Pennsylvania Woodsman - The Grouse Hunter’s Life: Cover, Cuts, and Constant Scouting

Sportsmen's Empire - Whitetail Hunting

Sportsmen's Empire Outdoor Network

Hobbies, Leisure, Technology, Sports, Wilderness

4.8 • 615 Ratings

🗓️ 8 April 2026

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitchell is joined by Tom McPherson, a diehard grouse hunter from western Pennsylvania, for a deep dive into one of the most challenging — and rewarding — pursuits in the upland woods. Tom shares how his passion for grouse hunting developed over time, eventually leading him into running bird dogs and traveling across the Northeast and upper Midwest in search of better bird numbers. The conversation explores the unique nature of grouse hunting, from unpredictable flushes and fast shooting to the role of dogs in locating birds that often prefer to run instead of fly.

The discussion also takes a deeper turn into habitat, conservation, and the long-term outlook for grouse in Pennsylvania. Tom explains how timber management, forest age diversity, and large-scale habitat work — often supported by organizations like the Ruffed Grouse Society — are critical to sustaining and rebuilding populations. From breaking down maps and identifying productive cover to committing nearly year-round effort for a six-week season, this episode highlights the dedication required to chase grouse and the bigger picture of habitat stewardship that supports the future of the species.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Thompson Cigars and use my code SE for a great deal: https://thompsoncigar.com
* Check out Troll Co Clothing and use my code EMPIRE25 for a great deal: https://www.trollco.com/hunting

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Since 1988, Whitetail Institute has been perfecting annual and perennial seed products,
0:06.3	specifically for hunters who plant food plots. Their seeds have been engineered to be palatable,
0:12.2	high in protein, and extremely attractive to deer. Whether you live in the deep south or Midwest
0:17.8	farm country, they have products that will help you grow your best food plot yet.
0:22.9	For more information about their seeds and their blends, visit whitetailinstitute.com.
0:29.0	Enter the discount code SE15 for 15% off.
0:34.6	You're listening to the Pennsylvania Woodsman, powered by Sportsman's Empire Podcast Network.
0:40.3	This show is driven to provide relatable hunting and outdoor content in the Keystone State and surrounding Northeast.
0:46.2	On this show, you'll hear an array of perspectives from biologists and industry professionals
0:50.3	to average Joe's with a lifetime of knowledge.
0:53.6	All centered around values aiming to be better outdoors men and women both in the field as well as home and daily life no clicks no self-interest just the light in the pursuit of creation and now your host the man who's too good to stop for a roadkill deer to check it out.
1:11.5	Mitchell Shirk.
1:18.1	Hey, everybody, welcome back to another episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman podcast.
1:22.8	Man, I am excited this week.
1:24.8	So I'll get to do a little fun trip.
1:27.0	So as this episode drops, Wednesday,
1:32.3	April 8th, I'm going to be headed down to visit with some of the boys that I've met through the
1:38.7	podcast and do a little bit of pig hunting. I get to go to John Hutzpice Ranch again. I got to go
1:44.0	last year for the first time. I get to go to John Hutzpice Ranch again. I got to go last
1:44.4	year for the first time. I'm going back down again, flying in Wednesday night, and I get to hunt
1:50.2	Thursday, Friday, Saturday with he, Nick Otto from the Huntavor podcast, Andrew Muntz from the
1:56.4	O2 podcast formally, and comes up to Deer Camp. You've heard them on some of the Deer Camp episodes
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Sportsmen's Empire Outdoor Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Sportsmen's Empire Outdoor Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.