Outdoor Ruhls

Episode 83: Tackling Matt’s Addiction

This week on the podcast, Mike and Matt sit down for the first-ever one-on-one brother episode in Outdoor Ruhls history, and it quickly turns into a deep dive into the world of fishing tackle. What starts as a simple conversation about fishing line spirals into rods, reels, braided line, fluorocarbon leaders, drag systems, warranties, Japanese tackle websites, Pennsylvania bass fishing, and the very real addiction of always needing “just one more setup.”

The brothers also recap Matt’s annual Northern Tier Pennsylvania bass fishing trip to Cowanesque, Tioga, and Hammond Lakes, including multiple six-pound largemouth bass and discussions about how those fisheries differ from one another. Along the way, they try to answer a practical question for newer anglers: if you only wanted one versatile rod and reel combo for trout, bass, and light saltwater fishing, what should you buy? Of course, the conversation eventually proves why serious fishermen somehow end up owning hundreds of pounds of tackle anyway.

As always, thanks for listening to the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast.

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Episode 82: A Mother’s Love!

In this Mother’s Day episode, Mike and Caitlin open with a family weekend in Glenwood, New Mexico, where the boys helped stock Gila trout, Robert caught his first Sonora sucker, and Caitlin had a true “mother’s instinct” moment when she jumped into a cold pool to help both boys after Emmit got in over his head.

The episode then shifts into a conversation about mothers in the wild, including Caitlin’s close encounter with a grizzly sow and her yearling cubs while working in Yellowstone. From there, Mike, Poppy, and Aunt Beth sit down to remember Grandma June Gettle Ruhl — a talented artist, loving mother, proud grandmother, and deeply important presence in the Ruhl family, even for those who lost her too young to really know her.

Aunt Beth shares stories of June’s artistic gifts, her work teaching residents at Cedar Haven to paint and do ceramics, her love of family, her calming presence, and the special bond they shared. The episode closes with reflections on how family traits, stories, love, and influence can pass through generations — even from people we barely got to know — and with gratitude for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and the family friends who fill those roles in our lives.

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Website: www.outdoorruhls.com
Instagram: @outdoorruhls
Email: [email protected]

Episode 81: A Mother’s Love?

In Part 1 of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast Mother’s Day series, Mike sits down with Caitlin, Poppy, and his mom Karen for an honest and surprisingly emotional conversation about Mike’s grandmother, Elizabeth “Nutt” Hartlieb — a woman remembered as tough, stubborn, guarded, and often unable to show affection, even to the people she loved most.

The episode opens with stories from a recent family turkey camp weekend, where kids, friends, and multiple generations gathered to hunt, laugh, and spend time outdoors together — a sharp contrast to many of the memories that follow. Through stories both funny and painful, the family reflects on Nutt’s difficult Depression-era childhood, her complicated marriage to the endlessly generous Pop Bud, and the lasting impact that emotional distance can have across generations. Along the way are unforgettable stories involving road trips that ended in Arizona, a surprise avocado-green refrigerator, family grudges, and the unique personalities that shaped the Hartlieb and McMinn families.

But beneath the humor and storytelling is a deeper reflection about gratitude, affection, and choice. Mike reflects on how growing up around someone who struggled to express love ultimately taught him the value of warmth, kindness, and appreciation for the people who openly share those things. The episode closes with a heartfelt Mother’s Day message about family, resilience, and the importance of choosing to project love and positivity into the world — no matter where you came from.

As always, find more episodes, recipes, and stories at www.outdoorruhls.com, email us at [email protected], and follow along on Instagram at @outdoorruhls.

Mike sits down with Uncle Sim and Poppy to explore the history of the Cornwall iron mines, from their role in early American industry to their impact on the local community. Uncle Sim shares firsthand stories of mining life and explains how iron ore was mined and processed in Lebanon County. The episode wraps with the mine’s closure after Hurricane Agnes and reflections on how it shaped both the region and the Ruhl family.

Episode 79: Love in the Time of Turkey Season

In this laid-back spring check-in, the crew gathers to catch up on life, family, and the outdoors during a busy and slightly chaotic time of year. From a full-on Ruhl family reunion back in Pennsylvania to a stretch of rapid-fire podcast recordings, the conversation reflects on recent episodes covering everything from zoos and conservation to Hershey history and Cornwall iron mining.

Mike, Caitlin, Mark, and Rachel dive into the realities of spring: mower season vs. turkey season, weddings stacking up on weekends, and the challenges of finding time to get outside. At the center of it all is opening day of turkey season in New Mexico—Mike and Caitlin’s unofficial “Valentine’s Day”—where a close encounter with a stubborn gobbler turns into a memorable (if unsuccessful) hunt.

