Themediocrealaskan

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 inReach messages just incase. I have a bear tag but the season doesn't open until Sept. 1. With the amount of blueberries in the area, it probably tasted delicious so I'll have to go back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

In this episode Turner Rowland and I talk about fires in the West, fishing, hunting, the importance of having or being a mentor for someone else, whether or not it's the Golden Age of outdoor content, or the Wild West and what that means for hunters and anglers going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I discuss being an ambassador for the state, fishing etiquette, "necessary toys" for Alaska living and the importance of being part of, and improving the quality of, your community with Daniel Buitrago. Daniel is the owner of Anchor Town Dogs and co-founder of the Alaska Wild Project.    

Dale Luginbill is approaching 200 episodes of his FullScale Outdoors Podcast. In this episode we discuss the time needed to produce video, written, or audio content, overcoming the self-doubt, how to get started, how to continue and some of the pitfalls we have encountered along the way. Though this podcast does talk about podcasts and the outdoor industry, the themes are universal. People have dreams or ideas and of those people, few follow through. Of those few, even fewer see it totally through. That doesn't mean if you do follow through you will become the next Steve Rinella, Tom Rowland or Patrick McManus, but you'll never know unless sit down and start writing or hit record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I talk about fly fishing for king salmon, whether or not sockeye bite flies, moose camp, float hunts, starting a business, brewing colonial dry cider, recapturing carbon and promoting sustainability with Jack Lau. Jack is a co-founder of Alaska Wild Project, co-owner of Double Shovel Cider Company.    

In this solo episode I talk about some of the difficult aspects of podcasting such as lining up guests and some of the most important things to keep in mind, like doing research and finding unique angles so you're not having a person tell the same story they did last week on a podcast (unless it truly is incredible). Anytime you are creating anything, it comes down to audience and purpose. What are you creating, who are you creating for, and why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My wife and I are back from our honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula. In this episode we talk about expectations vs. reality, the best way to catch fish, some great places to eat, a really poor place to stay, why travel reviews are often flawed, and our great day in Anchorage to close out the trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices