Pennsylvania Woodsman

The Grouse Hunter’s Life: Cover, Cuts, and Constant Scouting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Tom McPherson, a diehard grouse hunter from western Pennsylvania, for a deep dive into one of the most challenging — and rewarding — pursuits in the upland woods. Tom shares how his passion for grouse hunting developed over time, eventually leading him into running bird dogs and traveling across the Northeast and upper Midwest in search of better bird numbers. The conversation explores the unique nature of grouse hunting, from unpredictable flushes and fast shooting to the role of dogs in locating birds that often prefer to run instead of fly.
The discussion also takes a deeper turn into habitat, conservation, and the long-term outlook for grouse in Pennsylvania. Tom explains how timber management, forest age diversity, and large-scale habitat work — often supported by organizations like the Ruffed Grouse Society — are critical to sustaining and rebuilding populations. From breaking down maps and identifying productive cover to committing nearly year-round effort for a six-week season, this episode highlights the dedication required to chase grouse and the bigger picture of habitat stewardship that supports the future of the species.

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Bird Brain Is Back: Talking Spring Turkeys with Long Branch Game Calls

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Jake Stanisch of Long Branch Turkey Calls for a deep dive into all things spring turkey hunting. From growing up in Pennsylvania and becoming hooked on the sound of a gobble at a young age, Jake shares what fuels his passion for chasing turkeys year after year. The conversation covers scouting, preseason preparation, and how understanding turkey behavior — from early spring through the month of May — can shape success in the woods. They also discuss how pressure, hens, and seasonal timing influence gobbling activity, and why persistence often matters more than perfect strategy.

Beyond tactics, the episode digs into the mindset of a turkey hunter. Jake breaks down the importance of mastering the fundamentals — becoming proficient with a few calls instead of chasing every new product, reading a bird’s “temperature,” and knowing when to call versus when to stay quiet. The guys also explore different hunting styles, from aggressive run-and-gun approaches to patient sit-and-wait tactics, and why neither is right or wrong. At its core, this episode is about time in the woods, learning through experience, and embracing the unpredictability that keeps turkey hunters coming back every spring.

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Deep Woods Trees: Mast Crops Implemented with Precision

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Tom Damren of Workhorse Trees for a deep dive into planting trees for whitetail habitat — and why most hunters get it wrong. Tom shares how his journey into growing trees started out of frustration after failed plantings, leading him down the path of rootstock selection, disease resistance, and understanding what actually works in a real-world hunting setting. From the importance of seedling rootstock to avoiding common mistakes like planting too many trees or choosing the wrong varieties, this conversation breaks down the fundamentals of building a successful tree program that actually produces results.

The discussion then shifts into a unique and practical strategy: “deep woods planting.” Instead of traditional orchard-style setups, Tom explains how strategically placing a small number of trees in cover can create better daylight movement and more huntable scenarios. The guys also cover species selection, growth expectations, protection from wildlife damage, and how to think about trees not just as a food source, but as a precision tool for attraction. If you’ve ever been frustrated with planting trees or questioned whether they’re worth the effort, this episode offers a fresh perspective that might change how you approach habitat improvement.

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99 Problems But My Bow Ain't One

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Dan Sauble of Mason Dixon Adventures for a wide-ranging conversation about bowhunting, physical preparation, and the mental side of becoming a better hunter. Dan shares how transitioning from a physically demanding career into office work pushed him to focus more intentionally on fitness, mobility, and preparing his body for hunting seasons ahead. From sandbag workouts and archery-specific training to simple habits like walking and prioritizing recovery, the conversation highlights how small, consistent efforts can improve both overall health and performance in the woods.

The discussion then shifts into the deeper side of bowhunting — ethics, shot selection, target panic, and the constant challenge of managing the mental game when an animal is in front of you. Mitchell and Dan explore how experience, repetition, and self-awareness shape a bowhunter over time, while also sharing memorable stories from the field that prove the best trophies aren’t always measured in inches. From shooting an armadillo with a bow to mentoring new hunters and filling freezers, this episode reflects on the lessons, mistakes, and friendships that make bowhunting such a meaningful pursuit.

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Simplifying Deer Hunting: Efficiency Over Complexity

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with Pennsylvania hunter Tom Runscavage for a thoughtful conversation about hunting, family life, and the challenge of staying passionate about the outdoors when time becomes limited. With young kids at home and another on the way, Tom shares how his perspective on deer hunting has evolved over the years—from chasing every opportunity in the woods to learning how to prioritize family, responsibilities, and the few hunting opportunities he still gets each season. The discussion dives into the reality many hunters face as life changes: balancing ambition in the woods with the responsibilities that come with growing families and busy careers.

The conversation also explores the modern hunting landscape, from the overwhelming amount of gear and media content available today to the importance of keeping things simple. Tom and Mitchell discuss how many hunters get caught chasing complex strategies while overlooking the fundamentals that truly matter—habitat, access, and basic deer sign. From the pressures of limited time to the importance of hunting efficiently and keeping expectations realistic, this episode offers a refreshing reminder that success in the woods often comes down to doing the basics well and remembering why we hunt in the first place.

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Camp Logbooks to Legacy: Building Community in the Outdoors

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with Ron Mentzer of the Tracks and Tackle podcast and Mentzer Outdoors for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, hunting tradition, and the power of belonging. Ron shares how a decades-long family camp logbook eventually evolved into a podcast built around campfire conversations and connecting everyday outdoorsmen across Pennsylvania and beyond. Together, they unpack why hunters crave camaraderie, how intentional mentorship keeps traditions alive, and why creating space at the table matters more than ever in today’s hunting culture.

The conversation then shifts into bowhunting mindset, balance, and the tension many passionate hunters feel between ambition and family responsibility. From rut vacation stories and close-call recoveries to honest reflection about when hunting can cross into unhealthy territory, this episode dives into the deeper “why” behind the pursuit. It’s not just about antlers or filled tags — it’s about meaning, memory, legacy, and learning to “hunt your hunt” while keeping life in balance. A thoughtful, reflective discussion that will resonate with anyone who struggles to turn hunting brain off — even in the off-season.

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Integrated Habitat: Managing Trees and Growing Legacy

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Dave Hoy — physical therapist, lifelong Pennsylvania hunter, and founder of Integrated Habitat Solutions — for a thoughtful conversation centered on habitat work, long-term thinking, and balancing passion with real life. Dave shares how cutting trees, reshaping food plots, and implementing timber harvest strategies have transformed both his hunting properties and his mindset. From edge feathering and crop tree release to hard mast plantings and nursery-grown chestnuts, the discussion dives deep into practical habitat manipulation while emphasizing patience, process, and learning through experience

Beyond chainsaws and soil health, the conversation takes a deeper turn into career, family, and perspective. Dave reflects on nearly three decades as a physical therapist, the evolving seasons of fatherhood, and why he’s building a passion-driven habitat business without the pressure of making it his sole income. Together, he and Mitchell unpack the realities of the hunting industry, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and why long-term stewardship — not short-term results — defines true success. This episode is as much about legacy and growth as it is about food plots and timber harvests

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No Matter the Hunt, KEEP IT FUN!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Kris Buchman of 3B Outdoors Club for a laid-back, honest conversation about hunting, fatherhood, and keeping the outdoors fun. Kris shares his upbringing in Maryland, how he got started deer hunting, and what eventually pulled him headfirst into waterfowl hunting. The two talk through the differences between private and public land, the challenges that come with pressure and competition, and the lessons learned from both success and hard mistakes in the field. From blown muzzleloader shots to canvasbacks on public water, Kris brings perspective shaped by experience — and humility.
The heart of the conversation centers on priorities. As a husband and father of five, Kris explains how his approach to hunting has evolved from chasing trophies to creating memories with his kids. Whether it’s sunrise duck hunts, gas station snack traditions, or simply enjoying time in the blind, the focus has shifted from grinding for results to embracing the process. Together, Mitchell and Kris unpack how community, mentorship, and intentional time outdoors can shape the next generation — and why sometimes the biggest win isn’t what you harvest, but who you’re with when you do it.

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From Interested to Involved: Helping New Hunters Stay in the Game

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with Jae Ellison for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, education, and the often-overlooked gap between taking hunter education and becoming a lifelong hunter. Jae shares his unconventional path into the outdoors—starting as a non-hunter, building a career in outdoor education, and eventually finding his way into hunting as an adult after moving to Pennsylvania. Together, they explore how failure, challenge, and intentional learning shape both outdoor leadership and the hunting journey, and why hunting offered Jae a meaningful connection to the outdoors that felt different from work for the first time in years.

The discussion then turns toward mentorship, community, and hunter retention—why so many people complete hunter education but never buy a license, and what the hunting industry can do to better support new hunters beyond basic safety training. Jae and Mitchell unpack the role of fellowship, shared experiences, and belonging in keeping hunters engaged, while also addressing the limits of modern media, the loss of in-person connection, and the importance of accessible next-step education. From hunter mentorship platforms to Jae’s upcoming Evolving Hunter Podcast, this episode is a thoughtful look at how hunting traditions grow, adapt, and survive when experienced hunters are willing to help others find their place in the woods.

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Cabin Fever Camp Talk: Dad Life and Deer Drives

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch welcomes friend and returning guest Andrew Muntz back out of “podcast retirement” for a wide-ranging, fireside-style conversation that feels right at home in the slow, snowy days of winter. The two kick things off with dad-life moments, youth wrestling wins, and the realization that our kids are always watching—often becoming the very motivation we didn’t know we were missing. From rekindling personal drive to reassessing priorities, the conversation sets the tone for an honest discussion about growth, balance, and learning to push forward for reasons bigger than ourselves.

From there, the episode settles into classic deer-camp storytelling. Andrew shares his season across Ohio and Pennsylvania, including shifting expectations, letting go of pressure, and finding fulfillment in simply enjoying time in the woods. The guys dive into rifle-season drives, first Pennsylvania buck memories, suppressed rifles, missing scope parts, bear encounters in fresh snow, and the camaraderie that makes camp special. More than tactics or inches of antler, this episode is a reminder that hunting is about people, shared experiences, and appreciating the moments that happen between the shots—especially when the season slows down.

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A Bear Camp Story: Looking the Wrong Way… Until It Mattered Most

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As winter settles in and hunting season fades into memory, Mitchell slows things down with a shorter, story-driven episode centered on reflection rather than tactics. After returning from a Kansas waterfowl trip and battling a heavy snowstorm back home, he leans into the quieter rhythm of late January—when the woods are still, the tags are filled or empty, and stories begin to matter more than strategy. This episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman ventures off into a slightly different format: simpler conversations, cabin-table storytelling, and memories worth retelling.

Mitchell then takes listeners back nearly 20 years to November 19, 2007—the day he harvested his first Pennsylvania black bear at just 13 years old. Through vivid detail, he recounts deep snow, long bear drives, camp camaraderie, youthful mistakes, and the moment a bear appeared silently behind him at fifteen yards. The story weaves together family, tradition, humility, and luck—culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime day where both a grandson and a grandfather filled their first bear tags. It’s a reminder of why we hunt, why stories endure, and how certain moments in the woods stay with us forever.

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Slowing Down Before Reacting: A Response to Rifle Season's Opening Day Proposal

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this solo episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch takes listeners through his initial reaction to a proposed change to Pennsylvania’s statewide firearm deer season—specifically, a proposal that would move opening day to the Saturday before Thanksgiving. What begins as a discussion about season structure quickly turns inward, as Mitchell openly shares how frustration, impatience, and strong opinions began to spill into other areas of his life. Through an unexpected moment of conviction while reading Proverbs 18, he reflects on the dangers of reacting before listening, speaking before understanding, and allowing passion to override wisdom.

With a more measured and humble perspective, Mitchell then revisits the proposal itself, laying out thoughtful concerns around Thanksgiving traditions, deer camp culture, bear season impacts, rut timing, weather arguments, and student opportunity claims. Rather than ranting or assigning blame, he encourages respectful dialogue, personal responsibility, and constructive engagement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This episode is both a timely discussion on a hot-button hunting issue and a candid reminder that how we respond—to change, disagreement, and frustration—often matters more than the issue itself.

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The Birth of a Bow: Crafted by Hand, Tested in the Woods

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with Brandon Miller of Everyday Outdoorsman for a deeply honest conversation about hunting, craftsmanship, fatherhood, and faith. Brandon shares the multi-year journey of building his own traditional longbow by hand—and the challenges that followed when he took it into the woods. From missed shots and wounded deer to the emotional weight of failure, the conversation explores what it truly means to pursue a self-imposed challenge where success isn’t guaranteed and growth often comes through struggle. Along the way, Brandon reflects on traditional archery, learning curves, equipment limitations, and how hunting with a stickbow forced him to become more disciplined, intentional, and aware in every setup.

As the episode unfolds, the focus shifts beyond hunting mechanics to something deeper: humility, purpose, and faith. Brandon opens up about dedicating his season—and the unfinished documentary surrounding his bow—to Jesus Christ, wrestling with selfish ambition, content creation pressure, and learning to value the process over the prize. Mitchell and Brandon discuss how valleys often precede growth, why instant gratification can rob joy from the woods, and how slowing down allows both hunters and fathers to stay grounded in what truly matters. This episode is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful journeys in hunting—and in life—are rarely defined by highlight reels, but by perseverance, reflection, and trust in the process.

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Running Your Own Race: Late Season Lessons from the Woods

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 7 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this New Year episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined once again by Jason Goe from Final Stand for a wide-ranging conversation that blends late-season deer hunting tactics with honest reflection on priorities, pressure, and purpose. The discussion moves through practical topics like late-season scouting, mobile setups comparing climbers and saddles, managing hunting pressure, and how Jason balances hunting across Pennsylvania and Maryland. Along the way, they unpack how gear choices, access, food sources, and pressure shape late-season success—and why adapting your approach matters as seasons, landscapes, and life circumstances change.

As the conversation deepens, the focus shifts beyond tactics to mindset. Mitchell and Jason openly wrestle with comparison, social media pressure, goal-setting, and the challenge of staying present in the woods—especially as fathers introducing their kids to hunting. From sharing campfires and deer drives to slowing down hunts so young hunters can enjoy them, the episode highlights the importance of fellowship, mentorship, and keeping hunting fun. It’s an honest reminder that success isn’t always measured in filled tags, but in shared moments, growth, and learning to “run your own race” in the woods and in life.

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Why Rifle Season Hits Different: Perspective, Reflection, and Passing It On

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this end-of-year episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined once again by Grant Forney from the Everyday Outdoorsman to reflect on the 2025 hunting season and how their perspectives have evolved. Together, they dig into the shifting balance between archery and rifle hunting, why rifle season has become increasingly meaningful, and how predictability, shared camp time, and cold-weather patterns have reshaped the way they enjoy deer season. The discussion moves beyond antlers and success, touching on pressure, expectations, public land realities, and how chasing “bigger” goals can sometimes cloud the deeper reasons we hunt in the first place.

The episode takes a powerful turn as Grant shares the story of introducing his girlfriend to hunting for the first time—watching curiosity grow into confidence, responsibility, and ultimately a successful rifle harvest. From mentoring without pressure to respecting the weight of taking an animal’s life, the conversation highlights what it truly means to pass on hunting traditions thoughtfully. As the year closes, Mitchell and Grant reflect on priorities, family, mentorship, and the importance of adapting seasons and expectations to the stage of life you’re in. It’s an honest, relatable discussion about growth, balance, and why hunting is about far more than tags filled or trophies earned.

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Cultural Identity in the Outdoors: A Conversation with Courtney Williamson

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Courtney Williamson from We Do This Too Outdoors. Courtney shares his journey hunting and fishing from a small town in Kentucky to becoming a prominent voice in the outdoor community. He discusses the challenges of cultural identity, the influence of his father, and the importance of embracing one's passions. Courtney highlights his mission to inspire inner-city youth through outdoor experiences and reflects on the joy of hunting, particularly waterfowl and deer. The conversation also touches on the deeper meaning of Christmas and the values he aims to instill in his children.

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Reflections from the Bottom of the 9th: The Last Day of Rifle Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this solo episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitchell shares the story of a late-season rifle hunt that tested his patience, priorities, and perspective. After a season filled with high expectations, mounting pressure, family responsibilities, mechanical mishaps, and self-inflicted stress, Mitchell heads into the final weekend determined to fill his buck tag. What unfolds is a hard-earned big woods hunt alongside close friends and family—marked by bitter cold, long walks, doubt, and ultimately a brief, narrow shooting window that ends with a buck on the ground. It’s a moment of relief, gratitude, and disbelief that reminds him why he hunts and why the process matters as much as the outcome.
Beyond the harvest, this episode dives deeper into what it truly means to seek—both in the woods and in life. Mitchell reflects on the tension between being driven and being present, between pursuing goals with intention versus drifting through them nonchalantly. He opens up about faith, stewardship, family, and the importance of slowing down to realign priorities, recognizing that many of life’s blessings are not earned, but given. This is a raw, honest conversation about growth, gratitude, and learning to pursue what matters most with purpose—long after the tag is filled and the season winds down.

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The Sacrifices Behind Pursuing Your Dreams

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Collin Chamberlin shares his journey from pursuing a career in environmental science to becoming a stand-up comedian and reconnecting with his love for the outdoors. He discusses the sacrifices made along the way, the importance of storytelling in both comedy and outdoor experiences, and how to create relatable content that resonates with a wider audience. Collin emphasizes that success in the outdoors is not solely about harvesting but about the joy and experiences gained along the way. He also highlights the significance of just showing up and being present in the moment, regardless of the challenges faced.

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The Buck We'll Never Forget: a Father, a Son, and a Moment in Time

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 3 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Jake Fiola—an everyday Pennsylvania hunter, father, and endlessly reflective outdoorsman. Jake shares the story of an early-season hunt that became far more meaningful than the arrow, the antlers, or even the rare size of the buck he harvested. Hunting with his young son for the first time from an elevated stand, Jake found himself navigating a swirl of emotions: excitement, nerves, nostalgia, and the sobering responsibility of ensuring his child’s safety. What unfolded was a moment that would change how he sees hunting, fatherhood, and the legacy we pass to the next generation.

Together, Mitch and Jake dive into themes every parent-hunter wrestles with—slowing down, letting go of control, teaching through experience, and rediscovering why we hunt in the first place. Jake’s story isn’t about a giant buck; it’s about gratitude, perspective, and the miracle of watching a child experience the woods the way we once did. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder that the true trophies in the outdoors are the memories made, the values shared, and the lives shaped while sitting side-by-side in a tree.

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Success at Bear Camp, Pumped for Deer Camp!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is riding solo sharing his hunt over the weekend. The trip to bear camp resulted in three bears harvested in the big woods of north central Pennsylvania, one of which Mitch was fortunate enough to tag himself! This recap episode covers the organization of the group, planning ahead and good communication, what sign was found while hunting that led to this successful hunt, and how Mitch's bear almost got away. Camp tradition is special, and bear camp is just the beginning. Less than one week away is deer camp and we get to relive the tradition all over again. Thanks for listening and good luck this season!

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Chasing Shadows: Black Bear Hunting Tradition and Tactics in the Big Woods

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Clint Stout, a lifelong Pennsylvania hunter who grew up immersed in the tradition of bear camp. Clint shares a deep well of experience—from understanding food cycles like chestnut oak, grapes, and hickories, to interpreting how bears shift patterns with weather, pressure, and seasonal changes. He and Mitch explore why bear hunting requires a different mindset than deer hunting, and how woodsmanship, patience, and miles of boot leather make all the difference in deciphering this elusive animal. Their conversation dives into terrain reading, the randomness of bear movement, and the surprising intelligence of mature boars that seem to melt into the landscape.

