Join the Ruhl Family as we share our love for all things outdoors. We’ll explore hunting, fishing, cooking, camping, conservation, gardening, photography and more through stories about our families deep history and passion for being outside. You’ll hear from three generations, all with unique perspectives on the past, present, and future.
Reading the feed…
Joe Skorupski returns for a third appearance, and this time he brings Derrick Miller, one of the two friends who joined him on the grueling Alaska caribou and moose hunt from episodes 40 and 41. This episode catches up on Joe's recovery a year past his liver transplant and his remarkable, almost impossibly timed Wyoming bighorn sheep tag, then sets the hook for next week, when Derrick takes over to talk about more than a decade of hunting across Africa.
It's Mark's 40th birthday, and Mike sits down with his younger brother for a reflective, unscripted conversation about turning 40, legacy, and how their relationship to the outdoors has changed with age. The episode closes with a surprise: Mike secretly collected birthday messages for Mark from the whole family, including Kate, their mom and dad, Matt, Rachel, and CJ.
Uncle Sim, 94 and a half years old, returns for a third farm-life installment, this time walking through what summers looked like on the family farm in Rexmont, Pennsylvania in the 1930s and '40s. From county fairs and hand-cut hay to threshing wheat, spraying and processing apples, and husking fifteen-plus acres of corn by hand before hunting season could even start, Sim paints a vivid picture of farm childhood work and the small joys that came with it.
Mike and Caitlin open with an apology to Julian Cabral for the accidental episode title mishap from the Argentina series, then settle into a wide-ranging catch-up: Mike's upcoming colonoscopy, Caitlin's 40th birthday trip to the Florida Keys and Disney World, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, a tribute to longtime family friend Catherine Schott, and the decision to sell their decades-old boat to a friend in Louisiana. They close by mapping out a genuinely packed fall of travel and hunting.
Mike, Caitlin, and GT continue their conversation with Julian Cabral of Massive Trout Fly Fishing, picking up the Argentina trip story as it heads north out of Patagonia into Mendoza wine country, a chaotic dove hunt in Cordoba, and the pursuit of Golden Dorado in the north. Julian also opens up about his own travel and fishing habits, the road trips he takes with his family down Ruta 40, and how people can connect with him to fish Patagonia or the North Platte.
Mike sits down with Julian Cabral of Massive Trout Fly Fishing on the day of the Argentina-Spain World Cup final, and the conversation turns into a wide-ranging look at Patagonia. Julian shares how he grew up in Bariloche, built his guiding business from the ground up, and why the wild trout fishery on the Rio Limay is unlike anything in the States. Mike, Caitlin, and GT also revisit their own trip to Argentina a decade ago, from the clarity of the water to the unforgettable riverside lunches. www.massivetroutflyfishing.com
Boat ramps, trailer troubles, no-wake zones, and unforgettable family stories—this episode has a little bit of everything. Mike, Poppy, and Matt share funny boating mishaps, discuss the etiquette that makes life easier for everyone on the water, and prove that even experienced boaters have plenty of stories to tell.
Poppy, Matt, Mark, and Mike share some of their favorite stories of unexpected flights, abrupt landings, and outdoor adventures that didn't quite go as planned. Equal parts funny and cautionary, this encore episode is the perfect lead-in to next week's conversation about bad boating behavior, boat ramp etiquette, and the memorable things we've all witnessed on the water.
The Outdoor Ruhls wrap up another unforgettable week on the Chesapeake Bay, reflecting on family adventures, memorable catches, and the inevitable mishaps that become the best stories. From chasing cobia and redfish to laughing about everything that didn't go according to plan, this episode is a celebration of fishing, family, and making memories that last long after the trip is over.
Mike and Mark are joined by Meateater's Seth Morris for a Father's Day conversation about raising kids, outdoor traditions, and the experiences that shape families. From Montana life and a memorable New Mexico oryx hunt to woodsmanship, community, and fatherhood, the discussion explores why the outdoors is often about much more than hunting.
Mike, Caitlin, and GT sit down with official Boone & Crockett measurer Nicole Tatman to explore the history, purpose, and conservation legacy of Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young. The conversation goes beyond antler measurements to discuss fair chase ethics, wildlife conservation, and the role record books play in documenting North America's greatest game animals. Along the way, Nicole measures Caitlin's public-land archery elk, explains how the official measuring process works, and helps put the bull's impressive final score into historical perspective.
Mike sits down with Jeremy Cressley of Mountain Hollow Game Calls to recap the highs, lows, and lessons of the 2026 turkey season. From Osceola turkeys in Florida and New Mexico gobblers that wouldn't cooperate to discussions about TSS loads, public-land pressure, and calling strategy, the conversation is a candid look at why turkey hunting keeps us coming back year after year.
On the morning after his 46th birthday, Caitlin turns the tables and interviews Mike about the lessons he's learned through family, fatherhood, conservation work, hunting, fishing, and life in general. Through stories from Yellowstone, Montana, deer camp, youth sports, and raising Robert and Emmit, Mike reflects on gratitude, humility, getting older, and the people who have shaped him along the way.
In Episode 84 of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, Mike, Mark, and Caitlin share stories from Ole Bull State Park, Deer Camp, and the trout streams of north-central Pennsylvania while reflecting on the family traditions that shaped them. Along the way, they dive into the history of Ole Bull, swap fishing stories, laugh about unforgettable childhood memories, and look ahead to upcoming adventures in Cape Charles.
Mike and Matt record their first-ever two-person episode and dive headfirst into the rabbit hole of fishing tackle addiction. From Pennsylvania bass fishing and six-pound largemouths to braided line, fluorocarbon leaders, and thousand-dollar rod-and-reel setups, the brothers break down the gear they actually use and why serious anglers are always chasing the next perfect setup.
In this Mother’s Day episode, Mike and Caitlin reflect on family, motherhood, and a weekend adventure in Glenwood, New Mexico before Mike, Poppy, and Aunt Beth remember Grandma June Gettle Ruhl. Through stories of her art, kindness, family love, and lasting influence, the episode becomes a tribute to mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and the women who shape us across generations.
In this special Mother’s Day episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, Mike, Karen, Caitlin, and Poppy share stories and memories about Mike’s grandmother, Elizabeth “Nutt” Hartlieb, a complicated woman whose difficult upbringing shaped much of her life and relationships. Funny, uncomfortable, and heartfelt moments lead to a deeper conversation about family, resilience, gratitude, and the importance of choosing love and positivity even after hard experiences.
Mike sits down with Uncle Sim and Poppy to explore the history of the Cornwall iron mines, from their role in early American industry to their impact on the local community. Uncle Sim shares firsthand stories of mining life and explains how iron ore was mined and processed in Lebanon County. The episode wraps with the mine’s closure after Hurricane Agnes and reflections on how it shaped both the region and the Ruhl family.
A springtime catch-up episode where the crew reflects on recent family time, podcast recordings, and the busy transition out of winter. From turkey season “Valentine’s Day” hunts in New Mexico to gardening plans, bass fishing updates, and upcoming family trips, the conversation covers a little bit of everything. It’s a relaxed, story-driven episode about balancing life, family, and the outdoors.
Episode 78 dives into the remarkable story of Milton S. Hershey, tracing his journey from repeated failures to building a chocolate empire that transformed milk chocolate into an everyday staple. Through Uncle Sim’s firsthand experiences on a Pennsylvania dairy farm, the episode connects Hershey’s success to the hardworking families who supplied the milk that fueled it. It’s a powerful blend of American history, family storytelling, and the lasting impact of Hershey’s philanthropy and community vision.
In this episode, the Ruhls continue their family farm series by diving into springtime work, from hauling manure and preparing fields to planting crops with horse teams and coordinating large-scale threshing with neighbors. Uncle Sim shares vivid stories of hard labor, community cooperation, and Depression-era resourcefulness. The episode also captures the lighter side of rural life, with memories of softball, quoits, roller skating, and the mischievous traditions that brought the community together.
Dale and Denise Snyder share the story of how a farm upbringing and unexpected opportunities led to a lifelong career in zookeeping, filled with hands-on conservation work and unforgettable animal encounters. The episode highlights the vital role zoos play in education, wildlife rehabilitation, and connecting people—especially kids—to the natural world. At its heart, it’s a story about family, stewardship, and finding purpose in caring for animals and the environment.
In Episode 75, Mike sits down with Karl Malcolm for a wide-ranging conversation on conservation, forest health, and the critical role of disturbance in maintaining wildlife habitat. From black bear research to eastern forest ecology, Karl explains why habitat—not predators or disease—is the key driver of species success and how thoughtful management can benefit both wildlife and people. Join the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society at ruffed.org
Episode 74: A Picture’s Worth... In this episode, Mike and Caitlin are joined by GT for a conversation about old photographs, the memories they preserve, and the way a single image can instantly carry you back to a different time. What starts with digging through family photos for an Outdoor Ruhls social media project turns into a deeper reflection on family history, outdoor traditions, and the emotions tied to the pictures we keep. Mike shares a photo of himself as a teenager with his friend Dan after what he believes was each of their first Canada geese, a picture that prompted him to reconn
In Episode 73, Mike and Caitlin welcome longtime Yellowstone friend Kate Olsen for a conversation about the formative backcountry years that helped shape all of their lives and careers. Together they swap stories about brutal field seasons, unforgettable camping mishaps, and the wild, funny, and meaningful moments that come from spending so much time outdoors in remote places.
