Pennsylvania Woodsman

Sportsmen's Empire
  • 4.6 (25)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

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 interview state biologists and officials, industry professionals, and Average Joe's who've mastered their niche in the outdoors. We strive to unite the outdoor community through relevant, tried-and-true information; regardless of the playing field on private or public land. Our content is focused on honing your craft, and celebrating Pennsylvania's outdoor heritage.

  1. 5d ago

    Does Your Gun Actually Like That Ammo?

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Ryan Burnett of Pattern Pros to talk about one of the most overlooked pieces of hunting preparation—actually knowing how your gun and ammunition perform together. Ryan explains how Pattern Pros grew from a frustrating day of shotgun patterning into a way for hunters to test multiple loads without buying full boxes of ammunition that may not work well in their gun. The guys walk through the process of properly patterning a shotgun at different distances, understanding point of aim versus point of impact, evaluating pattern density, and determining which gun, choke, and shell combination gives you the best opportunity when it's finally time to pull the trigger.The conversation expands beyond waterfowl into turkey hunting, choke tubes, modern steel shot, and even choosing factory ammunition for a deer rifle. Mitchell and Ryan discuss how hunters can spend thousands of dollars on guns, optics, decoys, clothing, and other equipment while overlooking the relatively simple step of testing what their firearm actually shoots best. More importantly, they discuss the ethical responsibility hunters have to eliminate as many controllable variables as possible before taking a shot at an animal. You don't have to be a ballistics expert or gun fanatic—you just need to put in enough time before the season to know what happens when you pull the trigger. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Does Your Gun Actually Like That Ammo?

  2. Sep 2

    How to Find Bucks Without a Summer of Scouting

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined once again by his good friend Jason Goe for a conversation about scouting whitetails when time in the woods is limited. As work, family, and everyday responsibilities take up more time, preparing for deer season doesn't always look like it once did. Jason explains why, if he had to choose, he'd put more value on in-season scouting than months of offseason preparation. The guys discuss map scouting, reading terrain and habitat changes, finding fresh sign, and Jason's approach to "speed scouting" his way through unfamiliar areas until he finds where the deer are actually spending their time. The conversation digs into how aggressive a bowhunter can afford to be, when to stop and hunt versus keep scouting, and why bumping deer doesn't necessarily ruin a spot. Jason shares several examples of bucks he eventually killed because he was willing to take the scenic route, investigate something he observed, or abandon a good-looking setup when the deer told him he was in the wrong place. They also discuss trail cameras, planning limited vacation days around the rut, building confidence through experience, and resisting the temptation to overcomplicate deer hunting. Whether you have an entire week to hunt or you're trying to make the most of a Saturday and Sunday, this conversation is about gathering information, adapting to what the woods are telling you, and learning how to hunt what's happening right now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How to Find Bucks Without a Summer of Scouting

  3. Aug 26

    From Pennsylvania Deer Camp to the Country Music Stage

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Pennsylvania outdoorsman and country music artist Robbie Jordan for a conversation about hunting traditions, life experiences, and finding purpose along the way. Robbie grew up in a military and law enforcement family where weekends were spent at hunting camp with his grandparents, and Pennsylvania rifle season was treated a lot like Christmas morning. He shares the lessons his grandfather passed down in the woods, how hunting remained a constant through his teenage years and military service, and why returning home to Pennsylvania after the Army gave him an entirely new appreciation for the traditions he grew up with. Robbie also tells the story of an unforgettable late-season flintlock hunt that ended without a filled tag, but with him discovering a black bear and three cubs denned beneath a fallen tree. The conversation eventually turns toward another major part of Robbie's life—country music. Robbie talks about leaving the Army, returning to blue-collar work, and eventually realizing that writing, singing, and performing music was something he wanted to seriously pursue. Mitchell and Robbie discuss the connection between great country music and real-life experience, how hunting and small-town Pennsylvania influence Robbie's songwriting, and why the best songs often come from stories and emotions people can recognize in their own lives. Robbie also shares the inspiration behind his debut single, "Redneck Town," his approach to blending country and rock influences, and his goals of someday balancing life on the road with plenty of time left for hunting and fishing. It's a conversation about family tradition, hard work, the outdoors, country music, and figuring out how the things you're passionate about fit into a larger purpose. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    From Pennsylvania Deer Camp to the Country Music Stage

  4. Aug 19

    Raising the Next Generation of Bowhunters

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Matt Mentzer for a deep dive into archery, bowhunting, and raising kids who genuinely enjoy the outdoors. Matt shares how shooting a bow with his kids grew from casual evenings in the backyard into competitive 3D archery, coaching, and eventually bowhunting together as a family. The conversation explores the challenge of keeping kids well-rounded, allowing their interest in the outdoors to develop naturally, and the role parents and coaches play in building good habits from the beginning. Matt also breaks down his approach to the mental side of archery, target panic, shot execution, release selection, and why learning to trust the process can matter more than chasing a score. From there, the conversation shifts from the target range to the treestand. Mitchell and Matt discuss the similarities and differences between competitive archery and making an ethical shot on a whitetail, setting up hunting bows for young archers, broadhead selection, tuning equipment, and the confidence that comes from knowing your setup. Matt shares what it's like preparing for hunting season with three young bowhunters in the house, along with lessons he's learned coaching both his own kids and other young shooters. Whether you're introducing a child to archery, trying to improve your own shooting, or simply getting fired up for another Pennsylvania bow season, this conversation is a reminder that good shooting is built through practice, patience, confidence, and time spent together.   -- Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Raising the Next Generation of Bowhunters

