Kyle Wilkinson recaps his moose hunting program. We discuss calling, rut activity, scouting, hunting possible high-traffic areas, caliber, moose population and his successful moose hunt. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Kyle Wilkinson from Bear Paw River Guides is back to recap the summer fly fishing season. We discuss the runs and also dive into waders, fly line, wading boots, rods, reels and of course flies. If you're thinking about spending your Perm Fund check on fly fishing gear, or if you're in the Lower 48 and you're working on the Christmas list, listen to this episode. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned business that sells the best dry bags you can buy.) Alpine Fit (Premium outdoor layering from another Alaskan-owned business.) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Ryan and I recap the mixed results we had on our blacktail deer opening hunts. We discuss hunting in the heat, positioning, water, losing gear, lucky bucks and unexpectedly deploying bear spray. 

In this solo episode I think about what makes podcasts, films and writing work. Often times we oversimplify the recipe and end up creating content for the purpose of talking about ourselves rather than telling an interesting story. The best stuff is done by people who expose themselves to high-achievers and prolific creators rather than achieve a comfortable level and coast.

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Travis Thomas is a 4th grade teacher and artist in Utah. In this episode we talk about having a rewarding career, buying gear, the weird world of online promotion, favorite hunts and positively impacting students.

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Jen Loofbourrow is founder of Alpine Fit, a gear brand based in Anchorage. In this episode we talk about the technology behind (and development of) good gear, kayak adventures, skiing and the importance of finding active groups to make winter fun.

Danny Lehr is co-founder of Caffeine and Kilos, a weightlifting and coffee lifestyle brand. In this episode we talk about having a voice in an industry, defining standards, priorities and authenticity.

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Joseph Jackson is the author of the new book It's Only Fishing which was released in January. In this episode we talk about fly fishing, content inspiration, getting published and storytelling for an audience vs. telling inside jokes to buddies.

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In this episode my wife and I discuss the show Alone. We cover the types of strategies, performative filming, starvation and why she thinks I'd burn down the shelter after only a few days.

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Kyle Wilkinson (Young Guides Podcast) and I talk about hunting and fly fishing films, 'slams', attitudes and epic trips vs. the hometown favorite.

Chris Alderman is back to talk more about archery in Alaska. He and his wife own Screaming Eagle Archery in Wasilla and Fairbanks. We talk about bow technology, set ups, "tested in Alaska" vs. owned by an Alaskan, recent snow storms, moose, marketing in the industry and the best gear for hunts.

Ryan John and I recap our caribou hunt on the North Slope. We talk expectations, tundra, out-of-state-hunters, and common sense safety.

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Robby Denning is a co-owner of Rokslide, the comprehensive hunting website. In this episode we talk about the purpose of Rokslide, filling the needs of hunters, the current state of hunting, turning non-hunters into pro-hunters rather than anti-hunters, the value of conservation groups like RMEF and even a little fishing.

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Ryan John and I preview the beginning of the alpine hunting season in Southeast Alaska. We discuss scouting, physical fitness, tactics, coping with the rain, choosing camp locations and morning routines on the mountain.

Erika Smith is known in the social media world as AlaskaOutDoorGirl. In this episode we talk about skiing, fishing, the dating scene in Alaska, coping with winter, growing your community and how long we'd last on Alone.

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Ketchikan High School graduate and entrepreneur Isaiah Navales and I talk about lessons from commercial fishing, favorite ways to eat fish, the value in leaving home and coming back on your own terms, basketball memories and the strength of Alaskan communities.

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In this episode I update the progress of my upcoming book Beyond the Hunt. I give a synopsis of the publishing process, the book itself and just how much work goes into it.

Since I am in the last edits and we are also busy with finishing the house (in addition to our full time jobs), I'm going to be publishing the Top 4 episodes of 2022 to finish off the year.

