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 hotspots
• How Aaron ranks saltwater, freshwater, and river fishing by difficulty
• The real tradeoffs of taking young kids fishing and hunting
• What it looks like to teach kids about harvest, butcher process, and where food comes from
• Why “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.

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 size
• How buck shaming can ruin the fun for new hunters
• The difference between hunting for trophies, meat, and adventure
• Why stories, scenery, and shared time in the woods matter so much
• How 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.

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 target
• What makes Texas hog hunts so different from deer season
• How shot placement changes everything, especially with bow hunting
• Why a crossbow can be a practical option for hunters with back or shoulder issues
• The real confidence gap between rifle hunting and archery

Aaron 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.

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 place
• How OnX maps help hunters scout terrain, units, and water
• What the real out-of-state cost looks like, from license to tag
• Why fall bear hunting can be tougher than spring bear
• The 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.

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 themselves
• how one-to-one technology and constant busyness shape kids, adults, and families
• what hunting teaches about frustration, patience, and showing up again tomorrow
• how fathers, sons, friends, and brothers build trust when they are side by side in a stand
• why “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.

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 fortune
• Why freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow rivers are the easiest places for beginners
• The difference between trophy fishing and fishing to eat
• Why catfish, bluegill, and bass are each worth knowing
• How 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.

Opening day feels like Christmas morning for hunters—until the woods remind you they don’t owe you anything. Josh and Aaron kick back by the campfire to talk about early dove and goose season, why the excitement of fall always comes with a little humility, and what every hunter learns when the birds simply don’t cooperate.

Josh brings the big-picture energy, turning opening week into a story about anticipation, missed expectations, and why even a “skunked” hunt can still be a win. Aaron adds the practical side, breaking down what makes dove hunting such a great starting point, how goose hunting changes the game, and why the right mindset matters more than a perfect setup.

You’ll discover:

• Why dove season is one of the easiest ways to get into bird hunting
• How to identify doves in the field without overcomplicating it
• Why clay shooting is one of the best ways to practice your lead
• What makes geese tougher, smarter, and much harder to fool
• Why getting nothing in the bag can still make you a better hunter next time
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Along the way, the guys get into decoys, blinds, flight patterns, shot selection, and the frustrating truth that wild animals never seem to get the memo when season starts. They also trade stories, get sidetracked in true campfire fashion, and circle back to the real lesson underneath it all: hunting is as much about learning as it is about harvesting.

If you’re a new hunter, a seasoned waterfowler, or just someone who loves the feeling of fall and the chase that comes with it, this one hits the mark. Sometimes the woods say yes. Sometimes they say no. Either way, there’s always something worth taking home.

In Episode 8 of First Harvest, Josh and Aaron dig into what happens after a successful hunt: the meal, the memories, and the stories that come from using every part of the harvest. From wild game cook-offs and squirrel burnt ends to the bigger conversation around hunting, food, and family, this episode is a fun, honest look at why the harvest is about more than the moment in the field.

Whether you’re new to hunting or already filling your freezer, you’ll leave with a fresh perspective on cooking wild game, trying new recipes, and sharing the reward with the people around your table.