Pennsylvania Woodsman

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Al Tomechko of Vitalize Seed Company. For much of the PA latitude, we are nearing the end of the desired planting window for vitalize's summer plot Nitroboost. Whether you're late to the spring planting party or on the fence of adopting the 1-2 planting system, this episode revolves around potential hurdles or mistakes people commonly make this time of year. After Al and Mitch decompress via soil biology and farming nerd talk, Al breaks down some common challenges people face adopting "soil health principles." This episode covers things like when to terminate current vegetation for the next planting, how to wean off chemical use, best equipment for food plot planting on a budget, effective seed to soil contact for broadcasting, and more. Check out vitalizeseed.com to learn more about the 1-2 planting system and order your seed soon! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is riding solo discussing what the month of June looks like amidst hunting season. June is a tough month; it's not that he doesn't want to be immersed with preparation for next year, but at the moment it's difficult to devote the time. It's a month to be caught between reflecting on a successful season and how to prepare for the next. Fortunately, 2023 was very successful from the standpoint of filling tags, so how can it get much better?With life strings pulling in multiple directions, Mitch takes the time to list out some personal hunting goals he has, chooses which ones he plans to attack this year, and how he plans to stay focused on them while also being present at home. Bear hunting has become a priority in fall, and he discusses the areas he has room for improving his scouting and successful bear hunting. He reads through some of his notes he took from last season and discusses the changes he plans to make E-Scouting, road-scouting, trail cameras, and pure boot leather covering ground. This gradual build-up during the summer months will hopefully lay a foundation for a successful fall. Lastly, he touches on his weapon of choice - flintlock muzzleloader. He discusses a concept to institute in a summer practice scheme which includes load development and off-hand shooting to bring to the field this fall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by good friend Jason Miller from JMiller Custom Calls. Between Mitch, Jason, and their hunting buddies, a lot of successful turkey hunts unfolded in multiple states. This season was one that just seemed to always work out in favor of the hunter. We discuss the hunts that transpired in April during New Jersey and Maryland's opening week of season, and lead into the Pennsylvania season. Both Mitch and Jason harvested a turkey in PA on the first two days of the season. From there, each of them were able to travel all throughout the state of PA and find more turkeys. We discuss how the location, hunting pressures, and time of season all influenced the decisions made during the hunt. The guys refer to some of the different turkey calls that Jason makes used in these hunts. Jason's calls have played a major role in the success in these hunts. Make sure you are on the lookout for the new website JMillerCustomCalls.com and get your calls for next season! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by returning guest Bryan Hale of Elk County Outfitters. One notable trait of Bryan - the man is a grinder. He works tirelessly to maintain success at Elk County Outfitters for clients and his team. So how does Bryan stay sane throughout this process? That's the beauty of hunting - it's a much greater endeavor than killing. Comradery and fellowship bring greater reward in the end.As hunters, it can be very easy to stress ourselves out to fill a tag and meet a certain expectation. This added stress only takes away from our experience and removes us from the present. We dive into this topic as it relates to PA elk hunting, then shift to discussing the tag lottery system, and of course some awesome 2023 hunting stories. Hopefully if you're not applying for PA elk, this episode sways you in the right direction! Even if it doesn't, it definitely makes you think about slowing down and enjoying the process of hunting! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode Mitch is joined by good friend and hunting partner Earl Thomas. Earl is one of the most passionate turkey hunters Mitch knows, and annually sets out to hunt in multiple states on what has been dubbed the "Redneck Turkey Tour." Earl has been fortunate to tag a handful of gobblers already this spring and still has a few hunts left. Every hunter's experiences lead them to hypothesize and act a certain way while pursuing game. This has led to many coffee shop conversations such as, does weather impact turkey gobbling? What about the barometer? Are we hunting spring gobblers in Pennsylvania too late? While we don't directly answer those questions, Earl's experience is food for thought. Turkeys are wild animals, and their brains are much different from humans - they are "finicky" birds! We may never figure out what makes them do what they do, but persistence and determination go a long way. This is one of the many reasons why Earl is sending pictures of him with turkeys at any given point throughout March, April, or May. Enjoy the perspective and experience from this wise ol' bird! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are joined by none other than Mary Jo Casalena; Pennsylvania's State turkey biologist. In conjunction with University research, Mary Jo is working to lead our state in the right direction for long term healthy wild turkey populations. Ongoing research is monitoring population trends in different portions of the state, and observing surrounding influences that may produce higher, lower, or stable populations. We discuss habitat types and balances, differences between WMUs, population trends, and more. This podcast answers many questions about PA turkeys, and also helps us formulate more questions - hopefully to be better stewards of this valuable resource. