The cost of living has gone through the roof, and November cannot come early enough.

There’s nothing worse than shopping for your family, just to realize that you have to put back those expensive fruits and meat packages. How are families getting by?

It’s these times when you realize that the cost of a shotgun shell can put meat on the table for days.

If you haven’t hunted before, seek out a friend that does. If you haven’t hunted for a while, dust off your equipment and hit the woods.

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I feel incredibly lucky, my family purchases very little meat. On the rare occasion we’ll buy chicken, pork, or a nice beef steak. Those days are rapidly coming to an end though if you’ve looked at the price of prime beef in the stores. I feel for our farmers and ranchers because they’re just trying to make a living, just like us.

Each fall we venture outdoors in search of big game, whether we’re at home here in Alaska or down in Tennessee or Kansas. We travel when we can, hunting and visiting with family and friends. Getting wild game is not getting any cheaper though. Throw in some bad winter weather up here in Alaska over the last several years, and game is getting sparse.

Variety and creativity is the key. If you can hunt for one wild game animal, you’re capable of pursuing others as well. Ever eaten black bear? It’s not half bad, especially in the fall when they’re feeding on berries.

Our Talarik families live almost exclusively on wild game and fish. Paying high prices in the grocery store is not only painful, it’s hurting each and every one of us. Honestly, I don’t know how much more America can take. Our lower and mid-income families are starting to feel some real pain.

Another 4 years of a democratic Administration would be the nail in our coffin.

Seriously folks - get out there and fill your freezer, do what you can to help others do the same.

Now’s the time to take back our rural roots.

And for God’s sake, vote in November!