In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, host Mitchell Shirk engages with guests Tim Hubler and Jason Gann about their experiences and insights into hunting during the chaotic hunting season. They discuss the challenges of balancing family life with hunting, the myths surrounding the October lull, and strategies for preparing for the whitetail rut. The conversation also delves into the unique experience of Sika hunting in Maryland, highlighting the camaraderie and excitement that comes with outdoor adventures.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Steve Sherk.  The two start by catching up and sharing some personal dilemmas of having to go to weddings during hunting season and how this often creates some problems!  The conversation turns towards the new Sunday hunting opportunities offered in Pennsylvania and how this will affect Steve's personal hunting as well as guide service.  From here we move into the main topic of the episode: a deep dive.

What's the deep dive? It's not just the woodsmanship and the deer hunting nuances, it's the spiritual connection felt in Creation.  Steve shares more of his personal backstory leading him not just to hunting but to more beyond chasing whitetail deer.  This episode reveals a bigger, more holistic view of time spent in the woods this fall.  Tune in to hear Steve's journey, and who knows, maybe it will impact your hunting too.  

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman podcast, Mitch reflects on the delicate balance between his passion for hunting and the demands of daily life. Fresh from a family vacation, he shares insights into managing a busy schedule, including his wife's coaching commitments and his son's school activities. Mitch delves into the art of food plot management, discussing no-till techniques, seed selection, and the challenges posed by weather and timing. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family while pursuing personal goals, offering listeners a candid look at how he navigates the complexities of work, family, and his love for the outdoors. Join Mitch for an engaging conversation on finding harmony in the hustle and bustle of life, all while preparing for a successful hunting season.

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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!  

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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!

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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!

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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! 

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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! 

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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!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Taylor Fleisher to discuss food plots.  Taylor has a background in plants and soil, and has always been tinkering with food plot blends.  That has motivated him to start his company Tractor Beam Attractants and food plot seed blends.  This episode not only discusses food plots, it also highlights chasing down a dream within things of personal interest.  

Mitch and Taylor bounce around from the beginning of Taylor's food plot journey to the customization of blends he's developed.  Not only do they discuss planting nuances like how to choose a good seed blend, they also tie in hunting strategy.  Too often, food plots become night time use only due to their improper setup.  Designing plots and planting season long food are critical.  Take notes, planting season is right around the corner!

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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.  

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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. 

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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. 

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Mike Tussey from Nomad Outdoors.  Mike shares his journey from being a middle school PE teacher to becoming a prominent figure in the hunting industry. He discusses the dynamics of the hunting business during the offseason, the importance of managing turkey populations, and the unique challenges faced as a hunting guide. Mike also shares memorable client interactions, including experiences with high-profile hunters, and reflects on the diversity of hunting experiences in Florida. The conversation touches on sustainability issues in hunting, the significance of scouting, and the unique aspects of hunting in Florida, including deer and bear hunting. Mike concludes by discussing the future of Nomad Outdoors and the importance of building a community around the brand.

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Opening day of Pennsylvania statewide archery season is opening this coming weekend, so if you're not fired up by now, this episode should help!  On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Grant Forney and Brandon Miller of the Everyday Outdoorsmen YouTube channel.  This is an old fashioned B.S. Session discussing many topics including:

- videoing hunts and content production

- discussing hunting with non hunting community

- equipment and stand setups for public land hunting

- season goals and expectations, and how they have adapted over time

- hunt scheduling during preferred times of season, and more!

Additionally, Grant and Brandon discuss some of the products they use from show sponsor Huntworth.  They break down their preferred camo, garments, and accessories which they use from the warm early archery season, to late season when Heat Boost Technology can be brought into the field.  Huntworth gear is suited for all kinds of weather as well as budgets, and the Everyday Outdoorsmen have put it to the test!  Thanks for listening and good luck to everyone this season!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we sit down with Brian Good from Triple Trophy Taxidermy.  Brian has pursued this art of taxidermy from a young age and has never ceased learning and honing his craft making trophies come alive (almost).  Brian is an avid hunter, and we of course discuss his interest in turkey hunting, hunting with his children, and everyone's favorite, whitetail deer.  WIth each of these hunts, there comes a different level of care and preparation if you plan to have them mounted, which Brian breaks down easily for everyone.

