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Tundra Talk Podcast

Tyler Freel·194 episodes

SportsWilderness

The podcast on hunting, fishing, and trapping in Alaska, with an Alaskan perspective

Episodes

3 hr 3 min
May 22, 2026Episode 194
The Owen Boys On Kodiak

In this episode, I’m joined by Connor, Forrest, and Adam Own to talk about their recent trip to Kodiak. They faced bad weather, switchy winds, and Connor got an awesome bear. Enjoy!

2 hr 31 min
Feb 15, 2026Episode 193
Beware of Horses

In this episode I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Connor Owen, and Matt Herkstroeter. We catch up on what’s been going on, the past moose and sheep seasons, and my accident in Idaho.

1 hr 56 min
Aug 7, 2025Episode 192
DLP: Stopping a Charging Grizzly

In this episode, I’m joined by Brett TerBeek and his hunting partner Andy M. We talk about the upcoming sheep season, recap some spring bear stuff, but also walk through their recent scouting trip where they accidentally walked into a grizzly’s moose kill. Enjoy!

2 hr 22 min
Aug 4, 2025Episode 191
Loose Ends; with Temple, Connor, and Dr. Schultz

In this episode, I’m joined by Temple Dillard, Connor Owen, and Frank Schultz. We catch up on some hunting and fishing stories from this past spring and summer and eagerly look forward to the upcoming fall hunting seasons. Enjoy!

Aug 3, 2025Episode 191
Loose Ends, with Temple, Connor, and Dr. Schultz

In this episode, I’m joined by Temple Dillard, Connor Owen, and Frank Schultz. We catch up on some hunting and fishing stories from this past spring and summer and eagerly look forward to the upcoming fall hunting seasons. Enjoy!

56 min
Jul 25, 2025Episode 190
Kids Tell the Best Bear Stories

In this episode, I’m joined by my daughter Sadie and son Jed. They both got bears this spring and we are finally getting around to telling their stories. Enjoy!

1 hr 22 min
Jul 18, 2025Episode 189
Building A Better Copper Bullet, with Sam McGuire

In this episode I’m joined by Sam McGuire of McGuire Ballistics and SMC Williams Guide Service out of California. I’ve had a chance to load and shoot a bunch of Sam’s bullets and an even better opportunity to hunt big pigs with him and see them in action. We talk about Sam’s background in guiding and his journey in ballistic manufacturing. Most importantly, we discuss what the bullets do and offer to the shooter.

1 hr 47 min
Jul 8, 2025Episode 188
Sheep and Shooting, with Ben Reynolds

In this episode I’m joined by passionate sheep hunter and mountain adventurer Ben Reynolds. We recently competed together in the first Alaska NRL Hunter rifle match and talk about that experience, how it can benefit hunters. We also hit on Ben’s sheep hunting experience and both the mental and physical approach that has helped him be successful. Enjoy!

2 hr 48 min
Apr 13, 2025Episode 187
Back in the Clinic

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Connor Owen, and Matt Herkstroeter. Recording from the Dr. Schultz clinic, we talk about how hunting rifles aren’t made like they used to be, picking a suppressor, which rifle Connor should take to Kodiak, and much more. Enjoy!

1 hr 36 min
Feb 1, 2025Episode 186
Make the Alaska Range Great Again, with Coke Wallace

In this episode I’m joined by Frank Schultz and master guide Coke Wallace. We hit a number of topics such as how the past season has gone for Midnight Sun Safaris, speculate on predator control, and talk about some of the issues and relationships with federal agencies and how they manage Alaska’s lands.

1 hr 37 min
Jan 8, 2025Episode 185
Talking .22s with Colton Bagnoli

I’m joined in this episode by Colton Bagnoli, who was a long-time editor for Western Hunter, and now Shooting Times. He’s been a guide, gunsmith, SWAT team member, and competitive shooter. We talk about some of the new .22-cal cartridges and his experience with them. What they are, what they aren’t, and what’s important in cartridge selection.