The episode also turns toward the culture of Pennsylvania bear hunting—its camaraderie, its generational stories, and how modern hunting dynamics have shifted the feel of camp. Clint and Mitch reflect on how pressures such as expanded seasons, societal pace, and changing traditions have altered the rhythm of bear camp, and why preserving that atmosphere matters. Whether you're a lifelong bear hunter or someone curious about what makes this season so special, this episode captures the rugged spirit, challenges, and heartfelt heritage of Pennsylvania’s bear woods.

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Beyond The Trophy: A Late Bloomer’s Passion For The Outdoors

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Tim Schlappich, a Pennsylvania native and member of the Final Stand crew who found his passion for hunting later in life. Tim shares his journey from being an avid angler and traveler in the military to diving headfirst into the world of whitetails, first in Nebraska’s river bottoms and now across the big woods and marshes of the East Coast. Through trial, patience, and curiosity, he’s learned to balance the challenges of new terrain, the lure of technology, and the importance of keeping the adventure alive.

Throughout their conversation, Mitch and Tim reflect on the tension between trophy hunting and personal fulfillment—how the fun, the people, and the places matter more than antlers on the wall. From Sika deer on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to DIY filming and mentoring new hunters, Tim’s story captures the spirit of curiosity and humility that makes hunting special. It’s an episode about growth, grit, and remembering why we step into the woods in the first place.

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From Forced Friendships to Field Days: Hunting, Humor, and Humility

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 5 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nick Otto of the Huntavore Podcast with a special guest appearance from “Tommy Tines.” What starts as a lighthearted chat about friendship and family chaos quickly unfolds into a conversation about priorities, patience, and the pursuit of balance between hunting, home life, and faith. Nick recounts his season in Michigan, complete with the tale of a hard-earned eight-point buck, some comical interruptions, and a few honest reflections about how our love for hunting can both test and teach us.

Together, Mitch and Nick dig into the deeper side of deer season—how faith keeps us grounded, how friends keep us humble, and how even in the middle of chaos, a little laughter can go a long way. From managing family calendars to processing venison with the kids, this episode blends humor, heart, and a healthy dose of perspective. Whether you’re a serious trophy hunter or just love filling the freezer, this conversation reminds us what really matters when the woods go quiet.

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Refining Your Rut Hunt: Balancing Property Options

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Pierce Nelles of the Wisconsin Sportsman to explore the world of rut hunting. While focusing on deer hunting strategies, they begin with the importance of being a well-rounded outdoorsman and the impact it has on you as a deer hunter. From here we break down Pierce's plans and strategies for breaking down 3 different hunting property options for sweet November. In addition to these properties and rut talk, the guys discuss the evolving culture of hunting in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. They discuss personal experiences, the significance of scouting, understanding wind and thermals, and the impact of trophy hunting on traditional deer camp camaraderie. The conversation also touches on the future of hunting and conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for responsible management of deer populations and the hunting culture.

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Humbled: A New Jersey Bear Hunt Reality Check

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch reflects on his recent bear hunting trip in New Jersey, sharing both the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned. He discusses the preparation leading up to the hunt, the unexpected difficulties encountered during the trip, and the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in the face of adversity. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the value of being in nature, the significance of community, and the spiritual aspects of hunting.

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October Adventures: Comparing Kansas and Pennsylvania Perspective

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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Secrets of the Mountain: A Deep Dive with Steve Sherk

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 8 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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Understanding Forestry Cuts and How They Relate to Your Hunting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 1 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Steve Chilcote to discuss the complexities of timber management. They begin by discussing the roles of foresters and loggers, the importance of proper timber harvesting techniques, and the long-term implications of forestry decisions on wildlife habitats. They explore various types of timber cuts, the dynamics of timber markets, and the necessity of setting clear goals for land management. The discussion emphasizes the value of consulting with forestry professionals to ensure sustainable practices and maximize both timber value and wildlife benefits. Additionally, they highlight how these forestry decisions directly impact deer habitats, influencing hunting opportunities and strategies for managing deer populations effectively.

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Experience Is The Ultimate Teacher For A Bowhunter

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Jere Preston to delve into the intricate dynamics of hunting as both an individual and team sport. They explore the impact of social media on hunting culture, the importance of teamwork, and the characteristics that make a good hunting partner. Jere shares his personal experiences from the hunting season, including the thrill of his early season buck and the challenges faced during tracking and recovery.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as they discuss the trials of bowhunting, emphasizing the importance of learning from one's own experiences to make the best decisions in the field. Mitch and Jere reflect on the emotional journey of hunting, the lessons learned from past experiences, and the excitement of upcoming hunting plans. This episode is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required in bowhunting, offering listeners valuable insights into making informed decisions through personal growth and reflection.

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In Camp Discussion with Aaron Hepler: Season Kickoff

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Joining Mitch on this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is his good friend Aaron Hepler, as they dive into the fast-approaching 2025 deer season. Life's been a bit hectic lately, and that chaos is spilling over into hunting season prep—but that's all part of the journey. The episode kicks off with a chat about Aaron’s new podcast, the InCamp Podcast, before shifting to a recent episode that ties directly into an upcoming adventure: New Jersey’s Segment A bear season. Mitch and Aaron share their excitement, plans, and expectations for the trip.

From there, the focus turns to deer season. Drawing on experiences from past seasons, the guys break down key windows of opportunity and how those lessons might shape their strategies this year. Along the way, they trade stories, reflect on goals, and discuss how to stay grounded and focused amid the busyness of everyday life. This episode is the perfect listen to sharpen your mindset and get fired up for the best time of year—hunting season.

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Early Season: Focus on the Basics and Don't Overcomplicate it!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by seasoned hunter Alex Krzywulak to explore the intricacies of early season hunting. They delve into the challenges and strategies that come with navigating public land, balancing family commitments, and the relentless pursuit of that elusive buck. Alex shares his personal experiences and insights, offering listeners a glimpse into the mindset and preparation required to succeed in the field.

Listeners will gain valuable tips on scouting, understanding deer behavior, and making the most of limited time in the woods. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or new to the sport, this episode provides practical advice and thought-provoking discussions that will inspire you to approach your next hunting season with renewed enthusiasm and strategic insight. Tune in to discover how to master the art of early season hunting and overcome the challenges that come your way.

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Life in the Bow Shop: Are You Ready for Archery Season?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 3 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Little Mountain Outfitter's owner Devon Zimmerman and shop technician Terry Bergey. These boys are hard at it this time of year setting up, tuning, and getting everyone ready for the upcoming season. Hopefully you didn't delay your preparations too long! In this episode we will cover a variety of topics relating to daily life. It can be easy to think that working around bows and the hunting industry would lead to the perfect hunting lifestyle. These two shed light on the fact that while someone is hunting, the other guy needs to man the shop!

Little Mountain Outfitters has been operating over 7 years now. Since then, a lot has changed. Not just the growth of the business but also the hunting dynamic and goals set with each season. We discuss our preparations going into season (or lack thereof), shop dynamics, equipment tendencies and experiences, the evolution of hunting goals through time, and much more. Make sure your equipment is ready to go if you haven't already, and if you need help these guys got you covered!

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Strategy Adjustments with Traditional Archery Equipment

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Matt Beisswanger for a traditional bowhunting conversation. Matt is a team member of Inside Twenty whose focus is sharing traditional bowhunting and their faith in Christ. Matt has been toting the stickbow since 2006 on and off and has wrapped a tag around numerous critters including some magnificent whitetail bucks. He's learned a lot when it comes to transitioning from hunting with a compound.

The closer you need to get to your quarry, the more you need to learn about them in order to be successful. For those who have hunted with a crossbow or a compound, you'd think switching to a traditional bow would be as simple as changing equipment and hunting the same as with your modern bow. That has not been Matt's experience. In fact, Matt shares with us how he manipulates stand locations to cater to closer shot opportunities. He discusses stand height, cover needed within a set up, and different mindsets while scouting a location. There is some creativity in this episode you may or may not have heard before, and it all revolves around getting Inside Twenty yards.

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Failed Food Plots from Drought: Implementing Plan B

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Fall food plots greatly influence hunting success and wildlife attraction. Planting in August and September on the east coast can be sketchy, especially when late summer droughts can persist. This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is riding solo discussing a plan of action if disaster strikes in your fall food plots. Mitch shares personal experiences salvaging food plots that did not establish from drought stress in the past.

Farming is always a gamble with the weather. After initially planting food plots, Mitch discusses when to scout your plots and how to help evaluate if alternative action is needed. He discusses what plant species work to salvage a food plot, when they can be planted, and how they can be planted. While the process of replanting may be repetitive, there are a few things to consider between species selection, weed management, and soil crusting which may occur from drought stress. All in all, doing something is better than nothing!

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Bear Hunting Wisdom: Scouting and Navigation for a Successful Fall

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Rob Henne for a captivating journey through the Pennsylvania wilderness as they uncover the secrets of bear hunting. In this episode, they delve into the art of scouting and navigating the rugged terrain, sharing insights and experiences that span decades. From understanding the importance of food sources to identifying the perfect pinch points, their conversation offers a wealth of knowledge for both seasoned hunters and newcomers alike.

As Mitch and Rob explore the intricacies of group hunting and the dynamics of solo adventures, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the skills and strategies that make a successful hunt. Whether you're interested in the camaraderie of group drives or the solitude of a lone pursuit, this episode provides valuable tips and stories that highlight the challenges and rewards of bear hunting in Pennsylvania. Tune in to discover how to enhance your hunting experience and connect with the rich traditions of the great outdoors.

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Balancing Life and Land: Squeezing Time for Food Plots

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 6 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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Chasing Down a Food Plot Dream

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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Presidential Clients, July Ruts, and Gators in a Turkey Setup

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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Make Foodplots Simple Again!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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Pennsylvania Native and Dallas Safari Club CEO: Rob McCanna

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

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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From Hunt to Rescue: A Life Changing Fall from a Treestand

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 2 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Dakota Gray who shares his journey of being a passionate hunter and his treestand accident that led him to become a paraplegic. He reflects on his early experiences in hunting, the life-changing fall from a deer stand, and the miracles that surrounded his recovery. Dakota discusses the importance of faith, family support, and mental health in overcoming challenges. He also shares how he adapted his hunting practices post-accident and the lessons learned along the way, emphasizing the significance of a positive mindset and the role of God in his life. This episode is your pre-season reminder to WEAR YOUR SAFETY HARNESS!!

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Establishing a New Tradition: Pennsylvania Bear Camp

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by some family for a bear hunting conversation. The family guests are his younger cousins Jacob, Josh, and Isaac Mengel, who've recently begun a journey of starting their own bear hunt tradition at their cabin in northern PA. Previously their camp did not have a consistent tradition of hosting a bear hunt, and the times it did turned into solo endeavors. For the last four hunting seasons, they have started their mission to learn how to bear hunt their historic hunting grounds, and how to do it with a group. The guys share their experiences of how they got started, the obstacles along the way, the mess ups, and the successes, including Isaac's first bear harvested from a drive with only five people! This conversation sheds light on perspective from new bear hunters and how they overcame the intimidation factor of hunting a new species in a tough environment.

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A Once in 17 Years Fishing Opportunity: Cicada Fishing

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by friends Clayton Good and John Kolb of Suffering Outdoors YouTube channel to discuss a unique outdoor experience. Clayton and John are both avid fly fisherman and are trying their best to capitalize a narrow window of casting an uncommon dry fly: a cicada. As this week's episode is rolling, cicadas are buzzing throughout the keystone state creating a feeding frenzy and fishing experience like no other. The two discuss the past week of fishing experiences, what they have learned so far, and what they look forward to. Along the way they share advice, knowledge, and insight from both the fishing side as well as biology side. There is still time for you to enjoy this experience too, so get out fishing NOW!

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PA Public Land Triple Trophy within 600 Yards

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by friend Clayton Good to discuss Clayton's remarkable hunting season, where he achieved the coveted triple trophy. They delve into the challenges faced during the season, the importance of scouting and understanding food sources, and the emotional highs and lows of hunting. The discussion also covers strategies for success in bear hunting and the significance of collaboration among hunters. The guys delve into their recent hunting experiences, sharing insights on strategies, the thrill of the hunt, and the importance of patience and scouting. They discuss the dynamics of group hunting, the significance of food sources in attracting game, and the emotional reflections that come with successful hunts. Clayton's achievement of a triple trophy is highlighted as a testament to perseverance and strategic planning in the face of hunting pressures.

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The Truth Behind Arrow Efficiency and Mechanics

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 4 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Chris Romano, host of the Wing and Tail Outdoors podcast. Chris shares his experiences in archery, including his recent participation in the TAC event. The discussion delves into the importance of mental preparation, the balance between equipment and shooter skills, and the intricacies of arrow mechanics. The archery industry has done an excellent job of marketing to consumers without consumers truly understanding arrow flight. Chris shares his knowledge behind the physics of arrow flight and penetration, emphasizing the significance of understanding kinetic energy and momentum in archery. He also shares insights on building the perfect hunting arrow and the impact of noise on hunting success. Further navigating the top, Chris breaks down more intricacies of archery, focusing on arrow dynamics, the importance of speed, and the evolution of bow technology. They discuss the journey of improvement in archery, emphasizing the significance of long-distance shooting and debunking common myths surrounding arrow design. The conversation also touches on the contradictions in archery science, the personal experiences of an archer, and the need for education in the archery community.

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Food Plot Challenges: Weather and Patience

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 28 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch reflects on the challenges faced during the turkey hunting season and transitions into discussing the complexities of food plot management. He emphasizes the importance of patience, the impact of weather on planting conditions, and the balance between tillage and no-till practices. Additionally, he shares his plans for transforming unused land into a more beneficial wildlife habitat, highlighting the role of herbicides and the significance of establishing switchgrass for wildlife. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on future plans and the excitement for the upcoming fall season.

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Changes Coming to Pennsylvania Elk Hunting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 21 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch and Bryan Hale explore various complexities of elk hunting regulations in Pennsylvania, discussing recent changes aimed at managing crop damage caused by elk and the implications of new tag regulations. The discussion highlights community feedback on these changes and the evolving landscape of hunting in the state. In this conversation, Bryan and Mitchell discuss allocation of bull tags, the impact of non-resident hunting licenses, and upcoming changes in elk management. They explore the implications of new regulations on hunting success rates and the overall experience for hunters, particularly in light of changes to tag allocation and elk zone boundaries. The discussion highlights the balance between providing hunting opportunities and maintaining the quality of the hunting experience.

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Combating the Mentally Draining Parts of Turkey Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 14 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Kevin Creeley of the Mid Atlantic Outdoorsman Podcast. In this conversation the guys delve into the intricacies of turkey hunting, discussing the seasonal variations across different states, the impact of weather and barometric pressure on turkey behavior, and the challenges hunters face due to hunting pressure. They share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of persistence and adaptability in the field. Turkey hunting can be a mentally draining pheet when the 20 pound birds don't want to cooperate the way we think they should. This episode highlights how pushing through it during the season can result in late season success!

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Behind the Tough Hunting Exterior

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 7 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Dan Johnson to explore the multifaceted world of podcasting, hunting, and fatherhood. They discuss the evolution of podcasting, the challenges of information overload, and the deeper meanings behind hunting as an outlet. Dan shares personal stories about how fatherhood has transformed his perspective on life, emphasizing the importance of communication and emotional expression in parenting. They also touch on the launch of Dan's new podcasts, 'Man Therapy' and 'Two D's One Podcast', which aim to provide relatable content for fathers navigating the complexities of family life.

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Applying Turkey Hunting Wisdom Through Expert Advice

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch and Paul Campbell delve into the world of turkey hunting, exploring the resurgence of camouflage styles, the mastery of mouth calls, and the insights gained from legendary turkey hunters. They discuss the importance of patience and understanding turkey behavior, as well as the impact of hunting pressure on turkey populations. The dialogue emphasizes the evolution of hunting techniques and the joy of interacting with the environment while pursuing turkeys. In this conversation, Mitch and Paul discuss various aspects of turkey hunting, emphasizing the importance of patience, understanding turkey behavior, and the effectiveness of different hunting strategies. They explore the nuances of roost hunting versus mid-morning hunts, the significance of calling techniques, and the commitment required to become a successful turkey hunter. The discussion also touches on personal experiences and future hunting plans, highlighting the evolving nature of their hunting practices.

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Hunt Slowly During Spring Gobbler Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is riding solo sharing some turkey hunting experiences. Most turkey hunters would agree that chasing gobbling turkeys and calling aggressive to a red hot gobbler is hard to beat. However, the amount of times throughout a season that happens can be on the low end. In reality, turkeys are creatures of habit that are seeking refuge from predators, feeding, and breeding is mixed in throughout the spring. Patience is a virtue in the spring woods at times!

Mitch shares two different hunting experiences from the past and draws his learning points from them. While there are no concrete rules in hunting strategy and the words "always" or "never" don't come into play, Mitch's "style" of turkey hunting was molded by his own learning experiences. He shares his style in slowing down, listening, planning moves accordingly, calling softly, and being patient to hunt a gobbler later in the morning or even on another day of season. Lastly, he chats about a few other overlooked benefits of hunting slowly, ones you don't want to miss!

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Are Spring Food Plots Necessary?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Al Temechko of Vitalize Seed. The two discuss the busy spring planting season, emphasizing the importance of soil health, plant physiology, and the role of diversity in food plots. They explore the debate between monoculture and diverse blends, highlighting the benefits of balanced planting for attracting deer and ensuring successful yields. The discussion also touches on the significance of soil testing and the misconceptions surrounding summer food plots in deer management. In this conversation, Al and Mitch delve into the intricacies of habitat management and hunting advice, emphasizing the importance of scientific data over anecdotal evidence. They discuss effective weed management strategies for food plots, the significance of soil health, and the role of diverse planting in attracting deer. The conversation wraps up with practical tips for preparing for the planting season, highlighting the value of soil tests and the benefits of using specific seed mixes.

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Oklahoma Hunting Trip with Podcast Network Team

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 9 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is quite a bit different than normal. Mitch had the opportunity to join Nick Otto (Huntavore podcast), Nate Rozeveld (Michigan Wild podcast), Andrew Muntz and John Hudspeth in Oklahoma at the end of March for a three day hog hunting experience. John was gracious enough to invite some of us down for what has turned into an annual event to shoot wild pigs at his ranch. This was a unique experience and one for the memories!

During this hunt recap episode, the guys sit down after an action packed weekend with lots of sleep deprivation. We discuss our travels, the hunting, equipment malfunctions, meat handling and more. The best part of the entire trip is finally being able to put a face to a name with fellow podcasters and online friends. One thing that will always stay true - friends are best made at hunting camp. What a privilege this trip was, and we hope you enjoy the stories!

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Understanding Pot Calls w/ High Calling Custom Turkey Calls

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 2 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nathan Taylor of Higher Calling Custom Turkey Calls. Nathan shares his journey from a young turkey hunter in West Virginia to a passionate call maker. He discusses the evolution of his skills, the art of building turkey calls, and the relationship between competition calling and real-life hunting. Nathan emphasizes the importance of understanding turkey sounds and the biases that hunters may have, while also highlighting the need for versatility in calls to adapt to different hunting situations. In this conversation, Mitch and Nathan discuss various aspects of turkey hunting, focusing on the role of ego, the impact of the environment on sound, and the influence of social media on hunting culture. They delve into the techniques and preferences for using pot calls, as well as the importance of call conditioning and maintenance. The discussion highlights the personal growth that comes with hunting experiences and the need for camaraderie among hunters.

