In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by podcast listener and newer hunter Kyle Byers to discuss what it’s like entering the hunting world without a hunting background. Kyle shares how concerns about food security during the COVID era sparked an interest in harvesting his own food, eventually leading him down the path of deer hunting, turkey hunting, and even a western elk adventure. From studying regulations and hunting podcasts to learning terrain, scouting, and deer behavior through trial and error, Kyle offers an honest perspective on the steep learning curve that many first-generation hunters face.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with returning guest Bryan Hale from Elk County Outfitters to break down the major changes coming to Pennsylvania elk hunting for the 2026 season and beyond. The conversation dives deep into the new elk application process, the removal of the fallback option, bonus point consolidation, updated zone structures, and the addition of a brand-new October rifle season. Bryan explains how the new five-choice application system works, what hunters should consider before applying, and why understanding season dates, hunting styles, and personal availability is now more important than ever for applicants hoping to draw a coveted Pennsylvania elk tag.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with longtime turkey hunter and custom call maker Ed Terefenko for a deep dive into the art of turkey calling and the mindset required to hunt pressured late-season gobblers. Ed shares the story behind ET Custom Calls, how he taught himself to build handcrafted box calls over two decades ago, and why consistency, cadence, and realism matter far more than simply making noise in the woods. The conversation explores everything from tuning custom calls and soft calling techniques to the importance of confidence in your equipment and learning directly from real turkeys in the spring woods.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by his longtime friend DJ Hoshauer for an honest, story-filled conversation recapping the highs, lows, and lessons learned from the first two weeks of Pennsylvania turkey season. From close encounters in the mountains to missed opportunities at point-blank range, the guys break down what’s actually happening in the woods right now and why persistence matters more than perfection. DJ shares stories of hunting with his daughters during the junior season and opener, the challenge of tight shooting windows in mountain terrain, and why even experienced hunters still make mistakes when adrenaline and gobbling birds enter the equation

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined once again by Jake Stanisch of Long Branch Game Calls to break down the realities of moving from opening week into the second week of turkey season. With many hunters experiencing slow starts, changing weather, and increasing hunting pressure, this conversation centers around how to stay mentally sharp and avoid overthinking when things don’t go as planned. Jake shares insights on when to stay the course versus when to adapt, emphasizing the importance of scouting, reading sign, and understanding what turkeys are actually doing—not just what we expect them to do.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell kicks off a new multi-part turkey season series focused on breaking down the season week by week — starting with opening week in Pennsylvania. After sharing a candid and personal reflection on priorities, time, and the temptation to let hunting take center stage, he resets the focus on what truly matters: faith, family, and keeping the pursuit in its proper place. It’s an honest look at the internal struggle many hunters face this time of year, and a reminder that success isn’t defined by a filled tag.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Chris Romano for a deep and wide-ranging conversation that starts with fatherhood and quickly transitions into the evolving world of archery and bowhunting. From raising young kids and introducing them to the outdoors to sharing moments through music and everyday life, the discussion highlights how hunting often intersects with the bigger picture of family, growth, and passing on tradition. It’s a relatable look at how priorities shift over time, and how the outdoors continues to play a meaningful role through every stage of life.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by listener Michael Ortiz for an honest and relatable conversation about hunting, growth, and finding your own path in the outdoors. From managing private land to chasing adventure on public ground, Mike shares how stepping outside his comfort zone helped shape him into a more well-rounded hunter. The discussion dives into the influence of modern hunting media, the pull toward public land challenges, and the importance of experimenting with different styles to discover what truly brings enjoyment and fulfillment in the woods.

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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.

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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.

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