Pennsylvania Woodsman

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Dan Sauble of Mason Dixon Adventures for a wide-ranging conversation about bowhunting, physical preparation, and the mental side of becoming a better hunter. Dan shares how transitioning from a physically demanding career into office work pushed him to focus more intentionally on fitness, mobility, and preparing his body for hunting seasons ahead. From sandbag workouts and archery-specific training to simple habits like walking and prioritizing recovery, the conversation highlights how small, consistent efforts can improve both overall health and performance in the woods.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with Pennsylvania hunter Tom Runscavage for a thoughtful conversation about hunting, family life, and the challenge of staying passionate about the outdoors when time becomes limited. With young kids at home and another on the way, Tom shares how his perspective on deer hunting has evolved over the years—from chasing every opportunity in the woods to learning how to prioritize family, responsibilities, and the few hunting opportunities he still gets each season. The discussion dives into the reality many hunters face as life changes: balancing ambition in the woods with the responsibilities that come with growing families and busy careers.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with Ron Mentzer of the Tracks and Tackle podcast and Mentzer Outdoors for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, hunting tradition, and the power of belonging. Ron shares how a decades-long family camp logbook eventually evolved into a podcast built around campfire conversations and connecting everyday outdoorsmen across Pennsylvania and beyond. Together, they unpack why hunters crave camaraderie, how intentional mentorship keeps traditions alive, and why creating space at the table matters more than ever in today’s hunting culture.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Dave Hoy — physical therapist, lifelong Pennsylvania hunter, and founder of Integrated Habitat Solutions — for a thoughtful conversation centered on habitat work, long-term thinking, and balancing passion with real life. Dave shares how cutting trees, reshaping food plots, and implementing timber harvest strategies have transformed both his hunting properties and his mindset. From edge feathering and crop tree release to hard mast plantings and nursery-grown chestnuts, the discussion dives deep into practical habitat manipulation while emphasizing patience, process, and learning through experience

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On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Kris Buchman of 3B Outdoors Club for a laid-back, honest conversation about hunting, fatherhood, and keeping the outdoors fun. Kris shares his upbringing in Maryland, how he got started deer hunting, and what eventually pulled him headfirst into waterfowl hunting. The two talk through the differences between private and public land, the challenges that come with pressure and competition, and the lessons learned from both success and hard mistakes in the field. From blown muzzleloader shots to canvasbacks on public water, Kris brings perspective shaped by experience — and humility.
The heart of the conversation centers on priorities. As a husband and father of five, Kris explains how his approach to hunting has evolved from chasing trophies to creating memories with his kids. Whether it’s sunrise duck hunts, gas station snack traditions, or simply enjoying time in the blind, the focus has shifted from grinding for results to embracing the process. Together, Mitchell and Kris unpack how community, mentorship, and intentional time outdoors can shape the next generation — and why sometimes the biggest win isn’t what you harvest, but who you’re with when you do it.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell sits down with Jae Ellison for a wide-ranging conversation about hunting, education, and the often-overlooked gap between taking hunter education and becoming a lifelong hunter. Jae shares his unconventional path into the outdoors—starting as a non-hunter, building a career in outdoor education, and eventually finding his way into hunting as an adult after moving to Pennsylvania. Together, they explore how failure, challenge, and intentional learning shape both outdoor leadership and the hunting journey, and why hunting offered Jae a meaningful connection to the outdoors that felt different from work for the first time in years.

The discussion then turns toward mentorship, community, and hunter retention—why so many people complete hunter education but never buy a license, and what the hunting industry can do to better support new hunters beyond basic safety training. Jae and Mitchell unpack the role of fellowship, shared experiences, and belonging in keeping hunters engaged, while also addressing the limits of modern media, the loss of in-person connection, and the importance of accessible next-step education. From hunter mentorship platforms to Jae’s upcoming Evolving Hunter Podcast, this episode is a thoughtful look at how hunting traditions grow, adapt, and survive when experienced hunters are willing to help others find their place in the woods.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch welcomes friend and returning guest Andrew Muntz back out of “podcast retirement” for a wide-ranging, fireside-style conversation that feels right at home in the slow, snowy days of winter. The two kick things off with dad-life moments, youth wrestling wins, and the realization that our kids are always watching—often becoming the very motivation we didn’t know we were missing. From rekindling personal drive to reassessing priorities, the conversation sets the tone for an honest discussion about growth, balance, and learning to push forward for reasons bigger than ourselves.