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Episode 200 Q&A

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this special 200th episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, host Mitchell Shirk reflects on his journey through podcasting, sharing insights from the past episodes, the challenges faced, and the relationships built along the way. He discusses the unexpected beginnings of the podcast, the joy of connecting with guests, and the lessons learned about hunting and personal growth. The episode also covers future hunting aspirations, the complexities of hunting on public versus private land, and the value of consulting for land management. Mitch emphasizes the importance of understanding pressure and habitat in successful hunting strategies, while also addressing the ongoing debate about the start of the Pennsylvania rifle season. In this episode, Mitch discusses the pros and cons of the Saturday hunting opener, reflecting on how it impacts family time and hunting traditions. He also delves into the debate surrounding Sunday hunting, considering both personal beliefs and the broader implications for the hunting community. Additionally, he shares insights from his podcasting journey, emphasizing personal growth and the importance of community in hunting. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the deeper meanings of hunting and the role of faith in his life and work.

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Navigating Forestry Management and NRCS Funding

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Steve Chilcote to discuss various aspects of forest management, funding opportunities for landowners, and the challenges faced in property renovation. They delve into the importance of forest management plans, the role of NRCS and EQIP in providing funding, and the significance of addressing invasive species. The discussion also highlights the need for reinvestment in land management and the potential for creating food plots and orchards. The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of native plants and the ongoing challenges of deer pressure in agricultural settings. In this conversation, Mitch and Steve discuss the challenges faced by modern agriculture, particularly in relation to deer management and soil health. They explore the impact of invasive species, the importance of sustainable farming practices, and the role of fire in forest management. The discussion emphasizes the need for incremental changes in farming to maintain profitability while also considering wildlife and environmental conservation. Steve shares insights on managing natural resources beyond just food plots, highlighting the importance of understanding the ecosystem and making informed decisions for long-term sustainability.

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Drones. Meat Processing, and Adventure with Old Friends

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch catches up with Kurt Kissinger. Kurt is a friend from the past that Mitch has recently connected with through their careers in agriculture. Between farming and hunting, there are always lots of things to catch up on. Kurt is a licensed drone operator and has his own company Pinnacle Agridrone. Kurt specializes in applying nutrients and pesticides to agricultural crops but also aids in forestry practices as well. The two discuss how drones flow into the workflow of managing forests in Pennsylvania, then delve off into other topics.

The conversation turns towards a question, "what are you hunting for?" Both agree adventure is part of it. This turns towards trips out west and goal setting for the future. It also directs towards processing wild game for our families and how it can be an almost spiritual connection with family and friends. Processing game with loved ones is a comradery event, which is somewhat lost in hunting culture today. This episode is like a shotgun pattern - it's all over the place! But it brings up some interesting philosophies... enjoy!

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Understanding Diaphragm Mouth Calls

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 5 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we are talking turkey. Jason Miller of JMiller Custom Calls is back to discuss some details about mouth calls. The types of cuts used, pressure and stretch of reeds, and material used all influence the sounds and volume of each call. Jason discusses in more depth how you may want to influence your decisions in call choice based on these components. Jason makes quality calls and has over 30 years experience turkey hunting. Make sure you check out JMiller Custom Calls on Facebook and Instagram, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

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Adjusting Strategy to a Tiny Deer Hunting Property

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is hashing out a plan in his mind to improve one of his small hunting properties. As usual, it starts with a vision and leads to lots of work. After finding some success in the past on a 2 acre archery hunting property, new ideas have come into mind to make it better. While hunting the property over the years, the deer have taught Mitch how to better manipulate his hunting strategy. This involves changing a food plot shape and size, moving a stand location, modifying deer trails, and improving the cover and bedding. These changes may not create large improvements, but we'll take anything possible in the hunter's favor. And as always, these changes are catered to hopefully hunting the property smarter. That means concentrating on specific times of year with good winds and fool-proof access! Hopefully you can relate to some of these changes for your hunting season.

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Technology's Impact on Modern Hunting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nate Rozeveld from the Michigan Wild podcast to discuss their experiences in the hunting community, the evolution of hunting popularity, and the impact of technology on hunting practices. They explore the joys of small game hunting, the ethics surrounding the use of technology, and personal moral dilemmas faced by hunters. The discussion highlights the importance of networking within the podcasting community and the shared passion for the outdoors. In this conversation, Nate and Mitch explore the importance of being challenged in life and hunting, the reevaluation of personal goals, and the balance between family and outdoor pursuits. They discuss how experiences shape memories and the significance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on outcomes. The conversation also touches on combating cabin fever during the off-season and the mental aspects of hunting and personal growth.

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Tips & Tricks for Switchgrass and Annual Screen Establishment

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is back in his element consulting on crops. This week's crop is a hot topic in the wildlife habitat and management world - switchgrass. Switchgrass use has grown in popularity for habitat improvement as well as food plot screening. While it's extremely effective when established, it's slightly more difficult to get started when compared to your fast growing annual food plots. Mitch breaks down a few details and experiences he has had that hopefully you can implement into your switchgrass planting.

In addition to switchgrass, the use of annual screening such as egyptian wheat has increased. While it's simpler to establish than switchgrass, there are a few things to consider when planting to ensure maximum potential. In both crops, Mitch breaks down weed management, seed bed preparation, and timing of planting. You'll hear information about herbicides that can be effective while aiding in your establishment, as well as the timing when they should be applied. Start planning your successful plantings now - shooting from the hip this spring may result in frustration!

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Understanding Coyote Behavior for Better Hunting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 5 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Rich Yoder who shares his extensive experience in hunting, particularly focusing on predator hunting. He discusses the transition from traditional hunting to predator hunting, the impact of coyotes on deer populations, and the ethical considerations surrounding predator hunting. Rich emphasizes the importance of understanding animal behavior and the need for responsible hunting practices. The conversation also touches on the growing popularity of predator hunting and the implications it has for wildlife management. In this conversation, Mitch and Rich delve into the intricacies of coyote and fox hunting, exploring the behavioral differences between the two animals, the importance of hunting tactics, and the significance of proximity in successful hunts. Rich shares personal anecdotes from his hunting experiences, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced in the field. The discussion emphasizes the need for serious preparation and understanding of wildlife behavior to enhance hunting success.

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Kansas Waterfowl Hunt with Wing Chaser Outdoors

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch recounts his out-of-state hunting trip he took last week to Kansas. This was like nothing he's ever experienced before, as he was invited as a guest to join a group of guys from North and South Carolina to participate in an outfitted 3-day wing hunt. The group was hosted by Wing Chaser Outdoors guiding service who absolutely knocked the hunting experience out of the park. During the 3 days of hunting, the group killed around 100 geese and a dozen mallard ducks. Shoulders and cheeks are sore from all the shooting, but the excitement remains as he is still reminiscing about the trip. The big takeaways were, 1) Wing Chaser Outdoors was an excellent guide service, 2) the comradery at the lodge was excellent and 3) it would be nice if the Keystone state had waterfowl hunting similar to this! Thanks for tuning in!

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Reliving a Late Season PA Bull Elk Hunt

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode Mitch is joined by friends and family Jacob Mengel and Neal Kerschner. Neal was fortunate to draw the tag of a lifetime: a Pennsylvania bull elk tag. Neal was joined by his dad and Jacob, and the crew was able to experience what most only dream about. Neal punched his tag on a beautiful 6x6 on the second day of the season on public land. He was proud to have the hunt play out in a manner closely to what he envisioned: a hunt worth working for. An added bonus is that Neal's bull may be the northernmost bull elk harvested in PA's history since the hunt began. We discuss the emotional rollercoaster of drawing the tag, choosing an outfitter, then hurrying up to wait for the December 28th opener. Sit back and enjoy!

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From Passion to Business: New Era Habitat Services

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Hunter Scott and Tyler Hanna from PA Boys Outdoors and H3 Game Calls. They discuss their hunting seasons and the growth of their brands, as a new brand has been developed in the world of food plot and habitat consulting. The conversation delves into food plot management, strategic land management, and setting realistic expectations for hunting properties. They emphasize the significance of access routes, wind direction, and habitat improvement for successful deer management. In this conversation, they discuss various strategies for enhancing deer hunting success through effective habitat management and food plot implementation. They share personal experiences and insights on the importance of water holes, equipment investment, and understanding deer density. The conversation also touches on the balance between agricultural practices and wildlife needs, as well as innovative techniques like hinge cutting to improve habitat. They emphasize their commitment to helping others achieve success in their hunting endeavors through their services.

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I Don't JUST Hunt Deer!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 8 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by good friend Aaron Hepler to reminisce on this past year's hunting season. If you've followed along to the show this season, you know that life has gotten busy and Mitch took a while to get into deer hunting mode. Fortunately for him, he was not alone, as Aaron didn't jump on the deer hunting bandwagon too quickly either this season. For the last 15+ years, both of these guys have been diehard deer hunters, especially when it comes to bowhunting. Turns out, there are other fun things to do too!

Aaron discusses his new journey training a Brittany pup to be a bird dog. A lot more effort went into working with his dog preseason and in season, then running cameras and scouting deer. Aaron seems to think this hunting season was as fun as any he has had in the past. And for the record, he still had an awesome deer season punching both buck and doe tags in PA! We recount his deer hunting experiences and what he looks forward to doing more of in the future. Thanks for listening, and remember to do what you love and not for likes!

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A Hematoma, Lost Phone, and a 2.5 Mile Track

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 1 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, it's story time as Mitch recounts the events of opening week of rifle season at camp. Each season during rifle season, he along with family and friends join together for some old fashioned deer drives in the big woods of northern PA. The events throughout this week led to exactly what you read in the title, a hematoma on Mitch's leg, how he lost his cell phone during a drive, and the events leading to recovering a 130" mountain buck.

During the course of this three day hunt, Mitch's leg injury worsened from a fall he had opening weekend. But being the blockhead he is, continued to push on hunting! Organizing drives with a group can be somewhat challenging to effectively communicate with a group. However, this social event is a fun change in pace to the solo venture of buck hunting all season. Sometimes things do not always work out as you plan. Drives get messed up, shot opportunities get missed, and sometimes story endings don't follow the Hollywood script. However, the journey over this three day hunt turned out to be one for the memory books!

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Beginner to Proficient Flintlock Shooting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode Mitch is gearing up for Pennsylvania's late season deer hunting with his flintlock muzzleloader. This unique weapon has a 3+week long season for deer each year that creates a fun opportunity to fill a tag. Over the past few years, Mitch has become slightly more serious in his shooting and preparation to fill a tag with the ol' smoke pole. This was not always the case, in fact, plenty of animals have been scared by his inaccurate shooting in the past. This forced a change to buckle down and learn how to become more accurate with quality practice.

Mitch shares his experiences shooting after purchasing a book about black powder rifle accuracy. He shares the process he installed into his routine for load development and practice to help alleviate flinching, and build a handload with the right powder charge and patch thickness. There are a few other tricks he has picked up that have helped his success along the way. If you're an experienced flintlock shooter, this may not be your episode. However, if you're the fella that didn't fill a deer tag and is deciding to dust off the flintlock after a few years of not being engaged, this may help you get ready!

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Celebrating The Hunt For Two Mountain Bucks

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch welcomes DJ Hoshauer back to the podcast to share hunting stories from this season, including DJ's successful season filled with unique experiences across multiple states. The conversation delves into some challenges faced such as unanticipated health concerns, and also recaps some exciting highlights. In this conversation, DJ shares his extensive experiences and insights from years of hunting, focusing on the 4 year journey of pursuing a unique buck he tagged opening day of Pennsylvania rifle season. He discusses the importance of scouting, understanding deer behavior, and adapting strategies based on environmental pressures. The conversation also highlights the emotional aspects of hunting, including the thrill of the chase, the lessons learned from missed opportunities, and the significance of family involvement in the hunting experience. After catching up on DJ's season, the two share the story of their hunt together last week when Mitch filled his 2024 PA buck tag. They cover the planning stages, strategies employed during the hunt, the camaraderie shared between friends, and the reflections on the day's events. The conversation emphasizes the importance of enjoying the experience over simply filling a tag, highlighting the thrill of the chase and the value of teamwork in hunting.

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Off Season Prep Leads to Best Deer Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch is joined by his friend Dana Schreffler, who shares his journey into archery hunting. Dana has deer hunted in the past but has just recently become more serious, and his off season preparation led to quickly filling all his tags this year. As the two podcast while butchering some deer Dana shot on opening weekend, they delve into the journey that began for Dana a few short years ago and what evolved into his hunting plans for 2024. They discuss the importance of scouting, understanding property dynamics, and adapting to changing conditions in the field. In this conversation, the guys share their experiences and insights from a successful hunting season, discussing strategies for hunting deer, the importance of balancing family life with hunting, and reflections on personal growth as a hunter. They emphasize the significance of communication with your spouse, the lessons learned from hunting, and the satisfaction of achieving goals in the field.

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Bear Season Recap and Rocky Start to Deer Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 4 Dec 2024 15:42:14 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is flying solo by the seat of his pants. With the holidays and hunting season, it's hard to get much of anything planned this time of year! On the road home from opening weekend of deer camp, Mitch recaps the past 10 days of hunting season. This includes a successful northwoods bear camp where the gang harvested 3 bears on the first 3 drives of opening day. Mitch delves into the backstory of why he believes this hunt was so successful, as the hunt Captain and good friend Clayton Good did an excellent job of scouting and strategically placing standers.

Next he dives into the opening weekend of deer season at his camp in north central PA. With little scouting preparation going into this weekend, there needed to be a few cards in his favor for things to line up. Spoiler alert - the cards were subpar at best. Mitch discusses why the area he chose to sit on opening day was good, however it missed the spot by about 100 yards. Still hunting with a gun was also on Mitch's mind to level his odds and cover ground, but with snow and rain followed by temps in the teens, the snow became so crunchy it was nearly impossible to still hunt successfully. Moral of the story: there is plenty of season left, keep grinding, and be patient.

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Out of State Hunting: Hit the Ground Running

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Aaron Pasquarette to discuss his successful trip to Ohio this fall. They begin by elaborating on the challenges and joys of balancing hunting with family and work commitments. They delve into Aaron's strategies for scouting, setting up, and connecting with deer in the Buckeye State. The conversation highlights the importance of preparation, adaptability, and understanding deer behavior in the pursuit of a successful hunt. In this conversation, Aaron shares his thrilling experiences and emotions during a recent hunting trip, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of hunting. He discusses the importance of preparation, the balance between family life and hunting, and the fulfillment he finds in the adventure of the hunt. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of communication in family dynamics during hunting seasons and the essence of woodsmanship in achieving success in the field.

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Lessons From Harvesting a 900 Pound Bear

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Brian Melvin. During the Segment A 2024 New Jersey Bear Season, Brian killed a 770 lb field dressed bear. It's estimated live weight is around 900 pounds! He recounts the story of this record-breaking bear hunt, the challenges faced during retrieval, and the unique characteristics of the bear he hunted. Brian discusses the history of his pursuit of this particular bear, the pressures and patterns in bear hunting, and the importance of comfort and security in bear habitats. He also emphasizes the significance of baiting strategies and the balance between hunting pressure and bear comfort, culminating in valuable lessons learned from his experiences. Brian shares his insights on bear hunting, emphasizing the importance of patience, scouting, and understanding bear behavior. He discusses the strategies for baiting and the use of cameras in tracking bears, as well as the significance of e-scouting in modern hunting. The conversation highlights the need for hunters to adapt to seasonal shifts in food sources and bear patterns to improve their chances of success. Brian shares his extensive knowledge on bear hunting, focusing on understanding bear behavior, travel corridors, and late-season strategies. He discusses the importance of scouting, the nuances of hunting in different segments, and the challenges of navigating swamps. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations of using firearms and the significance of wind patterns in successful bear hunting. Brian introduces his new venture, Timber Life Outdoors, where he aims to share his hunting experiences and insights with a broader audience.

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Diving into the Infamous "Rutcation"

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Grant Forney of the Everyday Outdoorsman to discuss the nuances of hunting during the rut. This conversation emphasizes the importance of weather conditions, historical knowledge and strategic planning. They share personal experiences and insights on deer behavior, hunting techniques, and the excitement of the rut during archery season, providing valuable tips for both novice and seasoned hunters. In this conversation, Mitch and Grant discuss various aspects of deer hunting in Pennsylvania, focusing on hunting patterns, communication tactics with deer, the significance of all-day sits during the rut, and the mental challenges hunters face. They also share personal experiences and advice for both novice and experienced hunters, emphasizing the importance of patience, persistence, and enjoyment in the hunting experience.

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Powerful Story for an Appalachia Giant

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 6 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch is joined by Cody Readinger, a successful bow hunter known for consistently harvesting big bucks in challenging terrains. The conversation delves into Cody's journey from a casual hunter to a dedicated bow hunter, the emotional experiences tied to hunting, and the importance of scouting and preparation. They discuss the balance between family life and hunting passion, Cody's hunting philosophy, and the story behind his latest big buck. The episode emphasizes the significance of understanding terrain features and the challenges of hunting in Pennsylvania's Ridge and Valley region. In this segment, Cody shares his insights on deer hunting, emphasizing the importance of fieldwork, understanding deer behavior, and utilizing technology like cameras for tracking. He discusses his strategic approach to hunting, particularly focusing on wind direction and the significance of patience and preparation. The conversation culminates in a profound moment of connection with a buck, leading to reflections on faith and the journey of growth in both hunting and life. They share their insights on the influence of podcasts in learning about hunting, the importance of embracing failure, and the need to find a personal 'why' in the hunting experience. Cody discusses the impact of social media on expectations and the significance of valuing experiences over mere success. The conversation also touches on personal reflections, life lessons, and the role of faith in guiding one's journey in hunting and life.

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The Beast of the East: Chris Weist

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by PA native Chris Weist. The two delve into the intricacies of deer hunting, discussing various strategies, mental challenges, and the impact of technology on the hunting experience. This includes how Chris prioritizes his time throughout the fall, what challenges he is facing, how to navigate feed trees in monotonous timber, and much more. They explore the importance of patience, the significance of food sources, and the need for aggressive tactics in certain situations. The discussion also touches on setting realistic goals and expectations for the hunting season, as well as the balance between utilizing technology and maintaining the adventure of hunting.

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Bear Down with a Flintlock Muzzleloader

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by returning guests and good friends Mike Lesher, Mark Lesher, Jason Miller and Jared Lesher. The five sit down near the close of the 2024 New Jersey Segment A bear hunt, and discuss what a week it was! Beginning in summer, the crew made multiple trips to scout and locate bears that would meet their season goals. The Leshers and Jason hunted all week long and were able to have some cool encounters with archery tackle. Mitch came to camp with his Lyman Flintlock muzzleloader in hand later in the week. Tune in to hear the highs, lows, mishaps and successes of this DIY public land bear hunt! This episode truly highlights the camaraderie and teamwork shared by this crew of guys!

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Are Quartering Towards Shot Angles Ethical with a Bow?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:17:28 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Troy Fowler, known as the Ranch Fairy. The two discuss a highly controversial topic: quartering towards shot angles with archery equipment. Can you really shoot through the shoulder of a deer with a bow? With most arrow set ups, no, not without luck or wounding the animal. Arrows don't like bone, especially with lighter arrow setups that are commonly used. Troy emphasizes the importance of understanding shot placement and the anatomy of deer. Troy also compares the toughness of deer and pigs, highlights the significance of arrow setup and flight, and encourages critical thinking in bowhunting. He shares valuable lessons from his experiences and stresses the need for discipline and understanding of equipment in order to be successful in hunting. That means knowing what your arrow is capable of doing should it encounter a heavy bone like the humerus of a whitetail. If it can't go through it, don't take the shot! Or, listen to the 12 factors of arrow flight from the Ashby Bowhunting foundation to learn what setups have the highest chance of passthrough if you so decide to take this shot angle. This episode revolves around making ethical choices in the world of bowhunting.

