The HUNTXP Podcast

Turkey season is here—and instead of just talking tactics, we sat down with a guy who lives and breathes it from a different angle.

This episode features Josh Ermer, owner and call maker behind Gobbler Ridge Turkey Calls—a small-batch operation built from the ground up by a diehard hunter who learned the craft the hard way.

We get into how he went from a kid getting his first bird called in by his grandpa… to building calls that are now killing birds across the country

This one’s part storytelling, part craftsmanship, and part practical advice on what actually works in the woods.

Josh’s story is about as real as it gets:

• Started turkey hunting at 12

• Shot his first bird in 2003 with his grandpa

• Watched a box call pull birds from 600 yards

• That moment stuck—and turned into an obsession  

That early experience didn’t just hook him on hunting—it hooked him on how sound influences birds.

Like most guys in this space, it didn’t start as a business.

• Began experimenting with calls in high school

• Started with box calls first, then expanded

• Early production run: ~80 calls to test and learn  

What stands out is how much of it was trial and error—not theory.

One of the biggest takeaways from Josh:

• Grain direction in wood is critical

• The interaction between paddle and box creates the sound

• Small variations = completely different tones  

That’s the difference between:

• A call that “makes noise”

• And one that kills birds consistently

Josh dropped something interesting:

His take:

• Box calls are the easiest to learn

• They offer better range for locating birds

• They’re one of the most effective tools—especially early

And yet… tons of guys skip them entirely.

If you strip it down to what works:

• Start with a box call for volume and distance

• Cover ground and strike birds from trails or high points  

• Transition to softer calls (pot or mouth)

• Close the distance and adjust based on response

If you’re building a simple, effective kit:

• His Stage 5 Cleaner (current go-to)

• Slate → easiest to learn

• Ceramic → more durable, works in wet conditions  

• Split V or Batwing for versatility  

Also worth noting:

One of the best parts of the episode wasn’t about gear—it was about passing it on.

Josh shared the story of his son’s first turkey:

• Long hours with no success the first year

• Came back the next season and did it right

• Bird worked off the roost, into decoys, and got it done

That full-circle moment—from being the kid to being the mentor—is what sticks.  

• Calling matters more than most guys think

• Box calls are massively underutilized

• Sound quality comes down to craftsmanship details

• There’s no “one-size-fits-all” call—especially with diaphragms

• Teaching the next generation is as rewarding as killing birds

There’s a difference between buying gear… and understanding it.

Josh isn’t just building turkey calls—he’s building tools that reflect years of trial, failure, and figuring out what actually makes birds respond.

And if you listen close in this episode, you’ll pick up a few things that might just help you kill one this spring.

🧠 How It All Started🔨 Getting Into Call Making🎯 What Actually Matters in a Turkey CallIt’s not just the call—it’s the details🦃 The Most Underrated Call in Turkey Hunting. A shocking number of hunters don’t even use a box call  🔊 Call Strategy (What He Actually Uses)Locating Birds Working Birds🧰 Recommended Call Setup (From Josh)Box CallPot CallMouth CallMouth calls are highly individual—what works for one hunter might not work for another.  🏹 The Moment That Makes It Worth It💡 Key Takeaways🔥 Quote From the Episode“I couldn’t believe that box call pulled those birds from 600 yards… that’s what stuck with me.”  🏁 Final Thought

This BONUS episode is focused on HUNSTOCK with Dan Infalt (The Hunting Beast).

We break down what Hunstock really is, why it’s gained traction, and what hunters actually get out of it. Dan shares his perspective on the value of learning from others, adapting in the field, and surrounding yourself with serious hunters.

If you’ve been curious about Hunstock—or wondering if it’s worth it—this episode gives you a real look at it.

If you think hunting culture looks the same for everyone—you’re missing part of the story.

In this episode of the HUNTXP Podcast, we sit down with Courtney Williamson, host of We Do This Too Outdoors, to unpack a side of hunting that rarely gets talked about: the history, struggles, and future of Black hunters in America.

Courtney shares how he grew up hunting in Kentucky, the moment that sparked his platform, and the real-world experiences that pushed him to speak up about representation in the outdoors. From being told “you hunt, hunt?” to building a brand that challenges stereotypes, this conversation goes deeper than gear and tactics—it’s about identity, legacy, and belonging in the hunting community.

