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. No Matter the Hunt, KEEP IT FUN!

    1D AGO

    No Matter the Hunt, KEEP IT FUN!

    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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min
  2. From Interested to Involved: Helping New Hunters Stay in the Game

    FEB 11

    From Interested to Involved: Helping New Hunters Stay in the Game

    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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 2m
  3. Cabin Fever Camp Talk: Dad Life and Deer Drives

    FEB 4

    Cabin Fever Camp Talk: Dad Life and Deer Drives

    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.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    56 min
  4. A Bear Camp Story: Looking the Wrong Way… Until It Mattered Most

    JAN 28

    A Bear Camp Story: Looking the Wrong Way… Until It Mattered Most

    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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    32 min
  5. Slowing Down Before Reacting: A Response to Rifle Season's Opening Day Proposal

    JAN 21

    Slowing Down Before Reacting: A Response to Rifle Season's Opening Day Proposal

    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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min
  6. The Birth of a Bow: Crafted by Hand, Tested in the Woods

    JAN 14

    The Birth of a Bow: Crafted by Hand, Tested in the Woods

    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.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min
  7. Running Your Own Race: Late Season Lessons from the Woods

    JAN 7

    Running Your Own Race: Late Season Lessons from the Woods

    In this New Year episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined once again by Jason Goe from Final Stand for a wide-ranging conversation that blends late-season deer hunting tactics with honest reflection on priorities, pressure, and purpose. The discussion moves through practical topics like late-season scouting, mobile setups comparing climbers and saddles, managing hunting pressure, and how Jason balances hunting across Pennsylvania and Maryland. Along the way, they unpack how gear choices, access, food sources, and pressure shape late-season success—and why adapting your approach matters as seasons, landscapes, and life circumstances change. As the conversation deepens, the focus shifts beyond tactics to mindset. Mitchell and Jason openly wrestle with comparison, social media pressure, goal-setting, and the challenge of staying present in the woods—especially as fathers introducing their kids to hunting. From sharing campfires and deer drives to slowing down hunts so young hunters can enjoy them, the episode highlights the importance of fellowship, mentorship, and keeping hunting fun. It’s an honest reminder that success isn’t always measured in filled tags, but in shared moments, growth, and learning to “run your own race” in the woods and in life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 18m
  8. Why Rifle Season Hits Different: Perspective, Reflection, and Passing It On

    12/31/2025

    Why Rifle Season Hits Different: Perspective, Reflection, and Passing It On

    In this end-of-year episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined once again by Grant Forney from the Everyday Outdoorsman to reflect on the 2025 hunting season and how their perspectives have evolved. Together, they dig into the shifting balance between archery and rifle hunting, why rifle season has become increasingly meaningful, and how predictability, shared camp time, and cold-weather patterns have reshaped the way they enjoy deer season. The discussion moves beyond antlers and success, touching on pressure, expectations, public land realities, and how chasing “bigger” goals can sometimes cloud the deeper reasons we hunt in the first place. The episode takes a powerful turn as Grant shares the story of introducing his girlfriend to hunting for the first time—watching curiosity grow into confidence, responsibility, and ultimately a successful rifle harvest. From mentoring without pressure to respecting the weight of taking an animal’s life, the conversation highlights what it truly means to pass on hunting traditions thoughtfully. As the year closes, Mitchell and Grant reflect on priorities, family, mentorship, and the importance of adapting seasons and expectations to the stage of life you’re in. It’s an honest, relatable discussion about growth, balance, and why hunting is about far more than tags filled or trophies earned. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 17m
See All (246)

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
    246
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017 Sportsmen's Empire
  • Show Website
    Pennsylvania Woodsman

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