Guarding the Wild: Alaskan Guide Tia Shoemaker shares her story

Tia Shoemaker is not your average Alaskan hunting guide. Raised in a homestead cabin deep in the rugged wilderness of the Alaskan Peninsula, her life has been shaped by grit and grace, facing challenges that seem unbelievable to most. Today, she is one of fewer than a dozen female hunting guides in Alaska.

Tia’s childhood home is located within the Bashirov National Wildlife Refuge, 60 air miles from the nearest village, King Salmon. In this remote setting, her family lives a life that many only read about in books. There are no roads, no modern conveniences, and their home is accessible only by a small two- or four-seat airplane. Tia learned to fly before most teenagers were learning to drive. One of her first solo flights was marked by a frozen lake and an overheating engine—just one of the many incredible adventures she shared with the captivated Westminster community. For Tia and her family, survival is an art of resourcefulness, and they approach the land that sustains them with the utmost respect.

“We live in a way that many might find extreme,” she says. “But for me, it was normal. I grew up hunting, fishing, and living off the land. That’s just how it was.”

Raised by wildlife biologist parents, Tia learned early to understand and value the balance of nature. Her parents’ decision to leave conventional careers for a life surrounded by the wild stemmed from their love for the land and their desire to raise their children within it. “They wanted us to learn about discomfort, resilience, and hard work,” she says. “But looking back, I think they would have called it ‘grit and grace’ if they’d known the phrase.”

It’s this connection to the land that fuels Tia’s mission today. As a registered hunting guide, she is part of a small but growing group of women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. With fewer than a dozen female hunting guides in Alaska, Tia hopes to see that number continue to grow.

She vividly recalls her first hunting experience at age 9. Her mother set the height requirement—she had to be as tall as her mother’s shoulder to hunt, which was helpful since her mother was only about 5 feet tall. During that trip with her father, she came so close to the animals that she could see the steam rising from their nostrils. Tia killed her first caribou that day, and she felt a rush of emotions—pride, awe, and sadness. She tried to hide her tears from her father, but he saw them and comforted her, saying, “The day you stop feeling something when you take an animal’s life is the day you need to stop hunting.” She has never forgotten those words.

Tia now carries on the family business her parents started years ago, guiding clients on hunting, fishing, and wilderness trips through the terrain where she grew up. Their mission as a family-owned business is to offer "discriminating and adventurous travelers" the chance to experience the true Alaskan wilderness. 

Tia’s deep respect for life fuels her determination to protect the land she calls home. To her, the wilderness is not just a place to hunt and fish—it is a living, breathing entity that must be preserved. And right now, there is a looming threat to the pristine ecosystem of Bristol Bay, where Tia’s homestead is located.

The proposed Pebble Mine, a massive open-pit mine intended to extract copper, gold, and other minerals, threatens the fragile environment of the region. Situated at the headwaters of Bristol Bay—home to the world’s most productive wild salmon fishery—the mine could devastate the salmon runs, the wildlife that depends on them, and the people who call this place home.

“If this mine is built, it could destroy an ecosystem that has been thriving for thousands of years,” Tia warns. “The risks to the salmon, bears, moose, and every creature that depends on this land are too great. This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.”

Bristol Bay’s wild salmon runs are the lifeblood of the region, nourishing everything from bears and wolves to eagles and people. The salmon’s return to their birthplace after years in the ocean is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events. The proposed mine could disrupt the salmon’s life cycle, poison the water with toxic runoff, decimate wildlife populations, and permanently alter the landscape. For Tia, the fight to protect Bristol Bay is personal. It’s about ensuring that future generations can experience the same wild beauty that shaped her own life.

“This is not just an Alaskan issue,” Tia says. “What happens here affects the entire planet.”

In addition to fighting for the land she loves, Tia is committed to inspiring the next generation of adventurers, hunters, and conservationists. She encourages others to embrace the wilderness, step outside their comfort zones, and experience the lessons it offers. “Whether it’s a day hike, a week of camping, or just turning off your phone and sitting in silence, the wilderness will teach you something you can’t learn anywhere else. It teaches you who you really are. It strips away all the distractions and reminds you that you are part of something much bigger.”

With her grit and grace, Tia is proving that one person, grounded in the lessons of the wilderness, can make a difference. And she hopes her story will inspire others to find their own path—and protect the wild places that matter most.