Pennsylvania Woodsman

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...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 need...

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...

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...

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 h...

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 a...

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 f...

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for i...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 als...

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. Hosted...

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 c...

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 pushi...

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. <...