On Step Alaska - podcast cover

On Step Alaska

On Step Alaskaonstepalaska.podbean.com
This Alaska-based podcast goes into depth about life in the 49th state. It covers hunting, fishing, conservation, filmmaking, photography, entrepreneurship, education and more. www.onstepalaska.com

Episodes

Episode 154 - Fish And Chicks Food Truck

In this episode I talk with Liz Thomsen the co-owner (along with Jill May) of Fish and Chicks food truck in Craig. We talk about turning the idea into a reality, business challenges, salmon recipes and the supportive culture of Prince of Wales Island. The truck is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 07, 202025 min

Episode 153 - Opening Day Errors

"Keep Hammering" is the battle cry for those embracing a tough hunt. However, sometimes I hear, "Get a burger" because I'm mentally weak or the miles and failing stalks are adding up. In this episode I discuss three mistakes from my opening day hunting trip. I didn't miss out on a huge buck or do anything egregious and the weather conditions were not idea, but I could have prepared better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Aug 02, 202018 min

Episode 152 - Welcome To Alaska

Dallin Hanchett moved up from Utah 10 months ago to be the hunting manager at Sportsman's Warehouse in Juneau. We talk about adjusting to Alaska, how to choose a bow, buying gear, brand loyalty and of course, the need to buy a boat in order to make the most of living in Southeast Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 28, 202044 min

Episode 151 - The Content Grind And Hunting In Rain

In this episode I talk about why stagnancy sucks, the process of getting better and how bad the weather looks for the deer opener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 27, 202017 min

Episode 150 - Mountain Goat Preview

My buddy Ryan John and I both have plans to chase mountain goats on over the counter tags in August. In this episode we talk our strategies, what he’s learned, how goat hunting is different than alpine deer, why he no longer weighs his pack during training hikes, and the considerations that come with hunting goats with a bow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 20, 202046 min

Episode 149 - Being Outside Social, Masks And Pressure Cooking Salmon

We're back! I didn't make time to podcast the last two weeks because I was outside hiking, camping and looking for fish. In this episode I talk about social activities outside, masks as a guard against Covid and the government, and pressure cooking salmon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 14, 202014 min

Episode 148 - Fly Fishing Expectations

Is it better to fish new water with only a vague idea of what might work and what's possible, or after having seen a YouTube video of the best the water has to offer? I ponder this with my buddy Kurt Johnson is a firefighter in Lodi, California. We talk about evaluating content online, his latest trip to the Truckee River in California and my trip to the North Tongue in Wyoming. We close up with thoughts on the importance of a hobby that helps you unwind and take a break from the mental strains ...

Jun 23, 202034 min

Episode 147 - Seeing what you scouted

Mule deer results are out for Wyoming and this guy was lucky enough to draw one. In this quick episode I talk about my lack of luck drawing cool tags, finding new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, the importance of the reset in times like these, and the dangers of recreational anger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 202012 min

Episode 146 - E - Scouting For Mule Deer And Elk

I e-scouted three spots for a potential mule deer hunt in Wyoming and had Wyoming Wildlife Federation's marketing director Jaden Bales evaluate my spots. Without giving the specific areas away, I breakdown why I chose them, and Jaden evaluates my work. We discuss vegetation, land texture, how long to let a pocket rest if other boots have been in there, elk vs. mule deer territory and chronic wasting disease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jun 13, 20201 hr 1 min

Episode 145 - Boat Ownership And Travel

I extended my range by buying a 2008 North River in November. Since then I've been learning as I go and sharing what limited knowledge I have about shopping, boats and the fears of catastrophe with friends who are in the market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 08, 202020 min

Episode 144 - Life outside the hunting bubble

When I enter my e-scouting bubble, nothing much exists outside of mule deer, terrain, and hunting with my girlfriend in the fall. When I exit my bubble and am reminded of the volume of suffering, anger and divisiveness in the world, it's difficult to know what to say. Would it just be some gross, self-congratulatory, "look at how virtuous I am" post which would detract from the point? Or is it better to just like or retweet a post from someone who really knows what they are talking about? It's n...

May 29, 202019 min

Episode 143 - Point Systems And Elk

Tomorrow (May 21) is a big day. Not the big day, but a big day. Results for the Wyoming elk draw will be released and I will find out if the call practicing I've been doing will be put to use for a September archery hunt for cow elk. In this solo episode I talk about preference points, why I may never draw a bull elk tag and why my podcast introductions are weak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 202020 min

Episode 142- Spring Bear 3 - Instagram

Jaden Bales works for the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and hosts Muley Monday for the Rich Outdoors Podcast. He and I talk mentorship, identity, what your Instagram post can and can't say about you. We also talk about hunting bears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 20201 hr 4 min

Episode 141 - Spring Bear Part 2 - Archery

Hunting spring black bears with a bow is a program my buddy Jesse Knock has figured out pretty well. In this episode he and I talk where to find big boars, staying calm, judging size and the best archery moments which don't always end in a notched tag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 06, 202048 min

Episode 140 - Spring Black Bear Part 1

Adam Krick and I last talked about Afognak Elk, this time we discuss learning the spring black bear game. We talk the key elements of learning how to find, stalk and track black bear, and how quality bacon is the key ingredient for bear breakfast sausage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 01, 202058 min

Episode 139 - Overused Terms And Hunting Grouse

"Weird" "strange" and "crazy" are some of the most used words these days. This is because there really isn't anything else to describe what's going on and using a thesaurus to find a synonym doesn't really make anything better. I escaped my pandemic-induced lethargic week of distance teaching with a weekend in the woods chasing grouse, setting up game cameras and setting shrimp pots. It was another reminder of how important it is to have something to recharge the batteries. Some might call it "s...

