Ian Hudson and I discuss calling styles including grunts, rattling and bleats for Sitka blacktail deer, hunting high-traffic areas, and whether or not bigfoot exists. If it did, it would be here, but is it? Ian is a co-host of the Tongass Talk podcast and a resident of Metlakatla, Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jack Lau (Alaska Wild Project and Double Shovel Cider Co.) is back to break down his moose camp. We talk about luxuries vs. necessities, expected daily mileage while hunting moose, what to look for when scouting a spot, archery set ups, fall fly fishing and promoting healthy eating habits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Newly minted Outdoor Life staff writer Tyler Freel joins me to talk about podcast analytics, his late summer and fall hunting trips, fly-in sheep hunts, getting weathered in, how to handle getting corked by entitled hunters, finding new friends on a Haul Road archery hunt, having a "portfolio of spots" and what makes good hunting shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
My wife and I recap her elk and mule deer hunts from last month. We talk about our summer scouting, her encounters while solo archery hunting before I arrived, what happens when the elk go silent and opening day rifle season mule deer success as a consolation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode I talk with Jaden Bales about the progression of a hunter. We discuss fine-tuning gear decisions, hunting in shorts (not in Alaska), turning information learned inside into success outside, luck and going with your gut. We also talk about the dynamics of trying to break into the content world as podcast hosts and writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alaska Wild Project's Brandon Fifield recaps his moose hunt. We also talk about having intense experiences vs. tempting dangerous situations, meat care in bear territory, peppered game bags, urine-laced caribou livers, finding spots, respecting someone else's spot and looking out for each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As host of a successful podcast, Chad Ryker from Backcountry Rookies has talked to many hunters about many different types of hunts so we break down what is most important when telling a story, the type of guests we like having on, the ability of some big names to stay honest and humble after they get big and, of course, our hunting plans for the rest of the fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this replay from 2019, I talk about approaching muskegs quietly, using creeks as cover and expecting deer bedded in the transition. On this hunt, I was moving slow enough that I saw a deer bedded in brush well before the edge of a muskeg. He bumped, but I didn't rush after him. I gave a few quiet calls after a few minutes, then slowly moved toward the muskeg. He had only bumped to the edge of the muskeg. It was a quick and easy shot. Then as I waited for my buddies, a boat came in and dropped...
In part 2 of how to hunt Sitka blacktail deer in Southeast Alaska, I replay one of my earliest episodes. The guys behind Drop Shot Calls invited me over to talk hunting, calling and all things Prince of Wales living. The recording is done at their bench as they are working on their calls so there is authentic background noise and examples of how they call to bring in the big bucks they are known for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
In part 1 of how to hunt Sitka blacktail deer in Southeast Alaska, I go back to episode 117 for a discussion with my buddy Ryan John. We talk scouting muskegs, what Google Earth can't show you, the importance of hunting the entire way to the muskeg not just the muskeg itself, how long to stay, being quiet, and when to eat snacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Harrison Gottschling is back to recap the Alaska caribou hunt we previewed in episode 224. We talk about coping with the snow, changing plans, stalking caribou success, holding out for big animals in tough-to-draw units and the soundtrack of a long pack out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode I talk with Juneau resident Dallin Hanchett about his Kodiak mountain goat hunt next month. We discuss expectations, gear, goat populations, conditioning, dream hunts and guilty pleasure Lower 48 food. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hike up a mountain with a tent and stove? Yeah. Kevin Timm is the owner of Seek Outside, the manufacturer of the hot tent in which I spent the majority of what would have been a rainy, foggy, miserable alpine hunt in September had it not been for my buddy who owned one of these tents. I do not own one, but I wanted to track down Kevin and talk about the technology behind the tents, what makes them dependable and perform well in all Alaskan conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...