We also dive into:

• How Courtney got started in hunting and bowhunting

• The origin of We Do This Too Outdoors

• Experiences with bias in gun shops and hunting spaces

• Why representation in hunting media matters

• The future of diversity in the outdoors

This is one of those conversations every hunter needs to hear.

👇 Follow Courtney Williamson

YouTube / IG: We Do This Too Outdoors

👇 Check out HUNTXP

More content, gear reviews, and hunts coming soon.

#HuntingPodcast #WhitetailHunting #BlackHunters #OutdoorCulture #HUNTXP

In this episode, we sit down with Vaughn Stalker of Tammarak Hunting to talk about his journey into the outdoors and the role family played in shaping him as a hunter.

🦌 In This Episode:

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This is a real conversation about growing up around hunting, learning from the generation before you, and what it means to carry that forward today. Vaughn shares how his experiences in the woods turned into something bigger—and why preserving that tradition matters now more than ever.

🔥 Key Takeaway:

• Vaughn Stalker’s background and introduction to hunting

• How family and mentorship shaped his approach

• The importance of generational knowledge in the outdoors

• Building Tammarak Hunting

• Why passing hunting down matters

Hunting isn’t just a skill—it’s something passed down. And if we don’t carry it forward, it doesn’t last.

📺 Follow & Support

Nested Treestand System - 10% off with code “HUNT10” - https://nestedtreestands.com/HUNT10

TruDave Boots - 15% off  with “HXP15” https://www.trudavegear.com?bg_ref=4GUxaUtR1e
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GardePro Trail Cameras - 10% off code “HUNTXP” https://gardepro.com?utm_source=Affiliate+&utm_medium=KOL&utm_campaign=UpPromote+&sca_ref=8123869.ZMJqdIjuk7

• Subscribe for more HUNTXP episodes

• Follow along for hunting content, gear reviews, and real-world strategies

🎯 About HUNTXP:

HUNTXP is built for everyday hunters chasing real experiences. No fluff. Just honest conversations, lessons learned, and time in the field.

Turkey season is coming fast, so JD and Jonny fired up another HUNTXP Reacts episode—this time focused entirely on turkey hunting.

In this episode, the guys react to turkey hunting news, debate some hot takes, and break down some of the best turkey hunting clips online. From calling strategies and getting inside a gobbler’s bubble to the adrenaline rush of run-and-gun hunting, this episode is all about getting fired up for spring.

They also discuss a shocking turkey poaching case uncovered in Florida and why ethical hunting and conservation matter now more than ever.  

If you’ve got a turkey hunting story or clip you want the crew to react to, send it in—you might hear it on a future episode.

• Turkey hunting reacts episode

• Turkey hunting news and controversies

• Run-and-gun turkey hunting tactics

• Breaking down turkey hunting footage

• Why turkey hunting moments are so addictive

Support the channel:

Nested Treestand System - 10% off with code “HUNT10” -

TruDave Boots - 15% off  with “HXP15”

TideWe -

GardePro Trail Cameras - 10% off code “HUNTXP”

Roy Holdford joins the HUNTXP Podcast to talk about his season traveling and hunting with groups like The Hunting Public and Gone All Season. Roy shares what it’s like chasing turkeys across the country, the lessons he’s learned hunting with experienced crews, and how relationships in the hunting community have shaped his path.

The conversation covers turkey season preparation, DIY hunting, traveling hunts, and what Roy has learned from spending countless days in the woods.

And yes… we also talk about gas station pizza.

Nested Treestand System

10% off with code HUNT10

TruDave Boots

15% off with code HXP15

TideWe

GardePro Trail Cameras

10% off with code HUNTXP

If you enjoy hunting stories, learning from experienced hunters, and hearing the behind-the-scenes side of traveling hunts, this episode is for you.

n this episode of HUNTXP Reacts, JD and Jonny break down some of the biggest stories and wildest encounters happening in the hunting world right now.

