Outdoor Ruhls

Episode 63 — “Pulpo Bob Goes Spearfishing”

Setting: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico — last full day of the trip, sunrise coffee over the Sea of Cortez, private beach cove + pool life with the kids.

Summary

The crew recaps a week in Cabo built around family and fishing: striped marlin “combat” fishing close to shore, a slow tuna day, and then a smaller-boat trip that produced tuna, wahoo, and the main event—Robert’s spearfishing mission. Along the way: sashimi and ceviche on the boat, the arch + Lover’s Beach, Wild Canyon animals (lovebirds, macaws, guinea pigs), and a reminder that the best part was being together.

Key Beats

Cabo basecamp

Airbnb in the hills ~5 km from downtown; private pool + a private Sea of Cortez beach with a view of Cabo and the arch.

Customs surprise

Mike gets hit with a 19% tax on “professional” podcast gear after choosing the X-ray line.

Fishing recap (4 different vibes)

Striped marlin: not classic trolling—boats pile onto bait balls and free-line live mackerel; 4 hooked / 3 landed (~100–120 lbs).

Dorado hunt: no dorado; bonito/skipjack; still ends up marlin fishing.

Tuna day: eight-hour grind; a couple tuna lost; GT lands a marlin on a cedar plug.

Small-boat troll (Diablo Loco): faster, deeper-running hard baits; captain “guns it” to set hooks—two yellowfin + one wahoo landed, plus a bigger fish lost mid-fight.

Main event: Pulpo Bob Spearfishing

Robert drives the whole plan. Snorkel + fins + speargun over a rocky reef ~25 ft deep.

Robert wears a wetsuit top + life jacket for warmth/comfort and stays in the water a long time—guide calls him “a beast.”

Fish spotted: parrotfish, triggerfish, butterflyfish, puffers, and eel-looking guys (morae vibes). No speared fish yet—Robert is determined for next time.

Boat lunch + family fun

Tuna sashimi + wahoo ceviche on the boat.

Glass-bottom boat tour to the arch + Lover’s Beach (not Divorce Beach).

Wild Canyon animals + surprise camel ride; kids’ favorites: pool, beach, guinea pigs, lovebirds.

Wrap + CTA

“No bad days” (except the tax-room hour).
More at www.OutdoorRuhls.com and Instagram @outdoorruhls.
Stormy Kromer orders / episode ideas: [email protected].

Episode 63 – “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Flintlocks Revisited)” – Show Notes (Medium)

It’s Christmas week, and the Outdoor Ruhls crew is down in Cabo San Lucas with family—so instead of a brand-new episode, Mike replays a fan-favorite from last year: “Beautifully Imperfect,” the episode that captures why Pennsylvania flintlock muzzleloader season is the real “most wonderful time of the year” (and not Christmas). Mike opens with holiday wishes from the family to yours: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus, Happy New Year, and Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo.

Recorded live from deer camp (“the shanty”), Mike, Mark, and Matt revisit what makes flintlock season so special: it starts the day after Christmas, it’s uniquely Pennsylvanian, and it’s equal parts tradition, teamwork, and chaos. The guys break down how a flintlock works—flint strikes the frizzen, sparks ignite pan powder, fire runs through the touch hole—and why it’s so unreliable. Moisture, bad flints, powder leaking out, hangfires, misfires, and the infamous long lock time make follow-through essential. Even when everything works, flintlocks are harder to shoot accurately than modern rifles, and for most real woods hunting, 50 yards is a solid flintlock distance.

They share how the Ruhls got into flintlocks thanks to a high school biology teacher, Mr. Jerry Stover, and why this season became their favorite way to hunt together between Christmas and New Year. Much of the magic comes from deer drives—less sitting all day, more moving, more teamwork, and (in the good years) snow on the ground for tracking and unmistakable blood trails. They also touch on the appeal of the season’s tag structure in PA, where flintlock can turn into a rare chance at a statewide antlerless opportunity with the right permit.

Gear talk includes their evolution from patch-and-round-ball to conicals and eventually their go-to PowerBelts (around 295 gr), plus the hard truth that flintlocks generally need real black powder—substitutes and pellets can mean misfires or painfully slow ignition. And of course, they admit the obvious: they’ve missed plenty. Flintlocks have a way of failing at the worst moment… then firing perfectly five minutes later at a stump.

