Tundra Talk Podcast

In this episode, I was fortunate to track down Ken and Anna Vorisek, who live here in Fairbanks, and are very passionate and accomblished bowhunters. Amazingly enough, they have each completed the North American Super Slam with their bows. We talk about bowhunting and the Super Slam (of course), hunting in Alaska, and Ken's recent desert sheep hunt, but also about pursuing your passions, and how many of these things really are in reach for the "average person" if you set your mind to it. It was great to catch up with Ken and Anna, and I hope you enjoy as well! If you have any questions, comments, or other feedback, email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, I had the chance to sit down with Eric Howard and Taj Shoemaker at the Island Air Service hanger in Kodiak. Island air is one of a handful of air charter operators on Kodiak Island, and if you are going hunting there, there's a good chance that you'll be hiring them to fly you out. Having flown with them and some of the other carriers over the years, I can say that they are a top-notch outfit. Eric and Taj are two very experienced pilots, with a ton of knowledge of Kodiak. We sit down and talk about some of the dynamics and challenges of flying in Kodiak, as well as good things to know if you are planning on making the trip yourself. You can follow their goings-on on Instagram (@islandair_adq) and Facebook (Island Air Kodiak). If you want to book a trip, just give them a call!   Questions or comments? email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks and enjoy! -Tyler  

In this episode, photographer and fellow Alaskan John Whipple and I have just returned from a late season mountain goat hunt on Kodiak Island. The registration goat hunt on Kodiak is one of the most unique goat hunting opportunities out there, and possibly the only place in the world with a bag limit of 2 goats. We talk a little bit about how cool this opportunity is, and give you a recap of our recent hunt. Sit back, and enjoy! If you have any comments or questions, you can send them to podcast@tundratalkak.com If you'd like to check out John's photography, find him on Instagram or facebook, under 49mm Creative, and I encourage you to do so!

In this Episode I'm joined by Frank Schultz again, and we discuss A few pieces of gear we have learned to be very valuable on the mountain. We talk about what a CDS dial is, how it works, and how it is a valuable tool for increasing your comfortable range in the field. We also dive a bit into some of the debate on how far is too far, and the importance of practice, knowing your rifle, and being able to evaluate conditions before deciding to take a long shot. We also get into some of the very valuable items like trekking poles, puffy pants and jackets, and crocs. Enjoy! Any comments or questions? email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks, -Tyler

I'm joined in this episode by Brett Evens, a fellow Fairbanks resident who has quite a few stories and experiences under his belt. He's a great guy, who is more than willing to get creative and go the extra mile for the experiences so many of us are chasing. We talk about the epic year he had in 2017, and I finally got to hear the story of "Megabou" first-hand, Brett's story of taking a tremendous caribou last fall, getting sick in moose camp, mountain goats falling to the ocean, and, of course, a few sheep hunting stories. Sit back, relax, and I hope you enjoy this episode. If you have questions or comments, you can email podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, my guest is Mark Rowenhorst. Mark hasn't lived here as long as many, but had the dream of moving to Alaska, and has used guiding to both facilitate that dream, and accelerate his learning curve. Because of that, he has experience beyond his years here. We talk about how he came up here and what it was like starting out as a packer and moving on to being a licensed assistant guide, and how that is a very realistic option for folks who have always dreamed of living and hunting in Alaska. We also discuss some of the logistics of hunting Alaska, and touch on some of the things people forget to plan for. You'll get to hear about some of Mark's very first guiding experiences, and his first personal sheep and caribou hunt. Questions or comments? email podcast@tundratalkak.com   thanks, and enjoy! -Tyler

In this episode, Frank Schultz and I talk trapping. Frank is brand new to trapping this year, and it was great to hear his perspective on it. He is a very accomplished hunter, but trapping has opened up a whole new world for him, and he's done pretty well for himself so far. We talk a bit about some of the general perception and realities of trapping, albeit, not very eloquently, as well as what Frank has learned through this experience, and how any outdoorsperson can increase their knowledge of the world around them by getting involved in responsible trapping. I appreciate your feedback, so any comments, questions, or grievances, shoot them over to podcast@tundratalkak.com thanks, and hope you enjoy! -Tyler

In this episode, I link up with my good buddy Steve Hallenbeck. Steve is one of the most experienced sheep hunters I know, and have had the good fortune to hunt with, as well as a builder of some awesome custom mountain rifles. We look back at "Houdini," probably the most memorable ram in all our years of hunting together, and he was truly the big one that got away...several times. We had several opportunities to kill him, but he always managed to give us the slip. We also talk about a couple of the times one of us has completely come apart from the frustrations of a given hunt, and also how important it is to be prepared to spend an uncomfortable night away from camp in bad weather. If you want to get in touch with me, email podcast@tundratalk.com Thanks, and enjoy!

Hey everyone, in this episode, I'm talking with Matt Herkstroeter, another buddy and long-time Fairbanks resident. This is a long one, but it really just barely scratches the surface of Matt's experiences here in Alaska. We talk about dreams that have come true, what might have been, and being "sheep crazy." Matt is another one of those humble guys that has the experiences that most don't acquire in their lifetime. Re-visiting just one of those experiences in it's entirety is daunting, but we got through some amazing stories, and left plenty to be told. He talks about some of his early experiences hunting Dall sheep, and caps it with the story of his solo archery Dall ram, in my opinion, one of the pinnacles of possible hunting accomplishments in the world. Put the coffee on, sit back, and enjoy!   Questions, comments, or grievances? email podcast@tundratalkak.com Just know....all three categories are subject to coverage on the podcast ;) Thanks! -Tyler

In this episode, I sit down with another good friend of mine, Jon Shurtz. Jon, like myself, is a transplant to Alaska, who now has quite a few years and experiences under his belt. Jon tells about bear attacks, dipnetting and exploring on the Copper River, and some sheep and goat hunting. We also give our initial reactions to the Alaska Draw Permit results being released, and the Facebook mayhem that ensues annually. Sit back and Enjoy! Questions, comments, grievances, or something you would like to hear discussed? Email podcast@tundratalkak.com If you want to check out Jon's freshly started dipnetting/tour company, go to: https://www.facebook.com/CopperRiverWILD/ -Tyler Freel    

On this episode, I once again sit down with my buddy Frank Schultz, to talk about some of the things we have seen and experienced while guiding hunters in Alaska. If you spend much time guiding hunters, you will see the entire spectrum of types of hunters out there. Some will become lifelong friends, and others will leave you baffled and bewildered. Enjoy. Questions, comments, or things you'd like to hear about? Send an email to podcast@tundratalkak.com -Tyler Freel

Welcome to Tundra Talk! In this pilot episode, I sit down with my good friend Frank Schultz and discuss some of the dynamics of how Alaska is different than any other place, and why we love it. Alaska is a unique melting pot of people who are drawn here, and as far as the United States goes, it truly is The Last Frontier. I have been a contributing writer for Outdoor Life magazine for the past 7 years, and have been living and hunting in Alaska for 16 years. I want this podcast to inform and entertain you with interesting stories, people, and useful information, both for your adventures in Alaska, and stuff that you can apply where you are. Compared to much of my content working with Outdoor Life, this show should give us the chance to go in-depth into various topics, in a way that none of my other platforms can, and I'm very excited to share the experience with you. You'll have to bear with me as I figure this whole thing out, but I'm looking forward to some great conversation and stories that lie ahead. Ha