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Harrison Gottschling and I are firm advocates for hunters making hunts happen and outdoor entrepreneurs helping others by providing valuable insight for those looking for new experiences. In this episode, we discuss the potential unintended consequences of such valuable resources being so readily available, not to advocate against them, but as a way of thinking through potential pitfalls in order to avoid them. We talk about hunting mindset, desperation, how a hunt changes as a result of population and pressure, the misconception that services like GoHunt, Rokslide or Huntin' Fool ruin hunting, the stupidity behind the "must be nice" attitude and how if I won the Powerball lottery I'd buy a ranch in Wyoming and only let my friends hunt it...just like those tycoons we resent.

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In this solo episode I recap my last hunt of the season and what I believe it was that made the difference. I have been hunting a high-traffic, close to town area and had to figure out a way to put myself in a position to have success since there was sign, rubs and a few bucks every few days on my game cameras. Saturday it came together and I took my second blacktail of the season on the second to the last day I could hunt.

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Hoonah resident Casey McConnell and I talk about gear, terrain differences between the Brooks Range and Southeast Alaska, judging sheep, hunting blacktail, Wyoming elk and hunting pressure.

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Paisley Wortman and Tyler Bennett recap their Oregon elk success. Paisley grew up in Craig, Alaska, and her bull was her first with her bow. Tyler is a resident of Oregon and has been hunting elk since he was young. In this episode we break down the hunt and discuss lessons learned, the value of persistence, taking good shots and the importance of practice.

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Abby and I recap the successful hunt on Saturday. We talk about getting to less pressured locations, Plan A vs. Plan B, Western hunting vs. Alaska hunting, terrain and tips for people looking to DIY.

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Skagway resident Adam Smith and I discuss hunting mountain goats in Southeast Alaska, proposals to prevent population decline, blowing up spots, social media use and sewing.

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Kris Millgate is CEO of Tight Line Media, author of My Place Among Men, My Place Among Fish and was nominated for an Emmy for her film about the 850-mile salmon migration from the ocean to Idaho. In this episode we talk about her path from shyness to successful storyteller, the difference between uncomfortable and unsafe, overcoming challenges and the editing process.

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Tonya Busse grew up in Klawock and now teaches in Jamaica. In this episode we discuss her king salmon, triathlons, being active after high school and unruly children on planes. 

Jayleen Bydlon is the owner of Jayleen's Alaska which provides private whale watching tours in Juneau, Alaska. Jayleen is a lifelong resident of Juneau and started the business when she was 22-years old. In this episode we talk about business models, marketing, the tourism industry, whale attitudes and how to make it through winter.

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Jaden Bales is back to talk about his newest entrepreneurial endeavor and recap his hunting season so far. We talk about helping people make the most out of opportunities, mindset on familiar and new hunts and hunting with our significant others.

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Abby and I talk about the upcoming Sitka blacktail deer rut season. We discuss tactics, observations, contradictions, when to call, having confidence and being patient.

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Alaska Wild Project's Daniel Buitrago and I discuss dialing in hunts, moose floats, caribou herd shifts, collecting sheds and mentoring.

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Abby and I recap the weekend mountain goat hunt. We discuss hunting mentalities, favorite foods, mentors and impressionable hunts.

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John Abernathey is the man behind the Destination Elk camera. Fresh off filming Corey Jacobsen and Donnie Drake's elk hunt in Alaska, John and I talk angles, gear, editing, software and tips for filming hunts. We discuss GoPro audio, DSLRs, filming in the rain, and what happens when Corey goes into predator mode.

This episode originally aired last September, but it's one of the most popular and since it's filming season, I'm re-releasing this excellent episode with John.

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From the crow's nest in Larry Jackson's Ketchikan cabin, we talk about the evolution/history of charter fishing, technology, methods, coho and king salmon populations, boats and the time a boat he was on capsized.

Alaska Wild Project's Brandon Fifield is back to talk about his latest sheep trip and upcoming moose hunt. We discuss sacrificing hunt time to help others, mindset going into difficult hunts, tantrums, minimalist mountain hunts vs. heavy gear low elevation hunts and how ranking hunts is impossible.

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In this episode Abby and I recap her first ever Sitka blacktail deer success. We discuss hunting pressure, ethics, hunting in the heat and food cravings.

