#215 - He Dedicated His Life to Whitetails: Brian Murphy

Some people enjoy deer hunting. Brian Murphy built his entire life around it. In this episode, Will Cooper and Josh Dahlke sit down with one of the most influential figures in modern deer management to unpack the story of a man whose passion for whitetails turned into a lifelong mission. Brian Murphy—HuntStand's Head Wildlife Biologist and formerly the CEO of QDMA—has spent decades fighting for healthier deer herds, better habitat, and a brighter future for hunters. From childhood fascination to global conservation work, Brian’s journey is anything but ordinary. He shares how a single obsession with understanding whitetails pushed him into wildlife biology, led him around the world studying deer species, and eventually put him at the helm of an organization that reshaped how Americans think about herd health and ethical hunting. Throughout the conversation, Brian opens up about the early sparks that ignited his love for deer, the scientific mindset that has guided every step of his career, and the pivotal moments that defined his leadership at QDMA. He reflects on decades of research, countless hours in the field, and a lifetime spent trying to understand the animals that shaped his purpose. This episode isn’t just about deer management—it’s about a man whose dedication helped influence an entire generation of hunters. It’s the story of someone who devoted everything to understanding, protecting, and elevating the whitetail experience for everyone who steps into the woods. FOLLOW JOSH & WILL: Josh: https://www.instagram.com/josh.j.dahlke/ Will: https://www.instagram.com/willtcooper/ DOWNLOAD HUNTSTAND https://www.huntstand.com/subscriptions/ HUNTSTAND FIELD NOTES https://www.huntstand.com/fieldnotes/ GET SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntstand/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntStand TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@huntstandofficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices