Episode 56 — Happy Birthday to Us!

Guests/Voices: Mike, Mark, Matt, and Poppy (recorded in Quentin, Pennsylvania)

Summary

The Ruhl boys celebrate one full year of Outdoor Ruhls with a roundtable: remembering dear family friend Catherine Schott, swapping mid-season whitetail updates, plotting a mentored-youth hunt for Robert, and looking back on favorite episodes and lessons from year one—plus a big list of show ideas we’re excited to make next.

Chapter Guide

00:00 Cold open & intros from Quentin, PA

02:00 Remembering Catherine Schott: leadership, service, and “100% effort”

08:30 Mid-season deer report: rut signs, standing corn, and stand strategy

14:30 Poppy’s shoulder replacement, recovery timeline, and rifle-season hopes

18:30 Mark’s tag-punch with the compound & living with MG (myasthenia gravis)

26:00 Mini-adventure: helping friend Bob Bridges recover his buck

32:30 Mentored-Youth plan for Robert: licenses, tags, rifle fit, and range prep

41:00 Year-one reflections: favorite episodes, why we’re doing this, and family voices on tape

50:00 What’s next: episode ideas (Safety Third, Hell on Ice, Monkey Business, witticisms & mixed metaphors, FFA, Milton Hershey, photography, canning/gardening, San Diego sport fishing)

58:00 Closing thoughts & Thanksgiving/ice-fishing chatter

Season Highlights

Rut watch: Chasing starting in spots; movement muted by standing corn that should come off soon.

Mark’s season: Passed a young 8; later took a big-bodied 8 with the compound after MG symptoms eased.

Poppy: Two weeks post-op (left shoulder). Eyeing rifle season with caution (lead sled, muzzle brake).

Pipeline stand tales: Doe standoffs, quick decisions, and a clean 30-yard shot.

Mentored-Youth (PA) — Our Plan for Robert

License path discussed: Mentored Youth permit; at age 7 the youth can hold their own tags.

This year’s reality: Missed the antlerless draw → buck only for Robert.

Antler rule (as discussed): Youth buck can be legal without standard point restrictions (≥ ~3″ spike).

Firearm handling (as discussed): Mentor carries during travel; one gun between mentor & youth; transfer only once settled.

Rifle options: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. youth .243; priority is fit, comfort with recoil/noise, and range time first.

Note: We’re sharing our understanding from chat—always check current PA Game Commission regs before hunting.

Year-One Favorites & Why They Matter

Family history episodes: Uncles Sim & Dick (“it was perfect—family, family, family”), Pop Bud stories, and Norway diaries.

Guest standouts: Pat Durkin, Ben Goldfarb, Bob Jacquart (Stormy Kromer).

Why we’re doing this: Capturing voices and stories while we can—“priceless” for the family archive.

Future Episode Ideas We Tease

Safety Third: Home-shop mishaps, tool tales, and hospital runs (special cameo ideas: Grant’s table-saw lesson).

Monkey Business: Animal shenanigans (squirrel bites & rabies shots, plus broader critter capers).

Hell on Ice: Toboggan carnage, ice-fishing wipeouts, and Potter County legends.

Witticisms & Mixed Metaphors: Pop Grant’s classics (“nat’s ass over a nail keg”) and the kids’ best mash-ups.

FFA & Milton Hershey: With Harold Burkheiser, Dan Kreider, and local ag history.

Photography: Rachel + Tim (gear, field craft, storytelling).

Canning & Gardening: Bone broth, pantry projects, and field-to-jar know-how.

Sport Fishing: Dave Arnold & Capt. Matt Arnold (San Diego), plus a dream trip episode.

People Mentioned

Catherine Schott, Bob Bridges (and daughter Anna), Davey, Sim & Dick, Beth, Dave & Matt Arnold, Harold Burkheiser, Dan Kreider, Rachel, Kaylee, CJ, Kate & Anne.

Gear Corner (brief)

Bows: Crossbow vs. compound (vision/eye-patch workarounds for MG).

Rifles: 6.5 Creedmoor & youth .243 considerations for young shooters.

Stability: Lead sleds, brakes, and smart recoil management for healing shoulders.

Links & Thanks

Website:OutdoorRuhls.com

Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Cooking page for future recipes:OutdoorRuhls.com/cooking
Big thanks to our listeners—especially the Central PA crew—who’ve been with us through the first year. We’re just getting warmed up.

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