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Evolving in Your Whitetail Hunting Journey

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 9 Oct 2024 10:18:55 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch interviews Cliff Bailey, a passionate hunter and creator of KEO Vlogs on YouTube. They discuss Cliff's background in hunting, the evolution of his family's hunting traditions, and the journey of creating his YouTube channel. The conversation delves into land management practices, the journey of targeting bigger bucks, and the lessons learned over the years. They also explore hunting strategies, the significance of wind, and how to manage pressure while hunting. Cliff shares insights on deer behavior, the role of food sources, and the impact of the rut on hunting success. The discussion emphasizes the importance of patience, knowledge, and adaptability in the pursuit of hunting big mature deer.

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Social Media and Hunting: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 2 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch interviews Ricky Brule, host of the Range Podcast and Creative Director for Vaportrails Bowstrings. They discuss Ricky's various roles in content creation, the balance between work and personal hobbies, and the impact of social media on the hunting community. The conversation delves into the controversies surrounding hunting practices, particularly the use of crossbows, and the importance of community and family in the hunting experience. Ricky shares insights on adapting hunting techniques across different regions and reflects on the changing priorities that come with fatherhood. The episode concludes with a reminder to enjoy the journey of hunting and the significance of building connections within the community.

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Capitalizing on Pressured Hunting Land in Pennsylvania Style

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Jason Goe and Jere Preston from the Final Stand YouTube channel. This episode discusses various aspects of hunting, beginning with a conversation focusing on modern muzzleloaders versus flintlocks. The boys dive into Jere's recent trip back from bear hunting in Canada, then shift gears to whitetail hunting in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The conversation also delves into strategies for hunting on public land, the importance of monitoring ground scent and wind control, and the impact of technology on hunting practices.

Throughout the discussion, the speakers share personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of being a dedicated hunter. Additional topics navigate the evolution of hunting strategies, emphasizing the importance of scouting over gimmicks and the nuanced role of trail cameras. The team shares insights on navigating public land hunting, the significance of timing in scouting, and the challenges of introducing children to hunting in a meaningful way. The discussion also touches on the importance of family traditions in hunting and the need for a supportive community that values both successes and failures in the sport. This is a don't miss episode sure to fire you up for the start of 2024 deer season!

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Trust Your Instincts and Be Patient

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Jeremy Dinsmore of the Antler Up Podcast to discuss preparations for the upcoming hunting season. They talk about technical difficulties with recording podcasts, practicing shooting their bows, and managing their schedules. They also touch on the use of trail cameras and the importance of trusting their instincts while hunting. In this conversation, Jeremy and Mitchell discuss their scouting and hunting strategies for deer. They talk about the importance of scouting and gathering information through trail cameras, as well as the challenges of piecing together the puzzle of deer movement. They also discuss the timing of the hunting season and the importance of being patient and selective in choosing locations to sit and deer to pursue. Jeremy expresses his desire to improve his woodsmanship skills and become more proficient in different hunting scenarios. They emphasize the importance of enjoying the hunt and making memories, regardless of the size or caliber of the deer harvested.

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Dream Season: Illinois Bruiser

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are back with part 2 of our conversation with Cole Seitzinger in what we are calling a "Dream Season". If you missed last week, Cole shares his 2023 PA P&Y buck story and the obstacles experienced along the way. It was 8 days later Cole was able to lay hands on his target 150 class buck in the Prairie State. However, the theme of overcoming obstacles remains in place!

Despite initial setbacks and doubts, Cole's wife encouraged him to go on his Illinois hunt after a 12-year hiatus, arriving a day late due to family obligations. Cole bounced around the farm until landing in a tree that proved to be successful. Initially, the wind kept him from hunting his primary target location. The tree he picked was a good distance away but allowed him to observe from a distance. The power of November had his target buck on his feet, which just happened to cruise by his tree in bow range mid-morning. Lots of lessons learned from stand selection and shot placement, to tracking, trusting your instincts, and sharing memories made in the field.

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Timing the Kill: Being Strategic with Your Time

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 4 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by his buddy Cole Seitzinger, who talks about balancing family life with hunting and his transition to hunting with a saddle. The balancing act requires Cole to be specific with his time to allow success; the saddle helps with his time efficiency. The conversation begins with the pros and cons of saddle hunting and the impact of content creation on the hunting experience. From here, Cole breaks down the hunt for his 2023 PA buck.

Cole was able to harvest this buck on the first sit of the year at this property. He had not hunted it for 3 seasons, in fact the previous sit he also arrowed his largest PA buck to date. Cole shares the ins and outs of learning the timing of the properties he hunts, and how he had to make an adjustment after missing the best time at another property. This is part one of two, tune in next week when Cole breaks down his trip to Illinois where he arrowed a bruiser!

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Countdown To Bear Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch discusses his experience with bear scouting and hunting leading into the 2024 season. After a successful 2023 season, he is back in New Jersey for bigger and better things. There were many takeaways from last season, forcing Mitch to modify his preparation for an even better outcome this year. This includes the importance of scouting and finding food sources, as well as the need for fallback options and scouting for people pressure.

Finding food in summer is a start, but it's also crucial to continue to monitor as the season start to close in. Mitch shares the scale of land he is scouting both with cameras and boots-on-ground, and how he plans to choose stand locations for wind direction and lay of the land. The goals and outlook for this season are slightly different from normal: be patient, learn from your experiences, and set realistic expectations for the hunting season with the time that's available to prepare.

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Make Pennsylvania Hunting Great Again

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is bound to ruffle someone's feathers. Take it with a grain of salt; it's two average Joe's having a conversation about their opinions of hunting in PA. Our guest is John Kolb from Suffering Outdoors, and he and Mitch discuss five items that they believe if changed would improve the hunting opportunity in Pennsylvania. Both John and Mitch are avid bowhunters, so the majority of this discussion revolves around improvements for our own self-interest.

Before we start, let's make it known that we both believe the Pennsylvania state agency does an excellent job of collecting data and making well informed decisions for our hunting seasons. This is not an episode of critique, rather expanding on what's already worked well in the Keystone state, with a dash of selfish-interest. We start the episode by listing a few things the state has already implemented that have made hunting regulations easier or created better hunting opportunities. From here we break down our five points of interest, leading up to our grand finale. Let's just say, the final point argues the use of a trigger during archery season... What do you think would make hunting PA better?

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Duck Call Building BS Session w/ Northern Duck Calls

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch introduces Shaun Trump from Northern Duck Calls to the show. Shaun is as passionate about duck hunting as Mitch is about deer. So much so, that he's turned a hobby of building ducks calls into a business. After our introduction, Shaun discusses how he first got into building calls and the complexities of using a lathe and combining it with reeds and cutouts. He also discusses his experiences of hunting ducks in Arkansas, and how the culture of waterfowl hunting is much different when compared to the northeast. You are able to sense a "homesick" feeling from Shaun when he talks about Arkansas, but he quickly changes the subject to building a network and culture here in the northeast around duck hunting. If you're looking to upgrade some duck calls for this season, shop local and check out Northern Duck Calls!

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Not Your Daddy's Deer Shanty

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 7 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we dive deep into the Radix Hunting Monarch blind line up. Our guest is none other than Clifford Martin, owner and operator of Radix hunting gear. One thing to note about Radix is the attention to quality in their products. That's because Clifford is a diehard successful deer and turkey hunter, and strives to provide the best possible equipment in the field for himself and also consumers. If it doesn't pass his extensive testing, it gets modified before you can ever get your hands on it!

We begin by breaking down the Monarch G1 ground blind, and work our way up the ladder towards hard shell blinds. Along the way we discuss the differences in these blinds when compared to competitors you might find out on the market. With each series of blind, we discuss the structural integrity behind each product, and how each has been modified over time for improvements. Two main factors come into play with Monarch blinds: structural integrity to hold up to mother nature, and silent use when in close proximity to game. We also break down each blind and how Clifford view's their purpose in his world of deer and turkey hunting. Make sure to check them all out at Radixhunting.com!

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Trials Converting Cropland to Wildlife Habitat

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Troy Dietterich is back on this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman for part two of his property conversion. In addition to experimenting with different food plot practices, he is creating more usable cover and native browse on his property. This includes converting a 3-acre crop field back into wildlife habitat. In this episode we discuss: field layout, goals and objectives, vision of balance between cover and food plots, screening and plant establishment, maintenance and upkeep, and most of all - patience. Enjoy the process and keep some of Troy's learning experiences in mind for your next habitat project!

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Traditional Archery Knowledge Dump w/ Cory Gulvas

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Sometimes good things just take time. This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is no exception, as this is a slightly longer conversation. Our guest is Cory Gulvas and we dive into the world of traditional archery. Cory's passion has driven him to competition level shooting, solely hunting with a recurve, and even bow building. In that time, Cory has faced nearly any obstacle that a new stickbow shooter could possibly experience. Take notes if you're a noob!

Cory is often approached for advice, and typically finds people struggling with the same things repeatedly. We discuss getting into traditional archery for the correct reasons, choosing the best equipment to start, aiming methods, shot execution, target panic, and much more. If you've been struggling to figure out how to overcome many of these common issues when shooting a trad bow, your questions may be answered in this episode.

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Lessons Learned from Food Plots without Herbicide

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Branching off from last week's episode, we discuss weed management and some key in-the-field observations. Mitch mentioned that there are three common "modes of action" to control weeds including mechanical (tillage, hand pulling), chemical (herbicide), and biological (plant competition). Is it possible to manage weeds with only one? This week's guest on the Pennsylvania Woodsman is Troy Dietterich who shares some interesting observations from his personal hunting property.

Troy and his wife prefer to limit the use of pesticides on their property. This is something anyone can do successfully if they stay dedicated and work hard towards. That's not to say it doesn't come a little more difficult and with a greater learning curve. Troy has used a multitude of seed blends and management styles on his food plots; some successful and some not. We dive into what worked, what didn't, and what key observations were made in order to make better decisions moving forward. This episode is a great example of just because someone says you should do something a certain way (this includes recommendations from Mitch!), doesn't mean you can't modify tactics to better serve your property and personal goals!

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Are No-Till Food Plots Really Worth It?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

No-till and soil health have almost become buzz words in the food plot world. The practices themselves are sound and have a good purpose when it comes to wildlife use. But does that mean you need to keep up with the Jones' just because someone else told you so? This week Mitch shares his exposure to no-till food plotting, a few of the reasons why he adopted it, and shares a few hurdles you may face when making the transition. This is all from the hip first hand experiences in Agriculture as well as food plots. He discusses weed management, moisture management, and low budget planting equipment with practices to ensure you don't encounter the same challenges as he and many others.

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Pre-Season Archery Shooting Checklist and Routine

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 3 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nate Sellers of Average Jack archery. The episode dives into opening the case and dusting off your bow from last season. We discuss how to get back into shooting shape - this includes, reps, routine, gear checks, tuning, and more. Practice makes perfect, but what about when you don't have a lot of time to practice? Being intentional about what you are practicing, and practicing it the correct way goes a long way if reps are frequent but short. Small steps build confidence for shooting at game this fall - start now!

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Time Management, Season Goals and Expectations

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are kicking things off in a different style. While we are cruising through summer, we still have a ways off before the fall. Work, honey-do list, and summer time activities are still the bulk focus of our time. Therefore, if success in fall is to happen, it needs to be done by maximizing the little time we have to prepare and staying focused. Mitch and the guest will set a timer for 30 minutes and dive into a topic. When the timer runs out, it's back to the real world. Take the same logic with your summer preparation and be deliberate!

This week's guest is Dan Johnson, host of the Nine Finger Chronicles and leader of Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network. Just because Dan works "in the industry," does not mean he is blessed with unlimited time to prepare each fall and kill tons of game. He has a family and a business that requires his undivided attention all year. Therefore, in order to stay sane in the hunting world, he has to be specific when setting goals and expectations. This means being realistic and achievable, and yet also finding satisfaction. Around this framework, we will discuss specifics of preparation for hunting at home and out-of-state trips with what little free time he has available.

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Hunting Trips and Adventures w/ Ronnie Folk

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by good friend Ronnie Folk. Ronnie is retired and has enjoyed many wonderful hunting trips across North America and even abroad into Africa and New Zealand. However, annual hunting trips were not always the norm. Ronnie worked hard his whole life building a successful paving business as well as raising a family, so the time off which we discuss was earned through hard work.

We begin by catching up on a recent Brown Bear hunting trip Ronnie had this spring in Alaska. While the trip did not result in any shots fired, we still strolled down memory lane as we sat amidst his trophy room of memories. We talk about Ronnie's favorite animal to hunt - elk, and how he transitioned in his early 40s to an avid archery hunter. Ronnie also tells stories of his trips to a camp he used to hunt at in northern PA for bear and deer. It's a fun conversation with a man who worked hard to live out the American dream!

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Dos and Don'ts of Summer Food Plot Establishment

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Caught Between Reflection and Preparation of Bear Season

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 5 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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.

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2024 Turkey Season Finale

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 29 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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What Makes a Pennsylvania Elk Hunt Successful?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Redneck Turkey Tour & Chasing 49

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Turkey Biology w/ Pennsylvania Turkey Biologist

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 8 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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.

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Bird Brain Full Effect - Approaching PA Opener

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 1 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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 observations

A 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!

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On the Hunt for a Pennsylvania Grand Slam

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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.

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Navigating Land Consultants and Timber Harvests

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Kill Turkeys by Feet or by Seat

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Food Plot Fertility: Choose Amendments Wisely

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 3 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!"

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Clover Food Plot Maintenance and New Seeding Establishment

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Chasing the Thrill, Not Inches

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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!

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Maryland Public Land Sika Deer Hunting Success

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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

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Target Shooting, New Archers, and New Careers with Nate Sellers

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 6 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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5 Consecutive Pennsylvania Black Bear Seasons

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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.

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Struggling During the Month of February

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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.

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Cat and Mouse Whitetails on Long Distance Properties

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Overcoming Obstacles and Embarking on a New Whitetail Journey

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Thu, 8 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Guns, Girls, & GAOS

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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.

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Tree and Shrub Planting for Better Habitat

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Detailed Bedding Area Creation and Timber Cutting Schemes

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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.

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Winter Deer Hunting Counseling Session

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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.

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Rough Deer Season? Shoot Coyotes!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 3 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Deer Season Special: Aaron Pasquarette

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Beaver and Otter Trapping w/ Tom Keller

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:50:18 +0000

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.

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DSS: Real Truth with Nathan Killen

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Driven for Big Whitetails and Big Purpose

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Chasin' Down a PA Dream Buck

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Rollercoaster Bowhunting Journey

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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Deer Season Special: Lane Housner

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Fri, 8 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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Flintlock Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Preparation

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 6 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Season Special: Steve Sherk

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 1 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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Rifle Season and Effective Deer Drives

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Season Special: Johnny Stewart

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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All In On Big Whitetails w/ Jason Say

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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DSS: Mitch's 2023 Pennsylvania Archery Buck

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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Successful Coyote and Fox Trapping

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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DSS: 3 Year Quest for a Pennsylvania Giant

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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The Hardway is More Satisfying w/ Dan Collins

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 8 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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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DSS - The Bowhunting Fiend Greg Litzinger

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 3 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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School of Hard Knocks Hunting and Managing Whitetails

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 1 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Season Special: Clint Campbell

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:53:46 +0000

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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New Jersey Bear Hunt Recap

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Season Special - Bill Thompson

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Grouse and Woodcock Habitat Restoration w/ RGS

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Season Special - Dan Johnson

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Hunt the Most Optimum Window of Time

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Season Special - Arron Bleise

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 6 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Early Season Black Bear Scouting and Hunting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 4 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Season Gear Up with the Everyday Outdoorsmen

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Quality Taxidermy w/ Triple Trophy Taxidermy

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Arrow Setups, FOC, Single Bevels, and Tinkering

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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A Grain Farmer's Perspective on Whitetails

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 6 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Early Season Game Care and Poor Man's Cooler

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Whitetail Biology and Hunting w/ Larry Weishuhn

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Donate Your Deer This Season to HSH

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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PABoyzOutdoors Goose Hunting B.S. Session

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 9 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Deer Camp and Family Traditions

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 2 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Big Woods Summer Scouting w/ Ryan Glitsky

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Why Diversity is King in Fall Food Plots

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Pioneer of the Compound Bow Pt. 2 - Sherwood Schoch

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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The Pioneer of the Compound Bow: Sherwood Schoch (pt 1)

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 5 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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The Voice for Pennsylvania Conservation - PFSC

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Timber Rattlesnake Hunting Knowledge Dump

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Pennsylvania Elk Hunting and Application Update

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Physical Prep for Healthy Hunting (and Living)

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Wed, 7 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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2023 PA Spring Gobbler Finale - Lessons Learned

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 2 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Get Started Filming Your Own Hunts

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 26 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Access, Blinds, Food Sources, and Shooter Bucks

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 19 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Secret Weapon Turkey Calling w/ Matt Dale

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 12 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Mitch's Opening Day PA Big Woods Longbeard

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 5 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Is It Time to Switch to Machined Broadheads?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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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Spring Turkey Hunting B.S. Session w/ JMiller Custom Calls

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with Jason Miller from JMiller Custom Calls. You're in for a good ol' fashion B.S. session swapping stories and pulling takeaways for the upcoming season. Jason is a diehard turkey hunter who continues a streak since the 90s of filling a tag in the Keystone state. Jason is extremely persistent, scouting constantly. Nearly every morning leading up to opening day and throughout the season Jason is up watching and listening to what the birds are doing in his area. Then, the plan is simple - be aggressive and get as close as possible without spooking!

With this insane passion for turkey hunting, Jason has begun cutting his own mouth calls. What started out as a hobby to pass the time simply to fine tune the sound he likes, has now turned into selling these calls for a little more turkey hunting opportunity. Jason discusses this journey and relates back to many of the experiences he has had since beginning this call making journey. Jason's passion is contagious - you should be ready to chase those thunder chickens after this episode! You can reach out to Jason for more information on his turkey calls through Instagram @jmillercustomcalls. #radixhunting #huntworth #vitalizeseed

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Biology Based Careers and Management Discussion

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Hunting has a variety of emotions relating to its mixture of being both a science and an art. Many relate their hunting passion to their career choices. But is passion the true metric for career decision? This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Eric Lance from the HuntScience Podcast. Eric is a biologist that consults with landowners privately and also is an associate biology professor. Eric talks about how his passion for wildlife first drove his interest towards becoming a hunter - not the other way around. Eric's career experience is a great testimony to learning the influence of our strengths and weaknesses before applying them in our own careers.

This allows us to transition into discussing the current projects Eric is working on. Eric is well rounded in land, big game, small game, and waterfowl management. He discusses the nesting success project he is doing with migratory birds and cites numerous examples of sound wildlife management through his own experiences. Understanding carrying capacity, population dynamics, and the habitat requirements of a species is necessary to interpret data and make decisions. It also is essential to understand what the most limiting factors are for a species - such as habitat loss. Tune in to better understand how certain management practices Eric uses have a positive impact on the game species you love!

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@radixhunting #radixhunting
www.radixhunting.com

@huntworth #huntworth
www.huntworthgear.com

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Shooting Straight On Target and In Life

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 7 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Good Friday and Easter weekend is a time to slow down and celebrate. It's easy to be caught up in the chaos of everyday life and be consumed by personal goals. This is especially true for us as bowhunters and outdoorsmen and women who desire to take our pursuits to the next level. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we have a conversation with Merle Fredericks from Christian Bowhunters of America and discuss things in a bigger picture. Merle digs into the details revolving around the question, "what does Good Friday mean to you?"

Merle's life has been comparable to most - a husband and a father working as a police officer in New York, and a love for bowhunting. His passion for chasing whitetails with a stick and string is no different than anyone else. But Merle sheds light on truth greater than this pursuit, and shares witness to us beyond the world of hunting. Be open minded as you listen to Merle's message as a leader of Christian Bowhunters of America. Happy Easter!

