Vulnerable Podcast

Rick’s back—and we go deep. Beatty Buck origins, the Brian Stevens freak frame (why “four 14-inch tines” blows minds), how B&C/P&Y/Buckmasters actually measure racks, the “common base” controversy, replicas, panel scoring drama, and field-photo tricks that make covers. Plus trapping roots, Ohio stories, and why the deer matters more than the number. Comment your biggest scoring gripe.

DescriptionRecorded Aug 25, we cover fresh EHD chatter in Logan & Champaign Counties, how to build rub-post + licking-branch sets that actually stop bucks, late-summer plot tweaks (rye/oats/brassicas), camera strategy (scrapes vs edges, 360 options), and Joel’s back-to-back Illinois buck stories (muzzy + bow). Wind, entry/exit, and CWD travel tips included. Subscribe for weekly whitetail intel...

Joel Snow goes deep on how trapping lit the fuse: snagging his first Fur-Fish-Game at 13, catching a red fox on night one, hair-trigger pan mods, rock-solid bedding, dirt-hole sets, double-staking for coyotes, and running a 200-mile trapline while in college. We break down red vs gray fox behavior, fur prices then vs now, Tom Miranda/Russ Carman lures, and coon/muskrat/mink tactics—plus wild stori...

In this episode of the Vulnerable podcast, legendary outfitter Joel Snow tells the unbelievable true story of how he killed a 201" giant Ohio whitetail — with only 6 hours of actual hunting time after years away from the stand. Joel breaks down:How he found the buck with only one photoWhy timing and scouting mattered more than the rutHis thoughts on bedding, scrapes, water access, and camera...

n Episode 10 of the Vulnerable podcast, we dive deep into the future of outfitting with longtime outfitter Joel Snow. From the changing dynamics of land access and bartering for permission to the shift in hunter behavior and late-season tactics, this episode is packed with real-world insights from 25+ years in the whitetail woods. We also talk about the economics of hunting, outfitting longevity,...

n this episode of Vulnerable, we sit down with the iconic Rick Busse — a name synonymous with taxidermy in Ohio. From growing up hunting squirrels in the 70s to building one of the most respected taxidermy reputations in the Midwest, Rick shares it all. We dive into his early days with recurves and Baker tree stands, his surprising past in the music industry (including opening for Wonder Woman her...

In Episode 8 of Vulnerable, Joel and Cory go deep into how to manipulate deer movement using fences, hog panels, and habitat edges. Joel shares his DIY method for building waterholes using rubber roofing and a garden hose—and how they help kill mature bucks during the rut. They also dive into the controversial topic of crossbows and whether they deserve their own season. The episode wraps up with...

In this raw and hilarious episode of Vulnerable, we sit down with our longtime friend and professional butcher Travis Harshbarger — the man behind hundreds of deer every season. We get into: 🔪 Travis’ wild journey from high school to mastering the butcher’s knife 🦌 What REALLY happens during Ohio’s gun week (and how many twisted teas it takes) 💀 Why some deer come in half-gutted or still full o...

In this episode of the Vulnerable Podcast, we sit down with wildlife biologist Gary Comer Jr. to unpack 30+ years of hard-earned experience managing Ohio’s exploding deer population. We cover: CWD, EHD, and diseases in whitetails The real story behind urban coyotes and downtown deer Why Ohio has more deer now than ever in history What’s changed since the 80s: hunting pressure, trail cams, and age...

In this powerful episode of VULNERABLE, Joel Snow, Cory Arbogast, and Chris Murphy sit down and get real about what it actually takes to kill a mature whitetail — and it’s NOT luck. We kick it off with wild stories about Ohio turkey season and an unexpected run-in with a freakin’ Sandhill Crane (aka ribeye in the sky 🦅). Then Joel drops a MASTERCLASS on hunting strategy that every serious deer hu...

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Vulnerable Podcast, where we dive deep into real hunting stories, unfiltered passion, and generational grit. This week, we sit down with Tracy Laws and his sons Trevor and Landon, a powerhouse hunting family from North Carolina, alongside Ohio outfitter Joel Snow and co-host Cory Arbogast. What starts as a turkey hunting recap quickly evolves into a story-packed ride th...

YouTube Description (Episode 3): 🎙️ EPISODE 3: FOOD PLOTS, TURKEY TACTICS & LAND PRESSURE | VULNERABLE PODCAST In this episode of the Vulnerable Podcast, outfitter Joel Snow breaks down the real impact of food plots, how hunting pressure destroys your chances without you realizing it, and why most turkey hunters are doing way too much. We talk deer. We talk turkey. And we talk truth. 🦌 KEY TO...

Joel’s exact method for locating, tracking, and prioritizing shooter bucksHow to identify when a buck is truly vulnerable and what to do nextWhat “the spark” looks like — the single moment a mature buck becomes killableMistakes that 90% of hunters make when targeting big deerWhat to do when you lose permission or a key property mid-seasonThe mindset and discipline it takes to run a legit outfittin...

🎙️ EPISODE 1: FROM BASEMENT BEDS TO BIG BUCKS – THE JOEL SNOW ORIGIN STORY | VULNERABLE PODCAST Welcome to the very first episode of the Vulnerable Podcast — a raw, unfiltered dive into the mind of legendary outfitter Joel Snow, told like never before. This isn’t just a hunting podcast. It’s a masterclass on whitetail strategy, outfitting, and the art of intercepting mature bucks when they’re at t...