The episode closes with classic deer camp humor and family lore—like Davey’s early flintlock success, the crew’s running jokes about muzzleloader terms, and the legendary moment when young Mark sat down as a “stander” and Poppy furiously tried to signal “STAND UP” as a buck slipped through. It’s frustrating, it’s hilarious, it’s tradition—and it’s exactly why the season is, in their words, beautifully imperfect.

Connect with Outdoor Ruhls:

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Email: [email protected]

Website:www.outdoorruhls.com

Episode 62 – “Safety Third” – Show Notes

Mike, GT, Mark, and Matt gather for a laughter-filled tour through decades of mishaps, close calls, and self-inflicted injuries that earned the family motto: Safety Third. After a quick recap of New Mexico whitetail hunting—highlighted by Robert’s impressive 8-mile day and his deep dive into the Hunter Ed manual—the crew turns to stories from Pennsylvania’s rifle season, upcoming flintlock plans, and their soon-to-depart trip to Cabo for striped marlin and tuna fishing.

The centerpiece of the episode is a collection of outrageous (and true) injury stories:

Matt’s greatest hits: a utility-knife knee stab, an ambulance ride after a toe-kick saw carved a half-circle into his leg, and countless stitches from 30 years in the trades.

Tim’s “fire trilogy”: torching a tar-paper house after hornet spray ignited, setting a bathroom ablaze with paint stripper and a live outlet, and another exterior siding fire—followed by losing a house years later in a neighbor-caused garage fire.

Ruhl childhood classics: Mark hatcheting his finger at age four, the infamous blender incident, and Mike nearly taking off his fingertip with a chop saw while working on a boat project.

Bonus stories include Caitlin’s first pocket-knife wound at age seven, Robert running a log splitter responsibly at seven, and a teaser for future wildlife-encounter episodes—especially Grant’s legendary feral cat saga.

The episode wraps with updates on Outdoor Ruhls’ viral reels, details on ordering Stormy Kromer caps, and how to connect with the show:

Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Email: [email protected]

Outdoor Ruhls Podcast – Episode 61
“Hell on Ice”

A spray-painted “PET” deer, a viral MeatEater post, custom Outdoor Ruhls Stormy Kromers, and a 60-year-old wooden toboggan that refuses to retire—Episode 61 is full-tilt winter chaos. Mike and Mark open with the story behind the now-famous “PET” deer that wandered past their Pennsylvania blind, how the video ended up with Steve Rinella, and why it’s been viewed over 3 million times. They also welcome new listeners and describe what the show is at its core: a family-driven outdoors podcast built on storytelling, humor, and shared memories.

Then comes the snow carnage. Memaw and Poppy recount how their massive wooden toboggan once helped spark two marriages, long before it started racking up injuries—like Memaw’s Christmas Day broken nose and Ron’s broken ankle at Log Hollow Camp. Mike, Matt, Davey, and Kate add their own chapters: the Fairview Golf Course jump that left Davey with a badly injured wrist; the infamous nighttime return run where Ann Boyer hit the same jump in the dark and bruised her hip so badly she remembered it for decades; and a reminder that once the toboggan claims one victim, it usually isn’t done.

The episode wraps with more “hell on ice”: the Perry County canoe-sled crash, Kate’s one and only ice-fishing trip that ended with a fractured tailbone, her too-small snowsuit exploding in the Swiss Alps, and Hunter’s full-send ski and snowboard wrecks. Through all of it, the throughline is pure Outdoor Ruhls—family, laughter, and stories that last far longer than any trophy.

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Episode 60: Seven for Seven

Show Notes – Outdoor Ruhls Podcast

Seven years old. Seven-point buck. First day of rifle season in Pennsylvania. In this episode, Mike sits down with brothers Mark, Matt, and Davey—and the kids—to relive a wild opening day that ends with Robert tagging his very first deer.

It’s a full-family, full-circle kind of story: archery season recaps, arguments about Saturday vs. Monday openers, a half-tame deer literally licking the rifle barrel…and then an evening hunt in the “Squid Shootin’ Shack” where everything comes together for a perfect 160-yard shot.

In This Episode

Stormy Kromer x Outdoor Ruhls Hats Are Coming

Mike kicks things off with an update on a special collab with Stormy Kromer.

