Pennsylvania Woodsman

In this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nathan Taylor of Higher Calling Custom Turkey Calls.  Nathan shares his journey from a young turkey hunter in West Virginia to a passionate call maker. He discusses the evolution of his skills, the art of building turkey calls, and the relationship between competition calling and real-life hunting. Nathan emphasizes the importance of understanding turkey sounds and the biases that hunters may have, while also highlighting the need for versatility in calls to adapt to different hunting situations. In this conversation, Mitch and Nathan discuss various aspects of turkey hunting, focusing on the role of ego, the impact of the environment on sound, and the influence of social media on hunting culture. They delve into the techniques and preferences for using pot calls, as well as the importance of call conditioning and maintenance. The discussion highlights the personal growth that comes with hunting experiences and the need for camaraderie among hunters.

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In this special 200th episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, host Mitchell Shirk reflects on his journey through podcasting, sharing insights from the past episodes, the challenges faced, and the relationships built along the way. He discusses the unexpected beginnings of the podcast, the joy of connecting with guests, and the lessons learned about hunting and personal growth. The episode also covers future hunting aspirations, the complexities of hunting on public versus private land, and the value of consulting for land management. Mitch emphasizes the importance of understanding pressure and habitat in successful hunting strategies, while also addressing the ongoing debate about the start of the Pennsylvania rifle season. In this episode, Mitch discusses the pros and cons of the Saturday hunting opener, reflecting on how it impacts family time and hunting traditions. He also delves into the debate surrounding Sunday hunting, considering both personal beliefs and the broader implications for the hunting community. Additionally, he shares insights from his podcasting journey, emphasizing personal growth and the importance of community in hunting. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the deeper meanings of hunting and the role of faith in his life and work.

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On this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by Steve Chilcote to discuss various aspects of forest management, funding opportunities for landowners, and the challenges faced in property renovation. They delve into the importance of forest management plans, the role of NRCS and EQIP in providing funding, and the significance of addressing invasive species. The discussion also highlights the need for reinvestment in land management and the potential for creating food plots and orchards. The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of native plants and the ongoing challenges of deer pressure in agricultural settings. In this conversation, Mitch and Steve discuss the challenges faced by modern agriculture, particularly in relation to deer management and soil health. They explore the impact of invasive species, the importance of sustainable farming practices, and the role of fire in forest management. The discussion emphasizes the need for incremental changes in farming to maintain profitability while also considering wildlife and environmental conservation. Steve shares insights on managing natural resources beyond just food plots, highlighting the importance of understanding the ecosystem and making informed decisions for long-term sustainability.

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This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch catches up with Kurt Kissinger.  Kurt is a friend from the past that Mitch has recently connected with through their careers in agriculture.  Between farming and hunting, there are always lots of things to catch up on.  Kurt is a licensed drone operator and has his own company Pinnacle Agridrone.  Kurt specializes in applying nutrients and pesticides to agricultural crops but also aids in forestry practices as well.  The two discuss how drones flow into the workflow of managing forests in Pennsylvania, then delve off into other topics.  

The conversation turns towards a question, "what are you hunting for?"  Both agree adventure is part of it.  This turns towards trips out west and goal setting for the future.  It also directs towards processing wild game for our families and how it can be an almost spiritual connection with family and friends.  Processing game with loved ones is a comradery event, which is somewhat lost in hunting culture today.  This episode is like a shotgun pattern - it's all over the place!  But it brings up some interesting philosophies... enjoy!

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This week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, we are talking turkey.  Jason Miller of JMiller Custom Calls is back to discuss some details about mouth calls.  The types of cuts used, pressure and stretch of reeds, and material used all influence the sounds and volume of each call.  Jason discusses in more depth how you may want to influence your decisions in call choice based on these components.  Jason makes quality calls and has over 30 years experience turkey hunting.  Make sure you check out JMiller Custom Calls on Facebook and Instagram, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is hashing out a plan in his mind to improve one of his small hunting properties.  As usual, it starts with a vision and leads to lots of work.  After finding some success in the past on a 2 acre archery hunting property, new ideas have come into mind to make it better.  While hunting the property over the years, the deer have taught Mitch how to better manipulate his hunting strategy.  This involves changing a food plot shape and size, moving a stand location, modifying deer trails, and improving the cover and bedding.  These changes may not create large improvements, but we'll take anything possible in the hunter's favor.  And as always, these changes are catered to hopefully hunting the property smarter.  That means concentrating on specific times of year with good winds and fool-proof access!  Hopefully you can relate to some of these changes for your hunting season.

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Nate Rozeveld from the Michigan Wild podcast to discuss their experiences in the hunting community, the evolution of hunting popularity, and the impact of technology on hunting practices. They explore the joys of small game hunting, the ethics surrounding the use of technology, and personal moral dilemmas faced by hunters. The discussion highlights the importance of networking within the podcasting community and the shared passion for the outdoors. In this conversation, Nate and Mitch explore the importance of being challenged in life and hunting, the reevaluation of personal goals, and the balance between family and outdoor pursuits. They discuss how experiences shape memories and the significance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on outcomes. The conversation also touches on combating cabin fever during the off-season and the mental aspects of hunting and personal growth.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is back in his element consulting on crops.  This week's crop is a hot topic in the wildlife habitat and management world - switchgrass.  Switchgrass use has grown in popularity for habitat improvement as well as food plot screening.  While it's extremely effective when established, it's slightly more difficult to get started when compared to your fast growing annual food plots.  Mitch breaks down a few details and experiences he has had that hopefully you can implement into your switchgrass planting.

In addition to switchgrass, the use of annual screening such as egyptian wheat has increased.  While it's simpler to establish than switchgrass, there are a few things to consider when planting to ensure maximum potential.  In both crops, Mitch breaks down weed management, seed bed preparation, and timing of planting.  You'll hear information about herbicides that can be effective while aiding in your establishment, as well as the timing when they should be applied.  Start planning your successful plantings now - shooting from the hip this spring may result in frustration!

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In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Rich Yoder who shares his extensive experience in hunting, particularly focusing on predator hunting. He discusses the transition from traditional hunting to predator hunting, the impact of coyotes on deer populations, and the ethical considerations surrounding predator hunting. Rich emphasizes the importance of understanding animal behavior and the need for responsible hunting practices. The conversation also touches on the growing popularity of predator hunting and the implications it has for wildlife management. In this conversation, Mitch and Rich delve into the intricacies of coyote and fox hunting, exploring the behavioral differences between the two animals, the importance of hunting tactics, and the significance of proximity in successful hunts. Rich shares personal anecdotes from his hunting experiences, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced in the field. The discussion emphasizes the need for serious preparation and understanding of wildlife behavior to enhance hunting success.

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On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch recounts his out-of-state hunting trip he took last week to Kansas.  This was like nothing he's ever experienced before, as he was invited as a guest to join a group of guys from North and South Carolina to participate in an outfitted 3-day wing hunt.  The group was hosted by Wing Chaser Outdoors guiding service who absolutely knocked the hunting experience out of the park.  During the 3 days of hunting, the group killed around 100 geese and a dozen mallard ducks.  Shoulders and cheeks are sore from all the shooting, but the excitement remains as he is still reminiscing about the trip.  The big takeaways were, 1) Wing Chaser Outdoors was an excellent guide service, 2) the comradery at the lodge was excellent and 3) it would be nice if the Keystone state had waterfowl hunting similar to this!  Thanks for tuning in!

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