DSC Campfires with Larry Weishuhn

Larry Weishuhn
  • 4.9 (18)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

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!

  1. Jul 8

    EP 403: Samuel Old: Whitetail Habitat Management

    Episode Overview In this episode of DSC's Campfires, host Larry Weishuhn ("Mr. Whitetail") catches up with property manager and avid outdoorsman Sam Old. With Sam finally taking his first summer off from cutting hay, he is fully immersed in his true passions: wildlife habitat improvement, monitoring herd health, and simply enjoying the abundance of game on his property. Thanks to abundant rainfall making for a wet and vibrant summer, Sam's property is seeing one of its most prolific years for wildlife reproduction. High Survival Rates: Sam has counted at least 22 whitetail fawns on his trail cameras, alongside a booming population of ducklings, goslings, and bear cubs. Buck-to-Doe Ratio: The property maintains an excellent ratio; historically, Sam notes that 65% to 70% of the late-season fawns they spot turn out to be bucks. Bachelor Herds: The bucks are congregating in distinct age classes. Yearlings and two-year-olds form one group, three- and four-year-olds form another, while the fully mature five- to seven-year-olds stick together in their own exclusive bachelor groups. A major talking point is the science behind what drives exceptional antler growth. Sam is already tracking a massive buck on his property nicknamed "Twisty Two," who is shaping up to be a heavy 13-pointer. Larry and Sam discuss research from Texas A&M that highlights the absolute necessity of micronutrients for antler mass. Sam details his evolution from planting single-crop monocultures to utilizing highly diverse, multi-seed food plots. This advanced strategy feeds the wildlife year-round, regenerates the soil, and takes heavy grazing pressure off native browse like greenbrier (Smilax). "A cow has got a big old square muzzle... but a deer's got a pointed muzzle so that it can reach in and find the most nutritious part of any plant." — Paraphrased concept discussed on selective browsing To cater to the deer's selective browsing habits, Sam's incredibly diverse food plot mix includes: Buckwheat and Sunflowers (often mowed down quickly by the deer) Winter Peas and Forage Peas Rye and Triticale Turnips and Crimson/Balansa Clovers Sam shares updates on Craig's Creek Shady Rest, his property’s Airbnb and hunting lodge. The three-bedroom cabin features a full kitchen and offers guests a front-row seat to nature—recently, visitors enjoyed watching 21 deer feeding in the blackberry bushes right outside. Sam notes he is planning to refurbish the upstairs soon to accommodate even more guests. Wrapping up the chat, Sam outlines his upcoming plans, which include hosting a meet-and-greet ticket event at a local Baptist church in early July, and preparing for an exciting traditional bear hunt in the Choctaw region this October. Shed Antlers (Calcium/Phosphorus) Rodents, cattle, and even the deer themselves aggressively chew on shed antlers to reclaim vital minerals, often completely devouring the tines. Sulfur Salt Blocks Sam utilizes these blocks to provide necessary dietary minerals while simultaneously helping the animals ward off ticks and flies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Jul 1

