Tracks & Tackle: Nature is our Playground

Send us Fan Mail Join us for another Roundtable Session on the Tracks & Tackle Podcast! Tonight Ron Mentzer is joined by co-host Josh Buchman and returning guest Matt "Buck" Mentzer  for real talk around the campfire. Buck shares the exciting news of joining the Field Staff for The Outdoor Group, and the guys dive deep into what it means to grow up in rural America. They explore the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Tracks & Tackle, Ron Mentzer and Kris Buchman talk with Aaron Hepler — outdoor writer, hunter, and host of the InCamp Podcast.  Aaron shares his passion for backcountry hunting, scouting, ethical deer hunting, and conservation in Pennsylvania. We discuss what it takes to hunt smarter, hunt ethically, and stay connected to the outdoors in today’s world. A tho...

Send us Fan Mail Join Ron & Kris for a great conversation with Caleb Strunk, founder of Duck & Dog Apparel — a faith-based hunting apparel brand. Caleb opens up about the brand’s origins, how faith drives everything they do, the realities of starting and growing an outdoor clothing company, and the deep passion for waterfowl hunting and our loyal hunting dogs. A genuine and inspiring episo...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Tracks & Tackle Podcast | Episode 119: Captain Matt Webb – Big Rock Fishing Charters | Susquehanna River Smallmouth Bass & Flathead Catfish Ron Mentzer and Josh Buchman sit down with Captain Matt Webb, owner of Big Rock Fishing Charters, to talk all things river fishing in Pennsylvania. From the unique fishery of the Susquehanna River to practical tips for catching smal...

Send us Fan Mail In this no-filter guy-talk episode, Ron, Kris, and returning guest Brian Kritzer pull up chairs for a laid-back conversation covering everything from epic hunting stories to music debates and the future of the outdoors.  We break down: - Our personal “Mount Rushmore” of the Top 5 Songs of All Time (the debate gets heated!) - How to get kids and youth excited and passionate about h...

Send us Fan Mail Ron Mentzer is joined by turkey specialist Justin Barrick and his hunting partner Chris Lightner for a timely conversation about Pennsylvania turkey season. With the season now in its second half and running through the end of May, the guys break down what late-season gobblers are doing and how the hunting has evolved in the Keystone State. In this episode we cover: - How turkey h...

Send us Fan Mail Join Ron and Kris as they explore outdoor adventures, family connections, and the importance of disconnecting to reconnect with nature and loved ones. This episode highlights recent wins, favorite destinations, and the value of shared experiences in the outdoors. Thanks for tuning in. 📱Follow Our Socials!  Merchandise: https://shop.goaionline.com/mentzer_outdoors/shop/home   Inst...

Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Hunter Carr from  @BlueHenOutdoors We talk about Hunter's passion for hunting and storytelling, as we get insights into his podcast and  @YouTube channel. Thanks for watching. #natureisourplayground #podcast 📱Follow Our Socials! Merchandise: https://shop.goaionline.com/mentzer_outdoors/shop/home Instagram: https://shorturl.at/xRa4Q   | YouTube:  @M...

Send us Fan Mail Ron & Kris sit down with Alex Gosso, host of the Buck Down Deer Hunting Podcast, for a practical and motivating conversation about whitetail hunting. Alex brings a straightforward approach to deer hunting — focusing on real hunter experiences, scouting tips, season strategies, success stories, and tactics that actually help you put more bucks on the ground. In this episode we...

Send us Fan Mail Ron and Kris sit down with Austin Schweitzer and Charlie Hedland, the hosts of the   @TheWhitetailDistractionPodcast    These avid bowhunters from Northwest Pennsylvania bring that authentic hunting-camp energy with campfire-style storytelling, season recaps, local tactics, and plenty of real talk about chasing whitetails in the Keystone State. In this fun crossover episode, we di...

Send us Fan Mail Ron and Josh sit down with Buck Mentzer, Kara Mentzer, and Erica Mentzer for a heartfelt family conversation about their shared love of archery. Joined at the end by Mason Mentzer, this episode dives deep into what drives the Mentzer family in the sport—from youth competition and coaching to podium finishes and big dreams. We talk about: - The passion that keeps Buck shooting and...

Send us Fan Mail Spring is knocking on the door in Pennsylvania, and Ron Mentzer & Kris Buchman are feeling the excitement! In this laid-back, freestyle conversation, we talk about the weather finally warming up, longer days, green-up in the woods, and getting ready for the transition from late winter to spring turkey, early fishing, and pre-season scouting. Nature is our Playground, and it&ap...

