On Step Alaska

Last week of January coming up, I can almost smell the spring black bear... but hold on, patience is necessary. The last two years southeast Alaska has had crazy snow storms in March and even into April, so as excited as I am for spring steelhead and spring bear, I have to resist the temptation to get too stoke. Instead, more time in the gym getting into shape and more time shooting the bow. Learn...

For this episode I'm a total sucker because I'm promoting an article by reacting to it. Anyway, there's a list of 7 obsolete man skills that the 21st Century Man should abandon "if you’re at all interested in being ahead of the curve" that I think embodies the disjointed, unclear message regarding who men are and who they should be. Allowing societal norms or relying on societal approval to dictat...

Dry spells happen. My current dry spell is something unlike any dry spell I have experienced as a hunter and angler. Unfortunately it has coincided with two visits from my girlfriend. I hope she doesn't think I'm a bad Alaskan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A week’s worth of thoughts about the responsibility I have as a hunter and angler, the books and podcasts I have consumed and have positively influenced me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know very little about skiing and snowboarding, but have done a little. I wanted to know what the backcountry skiing scene was like in Ketchikan so I talked to my buddies Shawn, Chad and Ian about it. The three of them talk about how to get back to the mountain, gauge snow safety, then shredding fresh, backcountry snow with not a lift in sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Matt Burbank is the new owner of Knudson Cove Marina in Ketchikan. We talk about the behind the scenes, his adjustment to the career change, first impressions of the Ketchikan community and mule deer hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 1: Bawden Street Brewing Co. owner Sean Heismann talks about his first summer and winter seasons in Ketchikan. He talks about how he got started, what he loves about the science of brewing and how welcomed he and his wife have been by Ketchikan. Part 2: Sean takes us through a tasting of the beers he currently has available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trish from Fish from Trish talks her favorite seafood, where she gets hers, how long frozen fish lasts in the freezer and why people should buy local and not farmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I visited the Drop Shot Calls workbench to talk about how they got started, what makes a good call, when you should call, how long you should wait and what works for them. We also talk about the right tools for the job, rut tactics, and the future of the resource. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know when you were in 5th grade and all amped up for the tip off your basketball game, and the tip went to you, but you were on the left side of the court and had to dribble with your left and try to shoot with your left when you’re right handed? That’s how Rut 2018 has felt. Anticipation and excitement followed by disaster. I discuss this, what I’ve learned and the appreciation for resources...

Ketchikan resident Larry Jackson and I talk about custom homes, Ketchikan history, biomass energy and how wood or pellets can be an effective alternative for schools, businesses and residential homes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year on Nov. 4 I shot a beautiful 3x4 buck. This year, nothing. I've camped the last three weekends and have only seen three does. Meanwhile, people are taking massive bucks in the same area. So I talk about that, why I bow hunt and give a last word on Prop. 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After three hours in the woods with my bow, I record a podcast about Prop 1. I was, at first glance, a clear "Yes." Then I tried to persuade myself to "No," just to make sure I was a "Yes" for sure. But I understood the concerns from the "No" crowd, so now I'm in the middle. The best decisions are made from a place of understanding. Better to be conflicted thanks to research than manipulated by sl...

After a few days in DC for my cousin's wedding and to gain perspective, I am glad to be back in Ketchikan. I explain why it's good to get perspective, why the idea of a place like Alaska appeals so much to those deprived of real wild and I make a call for those with input on Prop 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Instagram to inReach there's a lot out there to help us scout and share, but it's not always a good thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ketchikan resident Ryan John talks about the lead up to his first bow hunt success - a blacktail buck in the alpine. We talk gear, when alpine season ends, and the value of research all with the gentle sounds of fall behind us... sea gulls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bear at 10 yards, I nock an arrow and go through my checklist of what to do, not from experience because I've only taken 1 deer with my bow, but from research. I made the right call. On the drive back in from the hunt, I talk about the importance of practice and getting through all those early unsuccessful trips because that's the only way to get better. I'm a long way from where I want to be, but...

I'm now 0-2 hunting with my buddy Evan, so we will likely not be "hunting buddies" until we have some success. Anyway, after we failed to take a buck in the alpine (him) or down low (me) I wonder at what point the alpine season really ends. I discuss that and how my first camp out using a hammock instead of a tent went. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fairbanks resident Harrison Gottschling talks about his over the counter Dall Sheep hunt that did not go as planned, but he ended up with a dream result. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Labor Day fishing bonanza at Gilpin Lake outside of Steamboat Springs, CO, was ruined thanks to me forgetting the flies in my girlfriend's car. Good work. However, I do talk about the trail, flies that were recommended and the evening hatch in this short camping review podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a river near Ketchikan, I talk black bears, putting up fish and deer for the winter, conservation and the start of another school year with my buddy Zack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disconcerting days for locals regarding two resources - salmon and deer. I talk about the recent reduction of deer for non-qualified hunters in Unit 2 (Federal land only) and the time change of the salmon derby in Ketchikan because of poor Chinook returns. Concerns over the deer population in Unit 2 lead to the change from 4 bucks to 2, (effective Aug. 16) which some interpret as pointing blame sp...

Heading down the mountain from a solo hunting trip in the alpine, I talk things I've learned about gear, hunting in heat, food and more insight from one of my favorite books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three buddies from California and I recap their hunting trip to the Ketchikan area for Unit 1 Sitka Blacktail. Cody and I took bucks with two minutes of each other in the same bowl on a mountain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Near a campfire I talk kayaking Glacier Bay, hiking the iconic Chilkoot Trail and Prince of Wales Island with four first-time visitors to Alaska (Abby Hoffman, Ian Hall, Jordan Kiler and Tanner Harms) and Klawock resident Tonya Busse. We cover trip planning, necessary gear and the importance of good people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices