Episodes

Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Episode 461 - Hunting blacktail in Southeast Alaska
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
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, 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:
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

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Episode 460 - Road hunting and private equity
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
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:
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

Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Episode 459 - Alpine hunting logistics
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
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 community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Episode 458 - Remote cabin building in Alaska
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
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 Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Episode 457 - Dry cabins, public land and parenting
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
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 outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Episode 456 - Gear for hunting in Southeast Alaska
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
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% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Episode 455 - Camping with an 8 month old
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
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 Alaska.
Click here for a 20% discount on an annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Episode 454 - Tidewater fly fishing
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
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 annual subscription to The Westrn, the outdoor community’s newest newspaper.
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