3 hr 6 min
Dec 30, 2024Episode 184
The Good Old Days

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Matt Herkstroeter, and Connor Owen.  We talk about old man shoes, new snow machines, muzzleloader bullets, and a whole bunch else. Enjoy!

2 hr 32 min
Nov 29, 2024Episode 183
Kodiak Giant with Jason Wenger

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz and Jason Wenger. We get to hear some of Jason’s stories about moving to Alaska many years ago and his long-awaited hunt for a huge Kodiak bear. Enjoy!

2 hr 26 min
Nov 8, 2024Episode 182
A First Ram Double with Tyson Porter and Hunter Parini

In this episode, Frank Schultz and I are joined by Tyson Porter and Hunter Parini, who recount their ball-buster of a sheep hunt. We’ve got rock slides, alders, nipple-deep creeks, and two awesome rams. Enjoy.

1 hr 32 min
Nov 1, 2024Episode 181
Mike Cronk

In this episode, I’m joined by Tok area resident Mike Cronk. Mike is a retired teacher and avid trapper and hunter. He’s been serving as an AK congressional representative and is now running for the State Senate. We talk about wolf trapping, sheep hunting in tennis shoes, bear baiting, and why it’s important to vote. Enjoy!

3 hr 20 min
Oct 3, 2024Episode 180
Moose Camp 2024

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Connor Owen, and Matt Herkstroeter. We get together to tell all our newest moose hunting stories from 2024. Enjoy!

1 hr 5 min
Sep 10, 2024Episode 179
Moose and Old Stories with Tracy Freel

In this episode, I’m joined by my uncle Tracy, who talks a bit about getting his moose this year as well as a bunch of old stories.

3 hr 28 min
Sep 4, 2024Episode 178
August Re-Cap with Carson Keys

In this episode I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Connor Owen, and Carson Keys, who grew up in Fairbanks, and recently came back while working in his new role with Safari Club International. We get to hear about our 2024 sheep struggles and a recap of Carson’s first sheep hunt ever. Enjoy!

59 min
Aug 5, 2024Episode 177
Becky Schwanke

In this episode I’m joined by biologist and current Alaska state house candidate Rebecca Schwanke from Glenallen, AK. Becky has long been an avid hunter who understands both the rural subsistence and more urban perspectives when it comes to access to hunting opportunities in our great state. Enjoy!

3 hr 7 min
Jul 25, 2024Episode 176
Summer Rush with Frank Schultz, Matt Herkstroeter, and Connor Owen

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Matt Herkstroeter, and Connor Owen. Summer has been busy as hell, so we’re all over on topics from truck tires to rafting to prepping for sheep hunting. Enjoy!

1 hr 50 min
Jul 3, 2024Episode 175
Arthur Abalama

In this episode, Arthur Abalama is back on the podcast, this time in person. Arthur, Frank Schultz, and I chat about what we’ve all been up to this spring, and get to hear more about seal and wolf hunting from Arthur. Enjoy!

1 hr 4 min
Jun 18, 2024Episode 174
Bear Killin’ Boys

In this episode, I’m joined by my son Jed and our friends Brett and Colton TerBeek. We have a lot of catching up to do, but focus on Jed and Colton’s bear stories from this spring. Colton got his first bear ever! Enjoy!

1 hr 7 min
Apr 29, 2024Episode 173
Reloading 2.0

As requested, in this episode, I dive a little deeper into my own reloading practices and some of the advantages/disadvantages of how I do things. I also talk about some of the larger sample size testing I’ve been doing and some ways that load development is now radically simpler than it used to be for me. Enjoy and feel free to send questions to [email protected]

1 hr 13 min
Apr 22, 2024Episode 172
Ram Party

In this episode, I collected a few short stories and words of wisdom from a local gathering of sheep hunters. I wish I could have spent an hour with everyone there, but on this episode, are bits from Jerry Lees, Marty Meierotto, Bob Cassell, Skip Scott, Tony and Kodi Hollis, and Tom Lamal. Enjoy!

