On Step Alaska

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 off a hunter in the same cove where we were anchored. Madness.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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