First Harvest Podcast

Josh and Aaron
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First Harvest Podcast shares stories, tips, tricks, and encourages those new to hunting and fishing to get outside and start living the life. Instagram @f1rstharvest

  1. 3d ago

    EP 17: Pet Squirrels, Lone Star Gators, and Desert Ducks

    Pull up your campfire chair. In Episode 17 of First Harvest, Josh and Aaron start with a Reddit-sourced claim about which state lets you own up to six pet squirrels or raccoons without a permit. From there, Josh tells the story of an alligator at a Texas ranch pond that came for his family on their way home from a Gulf trip. Then the two get into waterfowl season: Indiana's three-zone duck season and what the "local" ducks doHow weather and migration patterns can shape a huntWhether Arizona can really be a duck hunting spot, from the Buckeye area to the Pacific FlywayWhat jump shooting is and using it as a strategy to get ducks outside of the spread They also look ahead to hunt draws and invite your questions and topic ideas. If you like the show, subscribe, leave a review and tell a friend.

  2. Oct 23

    EP 16: "Dear Deer....Where Are You?"

    A bow shot is only the beginning. What happens after the trigger pull, the blood trail, and the gut-check decision to keep tracking is where hunting really gets real. Josh and Aaron break down a brutal but valuable archery season lesson from the woods in Indiana, including what went wrong with a broken rangefinder, why Aaron trusted his instinct from a familiar stand, and how a seemingly solid shot turned into a four-plus-hour tracking effort across property lines, trails, and bedding cover. You'll discover: Why waiting "just a few more minutes" can change everything in a tree standHow to read blood color, from bright red to dark red to the signs that mean a gut shotThe difference between fixed and mechanical broadheads, and why arrow setup mattersWhy crossbows are louder and harder to track than a compound bowHow tools like binoculars, OnX, and even toilet paper markers help on a blood trailWhy permission and property lines matter as much as shooting accuracy Josh adds the rookie questions hunters are thinking but rarely ask out loud, while Aaron explains the realities of archery tracking with hard-won field experience. Together, they turn one frustrating hunt into a practical masterclass on shot placement, patience, and what to do when the trail goes cold. This is essential listening if you hunt with a bow or crossbow, want to avoid common tracking mistakes, or just appreciate a real campfire story with useful lessons baked in. Sometimes the most valuable hunts are the ones that don't end the way you hoped.

  3. Oct 15

    EP 15: Does Your Kid Poop In The Woods?...And Other Lessons From The Woods and Seas

    The coast vs. the woods debate gets real fast in this one, and it reveals something bigger than beach takes or deer season strategy - how to keep your outdoors life alive when you’re raising kids. Josh and Aaron trade stories from the Gulf, the beach, and the stand while unpacking the challenge every family-minded hunter, fisher, and forager runs into: how do you stay in the game without leaving your kids behind? Josh makes the case for the Gulf as an underrated family paradise, from easier water, better fishing energy, and sand crab chaos to the simple joy of letting kids roam, explore, and learn. Aaron counters with the realities of hunting season, from tree rubs and rut timing to trail cams, scent glands, and the practical side of making deer season work when life is already full. Together, they turn a laid-back conversation into a surprisingly useful playbook for balancing adventure, parenting, and the outdoors. You’ll hear: Why the Gulf gets Josh’s vote over San Diego and other coastal hotspotsHow Aaron ranks saltwater, freshwater, and river fishing by difficultyThe real tradeoffs of taking young kids fishing and huntingWhat it looks like to teach kids about harvest, butcher process, and where food comes fromWhy “being a good dad” and still chasing wild places is harder, and more rewarding, than it sounds There’s also a fun experiment brewing around a viral deer-hunting hack involving apples, trail cameras, and whether a little scent manipulation actually changes deer movement. If you care about hunting, fishing, family life, or just want to hear two guys make a strong case for living closer to nature, this episode has plenty to pull you in. Perfect for dads, outdoorsmen, and anyone trying to pass on a love of the wild without losing their own. Pull up a camp chair and get ready for a conversation that is funny, practical, and surprisingly thoughtful about what it means to raise kids in the outdoors.