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For all the turkey fanatics out there, this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is gearing up for opening day on May 4th. Our guest is Jed Fetter, a diehard PA hunter and president of the Appalachian Chapter for Turkeys for Tomorrow. This episode covers a multitude of topics including:-Turkeys for Tomorrow Appalachian Chapter-Observations and Hypothesis of turkey trends in our hunting areas-Gear, Scopes on Shotguns, TSS VS Lead-Opening Weekend vs Late Season-Pressured bird observationsA lot to unpack in this episode leading into season; it's difficult to stay focused on one topic this time of year when the turkeys are gobbling! Enjoy your opening day, and be safe! Turkey hunting has the highest rate of hunting accidents across the nation when compared to all other game species. Positively identify your target! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are joined once again by Jason Goe from Final Stand YouTube channel. Previously Jason discussed hunting Sika deer in Maryland, this week we unpack the rest of Jason's successful fall of 2023. Jason was able to harvest a mountain whitetail with a bow, a fall gobbler, and his first Pennsylvania black bear. In addition to PA and MD Sika deer, he tagged two whitetail bucks with a bow in MD during the archery season. Talk about a season to remember!We breakdown the timeline and story behind each of these hunts. Throughout this episode, you'll notice two things consistently - passion for being in the woods and attention to detail. Jason maximizes his scouting trips as much as possible which paid great rewards this fall. This is especially apparent in the story of his PA whitetail he harvested on a new piece of public mountain land the first year he stepped foot in it! We cap off discussing the spring 2024 turkey season where Jason plans to hunt MD and PA, with hopes of completing the PA Grand Slam and continuing his streak of harvesting a PA spring gobbler since the early 2000s. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch chats with Jared Van Hees. Jared is the host of the Habitat Podcast, and he and Mitch discuss the journey of the show as well as Jared's land purchasing and managing. Jared has acquired more knowledge in this time than most will in a lifetime through hard work and networking from a diverse group of habitat managers. As we reflect back on this process, we discuss a few obstacles that folks newer to the world of habitat management may face.Goal orientation is of utmost importance. In fact, being oddly specific with goals will help guide the land purchasing and managing journey the best. Oftentimes, having someone to help you along the way without the emotion of a large land purchase is well worth the investment. They can also steer you away from bad decisions that can change the course of a property for a lifetime, such as timber cutting. Managing timber harvests with professionals is extremely important for your habitat and hunting goals, as well as financial income for a property. We navigate this discussion through Jared's current view of his two newest properties in Michigan - one of the most relatable deer hunting states to Pennsylvania! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by turkey hunting guru Paul Campbell. Paul is the host of multiple podcasts including the O2 podcast and Turkey Season podcast. He is also employed by the National Wild Turkey Federation. To say turkeys are a part of Paul's life is an understatement!This week is a good old fashioned BS session to kick off spring. Paul has had the pleasure to interview many well-known turkey hunters and also hunt with a few. With this in mind, Paul shares his perspective on many hot topics from calling to patience. Everyone is looking for that hot gobbler that comes running to the call, but what things separate the best turkey hunters? What makes the spring turkey season so enjoyable? It's time to shift gears, spring is here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch continues his food plot planning conversation from the previous week. Mitch's career as a full time agronomist has him assisting in row crop management across eastern Pennsylvania. This includes making soil fertility decisions to maximize crop yield and farm profitability. The planning that occurs on farm operations translates to our food plotting - plan ahead for success and use the correct tools for the job at hand.One of the most frustrating things Mitch comes across in the world of food plotting is the array of recommendations produced by food plot companies to consumers. Often, the products and practices recommended may not be appropriate for your specific food plot scenario. What's worse is the lack of context behind a recommendation that leads to overspending, and never properly addressing soil needs for quality food plots. Mitch addresses a basic soil test, and provides information behind lime and fertilizer. The motto behind this episode, "Just because the product bag has a big buck on it, doesn't mean it's the right product for your soil!" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy Easter everyone! We hope you are able to enjoy time with family this week, and slow down to celebrate the gift we've received through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodman, Mitch is gearing up for spring food plots, specifically clover. Clover is one of the most popular food plots in the world of whitetails, and now is the time to get them started on a positive note.We begin with discussing frost seeding methods and timing - you may still have an opportunity to frost seed in the next few days! We discuss the proper timing for spring planting, weed management, herbicides and use rates, to mow or not to mow, seed blends, established clover maintenance and top dressing fertilizer. The first 30 days of establishment are crucial for longevity of clover stands. Get the basics right to enjoy a quality food plot this year! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch catches up with bowhunter Matt Beisswanger. Mitch and Matt were able to connect at a local event recently leading to Matt coming on and sharing his 2023 hunting season Matt was able to harvest 7 deer with his recurve bow, including two bucks - one in Pennsylvania and one in Illinois. In order to tell this story, we have to go back a few years... almost 20!Matt progressed as a bowhunter throughout his life until he picked up traditional archery in 2006. He enjoyed shooting and did some hunting with the Bear bow, but never dove fully into traditional archery. Over nearly the next two decades Matt bounced back and forth between compound and recurve, and within the last 5 seasons has now been keeping the compound at home. This journey leads us to the season build up, where Matt had four years of history with a 180"+ Illinois buck that fell on October 30th to Matt's recurve at twelve yards! Regardless of size or weapon, Matt's message is the same - keep the hunt fun and chase the thrill! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by PA native Jason Goe. Jason had an absolutely fantastic hunting season this year, and we dive into the multiple days of success chasing after the miniature elk that roam the marshes of Maryland - sika deer. We begin the conversation by Jason sharing his introduction to sika deer hunting as well as all out-of-state hunting experiences. From here, we navigate getting outside of our comfort zone and hunting new types of habitat. Jason shares a few experiences that showcase the importance of having good woodsmanship skills in unfamiliar areas.The main course of this episode dives into scouting and hunting sika deer. The challenge has amplified recently due to the increased popularity of a sport that has a small playing field. Jason shares his success stories of harvesting a great stag with a bow and two hinds with the rifle. One big take away - mobile hunting is just as important for sika deer as it is for whitetail deer. Be sure to tune into the Final Stand Hunt YouTube channel for Jason's success stories as well as all the other hunts posted from this season! @finalstandhunt Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by PA's very own Average Jack Archery - Nate Sellers. A lot has transpired since Nate's last appearance on the show. Nate has transitioned into the outdoor industry full time between his pro shop and also working for Huntworth gear. We discuss this new journey and what his next goals are; one of which is being more competitive in target archery.We discuss the growth and lack thereof in the sport of archery. There was a time many local clubs had high levels of competitive archers. Today many are barely holding on; what happened? Those people who have stuck around have found themselves with the greatest archery technology to ever exist. This has shortened the gap to proficiency and increased the level of competition that's still present. We discuss what separates a good shooter from a great shooter. Last, we discuss involving new shooters and getting folks started on a good note with a bow in hand. This is an all around dynamite archery episode - get your bow and shoot in this nice weather! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Harvesting a bear within a lifetime in Pennsylvania is an accomplishment by most hunter's standards. However, doing so in regularity degrades the theory many say to a person's success - luck. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Ryan Hausman. Ryan has harvested a bear the last five years in a row with rifle, muzzleloader, and archery equipment. One of his bears topped out at 615 lbs field dressed!This episode revolves all around Ryan's stories and experiences. There is nothing lacking from the entertainment department in this episode. Some of the situations Ryan has found himself have turned into a rodeo. But there is also a lot to take away and use within your own bear hunting schemes. Patience, thoroughly scan thick cover, and place yourself where there is abundant food to name a few. Hopefully Ryan's experience harvesting five bears helps you harvest one for yourself! Check out the article that was written after Ryan harvested bear number five. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is quite a bit different from normal. Mitch rides solo and just talks about life during the winter months. To cut it truthfully, February sucks. Not a lot is happening if you're a deer hunter, and the reality is most of us do not have the ability to devote a lot of time to hunting, considering the months of neglect other things in life get while hunting season goes throughout fall. Most shows are doing a great job of keeping the fire lit for the upcoming season. Mitch envies them, because for many it's everything we have to keep scraping by sanely this time of year! Mitch reflects on how the Pennsylvania Woodsman began, and discusses the difficulty and frustration experienced along the way. That begs the question, why is it here and where is it going? Don't worry, this episode isn't all doom and gloom. Just the reality that sometimes things get hard! So if February has been tough on you, you're not alone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by PA hunter Howie Miller. Howie works his tail off in and out of the field to make the most of his time in the woods. Howie reflects on the 2023 grind of a season where he played cat and mouse with a dandy buck throughout the fall. Howie lives in the southern half of the state, but chooses to hunt as much as possible around his camp in the northern portion of PA. This creates challenges when hunting deer that are not resident to your living quarters.Howie wrapped his tag around a stud buck during the first week of the Pennsylvania rifle season. Thrilled to no end, we reflect on the story, successes, and lessons learned throughout a satisfying fall. Lastly, we discuss a new journey which began late last summer; managing a newly purchased property. Howie has as much enjoyment working in his own dirt as he does scouting public land. We discuss the new challenges and goals he has moving forward into the next season. Thanks for tuning in! