Every hunter faces it sooner or later — that sinking feeling after the shot when the blood trail fades. In this episode, JD and Jonny sit down with Shane Simpson, co-creator of the TRAKR app and one of the most respected deer trackers in the country.Shane breaks down what really happens after the shot — from reading sign and understanding hit location, to how blood tracking dogs are changing recovery odds for hunters across the country. You’ll hear how the TRAKR app is connecting hunters and trackers faster than ever, what hunters should do (and not do) before calling a tracker, and how privacy and data are helping everyone become more ethical, successful hunters.Plus, the crew dives into mobile setups, off-season scouting, and how tools like the Nested Treestand system give hunters a serious edge in pressured states.This one’s packed with real talk, hard-earned lessons, and more than a few laughs.⸻🔗 Links & Resources🧭 Download the TRAKR App: https://www.gettrakr.com/▶️ Follow Shane Simpson on YouTube:  @ShaneSimpsonHunting  🌲 Check out Nested Treestands: https://nestedtreestands.com/HUNT10📸 Follow HUNTXP: HUNTXP.com ⸻🦴 Key Takeaways • How to interpret blood trails and hit sign before calling a tracker. • Why blood tracking dogs are changing the game — and how to find one fast. • The biggest mistakes hunters make after the shot (and how to avoid them). • The power of privacy and how the TRAKR app protects your hunting spots. • Why early-season scouting and real data can make you a better hunter. • Bonus: JD and Jonny share their funniest close calls and bear run-ins.#HUNTXP #DeerTracking #ShaneSimpson #TRAKRApp #WhitetailHunting #BloodTrail #HuntingDogs #DeerRecovery #BowhuntingTips #PublicLandHunter #HuntingEthics #DeerHuntingPodcast #TrackingDeerAfterTheShot

Sometimes the best hunts aren’t about filling tags — they’re about the people, the stories, and the moments that shape who we are as hunters. In this episode, JD Larson sits down with Garrett Davis, a Kansas bowhunter with a passion for traditional archery and chasing experiences over trophies.From growing up in the whitetail-rich plains to honing his craft with a stick and string, Garrett brings a grounded, humble take on why the journey matters more than the outcome. Whether you’re deep into trad life or just trying to slow down and enjoy the process again, this one’s packed with stories, lessons, and that campfire feel that makes hunting what it is.Even though technical gremlins sidelined Johnny halfway through, the conversation still runs deep — covering everything from Western hunts to life balance, faith, and finding joy in the grind.⸻🧭 Episode Highlights • Garrett’s take on what it means to “chase experience, not just game.” • Lessons learned bowhunting Kansas whitetails. • Why traditional archery builds mental toughness and patience. • How Garrett balances hunting, family, and purpose. • The beauty of slowing down and letting the woods teach you.🏹Quote “If you’re only hunting to fill a tag, you’re missing what the woods are really offering you.” – Garrett Davis

This week, JD and Jonny catch up with one of our favorite returning guests—Joe Jones from Outdoors in Color. From his first gobbler and a son’s first dove, to punching tags in elk country and stacking coyotes—Joe’s 2025 season was anything but slow.📍 Topics We Cover: • His full DIY Idaho elk hunt recap • Lessons from calling and scouting solo • Turkey hunting mistakes that almost cost him his first bird • Raising kids who hunt and fish • Coyote control and helping the neighbor • Off-season elk prep, gear changes, and physical trainingIf you’re a dad juggling the chaos of kids and camo—or just dreaming of the mountains—this one hits home.🔗 FOLLOW JOE:Instagram: @OutdoorsInColor💥 Don’t forget to leave a review, share the episode, and subscribe to HUNTXP wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, we sit down with Derrick Dixon, founder of Whitetail Research, to dig into his groundbreaking thermal‑drone study of mature bucks. We unpack what drone footage reveals that GPS collar data often misses, explore why bucks move when they do (and when they don’t), and talk real tactics you can test this fall.

• Derrick’s story: how quitting his job and tracking deer for a full season led to one of the most talked-about whitetail projects on YouTube

• Why thermal drones expose movement patterns GPS collars can’t

• What triggers a mature buck to stand up, and how wind, thermals, and light interact

• How to hunt “movement windows” most hunters never realize are happening

• Practical tactics for everyday hunters—no expensive gear required

• How staging areas, terrain edges, and overlooked travel corridors can be decoded by thermal flight patterns

• 🔬 Whitetail Research Website: whitetailresearch.net

• 🎥 Whitetail Research on YouTube (Derrick Dixon): youtube.com/@WhitetailResearch

• Featured video: What 1 YEAR of Thermal Whitetail Research Taught Me

Want more content like this? Gear breakdowns, strategy deep-dives, and real-talk about hunting in the modern world—it’s all happening at HUNTXP.com. Join the crew, level up your season, and get access to exclusive gear drops, giveaways, and member-only content.