  5. Aug 12

    Hunt Everything, Enjoy the Ride

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Chase Morris for a conversation about keeping hunting fun, sharing the outdoors with good friends, and making the most of every season Pennsylvania has to offer. Chase is the kind of outdoorsman who doesn't discriminate—deer, bear, turkey, ducks, pheasants, trout, or whatever else is in season, he's probably chasing it. We talk about how his grandfather introduced him to hunting, the camaraderie that keeps him and his buddies coming back, and why experiencing someone else's success can eventually become every bit as rewarding as filling your own tag. We also dive into the good and bad of hunting social media, introducing new people to the outdoors, and why hunting doesn't always need to revolve around trophies or proving something to someone else. Chase also shares some incredible stories from the past few seasons, including a Pennsylvania hunt where he harvested a buck, doe, and black bear within 45 minutes, followed by a spring turkey grind that completed his Pennsylvania Triple Trophy. From traveling to Maine, Georgia, Maryland, and New Jersey to setting new goals with archery and waterfowl, Chase's approach is centered on collecting experiences rather than specializing in one pursuit. We wrap up by discussing public land, the decline of traditional deer camp, learning to hunt through experience instead of simply consuming content, and the importance of maintaining hunting opportunities for the next generation. It's a wide-ranging conversation about enjoying the outdoors, staying curious, and remembering why we started hunting in the first place Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Hunt Everything, Enjoy the Ride

  6. Aug 5

    New Hunters, New Bow, New Challenges: Same Passion

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Josh Buchman of the Tracks & Tackle Collaborative for a conversation that goes well beyond hunting tactics. Josh shares how his passion for the outdoors has evolved from simply filling tags to finding fulfillment in introducing new hunters to the outdoors. Whether it's helping his daughter harvest her first deer, mentoring a friend through his first hunting season, or watching others experience success, Josh explains why passing on the tradition has become just as rewarding as punching his own tag. The conversation also dives into bowhunting, the challenge of transitioning from a compound bow to traditional archery, developing a consistent shot process, and the value of embracing new goals to keep hunting exciting. Along the way, Mitchell and Josh reflect on balancing hunting with family, learning through experience, the anticipation of a new season, and why the greatest rewards often come from the people beside us rather than the game we harvest. If you're counting down the days until opening day, this episode is a reminder that hunting is about much more than filling a tag—it's about growth, challenge, and sharing the experience with others.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    New Hunters, New Bow, New Challenges: Same Passion

  7. Jul 29

    Differences Between Habitat Improvement and Hunting Strategy

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch takes a step back into one of the topics that first inspired this podcast—habitat management. After recently walking a newly purchased hunting property and attending an agricultural conference that challenged the way I think about communication, expertise, and purpose, he found himself reflecting on what truly creates better wildlife habitat versus what simply makes us more effective hunters. Using a real 48-acre property as an example, Mitch walks through his thought process for designing food plots, bedding cover, timber improvements, access routes, and hunting strategy with the goal of creating a property that benefits both wildlife and the hunter for years to come. Along the way, Mitch shares why he believes too many hunters blur the line between habitat improvement and hunting tactics, discuss the importance of early successional habitat, timber management, and long-term planning, and reflect on balancing passion with purpose in both hunting and life. Whether you're managing a few acres behind your house or dreaming about buying your first hunting property, hopefully this episode encourages you to think differently about the decisions that shape the land—and the legacy you leave behind. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Differences Between Habitat Improvement and Hunting Strategy

  8. Jul 22

    Patience, Persistence & Pennsylvania Whitetails

    In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, longtime friend Todd Stauffer joins Mitch in the new podcast studio for an old-fashioned hunting conversation as we look ahead to another Pennsylvania deer season. We kick things off by reliving our spring elk shed hunting adventure in north-central Pennsylvania before diving into Todd's memorable Pennsylvania elk hunt, trail camera strategy, and how he prepares for the months leading up to opening day. From managing small hunting properties to using cell cameras effectively, Todd shares the simple approach that has consistently kept him around mature bucks while avoiding unnecessary pressure. The conversation eventually turns to one particular whitetail that consumed Todd's 2025 season. We discuss the patience required to pass smaller bucks, the adrenaline of finally encountering a true target buck, and the lessons learned from an opportunity that didn't quite come together. Along the way, we reflect on hunting traditions, public land deer drives, introducing the next generation to hunting, and why the friendships, stories, and time spent in the woods often become just as meaningful as punching a tag. If you're counting down the days until opening day, this episode feels like sitting around deer camp with friends, talking strategy and dreaming about the season ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Patience, Persistence & Pennsylvania Whitetails
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4.6
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

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 interview state biologists and officials, industry professionals, and Average Joe's who've mastered their niche in the outdoors. We strive to unite the outdoor community through relevant, tried-and-true information; regardless of the playing field on private or public land. Our content is focused on honing your craft, and celebrating Pennsylvania's outdoor heritage.

Information

  • Creator
    Sportsmen's Empire
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    275
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017 Sportsmen's Empire
  • Show Website
    Pennsylvania Woodsman

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