    EP 402 Hunting African Game with Phil Massaro

    Episode Overview In this episode of DSC's Campfires, host Larry Weishuhn ("Mr. Whitetail") sits down with Phil Massaro—editor of the Gun Digest annual, NRA contributor, and seasoned hunter. The two share an energetic and passionate conversation about the deep allure of African safaris, the vital role of hunting in wildlife conservation, and their shared love for classic heavy-caliber firearms. Phil shares his experiences from a recent safari in the Sango Conservancy, located in Zimbabwe's Save Valley. The Landscape: Sango is a million-acre block of land that was successfully converted from cattle farms into a thriving wildlife conservancy. Wildlife Diversity: Phil marvels at the sheer variety of life in the conservancy, noting sightings of black and white rhinos, painted dogs, bateleur eagles, lions, leopards, elephants, and massive herds of Cape buffalo. The "Bug": Phil explains that his obsession with Africa began in 1996 after skipping the opening day of deer season to watch the movie The Ghost and the Darkness. This eventually led to his first plains game hunt in South Africa in 2004, cementing a lifelong passion. A major theme of the episode is the critical difference between true wildlife conservation and the "hands-off" preservation approach pushed by anti-hunting groups. Phil highlights a specific management elephant hunt he participated in to illustrate how hunting directly benefits local communities. As the editor of Gun Digest, Phil brings deep technical knowledge and personal preference to the discussion of safari rifles. .404 Jeffery: This is Phil's absolute favorite caliber. He had a custom rifle built on a Winchester Model 70 action for his African hunts. Griffin & Howe Criterion: Phil discusses this newly introduced, high-end rifle built on a double square bridge Mauser action (priced around $70,000), noting its exceptional craftsmanship. .416 Rigby: He mentions having a TC Encore built in this classic caliber specifically for an African hunt. .375 H&H: Both Larry and Phil acknowledge this as a highly capable and classic all-around caliber for taking down large game. The Allure of Africa Despite his extensive travels across the globe, Phil remains grounded in his roots. He shares that he grew up hunting deer and turkey in upstate New York. While he dreams of returning to Africa to hunt his favorite game—the Cape Buffalo—he remains an avid North American hunter. He wraps up the conversation by expressing his excitement for an upcoming, traditional deer hunt in the rugged Adirondack Mountains. Conservation vs. Preservation The wise management and sustainable use of wildlife resources. Gives animals economic value, funds anti-poaching efforts, and provides vital meat to local villages (weighed and distributed fairly by village elders). Preservation A strict, hands-off approach that prevents population management. Often leads to severe overpopulation and habitat destruction, such as elephants stripping entire landscapes of trees in Botswana. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    EP 402 Hunting African Game with Phil Massaro

  3. Jun 24

    EP 401 Gary Roberson Talks Game Calls

    In this episode, Larry Weishuhn sits down with veteran hunter Gary Robertson to discuss a revolutionary new hunting product called Wraith. Gary shares his firsthand field experiences testing the product, detailing its surprising effectiveness in outsmarting the keen senses of various wildlife species. Gary, initially a skeptic of scent-control products, shares his extensive field testing of a new formula developed by Hunt Labs Technologies. Scent Elimination: Gary successfully used the product to mask his scent from highly perceptive animals, including whitetail deer, coyotes, and antelope. Application Strategies: Spraying the product directly on boots, legs, and game calls prevented predators from picking up a human scent trail on the ground. Thermal Blocking: The most surprising discovery was that Wraith effectively blocks the human body's thermal and heat signatures. Field Evidence: Gary captured video footage of downwind animals—including a mature whitetail buck and an antelope at just 13 steps—looking right through him without spooking. Upcoming Hunts: Gary plans to test the product's limits on upcoming bear and feral hog hunts, given their notoriously sharp sense of smell. Market Availability: The product is slated for a fall release and will be available through Hunt Labs Technologies, Burnham Brothers, and Amazon. Content Creation: Gary will be documenting the entire process, sharing the field footage via a new monthly video podcast series to visually demonstrate the product's capabilities. Summer Predator Hunting: The hosts discuss the effectiveness of fawn distress calls during the summer months to manage coyote populations and protect fawns. Historical Wildlife Threats: Larry and Gary briefly reflect on historical wildlife challenges, particularly the devastating impact of screwworms on deer populations in South Texas prior to their eradication. All the Links: BurnhamBrothers Freq.com Wraith.com HuntLabTechnogy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jun 17

