DSC’s Campfires with Larry Weishuhn is a unique blend of hunting, fishing, wildlife conservation and the outdoor lifestyle presented in a manner only a veteran outdoorsman/wildlife biologist can do. Weekly, join Larry and his special guests as they discuss current and past adventures, while also keeping the listener up to date with the goings on in the world of hunting and wildlife conservation.

DSC’s CAMPFIRES with Larry Weishuhn is a unique blend of hunting, fishing, conservation and the outdoor lifestyle. Learn from first hand stories told in an entertaining and informational fashion as only veteran outdoorsman Larry Weishuhn and his guests can do!
DSC’s Campfires with Larry WeishuhnColor-Phase Bears, Big Black Bruisers & a Day at Stealth Vision (with Dr. Mike Arnold)Episode Summary
Pull up a chair—Larry welcomes friend and wildlife biologist Dr. Mike Arnold back to the fire to swap spring bear stories from British Columbia and Alberta, break down color-phase genetics, and nerd out on long-range Stealth Vision optics at company HQ in Crockett, Texas. From barge rides over 600-foot glacial lakes and logging-road stalks to a rain-soaked recovery on a 400-pound boar, this one’s packed with fieldcraft, gear talk, and camp-style laughs.
00:00 – Welcome & Sponsors
Larry sets the table and welcomes Dr. Mike back to the mic.01:28 – Mike’s British Columbia Spot-and-Stalk
• Camp access by barge across a deep, glacial lake; days spent glassing logging roads
• Goal: a color-phase bear (“cinnamon/chocolate”)—and finding one!
• Tracking with wind in the face, slipping off the road into a small burn, and re-locating the bear at ~60 yards
• Shot with a .338 Federal (MG Arms ultralight) on quad sticks; double-lung hit, short dash, quick finish
• Daily bear sightings (including a grizzly boar and sow), plus moose, mule deer—and elk moving back into the area13:00 – Larry’s Alberta Hunt (Bait, Ground Level, Big Boar)
• A cagey black bear that “checks the blind” finally slips up—Larry hunts from the ground instead
• Raining hard, light is terrible; Stealth Vision SVT 3-18×44 with lit reticle makes the difference
• Mossberg .308 on loan from Brad Fenson, Hornady Precision Hunter ammo; quartering shot, short 35-step recovery
• Estimated ~400-lb spring boar with a “weightlifter’s neck”18:30 – Why So Many Color-Phase Bears?
• Dr. Mike’s genetics take: small historical populations can “fix” color variants in a region
• Western/interior populations show more blondes, cinnamons, and chocolates; coastal/eastern tend to be black
• Forestry practices and green-up patterns boost bear numbers; grizzlies abundant but not generally huntable there (outside First Nation harvest)22:30 – Range Day at Stealth Vision HQ (Crockett, TX)
• Inside look at Stealth Vision’s “top-tier or nothing” approach with Dr. John McCall and Joe Cunningham
• The integrated cant indicator (“green bubble”)—no more flipping to a separate level at long range
• Pushing to 1,000+ yards; how smart engineering for the human eye improves clarity, speed, and precision
• Anecdotes on extreme consistency—tiny groups at 500 yards and beyond33:05 – Looking Ahead
• Saskatchewan plans (good color-phase odds), plus a visit to Choctaw Hunting Lodge on the horizon
• Camp closes with thanks and an open invite to gather again next week
Rifles & Calibers:
• MG Arms Ultralight – .338 Federal (Dr. Mike)
• Mossberg – .308 Win (Larry, loaner from Brad Fenson)Optics:
• Stealth Vision SVT 3-18×44 (illuminated reticle, integrated cant indicator)Ammunition:
• Hornady Precision Hunter (ELD-X)Hunt Styles:
• Spot-and-stalk (BC); Baited (Alberta)Wildlife Notes:
• Frequent black bear sightings, grizzly pair, moose; elk recolonizing pockets of BC
• Color-phase frequency in parts of BC ~25–30% (per outfitter estimates)
“It’s easy to shoot too high on bears—know the anatomy. Even then, aim discipline matters.” – Larry & Dr. Mike
If you enjoyed this campfire, follow/subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode—Larry’s lining up more voices from this same camp week. Share the show with a hunting buddy, and let us know your favorite bear-hunting lessons or color-phase encounters.
DSC • Hornady • Taurus • Stealth Vision • Mossberg • Vineyard Max • Red 55 Winery • Choctaw Hunting Lodge
Plus: The Crown Bar (La
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