The episode wanders in the best way, touching on gardening plans, Pennsylvania Dutch markets like Roots and Green Dragon, bass fishing updates from Matt, and the anticipation of upcoming family trips—including Cape Charles and dreams of getting the next generation fully hooked on deer camp life.

It’s a mix of stories, laughs, and seasonal transitions—less about any one topic and more about the rhythms of family, tradition, and making time for what matters.

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Episode 78: Pennsylvania Dutch Chocolate (The Hershey Story) — Show Notes

In this episode, the Ruhls are joined by Uncle Sim (94!) in the “Outdoor Ruhls East Studio” for a deep dive into the life and legacy of Milton S. Hershey—one of the most influential Pennsylvania Dutch figures in American history. The conversation traces Hershey’s unlikely path from repeated business failures to building a chocolate empire by perfecting the mass production of milk chocolate, transforming it from a luxury into an everyday treat. Along the way, the crew reflects on the values of perseverance, innovation, and learning from failure.

What makes this episode especially personal is the direct connection to the Hershey story through Uncle Sim’s upbringing on a Pennsylvania dairy farm. He shares vivid memories of milking cows by hand, selling milk to the Hershey plant, and the strict quality standards enforced by Hershey inspectors—highlighting how the company shaped the entire regional economy. These firsthand stories bring to life the grit of farm life and the critical role local dairy families played in building the Hershey brand.

The episode also explores Hershey’s broader legacy beyond chocolate, including his vision for a company town, the founding of Milton Hershey School, and his lasting philanthropic impact. From trolley systems and amusement parks to orphan care and education, Hershey’s influence still defines the region today. It’s a story of business, community, and generosity—told through family memories and local roots.

Follow & Listen:
Find more from the Outdoor Ruhls on your favorite platforms—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—and stay connected on Instagram for clips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content. For recipes, show notes, and more, visit outdoorrulhs.com.

Episode 77: Spring Ruhls

In this follow-up to the winter farm episode, the Ruhls gather in Quentin, Pennsylvania—joined once again by Uncle Sim—to bring the story into spring. As the thaw sets in, the work ramps up fast. March means one thing above all else: manure. From hand-forking frozen piles into spreaders to racing the mud and broken chains, the crew paints a vivid picture of just how physical and time-sensitive early spring farming really was. From there, the conversation moves into prepping fields—plowing, disking, harrowing, and planting—all powered by teams of horses that were as critical to the operation as any modern tractor.

Sim shares detailed, firsthand accounts of life on a 100+ acre farm, including how different horse teams were used for specific jobs, the constant maintenance required to keep them working, and even the challenge of walking them miles to a blacksmith. The episode also dives into crop cycles—corn, oats, potatoes, and wheat—and the massive coordination required to harvest and thresh with neighbors. Stories of threshing crews, Depression-era laborers working for meals, and family cooperation highlight both the hardship and tight-knit community that defined the era.

Beyond the work, Spring Ruhls captures the rhythm of life off the clock. From softball games (and the occasional church-league brawl) to Pennsylvania Dutch traditions like pitching quoits, the episode brings out the humor and culture of rural life. Sim also shares some legendary “kid behavior”—from billboard sabotage to late-night “serenading” of newlyweds in exchange for ice cream—offering a glimpse into how farm kids found their fun.

The episode wraps with reflections on gardening, canning, and market life, emphasizing how nothing went to waste and everything had a purpose. As always, it’s a story about hard work, family, tradition, and the seasonal rhythms that shaped generations of Ruhls.

Links & More

Find more episodes, photos, and recipes at:
🌐 www.outdoorruhls.com

Follow along on Instagram:
📸 @outdoorruhls

Episode 76: The Zoo Keeper Chronicles

In this episode, Mike sits down with Dale and Denise Snyder—family members and lifelong animal people—for a wide-ranging conversation that blends family history, hard work, and an unexpected journey into the world of zoo keeping. From Dale’s upbringing on a Pennsylvania farm to a 40+ year career working with North American wildlife, the story unfolds as one of passion meeting opportunity in ways no one could have planned.

Dale shares how a teaching degree and a summer job at a local park led him into a career caring for animals, eventually rising to a leadership role in a zoo focused on native species. Along the way, he and Denise recount unforgettable experiences—from raising mountain lions and rehabilitating injured otters to transporting crocodiles, alligators, and even a live bison across state lines. Denise adds her own perspective, including her path from certified welder to zoo volunteer and partner in the work, along with her deep appreciation for animals like reindeer and their remarkable adaptations.