  4. Oct 8

    EP 14: Campfire Hunting Stories

    The best hunt isn't always the one with the biggest buck—it's the one with the story you'll be telling for years. Josh and Aaron get real about what makes time in the field unforgettable, from Texas brush country and baited ranch hunts to missed shots, freezer meat, trophy standards, and the kind of sunrise conversations that keep hunters coming back. They kick off with Josh's first Texas hunt and the unexpected moment that turned a zero-deer weekend into an all-time memory. Then Aaron shares how his own early hunts hooked him, even when the shot wasn't possible, and why seeing wildlife, learning the land, and being outside with your people can matter more than tagging out.You'll discover: Why a “successful” hunt has more to do with purpose than antler sizeHow buck shaming can ruin the fun for new huntersThe difference between hunting for trophies, meat, and adventureWhy stories, scenery, and shared time in the woods matter so muchHow broadening what you hunt can make the outdoors even better Josh and Aaron also talk about first deer, button bucks, accidental lessons in the field, hunting with kids, draw systems, preference points, and why new places like Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and even Mexico keep calling their names. Along the way, they break down the realities of deer seasons in Indiana and Texas, the truth about record bucks, and how hunting changes when you stop chasing perfection and start chasing the experience. If you hunt, want to hunt, or just love a good campfire-style conversation about the outdoors, this one hits the sweet spot. It's a reminder that the real payoff is often the memory, not the mount.

  5. Oct 1

    EP 13: Aim Small, Miss Small.....Hopefully

    Fall hunting season is here, and Josh and Aaron are swapping campfire stories that every hunter will recognize - from the first cool Arizona morning to the nerves, misses, and lessons that come with getting closer to the game. What starts with a real-time campfire vibe quickly turns into a deeper conversation about hog hunting in Texas, the explosive spread of wild hogs across the South, and why these animals are as destructive as they are good to eat. Josh tells the story of a memorable father-son hunt outside San Antonio, while Aaron adds hard-earned perspective from his own hog hunts, the grind of butchering after long days in the blind, and why hunting these animals is about more than just the thrill. You’ll discover: Why wild hogs are a legitimate nuisance problem, not just a hunting targetWhat makes Texas hog hunts so different from deer seasonHow shot placement changes everything, especially with bow huntingWhy a crossbow can be a practical option for hunters with back or shoulder issuesThe real confidence gap between rifle hunting and archeryAaron also shares the kind of bow-hunting miss that changes the way you think about ethics, practice, and patience. Josh pushes the conversation toward the realities of archery season, the challenge of getting close enough for a clean shot, and why so many hunters eventually fall in love with the added difficulty. If you’re already counting down to hunting season, thinking about getting into archery, or just want a fun, honest campfire conversation about wild hogs, bows, crossbows, and the stories that come with them, this episode is for you. Perfect for hunters, outdoorsmen, and anyone who loves a good field story with real-world takeaways.

  6. Sep 24

    EP 12: Good Luck...Don't Die.

    Two regular hunters are planning an Arizona bear hunt with zero illusions and a lot of questions, and that is exactly why this episode is worth your time. Josh and Aaron break down what it actually looks like to take on an over-the-counter bear tag, from unit selection and regulations to gear, cost, and the realities of hunting a species neither of them has ever chased before.Josh opens with a jaw-dropping bear attack story out of Montana, and from there the conversation turns into a live, unfiltered planning session. The result is part strategy, part cautionary tale, and part inside baseball for anyone who wants to hunt out West without pretending to be an expert. You'll hear them compare Arizona units like 22 South, 23 South, 24A, and 27, talk through bear density, and explain why fall bear hunting is a very different animal than spring. Aaron also lays out how over-the-counter tags work, why female harvest limits matter, and how state regulations can close a unit fast if you're not paying attention.You'll discover: Why Arizona is the draw for this hunt in the first placeHow OnX maps help hunters scout terrain, units, and waterWhat the real out-of-state cost looks like, from license to tagWhy fall bear hunting can be tougher than spring bearThe gear they already have, what they still need, and what they can borrow The stakes are bigger than one bear tag. This episode is about the adventure, the learning curve, and the kind of hunt that forces you to think on your feet before you ever step into the woods. If you’re planning your first Western hunt, curious about bear hunting, or just want to hear two guys figure it out as they go, this one hits the sweet spot. Perfect for hunters who want real-world planning instead of polished advice, and for anyone who likes their outdoor talk honest, funny, and just a little bit reckless. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to responsibly pull off an Arizona bear hunt, start here.

  7. Sep 17

    EP 11: Woody Therapy

    The advice most guys need is not about shooting straighter. It is about slowing down enough to hear what the woods are actually doing to you. Chaplain and former sheriff's Merit deputy John, joins Josh and Aaron for a conversation that starts with duck blinds, squirrel hunts, and a few jokes about being “special,” then opens into something much deeper - how hunting, silence, and the outdoors become a kind of therapy, brotherhood, and spiritual reset. John shares how Aaron first pulled him into duck hunting, why he keeps coming back even after plenty of missed shots and expensive deer tags, and how being in the woods has become part exercise, part discipline, and part prayer. You’ll discover: why the noise of modern life can keep people from knowing themselveshow one-to-one technology and constant busyness shape kids, adults, and familieswhat hunting teaches about frustration, patience, and showing up again tomorrowhow fathers, sons, friends, and brothers build trust when they are side by side in a standwhy “harvest” means both responsible provision and a deeper sense of calling John also brings his perspective as a chaplain who works with law enforcement and mental health, connecting wilderness, spirituality, and emotional honesty in a way that will hit home for anyone who feels pulled in too many directions. He explains why the woods can surface the questions we avoid, why brotherhood matters more than image, and how nature creates space for real conversations that rarely happen anywhere else. If you have ever needed a reason to get outside, put the phone away, and think more clearly about who you are and how you show up for the people you love, this episode will meet you right there. Perfect for hunters, dads, outdoorsmen, and anyone craving a quieter, more intentional way to live. Josh, Aaron, and John turn a campfire conversation into a reminder that the best work, the best friendships, and the best growth often happen when you are simply where your feet are.

  8. Sep 10

    EP 10: Fine.....We'll Going Fishing.

    Fishing might be the easiest way to get someone outdoors, but most people overcomplicate it. Josh and Aaron break down why fishing is the perfect entry point for beginners, families, and anyone who wants more time outside without needing a ton of gear, skill, or money. What starts as a lighthearted conversation turns into a practical guide to getting started—from cheap rods, beginner tackle kits, and simple bait choices to finding the right water and knowing what fish actually live there. Josh shares the story of his son catching his first fish with no bait at all, while Aaron explains why patience, environment, and the type of water you fish matter more than most people think. You’ll discover: What you really need to start fishing without spending a fortuneWhy freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow rivers are the easiest places for beginnersThe difference between trophy fishing and fishing to eatWhy catfish, bluegill, and bass are each worth knowingHow guide trips, charters, and even free fishing days can make the sport easier to try Josh and Aaron also get into the basics that save beginners from frustration—like why a good knife and a small first aid kit belong in your gear. Along the way, they compare notes on fishing stories from childhood, military life, family trips, and the kind of memorable day that gets you hooked for good. If you’ve been wanting a low-pressure way to step into the outdoors, this episode makes the case for fishing as the best first cast. Perfect for beginners, families, hunters looking for an off-season reset, or anyone who just wants a better reason to spend a day on the water.

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About

First Harvest Podcast shares stories, tips, tricks, and encourages those new to hunting and fishing to get outside and start living the life. Instagram @f1rstharvest

Information

  • Creator
    Josh and Aaron
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Josh and Aaron
  • Show Website
    First Harvest Podcast