Longtime resident Jon Heifetz shares his journey to Juneau, efforts to improve fish spawning habitat, his fishing adventures in Patagonia, and the evolution of techniques and equipment over the years.

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Juneau residents Wyatt and Nani Weimer breakdown their Haul Road hunting program, their most miserable hunts as a couple, guiding fishing trips during the summer and more of their adventures in Juneau. 

In this episode Cory Hansen and I walk around the Alaska Fly Fishing Goods shop and break down everything you need to know about fly fishing gear for  Alaska. From fly rods, shooting heads, reels and waders, to flies, shot, nets and dry bags, we hit it all. 

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Kevin Maier is an English professor at the University of Alaska Southeast. In this episode we discuss the Outdoor Skills and Leadership Certificate program at UAS. This one-year certificate offers a unique academic approach to outdoor pursuits, integrating academic inquiry with practical skills like swift water rescue and ice climbing.

We then discuss how reading classic outdoor literature, such as works by Thoreau and Hemingway, enriches outdoor experiences and informs our understanding of nature and conservation.

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In this episode Douglas Paton shares his journey from aspiring video game programmer to writer contributing to magazines like National Geographic and Men's Journal. Douglas reflects on his early struggles in journalism, his move from Ontario to the scenic landscapes of British Columbia, and the immersive experiences that inspire his storytelling. 

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Larry Jackson shares his story of a capsizing incident in the summer of 1996. Larry also touches on the changing landscape of marine technology, the importance of preparedness, and the risks fishermen face daily. 

Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska.

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In this episode Marshall Johnson discusses the challenges and triumphs of fundraising and forming new Blacktail Deer Foundation chapters in Kodiak, Sitka, and Prince of Wales. He breaks down chapter needs, conservation goals and event planning.

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Tom Seaton is a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wood Bison Project. In this episode we discuss the differences between wood bison and plains bison, biology and behavior of each, their adaptation, social behaviors, and resilience against predators.

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Jaden Bales is the founder of Hunt West, a hunt preparation service for hunting in the West. In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of preference point systems that many Lower 48 states have adopted and some are attempting to modify thanks to point creep and hunter frustration.  The discussion shifts to resident vs. non-resident dynamics, expectations and the funding of conservation efforts through hunting raffles and auctions which generate significant financial contributions for wildlife management. 

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ADF&G biologist Ross Dorendorf talks about all things deer in Southeast Alaska. He shares insights about the impact of bad winters, carrying capacity and overall population health.

Ross breaks down the impact of poor habitat caused by same-age second growth trees and the collaborative efforts involving various agencies working to improve deer forage and hunter opportunities through targeted habitat treatment.

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.

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