Pennsylvania Woodsman

Welcome to the 100th episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman!  It's hard to believe it's been 2 years already since the beginning of this show.  Thank you all for your support!  On this week's episode, Mitch is joined by 3 guests he has personal connection to - his father Jeff Shirk, and his two grandfathers Raymond Shirk and Kenny Mengel.  Mitch grew up hunting with these three, harvesting his first deer with them, and hearing all the stories of their hunting experiences at each of their deer camps.

We begin by telling the stories of how each camp began, one of which started out of an old school bus!  We share many stories including first deer, first bucks, first bears, camp comradery, family fun, and more.  You'll get to hear their perspective how deer hunting has changed over the last 65+ years for better or worse.  Stories of changing deer populations, changing hunting dynamics, but all centered around deer camp and those annual traditions that make Pennsylvania hunting heritage strong.

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Summer scouting season is in full swing.  Burning boot leather in the hot summer sun, moving cameras and gaining intel with the velvet rut around the corner, doctoring mock scrapes, all to prepare for fall.  Tackling new areas and large chunks of public land can be intimidating.  It can also be tough to read the woods this time of year with summer vegetation present.

This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Ryan Glitsky.  Ryan is a diehard bowhunter native to PA who spends a ton of time in the offseason scouting and learning.  Our conversation is all over the place revolving around whitetail deer and scouting during summer.  We run down many rabbit holes discussing camera locations, mock scrapes, funnels, and learning from them during a difficult time of year to read sign.  This episode should have you fired up for fall!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we catch up with Al Tomechko from Vitalize Seed.  After discussing some big projects that took place during the off season at Al's place, we dive into Vitalize seed.  Vitalize uses a two-pass planting system with the summer mix called "Nitro-boost" and the fall mix called "Carbonload".  Al breaks down the plant species used in Carbonload and how they work together to provide the best food plot possible.

There are hundreds of different food plot blends on the market and thousands of different opinions.  Some would disagree that certain plant species cannot be mixed into the same blend.  However, with proper seed balance and ratio, diverse mixes can produce maximum tonnage that work together rather than compete.  Al follows soil biology principles when he and his team develop seed blends.  Diversity allows better nutrient exchange between plants, and wildlife can tell the difference.  Tune in to learn more about the "why" and "how" of Carbonload; you might want to consider planting it this year!

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We are following up with part two of our conversation with Sherwood Schoch this week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman.  We picked up from last week with the continued development and material first used in Jennings bows.  Using trial and error they began to revolutionize the archery industry we know today.  One of the four authors on the National Archery Association manual is Sherwood - and he also played a large role establishing archery in the olympics.

With the connections Sherwood made in his career, you can imagine the stories and people he met along the way.  Stories with Fred Bear at Grouse Haven Lodge, and meeting celebrities like Ted Nugent and Ted Williams.  We cover it all in this episode, with the living archery legend, Sherwood Schoch.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we interview an archery legend, Sherwood Schoch.  Sherwood is originally from Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and was one of the four men responsible for developing and marketing the first compound bow.  He worked side by side with Tom Jennings and changed the industry forever with Jennings compound bows.  This interview will be broken into two episodes.  

In part one, we learn about Sherwood's introduction to hunting and archery, leading to his job as an archery magazine editor after his service in the Navy.  From here, Sherwood shares his experience shooting at the highest level of competition archery, winning a national championship, and the doors that continued to open through this journey.  That journey would snowball into developing a compound bow and leading seminars all across the country to promote the compound as a valid hunting weapon during the archery hunting season.  You'll hear connections with big names including Pete Shepley, Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, Tom Jennings, and many other archery legends.  Be sure to watch out for part two soon!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have Duane Dunmire from the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists.  Duane is the Vice President of PFSC striving to advocate outdoor heritage of hunting, trapping, angling, boating, shooting sports, the Second Amendment, and natural resources.  This is accomplished by their constant presence in Harrisburg protecting our outdoor heritage.  Duane shares with us his passion for hunting and also passing on the outdoor lifestyle to younger generations.  We discuss standard operations at PFSC, goals and objectives, and how their organization handles adversity within the hunting community, between anti hunters and hunters, and within our capital.  Listen in for all this organization has to offer you as a Keystone sportsman or woman, and consider supporting them by joining today!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have a treat for you reptile fans!  We were joined by John Hebenthal who is a rattlesnake hunting phanatic!  John loves the outdoors and all creatures that walk it... or slither it!  He takes passion learning as much as he possibly can about wildlife, and sharing his knowledge with those who are willing to listen.  

We begin by learning how this fascination began followed by his journey rattlesnake hunting.  Along the way you'll find that John is not afraid to open some books, scan the internet, read peer-reviewed research, and collaborate with experienced snake enthusiasts.  John has soaked in rattlesnake knowledge like a sponge!  We discuss tools of the trade, safety, biology of rattlesnakes, seasonal habits and patterns, map scouting for snakes, and much more!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we have repeat guest Bryan Hale from Elk County Outfitters.  If you tuned into the previous episode with Bryan, you know how devoted he and his team are to having quality elk hunting in the Keystone State. We begin by catching up with Bryan on the previous season's success and new records that were broken. Bryan transitions into discussing the updates within the states elk application and drawing.

For 2023, the drawing has been moved up to July 29th, and the application was opened back in February. Bryan discusses why these changes occurred based on his research with state officials. He also shares with us recent calf mortality data shared by the state and how this has impacted tag allocations.  There is a ton of excellent information packed into this episode all centered around this majestic game animals that haunts North Central PA!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we chat with Chris Heskett.  Chris is a PA native that specializes in physical fitness and nutrition.  Chris is also an avid hunter that strives to fill his freezer every season with quality meat for he and his family. Mitch and Chris discuss how maximizing your physical health has many benefits in the field during the fall season.

Men are extremely guilty of being a "know-it-all" or DIY for just about anything.  The reality is with anything in life, we all have strengths and weaknesses.  If you're a plumber, you may be able to turn a wrench but it may not make you a mechanic.  In Mitch's case, he may have played sports and followed programs in the past, but that doesn't make him an expert in physical fitness.  Getting help from a professional like Chris can help anyone reach their physical fitness goals.  Mitch and Chris discuss workouts, off season and in season health, eating habits and wild game, and catering a plan that fits with your goals and lifestyle.  Be sure to check Chris's podcast the Wild Nutrition Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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Wild Nutrition | Podcast on Spotify

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman we welcome back Jason Miller from JMiller Custom Calls.  Jason and Mitch swap stories recapping their season.  If you've kept up with the recent turkey hunting episodes on the show, you know Mitch's season ended almost as quickly as it started, killing two birds in three hunts.  Jason's PA season began on the slow side, but rapidly caught up during the mid season when he punched both his tags in one week.  Jason is an experienced hunter punching a PA spring gobbler tag every year since 1994.  Learning experiences are within the hunting story and there is plenty to take away and use for yourself from this conversation.  Both Mitch and Jason made some mistakes this season, but ultimately the adjustments Jason made led him to some big gobblers!  Each bird they harvested this season was called in with Jason's custom mouth calls.  Be sure to check out JMiller Custom Calls at the links below, they are killer!

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https://www.instagram.com/jmillercustomcalls/

https://www.facebook.com/jmillercustomcalls

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