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www.radixhunting.com

@radixhunting #radixhunting

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Mature Buck Hunting Frame of Mind

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are proud to announce a new partnership with Radix Hunting! Our guest is none other than the founder and owner of Radix, Clifford Martin. Clifford is originally from Southeastern Pennsylvania, but has been blessed with the opportunity to move to Iowa and live out his dream. In the time he has spent hunting the midwest, he has been able to hone in and consistently connect with big mature whitetails. During that time, he has learned how to fine tune his approach and mindset when pursuing top caliber bucks. Even with all his success, you still won't find a more humble individual who continually says he is a student of the whitetail, learning almost daily.

We gain some background knowledge of Clifford and harass him a little on how he convinced his wife to move to the whitetail capital of the world! Then we transition into his stewardship of the whitetail, learning their behavior and some of the consistencies he gravitates towards. We address the question, "what does it look like to be an aggressive hunter?" and how his patience has improved throughout his hunting career. Last, we dive into his most valued tool - trail cameras. Clifford mentions multiple times that he feels "cameras don't lie" and his need for quality video to collect as much information as possible. Quality was a driving factor in producing Radix trail cameras, check them out for yourself!

@radixhunting #radixhunting

https://www.radixhunting.com/

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Release Process Food Plots w/ Dr. Grant Woods

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch was privileged to speak with Dr. Grant Woods from Growing Deer TV. If you've followed along with Dr. Woods for any length of time, you know how dedicated he has been to producing educational content through his channel. With over 700 episodes of Growing Deer TV, the trials and research conducted at his farm "The Proving Grounds" are well documented. Within this content is a journey of striving to provide high quality food plots through building healthy soil.

Food plot content has been taken to a crazy level in the media. More people have dabbled in food plots than not, and there are more "professionals" now than ever before. Like deer hunting, food plots can have an ego associated with the time, money, and blends growers put out. Regardless of differing food plot blend preferences, we can all agree that good food plots start with good soil. Dr. Woods shares with us how he has developed his food plot system to promote quality soil and highly efficient nutrient exchange. We navigate the journey to the current day, and practices such as no-till and the learning curves associated with this management. Dr. Woods addresses much of the confusion about the seed blends he uses and how each blend has a very specific purpose. You'll learn how this system is allowing him to feed more wildlife with fewer input costs than ever before!

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Habitat and Hunting Enhancement w/ Josh Raley

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

When emotional attachment is present with a hunting property, it can become difficult to implement the correct habitat improvements without some guidance. Trying to learn on your own is possible, but can also be costly. It's not uncommon to install food plots, road systems, or implement logging, only to realize later the practice was placed in the wrong section of the property, or even implemented wrong. It's overwhelming compiling habitat improvement recommendations, especially if you take into account multiple professional opinions. If you're considering having a habitat specialist consult your property, it's important that you work with someone you trust and has strong communication skills to reach your desired goals. .

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, we chat with Josh Raley. Josh is the host of the How to Hunt Deer Podcast, Wisconsin Sportsman Podcast, and also a property consultant with Whitetail Partners in Georgia. Josh has a wide range of deer hunting experience throughout the country and understands how to manipulate property in an advantageous manner. We discuss setting goals and objectives for a property, assessing where the highest priorities lie for improvements, and dive into a host of habitat project topics. Josh explains the misunderstood aspects of hinge cutting, hunting access, invasive species management, and other private land habitat strategy. We wrap up discussing what we as landowners and managers can be doing right now to improve the landscape. It's time for some sweat equity!

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Food Plot Planting Prescriptions For Any Scenario

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

If you talk with 5 different food plotters, you'll likely hear 5 different recommendations for seed blends. Like the truck we drive or the bow we shoot, many are just as passionate about their food plots. It can be extremely difficult to determine what seed blend fits your hunting property and scenario, when 5 different experts may disagree with each other. The reality is, there are so many variables to consider when choosing a food plot that it's rarely ever "wrong".

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we talk with Mike Lindahl from Domain Outdoors. If you visit Domain's website, you'll notice an abnormal amount of different seed blends. Each blend is designed for a slightly different purpose and scenario. Mike shares his knowledge from getting started developing seed blends, choosing plant varieties that are favored throughout the whitetail's range, and then customizing for different property goals and objectives. Mike shares 3 different property scenarios he is working with and how the food plots look slightly different from farm to farm. Each plan is designed to cater towards Mike's hunting goals and the property's hunting strengths and/or weaknesses. One thing Mike emphasizes is that it's perfectly adequate to tinker with a variety of blends on one farm in order to learn and fine tune for future hunting seasons. If you're planning your food plots for 2023 currently, don't finalize before you listen to this episode!

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Food Plot and Nutrient Cycling Nerdology

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 3 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Most novice ideology around food plotting and farming involves heavy tillage and pulverized soil. Following this, many believe a monoculture crop that is manicured similar to production agriculture is required to draw and attract wildlife. Did you ever stop and wonder, how did wildlife survive prior to man making things look "perfect"? The truth of the matter is, excessive tillage is not required to grow quality food plots and can be detrimental to your soil. So how do we shift our mindsets off of recreational plowing?

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch chat's with Al Tomechko from Vitalize seed company. Al has built his company around the foundation that better soil builds better wildlife. This is not achieved by any miracle juice, pixie dust, or magic bean planted from overseas. It's achieved by using plant species designed to cycle nutrients in the soil - the way the Great Plains were made over thousands of years. Al discusses how minimal soil disturbance, timely planting, and species management all aid in mining nutrients to the soil surface, making them plant available. The deer and wildlife don't care if the buffet you provide looks messy - a plethora of plants is preferred! Enjoy this soil health and food plotting discussion between two soil nerds, it might help you make better food plots!

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Pennsylvania Mountain Buck of a Lifetime Hits the Dirt

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Hunting is about the adventure and the path you take to reach your destination; having a big set of antlers is just a bonus! On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we sit down with DJ Hoshauer and discuss his eventful 2022 archery season. DJ is a family man that loves sports and loves hunting. He does everything in his power to set himself up for success each fall - not only from a scouting and physical preparation end, but also as a father, husband, and employee.

We begin discussing DJ's approach throughout a calendar year to the upcoming season addressing physical and mental health as a diehard bowhunter and family man. Next we chat about his more recent infatuation with hunting out west, including some high country Mule Deer hunting. This past season however, DJ was unable to draw any tags of his interest in the western states, allowing him to focus in depth on a monster buck he knew about in the PA big woods. We dive into the knowledge he had about the deer through trail cameras and on foot scouting, as well as collaboration with some friends that hunt the area. From here, it's an awesome whitetail hunting conversation filled with grind and determination to the end when he places an arrow in the boiler room at 20 yards. These are the stories that jack you up with excitement! Thanks for listening!

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Soil Sampling and Successful Food Plots

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Regardless of the task at hand, preparation and planning is a gateway for success. Too often in the world of food plots folks try to put the cart before the horse. Seed blends, food plot shape, planting methods, herbicides, all of these things are important but need to be addressed after the basics. One of the things that drives Mitch crazy is the amount of bad and/or misinterpreted information in the food plot world. Many food plotters have a lack of understanding as it relates to fertility and properly preparing soil for successful plant growth. Before you go purchase the next miracle juice or throw-and-grow mix, do the one thing that is cheap and yet provides the most information for getting started: TAKE A SOIL SAMPLE!

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch invites his boss Eric Rosenbaum to walk us through the basics in food plot planning. Eric is the owner and Senior Agronomist of Rosetree Consulting, a private agronomic consulting company that works with farms all throughout Eastern Pennsylvania and partly in Maryland and New Jersey. A large part of the job entails making cost effective decisions with growers that maximize plant yield and profitability. Nearly all of this begins with proper soil preparation! Eric walks us through the basics of how to pull a soil test, where to send it, how to interpret results, how to address deficiencies in a cost effective but also efficient way (especially with minimal equipment), and more. Lack of planning typically yields poor food plot results. Pull your samples now, and plan ahead to achieve maximum plant quantity and quality. Don't overlook the basics!

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Trail Cameras & Off-Season Scouting Mountain Bucks w/ Beau Martonik

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Many of the best hunters in the country would agree with the statement, "you kill your bucks in the off season." Time spent this time of year scouting and analyzing trail camera data are valuable tools to put the pieces of the puzzle together during fall. This is especially true in areas with rugged, vast terrain which generally speaking hold lower deer densities; typical of the big woods in Pennsylvania. Here, the time investment may be quite a bit larger than most would think in this setting, depending where you set your goals!

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with Beau Martonik. Host of the East Meets West Hunt Podcast, Beau is a diehard mountain buck hunter from Northern Pennsylvania. Beau shares his experiences pursuing mountain bucks and how he uses cameras over a duration of a few seasons not to just find bucks, but also to fine tune his approach and timing when hunting these areas. We discuss "soaking" and clustering cameras, a 3-year timeframe of data intel prior to investing hunting time, off season scouting and how to prevent making a pattern in your travels, interpreting trail camera data, and in-season scouting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Lastly, Beau emphasizes that we all have a different style and level of enjoyment for hunting, and that it's important to mold our own style of preparation that fits our lifestyle and schedule.

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Shed Season is Among Us

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 3 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Deer season is officially over for the 2022-23 season in Pennsylvania. The general narrative from this point on is cabin fever until spring turkey season. For every diehard deer hunter though, there is always something to be doing to prepare for next fall. Whether you're cutting timber and travel corridors on private land or scouting new ground on public land, the hunt never quite ends. This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Dwayne Jones from Shed Season.

Dwayne is just as crazy about scouring the landscape for fallen antlers as he is sitting in a deer stand - maybe more! We discuss Dwayne's recent property purchase and how he has begun to transform the land into a whitetail mecca. Dwayne shares the habitat projects in place including timber management, prescribed fire, invasive species removal, and of course, food plots. From here we dive into the beloved topic of pursuing mature bucks not only during the hunting season, but also during the months of February and March when antlers are falling. The attraction created on Dwayne's property is not only good for hunting, it's good for sheds! We cover strategies to find more antlers, putting the pieces of the puzzle together on mature bucks using shed antlers, and the added joy during the offseason for him and his family!

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Season Recap, Western Hunting, and B.S.ing w/ Dan Mathews

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like you do the same things each hunting season and never mix things up? It can be extremely easy to stay in your comfort zone going to the same properties, hunting the same species, at the same times each year. While there is nothing wrong with this, it does prevent you from experiencing new places and adventures. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Dan Mathews. Dan is the host of the Western Rookie and Nomadic Outdoorsman podcasts on Sportsmen's Empire network.

The Nomadic Outdoorsman is exactly what you'd expect; a guy who travels around hunting anything and everything there is a season for. If you could hunt shadows, that would be included too! Dan first fills us in on the epic season he had punching multiple tags in multiple states. We discuss elk camp in Colorado and how to plan and prepare mentally for a trip west of the Mississippi River. Throughout the conversation weaves a buffet of other topics including hunting strategy and philosophy, getting out of your comfort zone, taking on new adventures, and time management as a father and husband. Don't over indulge!

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Playing the Long Game on Mature Mountain Bucks

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with Jason Redd from Timber Ninja Outdoors. Jason is originally from flat land country in the Mississippi River Delta, but now resides in western North Carolina. Much of the landscape he hunts encompasses mountains, laurel, rhododendron; all things which folks from Pennsylvania who hunt big woods can relate to. We discuss the transition to hunting this type of topography and how Jason has fully embraced the challenge of targeting mature bucks in this atmosphere.

Jason shares some of the hunting experiences targeting a specific buck this past fall. While he did not get a shot, two visual encounters were a win. Jason shares that in an environment as tough as this big woods, sometimes punching a tag in year one on a mature buck doesn't always happen and you need to play the long game. Each year in pursuit builds on the story pursuing a trophy of this caliber, which is sweetened when the moment finally presents itself to release an arrow. We discuss how he may approach targeting this buck and others for 2023, and last we discuss how throughout the entire journey he has done it with a longbow. Pinnacle challenges yield the greatest reward for those who endure!

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Public and Private Land Bow Kills w/ Troy Dietterich

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Sometimes things just fall into place during hunting season. This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Troy Dietterich and reflect back on killing a Pennsylvania and Ohio buck during that magical window between late October and early November. Troy is a hard working family man that loves to bow hunt. He and Mitch converse about their faith in Christ and the constant battle of managing time in the woods without being overbearing on our loved ones. While it's a battle that neither of them have figured out, it's something they believe needs constant attention and is relatable to many hunters out there.

Troy was able to purchase his dream home this past year with a chunk of land attached. Up until this point Troy has loved the thrill of chasing bucks in the mountains on public land. While that passion still resides within him, he has adjusted slightly to include habitat manipulation and private land hunting strategy into his game. We dive into how his preparation in Pennsylvania looked different and how he was able to connect on his largest buck to date on the new farm. We then shift gears to discuss revisiting the thrill of public land hunting in Ohio. Troy logged some scouting time in this area during the previous hunting season. Having a general idea where he wanted to look upon arriving this fall, he scouted his way into a tree that produced a buck within 3 hours on day one. This episode is all about adapting to the current situation and being a hybrid hunter!

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Cast a Large Net for Late Season Whitetails

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 6 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Typically after the end of firearms season, the majority of deer hunters have packed it up until next year. Those that pursue whitetails after Christmas with a bow or flintlock muzzleloader generally have less hunting pressure to deal with if you're able to endure the elements. However, the herd that remains at this time of year is typically on edge; not to mention the landscape is barren providing less cover to conceal hunter movements. Deer have been pushed into hiding spots that can seem to be like a dark hole at this time of year. Finding these pockets can be a challenge.

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsmen we chat with Alex Krzywulak from the In The Presence YouTube channel. Alex is a public land hunting fanatic that seems to get it done anywhere you put him. However, this does not come without the hard work he puts in to prepare for hunting season by scouting. Even though late season can isolate deer making them hard to find, he is not afraid to get aggressive during morning and evening hunts this time of year. In order for this to be successful, he casts a large net, meaning he does not rely only on a few spots to capitalize. He feels scouting a larger area early allows more places to check this time of year to A) find deer in the first place and B) have options to fall back on if he messes a spot up during his aggressive approach. There is still time to fill a tag and Alex is no stranger to doing so this time of year, good luck!

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What's the Greatest Threat to Rabbit Populations?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we are discussing small game with Emily Boyd. Emily is the small mammal biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and she drops a wealth of knowledge on us! We discuss some of the less common small game species discussed in the Keystone State including snowshoe hares, Appalachian cottontail rabbits, and eastern fox squirrels. Most of these species provide liberal hunting opportunities, however, snowshoe hares only have a 1 week season between Christmas and New Years. Emily shares with us some of the habitat types you may find snowshoe hares if embarking on this adventure!

In addition to general biology, we discuss one of the greatest threats to rabbits in North America; rabbit hemorrhagic disease. This disease has already been found in domestic rabbits, but is quickly spreading into wild populations. The concern is not "if" but "when" will it happen? There is a high mortality rate with those that contract it, and drastic management changes may occur to combat this issue. Find out what you can do as a conservationist to help address the problem!

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Cut the Crap (Social Media) and Enjoy Your Hunt

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we have a conversation with Jeremy Dismore and Dimitri Sidorick from the Antler Up podcast. Both Jeremy and Dimitri are PA boys that love the challenges of hunting whitetails. We catch up on their seasons and how Dimitri was able to fill multiple tags in PA and Ohio, and Jeremy's encounters with shooters throughout archery season and doe harvest during firearm season. Throughout the conversation we bring to light how easy it is to add pressure on yourself to punch a tag with social media influencing our lives.

It's nearly impossible to scroll through social media in the fall and not feel as though everyone has filled a tag except you. Each season we all go in with some level of expectation, but is success truly measured by the kill? It can be easy to allow doubt to creep in when the cards are not dealt in your favor. But at the end of the day, embracing the chase along the way is a much better way to enjoy your hunting season. Dimitri and Jeremy have had differences between their hunting seasons, but rest assured they both had a ton of fun all year long!

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Deer Camp 2022 Hunt Recap

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Most hunters have a polar reaction to the orange army and rifle season; you either love it or you hate it. While the tactics and styles used in rifle season drastically vary compared to archery tackle, it is still an opportunity for hunters to share one commonality - enjoy creation and the pursuit of big game. Mitch used to dread the 2 week firearm season as this meant added hunting pressure in his hunting area, complexity to archery hunting, and the remote possibility that a target buck could be harvested by someone else. Over time though, he has realized that no one owns the deer we chase, and when one dies another takes its place. So instead of allowing the opening of firearm season to dampen the enjoyment of deer hunting, Mitch embraces it with friends and family.

On this week's episode, Mitch sits down at the breakfast table on a rainy morning at the close of a successful 2-day group hunt at deer camp. Joining him is long-time friend and hunting buddy, Clayton Good, as well as a new guest and familiar voice on the Sportsmen's Empire Podcast Network, Andrew Muntz from the Ohio Outdoors Podcast. Also at the end we are greeted by Mitch's Father, Jeff, who decided to hop on and share his side of the hunt including the buck he shot during the last drive of day 2. We share stories, explain drive set-up and strategy, and the failures and successes that occurred throughout the week. This episode leaves us ready for next year! Thanks for listening!

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Should Pennsylvania Reintroduce the American Marten?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 9 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are going back to the biology classroom. We have a conversation with the state’s furbearer biologist: Thomas Keller. Tom is a down to earth family man who enjoys hunting and trapping as much as the next guy in line. When he reached out to us to share information about this potential reintroduction, skepticism was fairly high. Is it really worth bringing another predator into this state? Listen with an open mind and decide for yourself!

We discuss the road leading Tom into this position with the game commission and his passion for wildlife. Next we dive into the background of the American Marten. When was the Marten eradicated from Pennsylvania? What are it’s feeding habits? What is the preferred habitat? Is the American Marten a threat to game populations such as turkeys and ruffed grouse? What benefits does the American Marten have for the ecosystem? Tom addresses all this and much more in our conversation. The fear of the unknown is typically what breeds negativity, but after listening to Tom, you’ll have less to fear as a hunter and game species appreciator!

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Staying Mobile, Staying Successful

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 2 Dec 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with listener Charlie Baer. Charlie laid down his best buck to date this past archery season and we break down his hunt and the steps leading to his success. Over the past few seasons, Charlie has developed a mobile hunting system that works for him using a saddle and sticks. We discuss how this style of hunting has changed his mentality and approach to a piece of property when targeting whitetails. It's a great combination of story and strategy!

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A Neighboring Bear Hunting Opportunity

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are discussing current events happening in our neighboring state; New Jersey. On November 15th, the state voted unanimously to reinstate a bear season from December 5-10th. There has not been a bear hunt since 2020. During that time frame, there has been an explosion in the bear population and a substantial increase in bear-human conflicts. Joining us on the show this week is diehard bear hunter, Jay Lyon.

Jay grew up hunting in his home state of New Jersey and has found his greatest passion in black bears. He is no stranger to hunting bears in the northeast as he has taken numerous bears in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and surrounding states. After our introduction we dive right into the exciting opportunity unfolding in less than two weeks. In addition, we address the concern of the anti-hunting agenda in the state of New Jersey and how that continues to spread. Even if you do not plan to participate in this hunt, be a supporter of this conservation effort and a voice against the anti hunting community. Don't assume this can't happen in your neighborhood!

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Whitetail Hunting B.S. Session w/ Jon Lewis

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are first joined by Nick Otto from the Huntavore podcast on Sportsmen's Empire. Nick calls in to join us during the start of Michigan's firearm deer season, something Pennsylvania will be doing in just another week. Nick's podcast focuses on the aftermath of a successful hunt and how to break down and properly process game for quality table fare. Nick provides us with some excellent tips and tricks for managing your kill in the field, and back at deer camp. He shares philosophy of hanging head up or down, to skin or not to skin, moisture and temperature management, and more.