Triple Trophy stands for the three big game species here in Pennsylvania - turkey, bear and deer.  With each species opening this fall, skinning and handling each properly are vital.  Are there additional tools to keep in your kill kit for preparation?  How should you handle skinning and field dressing?  Should you take measurements for a taxidermist?  We cover this and more!  Brian provides insight to how he handles certain aspects of his work, which highlights the quality of the product he delivers.  This is a major reason why people will travel to take their trophy to him.  If you're looking for a quality taxidermist, check out Brian near Ringtown, Pennsylvania! 

https://www.tripletrophytaxidermy.com/

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch catches up with owner and operator of Little Mountain Outfitters in Richland, PA, Devon Zimmerman.  Devon is a diehard bowhunter that loves to tinker with archery equipment and share his knowledge and experience.  For most of his bowhunting career, Devon has chosen to shoot mechanical broadheads with moderate arrow weights between 450-525 grains.  With the popularity growing in FOC, heavy arrows, single bevel and machined broadheads, he decided to find out for himself.

Last year, the setup that tuned well in his bow was over 600 grains, tipped with a VPA broadhead with over 200 grains of the weight in the front.  Devon had a good sample size in year one shooting multiple doe and a nice buck throughout October and November.  From those experiences, he decided to shoot something very similar again this year.  We discuss the advantages and disadvantages among both commonly used arrow setups, why he feels this current arrow works well for him, but ultimately is not for everyone.  No matter where you land in the debate of arrow setups, every experienced bowhunter's perspective is an opportunity for us to learn something new or approach this from a different angle.  Regardless, make ethical shot decisions for your setup and capabilities!  Thanks for listening!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we are taking a slightly different course. With deer season right around the corner, we've been focused on preparation. From strategies to harvest your target, to meat preparation, we've got you covered for this fall. But everything revolves around filling an antlered deer tag these days. What about antlerless deer? Are enough being harvested in your area?

This week's guest is Dustin Kieffer from Mark M Kieffer and Son. Dustin is a third generation grain farmer in central Pennsylvania, farming around 3200 acres. After a quick back story on the operation, we dive into a controversial topic - too many deer. This episode does not have any motive or suggestion to the problem. It's simply to provide you the listener, a different perspective in the community. We discuss the changes in deer pressure over the previous decades, and how this operation is adjusting it's farming practices to the ever growing deer population in this region of the state.  We as deer hunters are not the only ones who appreciate deer. Some people depend on us harvesting them for their income!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsmen, Mitch starts off with an update on season preparation.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute to get stands, plots, and more ready for opening day!  Habitat management and private land hunting strategy are something Mitch enjoys deeply, and these recent projects got him fired up; prompting a little bit of philosophical argument between private land and public land hunting.  At the end of the day, do what you love!

The main course of this episode Mitch is joined by Nick Otto, host of the Huntavore podcast on Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network.  Prior to marriage and kids, Mitch used to butcher deer within 1-2 days of harvesting during early season when the weather was warm.  Now, it takes a bit more planning to accommodate processing into daily life.  Processors are always an option, but if you enjoy doing it yourself and want to save some coin, this episode may help you out!  Nick discusses the proper measures to take after the shot during the early season.  We navigate field dressing, skinning, quartering, cleaning, aging, temperature, and more.  Lastly, if you do not have a walk-in cooler, Nick provides some excellent tips on how to turn household appliances into a poor man's deer cooler, buying you time to process!  This is a fantastic episode for quality table fare! 

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch speaks with none other than Mr. Whitetail himself, Larry Weishuhn. Larry is an award winning outdoor writer and professional biologist who has forgotten more about whitetails then most folks will ever know. Mitch and Larry reconnect after meeting a year ago at a local game dinner where Larry spoke, and begin by discussing Larry's one hunting trip to Potter County Pennsylvania. 

We discuss whitetail biology and hunting experiences throughout Larry's career. Also, tactics from spot and stalk to rattling, and how whitetail biology as well as hunting pressure can impact their success. We also discuss our favorite hunts outside of whitetails including black bear and a story which combines flintlock muzzleloaders and yogi bear. Thanks for tuning in!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch talks with the executive director from Hunters Sharing the Harvest, Randy Ferguson.  Since 1991, HSH has received nearly 2 million pounds of donated venison provided to food banks and shelters; 200,000 pounds alone was donated during the 2022-23 deer season!  Randy shares how this grass roots program has grown over the past 30 years and where he believes they are headed.  You'll learn about deer processor involvement, hunter involvement, and how hunters can benefit thousands of people with quality lean protein!  This season, consider using one of your tags to donate meat to families in need.  You can find out all you need to participate in this episode, and for more information visit sharedeer.org.