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Dustin Adam. Dustin has had a roller coaster journey the past few seasons chasing some big deer as well as making some big changes in his life. Over the last few years, Dustin has been connecting on above average bucks on a consistent basis. While there are some key components to his success, the thing that stands out most is his hard work ethic. Dustin shares his success stories from the previous two bucks he harvested along with a number of other takeaways.Dustin is not alone in his hunting pursuits; beside him hunting every bit as hard is his wife Brandy and stepson Waylon. Together, they have begun a journey managing a newly purchased farm for better hunting and wildlife. Dustin shares the first buck harvest on this property with Waylon as well as the hurdles he experienced throughout the transition of the ground becoming his own. These hunting stories have tid bits of tips and advice to pull from and use in the field. One common theme to the Adam family success is capitalizing in early season. However, you will find everyone in the family hunting right up until the end whenever needed! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Brandy Adam. Brandy works for the National Rifle Association and plays a huge role in planning the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg each year. We kick off with the prep work for the show. A lot has changed since the NRA has taken it over in 2014, and we would argue it's bigger and better than ever. From here, we learn a little bit more about Brandy's journey through the world of hunting and outdoor recreation.Brandy did not grow up in a hunting family, and has grown from a borderline anti hunter to an extremely successful woman in the field. This part of the show provides a ton of perspective most men will typically never see. Guys, if you've wanted to get your wife or daughter involved in your passions, there is a lot to learn from this episode. Brandy not only hunts harder than some guys, she has a desire to help grow hunting and shooting sports in local clubs, and inspire other women to navigate the unique journey of being a female in the outdoor world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week/s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chats with Frank Brock from Morse Nursery. Frank is an expert in utilizing their plant genetics to improve the quality of a hunting property. There is a lot to unpack in this episode! We discuss many of the tree species available at morse nursery, including the most popular: chestnuts, persimmons and pears. We dive into real world scenarios for applying these to the landscape. Frank has had the pleasure to work with landowners across the country, and is no stranger to Pennsylvania and the Northeast.Mitch provides Frank with a few landscape scenarios common to PA landscapes including completely forested ridges to mixed agricultural properties. From here, Frank shares a few possibilities to lead us towards success. This includes how to plant trees with high survival rates, how to shorten the window of time before trees produce, quality sites for planting species based on soil type and moisture, and most importantly, how to orient plantings for advantageous deer hunting. This is another great episode to get you thinking about new plans for your property this spring season. Be sure to check out the links below for Morse Nursery, and use the promo code Woodsman10 for a 10% discount on your purchase! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by founder of Whitetail Landscapes, Jon Teater. Jon hails from Tully, New York and consults with landowners throughout the country, primarily targeting the northeast. Jon is extremely detail oriented - more than many consults you may have seen on YouTube or listen to on other podcasts. This is one of the many things that sets him apart from others within the industry. His attention to deer habits and their tendencies in terrain and hunting pressure dictate how he improves the layout and habitat of a hunting property.We discuss many different philosophies of property layout and hunting strategies throughout a property. We compare some other well known people's consulting strategies and recommendations, and then break down how different doesn't mean it's wrong. Instead, it is a direct result of the environment and experiences with which that consultant lives and works in. From here we discuss how Jon approaches cutting a bedding area. This includes concepts such as "walls of cover" and segmenting deer with diversity. Even if you are not a private landowner or hunter, there is a lot to unpack in this conversation revolving around mature bucks and how deer relate to their surroundings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As we close the '23 deer season everything is still fresh in our minds. It's difficult not to begin planning our trips and goals for the 2024 season right now! Regardless of whether we accomplished our goals or have room for improvement until next year, thorough planning prepares the way for success. This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chats with good friend Andrew Muntz from the O2 podcast. The boys reflect on their 2023 deer season, including Muntz's Drummond Island buck and his trip over to PA deer camp with Mitch (spoiler alert- he missed a buck!).The conversation goes from 2023 reflection into 2024 planning - and becomes more of a counseling session for Mitch than a series of detailed strategies. The guys discuss their attempts to resolve personal conflicts such as: enjoying peaceful time in the field, not allowing inches of antler to gauge a season, valuing time with friends and family, prioritizing family and responsibility over deer hunting, and much more. Mitch is battling the path to take for his next hunting goal - how can you be successful with limited time? It might not be the sexiest deer hunting conversation, but it sure is as real as it gets and comes from the heart. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch catches up with Nate Thomas from the Missouri Woods and Water Podcast, also on Sportsmen's Empire. The two catch up over deer season, and Nate shares that 2023 deer season was a little tougher than years past. While he had success in many ways, from taking kids hunting and his brother-in-law harvesting one of the target bucks, things just did not align for Nate's tag to get filled. A change in scenery is just what the doctor ordered - coyote hunting!Nate, Micah, and Andy have really invested time and money into the tools of the trade to coyote hunt throughout the calendar year. The hunt dynamic compared to deer hunting is distinctly different in Nate's eyes, which is why he enjoys it so much. We discuss tools of the trade: what are essential pieces of equipment, and what are the things that after using for a season you learned were a waste of money? Nate shares a few exciting hunting experiences with us as well, which is a perfect way to begin the winter portion of predator hunting! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special Bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by PA native Aaron Pasquarette. Aaron films his hunts and has the Legendary Pursuits YouTube channel. We discuss the journey of filming your own hunts, then dive into the topic at hand: late season deer hunting. Aaron has been taking out-of-state trips with family and friends each season; last year and this year he was able to wrap a tag around bucks in New York. Aaron shares the stories of those hunts and the dynamic of a group hunt. We also discuss tracking deer, flintlock muzzleloader hunting, and how Aaron hopes to connect with a late season PA buck this year. Thank you for tuning into these bonus episodes during 2023. We appreciate your support and look forward to bringing more great content in 2024. Happy New Year! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Diehard trappers have already been hitting the field hard, however, those that think about deer hunting commonly start thinking about trapping now. Bobcat and Fisher season began earlier this month and is over halfway through, Beaver season is underway, and Otter will open in February. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chats with Tom Keller all about trapping, specifically Beaver and Otter. Tom is the state furbearer biologist who has a wealth of knowledge for trappers and outdoorsmen.We begin our conversation by updating everyone on the PA Marten Restoration Project, which Tom reviewed with us last year around this time (ep 12-9-22; Should Pennsylvania Reintroduce the American Marten?). From here we dive into trapping. We start with general trapping information, and then work towards some specifics of Beaver and Otter trapping. This includes understanding food sources, scouting, homeranges, trapping sets, and many tips and tactics. While this episode won't have enough time and information to have you ready to gear up and hit the woods for these critters, it will give new trappers information and old trappers a recap. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week's Deer Season Special Bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nathan Killen. Nathan is well known for being an avid mountain hunter in the state of Virginia while focusing on mature bucks and also hunting with traditional archery equipment. If you are trying to learn more about becoming a better mountain whitetail hunter, there are few people whose knowledge surpasses Nathan's - listen to as many podcasts with him as you can! However, of any podcast he has been on, this episode speaks more wisdom than knowledge.We touch on the giant 170" buck he recently harvested and the journey leading to the day he pulled the trigger. But Nathan's message is more about the blessing of this harvest. Nathan shares with us his faith in Jesus Christ, and how through his faith he has been blessed with more opportunity in life than he could ever imagine. Nathan shares how he does not feel any deer he harvests is done by him, rather, the glory be to the Father in Heaven who has blessed him with this passion he has become pretty good at! This episode is an awesome appreciation for the season and the real meaning behind Christmas! Merry Christmas! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are joined by Brad Hruska from Driven Purpose Outdoors. Brad is a hard working school teacher with a desire to hunt like the rest of us. Brad is particularly fond of pursuing big whitetails in PA, OH, and anywhere else he can grab a tag. He is also kind enough to take us with him by filming and sharing his hunts. But his reason for sharing his hunts are slightly different than you may be used to.Filming your hunts is work, and hard work like this can be a way to provide income. With something as ego driven as hunting, it can also be a way of promotion and status in the hunting media. Brad's focus is promoting the glory of his hunts to God. Brad's faith in Jesus Christ has led him to using hunting and filming as a ministry tool. Brad and Mitch discuss the journey of this ministry, and the battles we face as hunters who are also husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. Being relationship driven amidst a self seeking interest like bowhunting is difficult, but through the grace of the Lord, Brad has been able to experience and share some cool stuff! What better way to celebrate this time of year? Merry Christmas! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special Bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chats with Isaac Fisher from Chasin Dreams Outdoorz YouTube channel. In 2022, Isaac harvested a truly magnificent buck on public land and captured the story on film. We breakdown this hunt from the start, when Isaac first laid eyes on the deer in a private ag field in summer of 2021. Many scouting trips were made for this deer, as the drive required him traveling across the state. We discuss the scouting, cameras, and thought process that led to Isaac closing the chapter one November morning. It's the kind of story that any deer hunter can dream about! