackets, why some euro mounts spin or sit loose, how his uncle helped simplify the design, and what makes The Hangr Co’s products different. We also get into Kansas deer country, turkey fan mounts, shed hangers, bowhunting antelope and aoudad, and why every trophy deserves to be displayed well.Check out The Hangr Co: https://www.thehangrco.com/Show NotesIn this episode, JD and Jonny sit down with Luc Douglas, founder of The Hangr Co, a small Kansas-based company making American-made brackets for European skull mounts, turkey fans, sheds, and other hunting trophies.Luc shares how he grew up around bowhunting in Kansas, how 3D archery helped pull him and his wife deeper into the hunting world, and how marrying into a farming family didn’t hurt his whitetail opportunities either. He also breaks down what Kansas hunting really looks like around Abilene and the Flint Hills: hedgerows, farm fields, creek bottoms, pinch points, and just enough timber to make things interesting.The heart of the conversation is the origin story of The Hangr Co. Luc started making skull hangers as a favor for his wife’s cousin, who was doing European mounts and wanted a better, more affordable bracket. After plenty of rough prototypes, spinning skulls, round bar designs, rebar experiments, welding, grinding, and trial and error, Luc eventually simplified the design into the flat bracket system that became the foundation of The Hangr Co.The guys also talk through The Hangr Co product lineup, including original wall mounts, standoff brackets, inside corner mounts, table stands, H2 brackets for bigger skulls, turkey fan mounts, and a new shed hanger Luc has been working on. Luc explains why fit matters, how to properly seat a skull on the bracket, and why he cares so much about making a mount that doesn’t distract from the trophy itself.They also swap hunting stories, including Luc’s Kansas turkey hunt, bowhunting antelope, chasing aoudad, and why turkey hunting can feel like the easiest thing in the world one minute and the most impossible thing the next.Key Topics* Luc Douglas’ Kansas hunting background* Getting into 3D archery and bowhunting as an adult* Hunting around Abilene, Kansas and the Flint Hills* How The Hangr Co started* Building a better European skull mount bracket* Why early designs failed or let skulls spin* American-made skull mounting brackets* Turkey fan mounts and beard/spur display options* Shed hanger prototypes* Displaying whitetail, antelope, sheep, elk, moose, turkey fans, and more* Small business, craftsmanship, and hunting stories

    HUNT & HANG: The Hangr Co Story: Luc Douglas on Building Better Euro Mount Brackets
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Two real hunting buddies. Real laughs. Real fails. Real faith. Welcome to the deer camp you can tune into every week.

Information

  • Creator
    J.D. Larson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © J.D. Larson
  • Show Website
    The HUNTXP Podcast

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