This is deer camp for the digital age. Welcome to HUNTXP.

🎯 What You’ll Learn🔗 Links & Resources🧢 Join the HUNTXP Community

In this raw and real episode of the HUNTXP Podcast, JD and Jonny sit down with Melody, a fierce traditional archer and ground hunter, to unpack what it means to live the trad life. From overcoming neurological challenges to dropping does with a recurve, Melody's story hits deeper than most. She shares how shooting in her basement helped her win a Wisconsin state title, why she made the shift to ground hunting, and the mental and physical grit that traditional bowhunting demands.We also dig into gear talk—her go-to longbow (the Old Mountain Mesa), why repetition trumps range time, and how trad hunters can keep their edge year-round. If you’re into longbows, recurves, or just want to sharpen your woodsmanship, this one’s for you.Whether you're new to traditional archery or a seasoned stickbow hunter, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged.huntxp.com for more ➡️ Topics Covered:Winning a trad archery shoot with 9-yard basement practiceLiving with neurological conditions while staying in the huntTransitioning from treestand to ground huntingWhy off-season reps matter more than range timeBow setups, target habits, and muscle memoryBuilding a meaningful hunting lifestyle over hype📍Stay connected, stay consistent, and remember—traditional archery isn’t just a method. It’s a mindset.#TraditionalBowhunting#TraditionalArchery#LongbowLife#RecurveBow#GroundHunting#BowhuntingTips#BasementArchery#OldMountainMesa#WomenWhoHunt#StickbowChronicles#BowhuntingStories#OffSeasonTraining#MuscleMemoryMatters#TraditionalHunter#DIYBowhunting#Women in traditional archeryOld Mountain Mesa longbowBasement archeryReal-world bowhunting stories

In this episode of the HUNTXP Podcast, we sit down with Justin Gibbins, founder of Limitless Outdoors, to talk about his journey from Idaho to Alaska, building a hunting ministry, and how faith and the outdoors intersect in powerful ways. Justin shares his story of chasing moose in the Alaskan backcountry, launching Limitless Outdoors, and turning hunting into a platform for discipleship.We also touch on the origins of Sportsmen for God (S4G), balancing passion with faith, and the gear that makes tough hunts possible—including the Wicked Ridge M-1 with De-Cocking System, a crossbow designed for real-world hunters who need reliability and safety in the field.Whether you’re chasing whitetails in the Midwest, dreaming about Alaska, or looking to strengthen your walk with Christ while living the hunting lifestyle, this conversation will inspire and challenge you.Links Mentioned in This Episode: • HUNTXP.com → https://huntxp.com • Sportsmen for God → https://sportsmenforgod.org • Limitless Outdoors → https://limitlesshunting.com/ • Wicked Ridge M-1 Crossbow with De-Cocking → https://amzn.to/48u8fOIFollow HUNTXP: • Website: https://huntxp.com • Instagram: https://instagram.com/huntxpteam • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@huntxp

In this episode of the HuntXP Podcast, we sit down with Damon Wolfe, one of the fastest-rising filmmakers in the hunting industry. Damon has already built an impressive resume, filming with big names like Chris B. and Kaitlyn Maus, and telling hunting stories that stir emotion as much as they showcase the pursuit itself.From chasing whitetails and mule deer with a camera in hand to openly sharing his faith, Damon brings a fresh and inspiring voice to the hunting world. We talk about the grind of life on the road, the behind-the-scenes of outdoor storytelling, and what it takes to build a career as a hunting creative.Whether you’re here for gear talk, filmmaking insight, or the raw passion of someone who truly loves the hunt, this episode has it all.More at huntxp.com ⸻⏱️ Episode Breakdown • (00:00) Intro and catching up • (06:00) Damon’s start in filmmaking and early hunting influences • (15:00) Filming for Chris B. and Kaitlyn Maus • (22:00) Faith and perspective on the grind • (35:00) Behind the lens: the rush of filming hunts • (50:00) Gear, partnerships, and why Vapor Trail Archery is Damon’s go-to • (01:05:00) Closing thoughts and takeaways⸻🔗 Links and Gear from this EpisodeDamon Wolfe + All41 Creative • Follow Damon Wolfe on Instagram: @damonwolfe_ • Check out All41 Creative: all41creative.com • Follow All41 Creative on Instagram: @all41_creativeVapor Trail Archery: https://www.vaportrailarchery.com • Visit Vapor Trail Archery Pro Shop for tuning, bowstrings, and one-on-one service: Vapor Trail Archery Pro Shop👉 Shop the Gear: • VPA Three Blade Broadhead: https://amzn.to/4meSgbi • VPA Omegas: https://amzn.to/41xenld • Easton FMJ 500: https://amzn.to/47xjcyq • APEX GEAR Carbon Core Stabilizer: https://amzn.to/3JiGTAE • Apex Surge 3 Finger Release: https://amzn.to/45VA7cQ • APEX GEAR Covert 4 Pin Sight: https://amzn.to/3JBGysM • TruDave Waders: https://amzn.to/3V4DfwN - Trout waders: https://amzn.to/4lvp6U0 - Slip on water boots: https://amzn.to/3V3Y7Ej