Two colors: Blaze Orange (perfect for rifle season) and Forest Floor (plaid).

Custom Outdoor Ruhls logo on the ear flap.

These are fitted, sized hats, not one-size-fits-all.

Need at least 36 hats ordered to make it happen.

👉 If you’re interested, email [email protected]

(that’s R-U-H-L-S) with your color choice and size. Mike and the crew can help you figure out sizing using Stormy Kromer’s head-measuring guide and online calculator.

Saturday vs. Monday Opener – The Great PA Debate

The Ruhl brothers and Davey wade into one of the hottest topics in Pennsylvania deer hunting:

Did moving rifle opener from Monday to Saturday kill deer camp culture or make hunting more accessible?

The old rhythm of heading to camp on Friday, hanging stands, telling stories, and then hunting Monday.

How archery season, Sunday hunting, and changing deer numbers have shifted when and how deer get killed.

Nostalgia, tradition, economics, and what they’d like to see the Game Commission do next.

Archery Season Recap

Before rifles come out, the crew looks back on fall:

Mark’s big-bodied 8-pointer with his compound bow and those wild flashing lighted nocks (“disco party in the woods”).

Davey’s quick November 3rd bow buck on his parents’ small Lancaster property.

How antler restrictions have quietly changed Pennsylvania buck quality and hunter expectations over the last 20+ years.

Getting Robert Ready – BB Gun to 6.5 Creedmoor

Mike and Uncle Matt walk through how Robert went from:

Red Ryder BB gun → air rifle → .22 → 6.5 Creedmoor

Practicing at 100 yards with reduced-recoil 6.5 Creedmoor loads.

Using Pennsylvania’s mentored youth hunting program so a 7-year-old can hunt with his own tag while an adult carries the rifle to and from the stand.

The kids’ pre-season excitement, talking about dreams, not sleeping, and “going to sleep is like fast traveling” to opening morning.

Deer Named “Pet” & The Weirdest Hunt Ever

On the morning hunt, Robert and CJ sit in a ground blind with Mike, Poppy, and Uncle Mark…and things get bizarre:

A doe walks in with “PET” spray-painted in bright orange on both sides.

The deer walks right up, sniffs the muzzle, and licks the rifle barrel.

Everyone realizes somebody raised this deer like a pet—and that it’s probably not equipped for real wild life.

No legal bucks show up, but it’s a story none of them will ever forget.

Seven for Seven – Robert’s First Buck

The evening hunt is where the magic happens:

Mike, Uncle Matt, and Robert head to the elevated hard-sided blind that CJ used last year—the “Squid Shootin’ Shack.”

Does feed out at about 160 yards. A good buck follows them into the cornfield.

Uncle Matt and Mike quietly coach Robert: Can you hit him? Are you sure? Do you know where to aim?

Robert settles the crosshairs behind the shoulder, squeezes…

The buck runs 30–40 yards and tips over in sight.

Chaos, hugging, shaking, and a very proud dad and uncle.

It’s a big 7-point—perfect for a seven-year-old. Last year CJ shot an 8-point at eight years old, so now it’s officially “Eight for Eight” and “Seven for Seven.”

Naming the Stand & Saving the Stories

The kids brainstorm new names for the blind now that it holds two first bucks—maybe “Cousins’ Cracking Shack” or some mash-up of Squid and Bob. Mike reflects on:

How special it is that almost the whole family was there—Rachel, Kaylee, Caitlin, Meemaw and Poppy—either watching from other blinds or helping with recovery and butchering.

Why recording these stories on the podcast matters, so CJ, Robert, and Emmit (and their kids someday) can hear their own voices and family memories years down the road.

How to Support Outdoor Ruhls

Preorder a Stormy Kromer x Outdoor Ruhls hat

Email: [email protected]

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Listen & Follow

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Subscribe & Review

If you enjoyed this first-buck episode, please follow the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, and leave a rating or review—it helps other hunters and families find the show.

More deer season stories—and more from the kids—coming soon. 🦌🧡

Episode 59: German Roots, American Soil (Part 2)

Hunting stories, canning venison, bone broth, and the legacy of an old-world Oma

This is the second half of our two-part conversation with Erika — Rachel’s mom and CJ’s Oma.
👉 If you haven’t listened to Episode 58: German Roots, American Soil yet, go back and start there first.

