On Step Alaska

In this episode Jaden and Tyler Bales and I recap our first trip into the mountains for blacktail deer. We discuss the reality for locals who must travel by boat, truck or both to access hunting grounds, how AI is impacting the outdoor space, flooded tents and knowing when it's time to call it and get off the mountain.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, fe...

On this Opening Day road hunt, Abby and I discuss habitat and the impact of corporations and private equity on local business and outdoor companies. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebr...

Jaden Bales and his bother have never been to Alaska so in this episode Jaden and I talk expectations, logistics, gear and weather as he packs for the trip to hunting blacktail deer in Southeast Alaska.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor commu...

Margaret Stern lives in Talkeetna, Alaska, and is preparing to build a cabin on her new property. In this episode we talk about her first project in the remote interior of Alaska, milling lumber, foundations, making adjustments, plans for the new cabin and unique property luxuries like DIY saunas.   Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things...

In this episode, Harrison Gottschling and I discuss the joys and trials of raising children in Alaska (particularly his life in a dry cabin), the attempted sale of public lands and making the most of daylight.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoo...

In this episode I go through my gear and approach to hunting deer in the alpine of Southeast Alaska. I discuss boots, socks, gaiters, pants, rain gear, base layer choice for cold, rainy weather, optics, tent location, terrain scouting and being ready before first light.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20%...

Abby and I discuss navigating the challenges of camping with our 8-month-old. We break down hiking the West Glacier Spur and most of Thunder Mountain in Juneau. We talk essential gear, strategies for staying dry and warm, and developing confidence to continue to adventure though we have a baby.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Ala...

Dave McKenna is the owner of Tidewater Flyfishing in Juneau. In this episode we discuss his start in fly fishing, transitioning into guiding, dealing with bears during fly outs, starting his own business and what you need to get started fly fishing.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annua...

In this episode, Dante Troina, Kody Malouf and I discuss Alaskan-themed movies, noting the romanticized vision many have of the state, and break down  how authenticity plays a role in the perception of films set in Alaska.  We review movies such as Mystery, Alaska; The Proposal, Into the Wild, Grizzly Man, Insomnia, 30 Days of Night, On Deadly Ground and more.  Dante and Kody are life-long Alaskan...

Susitna River Coalition's Margaret Stern and I discuss the proposed 100-mile West Susitna Access Road Project that would cross the Susitna River. We explore the project's potential benefits, like increased access and growth, against its significant environmental impact, and other infrastructure projects that might be a better investment for the funds.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subsc...

Ecologist Kate Mohatt and I discuss all things mushrooms and her upcoming book "Mushrooms of Alaska" which will be available this summer. We discuss identification, harvesting, storing and pairing mushrooms.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor...

In this episode, Mary Glaves, Matt Robus, River Gates, Chris Hoon and I discuss the proposed second crossing in Juneau and its potential impact on the Mendenhall Wetlands. We explore the historical significance and the ecological value of the Mendenhall Wetlands which is a globally important bird area and a critical stopover for migratory birds.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe o...

In this episode Louie Maurer from Bear Creek Winery in Homer and I discuss how fruits like raspberries, blueberries, and rhubarb are transformed into exquisite wines. We break down wine pairings as well as life in Homer.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn,...

Jacinda Leighton is a 2018 graduate of Ketchikan High School who earned a degree in economics from Fort Lewis College in Colorado. She is now the business manager for Hump Island Oyster Company in Ketchikan. In this episode we discuss the life cycle of oysters, farming kelp, living with passion rather than waiting to discover a passion, and the satisfaction of having a career in her hometown.  Che...

In this episode I preview my latest book, Big Wild Life, which will be released on Friday, May 9. The book is an account of living in Alaska that includes stories from high school, home building, teaching, travel around the state and two major themes: Alaska as a proving ground/setting for adventure and difficult elements of conservation.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Subst...

Zoe Krupa is a resident of Sitka and was recently a lead official at the 1a/2a state basketball tournament in Anchorage. In this episode we discuss growing up in Southeast, coaching vs. officiating, officiating rivalries and the time she gave her dad a technical foul.   Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20%...

In this episode, Tyler Freel breaks down the benefits and considerations of using suppressors and answers my questions about fly out moose hunting logistics.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper. Thanks to the sponso...

Longtime resident Jon Heifetz shares his journey to Juneau, efforts to improve fish spawning habitat, his fishing adventures in Patagonia, and the evolution of techniques and equipment over the years.   Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor commun...

Juneau residents Wyatt and Nani Weimer breakdown their Haul Road hunting program, their most miserable hunts as a couple, guiding fishing trips during the summer and more of their adventures in Juneau. 

In this episode Cory Hansen and I walk around the Alaska Fly Fishing Goods shop and break down everything you need to know about fly fishing gear for  Alaska. From fly rods, shooting heads, reels and waders, to flies, shot, nets and dry bags, we hit it all.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on...

Kevin Maier is an English professor at the University of Alaska Southeast. In this episode we discuss the Outdoor Skills and Leadership Certificate program at UAS. This one-year certificate offers a unique academic approach to outdoor pursuits, integrating academic inquiry with practical skills like swift water rescue and ice climbing. We then discuss how reading classic outdoor literature, such a...

In this episode Douglas Paton shares his journey from aspiring video game programmer to writer contributing to magazines like National Geographic and Men's Journal. Douglas reflects on his early struggles in journalism, his move from Ontario to the scenic landscapes of British Columbia, and the immersive experiences that inspire his storytelling.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe...

Larry Jackson shares his story of a capsizing incident in the summer of 1996. Larry also touches on the changing landscape of marine technology, the importance of preparedness, and the risks fishermen face daily.  Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the out...

In this episode Marshall Johnson discusses the challenges and triumphs of fundraising and forming new Blacktail Deer Foundation chapters in Kodiak, Sitka, and Prince of Wales. He breaks down chapter needs, conservation goals and event planning. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subs...

Tom Seaton is a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wood Bison Project. In this episode we discuss the differences between wood bison and plains bison, biology and behavior of each, their adaptation, social behaviors, and resilience against predators. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Click here for a 20%...