Episode Details

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 w