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This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chatted with Garrett Regalski, co-owner of PABoyzOutdoors social media page.  Garrett eats, sleeps, and breathes goose hunting, and we have a good old fashioned B.S. session on the matter.  Garrett talks about last season's success from multiple limits to multiple bands.  This year may require a slight adjustment to time available with a new job in place, which he touches on briefly.  We discuss essential gear versus time and money wasters, decoy spreads and well camouflaged blinds, and do you really need to pattern a goose gun?  Learn from Garrett by his experience, and get fired up for the season right around the corner!

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Welcome to the 100th episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman!  It's hard to believe it's been 2 years already since the beginning of this show.  Thank you all for your support!  On this week's episode, Mitch is joined by 3 guests he has personal connection to - his father Jeff Shirk, and his two grandfathers Raymond Shirk and Kenny Mengel.  Mitch grew up hunting with these three, harvesting his first deer with them, and hearing all the stories of their hunting experiences at each of their deer camps.

We begin by telling the stories of how each camp began, one of which started out of an old school bus!  We share many stories including first deer, first bucks, first bears, camp comradery, family fun, and more.  You'll get to hear their perspective how deer hunting has changed over the last 65+ years for better or worse.  Stories of changing deer populations, changing hunting dynamics, but all centered around deer camp and those annual traditions that make Pennsylvania hunting heritage strong.

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Summer scouting season is in full swing.  Burning boot leather in the hot summer sun, moving cameras and gaining intel with the velvet rut around the corner, doctoring mock scrapes, all to prepare for fall.  Tackling new areas and large chunks of public land can be intimidating.  It can also be tough to read the woods this time of year with summer vegetation present.

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Ryan Glitsky.  Ryan is a diehard bowhunter native to PA who spends a ton of time in the offseason scouting and learning.  Our conversation is all over the place revolving around whitetail deer and scouting during summer.  We run down many rabbit holes discussing camera locations, mock scrapes, funnels, and learning from them during a difficult time of year to read sign.  This episode should have you fired up for fall!

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Al Tomechko to discuss the intricacies of establishing successful food plots for deer hunting. They explore various topics including the challenges of planting, the importance of setting clear goals, and the techniques for effective food plot management. The discussion also covers the significance of soil health, seeding rates, and the timing of planting in relation to weather conditions. Albert shares insights on equipment for smaller plots and emphasizes the value of diversity in food plot blends to attract deer throughout the hunting season. The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of understanding deer density and its impact on food plot success.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we catch up with Al Tomechko from Vitalize Seed.  After discussing some big projects that took place during the off season at Al's place, we dive into Vitalize seed.  Vitalize uses a two-pass planting system with the summer mix called "Nitro-boost" and the fall mix called "Carbonload".  Al breaks down the plant species used in Carbonload and how they work together to provide the best food plot possible.

There are hundreds of different food plot blends on the market and thousands of different opinions.  Some would disagree that certain plant species cannot be mixed into the same blend.  However, with proper seed balance and ratio, diverse mixes can produce maximum tonnage that work together rather than compete.  Al follows soil biology principles when he and his team develop seed blends.  Diversity allows better nutrient exchange between plants, and wildlife can tell the difference.  Tune in to learn more about the "why" and "how" of Carbonload; you might want to consider planting it this year!

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We are following up with part two of our conversation with Sherwood Schoch this week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman.  We picked up from last week with the continued development and material first used in Jennings bows.  Using trial and error they began to revolutionize the archery industry we know today.  One of the four authors on the National Archery Association manual is Sherwood - and he also played a large role establishing archery in the olympics.

With the connections Sherwood made in his career, you can imagine the stories and people he met along the way.  Stories with Fred Bear at Grouse Haven Lodge, and meeting celebrities like Ted Nugent and Ted Williams.  We cover it all in this episode, with the living archery legend, Sherwood Schoch.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we interview an archery legend, Sherwood Schoch.  Sherwood is originally from Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and was one of the four men responsible for developing and marketing the first compound bow.  He worked side by side with Tom Jennings and changed the industry forever with Jennings compound bows.  This interview will be broken into two episodes.  

