Episode 29: Third Time’s a Charm

Episode 29 – Third Time’s a Charm Guest: Hunter Ruhl Host: Mike Ruhl Location: Outdoor Ruhls West Studio, Santa Fe, NM 🔍 Episode Summary: In this family-packed episode, Mike sits down with his nephew Hunter Ruhl—Matt’s youngest son—for a wide-ranging conversation about college, fisheries work, and a wild three-day turkey hunting adventure that truly lives up to the episode’s name: Third Time’s a Charm. From Pennsylvania to New Mexico, Hunter recounts two gut-wrenching missed opportunities before finally bagging his first tom. 🦃 Topics Covered: Family & Birth Order – Hunter's place in the Ruhl family tree Following in Mike’s Footsteps – Studying fisheries biology at Mansfield University Life at Mansfield – Hunting, fishing, and college life in north-central Pennsylvania Aquatic Invasive Species Work – Hunter’s 2023 summer with Wyoming Game & Fish Cody, WY Bound – Upcoming summer job as a fisheries tech near Yellowstone Turkey Hunting Mayhem – Strike 1: Lost bird in Pennsylvania after a close-range shot Strike 2: Missed bird in New Mexico after a perfect call-in Strike 3: Redemption! Hunter’s first successful turkey hunt Zebra & Quagga Mussels Explained – A conservation deep dive Black-Footed Ferret Survey – A rare conservation experience in Matitsi, WY Epic Camp Meals – Shout-out to Jeremy Romero’s next-level wild game cooking 🧠 Notable Moments: “I might be the only guy to miss turkeys 2,000 miles apart in the same week.” “If you’re in it for the money, you’re not in it for the right reason.” “Third time’s a charm.” 🍳 Food Highlight: Pacific Cod Tacos and Lamb Rib Tacos by Jeremy Romero Green Chile Breakfast Burritos to close it out right 🔗 Outro Mentions: Follow us on Instagram: @outdoorruhls