Tundra Talk Podcast

Hey folks, in this episode, Jon Shurtz and Nick Muche give a recap on their recent trip to Kodiak to hunt brown bears and blacktails, We also talk a bit about trad bow shooting, hear some of Jon's experience on the recent 40 mile caribou hunt discussed a couple episodes back, and hear about his mountain goat hunt that nearly killed him this fall. Enjoy! I'm planning on doing a Q&A episode in the near future, so if you have questions you'd like to have answered on the podcast, please email podcast@tundratalkak.com Thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, I'm joined by JR Pederson, a guy that I've been wanting to talk to for awhile. Since JR moved to Alaska in 1991,  he's been a hunting, fishing, trapping, guiding, and photographing fool. We talk about everything from wolf trapping to sheep hunting and fur handling, and still barely scratched the surface of JR's knowledge and experience. I hadn't had the chance to visit with him in much too long, so it was great to catch up, and I hope you enjoy it too! If you have comments or questions, email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, I get to catch up with my buddy Mark Rowenhorst on a mid-season break from guiding. He's been out in the field guiding sheep, goats, and brown bears since august, so it was great to hear a few stories and catch up. We also hit on a few gear topics like tents and rifle calibers for goats, and just some of the dynamics of goat hunting in general. Enjoy! If you have comments or questions, email podcast@tundratalkak.com Thanks! Tyler

In this episode I'm joined by my brother-in-law Nate Minnema and we discuss the infamous 40 Mile caribou hunt. I say infamous, because often, the season is opened for only a day or two (with the goal of not over-killing the management quota), which typically results in a horrendous circus of hunters, jockeying for a chance to get their caribou and put meat in the freezer. The vast majority of folks are out there with the same goal in mind, and don't like the situation, but there are still some issues. Nate and I talk about our recent participation in this "hunt," and just how mind blowing it really is both as a safety and ethical issue.   Questions, comments, or feedback? email podcast@tundratalkak.com   -Tyler

In this episode, I've got Luke Moffat on the phone. Luke lives in Wasilla, is a contributor for Rokslide.com and spends as much time as just about anyone I know out in the field hunting, every chance he gets. We can hardly scratch the surface of his knowledge and experience in an hour, but we got the chance to hit on suppressors and hunting with them, putting the bullet in the right spot, and bringing your small children along in the field. It was great catching up with him, and I hope you enjoy our conversation! Comments or questions? email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks, -Tyler

In this episode, I'm joined by Nick Muche and Frank Schultz. The three of us hadn't really gotten together since before moose season, so it was great catching up. We talked about Nick's very successful sheep hunt, our unsuccessful moose hunts, and, of course, my inherited Butcher Boy bandsaw. We also chat a bit about arrow tuning, predator control, trapping, and email chain brown bears, including the one below, the infamous Alberta Grizzly...which Frank was present for. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and if you have any questions or comments, email podcast@tundratalkak.com and please leave a review on iTunes or whatever platform you listen on. thanks! -Tyler https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2012/12/truth-behind-infamous-alberta-grizzly  

This episode is a recap and conversation with Adam Weatherby and Kevin Wilkerson, following our week-long moose hunt here in interior Alaska. We had plenty of challenges to deal with, but it was a great time exploring and hunting new country. Adam and Kevin are both great dudes, it was a pleasure being miserable together, and I look forward to sharing many more campfires with them. Enjoy. For feedback or questions, email podcast@tundratalkak.com   thanks, -Tyler

In this episode, I was able to sit down with Jason and Erika Franklin to talk sheep hunting. I met Jason last year, however had already seen his self-filmed first solo sheep hunt video on youtube (link below). This year, he and his wife had an awesome, intense sheep hunt, and I was very excited to hear all about it! It was a great conversation, and I hope you enjoy it! If you have any comments or questions, you can email podcast@tundratalkak.com -Tyler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uri9dbDzyc4

Hey Folks, In this episode, I'm joined by my buddy Ryan Avery. Ryan played a huge part in helping me get this podcast off the ground. He is co-owner of the website Rokslide.com and also hosts his own podcast called Avery Adventures. Although he doesn't live here in Alaska, he is a solid dude, and one who's opinion I respect highly on many things, from rifles, to optics, to stickbows. We had a great time catching up, and hit on quite a few topics, and hope you enjoy it as well! Thanks, -Tyler Questions or comments? Email podcast@tundratalkak.com

