Pennsylvania Woodsman

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!

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 of the Pennsylvania Woodsman Mitch is joined by returning guests and good friends Mike Lesher, Mark Lesher, Jason Miller and Jared Lesher. The five sit down near the close of the 2024 New Jersey Segment A bear hunt, and discuss what a week it was! Beginning in summer, the crew made multiple trips to scout and locate bears that would meet their season goals. The Leshers and Jason hunted all week long and were able to have some cool encounters with archery tackle. Mitch came to camp with his Lyman Flintlock muzzleloader in hand later in the week. Tune in to hear the highs, lows, mishaps and successes of this DIY public land bear hunt! This episode truly highlights the camaraderie and teamwork shared by this crew of guys!

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.

On this week's episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch is joined by Jason Goe and Jere Preston from the Final Stand YouTube channel. This episode discusses various aspects of hunting, beginning with a conversation focusing on modern muzzleloaders versus flintlocks. The boys dive into Jere's recent trip back from bear hunting in Canada, then shift gears to whitetail hunting in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The conversation also delves into strategies for hunting on public land, the importance of monitoring ground scent and wind control, and the impact of technology on hunting practices.

Throughout the discussion, the speakers share personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of being a dedicated hunter. Additional topics navigate the evolution of hunting strategies, emphasizing the importance of scouting over gimmicks and the nuanced role of trail cameras. The team shares insights on navigating public land hunting, the significance of timing in scouting, and the challenges of introducing children to hunting in a meaningful way. The discussion also touches on the importance of family traditions in hunting and the need for a supportive community that values both successes and failures in the sport. This is a don't miss episode sure to fire you up for the start of 2024 deer season!