Following our intro with Nick, we chat with Jon Lewis from the Just Hunt Club. Jon is originally from Pennsylvania and is no stranger to understanding whitetail hunting heritage in the Keystone State. He also has done his fair share of whitetail hunting in the northeast including Pennsylvania, New York, and New Hampshire. We chat about his hunting strategies across the country and how they may or may not relate to the northeast. We also discuss his experiences hunting whitetails via tracking in the snow, and recap his successful New Hampshire monarch he harvested last season. Tons of information in this week's episode, thanks for listening and good luck during the upcoming firearm season!

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Effective Black Bear Hunting Drives and Tactics

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch and Robby have a round table discussion with some experienced PA black bear hunters. Returning to the podcast is Mark Lesher, along with Chris (Chopper) Schroeder and Robby's dad, Rob Henne. We cover a multitude of topics including scouting, finding food, reading terrain, adapting to hunting pressure, planning drives with the wind in mind, communicating effectively in group hunts, and much more. Pennsylvania is a target rich environment for black bears, as the habitat manipulation and quality management plan have sustained a growing population. Even with this in mind, roughly 3,000 to 4,000 bears are harvested annually out of 200,000+ bear licenses sold!

Unique to this conversation is the fact that while our guests have hunted slightly different terrain and food sources for bears, many of their tactics mirror. For instance, it is common for many bear drives to involve yelling and noise. While this helps to keep those walking in line, the theory also is that it will encourage movement towards a post of standers. However, while that may be effective at times, the group discusses how and why they refrain from making noise during drives, and how added stealth often leads them to higher success. Whether you are a novice bear hunter or well experienced, this is a conversation that anyone can learn something from!

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Hunt Your Property During the Rut Effectively

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 4 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Most deer hunters impatiently wait for the first week of November. Now that it's here, are you ready? Have you formulated a game plan to capitalize? Was the work you did to prepare in the off season enough? This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Jon Teater from Whitetail Landscapes. Jon is a professional whitetail hunting property consultant, avid deer hunter, and the host of the Maximize Your Hunt Podcast on Sportsmen's Empire.

We begin by discussing some key components of what it takes to design hunting properties efficiently. We touch on topics including when is the right time to harvest doe, and how do you deal with fence sitters? Then of course, we discuss being as efficient as possible during the off season as well as during the hunting season. Jon shares what the rut looks like for him this season and how you may be able to capitalize during the rut. Jon is a fascinating person who has a mountain of knowledge, for more, be sure to check out his podcast!

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Busting Up and Hunting Fall Turkey Flocks

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

The first time Mitch heard Paul Campbell from the Ohio Outdoors (O2) podcast say the words, "the month of October belongs to turkeys," he thought Paul needed to be checked into a mental hospital! However, after chatting with Paul and Brett Barry on this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, there may be some merit to those words after all! Both Brett and Paul think about turkeys the way many guys think about whitetails and have a fall turkey hunting tour planned out each season. If you've never hunted turkeys in the fall, it's a whole different story compared to spring!

Both guys begin by sharing their infatuation for turkeys, and Brett leads into his introduction to using dogs during the fall season. He touches briefly on developing a dog for turkey hunting and the gear needed, then immediately dives into the strategy behind scouting, busting up flocks, and calling in turkeys during the fall hunting season. Most turkey hunters think about hunting in spring when gobblers are fired up during breeding season. But during the fall, finding food and security cover is key, just like hunting whitetails. Brett and Paul are loaded with tips and tricks to being a more successful turkey hunter, especially during the fall when birds' behavior is a little more difficult to manipulate!

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Make the Most of Your Big Woods Hunt w/ Johnny Stewart

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

There are tons of fantastic deer hunters across the entire country. Each and every one of them has a unique set of tactics they bring to the table. Usually they are developed specific to the regions they hunt most. Deer density, hunting pressure, food sources and more all affect the strategy of targeting mature whitetails. While there are many great hunters who can relate these components well in agricultural settings, finding people that consistently find success in big woods public land can be difficult. The few that do are definitely grinders!

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch has a conversation with none other than Johnny Stewart. Johnny is from western PA and has hunted whitetails across the country, but still finds himself fascinated with northeastern big woods. Many of you have probably listened to Johnny on other shows and know his intricate level of detail when scouting and hunting mature deer. This episode is not much different, but we break down the hunting season from archery through late season flintlock and how Johnny works through some of the basics. Enjoy!

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Archery Hunting PA Bears and Bucks w/ Todd Bromley

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not allow baiting or the use of hounds for hunting black bears. With the extreme diversity in habitat across this state, harvesting one with a bow can be a difficult task. However, with the season expansion and increase in bear population, archers taking the field in pursuit of these bruins have slightly better odds then they may have historically. Regardless, scouting and developing a hunting strategy is still not a walk in the park!

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with Todd Bromley. Todd is the editor of Crossbow Magazine and lifelong Pennsylvania hunter. For the past 11 seasons, Todd has transitioned from compound to using solely his crossbow each fall. We begin by diving into a bowhunting philosophy and ethics conversation, regardless of the weapon being vertical or horizontal. Next we chat about Todd's recent fascination - black bears. In 2015, Todd killed the 15th largest bear in the state at the time, and has since found himself scouting and hunting hard each fall. He shares some tips for finding food in the types of habitat he typically hunts, and also finding sign in some out of the ordinary ways. We also discuss a little bit of whitetail deer hunting strategy, specifically how he uses trail cameras to be successful. We close by discussing some of the testing he has done with heavy crossbow bolts weighing in over 600 grains with 200 grain fixed blade broadheads. Bear season begins October 15th, and this episode should fire you up!

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Bowhunting B.S. Session w/ Dan Johnson

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 7 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with the boss man himself, the man behind Sportsmen's Empire, Mr. Dan Johnson. We converse over our current life routine including family life with children and slowly lead into hunting season. Dan discusses the recent changes in hunting properties he is experiencing from losing one of his main properties and having to pull his gear off the land without getting shot at! Dan talks about his pursuit in finding a shooter around his home in Iowa, but also shares his philosophy when it comes to out of state hunts.

In recent years there has been an excellent push to get people outdoors and enjoy deer hunting on public land. However, there is still an overwhelming amount of "deer shaming", pressuring people that they have to shoot the absolute biggest buck, as if they are inferior if they do not. Dan compares his philosophy of targeting mature bucks close to home versus shooting something on an out of state trip that just makes him happy. How does a guy from Iowa relate to people in Pennsylvania and the Northeast? Dan is an individual that does what he wants without the influence of what other people think. Most importantly, he flat out loves bowhunting. There is a ton of philosophy and a touch of strategy in this week's episode!

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Blood Trailing Wounded Deer w/ Otto and Otis

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Pennsylvania began allowing hunters to recover wounded big game with dogs during the 2018 season. While we always aspire to place shots that require short track jobs, it's only part of hunting to make a bad shot. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we sit down with bowhunter and blood tracker Otto Shick. Otto is a humble farmer from Southeast Pennsylvania that has been bowhunting his entire life and helping people find their deer with his dog Otis since it has been legal. With all this comes a substantial amount of knowledge regarding tracking and what to do after the shot.

Patience is an attribute that seldom goes unrewarded. So why is it so difficult for many people to be patient after they release an arrow? Frankly, it's easier said than done when you're dealing with adrenaline and excitement. Without discipline, it can quickly ruin your recovery experience. Slow down and ask yourself things such as, where do I think I hit? How did the deer react? Where was the last place I saw it run? What time did I shoot? Otto shares with us what to do on specific shot situations, the amount of time to wait before tracking, how to mark the trail as you go, and what to do when you lose blood and decide to call someone with a dog. When in doubt, back out, they say. Not only is this true for allowing enough time for the animal to expire, it's also true for dog tracking. Grid searching can hinder a dog's ability to follow up efficiently by molesting the track's scent profile. If you need help with a track this fall or would like more information about blood tracking with dogs, go to www.unitedbloodtrackers.org.

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The Harsh Reality for EVERY BOWHUNTER

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

It's that time of year when all the stars begin to align, the weather is cooling down, and it's finally go-time. You've waited all year long for this, and you're going to do everything in your power to spend the maximum amount of time in the field. How many times do you tell yourself that this task or event can wait until after hunting season? It's so easy to get caught up in the mindset that hunting season is priority because there is only a fixed amount of time you're able to hunt each calendar year.

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch dives into some personal dilemmas he is having balancing his everyday life and the desire to hunt hunt hunt! The conversation is more open ended and philosophical then direct. He shares with us his learning curve being a father and husband while also trying to chase his passion in the whitetail woods. Mitch is open with everyone about how he really struggles keeping his priorities focused during the hunting season and not allowing himself to put his family and loved ones behind hunting. Time management can be difficult in life, especially when you have other responsibilities that force you from doing the things you want to do. Even though hunting has so many positive attributes, the harsh reality is it can become a selfish endeavor with ugly consequences if you're not careful. If this is something you battle, hopefully this episode lets you know that you're not alone! Good luck to everyone this fall!

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Traditional Archery and Pennsylvania Bowhunting with Matt Zirnsak from The Push Archery

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch and Robby catch up with Matt Zirnsak from The Push Archery. Matt is from western Pennsylvania and is a diehard bowhunter who is partial to taking a recurve to the field. We begin our conversation with Matt's introduction to bowhunting and traditional archery, then navigate from flinging arrows to competitive status. We discuss a ton of things including general bowhunting discussion, shot execution and target panic, aiming, and all things equipment. The Push all began when Matt and some buddies created a YouTube video for introductory traditional archery. Since then, The Push has been pumping out a ton of educational content, as well as archery hunting and entertaining videos. Be sure to tune into their Youtube channel and follow them on social media!

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Bowfishing for Dinner?!

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 9 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Donovan Remp and Austin Schlenker. These guys are completely ate up with bowfishing, and we have a fantastic B.S. session all about shooting fish. If you've never tried bowfishing, these guys will peak your interest. Not only is it extremely stimulating, as the title states, some of the species they are targeting make for incredible table fare! We start off with the boy's introduction to bowfishing, their evolution of gear accumulation, thoughts and recommendations on how to get started, and of course we lead into strategy and fun stories. The guys go anywhere from walking creeks for carp to running the Potomac River for Snakehead - or as we now reference it, poor man's Walleye! What better way to lead into archery season than shooting your bow?

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Capitalizing on Opening Day In Special Regulation Archery Zones

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 2 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

September is here, which means deer season has arrived! That includes the special regulations season in Pennsylvania including units 5C, 5D, and 2B. It's a fantastic opportunity to get in the deer woods slightly before the rest of the state. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chatted with someone who has found repeated success on opening day during this early season.

Our guest Adam Pastrnak discusses his continued stewardship of the whitetail woods. More of a self taught bow hunter, he is constantly consuming as much information as possible to help formulate a game plan during fall. Through the school of hard knocks and trial and error, Adam has managed to come up with a system where he can connect on deer in the morning during early season. We indulge into his learning curve and how he has evolved from stomping through brush to a more methodical approach in the whitetail woods. It's a bow hunting conversation for anyone who is ready for opening day, wherever that may be!

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Hardcore Canada Goose Hunting Action

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Garrett Regalski who is the owner of Fowl Intentions and co-owner of PA Boyz Outdoors. Garrett eats, sleeps and breathes goose hunting and adjusts life around chasing the flyways. For six months out of the year he is putting his shotgun through constant use and abuse in any weather you'd imagine. Needless to say, opening day cannot come fast enough!.

Garrett shares a ton of his experiences and details how his scouting leads to success. A ton of miles get put on the vehicles to locate and pattern birds during preseason. He also discusses calling techniques, decoying, equipment, and much much more. It's an episode that will aggravate an itchy trigger finger and make your shoulder hurt just thinking about slinging some steel!

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60 Years of Bowhunting Tradition in One Weekend

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we are chatting with Phil Holcombe about the Pennsylvania Bowhunters Festival. Phil is now the third generation leading with his team of volunteers to make this event happen annually. It is the oldest gathering of bowhunters in the world! It's an opportunity for fellowship, comradery, archery shooting, networking, and just pure bowhunting fun!

Phil shares with us some of the history of the festival as it began with his Grandfather and Great Uncles over 60 years ago in Forksville, PA. One of the most memorable parts of this shoot is the novelty running deer shoot, and Phil discusses the engineering occured to develop this attractive target! There are also numerous courses throughout the fairgrounds that make the event too big to handle in a single day. Not to mention the food and vendors that are present every year. This event is held annually in September and is something that is fun for the whole family. Tune in to hear all about it, and check out pabowhunters.com for more information about the event and how you can join this year!

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Next Level Trail Camera Intel with DeerLab

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Trail cameras are arguably the most helpful scouting tool available. Even though recently an ethics debate has emerged, they are still valuable when learning animal patterns and behavior. Many of us find ourselves adding to our arsenal of cameras each season. More cameras means more pictures, which can definitely lead to a massive time investment as well as a headache in organization. However, there are tools which can make life a bit more efficient.

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch and Robby chat with Jon Livingston from DeerLab. Jon is one of the founders and creators of this software tool which allows more efficient data collection. If you struggle with organizing camera images and correlating trends due to the massive amount of time and clutter, this episode is for you!

Use the coupon code "WOODSMAN" for 20% off your purchase of DeerLab!

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Game Changing Food Plot Strategies: Hold them Season Long

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 5 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

It's that time of year where final preparations are coming together for archery season. Food plot planting is in full swing throughout most of the country and beginning to pick up here in the northeast. Social media is blowing up with guys tilling and planting, promoting different seed blends and manufacturers. But how do you really know what fits best for your situation? This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch dives into a fall food plot discussion of tuning fall food plots with hunting strategy.

Topics of interest include 1) assessing species requirements based on browse pressure and soil capabilities, 2) maximizing the amount of tonnage for season long hunting, and 3) effectively hunting and holding the local herd with this food plot rotation. We also touch on some potentially simple poor man no-till food plot options. Food plots truly can change the quality of hunting on private land to the point of no return. Anyone who has not experienced this has likely made a fatal mistake in their program that produced poor results. Those mistakes can be avoided and are addressed in this episode! Don't miss out!

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DIY Land Transformation and Sharing the Hunt

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

There is something special about digging in the dirt, especially, when you know the dirt under your fingernails belongs to you. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with Mike Daquilante about his experiences manipulating his 130 acre farm in western Pennsylvania. For 25+ years, Mike has been removing invasives, planting food plots, and trying to leave his property better than when he first purchased it. He loves to live by the motto, "it's not our's, it's just our turn."

While Mike surely enjoys his time in the field and has hunting strategies up his sleeve, that's not entirely what this episode is about. Instead, he discusses his success stories and learning experiences during that time. He also expresses the fulfillment of giving back. Mike has shared his property with family, friends, and youth looking to tag their first deer and turkey. It's a great reminder to not have blinders on during hunting season and to share the experiences we seek each fall.

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Managing Priorities Over Hunting Passion

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

When this episode drops, there are only 71 days remaining before Pennsylvania's statewide archery season opens. Season preparation is in full swing for many diehards and the anticipation is creeping up. That also means the time of year is approaching when sportsmen and women are spending less time at home with family. How do you handle the balance between your outdoor passion and family time?

On this week's episode we chat with Josh Raley, a fellow Sportsmen's Empire contributor for the Wisconsin Sportsman and How to Hunt Deer Podcasts. Josh faces the same dilemma's as anyone. He is a husband, a father, and a faithful follower of the Lord, but also crazy about chasing whitetail deer and turkeys whenever humanly possible. Josh shares with us some of his journey which led him to where he is now and how those learning experiences have molded him into the hunter, father, husband, and believer that he is today. There is a lot left to be said from Josh, as he is no stranger to chasing whitetails across the country and we look forward to having him back for more deer hunting conversations!

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Big Woods Whitetails and Trad Bows w/ Cory Gulvas (pt 2)

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we pick back up where we left off in last week's conversation with Cory Gulvas. Cory discusses a little more whitetail hunting strategy which then leads us into what he is truly most passionate about: traditional archery. Mature mountain bucks in the northeast can be an extremely difficult quarry to encounter in the first place. But connecting on one with a stick bow inside 20 yards is a whole new level of difficulty!

Regardless of the type of vertical bow in hand, archery is a mental game. It's easy to develop bad habits that require practice schemes to break them. Cory shares with us that he has experienced target panic to such a degree, that during one particular season he hoped he would not see a shooter within range due to his lack of confidence behind the bow. Cory describes his journey of breaking this habit and striving to be the best shooter possible, whether that is in 3D competition or in the woods!

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Big Woods Whitetails and Trad Bows w/ Cory Gulvas (pt 1)

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 8 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast we chat with a fairly well known Pennsylvania Native, Cory Gulvas. For those who do not know, Cory killed the number 2 typical whitetail with his recurve during the 2020 hunting season in Pennsylvania. Cory is extremely humble and believes there was a lot of luck behind that success story. However, we believe that luck is something that follows those who prepare well, and Cory is someone who spends countless hours preparing for the upcoming deer season.

We start part one of the conversation by breaking down the progression of Cory's interest in big woods whitetail hunting, going from a compound to a recurve, shed hunting, and his philosophy behind the pursuit of his quarry. One big lesson to take away in his message, is that the hunt is not about the kill. In fact, he said he does not overly enjoy killing animals although it is part of the hunt. Rather, he cherishes the road you take to get there and would rather pursue a mature buck and come home empty handed than kill a younger buck just to fill a tag. We also chat about calling deer in big woods, shed hunting, and a few other pieces of strategy. It will leave you ready for more, so be ready for part two next week!

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Making Outdoor Wishes Come True

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 1 Jul 2022 09:00:00 +0000

It can be so easy to be consumed by your passion in the outdoors. Whether you're after a Pope and Young, going on a cross country turkey hunting tour, or logging hundreds of hours casting a line, it can become quite infectious. But at the end of the day, why do we do what we do? For one, our own self ambition can drive us to chase thrill and adventure. However at the end of the day, there is much more to this passion than that.

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with Jarrod Renninger of the One Wish Foundation. This is a true non-profit organization that takes children with life altering conditions on the outdoor adventure of their dreams. Jarrod is someone who loves the pursuit of big game like many others. However, he has found a passion for sharing with those who are less fortunate. Join and listen as Jarrod shares how this all began, and where he envisions it to go in the future. You'll hear some truly heartwarming stories that will leave you with a reality check in your own life and outdoor passion. If you would like to contribute to the One Wish Foundation, or you know a family who should be considered, visit https://onewishfoundation.org/owf/.

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Season Preparation, Arrow Set-Ups, and Keyboard Warriors

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch dives into some season preparation with a bit more philosophy than direct strategy. As June slips away into the heat of summer, time to prepare for the upcoming archery season is also fading. Work has taken a significant chunk of Mitch's time but he still managed to help out and share the latest status of food plots at his hunting locations to prepare for this fall. In addition, he discusses the off-season practice routine he uses to build muscle memory and hone his shot execution this fall.

Lastly, we discuss shot ethics on game and knowing the limits of yourself and your equipment. Information overload is a real issue for beginners in the outdoors. While there is a ton of fantastic information available to get people started, it can be easy to take things out of context and have poor experiences. One such example is shot placement and how that relates between species and the arrow set-ups you use. This is where philosophy takes over, and even if you're a seasoned veteran we challenge you to reevaluate your shot process and be accountable for every arrow you release!.

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Growing The Sport Of Archery

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with two guys that are doing as much as they can to grow the sport of archery at their local club. Jonathan Henne and Justin Delong took over running archery shoots at the Shartlesville Rod and Gun Club in Berks County Pennsylvania, and have been growing ever since. We discuss how they went from flinging arrows, to being pro-staff shooters at IBO tournaments, to building up their club and supporting archery locally.