In part one, we learn about Sherwood's introduction to hunting and archery, leading to his job as an archery magazine editor after his service in the Navy.  From here, Sherwood shares his experience shooting at the highest level of competition archery, winning a national championship, and the doors that continued to open through this journey.  That journey would snowball into developing a compound bow and leading seminars all across the country to promote the compound as a valid hunting weapon during the archery hunting season.  You'll hear connections with big names including Pete Shepley, Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, Tom Jennings, and many other archery legends.  Be sure to watch out for part two soon!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have Duane Dunmire from the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists.  Duane is the Vice President of PFSC striving to advocate outdoor heritage of hunting, trapping, angling, boating, shooting sports, the Second Amendment, and natural resources.  This is accomplished by their constant presence in Harrisburg protecting our outdoor heritage.  Duane shares with us his passion for hunting and also passing on the outdoor lifestyle to younger generations.  We discuss standard operations at PFSC, goals and objectives, and how their organization handles adversity within the hunting community, between anti hunters and hunters, and within our capital.  Listen in for all this organization has to offer you as a Keystone sportsman or woman, and consider supporting them by joining today!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have a treat for you reptile fans!  We were joined by John Hebenthal who is a rattlesnake hunting phanatic!  John loves the outdoors and all creatures that walk it... or slither it!  He takes passion learning as much as he possibly can about wildlife, and sharing his knowledge with those who are willing to listen.  

We begin by learning how this fascination began followed by his journey rattlesnake hunting.  Along the way you'll find that John is not afraid to open some books, scan the internet, read peer-reviewed research, and collaborate with experienced snake enthusiasts.  John has soaked in rattlesnake knowledge like a sponge!  We discuss tools of the trade, safety, biology of rattlesnakes, seasonal habits and patterns, map scouting for snakes, and much more!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have repeat guest Bryan Hale from Elk County Outfitters.  If you tuned into the previous episode with Bryan, you know how devoted he and his team are to having quality elk hunting in the Keystone State. We begin by catching up with Bryan on the previous season's success and new records that were broken. Bryan transitions into discussing the updates within the states elk application and drawing.

For 2023, the drawing has been moved up to July 29th, and the application was opened back in February. Bryan discusses why these changes occurred based on his research with state officials. He also shares with us recent calf mortality data shared by the state and how this has impacted tag allocations.  There is a ton of excellent information packed into this episode all centered around this majestic game animals that haunts North Central PA!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Chris Heskett.  Chris is a PA native that specializes in physical fitness and nutrition.  Chris is also an avid hunter that strives to fill his freezer every season with quality meat for he and his family. Mitch and Chris discuss how maximizing your physical health has many benefits in the field during the fall season.

Men are extremely guilty of being a "know-it-all" or DIY for just about anything.  The reality is with anything in life, we all have strengths and weaknesses.  If you're a plumber, you may be able to turn a wrench but it may not make you a mechanic.  In Mitch's case, he may have played sports and followed programs in the past, but that doesn't make him an expert in physical fitness.  Getting help from a professional like Chris can help anyone reach their physical fitness goals.  Mitch and Chris discuss workouts, off season and in season health, eating habits and wild game, and catering a plan that fits with your goals and lifestyle.  Be sure to check Chris's podcast the Wild Nutrition Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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Wild Nutrition | Podcast on Spotify

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we welcome back Jason Miller from JMiller Custom Calls.  Jason and Mitch swap stories recapping their season.  If you've kept up with the recent turkey hunting episodes on the show, you know Mitch's season ended almost as quickly as it started, killing two birds in three hunts.  Jason's PA season began on the slow side, but rapidly caught up during the mid season when he punched both his tags in one week.  Jason is an experienced hunter punching a PA spring gobbler tag every year since 1994.  Learning experiences are within the hunting story and there is plenty to take away and use for yourself from this conversation.  Both Mitch and Jason made some mistakes this season, but ultimately the adjustments Jason made led him to some big gobblers!  Each bird they harvested this season was called in with Jason's custom mouth calls.  Be sure to check out JMiller Custom Calls at the links below, they are killer!