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Ryan John and I recap our caribou hunt on the North Slope. We talk expectations, tundra, out-of-state-hunters, and common sense safety.

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In this solo episode I read a draft of one of the short essays that will appear in my next book and give the rough outline of the remarks I will make at the author's talk I will be giving at the Craig Public Library July 12, which you will not be able to hear since by the time this podcast airs, it will be over. 

Will Collins is back to recap his 8-day canoe trip on a Canadian section of the Yukon River. We talk about logistics, hospitality, mindset and pairing literature with adventure.

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Abby and I talk about hunting weather windows, terrain, habitat, deer food, food made from deer and our plan for hunting. We also talk a little more about my caribou hunt and why I don't want to share too much about where I'm going.

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I almost changed the name of the podcast because contemporary society's obsession with the removal of challenges and acceptance of underachieving. I reject the sentiment that a life free of physical and mental challenges is what we should strive for and that seeking them is toxic masculinity. When I used "mediocre" the intent was to resonate with those who have worked through, or who are currently battling to improve. No one starts out an expert. This podcasts is for the grinders, the workers and the doers who are honest about the lows and struggles.

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Ryan John and I preview our caribou hunt in the Brooks Range. We discuss expectations,, gear and how hunts differ around the state.

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Ketchikan resident Ryan John and I go through our gear for Southeast Alaska blacktail, most of which we will be using on our caribou trip next week. We talk bows, optics, trekking pole, the whole works. Most of the popular brands are quality so decisions like packs are completely personal. Just because I use Stone Glacier or replaced my Sitka rain pants with Black Diamond, doesn't mean that is the way to go. If you're in the market for gear, try on what you can, ask around, read and listen to people who use certain items. Unless you are sponsored, it might take a few years to put together your set up through trial and error or just thanks to sheer expense. My sleeping bag is 17 years old and my cold, wet weather rut hunting gear is Cabela's circa 2008.

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In this episode I talk with Matthew Clark who is leaving GoHUNT to become a high school English teacher. I field a couple questions about teaching and we discuss how often people in the outdoor content industry talk about unfortunate educational experiences. We talk about the importance of rejuvenating hobbies like fishing and hunting to prime people for the work week and give them something to look forward to.

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Fairbanks resident Harrison Gottschling is back to talk about his cabin building project and early season caribou hunting. We discuss food, gear, overthinking, and other caribou hunting considerations.

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Alaskan Erika Smith is back to talk influencing people vs. being, or trying to be an "influencer," brown bear encounters, the importance of practicing bear defense devices (10mm and bear spray), salmon burger recipes and the difference between writing stress and content making stress.

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Abby and I recap our time on Prince of Wales before heading back to the big city of Ketchikan. We talk about the highlights of the last month, king salmon fishing, forest service cabins and the benefits of being rural.

Note: My family moved to Prince of Wales in 1986. In June, mom sold the house and thus ended our time on POW. Abby and I will still visit friends from our home in Ketchikan, but it is the end of an era for sure.

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Jaden Bales has spent years understanding, explaining and navigating Lower 48 point systems as a Wyoming resident. In this episode we talk about the pros and cons of draws, points and other ways states regulate hunting opportunities. We also talk about coping with cold during hunts, being in shape and hot tents.

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Harrison Gottschling and I breakdown telecommunications, parenting styles in the age of social media/smartphones and our favorite Alaskan books. 

GoHunt's Chris Neville talks about his 2021 Alaska caribou hunt (a hunt no longer available to non-federally qualified hunters), travel ethics, gear and the impact of content and social media on hunting.

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In this episode I recap the spring bear season, a few tips about gear, tactics and look forward to fall bear, with caribou and blacktail in-between.

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DJ Hansen is a life-long resident of Craig, Alaska, and owner of DJ's Alaska Adventure Rentals. In this episode we talk about growing up on Prince of Wales Island, coaching basketball, the importance of a tight-knit community and how economic opportunities have changed since we were in high school.

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