Themediocrealaskan

Taylor Balkom is a talented, award-winning freelance photojournalist who used to work for the Ketchikan Daily News. In this episode we talk about getting started in the freelance world, the importance of being able to write as well as shoot, imposter's syndrome, honing the craft and how giving away good content for free undermines the value of good words and photos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After missing with my bow on Nov. 1, I haven't had another shot at a buck, though I have seen at least one every weekend. This is madness. There are only a few days left in the season so I will admit I'm feeling a bit of urgency. In this episode I talk about my two hunts this weekend, why I bow hunt, why I watch Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and make a reference to 1984 because my students are finishing it for class so its on the brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I grew up watching Lower 48ers take Alaskan salmon back to their homes and in October I took a Wyoming mule deer back to mine. Traveling to someone else's spot to live out a dream can be a complex issue and one that often leads to debate. For every local angry about meat leaving the state, there's a slice of the local economy dependent upon it. We're all Public Land Owners, but what sort of ethics should a hunter or angler travel with? Jess Johnson, Jaden Bales (both of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation) and I talk about this and how to pack for a road trip in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fairbanks resident Steve Shannon is back to talk about the highs and the low from the year. Though plans changed, we both scratched out pretty good years hunting. We also discuss e-bikes, tipi tents, and recipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first weekend of Peak Rut is behind us and I went 0/2 on shots (both clean misses) with my bow, but I was seeing deer and giving myself a chance. In this episode I talk about what has worked for me as far as hunting muskegs in high traffic area. I explain the importance of running a program you trust because that is the key. People have different ideas about how to hunt during the rut and it all can work. My program is to focus on transition areas rather than bust through brush to make it to a muskeg and use a deer call as a magic wand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Day 1, I was hoping for a 3 or maybe a 4-point buck because we had scouted an area and seen big bucks. By Day 4 I was ready to shoot a spike we called Chopstick. So much happened during the 6-day hunt in Wyoming it was difficult to get the days straight, but in this episode I attempt to. Jaden Bales joins me to talk about the difference between reading or watching videos about hunting, and actually hunting. It's the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing tactics. Wisdom is knowing what tactic to use during the actual hunt. Days 1-3 were uneventful which brought on desperation and frustration, but there was no question every morning we were excited to get back out there and run a good program. Then, after blowing a stalk (Day 4) and missing a forkie (Day 5), maybe Abby and I got things right, or maybe we just happened to get lucky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Telling a story is easy. Telling a good story isn't. You're trying to convey an experience to someone who wasn't there and a lot of times they end up being dry and detail lacking, too big on trying to make it epic or over-the top ego strokes. In this solo episode I talk about what I like about podcasts, articles and other story-telling content. That's not to say I am right, but I am an expert in what I like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of a sudden it's October and almost time for Wyoming mule deer. In this solo episode I talk about how fast things move, solo hunts, hoping I don't chalk my mule deer hunt as a "learning experience", prepping for the blacktail rut here in Alaska, duck hunting and why it's important to have some fun when the world is on fire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stumbled upon the Backcountry Rookies podcast and tracked down host Chad Ryker for an episode. We talk about morning routines, figuring out the important details that make hunts successful, starting podcasts, the importance of the honest angle when making content and bringing value to people rather than just looking for revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wyoming correspondent Jaden Bales and I talk about our latest hunts, expectation vs. reality, saying the right thing and finding that sweet spot between overconfident and unsure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juneau resident Dallin Hanchett is back to talk about duck hunting. In this episode we talk best loads for different ducks, indispensable gear, cooking sea ducks, watching the tides and what to look for when hunting waterfowl in southeast Alaska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heading up another mountain this weekend to look for a mountain goat or maybe even a deer. In this episode I talk about the importance of your social media bubble, how late deer are in the alpine and why it's important that someone has a little fun in 2020 so there's some positivity left. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Brooks is the founder of Argali, maker of top-tier hunting content and gear. In this episode he and I talk about his recent trip to Kodiak, how to be a good hunting guest, entrepreneurship, making good content and keeping your ego in check.    

Nick Jans is author of the best-selling books The Grizzly Maze and A Wolf Called Romeo. He is one of the best-known Alaskan writers and we talk about the process it took to get to that point. We talk about developing voice, confidence, editing and the importance of clarity and cadence in writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a silver salmon derby this weekend, but I'll be up on a mountain looking for a goat or buck. In this episode I talk personal preference when it comes to trolling up salmon, seeing alpine terrain for the first time, and all the chores around the house - dehydrating salmon, cooking venison leftovers, bleaching antlers and packing for a trip into the mountains. It's hard to be an Alaskan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaden Bales (the Wyoming correspondent) and I talk the benefits of technology and how technology has also ruined hunts. Without it I wouldn't have made it through the fog and up the mountain to the alpine where I shot my second buck of the year and proposed to my girlfriend Abby. But technology has also made us more dependent, prone to distraction and even changed how rescuers respond to missing hunters and hikers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well it's August, which means all previous routines have been disrupted by the delightful cycle of fishing and hunting trips. But that can make it difficult to keep up with previous positive habits when new habits are formed. Habits like bringing Cheetos as a snack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

"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

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