Mike Horstman is a veteran bear hunting guide and outdoorsman widely recognised for his appearances on the History Channel’s Mountain Men.
He is also known for his rugged, self-sufficient lifestyle, which originates from his upbringing in the remote wilderness of Kodiak Island, Alaska.
His home in Eagle Harbour is only accessible by a floatplane or boat when the weather allows, where he has been living since 1979, drawn by the desire for adventure and the challenge of subsistence living.
Despite fame from reality television, Horstman has remained dedicated to his longstanding passion for the wild, solitude, and hunting, rarely venturing away from his isolated home and continuing his work accompanied by his dog, Adele.
Mike Horstman on Mountain Men
His television stardom began with Mountain Men in 2018, where he joined the cast in season 7.
Mike Horstman demonstrated extraordinary skills in bear hunting, survival, and resilience in Alaska’s harsh environment over the course of 24 episodes, spanning from 2018 to 2021, as well as memorable appearances in seasons 11 and 12.
Even on television, however, Horstman stayed true to himself by being humble, avoiding the spotlight, and letting his hunting and survival skills take centre stage.
In the latest seasons of Mountain Men, Horstman was still featured hiking, hunting, and leading clients through challenging terrain, proving his enduring physical capability and leadership.
The show has highlighted his successes and the realities of ageing alone in the Alaskan wilderness.
What does Mike Horstman do nowadays
Mike Horstman runs the Kodiak Guide service, offering guided hunts, particularly Kodiak brown bear hunts, on a seasonal basis.
He spends about eleven weeks guiding hunters in Alaska and specialises in mountain goat, bear, deer, and Sitka black tailed deer hunts.
Similarly, Mike lives off the land, hunting, trapping, and fishing, harvesting game, and maintains his homestead in challenging conditions when he is not guiding.
Mike Horstman’s private life
Mike Horstman maintains a low public profile, rarely appearing on social media and other public platforms.
There is limited public information available about his family or romantic relationships.
Most updates about his life come from new episodes or rare interviews, reinforcing his reputation for privacy.