Brandon Fifield is back to talk about his Dall sheep success. We discuss the importance of a positive mental attitude, the reality of hunts everyone wants to do, the state of sheep populations, the gear and strategies for moose hunting and the sadness of lumping physical challenges in with toxic masculinity, because engaging in challenges create self esteem more than comfort. Brandon is a co-founder of the Alaska Wild Project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jaden Bales is back to talk about his archery antelope hunt, but we mostly end up talking about things we don't understand like how a bear can just appear and elk can disappear. We also talk about lessons learned in sports that translate to hunting, what happens when a hunt is filmed, the value of a good wall map and the importance of supporting wildlife organizations in different states - especially if you plan to hunt them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Paul Atkins moved to Kotzebue nearly three decades ago. In this episode we talk about life in the Arctic including the strength of rural communities, real Alaskan winters, the local vs. non-local debates regarding hunting, the writing process and what he will miss most now that he is back in Oklahoma. His book Atkins' Alaska is available on Amazon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Boardman from Vortex Optics joins me to talk about applying a college education in a career, the fundamentals of a positive growth culture at a gear company, the importance of customer relations, quality products, his next hunt and when to pour gas on a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Craig Van Arsdale and I talk about his archery caribou hunt on the Haul Road, his first summer as an Alaskan, hunting outside of the United States, conservation, regulations and the future of hunting in the Lower 48. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode I talk with the co-host of the show Saltwater Experience and founder of WaypointTV Tom Rowland. We discuss good ideas, bad ones, how to stand out in a saturated industry, the role of fitness in a productive life, goals and the future of fishing as a resource and sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode Fairbanks resident Harrison Gottschling and I talk about his upcoming caribou hunt in a coveted area. We talk about the best ways to get information, what to look for when e-scouting, mileage expectations, logistical concerns when flying in and floating, meals that get your mind right and why he has 42 chickens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Abby and I recap our week on Prince of Wales Island. We recap our blacktail deer hunt, the deer population on POW, discuss the pros and cons of different rafts and fishing for salmon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode my wife Abby and I talk about fog, rain and eventually blacktail success. We covered 26 miles over three days and I took my biggest buck to date.
Road bike or urban bike? Mountain bike with full suspension or a hard tail? In this episode I talk with Cycle Alaska co-owner John McConnochie about the biking culture in Juneau, owning a shop, his favorite trails, selecting the style of bike that best fits your lifestyle, and how to then choose the bike that's right for you.
In this episode I talk with outdoor enthusiast and entrepreneur Mike Merrill outdoor technology, living the hashtags, resilience building confidence, advice for outdoor content/product makers and his first fishing trip to Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rain. Cold. Buck down. Bear. In this excited, maybe frantic I-just-got-home-episode, I recap my first buck of the year. It was cold and rainy, then there was a buck, then there was waiting, then finally a chance to shoot the buck. Then there was a bear. Thankfully the bear was not a brown or grizzly (none on the island I hunted) and hadn't claimed my buck before I did. Still, I quartered, and boned out the rest of the required meat with AC/DC playing on my phone in the rain. I also sent a few in...
In this episode I talk with Corey Jacobsen about the value of research, educating hunters, confidence and the importance of being authentic in a world loaded with egos. Corey is the man behind Elk101 , The University of Elk Hunting online course and Destination Elk on Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
In this solo episode I break down the different season start dates for blacktail deer in Unit 2 (Prince of Wales) because it always seems like some non-resident is surprised upon hearing the season opens Aug. 1, but that they can't hunt federal land until Aug. 16. I recap the last three season openers, the impact of heat and dry spells on deer activity, finding a honey hole and changes to TheMediocreAlaskan.com including a section devoted to issues concerning hunters and anglers in Alaska....
My wife has a Wyoming whitetail deer tag, so in this episode we talk with our good friend and Wyoming resident Jaden Bales about scouting, tactics as well as more about our September elk program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode I talk about having gear, borrowing gear, hunting programs, the Alaska housing market, upgrading Alaska Toys and what it means to be "Alaska Rich" with Alaska Wild Project's Brandon Fifield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