Mike opens the show from New Mexico, talking about their upcoming trip to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving and the deer opener. From there, the episode turns over entirely to Mark, Rachel, and Erika as they pick up right where Part 1 left off.

What’s inside (short & sweet):

Erika’s three hunting experiences: a pressured one-and-done deer hunt, a Florida gator that turned out to be much bigger than she paid for, and a wild boar taken on the ride back from the stand.

The legendary “giant gator board” that hung in their old house — and the Craigslist story that finally got it out the door.

Oma’s role as the head of the butchering crew: deboning deer, directing the work, and teaching CJ to help from a young age.

How Erika makes venison bone broth and canned meat: roasting bones, long simmering, straining, pressure canning, raw-packing venison cubes, and why canned meat stays tender for years.

Wild game talk: antelope vs. elk, using the organs, keeping tongues, and why caul-fat meatballs are amazing on day one and questionable on day two.

German vs. Pennsylvania Dutch food and culture: sweetened salads, chow-chow, dialects, and her infamous first hot-dog-and-sauerkraut experience at Hersheypark.

What Erika hopes CJ carries forward: self-sufficiency, curiosity, old-world traditions, and her strong servant-hearted nature.

Listen & Follow

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Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Episode 58: German Roots, American Soil (Part 1)

Erika’s Old-World Childhood, Multi-Gen Living, Gardening, Canning, and the Roots She’s Passing Down

This week, Mark and Rachel sit down with a very special guest: Erika — Rachel’s mom and CJ’s grandma (Oma). Erika grew up in a small village in southwest Germany where almost everything was homegrown, home-baked, home-butchered, and home-preserved. In this warm, funny, and deeply nostalgic episode, she shares those old-world traditions and the ways they’ve carried into her modern life in Pennsylvania — including multi-generational living, gardening with CJ, preserving food, and creating a home built around family and service.

In this episode we talk about:

Growing up in southwest Germany

Life in the village of Atmohausen where everyone knew everyone — sometimes before you got home.

90% homegrown food: milk from the neighborhood milk house, sourdough from the village oven, vegetables from the garden, meat from family and neighbors.

Why food was precious after WWII and how the Cold War years shaped frugal, no-waste habits.

Sundays as true family days: stores closed, big hikes, and exploring the woods with her dad.

Multi-generational households — then and now

Living with grandparents, parents, and kids together under one roof, each with their own kitchen and living space.

How everyone pitched in: babysitting, nursing someone back to health, sharing meals, combining resources.

How Rachel and Mark have recreated that model today with their own multi-generational home — CJ upstairs, Oma and Opa downstairs, one shared laundry room, and lots of shared life.

Village camping, Red Cross trips & the ‘thunder log’

Summer trips with 50 village kids in old military tents with no floors.

Breakfast choices: jelly bread, liverwurst, or “go without.”

Downpours, floating air mattresses, and digging trenches in the middle of the night.

The infamous story of Erika’s dad being carried, asleep on his cot, into the lake at dawn — and calmly walking it back out.

Old-world butchering and food traditions

Helping her butcher uncle, learning nose-to-tail principles the old German way.

Why pig tails, cheeks, and snouts were delicacies — and why cow tongue is still one of her favorites.

School lunches of liverwurst and pickles on homemade bread and trading with “city kids” for factory-made white bread.

How Erika met John and came to America

The persistent American soldier who approached her at a train-station bistro.

Giving him a fake name — and how he still managed to find her.

Her father’s condition: he would fly to the U.S. with her, and if he didn’t approve, she’d be coming right back home.

Falling in love with central Pennsylvania, cowboy hats, and a new life far from home.

Early married life in Monterey, California, overlooking the bay while John served at Fort Ord.

Gardening: old-world skill, modern joy

Why cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce are her favorites — and why cabbage is her lifelong gardening nemesis.

Seed catalogs (especially heirlooms) as “a stroll through the candy store.”

Gardening organically, fighting weeds, and the success of using tarp between raised beds.

The special bond between Oma and CJ in the garden: picking seeds together, eating herbs straight off the plants, and spending hours outside together without screens.

Why gardening is for every age — from toddlers with trowels to grandparents with wisdom.

Quail, chickens, bees & rabbits

Raising meat rabbits as a child — and why she’s happy to eat rabbit now but won’t raise them again.

Backyard chickens, broody hens hatching quail eggs, and the daily “Easter egg hunt” of finding tiny speckled eggs.

The joys and frustrations of beekeeping and why they may try again in the future.

Canning and preserving the old-fashioned way

Why canning meat, vegetables, and broth is a deeply satisfying and practical tradition.

Deboning meat with purpose: saving certain cuts, preparing others for future meals.

Making rich bone broth the traditional way: roasting, simmering, straining, and pressure canning.

Why learning to preserve food is a skill Erika believes every generation should carry forward.

Passing on traditions to CJ

What Erika hopes CJ keeps with her for life:

Self-sufficiency paired with a servant’s heart

The courage to try new skills

Respect for tools, sharp knives, and her own capabilities

A love of gardening, canning, and homemade foods

German holiday traditions like Nikolaustag and Christmas Eve celebrations

Why investing time with kids when they’re small is the key to staying connected when they're older.

Next time…

This episode ends right before Erika begins telling stories about her brief but unforgettable experiences with hunting, alligators, and wild boar, plus how she became the quiet general of the deer-butchering crew.

Those stories — and the full deep dive into canning meat, raw-packing venison, and old-world food preservation — will kick off Episode 59.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at OutdoorRuhls.com
Follow along on Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Show Notes — Episode 57: Long Exposure

Episode summary

Mark takes the host chair for a heartfelt conversation with his wife, Rachel, tracing her path from Pennsylvania whitetails and waterfowl blinds to a thriving wedding & elopement photography career. They revisit her famed Illinois buck, the Potter County cabin coincidence, blue-hour imagery, documenting real moments (not just grip-and-grins), and a Cold-War love story that started on a German train and shaped a creative life.

Chapters

00:00 Cold open & intro — Mark’s couch-in-Montana story that led to “You should marry her.”

05:30 The Illinois buck — inline muzzleloader, broadside at first light, tracking and the “ground grows” effect.

14:00 Getting into hunting — following brother Dan, bringing Dad along, from deer to waterfowl and pro-staff trips.

20:30 Guiding camp life — helping Cody & Kalis Carr in Montana; cameras, kitchens, and community.

26:00 First buck in Potter County & the cabin connection — childhood roads that overlapped before they met.

31:00 From PR to photos — learning manual, first weddings, scaling the business, Lancaster top-10 nod.

39:00 Style & ethos — documentary approach, why blue hour > golden hour (sometimes), candid over staged.

45:00 The “content creator” era — TikTok/IG trends vs. authentic wedding-day time.

50:00 The power of photos — last dances, VA-hospital wedding, why memory > backdrop.

56:00 Germany summers, solo road trips, Yellowstone elopements, and loving Wyoming’s rhythm.

1:04:00 What’s next — video, reels, small-biz digital media, and staying creatively inspired.

1:10:00 Family & Outdoor Ruhls — gratitude for the behind-the-scenes help, raising the next photographer.

1:14:00 Wrap — links, thanks, and where to find more.

Highlights & quotes

“My bucks don’t shrink on the ground—they grow.”

“It’s not the posed photo; it’s the in-between moments that become heirlooms.”

“Blue hour is my playground.”

About Rachel

Whitetail hunter & former waterfowl pro-staffer who’s field-dressed more than a few deer for the Ruhls.

Documentary wedding & elopement photographer (PA & Wyoming/Yellowstone), known for blue-hour work and candid storytelling.

Creative roots: Dad John was a U.S. Army photojournalist; Mom was born in Germany—cue the train-station meet-cute that started it all.

Topics we cover

Inline muzzleloaders, tracking, and ethical shot choices

Documentary vs. staged photography; why grip-and-grins aren’t the whole story

The rise of wedding “content creators” and time tradeoffs

From PR desk to 20–25 weddings/year—sustainable creative business

Elopements out West, familiarity over FOMO, and serving clients well

Video & digital media for small businesses (reels, storytelling, drone on deck)

Gear & places (mentioned)

Thompson/Center Encore inline muzzleloader

Potter County, PA cabins; Yellowstone/Wyoming elopement spots

Long-exposure night shots at deer camp (light pop technique)

Credits

Host: Mark Ruhl

Guest: Rachel

Producer/Editor: Outdoor Ruhls crew

Music/FX: Outdoor Ruhls Sound Kit

Links & follow

Website: OutdoorRuhls.com

Instagram: @OutdoorRuhls

Facebook: Outdoor Ruhls

Call to action

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who loves a good blue-hour photo or a great deer-camp story. Rate & review to help more folks find the show!