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everyone was a beginner at some point in their bowhunting career. Some of us had an advantage with experienced mentors, others learned from the school of hard knocks. This week's episode we are joined by listener Tyler Murray. Tyler grew up hunting with his family, but took on the journey of bowhunting whitetails by himself at 16 years old. He navigated television and the internet like many of us do trying to learn and consume deer hunting knowledge and entertainment. Each year has led to Tyler being more and more successful.We navigate Tyler's rollercoaster bowhunting journey, from starting out bowhunting his rifle stands, to being relentless scouting and mobile hunting. This season Tyler connected on a dandy buck in archery season with minimal hunting time available. We discuss how Tyler chose his set-ups wisely to allow for quality sits on limited time. Tyler shares the emotions experienced after all the pieces fell into place for this great buck. It's an episode which both novice and experienced bowhunters can appreciate! Tyler has worked hard to accomplish his goals - many of us can relate! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special Bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Lane Housner from In The Presence YouTube channel. Lane is a hard working guy who tries to devote as much time as possible to hunting in the fall. There are fewer places he won't hunt then will - it's all about the experiences and the chase. Lane and Mitch discuss making drives with groups of hunters - both with archery and firearms. Lane also tells the story of his girlfriend's first buck from last season. And of course, there is plenty of talk about grinding through the rut! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chats with John Royer from Leatherwood Outdoors. This YouTube channel is one of the original channel's you could find Pennsylvania hunting content before many people were doing it. We dive into John's evolution of flintlock hunting and how he took on the challenge gaining proficiency with this weapon. Many call this gun the "flinch-lock" due to people's reaction to the pan powder flash. Overcoming this obstacle was a huge gain in John's accuracy.We discuss how filming these late season hunts requires a great deal of energy. John will often do reenactment hunts where he dresses in 1700s attire and sneaks through the frontier in search of whitetails. We discuss projectile efficiency on game down-range and also how to properly maintain a flintlock for consistent firing. Practice, practice, practice, and you can be ready for the last chance of whitetail hunting the day after Christmas! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special Bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are joined by Steve Sherk Jr. from Sherk's guide service. Many of you know Steve as the public land grinder who spends 300+ days a year in the woods scouting and hunting. Steve has shared insight throughout the years via podcasts and social media for many hunters providing strategy and advice. But what goes on in a Pennsylvania public land guide service? Steve shares stories of different clientele that have traveled from all over the country to hunt with him. He recalls big deer that hit the ground after years of pursuit. He also recalls the ones that got away, for some pretty crazy reasons too! We discuss the higher odds success of Pennsylvania rifle season and some of Steve's strategies to connect amidst the orange army. This episode meshes well with the time of year - hopefully you can learn from some of these stories if you still have a tag in your pocket!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by friend Phil Holcombe. Phil is a familiar voice on the show as well as a variety of others and for good reason - he is a well rounded deer hunter and outdoorsman. From managing micro parcels of private land, to hunting big woods public, he loves deer hunting from the beginning to the end. This show revolves all around rifle season deer hunting. Phil discusses his strategies to get around pressure the first few days of season after some close calls in archery. From here, he and Mitch discuss safe and successful deer drives. This involves effective communication, leadership roles, set up strategies, and more! Use some of these tips this year, you won't be disappointed! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special Bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by fan favorite, Johnny Stewart. This conversation occurred leading into deer season 2023, and the boys recap Johnny's 2022 WV buck, then dive into the hot topic of hunting pressure. This rabbit hole discussion leads to a few stories of interpreting hunting pressure around clear cuts, and even a few hunts for bucks close to the road. As always, there is something to learn from John when he is thinking about whitetails!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Jason Say from Wired Outdoors. Jason is a born and raised Pennsylvania hunter that works hard each and every season to fill his buck tag. We begin by discussing how the content in which he produces over time has changed. His goal is to make the most relatable content possible to his viewers. The things you see him do on his show are things many PA hunters can accomplish with a little sweat equity.Last year in 2022, Jason had an emotional rollercoaster hunt for a deer that was a gross Boone and Crockett buck. His strategy for this deer was not much different than his others - hunt smart and as often as possible. However, the grind for this buck was like nothing he had ever experienced. After over 70 sits for this deer, he was able to wrap his tag around it during PA rifle season. You can see everything on the Wired Outdoors YouTube channel and be sure to check out All In: A Deer Hunting Documentary - a story for a magnificent PA whitetail.Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by his buddy Aaron Hepler. Aaron takes over the hosting duties on this episode and they discuss Mitch's 2023 PA archery buck. This was Mitch's second largest archery buck on a brand new property. They discuss scouting the property leading up to the evening of Oct 27 when Mitch put in his first sit of the year on this property hang-and-hunt style. These two chatty characters swap plenty of deer hunting stories and experiences throughout this episode - this is what it's all about this time of year!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Taylor Fleisher. Taylor is a well rounded outdoorsman; between trapping and bowhunting whitetails he spends a lot of time in the woods! Taylor has been known to knock down some good buck with the bow, but this week we are talking about his other passion - furbearers. Taylor has run a trapline since he was very young with his father. Now he takes time each year to catch ol' Wile E Coyote.Taylor breaks down a number of things to better understand land trapping predators. As with anything, scouting is key, which he discusses how via e-maps, from the truck, and on the ground. He brings up his preferred method of trap preparation, then a breakdown of making his sets. He discusses when he prefers food over call lures and other curiosity scents. There is a ton of information in this episode, whether you're a beginning trapper or have been around the block a time or two, there is something to learn from Taylor!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by long time friend Travis Bailey. Mitch and Travis grew up hunting deer and small game together. We take a trip down memory lane and revisit the story of a buck Travis harvested in 2013 after following along for 3 seasons. Travis shares that the first two years of trail camera inventory felt like he was hunting a ghost. He had one late season encounter with the buck in year 1, but chose to pass as the deer had shed one of his antlers.The story ramps up when in year 3 the camera inventory drastically picks up, as the amount of daylight images increased providing hope. After harvesting the buck, Mitch and Travis discuss what it was like for each of them to achieve a high level hunting goal of killing a big mature buck of this caliber. While another deer this size may happen again in the future, the areas we hunt in Pennsylvania don't have this class animal behind every tree each season. The guys discuss recalibrating their hunting goals and expectations. This includes a change in hunting scenery, as Travis shares a new passion of hunting bucks on the public land mountains near his home. This story is one for the record books, enjoy! Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Dan Collins from Hardway Outdoors. Dan is an all around avid outdoorsman, enjoying the moment while he is in it. We begin our conversation recapping Dan's recent experience guiding fishing trips in Alaska. Then we dive into the wonderful world of bowhunting whitetails.Dan has a passion for hunting with a stickbow and we discuss what the process of preparation looks like for him leading to opening day. Dan hunted opening week, but left for a trip to hunt Mule Deer out west shortly after. This leads us to discuss preparation for the time of year we all love - the rut. Dan shares how he used summertime trail cameras, historical hunting experiences, and knowledge of terrain and pinch points to put himself in the best odds locations for a whitetail buck this fall. The moral of this episode is to enjoy what you're doing, while you're doing it - it's about the adventure!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch was joined by New Jersey bowhunter, Greg Litzinger. Greg is a well-known public land bowhunter who loves hunting the mountains targeting mature bucks. Throughout the many episodes Greg has recorded on other shows, he has discussed various tactics including buck beds and bed hunting. While you may pick up on a few tactics and tricks, this conversation goes down a different path.Greg and Mitch converse over numerous deer hunting stories and experiences. Greg shares with us a hunt for a buck that took him into firearm season, and when faced with the opportunity to harvest the buck with a gun, chose to let him walk. This was when he realized that bowhunting was truly at his core. Greg talks about the various habitat and terrain types he has hunted. While his heart is hunting in the mountains, Greg shares that one of his more recent challenges is hunting big bucks in the Pine Barrens. When you spend as much time on public land as Greg, you also can have some unique encounters with people. Greg has some bizarre interactions with the non-hunting community he shares. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by good friend and experienced deer hunter Tim Himmelberger. Tim was a self taught bowhunter fueled by the same passion as many of us - chasing big bucks. Tim started out from humble beginnings, and worked his tail off to purchase some properties with a good friend. This began a new journey - how do you hold the best bucks in the neighborhood?At the time of Tim's journey, Quality Deer Management and the plethora of land management advice we have today was nearly non-existent. Everything was learned via trial and error and the school of hard knocks. Many lessons were learned the hard way, but ultimately they were able to put down some of the best bucks in the neighborhood at a time no one else was doing with regularity. This conversation is merely a snapshot of a lifetime whitetail phanatic. You'll pick up some excellent tricks and tactics for hunting bucks during the rut, near bedding, and using things like spot lighting for inventory in the neighborhood. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by fellow podcaster Clint Campbell. Clint is a Pennsylvania native and diehard bowhunter who is no stranger to the challenges of hunting high pressure states. Clint discusses some encounters over the past few years and the learning experiences that resulted. We also touch on how stepping away from bowhunting whitetails throughout the year and having a healthy outlet can actually aid with your focus each fall. We close the episode discussing some of the guests with the biggest influence on Clint's bowhunting through his years as a podcast host. Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by friends and hunting partners Mark Lesher, Mike Lesher, and Jason Miller. The four have a round table BS session revolving around their New Jersey hunting trip that took place Oct 9-14. The area was new to everyone so we first discussed the scouting trips from late summer into fall. The terrain and habitat type was much different than other areas the group has bear hunted in the past, so it was a unique learning experience. From here we dove into the events of the week of hunting, totalling over 30 bear sightings, two bears and one buck killed. A lot was learned on this trip - and we can't wait for next year!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's guest of the Deer Season Special bonus episodes for the Pennsylvania Woodsman is Bill Thompson from Spartan Forge. Bill recaps his recent elk hunt this fall and the highs and lows which transpired. We go into detail about the recent update from Spartan Forge which includes lidar mapping. Bill shares why he has chosen the Spartan Forge team he works with - work ethic. Out working those around you and surrounding yourself with hard working individuals provides a greater opportunity for success. We wrap up discussing some of the greatest "ah-ha" moments over the years observing whitetail deer collar data and developing deer movement prediction models.Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with the Ruffed Grouse Society's resident group of experts in Southeast PA. Joining the show is Ben Larson, Jan Christen, and Dave Henry. Combined these minds understand the need for forest and habitat manipulation, as well as how to get it done. We address forest stands including health and age, appropriate forestry practices, the use of fire, invasive species management, and more. We also discuss the importance for fundraising and networking with organizations like RGS to provide resources for project implementation. This includes funding for public land restoration that we all benefit from! This episode is jam packed full of interesting science based information!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's Deer Season Special bonus episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with the leader of the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network, Dan Johnson. Dan may work in the outdoor industry, but he is just like the rest of us; family comes first. Mitch and Dan converse over what it's been like to reach milestones in podcasting, such as launching 100 to 1000 episodes, or building a network like the Empire. Then we dive into bowhunting amidst being a husband and father. How do we prioritize our time, and how do we stack the odds in our favor? Lastly, Dan talks about 2 deer that stick in his mind over the years - one that hangs on his wall, another that is a picture within his mind. Great whitetail deer hunting episode for perspective in the busy world we live in!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with Aaron Hepler for a whitetail hunting B.S. session. Aaron is a diehard bowhunter and family man. He spends countless hours in the offseason scouting and running cameras on public land in the big woods. Camera data is excellent, but it becomes easy to rely on obtaining a picture first before having the confidence to hunt a spot. Instead of reacting to a camera after a picture is taken, Aaron talks about being proactive using annual trail camera data. This means taking historical information from cameras and hunter observation and hunting that specific window of time when things are heating up. All that and much more. Be ahead of the deer and don't be chasing!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Woodsman Deer Season Special series! These bonus episodes will launch every Friday from October through December. Each week's show revolves around hunting stories and experiences with an array of deer hunting fanatics. This week's guest is Arron Bleise, the host of The Fall Podcast. We discuss Arron's podcasting journey to over 300 episodes, balancing family life with deer hunting, 2023 deer hunting plans, early season deer hunting success, hunting pressured states versus trips to "fantasyland states," and more. Good luck and stay safe in the deer woods! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bear seasons are opening throughout parts of the Northeast; New York just finished an early bear season in parts of the state, New Jersey opens Oct. 9 and Pennsylvania on Oct. 14. When food is in abundance, your chances are the greatest to run into bears. But even with fall bear seasons and a multitude of food sources, your statistical chance of killing a bear in PA each year is less than 2%. How do you begin to tackle such a feat with an animal in such low numbers relative to whitetail deer?This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch has New Jersey native Jay Lyon back on the podcast. Jay is a diehard bear hunter that has been successful consistently throughout the northeast harvesting bear as a solo hunter using a multitude of tactics. Jay talks about how important it is to cast a large net scouting and not be afraid to put miles on boot leather to find the key components of a good bear hunt. It's simple (or so it seems), find food, find cover, find bears. What's tricky is not missing out on the hottest food source on a day-to-day basis. This means in season scouting and good knowledge of the land, thinking one step ahead on what food becomes available during the fall. Hunt hard, and scout harder; you'll have a better chance then you realize!Check out the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network for more relevant outdoor content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.