Deer Camp Kinship: A Hunting Legacy of Giving Back We hit the road for every hunter's favorite place — deer camp! Host Matt Morrett is joined by Dan Smoker of United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania (UBP) and Game Commissioner Bob Schwalm to discuss the powerful sense of community behind our Pennsylvania hunting heritage. From mentoring new hunters to partnering with farmers to helping feed families in need, we dive into all the ways hunting unites Pennsylvanians for a greater purpose.   Episode Highlights: Details on the UBP annual hunt event and how bowhunters can participate The importance of building mutually beneficial relationships between hunters and farmers Why mentoring children and adults is critical to the future of hunting How to give back via Hunters Sharing the Harvest The value of deer camp comradery   Resources: Get involved with United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania. Consider donating to Hunters Sharing the Harvest. Purchase a mentored hunting permit. Review deer hunting regulations.   

Conservation funding is going off with a bang! Shooting Sports Division Chief Todd Holmes and Range Management Coordinator Luke Johnson join host Matt Morrett to discuss the value of the Pittman-Robertson Act to conservation, successful shooting range improvement projects, the new features drawing people to shooting sports, and the goals the Game Commission is aiming for in the near future.   Episode Highlights: · How the Pittman-Robertson Act plays a crucial role in conservation · The Game Commission’s public shooting range diversity, design, safety, and accessibility · Updates from the Shooting Range Improvement Program’s successful pilot year · Partnerships with sportsmen clubs and municipalities · Future plans for public shooting ranges · Tips when using the range and improving your shot   Resources: Find a shooting range near you Learn more about the Shooting Range Improvement Program Learn how the Pittman-Robertson Act benefits wildlife conservation Buy a shooting range permit

Pennsylvania is making momentous strides in shaping the future of conservation with Act 36 of 2025, which fully repeals Pennsylvania’s prohibition on Sunday hunting and authorizes the Game Commission to regulate opportunities.        Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to commemorate the event that is going down in conservation history. They go on to discuss the behind‑the‑scenes legislative process that made this possible, provide a detailed recap of the thoughtful science-based decisions made during the Board of Game Commissioners meeting, and highlight exciting new opportunities for the 2025–26 seasons as a result of the executive order. A cumulative team effort dedicated to doing what's best for wildlife, Pennsylvania, and future generations!       Episode Highlights:     Where we started vs what we have accomplished in Pennsylvania.    Explanation behind the legislative process that led to Act 36.    Why the Game Commission used an executive order.    New opportunities available for 2025-26.    A glimpse into what hunting seasons may look like in the future.          Resources:     Watch recorded Board of Game Commissioner Meeting     Review the approved Sunday hunting dates for the 2025-26 seasons     For more details reference PGC Newsroom    Follow us on social media for timely updates   

Tree Trailblazers: Forest Stewardship & Wildlife Strategy   Managing over 1.5 million acres of land may seem daunting — but not for Pennsylvania Game Commission’s habitat management staff.     Northwest Regional Forester Scott Wolbert, Northcentral Regional Forester Dan Heggenstaller, and Forestry Division Chief Paul Weiss join host Matt Morrett to discuss how the agency uses sustainable forestry to create diverse ecosystems for better wildlife habitat.     Episode Highlights:   What is habitat?   The Game Commission’s role in forestry   The relationship between deer management goals and forest health   The role of deer exclosures and why the agency uses deer fencing   Tips for hunting inside deer fences   What hunters should look for to improve their season      Resources:   Learn more about the balance of healthy forests and healthy deer.   Find state game lands near you.  Learn more about habitat management in Pennsylvania.    

Episode 58: PA Residents Guaranteed an Antlerless License for Any WMU   You get an antlerless license! You get an antlerless license! Everybody gets an antlerless license!   Well, all residents for 21 days, anyway.   Executive Director Steve Smith and Deputy Executive Director Dave Gustafson join host Matt Morrett to discuss the biggest changes for the 2025-26 license year, including guaranteed antlerless licenses for residents, a shortened bear archery season, expanded DMAP opportunities, and a 10% cap on nonresident elk tags.     Episode Highlights How seasons and bag limits are set Whether guaranteed resident antlerless licenses will cause WMUs to oversell Why the bear archery season was shortened to one week The impact an extended DMAP season will have on overall harvest Tips for hunting state game lands Why hunters in some WMUs will have a higher personal limit for antlerless licenses Changes coming to the elk application process     Resources Log in to HuntFishPA to update your account. Find state game lands near you. Learn more about changes for the 2025-26 license year.      