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Soholt — hunter, conservationist, photographer, and one of the most creative voices in the outdoor space.

Sam grew up in South Dakota, cut his teeth with Midwest Whitetail and the Hunting Public crew, and then branched out on his own. He founded Public Land Tees, a T-shirt company where $5 from every sale goes directly to land conservation, and he built the legendary Public Land Bus with his brother to promote public lands across the country.

Sam’s work has reached all corners of the hunting world, including photographing hunts with Joe Rogan. His images and conservation message have helped bring public land advocacy to a wider audience, showing how hunting, storytelling, and culture intersect.

Today, Sam continues to lead through his conservation projects and as the host of the Field & Stream Podcast. We dive into his journey, his work with Rogan, the evolution of Public Land Tees, and the mindset it takes to create meaningful change in the hunting community.

🔗 Resources Mentioned in the Show Notes:

• Public Land Tees: https://www.publiclandtees.com

• The Public Land Bus Project: https://www.publiclandbus.com

• Field & Stream Podcast (hosted by Sam): https://www.fieldandstream.com/podcast

👉 If you enjoy this conversation, hit subscribe and drop a comment with your favorite part of the episode.

#SamSoholt #JoeRogan #PublicLandOwner #PublicLandBus #PublicLandTees #HuntingPodcast #FieldAndStream #Conservation #PublicLandHunter #WhitetailHunting #DeerHunting #HuntersLife #HuntingCommunity

Episode 2 of Season 2 of the HUNTXP Podcast brings on Wisconsin native Gabe Denzine — a hunter, storyteller, and creative who’s carved his own path in the outdoor industry. From his wild 186-inch Minnesota public land buck story (yes, it involves American Eagle underwear and a broken nose) to his unfiltered insights on chasing big woods whitetails, Gabe keeps it real.We dig into: • Hunting whitetails in the vast Northern woods. • Life with Tourette’s and what it means in the deer stand. • How Gabe built a career through storytelling and networking. • Gear talk, early season prep, and plenty of laughs.If you want hunting stories with heart — and lessons you can take into your own season — this is a must-listen.🔗 Episode Links (Using these links helps support the channel): • Gabe’s YouTube Channel:  @huntingwithtourettes  • TruDave Deck Boots • TruDave Waders • VPA Omaga | VPA 3 blade Broadheads

Nick Andrews didn’t take the traditional path into the hunting industry. From growing up in Texas with a dream of hunting for a living, to serving in the Marine Corps, to stumbling into photography and videography, Nick’s story is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of the HUNTXP Podcast, we sit down with Nick to unpack his winding road into hunting media and how it eventually led him to a full-time spot with The Hunting Public. We dive into:

• Nick’s background in the Marine Corps and how military discipline shaped his hunting approach

• The coin-flip moment that sent him to art school and into photography

• How stumbling onto The Hunting Public’s turkey tour on Amazon Prime lit the fire

• Why he almost didn’t apply for the THP internship (and how a buddy convinced him)

• The skillet story that may have sealed the deal for his full-time gig

• My grandmother’s timeless advice: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” — and how it surprisingly connects here

• Nick’s perspective on creating hunting content and building community through storytelling

Whether you’re dreaming about breaking into the hunting industry, or just love hearing behind-the-scenes stories of The Hunting Public crew, this episode is full of real talk, lessons learned, and some laughs from camp.

🎧 Don’t miss this one. Subscribe to HUNTXP so you never miss a drop.