In addition, Mitch and Robby discuss the ups and downs of target panic with their guests and how each one of them have combated their shooting dilemma. We discuss training exercises, equipment setups, and shot process fundamentals that helped each of them improve their ability as shooters on target and in the hunting woods. It's a fun episode to get you thinking about summer practice and preparation for archery season this fall!

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How to Draw a Pennsylvania Elk Tag

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

If you recall a few weeks ago we had a conversation with Jacob Coons who drew a late season bull tag during the 2021-2022 PA elk hunting season. On this week's episode, we are going into more detail about Pennsylvania Elk Hunting with Bryan Hale of Elk County Outfitters. Bryan is the lead of this operation and has a ton of experience guiding hunters to success in the Keystone State. Not only is he a guide, but he has also been a lucky tag holder, harvesting a cow elk during the 2015 season.

After our introduction, Bryan chats about his evolution into Pennsylvania elk. With recent season and application changes, Bryan provides us his thoughts on how to position your application based on specific goals, such as bull versus cow hunting, zone preferences, and season expectations. In addition to planning, Bryan also shares with us what to expect if you successfully draw a tag. Elk County Outfitters spends a ton of time in the off season scouting and preparing for fall. You will get a glimpse of strategy as well as entertainment by the countless success stories. License sales for Pennsylvania begin June 13th, so get your elk applications ready!

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Black Bear Knowledge with the State Biologist

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 3 Jun 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Black bears are one of the most intriguing animals in North America due to their high level of intellect. Across the nation the most popular way of bear hunting is by baiting or with hounds. There are a number of states that do not allow these forms of bear hunting, resulting in the ultimate chess match between man and beast. In Western states, however; the landscape and topography allow for spot and stalk situations as well as long range shooting. Arguably the most difficult place in the country to harvest a black bear is Pennsylvania and the surrounding Northeastern states which do not allow baiting or hounds.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Robby and Mitchell chat with Pennsylvania Black Bear biologist Emily Carrollo. As Pennsylvania's bear seasons continue to modify based on data and research, Emily shares some of the data management associated with making hunting season decisions. In addition to addressing public concern, we dive into food and cover habits typically associated in fall and how the age and sex of a bear may influence its home range. This episode is not only informative about the species but has plenty of hunting strategy ques to pull from.

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Pennsylvania Triple Trophy Season Breakdown

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 27 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

It is quite an accomplishment for hunters in the Keystone state to harvest a bear, whitetail buck, and spring turkey in one season; otherwise known as the Triple Trophy. For many it is something that may only happen once in their lifetime, however, there are always a few exceptions. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we have a season breakdown with Dayton Hess, who just finished his third Triple Trophy!

Dayton is truly a diehard that utilizes every possible moment he can to gather intel for his hunting areas. You may have heard other guests on this show say they scout more than they hunt and Dayton is no exception! With the use of cameras, glassing, and boots on the ground scouting, he consistently puts himself in bow range of his target animal. Tune in for the strategy behind all three of these big game species as there are plenty of tips to help you this fall!

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A Kentucky Boy's Pennsylvania Elk Hunting Experience

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 20 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Hunting elk east of the Mississippi River is arguably one of the greatest conservation success stories in North America. While the herds seen today in Pennsylvania are actually Rocky Mountain Elk transferred from western states, it's still a thrill to see and hear this species roam the state. On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch and Robby chat with Jacob Coons about his recent elk hunting trip to the Keystone State.

Jacob is driven to the challenge of hard-earned DIY hunting for western game but is also allured by the unique hunting opportunity for elk in eastern states. He drew a late season bull tag for the 2021-2022 season and was fortunate to connect with the trophy of a lifetime. Jacob shares with us all of his homework to prepare for this tag and what he learned throughout the entire experience. You will likely learn something about elk hunting PA you never knew, as Jacob's attention to detail is superb!

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Removing Predators for Better Turkey and Deer Hunting

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 13 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

As we reach the halfway point of spring turkey season there are generally two separate conversations that emerge. Either the success of a textbook turkey hunt, or a tangent about turkey populations being off. If you find yourself in the latter half, pay attention! This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Mike Dreibelbis about his journey into trapping nest raiders and fawn nabbers. Mike found his passion for trapping later in his hunting career and began to hone his craft of targeting coyotes and nuisance predators.

Fur prices continue to fluctuate and the days of making money on a trap line are nearly over. As the quality of habitat increases across the country for better deer and turkey hunting, naturally predator species will respond in a positive way. Unless you're a diehard trapper yourself, it's possible that the increase in predators has an impact on the turkey (or deer) hunting in your neighborhood. Mike's journey of learning to master this art is filled with a ton of knowledge that you may be able to apply in your area. Hopefully this will fire you up to run a trapline this fall for future hunting, or consider inviting a trapper to come and help you out!

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How to Convert Cropland to Wildlife Habitat

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 6 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

What seems to be the norm under private land is that more acres mean better hunting. It cannot be ignored that whitetails (and other wildlife) have a home range much larger than the size of the average Northeast parcel. But often, landowners complain about their inability to hold wildlife on their small property for the wrong reasons - efficiency. On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch dives into the controversial topic of Agriculture, CREP, and how they often do not correspond with quality wildlife habitat.

Many people are in the market to buy a chunk of land to call home and have quality hunting opportunity. Let’s make a case you are looking to purchase land in a mixed agricultural area. Now ask yourself which of these scenarios are better: 1) purchase the largest property you can afford but be forced to rent cropland to a local farmer or government CREP program due to financial reasons, or 2) purchase a smaller property that you’re able to implement what the property needs in order to be as efficient as possible for your goals? In most cases the latter may be a better solution for a person who wants to have a whitetail and wildlife paradise. You’d be amazed the potential of a small property with the correct practices implemented. There is no one size fits all policy for property improvements, but these practices may be something to consider implementing on your property.

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Early Season Acorns Leads to Biggest Archery Buck

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

During the early season, food is the name of the game. Whether it is created by man in the form of ag fields and food plots, or in the form of natural browse, bedding to feeding patterns are your ticket to success finding a shooter buck. On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we chat with Mark Dissinger as he shares his 2021 success story about his largest PA buck to date that was killed in early archery season. Typically, most hunters talk about hunting close to food sources in the evening during this time of year. However, Mark has consistently found early season success in his area during the mornings as bucks head back from ag fields and stop to munch on acorns before heading back to bed.

As we all know, one of the challenges of bow hunting in early season is facing the heat. All bowhunters strive to prepare themselves for the moment of truth to make a quick and humane kill. However, if you bow hunt long enough you are bound to experience the lowest of lows. Unfortunately for Mark, the recovery of his deer did not go as smoothly as he hoped. But Mark persevered to find his trophy for a bittersweet ending. In addition to the early season hunting strategy, there are plenty of things to take away from this recovery story and help us learn when the unspeakable happens.

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Corn, Soybean, and No-till Food Plots

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Even though snow and cold weather has set planting back in the northeast slightly, planting season is right around the corner. On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we are discussing all things summer food plots. First, we touch base on last minute clover establishment and maintenance before diving into the main topic of corn and soybean planting. Like hunting, food plots are a combination of science and art. We begin chatting about all things technical such as planting populations, weed management, soil preparation, fertility, even wide row corn with inner-seeded greens. Even with all the correct tools and preparation, we still have to ask the question, “do you really need corn and soybeans?” This leads us to a philosophical conversation about tuning your food plot programs to your surrounding neighborhood, property size, and local deer density.

Last, we can’t help but discuss no-till food plots. To start, no-till food plots have many more advantages over conventional planting with tillage. However, there is a learning curve which requires a little more planning and management to be successful. No-till planting is not something that can be mastered overnight, but this episode can help prepare you for the long run! Every planting season is a new learning experience and an opportunity to provide better attraction for wildlife. Plus, it is one step closer to being in the tree this fall.

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Patience Kills Turkeys with Matt Dale

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

We open this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman with a quick message from Pastor Phil Thomas as we celebrate Good Friday and this Easter weekend. Afterwards, Mitch and Robby have a conversation with Matt Dale from Dale’s Outdoors. Matt has a YouTube channel dedicated solely to educating people to be better turkey hunters. Matt does not take the same approach as other hunting channels where kill content is the main priority, in fact, he does not have near the amount of hunting content as educational videos.

More often than not, educational content for hunting other big game species like whitetails and black bear revolve around finding food, sign, bedding, etc. Why is it that when spring turkey hunting comes into conversation, sign and food are often a secondary topic? Calling, decoys, and blind location strategies are usually discussed the most, and while they are important it is not the “end-all be-all.” Many spring gobbler hunters gauge the quality of the spring season by the amount of gobbling and the responsiveness to calling they encounter. According to Matt, however, more turkeys are killed by sheer patience. For more of Matt’s turkey hunting knowledge, check out Dale Outdoors on YouTube – any turkey hunter can learn something from this 300+ course level turkey hunting information!

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B.S. Session w/ Average Jack Archery

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 8 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Without a doubt one of the greatest aspects of hunting is the comradery among fellow hunters. It’s not uncommon for friendships to immediately form after the first time you meet someone and share hunting knowledge and experience. Those in the hunting community are almost always quick to help other hunters hone their skill. On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we catch up with a bowhunter who has been helping thousands of fellow archers through his YouTube channel, Average Jack Archery.

Nate Sellers is a humble English teacher from Northcentral Pennsylvania with a passion for teaching – not just in the classroom but also at the archery shop. Over the past decade, Nate has been producing videos to help a diverse crowd of archers from beginner bowhunters to advanced target shooters. The guys discuss the evolution of Average Jack Archery and how a YouTube channel turned into a new bow shop which Nate is opening in July of 2022. As expected, we discuss archery hunting gear including arrow set up for whitetail hunting and shooting under pressure. Nate shares his experience this past fall of arrowing his largest whitetail to date in Indiana and we chat about how his Midwest hunting strategy relates to hunting back in Pennsylvania. If you’ve followed Nate and Average Jack Archery to any capacity, you can bet Nate will have advice for you in this episode.

If you feel Average Jack Archery has helped you and you’re shooting over the years and would like to contribute to his shop opening July 1, 2022 in Phillipsburg, PA, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brick-and-mortar-shop-average-jack-archery

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Micro-Managing Small Hunting Farms

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 1 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +0000

How many of you can relate to hunting small tracts of property? What about a micro-parcel of 10 acres of less? The vast majority of deer hunters with access to private land can relate to this type of parcel, especially those that are chopped up in the Northeast. While a Whitetail deer’s home range is significantly larger than the confinement of a micro-parcel, there is more that can be done in the off-season to improve the quality of hunting then most would think. However, in addition to hard work, it takes a more methodical approach, and sometimes outside-of-the-box creativity to achieve these goals.

This week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have Phil Holcombe share his experiences from the school of hard knocks. Phil is a Pennsylvania native that is no stranger to hunting vast chunks of big woods public land as well as his own property of less than 10 acres. We begin by understanding a little bit about his property and how he evaluates the qualities and setbacks of a micro-tract. Phil explains how it’s important to “work with the grain” rather than against it – meaning take the qualities of the property and use them to your advantage. The core of his principles mirror strategy on public land, but reducing the scale accordingly. He also shares the importance of strategic stand location and access to allow the perception of zero hunting pressure. There must be a balance of attraction and “huntability” – all the attraction in the world will not yield the results desired if the local herd is spooked every time you step foot on the property. Whether you have a small property, or you’re pounding public ground, anyone can take away strategy from this episode!

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Whitetail Movement Prediction with Spartan Forge

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast we introduce our new co-host, Robby Henne. We start by catching up with Robby and discussing his 2021 deer season where he harvested his first buck with a bow and a coyote! Following the introduction, Mitch has a conversation with Bill Thompson of Spartan Forge. Bill was a military intel officer for 21 years, and now is using this military artificial intelligence knowledge to help people track down mature bucks.

If you have never heard of the Spartan Forge app, you’ll enjoy the background information Bill shares leading to how this product is utilized in field. It is difficult to go into the deer woods during this day in age without some type of technology guiding us. Utilizing GPS for direction and point marking, journaling, etc. are all pieces of the puzzle towards success. Spartan Forge aims to help with those things while also providing a Whitetail movement prediction model with tons of GPS collar data that support this algorithm.

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Fly Fishing for Mountain Stream Native Trout

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

With spring approaching we have new ways of shaking cabin fever out! This week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with John Kolb. John is the founder of the Suffering Outdoors YouTube channel which showcases outdoor adventures in the Northeast, especially around his home in northern Pennsylvania. Even though John is a diehard whitetail hunter and can often be found wandering in large tracts of public land, he still enjoys spending this time of year fly fishing.

Opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania is nearly a state holiday itself with thousands of anglers lining the recently stocked creek edges. However, the length of streams stocked is a fraction to the 80,000+ miles of streams throughout the Keystone State. There is more opportunity to catch native trout then most would think. John enjoys the challenge of tying his own flies and casting his fly rod into pools that are sometimes smaller than a half ton pickup truck. Everything about this type of fishing is a challenge – sometimes hiking long distances, wary fish, narrow windows to maneuver a fly rod, and John adds an additional element with a camera! Make sure you tune into some of John’s fly-fishing videos that you will find informational and entertaining. While you are at it, you just might find yourself scrolling through the reels of deer hunting videos.

Social Media Links:

www.sufferingoutdoors.com

https://www.facebook.com/Suffering-Outdoors-107358578191710/?ref=page_internal

https://www.instagram.com/suffering_outdoors/

https://www.youtube.com/c/SufferingOutdoors

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Plant Diversity and Hunt Strategy w/ Steve Chilcote

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we conclude the second half of our interview with Land and Timber Consultant, Steve Chilcote. In part one, Steve shares his background of forestry and land consulting which leads into topics of browse, cover, and invasive species management. In part two, Steve concludes his thoughts on a few more invasive species he typically finds on properties and the necessary measures to correct them. As plant communities transition with removal of invasives, Steve stresses that there needs to be quality plants that fill in the newly created space – otherwise invasives will reinhabit. Typically, the native seed bank has stored seeds for decades that only needed sunlight and reduced competition to flourish.

In some cases, adding conifer trees for improved cover or screening is possible for landscapes that lack this habitat feature. Steve breaks down the how, what, and where of conifer adding and management on some client properties. Lastly, Steve concludes with hunting tips and strategy for private landowners looking to shoot for the stars and harvest the most mature deer in the neighborhood. All the practices and techniques discussed throughout part one and two of this interview are conservation oriented at the core – it’s an added bonus when they allow better hunting opportunity!

Be sure to check out Steve at

(chilcoteforester.com)

and Facebook @chilcoteforester, as well as all his YouTube playlists at Chilcote Forestry.

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Food Plot Overload

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 4 Mar 2022 12:24:30 +0000

On last week’s episode, we began to prep everyone about the reality of food plotting challenges in 2022. The herbicides we typically use may be in short supply and expensive, and fertilizer won’t be much different. Mitch mentioned that planting a summer cover crop as a “green manure,” which will release nutrients mined by plant roots to the soil’s surface when terminated, as being a viable option. This is not a new concept to agriculture, but it’s begun to gain more traction in the food plot community. With that, this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman is going to branch off into a bit more detail about green manure in food plots with Tad Dalgewicz.

Tad is a spokesman for the Whitetail Institute and does seminars throughout the east coast. He has an intensive background in agriculture, and between his part time farming and food plotting history has nearly 30 years of experience. He discusses a new product released by the Whitetail Institute called “Revive” and how this product along with a green manure planting system can be utilized. Tad is one of those guys that when you chat with him, it’s plain to see he has intense passion for food plots and managing soils in a sustainable way. Tad is no stranger to relating his food plotting to quality hunting, and has taken numerous wall-hangers in Pennsylvania. With that passion, be prepared for Tad to go on some tangents about food plotting, property management, hunting strategy and more! You may find some of the information in this episode to be a little over your head if you are new to food plots. But rest assured that the information from Tad’s mind is quality mixed with quantity!

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Food Plot Prep - Herbicides, Fertilizer, and Clover Management

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 10:00:00 +0000

With warmer temperatures approaching, cabin fever is beginning to wear off. Spring will be here before we know it, and too often food plot planters stall to prepare for planting and maintaining their fields. On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch shares detailed information for clover plot management, as well as weed control and fertility concerns everyone may face in 2022. To start, proper clover plot establishment and management is not always well addressed. Due to this, many spring planted clover plots fail due to the lack of context. Soils need to be properly prepared with no established weeds, and most importantly, need to be planted earlier than most would think. In addition, knowing what herbicide you can use on clover and the appropriate times is equally as important for maintaining longevity in established plots. Prepare for note taking!

The forecast of glyphosate herbicide availability in spring is uncertain, and the supply that is available may be significantly more expensive than normal. These challenges may lead to alternative measures. Mitch dives into his plans for how he will address last year’s fall planted plots with significantly less, or no glyphosate applied, and also without using tillage. This will require biological controls that choke out weed competition. Finally, Mitch scratches the surface on how fertility can be built overtime with little to no commercial fertilizer, as 2022 will prove to have abnormally high fertilizer prices. Plan now, and success will come in fall!

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Are Your Deer Starving to Death?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch has a conversation with Kip Adams. Kip is a biologist and the Chief Conservation Officer for the National Deer Association (NDA). Prior to Kip’s engagement with the Quality Deer Management Association and NDA, he was the deer project leader for New Hampshire Fish & Game Department. New Hampshire, as well as many other states in the northern portion of the whitetail deer’s home range, is not immune to severe winter weather having an impact on the local herd. Kip was involved in numerous surveys in New Hampshire monitoring winter areas as well as mortality.

In addition to the wealth of knowledge regarding whitetail biology, Kip is a Pennsylvania native who finds himself hunting property he manages in northern Pennsylvania. He can relate to the weather patterns in the Keystone state and how they may impact winter survival. Kip explains that providing winter food for deer is not a reactionary process – it takes planning ahead to manage plant communities accessible to the deer herd this time of year. However, as many landowners begin to hit the panic button during these harsh conditions, they will find themselves making the mistake of piling food. Commonly, corn piles and hay bales get places near wintering yards, and while this is intended to be a positive deed, it can result in disease, predation, and higher rates of mortality. Take notes, as this episode will have us back in the biology classroom!

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Keystone Predator Management

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This week is an episode jam packed with coyote and predator hunting knowledge. We sit down and have a conversation with Bryan Mealy and Dane Kitner of Keystone Predator Management. This group was founded out of the necessity to reduce coyote populations in their local area, as well as their diehard passion for hunting predators. While many guys do not think about hunting predators until this time of year when deer seasons are closed across the state and many other outdoor activities have stalled, these boys are grinding on a yearly basis for coyotes!

For the novice and beginner, this episode will provide you with information that will put you light years ahead compared to trial and error on your own. But even experienced coyote hunters can take away tips from Bryan and Dane, as their constant pursuit and dedication has led them to continued success. From scouting and gaining permission, to calling sequences and quality gear including thermo-optics, you’ll find yourself submerged in information during this hour-long B.S. session!

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Big Woods Trail Camera Strategy w/ Steve Sherk

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 4 Feb 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s episode we interview the Sherk that more people are familiar with; Steve Sherk that is! As we progress into winter and put boots to the ground this post season, it is never too late to be considering trail camera strategies for 2022. More often than not, I’ve personally found myself overwhelmed by vast big-woods landscapes and trying to place myself within archery range of a mature deer. Steve discusses the method behind his madness when scouting for trail camera locations, as well as how he positions multiple cameras for in-season monitoring versus data collection for future seasons.

