Deep In The Hunt Of Texas

Sportsmen's Empire

Welcome to Deep in the Hunt of Texas, where the mesquite whispers, the sun breaks wide over the brush country, and every pursuit becomes a story worth retelling. This show follows the heartbeat of the Texas outdoors, from whitetails slipping through live oaks to redfish pushing wakes across the flats, with plenty of ducks, hogs, and surprises along the way. Each episode blends real hunts, honest gear talk, field wisdom, close calls, big laughs, and conversations with the people who make Texas hunting what it is. Whether you’re in a blind, on the bow of a skiff, or daydreaming at your desk, Deep in the Hunt of Texas brings you right back into the chase. Grab a seat, settle in, and let’s get deep in the hunt.

  1. 2d ago

    Bowhunting 201

    This episode of Deep in the Hunt of Texas begins with Connor talking about the start of bow season in Texas, cooler weather, and the deer he’s watching on camera. He shares his thoughts on whether to pursue a promising buck early in the season or keep waiting for a mature “tree buck” he has followed for several years. He also mentions upcoming hunts in South Texas and New Mexico. The main focus is a step-by-step discussion of what to do once you’re heading to your stand. Connor recommends planning an access route that accounts for wind, deer movement, and the terrain. In the morning, deer are often still on their feet, so he suggests approaching carefully, especially near feeders, and avoiding unnecessary ground scent. He favors moving quietly and steadily rather than rushing, which can create noise, sweat, and avoidable mistakes. When setting up in a tree, Connor advises taking your time with climbing and organizing gear. He notes that hauling equipment up can be noisy, especially when leaves are still on the trees, and recommends having essential gear ready. Before settling in, he suggests nocking an arrow and putting on your release so you’re prepared for a possible opportunity at first light. Once deer appear, Connor emphasizes watching their body language. Calm deer may feed and move casually, while alert deer may pause, look around, or repeatedly lift their heads. He cautions against drawing a bow while a deer is looking directly at you, since that movement can quickly give you away. If you make eye contact, he recommends avoiding sudden movements and slowly closing or squinting your eyes rather than staring back. The episode then turns to shot placement. From an elevated stand, the downward angle changes where the arrow enters and exits, so hunters should account for the steepness of the shot and aim to achieve a good path through the vital organs. Connor also discusses how broadhead and arrow setups can influence where a hunter chooses to aim. His general point is to understand the strengths and limitations of your equipment, including how much margin for error it offers, and to practice with the setup you plan to use. Connor wraps up with good wishes for the season and hopes to get out hunting soon. Overall, the episode is a field-oriented guide to access, setup, reading deer, staying concealed, and making thoughtful shot decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Bowhunting 201
  2. Sep 24

    Texas Draw Hunts w/ Hunter AKA Captain Texas

    In this episode of Deep in the Hunt of Texas, Connor talks with Hunter Thompson about preparing for deer season, the rising cost of hunting access, and how Texas hunters can use the state’s draw-hunt system to find new opportunities. Hunter shares his background growing up near Houston, learning to hunt from his family, and eventually working in environmental restoration. He explains how wetland mitigation projects can protect wildlife habitat while also creating hunting access on restored properties.The main focus is Texas’s draw-hunt program, which offers opportunities for deer, alligator, waterfowl, quail, javelina, mule deer, and other species. Hunter tells the story of drawing an alligator hunt, harvesting a seven-foot alligator, and processing the meat himself. He also discusses a South Texas archery hunt where he took a 10-point buck and a Big Bend Ranch State Park quail hunt that unexpectedly sparked his interest in pursuing Texas mule deer. Connor and Hunter explain the difference between paid applications and free e-postcard hunts, how the Annual Public Hunting Permit works, and how loyalty points improve a hunter’s odds over time. They encourage listeners to explore Texas’s draw system, especially the low-cost and free opportunities, as a way to access unique properties without relying entirely on expensive private leases.Why it works: The summary highlights both the practical value of the draw system and the personal hunting stories that make the episode engaging. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Texas Draw Hunts w/ Hunter AKA Captain Texas
  3. Sep 17