SEO tags

Rachel, blue hour photography, documentary wedding photography, Illinois whitetail buck, inline muzzleloader, Potter County PA, Cody Carr Outfitters, Yellowstone elopement, candid wedding photos, Outdoor Ruhls podcast, family hunting stories, VA hospital wedding, content creator vs videographer, deer camp long exposure.

Episode 56 — Happy Birthday to Us!

Guests/Voices: Mike, Mark, Matt, and Poppy (recorded in Quentin, Pennsylvania)

Summary

The Ruhl boys celebrate one full year of Outdoor Ruhls with a roundtable: remembering dear family friend Catherine Schott, swapping mid-season whitetail updates, plotting a mentored-youth hunt for Robert, and looking back on favorite episodes and lessons from year one—plus a big list of show ideas we’re excited to make next.

Chapter Guide

00:00 Cold open & intros from Quentin, PA

02:00 Remembering Catherine Schott: leadership, service, and “100% effort”

08:30 Mid-season deer report: rut signs, standing corn, and stand strategy

14:30 Poppy’s shoulder replacement, recovery timeline, and rifle-season hopes

18:30 Mark’s tag-punch with the compound & living with MG (myasthenia gravis)

26:00 Mini-adventure: helping friend Bob Bridges recover his buck

32:30 Mentored-Youth plan for Robert: licenses, tags, rifle fit, and range prep

41:00 Year-one reflections: favorite episodes, why we’re doing this, and family voices on tape

50:00 What’s next: episode ideas (Safety Third, Hell on Ice, Monkey Business, witticisms & mixed metaphors, FFA, Milton Hershey, photography, canning/gardening, San Diego sport fishing)

58:00 Closing thoughts & Thanksgiving/ice-fishing chatter

Season Highlights

Rut watch: Chasing starting in spots; movement muted by standing corn that should come off soon.

Mark’s season: Passed a young 8; later took a big-bodied 8 with the compound after MG symptoms eased.

Poppy: Two weeks post-op (left shoulder). Eyeing rifle season with caution (lead sled, muzzle brake).

Pipeline stand tales: Doe standoffs, quick decisions, and a clean 30-yard shot.

Mentored-Youth (PA) — Our Plan for Robert

License path discussed: Mentored Youth permit; at age 7 the youth can hold their own tags.

This year’s reality: Missed the antlerless draw → buck only for Robert.

Antler rule (as discussed): Youth buck can be legal without standard point restrictions (≥ ~3" spike).

Firearm handling (as discussed): Mentor carries during travel; one gun between mentor & youth; transfer only once settled.

Rifle options: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. youth .243; priority is fit, comfort with recoil/noise, and range time first.

Note: We’re sharing our understanding from chat—always check current PA Game Commission regs before hunting.

Year-One Favorites & Why They Matter

Family history episodes: Uncles Sim & Dick (“it was perfect—family, family, family”), Pop Bud stories, and Norway diaries.

Guest standouts: Pat Durkin, Ben Goldfarb, Bob Jacquart (Stormy Kromer).

Why we’re doing this: Capturing voices and stories while we can—“priceless” for the family archive.

Future Episode Ideas We Tease

Safety Third: Home-shop mishaps, tool tales, and hospital runs (special cameo ideas: Grant’s table-saw lesson).

Monkey Business: Animal shenanigans (squirrel bites & rabies shots, plus broader critter capers).

Hell on Ice: Toboggan carnage, ice-fishing wipeouts, and Potter County legends.

Witticisms & Mixed Metaphors: Pop Grant’s classics (“nat’s ass over a nail keg”) and the kids’ best mash-ups.

FFA & Milton Hershey: With Harold Burkheiser, Dan Kreider, and local ag history.

Photography: Rachel + Tim (gear, field craft, storytelling).

Canning & Gardening: Bone broth, pantry projects, and field-to-jar know-how.

Sport Fishing: Dave Arnold & Capt. Matt Arnold (San Diego), plus a dream trip episode.

