Larry Weishuhn and Waddell Share the Story of Their First Turkey Hunt and More.
DENVER (January 28, 2026) – Hunter, Biologist, and Whitetail guru Larry Weishuhn joins Michael Waddell on the latest episode of The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Arms and in partnership with Folds of Honor, Cigars International and The Texas Trophy Hunters Association. The two old friends sit down and remember the good times they’ve shared in the field together and discuss Larry’s six decades in the business – mostly focused on whitetail deer – for which he’s affectionately known as “Mr. Whitetail.” Educated in wildlife science at what is now Texas A&M’s prestigious school of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management, the native Texan has spent a lifetime in the field and has some very interesting things to say about some of the biggest concerns that deer and deer hunters face today.
The Michael Waddell Podcast is produced by Outdoor Sportsman Group and is available widely on Outdoor Channel YouTube, MyOutdoorTV, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and OutdoorChannel.com, to name a few.
In this episode, Larry Weishuhn talks about how he got his start as a biologist and wildlife manager, detailing his early experiences working statewide in Texas on their multi-species “wildlife disease project,” and later as a technical assistance biologist setting up management programs for ranchers and hunters throughout South Texas. This is where Larry – at risk of life and limb – was involved with conducting the very first low-level helicopter surveys for wildlife. His adventures in the field and passion for sharing those stories soon led to a job with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and eventually to storied careers as both wildlife consultant and prolific outdoor communicator.
Between hilarious hunting stories and harrowing tales of helicopter misshaps during the early days of conducting aerial wildlife surveys, Larry Weishuhn and Michael Waddell take on a wide variety of subjects important to deer managers and hunters. From the fight to eradicate nasty deer parasites like New World screwworm flies and diseases like Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)/Bluetongue and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), to adapting hunting approaches based on what trail cameras reveal about an individual deer’s unique traits, to managing habitat properly to benefit not only deer but all wildlife, there’s something here for everyone who cares about common-sense conservation.
For Larry, educating the public about hunters’ role in conservation, whether on public land or private, is more important than ever. “The bottom line is, hunters pay for conservation all the way through. Talking about landowners, because we’re willing to pay dollars to have access to his or her property to hunt, guess what, now they’re paying attention to the habitat, they’re paying attention to the welfare of the animals out there, because it is an economic base.”
Larry Weishuhn is also a uniter in the hunting community. When it comes to what methods hunters prefer in the field, his message is crystal clear – stop the in-fighting. “Hey, Guys, we’re all in this together. As long as it’s legal. Ethics is something that everyone controls within themselves. What’s ethical to me may not be ethical to somebody else; but as long as it’s legal, I don’t care what someone hunts with, whether they hunt with dogs, hunt over bait, hunt with a spear, I don’t care how you hunt. We’re all in this together!”
“It was wonderful to be able to sit down once again with Larry Weishuhn and tap into what I call his ‘country boy wisdom’ regarding some very complicated deer management questions,” said Waddell. “One thing I’ve always admired about Larry is his uncanny ability to combine his impressive knowledge of wildlife science with his incredible experience in the field, to explain serious deer science to regular folks in layman’s terms. I’m one of his biggest fans!”
The Michael Waddell Podcast releases new episodes every other week.
Waddell’s story began in the backwoods of Booger Bottom, Georgia, where he grew up surrounded by nature, family, and a love for the outdoors. A self-proclaimed “rowdy redneck,” his passion for hunting and storytelling led him to win a Realtree turkey-calling contest, which launched his career in the outdoor industry. From guiding and filming hunts to creating hit shows like Realtree Road Trips and Bone Collector, Waddell has become a beloved figure in the outdoor world.
About Outdoor Sportsman Group: Outdoor Sportsman Group is comprised of the world’s foremost media and entertainment brands for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It includes four leading multichannel networks: Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and GAME & FISH TV, a dynamic new Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel dedicated to sports enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. Additionally, Outdoor Sportsman Group operates Sportsman Channel (Canada) and MOTV, the world’s leading subscription streaming platform created for outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. The Group also consists of numerous established publishing assets, including 14 outdoor magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Game & Fish, Petersen’s HUNTING, and In-Fisherman, along with 20 top websites. Outdoor Sportsman Group also includes television production operations through Winnercomm. For more information, visit www.outdoorsg.com.
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