    Early Bow Season Manual

    This episode of Deep in the Hunt of Texas is a practical guide to preparing for bow season, especially for hunters in North Texas. The host begins by apologizing for previously releasing the wrong episode, then discusses his own late start to deer-season preparation. He covers getting cameras and feeders set up, trimming shooting lanes, tuning and practicing with a bow, using short-distance repetitions to rebuild form, and always wearing a proper safety harness.The main lesson is understanding early-season deer behavior. In October, deer generally follow a bed-to-food pattern, with activity concentrated around dusk and dawn. Bucks may begin sparring and breaking up from bachelor groups, but isolated signs of fighting do not mean peak rut activity has arrived. The host explains that October can be the best time to target a specific buck because patterns are still predictable—but it is also risky because disturbing a deer can cause it to change patterns or disappear.He recommends being especially cautious with morning hunts, where hunters may bump deer while entering the property.  Evening hunts can offer cleaner access, particularly when a buck consistently arrives at a feeder just before legal shooting light ends. The episode also explains how morning and evening thermals affect scent, emphasizing that hunters should use terrain, wind, and rising or falling air to keep their scent away from approaching deer.Finally, the host stresses that exits are just as important as entrances, encourages hunters to be patient, and highlights the valuable late-October and early-November window when bow hunters may get several extra days before general hunting season begins. His overall advice is to avoid rushing, use camera data wisely, and wait for the right opportunity rather than compromising future hunts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Sep 10

    Dove Season Opener and Deer Season Talk w/ Brandon Smith

    Connor Little welcomes Brandon Smith back to the podcast to celebrate the return of hunting season in Texas. They begin by recapping their opening-weekend dove hunts, discussing dry conditions, extreme heat, bird numbers, and the different experiences of hunting in North and South Texas. Connor also shares the story of his long drive south, a memorable breakfast-taco stop, and the advantages of using a 28-gauge shotgun for morning dove. The conversation expands into gear and strategy, including the differences between 28-, 20-, and 12-gauge shotguns, hunting ducks on large lakes, and the frustration of birds landing outside comfortable shooting range. Connor and Brandon also discuss taxidermy costs, turnaround times, and rifle cartridges such as the 6.5 PRC and .25-06. They then look ahead to the rest of the season. Brandon talks about hunting a small property where deer primarily travel through, while Connor shares his plans for South Texas and his goal of eventually taking a 150-class buck in Bowie. Both hosts explain why they enjoy introducing friends and new hunters to the outdoors, even when it means giving up some personal hunting time. The episode also includes stories from Louisiana fishing trips and Brandon’s past spearfishing adventure in Mexico. They close with a detailed discussion about passing deer, the value of mature bucks, and how property size, deer movement, personal history, and the possibility of never seeing a buck again can all influence the final decision. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Dove Season Opener and Deer Season Talk w/ Brandon Smith
  5. Aug 27

    Ballistics Podcast

    This episode is a high-energy college football and Cowboys roundtable, with the group arguing through Big 12 and SEC team projections, hot-seat coaches, Heisman/National Championship picks, and the Cowboys’ outlook for the season. The conversation is funny, opinionated, and heavily Texas-focused, with lots of rivalry banter and bold predictions. Timestamps (00:00) Hunters Extravaganza recap and the audio meltdown (01:18) Introducing the panel and resetting after Jeff’s connection issues (03:06) Why the Hunters Extravaganza felt more like a shopping mall than a hunting show (06:14) Football season is here, and the show shifts to college previews (07:12) Texas: Arch Manning, brutal schedule, and playoff expectations (13:49) Oklahoma: defense, offense, and whether Venables is on the clock (25:19) Texas A&M: Marcel Reed, schedule trouble, and the Aggies’ ceiling (33:08) Texas Tech: Will Hammond, defensive regression, and playoff-or-bust talk (43:43) SMU: Kevin Jennings’ boom-or-bust profile (48:05) Houston: Conor Weigman, Willie Fritz, and a schedule with room to win (54:21) TCU: Sonny Dykes, uncertainty, and a brutal opening stretch (57:49) Baylor: DJ Lagway speculation and Dave Aranda’s seat (63:38) Big-name coach hot-seat predictions (65:15) National title and Heisman picks (69:20) Cowboys: roster strengths, weak spots, and playoff expectations (82:50) Trevor Lawrence, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, and other NFL quarterback takes (85:07) Wrap-up and closing thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to Deep in the Hunt of Texas, where the mesquite whispers, the sun breaks wide over the brush country, and every pursuit becomes a story worth retelling. This show follows the heartbeat of the Texas outdoors, from whitetails slipping through live oaks to redfish pushing wakes across the flats, with plenty of ducks, hogs, and surprises along the way. Each episode blends real hunts, honest gear talk, field wisdom, close calls, big laughs, and conversations with the people who make Texas hunting what it is. Whether you’re in a blind, on the bow of a skiff, or daydreaming at your desk, Deep in the Hunt of Texas brings you right back into the chase. Grab a seat, settle in, and let’s get deep in the hunt.

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