People Mentioned

Catherine Schott, Bob Bridges (and daughter Anna), Davey, Sim & Dick, Beth, Dave & Matt Arnold, Harold Burkheiser, Dan Kreider, Rachel, Kaylee, CJ, Kate & Anne.

Gear Corner (brief)

Bows: Crossbow vs. compound (vision/eye-patch workarounds for MG).

Rifles: 6.5 Creedmoor & youth .243 considerations for young shooters.

Stability: Lead sleds, brakes, and smart recoil management for healing shoulders.

Links & Thanks

Website: OutdoorRuhls.com

Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Cooking page for future recipes: OutdoorRuhls.com/cooking
Big thanks to our listeners—especially the Central PA crew—who’ve been with us through the first year. We’re just getting warmed up.

SEO / Tags

Deer hunting Pennsylvania, rut timing, standing corn deer behavior, mentored youth hunting PA, youth deer rifle fit, myasthenia gravis and archery, family hunting podcast, Outdoor Ruhls, Catherine Schott, deer recovery tips, pipeline stand strategy, ice fishing prep, Stormy Kromer story, FFA agriculture history, Milton Hershey, photography outdoors, canning bone broth.

Episode 55 — In Memoriam of Catherine Schott

Dedication:

This episode is lovingly dedicated to Catherine Schott—a surrogate grandmother, steadfast friend, and bright thread in the Outdoor Ruhls family fabric. “Hey, lady—this one’s for you.”

Episode Summary:

On the one-year anniversary of the show, Mike and Mark press pause on the planned celebration to honor the life of Catherine Schott. As a tribute, they rebroadcast the marriage-advice roundtable episode Catherine inspired—full of stories about love, patience, togetherness, and doing life outdoors as a family.

Chapter Guide

00:00 – Cold Open: Hunting, fishing, cooking… and family.

00:21 – Why This Episode: A change of plans; remembering Catherine Schott and why she mattered to the Ruhls.

02:54 – Mike & Caitlin: 13 Years: “Choose wisely”—banter, what they’ve learned, and favorite outdoor memories as a couple.

Argentina Dorado Story: Overnight buses, chocolate-milk water, and a leaping golden dorado—when adventure meets logistics.

Calls for Wisdom:

Catherine & Leonard Schott: 69 years of marriage—communicate, listen, never go to bed angry, do things together.

Memaw & Poppy (Mike’s parents): 51 years—patience, make memories, variety, and lots of early-morning departures (plus the Cape Hatteras honeymoon “stuck truck” classic).

Caitlin’s parents (Tim & Necie): Opposites who support each other, laugh easily, and learn from differences; Yosemite RV paradox and Irish honeymoon.

Kate & Jed: Same vintage marriage—talk it out, avoid double kayaks, and invite kids into gardens, pools, and first adventures.

Matt (Mike’s brother): The honest take—do whatever you can to keep her happy—and the reminder that even imperfect stories can raise great kids.

Closing Reflections: Find what works for your marriage; struggle makes the sweet parts sweeter. “Happy anniversary, us.”

Note: The rebroadcast centers on Catherine’s voice and presence; her name is Catherine Schott throughout.

Themes & Takeaways

Communication > Perfection: Listen fully, speak kindly, and don’t keep score.

Togetherness Is a Choice: Make the outdoors a shared space—for couples, for kids, for extended family.

Patience & Play: Laugh at the mishaps (stuck trucks, funky RVs, delayed buses); they become the best stories.

Do Hard Things Together: Big adventures (and small chores) are glue for a marriage.

Legacy of Love: Catherine’s life reminds us to show up for people like family—because they are.

People in This Episode

Honoree: Catherine Schott

Guests by call: Leonard Schott; Memaw & Poppy; Tim & Necie; Kate & Jed; Matt

Hosts: Mike & Mark Ruhl; Co-hosted segments with Caitlin

Notable Moments to Clip

“Hey lady—this one’s for you.” (tribute tag)

“Never go to bed angry; learn to listen.” —Catherine & Leonard

“We did family things—because we were a family.” —Memaw & Poppy

“We’re total opposites—patience and support win.” —Tim & Necie

“Talk it out, always. And skip the double kayak.” —Kate & Jed

“Do whatever you can to keep her happy.” —Matt