1 hr 57 min
Mar 25, 2024Episode 171
Farewell Bison with Kris Kooistra and Mark Rowenhorst

In this episode, I’m joined by Kris Kooistra, Mark Rowenhorst, and Frank Schultz. We get to hear all about Kris’s unlikely Farewell bison draw and awesome adventure. Enjoy!

1 hr 33 min
Mar 6, 2024Episode 170
Reloading…According to Tyler

In this episode I walk through the basic steps and equipment for reloading, specifically hunting rifle cartridges, and my basic methods for load development.

1 hr 27 min
Mar 1, 2024Episode 169
Gun Nerd Stuff with John B. Snow

In this episode, I’m joined by my work partner-in-crime John B. Snow, shooting editor at Outdoor Life. We talk about some of the recent projects we have been working on including the new 22 ARC, some of the affordable guns I have been shooting, and the importance of knowing how your hunting rifle really shoots. Enjoy!

1 hr 41 min
Feb 17, 2024Episode 168
Wacey Arthur

In this episode, I catch with Wacey Arthur from Alberta. We talk some gun nerd stuff, packing moose out of bad spots, and predator rifles. Enjoy!

3 hr 18 min
Feb 10, 2024Episode 167
Dark Winter Evenings

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Temple Dillard, and Matt Herkstroeter. We talk old snow machines, 50 below zero, and hacking it out in our beloved home.

1 hr 14 min
Jan 10, 2024Episode 166
Season Recap and New Ventures with Steve Hallenbeck

In this episode, I’m joined by long-time friend Steve Hallenbeck. We talk about his fall season, letting a giant bull moose get away, and some of his plans for guiding sheep and bear hunters in the future. Enjoy.

2 hr 43 min
Jan 1, 2024Episode 165
Local Ponds, Q&A, and New Bunny Boots, with Matt Herkstroeter

In this episode, I’m joined by Matt Herktroeter. We talk about winter tourism and local pond fishing for kids, answer questions about trap prep, buying used sleds, and emergency riverboat tools, and kick around whether we really want to be testers for the new “bunny boots,” or not. Enjoy!

3 hr 14 min
Dec 19, 2023Episode 164
Taylor “Deadpool” Ausbun, Dr. Frank Schultz, Connor Owen

In this episode I’m joined by first-time guest and fighter pilot Taylor Ausbon, as well as Dr. Frank Schultz, and Connor Owen! We do a little catching up, field the first ever Tundra Talk ISMP contest, and hear Taylor’s epic moose story from this fall. Enjoy!

3 hr 17 min
Nov 27, 2023Episode 163
Decades of Adventure, with Jerry and Thomas Lees

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Schultz, as well as Jerry and Thomas Lees. We talk lots of sheep hunting, moose hunting goat hunting, and just a few of Jerry and Thomas’s stories from many years of hunting Alaska. Check out Thomas’s YouTube channel Backcountry Alaska for some of their awesome videos!

1 hr 48 min
Nov 20, 2023Episode 162
The Fish Doctor, Kevin Fraley

In this episode, I’m joined by Kevin Fraley, who gets to travel around Alaska and the world doing hook-and-line fish research. Naturally, we talk fish, but also some of the more specific points of the potential Ambler road project.

1 hr 24 min
Nov 14, 2023Episode 161
Youth Sheep with Brett and Hunter TerBeek

In this episode I’m joined by Brett TerBeek and his son hunter. They tell the story of Hunter’s first sheep hunt where he was able to get his first ram. Enjoy!

1 hr 51 min
Nov 6, 2023Episode 160
Cartridge Nerds, Dead Gun Writers, and the New Garmin Chronograph

In this episode, I sit down with Outdoor Life shooting editor John B. Snow. We talk about cartridge design and performance, talk about whether the gun writers of old were pushovers, and John breaks down the new Garmin chronograph in detail. Enjoy!

2 hr 4 min
Oct 30, 2023Episode 159
Sheep Management History, with Wayne Heimer

In this episode I’m joined by one of the first dedicated Dall sheep biologists in the state of Alaska, Wayne Heimer. Wayne did a lot of the field research to help establish the full-curl regulation in Alaska, and published a book on the history of sheep management in our state. For more information or to get your own copy, go to wayneheimer.com. Enjoy the episode!