Apr 25, 202023 min

Episode 138 - From Ketchikan To Netflix

Before his role in Netflix's teen drama Outer Banks, Ketchikan High School graduate ('16) Rudy Pankow was washing dishes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Cheesecake Factory to make ends meet while pursuing his dream in Hollywood. I talk to my former student about the struggles, seeing through the fake, staying focused, and how the thought of not letting his home town down motivated him through the dry periods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 17, 202034 min

Episode 137 - Spring Caribou, Teaching And Summer Goats

Fairbanks resident Steven Shannon and I talk about his spring caribou, the future of the 2020 Alaska hunting season and teaching in this weird time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 202058 min

Episode 136 - Ketchikan And Covid - 19

Ketchikan resident Larry Jackson and I discuss charter fishing, the economic impact of Covid-19 on education, political divisiveness, being informed, where we go from here, and what the summer will look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 202047 min

Episode 135 - Recalling History, Quarantine And The Economic Engine

Yesterday I finished my 14-day travel quarantine so now I am allowed to move about the city to buy my own necessities. In this episode I talk about my new freedom, the reconstructing my personal history to remember a particular brown trout and how tragic events proved to be motivators which made me live with more purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 06, 202027 min

Episode 134 - Fly Fishing

Alex Ramirez and Dave Schonzeit are the hosts of the Beer, Fly Fishing and Food podcast out of California. I fished the Yuba River with Alex last week so the three of us talk dry fly fishing, why striper fishing is maybe their current favorite, fly fishing icons, history, technology and of course, a little food and beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 20201 hr 11 min

Episode 133 - Quarantine Tips, Zooming And Wearing Shoes

A lot changed while I was in California trout fishing this past week, but I am home now, a half day into my 14-day quarantine. My buddy Dean returned from a school trip in Portugal a week ago, so I get tips from him about coping with the isolation. We talk about being ethical, hindsight, appreciating friends willing to grocery shop, what we miss about March and the importance of wearing shoes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 22, 202041 min

Episode 132 - Spring Steelhead And Trout

Fly fishing for steelhead is one of my all-time favorite things. In this episode I talk about the latest trip to the river, what I use, why I use it, and why what I use shouldn't necessarily dictate what you do. Casting style and individual taste should drive what you end up buying but I do offer some advice regarding southeast Alaska set ups for steelhead and why I bought a 6-weight for trout fishing. As far as flies go, what I can't tie myself I get from Alaska Fly Fishing Goods in Juneau. Lea...

Mar 09, 202023 min

Episode 131 - Feels Like Spring...and That We’re Doomed?

According to yesterday's weather, spring is getting close and with it the chance to catch steelhead, camp, hike and hunt bear and grouse. According to the Internet, however, we are doomed. President Trump or socialism, or authoritarian governments, or climate change, or coronavirus, or guns, or not having guns will lead to our demise if we don't act now. So there is something to be said for living in a place with enough to distract you from the miserable world portrayed by miserable people onlin...

Mar 01, 202019 min

Episode 130 - Draw Results, attitudes

Caleb Martin runs xplorealaska.org and is a hunting fanatic. He and I talk about the draw results, why it's fair, what to do if you didn't draw, the best types of meat, the need to justify and how important it is to represent your lifestyle well since there are plenty of people with political power who see hunters as cruel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 23, 202043 min

Episode 129 - Secret Spots And Stirring The Pot

In this quick, solo episode I talk about why it's stupid to try to show off in front of guides or experts, why someone taking you to see where they trap is an exercise in extreme trust and the idiocy of pot stirring posts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 202012 min

Episode 128 - Afognak Elk, Steelhead, Deer And High School Travel

Adam Krick has wasted no time becoming an Alaskan. Since moving to Metlakatla four years ago he has taken an elk on Afognak, a caribou in the interior and bear and deer in southeast. He and I talk about his elk trip to Afognak, making the most of the lifestyle here, steelhead fishing, deer populations and what it's like to be an athletic director in Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 09, 20201 hr 22 min

Episode 127 - Elk Dreams And Buying Experiences

Cody Rich says buy experiences not gear. I've been taking his advice (for the most part) and saving money for new experiences. However, that doesn't mean buying a Wyoming bull elk tag when I don't know what I'm doing. In this episode I talk about why elk keep me up at night, focusing on disciplined spending so I can have more fun not more gear and why I'd one day like to go to one of those properties advertised at the sportsman's expos...as long as it's locally owned and operated. Learn more abo...

Jan 30, 202015 min

Episode 126 - Eating Tags And Quality Of Life

Jaden Bales from Backcountry Fuel Box is back on for the second time to talk about eating tags, living the brochure, quality of life, purpose, self-reliance, elk hunting, wolves and handling feedback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 20201 hr 24 min

Episode 125 - Mink, Marten And Wolf Trapping

When I was in elementary school my brother, dad and I trapped mink and marten and wanted to get enough to make some mittens and a hat for my grandpa. Grandpa died before we had enough material but I still have the furs. So I decided to get back into trapping a bit to finish the job. In this episode I share my earliest trapping memories and recap when I tagged along with a couple buddies who were checking their wolf traps in 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 17, 202022 min