The northern half of Pennsylvania is not typically known for high deer densities. But if you have followed Steve on social media for any length of time, you know that there are plenty of mature deer with racks respectable anywhere in the lower 48 states. Clustering cameras in and around known bedding and transition areas may allow you to capture more images in these big woods settings, especially when funnels and attractions are less pronounced. Pay close attention, as this could be your step closer to connecting with a shooter on a large public land tract!

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Full Swing into Ice Fishing Season with Don Kelly

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 10:00:00 +0000

This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman we shake things up with ice fishing fanatic, Don Kelly. Don is the owner of the Tackle Shack in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania and the recent weather conditions have his business in full swing. Don shared that ice fishing is growing in popularity, but it takes the right gear to be successful. Fortunately, the Tackle Shack is a one-stop-shop to get out on the ice this winter.

One thing that can easily get over looked by outdoorsmen is the fact that ice fishing requires some safety gear and precautions. While breaking through ice may occur infrequently, accidents can happen and a lack of preparation could be costly. Don shares his thoughts on the tools of the trade to keep you safe, comfortable, and successful. We also talk a little about successful tactics as well as hot selling equipment for 2022. If you are a beginner, check out the upcoming ice fishing program that Don tag-teams with the PA Fish & Boat Commission!

Social Media Links:

Ice Fishing Program: Intro to Ice Fishing Program | Visit Potter-Tioga Pennsylvania (visitpottertioga.com)

Program Registration: Event - VIRTUAL - Intro to Ice Fishing Program - February 7, 2022 in Beech Creek, PA (register-ed.com)

The Tackle Shack: Wellsboro Tackle Shack- A Great Day of Fishing Starts Here - Tackle Shack (shoptackleshack.com)

Facebook Page: Tackle Shack | Facebook @wellsborotackleshack

Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast | Facebook @PennsylvaniaWoodsmanPodcast

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Managing Browse and Cover with Steve Chilcote

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we interview Land and Timber Consultant, Steve Chilcote. Steve is located near State College and has been working with land owners to manage their timber to provide income as well as habitat and hunting opportunity. Browse and cover management on a hunting property can be complex. Although this phase of property manipulation is third in our series, its importance is not outranked in any way. It’s crucial to know what native species are present, and how to effectively promote them while suppressing invasive and other non-desirable plant species. Increasing diversity can lead to fantastic wildlife habitat – not just for game species, but all wildlife!

This interview will be split into two episodes. First, after an introduction, Steve begins with proper timber harvest that provides income as well as regeneration. Why not have the best of both worlds? Next, we tap into proper timing and use of hinge cutting and hack-n-squirt techniques. Last, we begin to discuss ramifications of invasive plants to your property. Increasing the network of plant communities on your property will definitely aid in more whitetail encounters this fall!

Be sure to check out Steve at (chilcoteforester.com) and Facebook @chilcoteforester, as well as all his YouTube playlists at Chilcote Forestry.

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Laying Hunting Property Framework with Food Plots

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Sticking with the private land property design series, this week’s episode Mitch talks about the importance of food; specifically, food plots. Food plots are one of the most talked about topics in the hunting industry which can become repetitive and boring. But the fact is, if you have private hunting land, they are EXTREMELY important. Picking up where we left off with the foundation of property access, the next most important piece is implementing food plot programs that work all season long.

Too often, landowners believe food plot programs cannot have a major impact to the local herd and their hunting encounters. This could not be further from the truth – even on micro sized parcels of 10 acres or less! The key is proper placement, species, coupled with excellent access and hunting strategy. As the season comes to an end, now is the best time for planning new plots or changing old plot programs. That is because your experiences of last hunting season are fresh in your mind, and in-depth post-season scouting can guide your plot lay out and design. Start scouting and planning now!

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Do You Have A Good Hunting Property?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 7 Jan 2022 10:00:00 +0000

What better way to kick off the New Year then with new beginnings? This week, Mitch does a quick evaluation of the previous year’s deer season. It’s important to think about what went well versus what needs improvement regarding hunting strategy and hunting area, assuming you’re serious about taking your whitetail hunting to the next level. If you’ve been struggling to meet your own expectations, then maybe it is time for a change!

Mitch will begin a series catering more towards private land that is set up for whitetail deer hunting. We start by re-evaluating hunting goals and expectations for a piece of land, and branch off from here. There is a never-ending flood of information about property management and habitat improvements – some good, some bad, and some taken completely out of context. This week’s episode we lay the ground work for changing the access of your hunting land, as well as making your property more efficient for wildlife. That means reducing the amount of area on your land where deer have interaction with humans during hunting season! This is the foundation for the rest of the property improvements you make, and is crucial especially in a high hunting pressure state like Pennsylvania. Be prepared to challenge yourself, and don’t be surprised if this series will ruffle some feathers!

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One Last Chance To Fill a Tag

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Thank you for following the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast throughout 2021! We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Following our Christmas intro, we talk about our last chance to fill a deer tag beginning Monday, December 27th. There is no sugar coating here… Late season can be tough! Whitetails have been harassed by hunters for nearly three months and any deer that has made it through to this point is on high alert. If you haven’t connected with a buck by now, it is arguably the most difficult time in Pennsylvania to find one.

With that said, there are still missed opportunities for hunters during late season. Simply put, trying a flintlock muzzleloader or taking your bow into the woods is a fun during the holidays! If you dedicate the time and prepare, finding (or creating) unpressured food sources can produce excellent hunting opportunity. We go through our late season game plan of camera monitoring, scouting for food, and stand hunting strategies similar to those discussed in early archery season. The main difference, is the deer are now on edge! Last, we discuss how snow and cold temperatures may create hunting opportunities near bedding cover during mid-day. Keep your powder dry, and stay warm!

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Flintlock Muzzleloader Preparation with Dave Ehrig

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0000

This week we interview Muzzle Blasts Magazine editor, Dave Ehrig. Dave has a strong passion for muzzleloading, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the traditional smoke poles. Pennsylvania has a rich heritage of flintlock muzzleloaders and it is kept alive by Dave and folks like him. As rifle season approaches a close, those with tags remaining begin to think about the deer hunting gift that comes every year the day after Christmas; flintlock muzzleloader season.

If you have struggled to be as proficient as you would like with your flintlock muzzleloader, or you would like to get started but do not know where to begin, this podcast is LOADED with information! The bad reputation of hang fires, inaccuracy, or just won’t fire can be laid to rest when the proper steps are taken before going afield. We start with preseason preparation on the cleaning bench and at the range, and progress to in-season care to ensure a quality shooting experience this season. Don’t kid yourself, these guns are deadly accurate. Do you really think our ancestors would have survived if they weren’t?

For more detailed information about Dave and his muzzleloading knowledge, check out his book “Muzzleloading for Deer & Turkey” as well as Muzzle Blasts Magazine (www.muzzleblasts.com) which is published by the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.

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If You Can’t Beat Them, Join the PA Orange Army

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Few states can compete with the hunting heritage of Pennsylvania’s opening day of rifle season. Everyone seems to take time off from work and venture out. As fun as this season can be, it can also be a challenge. With more hunting pressure than any other time throughout the season, deer quickly “hole up” in security zones. If you haven’t filled a buck tag in archery season, this new added pressure may make it more difficult to harvest the buck you’ve set out for. Instead of getting frustrated with the change in pressure, use it to your advantage!

Food is still king; however, pressure may cause food sources to be used just after dark. We discuss how and where to position yourself throughout opening week with your greatest odds, including stand hunting, still hunting, and a lot of people’s favorite: group hunting. Remember, as carried away as die-hard whitetail hunters can get, this is a time of year to cherish. We are privileged to be hunting in Penn’s Woods! This is an opportunity to be thankful and share memories with family and friends. We can still be strategic along the way!

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How to Beat the Odds in Bear Season with Mark Lesher

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000

There are over 200,000 bear licenses sold in Pennsylvania annually, and 3,500-4,000 bears are killed every fall. With odds like this, how can there be people who have killed multiple Pennsylvania bears in their lifetime and others who never kill one? The answer is the same as the guys who consistently kill big bucks. Preseason homework needs to be done if you expect success! Finding food is key, and to do that you may need to put some miles on via vehicle and boots to find it.

This week we chat with Mark Lesher who has killed half a dozen Pennsylvania bears, and passed nearly as many. He shares a camp with his brothers and family in the northern portion of the state that has harvested dozens of bears since the 1960s when the season first opened back up. Growing up in a camp comes with many traditions. Some traditions include hunting the same areas and the same ways as previous generations. Mark and his crew have learned to do way more than make bear drives and holler, they’ve learned how to be methodical and kill multiple bears annually in their camp. If you’re and avid bear hunter, grab a pen and paper because class is in session; you do not want to miss out on this information!

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Context to “Rut-isms” and Strategizing the Most Magical Time of Year

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 09:00:00 +0000

How many times have you heard someone say that the rut was, or will be, early or later than normal this year? If the rut truly is different every year, then why are fawns born the same time every spring? The truth is, whitetail does are bred relatively the same time each and every year, regardless of moon phase, weather pattern, or how much hunting pressure is in your area. So, when you hear someone say the rut timing was off, what that person is really referring to is observing a chasing, or rutting behavior during daylight hours. In this episode, we will discuss the context behind some common sayings during the rut, which hopefully will help you determine the best time to be in the stand.

Did you request your time off for a “rut-cation”? Or what may even be a better question, SHOULD you request time off of work for the rut? In short, the answer is more then likely “yes”. But how many times have you taken a week off of work in November that turned into a dud? Usually, the lack of activity is caused by inclement weather that may reduce overall deer sightings. Just because some phase of the rut is occurring, doesn’t mean it’s the correct day to be on stand. We will discuss stand strategy, and how to slant time off towards favorable hunting conditions one day at a time, instead of putting all your eggs into one basket during a favored historical timeframe.

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When Should I Move In For The Kill?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000

If you read this title and think you’re going to find out the exact date, time, and location to harvest a buck opening week this year – you may be crazy! Hunting strategy content has flooded social media, and while there is a lot of fantastic advice, it can become overwhelming to utilize in your hunting area. It is also extremely easy to over-think your hunting strategy and let emotion overcome reason. Should you hunt in the morning during early season? Should you get close to bedding areas immediately? When should I dive into my best stand? There really is no one size fits all method.

Think in your mind who the two best whitetail hunters are in the country – while they may have some similarities, often their background in whitetails can lead to contradictory advice. It does not mean that one is right and one is wrong – but it can surely be confusing! This week, Mitch provides his mindset on when to be aggressive, and when to be patient. You’ll find that first keeping it simple and assessing food, bedding, and surrounding hunting pressure, can put you in the ball game quickly before steam shoots out of your ears from overthinking. But one major piece of missing context – how large is private or public parcel you are hunting? Ponder this as we scratch the surface for hunting early season.

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Heating Up for Hunting with Prescribed Fire

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 09:00:00 +0000

On this week’s episode we interview John Wakefield with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. John is the Fire Program Manager for the state and leads the agency in planning as well as being a “Burn Boss”. We begin the episode with tips and techniques to break down a tract of public land with a recent burn history or a plan to. Burn units are an extremely attractive area – both for game and for people! Use this to your advantage when concentrating your stand locations.

From here, we dive into all things fire. From the program start, why units are burned, and the goal of each burn unit. The benefits of burning 12 months out of the year greatly outweigh the drawbacks of vegetation loss during hunting season. Burns will be attractive soon after burns, and typically within 1 growing season will be lush with different browse and forbs. We discuss different habitat types and how each are managed – decide for yourself how to adapt your hunting strategy this fall!

Want to know more about prescribed fire in PA?

Pennsylvania Prescribed Fire Council (paprescribedfire.org)

PrescribedFire (pa.gov)

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Bruiser Buck Profiles w/ your Host Mitchell Shirk

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000

First, tune in on some follow up to the previous podcast, “Are your food plots a step above the rest?” Did your planting get missed by much needed rainfall? If so, then take note for some rescue treatment advice. The window is far from closed on highly attractive fall food plots! Fall plots will transition into the story of a giant 170” typical killed in 2020 by your host Mitchell Shirk; tune in for the story and strategy!

A two-year story for a deer named “Goliath” ended on October 23 with the deer falling a mere 35 yards from the base of the treestand. What is more amazing, is this deer was killed in a ½ acre wood lot outside of a busy town. Do you think it’s not worth your time to create habitat improvements on your small parcel of land? Listen to the quest for this 4 ½ year old 170” deer and maybe you’ll change your mind!

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Bruiser Buck Profiles w/ Cole Seitzinger

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 6 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Continuing with the Bruiser Bucks series, this week Cole Seitzinger shares his hunt breakdown in 2020. Cole is just as busy as the next Woodsman – he is working two jobs and is a father of 3 children. As time goes by, we all know how difficult it can be to get out in the field. Cole digs into how he manages his time throughout the fall to key in on mature deer in this pressured state.

Cole is no stranger to chasing deer 4 1/2 + years old and older. Over the past few seasons, he has wrapped his tag around numerous mature deer. This year happened to be his largest PA whitetail to date. To keep it an even greater challenge, Cole has chosen to stick with his compound bow from the beginning of archery until season closes after the New Year. That’s right, Cole puts down this bruiser during the statewide rifle season with stick and string. Talk about the ultimate accomplishment!

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Fall Food Plots - Are You A Step Above The Rest?

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Food plots truly have been revolutionary in the world of whitetail hunting. Information on how, what, where, and when to plant has flooded the internet and magazines to the point where it can be extremely difficult navigating through good vs. bad information. It is a common misconception that there is a “one size fits all” food plot program. Food plot species, timing of planting, planting methods, herd dynamics and most importantly, SOILS are very different from one farm to the next. Learning what fits best on your farm with the time and equipment you have available can be a daunting task without good experience.

Tune in to what the farmer and agronomist with a hunting problem have to say on their fall food plot planting strategies in fall 2021. They discuss ways to plant with very little equipment onto rolling out tractors with large drills and planters. Most importantly, the conversation directs to how the food plot species and planting styles relate to the hunting strategy and the goals they set for the season. Don’t wait to listen to this episode until after you are finished with your fall plots, you may decide to make some last-minute changes!

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Bruiser Buck Profiles with Brendan Fink

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000

We are back with another exciting bruiser buck story on this week’s episode. Tune in as Brendan Fink shares with us a bazar journey of punching a tag on an absolute stud during the 2020 PA archery season. If you are an archery hunter, you know that practicing with your equipment is vital to being successful. Even the most prepared hunters can be consumed by the adrenaline rush during the moment of truth and cause things to go haywire.

Brendan’s story is one of perseverance. He experienced the highest of highs watching this giant whitetail approach his stand and the lowest of lows when the arrow did not perfectly hit its mark. Thankfully with hard work and a little bit of luck, he was able to wrap his tag around a 168” bruiser buck.

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Rattlesnake Hunting w/ John Royer of Leatherwood Outdoors

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Sportsmen's Empire) — Fri, 9 Jul 2021 09:00:00 +0000

This week we chat with John Royer – the host of YouTube channel Leatherwood Outdoors. John and his crew are no strangers to enjoying Creation. For over a decade they have been documenting their outdoor adventures of deer, bear, turkey, and small game hunting, as well as fishing, trapping, mushroom hunting and more. You will find their channel informational as well as entertaining!

One of John’s many passions in the outdoors is rattlesnake hunting. John shares with us how he began this new hobby and tells stories as well as helpful hints to anyone who may want to pursue this summertime adventure. Rattlesnakes are often demonized and given a bad reputation. John explains that while rattlesnakes can be dangerous, if given respect they will leave you alone and often you won’t know they are there in the first place. Don’t let snakes keep you from hiking and enjoying the outdoors this time of year, instead, learn from John how to hunt them!

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PA Bruiser Buck Profiles w/ Dustin Adam

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000

This week we kick off a new series breaking down stories from Pennsylvania hunters who found success harvesting mature buck this past season. With just shy of 1 million licensed hunters in PA, many of which are deer hunters, it can be a daunting task setting your sights on bucks that are 4 to 5 years of age or older. What can be more difficult is taking the step to pass a young buck. We encourage all hunters to be fair chase, ethical, and most importantly pursue what makes them happy! Every hunter needs to enjoy their time in Creation and harvest standards should be made by the individual. This series aims to provide hope to those who want to take the next step chasing big whitetail bucks but still remain skeptical of letting a younger bucks pass.

This week, Dustin Adam shares his introduction into hunting and how over time he became infatuated with mature deer. Not only do we get to hear the story of his back-to-back bruiser’s taken with a bow, he shares his frustration of learning the patience needed to shoot big bucks. He also talks about the importance of passing on the hunting heritage with family and friends, and how he includes family during his time in the woods.

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Trout Fishing and Water Quality with a Fisheries Biologist

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Pennsylvania is home to more than 83,000 miles of streams, many of which hold respectable native trout populations. In the past decade, many high rain events have devastated creek channels thus affecting food webs and trout populations. In addition to weather, there are a number of point and non-point pollution sources that continue to impair cold water streams. This week we interview fisheries biologist, Clayton Good, who has participated in monitoring “unassisted “streams and patterns of native fish in North Central Pennsylvania.

Clayton has spent the last 8 years collecting data with state and private organizations like Trout Unlimited. In that time his passion for the sport of fishing has only grown! We tap into a bit of his working career as a fisheries biologist, the hurdles that our streams may be facing, and of course, fishing! Passion drives persistence and he has not struggled to find a way to land trout with his fly rod, whether it be in stocked creeks or the many mountain tributaries that hold native brook trout. Tune in for real time information as well as fishing stories and strategy!

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Food Plots, Food Plots, Food Plots

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Fri, 28 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Catering more toward private landowners this week, we will be discussing spring food plots. As farmers are advancing with fertilizing, spraying, and planting crops, every year wildlife managers are eager to pull the trigger and begin spring food plots. While there is nothing wrong with spring and summer food plots, ask yourself are they truly needed for your property? Hunting and management goals need to be considered as well as the property itself and the surrounding neighborhood. If your focus is whitetail deer, are you building a herd or attracting a herd? What is the lowest hole in the bucket?

With their background in agriculture as a farmer and an agronomist, your hosts Devon and Mitchell will shed light on their perspective of spring food plots. Soil management and preparation is key – it starts with the soil! Should you plant, what should you plant, how should you plant, and how do you manage your chosen crop? And last but not least, how do your food plots relate to your management goals? Tune in for quality food plot information and some outside the box ideas!

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Fired Up for Spring Gobblers

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Thu, 20 May 2021 02:17:11 +0000

After being pummeled by numerous snowstorms this winter, cabin fever has finally dissolved! Days are lengthening, temperatures are rising, vegetation is blooming, and we are ready to spend time in the woods! Throughout most of the state it has been nearly 4 months since deer season has closed, and turkey season is a great way to “scratch the itch” until next fall. For some, this may be the season you wait for all year long! Pattern your guns, tune your bows, and practice your calls, spring turkey season is here!

As anticipation builds prior to season opener, it’s easy for turkey hunters to envision a bird you roosted the night before fly into your set up after sweet talking him with the tree yelps and fly-down cackle you’ve practiced all winter long. The calling interaction and a bird’s response is typically what fires up any turkey hunter. But how often does the plan come together the way we pictured it in our heads? This podcast will touch on a few tips and experiences that may help you after that roost bird decides to throw away your script! We hope the turkey talk excites you as much as it does us!

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Welcome To The Pennsylvania Woodsman

dan@sportsmensempire.com (Pennsylvania Woodsman) — Thu, 20 May 2021 02:04:38 +0000

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast where you will find both educational and entertaining conversations about the great outdoors. We will cover everything from deer hunting in the fall to turkey hunting in the spring, and let's not forget a variety of fishing opportunities that our state has to offer. Our goal is to talk with everyone from the experts in their field to the Average Joe and weekend warriors as well as those who work for our conservation departments. The Keystone State has many different outdoor opportunities for just about everyone, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

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