The conversation also explores the deeper purpose of modern zoos: education, conservation, and creating formative experiences that connect people—especially kids—to wildlife. Whether it’s helping a child overcome fear of snakes, supporting species recovery efforts, or working alongside state and federal agencies, Dale and Denise highlight the critical role zoos play in building the next generation of conservationists.

At its core, this episode is about stewardship, family, and finding meaning in caring for the natural world. It’s a reminder that you don’t always have to follow a straight path to make a difference—and that sometimes, the most impactful lives are the ones that grow organically from where you start.

Follow & Connect with Outdoor Ruhls:

Website: www.outdoorruhls.com

Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Email: [email protected]

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Episode 75: Disturbance by Design

This week on the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, Mike sits down with Karl Malcolm—conservation professional, lifelong outdoorsman, and one of the most compelling recent voices in the conservation space. Recently featured on the MeatEater Podcast, Karl brings a rare blend of deep scientific knowledge, field experience, and thoughtful perspective to a wide-ranging conversation about forests, wildlife, and the role humans play in shaping both.

At the heart of this episode is a powerful (and sometimes misunderstood) idea: disturbance is not only natural—it’s necessary. From fire and logging to historic wildlife impacts like passenger pigeons and bison, Karl explains how healthy ecosystems have always been shaped by disruption. The absence of disturbance, especially in eastern forests, has led to declining habitat quality for species like ruffed grouse and American woodcock—and many others that depend on diverse, early successional habitats.

Mike and Karl also explore:

Karl’s unique career path, from the U.S. Forest Service to his current role as Vice President of Conservation for the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

His research on black bears in Wisconsin and China—and how those experiences shaped his worldview

Why “habitat” is almost always the answer when wildlife populations decline

The tension between simple conservation messaging and complex ecological realities

How hunters—and non-hunters alike—can play a role in improving conservation outcomes

This is a thoughtful, big-picture conversation about conservation, one that challenges assumptions and reinforces a core truth: if we want better wildlife outcomes, we have to be willing to engage with the complexity of how ecosystems actually work.

Reading List & Influences

If you enjoyed this conversation, here are a few works and authors discussed in the episode:

A Sand County Almanac — Aldo Leopold

The Lorax — Dr. Seuss

Wildlife in America — Peter Matthiessen

The Search for the Genuine (featuring “Spring Coda”) — Jim Harrison

How to Love a Forest — Ethan Tapper

Get Involved

Want to support the kind of conservation work Karl is leading?

Learn more or become a member: https://ruffed.org

Listen to Karl’s recent appearance on the MeatEater Podcast:
https://www.themeateater.com/listen/meateater

As Karl and Mike discuss, conservation works best when more people are invested—whether through time, attention, or direct support. If you care about wildlife, forests, and the future of wild places, this is a great place to start.

As always, you can find more from the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast at www.outdoorruhls.com and on Instagram @OutdoorRuhls.

Thanks for listening.

Episode 74: A Picture’s Worth...

In this episode, Mike and Caitlin are joined by GT for a conversation about old photographs, the memories they preserve, and the way a single image can instantly carry you back to a different time. What starts with digging through family photos for an Outdoor Ruhls social media project turns into a deeper reflection on family history, outdoor traditions, and the emotions tied to the pictures we keep.

Mike shares a photo of himself as a teenager with his friend Dan after what he believes was each of their first Canada geese, a picture that prompted him to reconnect with Dan and relive the story behind it. GT brings a family photo from a California vacation at Convict Lake in the mid-1990s, using it to reflect on family trips, how different people show up in the same photograph, and how pictures can preserve not just faces but the feeling of being together. Caitlin shares a childhood photo from a canoe trip in Sylvania, remembering both the fun of the adventure and the frustration of being badly outfished by another kid in the boat.

Mike then shares one of his most meaningful hunting photos: a candid shot of him, his dad, and Pop Grant after he killed his first doe as a 12-year-old in Pennsylvania. The picture captures more than the deer—it preserves a moment of pride, instruction, and connection between generations of family in deer camp. Later, Mike and Caitlin call Memaw and Poppy, and Memaw shares a remarkable old photograph of Aunt Lena’s store in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where Pop Bud learned the baking skills that became part of his legacy. That conversation opens into memories of Pop Bud’s extraordinary baking, the family traditions that came from it, and the way recipes, like photographs, can carry family stories forward.

This episode is about much more than photography. It’s about memory, legacy, family, and the small moments that become priceless with time. Some pictures are beautifully composed, some are candid, and some are technically nothing special at all—but the right one can still hold an entire world.

Website: https://outdoorruhls.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Outdoorruhls