Show 34: The Hunting, Gathering, Fishing Family

On this extra outdoorsy episode of Kids These Days! we're celebrating Alaska's amazing bounty by speaking with those in the know about fishing, gathering and hunting in Alaska. Does your family do any of these activities together? If so, you know that they're about more than harvesting food -- picking berries, taking a moose or landing a halibut also mean quality family time spent together!

First up this hour, host Shana Sheehy speaks with award-winning author Seth Kantner. Kantner wrote Shopping for Porcupine and Ordinary Wolves which won a Milkweed National Fiction Prize, establishing him as one of the nation's top young writers. In addition to writing, Kantner is a commercial fisherman and wildlife photographer. He spoke to us about living a gathering life in a modern world from Kotzebue where he lives with his wife and daughter.

Unlike in other states, hunting in Alaska is on the rise - maybe that’s because hunting is a family tradition for many in the 49th State. For one Wasilla family, the Adamses, the tradition of hunting - and gun safety - has been passed down through the generations. Producer Sarah Gonzales spoke with this family and also with Jerry Soukup, the coordinator of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's Hunter Information & Training (HIT) Program

Also speaking to us from Fish & Game, Tony Kavalok the Assistant Director for the Division of Wildlife Conservation, and the former Palmer Area Wildlife Biologist for the division, speaks with us in-studio about the many programs ADFG offers for young people to help get them out fishing, hunting, participating in shooting sports and into conservation camps.

Christina Salmon was born and raised in Igiugig, Alaska (pop. 64) to Dan and Julia Salmon, she is the eldest of 5 children and has lived back at home since 2007 where she now works as the village's Environmental Director. She has 3 children: Aiden, Keilan and Dannika, 6, 4, and 2. She says, "I wanted to raise my children in rural Alaska so they could experience life as I did when a child, living off the land, subsistence hunting, fishing and berry picking. Enjoying the simple things in life."

And last but certainly not least this hour we have a new installment of KTDontheGO with Erin Kirkland. This time she's exploring the special connections and memories that happen when fathers and daughters go fishing together.

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Have something to say about this show? Comment below - let us know where your family fishes, hunts or gathers. Or, if you have a question or need more info, just ask!