    EP 400 Campfire Talk with Luke Clayton

    The episode kicks off with Luke sharing a story about a summer pear tree in his front yard in Northeast Texas. The tree drops a massive amount of fruit, which squirrels nibble on during the day. By nightfall—around 9:30 PM—a sounder of about ten wild hogs arrives like clockwork to eat the fallen pears. Luke reveals he has been tracking them with a thermal monocular and plans to hunt them from his front porch (about 45 yards away) using his new Ten-Point crossbow. Larry and Luke dive into the fascinating intelligence and sensory capabilities of wild hogs. Larry notes that research shows hogs have an extraordinary sense of smell (capable of detecting truffles six feet underground in Europe) and an incredible multi-generational memory that maps out seasonal feeding patterns year after year. The duo reminisces about their shared history hunting hogs and their co-authored book, Poor Man's Grizzly. They look back at the timeline of the wild hog population in Texas: The 1970s: Hogs were sparse and considered a highly prized, rare trophy in places like South Texas. The 1980s: The population boomed. Luke and Larry candidly admit that back then, it was common—and legal—for hunters to trap and relocate wild hogs all over the state to create hunting opportunities, inadvertently fueling the massive population explosion seen today. Luke’s Roots: Luke shares that his fascination with hogs started at age eight when he saved up pecan-picking money to buy his first two domestic pigs for $6 each. Luke recants his latest fishing adventures with his colleague Jeff Rice from A Sportsman's Life TV Show which can be found on Carbon TV and YouTube. They recently fished the Red River below the Eisenhower Dam at Lake Texoma with airboat guide JC McCullah. Using heavy casts into 15-foot-deep washouts, they hammered channel and blue catfish, including a massive blue catfish weighing around 40 pounds. JC McCullah also uses his airboats to transport hunters to remote, untouched wilderness areas along the Red River on the Oklahoma side. Luke and Larry discuss plans to head up there this fall for an isolated deer hunt, utilizing a remote FEMA building JC has set up as a rustic camp. Larry celebrates his long-standing friendship with Luke, noting that he has been a regular guest on Luke’s commercial radio show and podcast, Catfish Radio, for over 20 years. They close the episode by highlighting a few major upcoming events for outdoor enthusiasts: DSC Summer Show: Taking place July 23–26 at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas, featuring over 400 exhibitors and the DSC Foundation Gala on July 25th. An Evening at the DSC Office: Scheduled for September 17th, featuring wild game cooking and storytelling. Luke’s Annual Rendezvous: Held every spring (typically the first Saturday in March) in Greenville, Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jun 10

    EP 339 European Roe Deer Recap

    In this episode of DSC's Campfires, host Larry Weishuhn shares the thrilling details of his recent European roe deer hunt. He recounts his journey through Sweden, Poland, and Scotland alongside friends Mark and Carol Little, as well as expert guides Stefan and Sofia Bengtsson from Scandinavian Pro Hunters. Larry’s deep passion for the sport and the delicious rewards of the hunt shine through as he details the beautiful landscapes, his gear, and the magnificent animals he encountered along the way. Larry compares the European roe deer to the whitetailed deer of European countries. These deer have a notably small body size, typically weighing between 50 and 60 pounds. Beyond the challenge of the hunt, Larry notes that the meat from these deer is absolutely delicious. The three-nation hunt was initially created as a donation for the DSC Foundation Gala in 2025. The package was generously put together by Larry alongside Stefan and Sofia Bengtsson of Scandinavian Pro Hunters. Mark and Carol Little purchased the hunt at the gala to help fund various DSC Foundation projects. The actual hunt came to fruition shortly before recording, taking place in May 2026. Larry traveled from Austin to London to Copenhagen, eventually driving across the waterway to the southernmost tip of Sweden. The group hunted on a large estate managed by Scandinavian Pro Hunters. This property featured a beautifully rehabilitated waterway that now supports abundant wildlife and sea-run trout. Carol Little successfully harvested a great deer early in the trip. Larry hunted from a "hochsitz" (an open-top deer blind) using Stefan's single-shot K95 Blaser rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. He harvested a mature, silver-medal buck with gorgeous ivory-colored antler tips. The group traveled by train from Malmo to Copenhagen, then flew directly into Warsaw, Poland. The Polish hunting grounds were highly agricultural, filled with apple orchards, blackberries, and strawberries. Larry hunted with Stefan and a local English-speaking guide named Derek. Using an R8 Blaser in .243, Larry shot a buck late in the evening. The local property manager used a thermal drone, which is completely legal in Poland, to recover the deer in the dark. This buck scored as a silver medal and featured a unique 3x4 point configuration. On a subsequent outing in Poland, Larry successfully used an 8x57 JS rifle to take another beautiful silver-medal buck. The final leg involved flying into Glasgow, Scotland, and driving to an area near Inverness. Larry hunted with a local Scottish guide named George. Larry used George's 6.5x55 Swede rifle to stalk and harvest another incredible roe deer buck. In total, Larry took four roe deer during the trip, including three 3x3s and two featuring a fourth point. Larry will be attending the Texas Wildlife Association Convention in San Antonio from July 23rd to July 26th. He will also be present at the upcoming DSC Summer Expo and DSC Gala. Another Scandinavian Pro Hunter trip will be auctioned off at the DSC Gala. Listeners can find full written stories and photos on Larry's website at larryweishuhn.net. Video coverage of the hunt will be available on Carbon TV and his YouTube channel, A Sportsman's Life. More information on the DSC Foundation and their conservation efforts can be found at dscf.org and biggame.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    EP 339 European Roe Deer Recap