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https://www.instagram.com/jmillercustomcalls/

https://www.facebook.com/jmillercustomcalls

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This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with fellow Sportsmen's Empire contributor Parker McDonald from Southern Ground Hunting.  Parker is a stone cold killer that travels across the country hunting and filming his adventures.  Not only is he well versed with a stick and string or gun in hand, Parker's attention to detail for bringing the hunt to the viewer is compelling.  Parker shares with us the amount of work behind the scenes that goes into one of his videos.  Quality is a must for Parker, and he shares with us the tools he uses as well as the process to make it happen.  If you're interested in filming your hunts, Parker is the man to take some notes from!

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This week's episode we head south to chat with fellow Sportsmen's Empire Network contributor John Hudspeth from the Oklahoma Outdoors Podcast.  You may be wondering how does a guy from Oklahoma relate to Pennsylvania?  First, he is a fantastic guy that anybody would want as a hunting partner, second, he is a hard working family man that can relate to balancing priorities in life of Faith, Family, and Whitetails, and third, he knows how to consistently connect on mature bucks with a few certain tactics.  

We start the episode off by diving into John's 2022-23 hunting season and the 2 dandy bucks he harvested this season.  From here the conversation transitions to how and why he chooses his access and stand locations.  John hunts his family ranch which is an operating cattle farm.  While the ranch is 1000+ acres, around 90% is grassland and pasture, leaving John with "huntable" ground comparable in size to what many may see in PA.  John also uses feeders in his strategy (legal in OK).  While many think this is "cheating," Mitch and John both attest to the difficulties of mature bucks daylighting at these locations.  The guys dive into how using this valuable tool can orient better stand placement, promote daylight movement, and allow opportunity for the best bucks in the neighborhood.  They also discuss the value of elevated tower blinds on private land, especially when hunting near food sources.

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On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Rob McCanna, CEO of Dallas Safari Club.  Rob shares his journey from humble beginnings in Pennsylvania to leading a prominent organization focused on wildlife conservation and hunting heritage. He discusses the importance of engaging the next generation, the challenges facing hunters and conservationists, and the need for unity within the hunting community. Rob emphasizes the role of Dallas Safari Club in promoting sustainable hunting practices and invites listeners to get involved in conservation efforts.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chat's with Matt Dale from Dale Outdoors.  Mitch opens by recapping his exciting week of turkey hunting and filling his second tag at the end of week one with a bow!  If you listened to last week's episode of Mitch's opening day gobbler, he talked about using the "whine" call.  He first heard this call explained on one of Matt's youtube videos.  We begin our conversation by diving into this call - what it is, how and when to use it, and its context for hunting situations.  

We continue down the rabbit hole of keeping realism in your turkey calling.  This includes using "wheel-wheel's", "do-it do-it's", gobbler yelping, and more.  We discuss the value of volume and cadence in calls, especially in everyone's favorite yelping scenario.  How does a spring turkey hunter yelp sound vs. how does a real hen yelp sound?  Last, Matt recaps a hunt for a bird he called "Quirky", which took 7 hunts until he connected by pulling out an old secret weapon.  This is dynamite turkey hunting information to keep you fired up midway through the season!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sit's down and reflects with his cousins Jacob and Joshua Mengel on the opening day of spring gobbler.  Mitch was invited to hunt at their cabin in Potter County for the opening weekend of PA's season.  We dive into our thought process of approaching the rainy opening day, splitting into the areas we wanted to explore.  For Mitch, this was solely based on e-scouting and conversing with Jake and Josh.  From here the boys recount the events from first light until noon in each area - all with exciting encounters and lessons learned.  Mitch however, hid the lucky horseshoe in his backpack and was able to find a lone mountain top gobbler before the buzzer ran out at quitting time.  What an awesome weekend, we can't wait for the next one!  Enjoy!

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Solid machined broadheads have resurfaced in popularity recently, and one company making a big impact is Vantage Point Archery.  This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chats with Alex Christianson and Ryan Corkwell about the ins and outs of VPA broadheads.  Last year at the beginning of the season, Mitch decided to test out some single bevel broadheads.  However, he quickly learned he needed help understanding what style head, what type of metal, how to sharpen, and how to implement these heads into his bowhunting setup.  This year, he plans to do his preparation well in advance, and what better way to begin then discussing with the experts themselves.  We address all of Mitch's concerns about adopting these broadheads into his quiver and many more.  Hopefully this will help you determine if you are ready to make any changes to your set up!

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