Pennsylvania Woodsman

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Pennsylvania Woodsman episodes

May 27 Inside Pennsylvania’s 2026 Elk Season Changes
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.

As the discussion unfolds, Mitchell and Bryan also tackle the larger conversation surrounding opportunity versus quality in modern hunting management. They discuss the biological reasoning behind increasing bull tag allocations, concerns over long-term age structure and trophy quality, the effects of increased hunting pressure, and the challenge wildlife agencies face when balancing hunter demand with herd management. Along the way, Bryan shares stories from the 2025 season, including guiding television host Greg Ritz on a Pennsylvania elk hunt and the emotional milestone of Elk County Outfitters harvesting their 400th elk since opening in 2001. Whether you’re a serious elk applicant or simply interested in wildlife management and hunting culture, this episode offers an inside look at one of the biggest shifts Pennsylvania elk hunting has seen in years.

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1 hr 17 min
May 20 ET Custom Calls and Late Season Longbeards
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.

As the episode unfolds, the discussion shifts toward the grind of Pennsylvania’s later turkey season — balancing work, family, coaching, and hunting while still finding ways to stay persistent when birds become pressured and unpredictable. Mitchell and Ed talk through scouting strategies, hunting limited morning windows before work, locating birds late in the year, and why the final weeks of the season often produce some of the most rewarding hunts. More than just tactics, this episode captures the obsession, discipline, and love for turkey hunting that keeps hunters waking up at 4 AM long after most people have already packed their gear away for the year.

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1 hr 21 min
May 13 Aggressive, Not Reckless: Week 3 Pennsylvania Turkey Hunting Strategy
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

The conversation then shifts into a practical discussion focused on hunting the next stretch of the season — how pressured birds behave differently, why getting tight on the roost still matters, and how calling strategy changes as the season progresses. Mitchell and DJ unpack the difference between aggressive and reckless turkey hunting, the importance of reading a bird’s “temperature,” and why week three can quietly become one of the best windows of the entire season. More than tactics alone, this episode is about staying persistent, enjoying the process, and remembering why spring mornings in the turkey woods keep hunters coming back year after year.

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1 hr 6 min
May 06 May 6–13: A Game Plan for Week 2 Gobblers
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.
The discussion dives deep into calling strategies, realism, and how to separate yourself from other hunters in heavily pressured woods. From tree calling and mid-morning tactics to adjusting tone, cadence, and call selection, Jake explains how subtle differences can make a major impact. The episode also covers regrouping when birds go quiet, the value of getting tight on roosted turkeys, and how persistence often pays off later in the season. Whether you're hunting weekends or grinding out every morning, this episode offers practical tactics and a steady mindset to help you navigate one of the toughest stretches of the season.

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1 hr 10 min
April 29 Pennsylvania Turkey Season: Strategizing the Opening Week
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.

From there, Mitchell is joined by Jason Miller for a deep dive into how experienced hunters approach the first few days of turkey season. The conversation covers everything from managing hunting pressure and respecting other hunters to breaking down property selection, early-season calling strategy, and reading birds in real time. With a heavy emphasis on situational awareness and patience, they discuss when to be aggressive, when to back off, and how understanding bird behavior early in the season can set the tone for weeks to come. This episode blends real-world tactics with hard-earned perspective.

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2 hr 9 min
April 22 How Far Do You Take It? The Rabbit Hole of Archery Performance
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.

The conversation then dives headfirst into the science of arrow flight — breaking down everything from arrow spine and FOC to drag, vane configuration, and real-world performance on animals. Chris shares his journey down the “rabbit hole” of optimizing archery setups, challenging conventional thinking and exploring how modern equipment and deeper understanding can improve both accuracy and effectiveness in the field. More than just a technical discussion, this episode emphasizes education over ego, encouraging hunters to understand their equipment, question assumptions, and continually strive to become more ethical and effective in their pursuit.

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1 hr 16 min
April 15 Success Redefined: Growing the Hunting Community
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.

The conversation then turns toward a deeper look at priorities — balancing limited time, family responsibilities, and the desire to be successful each season. Together, Mitchell and Mike reflect on how their definitions of success have evolved, from filling tags to creating meaningful experiences with their kids and introducing others to hunting. They also tackle the growing divide within the hunting community, emphasizing the need for humility, unity, and mentorship to ensure the future of the sport. This episode is a reminder that hunting is about more than individual success — it’s about community, shared experiences, and passing something meaningful on to the next generation.

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59 min
April 08 The Grouse Hunter’s Life: Cover, Cuts, and Constant Scouting
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.
The discussion also takes a deeper turn into habitat, conservation, and the long-term outlook for grouse in Pennsylvania. Tom explains how timber management, forest age diversity, and large-scale habitat work — often supported by organizations like the Ruffed Grouse Society — are critical to sustaining and rebuilding populations. From breaking down maps and identifying productive cover to committing nearly year-round effort for a six-week season, this episode highlights the dedication required to chase grouse and the bigger picture of habitat stewardship that supports the future of the species.

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59 min
April 01 Bird Brain Is Back: Talking Spring Turkeys with Long Branch Game Calls
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.

Beyond tactics, the episode digs into the mindset of a turkey hunter. Jake breaks down the importance of mastering the fundamentals — becoming proficient with a few calls instead of chasing every new product, reading a bird’s “temperature,” and knowing when to call versus when to stay quiet. The guys also explore different hunting styles, from aggressive run-and-gun approaches to patient sit-and-wait tactics, and why neither is right or wrong. At its core, this episode is about time in the woods, learning through experience, and embracing the unpredictability that keeps turkey hunters coming back every spring.

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1 hr 10 min
March 25 Deep Woods Trees: Mast Crops Implemented with Precision
In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Tom Damren of Workhorse Trees for a deep dive into planting trees for whitetail habitat — and why most hunters get it wrong. Tom shares how his journey into growing trees started out of frustration after failed plantings, leading him down the path of rootstock selection, disease resistance, and understanding what actually works in a real-world hunting setting. From the importance of seedling rootstock to avoiding common mistakes like planting too many trees or choosing the wrong varieties, this conversation breaks down the fundamentals of building a successful tree program that actually produces results.

The discussion then shifts into a unique and practical strategy: “deep woods planting.” Instead of traditional orchard-style setups, Tom explains how strategically placing a small number of trees in cover can create better daylight movement and more huntable scenarios. The guys also cover species selection, growth expectations, protection from wildlife damage, and how to think about trees not just as a food source, but as a precision tool for attraction. If you’ve ever been frustrated with planting trees or questioned whether they’re worth the effort, this episode offers a fresh perspective that might change how you approach habitat improvement.

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1 hr 1 min

About Pennsylvania Woodsman

From the publisher's feed

The Pennsylvania Woodsman podcast is driven to provide relatable hunting, trapping, and fishing content in the Keystone state. Tag along with host Mitchell Shirk and cohost Robby Henne as they…