If you can outsmart a longbeard here, you can probably outsmart one anywhere. Pennsylvania birds can be challenging to hunt. Grand National Champion and PA native Hunter Wallis joins host Matt Morrett to yelp about the Keystone State’s rich turkey hunting heritage, tips for calling in birds all season long, and woodsmanship skills for spring gobbler success. Episode Highlights: Tips for taking your turkey calling to the next level How to avoid overcalling and when to be patient after a tom’s gone quiet The skills to pair with solid calling to fill tags on pressured birds Ways to switch up tactics as the season progresses The importance of boots-on-the-ground scouting Resources: Explore more turkey hunting tips Review spring gobbler seasons and bag limits  Find state game lands near you Learn more about Nancy’s Vision Youth Turkey Hunt   #wildlife #conservation #nature #PennsylvaniaGameCommission #PAgameCommission #GameCommission #PGC #habitat #turkeyhunting #turkeys

It’s turkey time!   Wildlife Technicians Rachel Pennell, Tony Musselman, and Andrew Cushman join host Matt Morrett to discuss Pennsylvania’s largest-ever wild turkey study and their boots-on-the-ground experience with birds that will shape the future of turkey management in the state.   Episode Highlights:   How the turkey team uses thermal imaging and radio transmitter technologies to collect data Why temporary trapping and biological sampling provide valuable population info Anecdotal findings as the turkey team awaits final results of the study The truth behind common turkey myths The unlikely places turkeys nest The important role private landowners play in turkey studies Gobbler chronography as the future of turkey research   Resources:   Learn more about wild turkey research. Review seasons and bag limits for spring gobbler. Try these turkey hunting tips.  Find shooting ranges and places to hunt.  

Question: what kind of bear is best? Black bear! The Game Commission’s new Black Bear Biologist Brandon Snavely joins host Matt Morrett to provide insight into the latest black bear science, a look at a year in the life of a Pennsylvania bear, and tips for coexisting with these opportunistic omnivores. Episode Highlights: The state of the black bear population in Pennsylvania Current studies and research projects that will help shape bear management What biologists learn from visiting bear dens The diet and lifecycle of black bears How to prevent human-bear conflicts Resources: Learn more about black bears in Pennsylvania. Explore ways to be BearWise.

It’s about that time when white gold starts dropping in Penn’s Woods!  Forester Chris Sabol and Recruiting Outreach Specialist Tyler Strohecker join host Matt Morrett to share their tips for finding dozens of antlers across Pennsylvania public land and how shed hunting helps them harvest bucks each fall. Episode Highlights: The best time of year and conditions for shed hunting Where to look for deer and elk sheds  Tactics, technology, and gear to up your odds How shed hunting can help your fall hunting strategy Regulations on shed hunting in Pennsylvania  Resources: Find state game lands near you.   Learn more about deer and elk in Pennsylvania. Get familiar with forest habitat for wildlife.

Piling up corn for deer might seem helpful during harsh winters, but feeding wildlife is actually dangerous to animals and humans. Deputy Executive Director Dave Gustafson and Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Andrew Di Salvo join host Matt Morrett to explain how supplemental feeding negatively impacts wildlife, why food plots and birdfeeders are different, and how Pennsylvanians can create complex habitat in their own backyards. Episode Highlights: The ways supplemental feeding can harm wildlife How feeding deer can disrupt habitat for other species Why food plots can be beneficial for several species Best practices for birdfeeders Tips for helping wildlife long-term no matter where you live  Resources: Learn more about the dangers of feeding wildlife. Find six things you can do for wildlife. Explore ways to improve habitat for wildlife.

We’re nearly halfway through Pennsylvania’s deer firearms season, but hunters still have plenty of opportunities to get into the field and fill tags! Range Management Coordinator Luke Johnson and Deputy Director of Field Operations Dave Mitchell join host Matt Morrett to discuss their changing strategy as hunting season progresses, go-to guns and gear throughout the year, and why no amount of technology can replace putting boots on the ground.   Episode Highlights: How to adjust your tactics based on hunting pressure and time of year Ways to up your odds for success without relying on expensive technology Tips for taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s unique flintlock season The connection between healthy habitat and big bucks Small game, waterfowl, and predator hunting opportunities available this winter   Resources: Explore winter hunting opportunities. Find shooting ranges and places to hunt. Report a harvest. Donate a deer to Hunters Sharing the Harvest. Learn more about how deer populations affect habitat.

From finding camouflage corn culprits to taking tips from scorned lovers to catching bear poachers in the act, the life of a Pennsylvania state game warden can be rewarding, dangerous, and anything but boring. Southcentral Region Director Seth Mesoras and Assistant Counsel Jason Raup join host Matt Morrett to discuss the demands of serving as a game warden, the intensive process of investigating poachers, and some of the most interesting cases that have resulted from Operation Game Thief (OGT). Learn what you can do to help protect our wildlife resources and how to avoid ending up on the wrong side of an OGT tip. Episode Highlights: Details of the recent Chester County poaching ring case How OGT helps protect Pennsylvania wildlife The critical role tips from the public play in uncovering cases — and the rewards up for grabs The investigation process and why some tips don’t result in criminal charges Some memorable and bizarre poaching cases in Pennsylvania The most common violations game wardens encounter  Resources: Report suspected wildlife crimes to OGT. Get familiar with current regulations in the Hunting & Trapping Digest. Review safe hunting tips. Find state game lands near you.