We react to:

• A proposed Oregon petition that could ban hunting, fishing, and livestock farming

• The ongoing fight to protect the Boundary Waters from upstream mining

• A former conservation officer now facing poaching charges

• A tense public land hunt where another hunter shows up on the same buck

• A flintlock hunt that turns into a landowner confrontation

We also talk about:

• Ethical decision-making in the field

• Why restraint matters when the adrenaline hits

• Real stories that shaped how we hunt today

• New gear from Moxul

• And some hilarious backyard hunting moments

Whether you’re hunting public land, mentoring a young outdoorsman, or just trying to do things the right way in the woods — this episode is all about what it means to hunt with integrity.

00:00 Intro – HUNTXP Reacts

03:30 Winter Olympics Hunting Tangent

08:45 Crockett AI Update

12:20 Oregon Petition to Ban Hunting?

19:10 Boundary Waters Mining Fight

26:40 Public Land Access Expansion

31:50 Former DNR Officer Poaching Arrested

38:30 Ethical Hunting Stories

47:00 Moxul Bino Harness Review

56:30 Flintlock Hunt Landowner Conflict

1:08:00 Public Land Encounter Reaction

🕒 CHAPTERS

Kaitlyn Maus isn’t here to play the industry’s game—she’s redefining it. In this episode, we sit down with one of the most respected women in the hunting space. Kaitlyn’s not a social media model posing in camo—she’s a bowhunter, storyteller, and self-made success in the field and on YouTube. We talk about chasing mature whitetails in Iowa, navigating the hunting industry as a woman, and staying true to yourself while building a platform. From late-season bow kills to how she’s earned every bit of respect without selling out—this one’s for every hunter who respects the grind.

Episodes Mentioned:

Harley

Early Season

Public Land: Wild Game Recipes:

We got the discounts for you:

10% off Nested Treestands with code "HUNT10"

15% off Trudave boots with Code "HXP15"

10% off GardePro Trail Cams With Code "HXP10"

🎯 Topics covered:

• Kaitlyn’s journey into bowhunting and building a respected YouTube presence

• What it’s really like being a woman in a male-dominated hunting industry

• Late-season Iowa buck strategy

• Ethics, authenticity, and building trust with an audience

• Gear, mindset, and lessons from the stand

👉 Don’t miss this powerful, grounded conversation with a true hunter who’s earned it the hard way.

Get ready for one of our most personal and fun episodes yet. JD and Jonny answer listener-submitted hunting questions — including some from JD’s own kids! From how to hunt bears, to why Jonny really does Hunt Xp, to favorite venison recipes and public land ethics — this episode is packed with real talk and wild stories.We also hit a fire-round of hot takes:🔥 Kuiu vs Sitka🔥 Trail cams ruining the game?🔥 Crossbows in their own season?🔥 TikTok hunters — good or bad?🔥 Face paint vs face mask🔥 And more…👀 Plus: Jonny breaks down how to age a buck from a real trail cam photo, and the guys share their dream hunts, funny school memories, and even what’s on their water bottles.🎧 Perfect for hunters who love gear, ethics, and community — and who aren’t afraid to laugh a little.👇 Drop your own questions in the comments — they might show up in Part 2!#HuntingPodcast #PublicLandHunter #BearHunting #KuiuVsSitka #HuntXp #DeerAging #TurkeyHunting #MeatEater #Archery #CrossbowDebate #HuntingQandA

In this first part of our special Q&A series, JD and Jonny tackle your questions on mobile hunting gear, rattling tactics, and how weather and pressure change your approach in the Midwest. They kick things off with a hands-on first impression of Trudave’s new waterproof rain set and 800g insulated boots—gear that came out of nowhere to earn a legit spot in our kit. We also unpack lessons from a full season of running and gunning with saddle systems, and dive into how and when to use tactics like rattling (especially in low deer-density areas).If you’re into mobile hunting, gear strategy, or trying to refine your cold-weather setup, this episode is for you. Stick around for laughs, hard-earned insights, and real talk about what works in the woods and what doesn’t

.🧰 Gear discussed:

• Trudave Waterproof Rain Gear

• Trudave 800g Hunting Boots •

Mobile hunting strategies (hang-and-hunt, saddle setups) • Tree stand system mods •

Midwest-specific whitetail tactics

👉Links + Discounts Below!Support the pod and grab the gear we trust:

Trudave Boots & Rain Gear: Get 15% off with code "HXP15" Nested Tree Stand System: Get 10% off with "HUNT10"📩 Got a question for the next Q&A? Hit us up at [email protected] or drop a comment on Spotify.