  6. Jun 3

    EP 338 Stefan Bengtson and Hunting Europe - On Location

    In this episode of the DSC's Campfires podcast, recorded on location at a battlefield in Scotland, Larry interviews Stefan Bengtson, who has co-owned and operated Scandinavian Pro Hunters with his wife, Sophia, since 2002. Stefan and his wife run an outfitting business that specializes in big game hunting and wing shooting worldwide, with a primary focus on short-travel European destinations. Big Game Hunting Destinations Scandinavian Pro Hunters offers a wide variety of big game species across several European countries: Sweden: Hunters can pursue European bison (wisent), large roebucks, European red stag, fallow stag, mouflon sheep, wild boar, and European moose. Norway: The outfitter provides scenic walk-and-stalk hunts for European reindeer in pure wilderness environments. Finland: The country offers unique opportunities for free-range whitetail and forest reindeer. Greenland: Available species include muskox and Greenland caribou. Scotland: Hunters can target roe deer, sika, and Scottish red stag. England: Available game includes Chinese water deer, muntjac, English red stag, Manchurian sika, Japanese sika, and roe deer. Eastern Europe: Hunts in Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania are primarily focused on roe deer and red stag. Multi-Species Trips: Dedicated hunters have the unique opportunity to target multiple red stag species across different countries during a single trip. Wing Shooting and Waterfowl The outfitter provides highly social and challenging bird hunting experiences: VIP Upland Hunts: Hosted in Sweden, these hunts operate without strict bag limits, allowing hunters to take 10 to 30 birds each. Mixed Bags: Shooters can expect a mixture of pheasants, Hungarian partridges, hare, mallards, and teal, hunted alongside pointing dogs and spaniels. High-Volume Duck Hunts: Groups of 10 to 12 guns can shoot between 400 and 700 birds in a single day across various ponds. Driven Woodcock: A highly challenging late-season hunt is offered in the Scottish Highlands from late November through January. Driven Hunts: Traditional driven bird hunts are also available in Spain, Italy, and France. Guest Logistics and Amenities The company focuses heavily on the overall client experience, catering to both hunters and their companions: Firearms: While clients can navigate the paperwork to bring their own equipment, the outfitter highly recommends utilizing the quality local firearms provided by their gamekeepers. Fishing Combinations: Clients hunting in Scotland can easily combine their trips with salmon fishing or lake fishing for large trout using a Spey rod. Non-Hunter Activities: The company offers "hosted hunts" which include renting large manor houses equipped with private chefs, along with organized sightseeing tours for spouses and non-hunting companions. Expert Local Guides: Stefan notes that their success and high rate of repeat clientele are largely due to their relationships with expert local guides. Conservation and Contact Information Conservation Support: The host explicitly thanks Stefan and Sophia for their ongoing support of conservation efforts and for consistently donating hunts to the DSC and the DSC Foundation. Website: scandinavianprohunters.com. Email: stefan@prohunters.se and sophia@prohunters.se Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    EP 338 Stefan Bengtson and Hunting Europe - On Location

  7. May 27

    EP 337 Looking Ahead: European Hunts, Summer Shows, and the "Three Amigos"

