Pennsylvania Woodsman

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....

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...

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 mo...

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...

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 de...

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.<br...

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 i...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 re...

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 mo...

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 aliv...

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 deep...

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 scou...

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

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 con...

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 i...

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...