2 hr 13 min
Oct 23, 2023Episode 158
Buzzer Beater Moose with Dusty Spencer

On this episode, Dusty Spencer is back to tell about his 2023 moose season, along with Temple Dillard and “the doctor” Frank Schultz. Enjoy!

1 hr 45 min
Oct 16, 2023Episode 157
Brown Bears and Sheep Tales with Rob McIntosh

In this episode, I’m joined by Rob McIntosh, who was telling me sheep tales long ago when I was in high school. We talk about his exciting spring brown bear hunt and some older sheep stories. Enjoy!

2 hr 14 min
Oct 11, 2023Episode 156
Moose Camp 2023

In this episode, Frank Schultz recap the highs and lows of our September moose hunt. Enjoy!

3 hr 18 min
Oct 6, 2023Episode 155
Cycling and Packing Moose, with Matt Herkstroeter

In this episode I’m joined by Matt Herkstroeter who has spent his summer diving into cycling, photographing cool stuff, and shooting bull moose on his last night to hunt. Enjoy!

2 hr 7 min
Sep 11, 2023Episode 154
Tracking Deer with Dave Murray

In this episode I’m joined by Frank Schultz and his longtime friend Dave Murray, who is an avid deer tracker in the northeastern U.S. We get some great insight into how he hunts and get ready for our upcoming moose hunt. Enjoy!

4 hr 4 min
Aug 31, 2023Episode 153
Sheep Recap 2023

I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Connor, and Adam Owen in this episode where we talk about the highs and lows of our sheep hunts this year. Enjoy!

3 hr 3 min
Aug 9, 2023Episode 152
Pre-Sheep 2023

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Frank Schultz, Connor Owen, and Nick Krysinski. We reflect on the busy-as-hell summer and, of course, look forward to sheep season!

57 min
Aug 4, 2023Episode 151
Jed’s Bear

In this episode, Jed tells the story of his first bear, and we talk rifles, bb guns, and squirrel retrievers.

1 hr 51 min
Jul 29, 2023Episode 150
Shooting, Cartridges, and Hunting rifle talk with John B. Snow

In this episode, I sit down to chat with my coworker and Outdoor Life Shooting Editor John B. Snow. John’s an interesting smartass who is very knowledgeable on rifles, shooting, cartridges and ballistics. We talk a bit about how he got where he’s at, why medium-sized cartridges have been popular for more than 100 years, and how hunters and shooters often let emotion take over when it comes to their hunting rifle’s performance. Enjoy!

52 min
Jun 16, 2023Episode 149
The 6.5 Grizzly

This episode tells the story of my 2023 grizzly, and is also shared on the Outdoor Life Podcast. I’m telling the story of this hunt to my boss and long-time friend, Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson. You can read the story of the hunt HERE, and be sure to check out The Outdoor Life Podcast. Enjoy!

3 hr 28 min
Apr 24, 2023Episode 148
Snow Caves and Ski-Doos with Jr Pederson

In this episode I’m joined by Frank Schultz, Temple Dillard, and Jr Pederson. It’s been awhile since Jr has been on the podcast, and we get to hear some stories about bear hunting, moose shooting, getting buried alive in a blizzard, and the story behind running Polaris skis on your Ski-Doo. Enjoy!

1 hr 31 min
Mar 18, 2023Episode 147
Hunter Knezovich

In this episode I’m joined by Hunter and his son Jett Knezovich. Hunter had hunted elk and mule deer all his life in Wyoming and had been a Tundra Talk listener since before making the move to Fairbanks. We talk about how things were growing up compared to what it’s like living and hunting in Alaska now, and get to hear about Jett’s first caribou. Enjoy!

3 hr 35 min
Mar 4, 2023Episode 146
Wolves, Bravos, and Optical Illusions

In this episode I’m joined by Temple Dillard, Dr. Frank Schultz, and Connor Owen. We talk about busted up sleds, shooting wolves, rant about the federal subsistence board, and a few other things. Winter is getting short, so enjoy it!

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