Show Notes
In this episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch sits down with Brandon Adamczyk, a New Jersey blood tracker who helped recover Nick Otto's first black bear during their recent hunting adventure. After sharing the story from the hunters' perspective, Mitch wanted to revisit the experience through the eyes of the man behind the tracking dog. Brandon shares how his frustrations with losing wounded deer led him into tracking, the time and dedication required to train a reliable dog, and the lessons he's learned along the way. The two discuss shot placement, fixed versus mechanical broadheads, animal reactions after the shot, and why a tracking dog's nose can often tell a different story than what a hunter sees from the stand.Mitch and Brandon then break down Nick's bear recovery, where Brandon and his Bavarian Mountain Hound, Laney, worked through thick cover, difficult terrain, and virtually no visible blood to locate a wounded bear. Brandon explains how he reads Laney's body language, what gives him confidence during a track, and the remarkable relationship between handler and dog. Along the way, they share practical lessons about preserving a blood trail, knowing when to back out, and making better recovery decisions. It's an insightful conversation about woodsmanship, learning from experience, and the incredible abilities of man's best friend.