The Drury dynasty has become synonymous with monster white-tailed deer, but did you know Mark and Terry got their start filming turkey hunting videos in the 80s? Mark Drury joins host Matt Morrett to share insights from 35 years in hunting media, from the conditions he looks for to consistently shoot world-class bucks to his tactics for balancing the buck-doe ratio for better rut activity. Episode Highlights: How Mark broke into the hunting industry and started Drury Outdoors Why he and his team harvest 125 does annually on their properties The story of the 160-inch Missouri buck he shot in early archery season His strategy for managing and hunting on small parcels of land Top tips for targeting big bucks anywhere   Resources: Learn more about healthy forests and healthy deer. Explore DMAP opportunities in Pennsylvania. Find where to donate a deer to Hunters Sharing the Harvest. Get the DeerCast app and subscribe to Drury Outdoors on YouTube. 

Hunters are at the forefront of wildlife conservation — the Pennsylvania Game Commission depends on hunter harvest and input for the future of hunting in the Keystone State.   Heading into hunting season, Executive Director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to discuss key changes for this fall, tips for success in the field, and updates on hot-button issues like Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania.   Episode Highlights: Squirrel season insights and tips Legislative updates on the Sunday hunting issue and how to make your voice heard How the Game Commission invests back into wildlife, habitat, and hunters  The challenges of deer management and the importance of filling antlerless tags Early season archery tactics for hunting public land Bear season changes for better management and future hunting   Resources: Find a shooting range near you. Learn more about your role in healthy forests and healthy deer.  Review safe hunting tips. Contact the Game Commission with your feedback. Enter the Take Someone Hunting Photo Contest.

With participation numbers trending downward nationwide, efforts to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters are more critical than ever. Hunter-Trapper Education and Outreach Division Chief Courtney LaCivita joins host Matt Morrett to detail what the Game Commission is doing to create new hunters in the Commonwealth, and Environmental Education SpecialistBrian Collett shares his personal tips for finding places to hunt without access to private land. Episode Highlights: Resources: Access resources to get started hunting. Join the PA Wild Women Facebook Group. Find state game lands near you. Email mentoredhunting@pa.gov with questions. Access resources to get started hunting. Join the PA Wild Women Facebook Group. Find state game lands near you. Email mentoredhunting@pa.gov with questions.

Did you know Pennsylvania proudly claims an elite archery program and a 2024 NASP world champion? Shooting Sports Division Chief Todd Holmes joins host Matt Morrett to discuss how participation in Pennsylvania NASP has skyrocketed over the last decade, and competitor Madi Rhinevault shares her firsthand experience rising to the top of the life-changing program. Episode Highlights: Resources: Learn more about Pennsylvania NASP. Check out our spotlight of a top Pennsylvania team.  Explore Outdoor Insiders.

Did you know the sixth-largest non-typical bull on record was harvested in Pennsylvania? Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield joins host Matt Morrett to discuss how the Game Commission’s reintroduction and careful management have resulted in a thriving population of world-class wapiti here in the Commonwealth. They also share a behind-the-scenes look at the elk license drawing, tips for applying, and what survival studies have taught us about this iconic species. Episode Highlights: Resources: Learn more about the history of elk in Pennsylvania. Review elk hunting seasons and zones. Apply now for an elk hunting license. Find more details on how to be ELK SMART.

Bowhunting big woods bucks isn’t just a fall hobby — it’s a year-round grind. Beau Martonik of East Meets West joins host Matt Morrett at the Total Archery Challenge in Seven Springs to discuss ways to improve your archery skills in the offseason, effective summer scouting strategies, and how to take advantage of the millions of acres of public land available to Pennsylvania hunters. Episode Highlights: Resources: Find state game lands near you. Learn more about Lyme disease and prevention. Explore East Meets West.

With nearly a million passionate hunters in Pennsylvania, the new process for purchasing antlerless licenses led to high demand and longer-than-expected wait times last year. So the Game Commission made some key changes for the upcoming license year to streamline the process and guarantee antlerless licenses for most residents. Deputy Director of Field Operations Dave Mitchell joins host Matt Morrett to share what’s new for 2024, answer the most common questions about buying antlerless licenses, and explain how funds from these licenses directly benefit wildlife habitat throughout Pennsylvania. Episode Highlights:             Resources: Learn more about antlerless deer licenses. Review the new license year...

The future is bright at the Pennsylvania Game Commission! New executive director Steve Smith joins host Matt Morrett to provide Pennsylvanians with an update on the latest changes within the agency. Learn how 30 years of public land hunting and legislative expertise ultimately led Steve to this pivotal role and gain insight into his vision for the future of wildlife conservation. Episode Highlights: Resources: Learn more about the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Check out Pennsylvania Game News.  Explore the state game lands system.