So,

We got behind, but no matter. Instead of doing a normal weekend recap, we did a weekend-before-last recap!

We discussed our trips to Seward and Valdez, as we both happened to stumble into these trips at the last minute. 

We discussed:

-digging for clams

-fishing for halibut

-the cost of the charter

-required gear

-expectations

-reality

-rockfish

-orcas, whales & otter watching

-climbing around on a glacier

-what charter to use

If you are looking for a charter in Valdez, check out this guy:

Orion Charters

He took great care of us, we couldn't have been happier with the service.

Hey everyone, please forgive me for all the stumbles, this episode was my first monologue and I was constantly afraid of waking my fiancée.

We won't like her when she's angry.

Anyway, I was in contact with a trapper from CA, and it turns out he's one of the last 68 licensed trappers in the state of California. How did we get here? I don't know all the variables, but I know a few at least. 

In broad strokes, I broke down what is wrong with "Assembly Bill 273", but didn't go into much detail. Instead, I focused most of my monologue on educating folks who are absolutely unfamiliar with trapping/hunting/fishing/conservation.

It is extremely important that if you are a hunter, fisher, or trapper that you share this episode with people who have no clue what conservation looks like in the real world. I also addressed the statement that "animals have the same rights as humans" and the flaw in that logic.

Conservationists of all types need to get on board with educating and mentoring the public, and we need to do it quickly. This episode is only 20 minutes long but it does contain some useful information for you to use in conversations with folks who have a default stance of anti- hunting, fishing, or trapping.

Big thanks to @wilderness_fur (on IG) for giving me some guidance on what might help. I hope it does.

Pass. This. Around.

Teach.

Mentor.

Regards,

Steven

[email protected]

IG: @shoestringpodcast

Today the Shoestring Team sat down with Mr. Pete Buist, the spokesperson for the Alaska Trapper's Association. Mr. Buist has been trapping Alaska for many years, transplanted here from New Jersey where he also trapped as a child. 

Pete has one hell of a story. It was an honor to sit down with him and chat, and it turns out he is a founding member of the Alaska Trapper's Association, or ATA as we'll refer to it in the episode. He has been fighting on behalf of the trapping community since well before I was even born.

We discuss:

A general history and background of Pete, how and why he became a founding member of the ATA, what the ATA does, non-trappers and the complaints they make (be them valid or not), anti-trappers, ethical use of your line, what does an unethical trapper look like, getting a moose out of your wolf snare (the opposite of fun), humane kills, how difficult life is for critters, current legislation to ban the use of fur, faux fur (gross), and the benefits of trapping for both society and the species we target.

There is also some great information about ethics and best practices, whether or not you are in or from Alaska. 

Mr. Buist is also an author. I know I will be heading over to get a copy of his works and you should too. You can find them here:

click here for some of Pete's works

Mr. Buist is also a former President of the ATA and continues to fight on behalf of our community all over the state. If you are interested in ensuring we can all continue to conserve and utilize our natural resources in Alaska, visit the ATA. Membership is only $30 and they offer some great classes each year. I attended the snare-making course last year and will be using the methods they taught me when I make my own snares this winter. You can visit them here:

Alaska Trapper's Association

This is a critical topic, if you know folks that are into this stuff, then please share it with them. If you have questions or want a follow up episode on one of the subjects we touched on, reach out to us:

[email protected]

IG: @shoestringpodcast

Today, the Shoestring Team sits down to cover budgeting from a 30,000 ft view. This episode is not intended to make you an expert (nor to imply we are experts), rather it is intended with the hopes of perking up your ears and beginning to take a closer look at your finances.

There are too many Americans struggling financially, but there are also too many Americans struggling financially that don't have to be. We spend money like it's a competition!

Again, this is the most basic information you will find on this subject, but it may help to get rid of the intimidation and anxiety that stands between you and your first budget.

In addition, we discuss some mentorship we received from a couple friendly ladies, upgrading our equipment and sound, sinking funds and resources to help you take control of your finances. 

SHOW NOTES:

Here are the articles I mentioned at the beginning of the show:

How Much Debt Americans Have At Every Age, CNBC

Few Americans Have Enough Savings, CNBC

Here are a few of my favorite financial literacy advocates:

www.daveramsey.com

Dave is a great teacher and advocate of financial literacy. His teachings are the primary reason that my fiancée and I are almost out completely out of debt. Dave's methods are scorched Earth, so if you have serious financial problems he is your best bet.

www.grahamstephan.com

Graham is an alternative to Dave, and although he gives some great information I do not fully agree with his methods. He is an advocate of debt, and Americans don't have a great record with borrowing. Still, he is interesting and his advice may resonate with you.