    In this solo episode, Larry Weishuhn pivots after a technical computer glitch eats his originally recorded episode, an interview with Catfish Radio host and longtime friend, Luke Clayton. Recording just five hours before heading to the airport, Larry shares his itinerary for an epic three-nation European roe deer hunt. He also previews an exciting lineup of upcoming guests and highlights major summer conservation events that listeners will not want to miss. Larry is embarking on a European hunt alongside Mark and Carol Little, who purchased the trip at the 2025 DSC Foundation Gala, and guides Stephan and Sophia Bengston of Scandinavian Pro Hunters. Travel & Gear: To avoid the hassle of flying with firearms across three countries, Larry is borrowing rifles (preferring a .275 Rigby or 7x57 Mauser) and has ensured a supply of Hornady ammunition will be available in each location. Roe Deer Habits: The bucks shed their velvet in late April or early May, and their rut occurs later in the summer (June through August). Calling Tactics: Hunters often use a "butylo call," which emits a strange whistling sound that attracts roebucks. Taxidermy: Due to limited wall space, Larry plans to do classic European skull mounts on nice wood plaques for the roe deer taken on this trip. Upcoming Media: Larry will record segments from each European nation for his digital TV show, A Sportsman's Life, while Luke Clayton and Jeff Rice hold down the fort with striped bass and blue catfish fishing segments back home. Upcoming Guests: Future podcast episodes will feature Luke Clayton, geneticist and author Dr. Mike Arnold, Michael Waddell, and a special June trip recording with the "Three Amigos" (Larry, Jim Zumbo, and Rick Lambert) alongside Mike Snyder. Upcoming Summer Conventions Larry strongly encourages listeners to get involved in wildlife conservation by attending these major summer events: Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) Convention: Celebrating its 41st year, this convention takes place July 9th–12th. Larry helped start this organization back in 1985. DSC Summer Show Expo: Taking place at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX. This four-day expo features over 400 booths with activities for all ages. DSC Foundation Gala: Held the night of July 25th at the Gaylord Texan. The gala features massive fundraising auctions (which can be bid on via OnlineHuntingAuctions.com) and will present the Legacy Award to Steve Hornady. Larry's Three-Nation Roe Deer Sweden The starting point of the trip. Larry has successfully hunted roe deer, red stag, fallow deer, and waterfowl here in the past. Poland This will be a brand-new hunting destination for Larry. The group will spend two to three days here hoping to take a roe deer, and possibly a second if the right mature buck presents itself. Scotland The hunt concludes around Inverness. Larry is specifically looking for a mature roe buck after only spotting immature bucks and does in the lowlands on a previous trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    EP 337 Looking Ahead: European Hunts, Summer Shows, and the "Three Amigos"

  8. May 20

    EP 336 Dr. Mike Arnold, Hunting Europe, and the Power of Conservation

    In this episode, Larry Weishuhn sits down with returning guest Dr. Mike Arnold to discuss the fascinating biology and hunting culture surrounding the European roe deer. The two also dive deep into the vital role hunters play in global wildlife conservation and tease Dr. Arnold's upcoming book projects. Larry is embarking on a highly anticipated three-nation roe deer hunt, which was generously donated to the 2025 DSC Foundation Gala by Stephan and Sophia Bengston of Scandinavian Pro Hunters and purchased by Mark and Carol Little. Larry has successfully hunted here before, often finding roe deer thriving in grassy plains and agricultural fields near the water. This will be brand-new hunting territory for Larry, and he is eager to see the habitat. The hunt will take place in the high country of the Highlands, which is considered a harsh, marginal habitat for these browsing animals. Roe deer are incredibly adaptable little browsers that can survive in a wide breadth of environments, from prime agricultural fields to marginal tree-seedling habitats. Biologically unique for northern hemisphere deer, roe bucks oddly cast their antlers in November. They are known to be an extremely skittish and nervous species. Because they do not travel well due to their high-strung nature, historical attempts to transplant and introduce European roe deer to North America have completely failed. As table fare, roe deer meat is considered absolutely delicious. The meat tastes like a tender cross between elk and whitetail, without carrying any gamey flavor. Dr. Arnold is currently working on a new book under the working title "Hunters and the Endangered." The book focuses on how passionate hunters and global hunting cultures have actively brought species back from the brink of extinction. Highlighted conservation success stories will include the North American bison, the European Bison, and the Muskox. The conversation also notes how hunting conservation has allowed exotic species like the Nilgai, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Addax, and Dama Gazelle to flourish in Texas despite struggling in their native ranges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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!

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