This week on the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by good friend Aaron Hepler to reminisce on this past year's hunting season.  If you've followed along to the show this season, you know that life has gotten busy and Mitch took a while to get into deer hunting mode.  Fortunately for him, he was not alone, as Aaron didn't jump on the deer hunting bandwagon too quickly either this season.  For the last 15+ years, both of these guys have been diehard deer hunters, especially when it comes to bowhunting.  Turns out, there are other fun things to do too!

Aaron discusses his new journey training a Brittany pup to be a bird dog.  A lot more effort went into working with his dog preseason and in season, then running cameras and scouting deer.  Aaron seems to think this hunting season was as fun as any he has had in the past.  And for the record, he still had an awesome deer season punching both buck and doe tags in PA!  We recount his deer hunting experiences and what he looks forward to doing more of in the future.  Thanks for listening, and remember to do what you love and not for likes!

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, it's story time as Mitch recounts the events of opening week of rifle season at camp.  Each season during rifle season, he along with family and friends join together for some old fashioned deer drives in the big woods of northern PA.  The events throughout this week led to exactly what you read in the title, a hematoma on Mitch's leg, how he lost his cell phone during a drive, and the events leading to recovering a 130" mountain buck.  

During the course of this three day hunt, Mitch's leg injury worsened from a fall he had opening weekend.  But being the blockhead he is, continued to push on hunting!  Organizing drives with a group can be somewhat challenging to effectively communicate with a group.  However, this social event is a fun change in pace to the solo venture of buck hunting all season.  Sometimes things do not always work out as you plan.  Drives get messed up, shot opportunities get missed, and sometimes story endings don't follow the Hollywood script.  However, the journey over this three day hunt turned out to be one for the memory books!

On this week's episode Mitch is gearing up for Pennsylvania's late season deer hunting with his flintlock muzzleloader.  This unique weapon has a 3+week long season for deer each year that creates a fun opportunity to fill a tag.  Over the past few years, Mitch has become slightly more serious in his shooting and preparation to fill a tag with the ol' smoke pole.  This was not always the case, in fact, plenty of animals have been scared by his inaccurate shooting in the past.  This forced a change to buckle down and learn how to become more accurate with quality practice.  

Mitch shares his experiences shooting after purchasing a book about black powder rifle accuracy.  He shares the process he installed into his routine for load development and practice to help alleviate flinching, and build a handload with the right powder charge and patch thickness.  There are a few other tricks he has picked up that have helped his success along the way.  If you're an experienced flintlock shooter, this may not be your episode.  However, if you're the fella that didn't fill a deer tag and is deciding to dust off the flintlock after a few years of not being engaged, this may help you get ready!

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch welcomes DJ Hoshauer back to the podcast to share hunting stories from this season, including DJ's successful season filled with unique experiences across multiple states. The conversation delves into some challenges faced such as unanticipated health concerns, and also recaps some exciting highlights. In this conversation, DJ shares his extensive experiences and insights from years of hunting, focusing on the 4 year journey of pursuing a unique buck he tagged opening day of Pennsylvania rifle season. He discusses the importance of scouting, understanding deer behavior, and adapting strategies based on environmental pressures. The conversation also highlights the emotional aspects of hunting, including the thrill of the chase, the lessons learned from missed opportunities, and the significance of family involvement in the hunting experience. After catching up on DJ's season, the two share the story of their hunt together last week when Mitch filled his 2024 PA buck tag. They cover the planning stages, strategies employed during the hunt, the camaraderie shared between friends, and the reflections on the day's events. The conversation emphasizes the importance of enjoying the experience over simply filling a tag, highlighting the thrill of the chase and the value of teamwork in hunting.

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch is joined by his friend Dana Schreffler, who shares his journey into archery hunting.  Dana has deer hunted in the past but has just recently become more serious, and his off season preparation led to quickly filling all his tags this year.  As the two podcast while butchering some deer Dana shot on opening weekend, they delve into the journey that began for Dana a few short years ago and what evolved into his hunting plans for 2024. They discuss the importance of scouting, understanding property dynamics, and adapting to changing conditions in the field. In this conversation, the guys share their experiences and insights from a successful hunting season, discussing strategies for hunting deer, the importance of balancing family life with hunting, and reflections on personal growth as a hunter. They emphasize the significance of communication with your spouse, the lessons learned from hunting, and the satisfaction of achieving goals in the field.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is flying solo by the seat of his pants.  With the holidays and hunting season, it's hard to get much of anything planned this time of year!  On the road home from opening weekend of deer camp, Mitch recaps the past 10 days of hunting season.  This includes a successful northwoods bear camp where the gang harvested 3 bears on the first 3 drives of opening day.  Mitch delves into the backstory of why he believes this hunt was so successful, as the hunt Captain and good friend Clayton Good did an excellent job of scouting and strategically placing standers.