Send us Fan Mail Ron & Kris sit down this week with Derek Demun, the inspiring T8 paraplegic outdoorsman and host of the T8 Outdoors Podcast (@t8_outdoorsman). After a devastating construction accident at age 21 left him paralyzed from the chest down (T8 level), Derek refused to let limits define him. Instead, he turned his story into a mission: proving that adventure, hunting, fishing, 3D arc...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Ron Mentzer and Justin Barrick as we sit down with Owen Hutchinson, a passionate Pennsylvania turkey hunter and craftsman behind Triple Beard Custom Calls.  Owen makes his own high-quality mouth calls (like his signature bat wing designs) and recently competed in the NWTF Grand National Turkey Calling Championships at the national convention—delivering a strong top-tier...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ron Mentzer introduces Chad Bowser and Chris Martin from Goat Rodeo Archery, discussing their mission to build a stronger archery community through fun and challenging events. They explore the concept of the Goat Rodeo, emphasizing accessibility, camaraderie, and ethical hunting practices. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, storytelling, and...

Send us Fan Mail Pull up a chair by the virtual fire pit! In this laid-back roundtable episode of Tracks & Tackle Podcast, Ron Mentzer and Kris Buchman hang out with three core members of the Tracks & Tackle Collaborative: Lee Bolner (@lee_3boutdoors from 3B Outdoors), Dan Sauble (@masondixonadventures), and Brian Kritzer (@brian.kritzer). No script, no pressure—just good old guy talk abou...

Send us Fan Mail Heading south to the heart of the Mississippi Flyway! We sit down with Wyatt Fox from Stack N Waterfowl (@stackn_waterfowl), based in Scranton, Arkansas. Wyatt lives for those epic stacks—flooded timber mallards, rice field honkers, snow geese, and big limits in the Natural State. With his motto "A bad day in the woods beats any day at work" and "Feet down beat down...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Tracks and Tackle podcast, hosts Ron Mentzer & Kris Buchman welcome Mitchell Shirk, the host of the Pennsylvania Woodsman podcast. They discuss Mitchell's journey into podcasting, his background in hunting, and the importance of community and mentorship in the outdoor world. The conversation covers various hunting strategies, including whitetail and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Tracks and Tackle, hosts Ron Mentzer and Kris Buchman lead a lively roundtable discussion with guests Josh Buchman from  @TheCookBuch   and Jere Preston from the  @FINALSTANDHUNT   crew. The conversation kicks off with light banter about the cold weather and quickly transitions into sharing personal hunting tips and experiences. Each participant reflects on valu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Tracks and Tackle Podcast, host Ron Mentzer and co-hosts Kris and Josh Buchman welcome Brian Kritzer, a passionate outdoorsman from Pennsylvania. The conversation explores Brian's journey in hunting and fishing, the importance of traditions in outdoor activities, and his connection with the  @youngandwildoutdoors   community.  They discuss strategies fo...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging conversation, Ron Mentzer and Kris 3B welcome Dan Sauble from Mason Dixon Adventures to share his journey into bow hunting. Dan recounts his initial reluctance to hunt, his eventual passion for bow hunting, and the thrill of close encounters with deer. The discussion highlights the importance of community in hunting, the physical fitness required for successful hu...

Send us Fan Mail When life gets busy and friends drift apart, the outdoors has a way of bringing people back together. In this episode, Chase Morris from The Yackers shares how a COVID-era fishing group grew into a tight-knit Pennsylvania hunting and fishing crew. From college schedules and post-grad reunions in the woods to an unforgettable opening morning where a buck, a doe, and a bear were tag...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 100 of Tracks & Tackle celebrates the journey from Ron’s poolside brainstorm with a $15 mic in June 2023 to a multi-state hunting collaborative with listeners across every continent except Antarctica, starting with a corny first episode featuring a nephew as his co-host, pushing through torrential downpour truck recordings and front-porch duck-call conversations, bring...

Send us Fan Mail Pennsylvania and Maryland rifle season exploded into action as the Tracks & Tackle crew turned opening weekend into a family legend, Ron and Kris doubled up at dawn, Easton dropped his first buck with seconds of shooting light left, and 11-year-old Peyton tagged a doe with veteran-level calm. From frozen 24-degree mornings and stuck bolts to hot-chocolate hacks, baiting advant...

Send us Fan Mail TONIGHT on Tracks & Tackle! Ron sits down with two absolute killers: 🦌 Justin Barrick finally arrows the GIANT whitetail he’s been chasing all years– trail-cam history, close calls, and the shot that sealed the deal. Full breakdown + pics/video coming! 🪶 Cody Griffith (Triple B Outdoors) is on an unreal hot streak – limits of geese, doves flying, and bucks hitting the ground...