From there, the episode settles into classic deer-camp storytelling. Andrew shares his season across Ohio and Pennsylvania, including shifting expectations, letting go of pressure, and finding fulfillment in simply enjoying time in the woods. The guys dive into rifle-season drives, first Pennsylvania buck memories, suppressed rifles, missing scope parts, bear encounters in fresh snow, and the camaraderie that makes camp special. More than tactics or inches of antler, this episode is a reminder that hunting is about people, shared experiences, and appreciating the moments that happen between the shots—especially when the season slows down.

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As winter settles in and hunting season fades into memory, Mitchell slows things down with a shorter, story-driven episode centered on reflection rather than tactics. After returning from a Kansas waterfowl trip and battling a heavy snowstorm back home, he leans into the quieter rhythm of late January—when the woods are still, the tags are filled or empty, and stories begin to matter more than strategy. This episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman ventures off into a slightly different format: simpler conversations, cabin-table storytelling, and memories worth retelling.

Mitchell then takes listeners back nearly 20 years to November 19, 2007—the day he harvested his first Pennsylvania black bear at just 13 years old. Through vivid detail, he recounts deep snow, long bear drives, camp camaraderie, youthful mistakes, and the moment a bear appeared silently behind him at fifteen yards. The story weaves together family, tradition, humility, and luck—culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime day where both a grandson and a grandfather filled their first bear tags. It’s a reminder of why we hunt, why stories endure, and how certain moments in the woods stay with us forever.

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In this solo episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch takes listeners through his initial reaction to a proposed change to Pennsylvania’s statewide firearm deer season—specifically, a proposal that would move opening day to the Saturday before Thanksgiving. What begins as a discussion about season structure quickly turns inward, as Mitchell openly shares how frustration, impatience, and strong opinions began to spill into other areas of his life. Through an unexpected moment of conviction while reading Proverbs 18, he reflects on the dangers of reacting before listening, speaking before understanding, and allowing passion to override wisdom.

With a more measured and humble perspective, Mitchell then revisits the proposal itself, laying out thoughtful concerns around Thanksgiving traditions, deer camp culture, bear season impacts, rut timing, weather arguments, and student opportunity claims. Rather than ranting or assigning blame, he encourages respectful dialogue, personal responsibility, and constructive engagement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This episode is both a timely discussion on a hot-button hunting issue and a candid reminder that how we respond—to change, disagreement, and frustration—often matters more than the issue itself.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with Brandon Miller of Everyday Outdoorsman for a deeply honest conversation about hunting, craftsmanship, fatherhood, and faith. Brandon shares the multi-year journey of building his own traditional longbow by hand—and the challenges that followed when he took it into the woods. From missed shots and wounded deer to the emotional weight of failure, the conversation explores what it truly means to pursue a self-imposed challenge where success isn’t guaranteed and growth often comes through struggle. Along the way, Brandon reflects on traditional archery, learning curves, equipment limitations, and how hunting with a stickbow forced him to become more disciplined, intentional, and aware in every setup.

As the episode unfolds, the focus shifts beyond hunting mechanics to something deeper: humility, purpose, and faith. Brandon opens up about dedicating his season—and the unfinished documentary surrounding his bow—to Jesus Christ, wrestling with selfish ambition, content creation pressure, and learning to value the process over the prize. Mitchell and Brandon discuss how valleys often precede growth, why instant gratification can rob joy from the woods, and how slowing down allows both hunters and fathers to stay grounded in what truly matters. This episode is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful journeys in hunting—and in life—are rarely defined by highlight reels, but by perseverance, reflection, and trust in the process. 

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