Next he dives into the opening weekend of deer season at his camp in north central PA.  With little scouting preparation going into this weekend, there needed to be a few cards in his favor for things to line up.  Spoiler alert - the cards were subpar at best.  Mitch discusses why the area he chose to sit on opening day was good, however it missed the spot by about 100 yards.  Still hunting with a gun was also on Mitch's mind to level his odds and cover ground, but with snow and rain followed by temps in the teens, the snow became so crunchy it was nearly impossible to still hunt successfully.  Moral of the story: there is plenty of season left, keep grinding, and be patient.  

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Aaron Pasquarette to discuss his successful trip to Ohio this fall.  They begin by elaborating on the challenges and joys of balancing hunting with family and work commitments. They delve into Aaron's  strategies for scouting, setting up, and connecting with deer in the Buckeye State. The conversation highlights the importance of preparation, adaptability, and understanding deer behavior in the pursuit of a successful hunt. In this conversation, Aaron shares his thrilling experiences and emotions during a recent hunting trip, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of hunting. He discusses the importance of preparation, the balance between family life and hunting, and the fulfillment he finds in the adventure of the hunt. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of communication in family dynamics during hunting seasons and the essence of woodsmanship in achieving success in the field.

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Brian Melvin.  During the Segment A 2024 New Jersey Bear Season, Brian killed a 770 lb field dressed bear.  It's estimated live weight is around 900 pounds! He recounts the story of this record-breaking bear hunt, the challenges faced during retrieval, and the unique characteristics of the bear he hunted. Brian discusses the history of his pursuit of this particular bear, the pressures and patterns in bear hunting, and the importance of comfort and security in bear habitats. He also emphasizes the significance of baiting strategies and the balance between hunting pressure and bear comfort, culminating in valuable lessons learned from his experiences. Brian shares his insights on bear hunting, emphasizing the importance of patience, scouting, and understanding bear behavior. He discusses the strategies for baiting and the use of cameras in tracking bears, as well as the significance of e-scouting in modern hunting. The conversation highlights the need for hunters to adapt to seasonal shifts in food sources and bear patterns to improve their chances of success. Brian shares his extensive knowledge on bear hunting, focusing on understanding bear behavior, travel corridors, and late-season strategies. He discusses the importance of scouting, the nuances of hunting in different segments, and the challenges of navigating swamps. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations of using firearms and the significance of wind patterns in successful bear hunting. Brian introduces his new venture, Timber Life Outdoors, where he aims to share his hunting experiences and insights with a broader audience.

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Grant Forney of the Everyday Outdoorsman to discuss the nuances of hunting during the rut.  This conversation emphasizes the importance of weather conditions, historical knowledge and strategic planning. They share personal experiences and insights on deer behavior, hunting techniques, and the excitement of the rut during archery season, providing valuable tips for both novice and seasoned hunters. In this conversation, Mitch and Grant discuss various aspects of deer hunting in Pennsylvania, focusing on hunting patterns, communication tactics with deer, the significance of all-day sits during the rut, and the mental challenges hunters face. They also share personal experiences and advice for both novice and experienced hunters, emphasizing the importance of patience, persistence, and enjoyment in the hunting experience.

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Podcast, Mitch is joined by Cody Readinger, a successful bow hunter known for consistently harvesting big bucks in challenging terrains. The conversation delves into Cody's journey from a casual hunter to a dedicated bow hunter, the emotional experiences tied to hunting, and the importance of scouting and preparation. They discuss the balance between family life and hunting passion, Cody's hunting philosophy, and the story behind his latest big buck. The episode emphasizes the significance of understanding terrain features and the challenges of hunting in Pennsylvania's Ridge and Valley region. In this segment, Cody shares his insights on deer hunting, emphasizing the importance of fieldwork, understanding deer behavior, and utilizing technology like cameras for tracking. He discusses his strategic approach to hunting, particularly focusing on wind direction and the significance of patience and preparation. The conversation culminates in a profound moment of connection with a buck, leading to reflections on faith and the journey of growth in both hunting and life. They share their insights on the influence of podcasts in learning about hunting, the importance of embracing failure, and the need to find a personal 'why' in the hunting experience. Cody discusses the impact of social media on expectations and the significance of valuing experiences over mere success. The conversation also touches on personal reflections, life lessons, and the role of faith in guiding one's journey in hunting and life.