Hey Everyone, In this episode, I'm joined by Frank Schultz and Nick Muche. We primarily talk about solo sheep hunting, as Frank and I each split up and went on our own solo sheep hunts this year. Every sheep hunter should go solo at least once in their life. It's a very unique and challenging experience, and both Frank and I recap our hunts from this year, as well as catch up with Nick. Enjoy! Any comments or questions, email podcast@tundratalkak.com, and leave a review on whatever platform you listen on!   thanks! -Tyler

I'm joined in this episode by Steve Hallenbeck. Steve was on a previous episode, and is a very experienced sheep hunter. Talking gear for hunting sheep or other extended backpack hunts can be a black hole, and it can be intimidating for someone who is just getting started. Steve and I walk through what we consider our most important gear and what we are currently using. We also discuss the importance and methods of caring for your meat and cape in the field. If you have any questions or comments, email podcast@tundratalkak.com Thanks and enjoy! -Tyler

Hey Folks, Sorry for going dark for a bit, but we are back at it. For this episode I'm joined by Temple Dillard and Frank Schultz. Temple is an awesome guy who has lived in Alaska his entire life, much of it in the bush. I had a great time getting to know Temple a little better and hearing his perspectives and experience hunting and trapping in Alaska. Temple grew up living a true subsistence lifestyle and still feeds his family almost entirely on the meat he brings home. Enjoy! If you have any questions or comments, please email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks, -Tyler

In this episode, Frank Schultz, Nick Muche, and I catch up on the past couple weekends of bear hunting. We talk about Nick's epic weekend with his wife where they were able to take 2 grizzlies with their bows, and this past weekend's epic black bear trip. Frank talks about his struggles as a budding traditional bow hunter. We had a great time, and hope you all enjoy hearing about it! Questions or comments? email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks! -Tyler

Hey Folks, This episode is with Frank Schultz and I as we are returning from an initial trip WAY upriver to set black bear baits. Most of what we had to talk about however, was the phenomenal pike and sheefish fishing we had on our overnight trip. I think for both of us, it was some of the best freshwater fishing we've encountered. We caught over 100 pike, around 30 sheefish, and nothing under 30". We talk pike fishing quite a bit, then veer off into a little bit about what Fairbanks is like and some of the unique people that live here. Enjoy!   If you have comments or questions, email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks, -Tyler

Hey Folks, in this episode, I sit down with Gary Colbath and Nick Muche. This was the first time I'd met Gary, as he was making a stop in Fairbanks on his way up north to hunt grizzlies. Gary is a great guy, with uncanny luck in drawing raffle hunts, and although he's relatively new to Alaska, he's a very accomplished bowhunter. Like many of us, he moved up here for hunting, but has hunted a lot in the lower 48 and elsewhere. We get to hear some of his awesome stories, from hunting muskox and caribou in Greenland, to stone sheep in British Columbia. This was a fun conversation, and I hope you enjoy! oh...and Gary did get his grizzly this weekend!   If you have any comments or questions, you can email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, Nick Muche and I recap our first weekend of bear hunting this spring. It was a weekend with the highest highs, and lowest lows, but that's how it goes sometimes. We hunted Friday night at Nick's bait, then hunted one of my baits on Saturday. Enjoy!   If you have comments, questions, or feedback, you can email podcast@tundratalkak.com Thanks, -Tyler

In this episode, Nick Muche and I talk bear baiting and the anticipation as we head out for our first sit of the year on Nick's bait. It's been a long year, and finally time to start hunting bears. Enjoy!   If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, email podcast@tundratalkak.com   Thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, I'm joined by two good buddies Jon Shurtz and Nick Muche. Nick just returned from a deployment to Europe and we are all itching to get out to hunt bears this spring. We talk about riverboats, boating mishaps, bears, and stickbows...as well as a few things on the topic of bear defense. This was a bit more of a catching up session, but hope you enjoy it, things are just getting ready to kick off for the spring, and I'll do my best to take you right along with us! Any comments, questions, or feedback, email podcast@tundratalkak.com and leave a review on whatever platform you listen. Thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, we get to hear from one of the few guys I know who has killed multiple rams with his recurve. Troy is a great guy, and he had to learn sheep hunting the hard way, basically diving right into hunting them with a trad bow. We talk about what got him into shooting traditional bows, some of his guiding stories, and what he has learned to take the rams he has. Sit back and enjoy!   If you have any questions, comments, or other feedback, email podcast@tundratalkak.com   thanks! -Tyler

The snow is finally starting to melt here in interior AK, which means that spring bear season will be upon us shortly. In this episode, Matt Herkstroeter and I talk about some of the baiting experiences we have had, as well as some pointers for someone who may be wanting to try it for the first time. Enjoy!   Any comments or questions, email them to podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks! -Tyler