OTHER STUFF:

Now, on to the podcast I mentioned in the beginning of the show. Shelly, the showrunner for "The Latter Day Lesbian" Podcast gave us some great mentorship, and for that we are grateful. She went out of her way to give us a few pointers about Patreon, and it's great to see people are still willing to reach out and help each other. I am working my way through their archived shows, and they are excellent. Shelly has one hell of a story to tell, and if you won't be disappointed with what she has to say. You can check her out here:

https://anchor.fm/ldl

Again, don't forget to reach out to us if whether you love or hate the content; it will only force us to get better. If you have an idea for a guest you would like us to speak with (and that guest is in Alaska)we would love to hear from you!

[email protected]

IG: @shoestringpodcast

Today, Mr. Lundy sits down with Khirstie Biscarr. She is a resident of Fairbanks, AK and is in the beginning stages of starting a food service and health coaching grounded in a plant based diet. We also discuss that time she came out to our trap line, hunting, the Fairbanks local scene, nutrition, and "bean flour". 

Disclaimer: Khirstie was an absolute treat to have on the podcast. This was not a debate, an argument or anything of the like. We both respect each others' positions and refuse to be nasty. If you are going to be nasty to her or myself, go somewhere else and do it.

Today Mr. Lundy sits down with Mr. Nick Wimmer, a former commercial fisherman in the Bristol Bay area. Nick arrived in Bristol Bay as a young man with no fishing experience, found work, and spent five years as a commercial fisher.

I met Nick at an old job from a few years back, and we hit it off from day one. I've always wanted to poke his brain to see how he feels about commercial fishing as an industry, and why it is attractive to young people (hint: it's money). 

If you are curious about anything Alaska that you would like us to talk about, we will do our best to get a hold of an expert if we aren't equipped to talk about it. Reach out to Mr. Lundy & Mr. Welton:

IG: @shoestringpodcast

gmail: [email protected]

Today, the only two members of the Shoestring Team discuss the madness of auto finance, mostly because we were unable to secure a guest due to our work schedules. In all seriousness, fiscal responsibility is something we discuss often and have wanted to begin to discuss it on the show, even if we can only speak in broad strokes for the time being. 

If you are considering trading up or buying new, listen to this episode first. There is good information in here from a couple of guys who have learned the hard way that buying a new car with a loan is FOOLISH. 

Good Day Folks,

This episode is important. 

Mr. Welton sat down with a close friend of Mr. Lundy's family to discuss her childhood in the foster care system. I (Mr. Lundy) have known Amber for more than a decade, and until recently was unaware how involved she is in trying to improve how the foster system functions in an effort to protect children who are often coming from unsafe or unsatisfactory home situations.

Amber is now happily married and regularly fosters children who are in need of stability. As a former foster child herself, Amber is a wealth of knowledge on the system and it's benefits, flaws, and future.

Each year she speaks with the Alaska State Legislature to continue her advocacy.

Amber and her husband Scott are an example of people making this world a better place.

If you are interested in this topic and would like to know more, please visit:

www.ffcalaska.org

They also have an IG: @ffca907

You can also reach out to us:

IG: @shoestringpodcast

Gmail: [email protected]

Hello Folks,

This evening I had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with a close friend of my fiancée to ask her about her short stay in Alaska, and how her introduction to the outdoors has changed her life. She is a motivated and inspiring person who is always supportive of both my fiancée and I in our outdoor endeavors.

Listen to me put my foot in my mouth as I forget which animals are endangered and protected while I try to make the argument that some protections should be reduced (obviously only where populations are robust enough to allow a reduction in ESA protection). Unfortunately, I didn't have time to write show notes and tried to wing it. Shouldn't have done that. Also, for any folks in Florida, reach out if you know whether or not Florida has white-tail deer, because I may have possibly put my foot in my mouth a second time.

Danella and I also chatted about her introduction to hunting & trapping and how she views the activity as empowering; her career in healthcare and as a traveling healthcare provider; her first winter in Fairbanks; coming to Alaska as a city girl from Miami, and her desire to inspire others to get outside and look around.

Again, she is super inspiring as a person, and if you'd like to get out and adventure, she'll help get you off of the couch.

Reach out to us:

IG: @shoestringpodcast

Gmail: [email protected]

In this episode, we give you a quick update on where the duct tape is and what it is holding down.

Reach out to us @

[email protected]

or

shoestringpodcast@ig