Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Tim E. Hovey, Cal Kellogg, William “Will” Murray
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ON THE COVER
As Ian Rigler can attest, some of California’s underrated epic bass fishing can be had at myriad small ponds throughout the state. They can be found on public and private lands; just be sure to get permission to fish the latter waters. (MARK FONG)
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20 ALMANOR’S AWESOME IN AUTUMN
Plumas County is quite a haul for many California anglers, and its prized destination Lake Almanor is a large body of water that can be intimidating to figure out. But the rewards – brown trout like this beauty, plump rainbows and hard-fighting smallmouth bass – can be outstanding for those willing to take on the challenge. Cal Kellogg has intel for how to make the most of a fall trip here.
30 ON GOLDEN STATE BASS PONDS
Now an accomplished bass angler, Mark Fong often takes his bass boat onto some of California’s celebrated big lakes that everyone knows about. But just as frequently does Fong turn back the clock to his younger days to fish both small private and public ponds that are available throughout the state. Find out how to target bass at these mostly unnamed gems for anglers.
36 DAYS OF DOVES
The first half of September is bliss for bird hunters, who can get into some fun and productive hunts for delicious doves. It’s become a rite of passage for Tim Hovey, who has shared many hot late-summer mornings in fields and orchards with friends and family savoring the moments together. Now he’s establishing new dove hunting traditions with his daughters’ significant others and shares some of those stories.
49 WISDOM OF THE WALLOWS
For elk hunters, that patch of mud or standing water can yield valuable information. Bulls will often roll around in the swampy slop during the rut as well as rub nearby trees, leaving clues to help fill that tag. “The more wallows you inspect, the more you’ll learn about elk and how they use them,” writes Scott Haugen in his and wife Tiffany’s From Field to Fire feature. Stick around for a shallot-infused salmon recipe from chef Tiffany.
(CAL KELLOGG)
Labor Day weekend was always a conflicting holiday in my younger days.
My birthday always falls around that time, but back then, that day also coincided with – ugh – the restart of the school year. So, after a long summer filled with carefree days, Labor Day meant a final bash, then a quick birthday celebration and the reality of getting back to campus.
These days, it’s a lot less depressing that my birthday and the traditional farewell-to-summer holiday clash. And now my memories of early September are much more pleasant.
One year while in college, a couple of us took the drive from Fresno to the Sierra for a Labor Day weekend fishing trip to much cooler Shaver Lake, where we caught a couple rainbows and still made it back to our apartment in time to catch the first NFL games of the season.
My dad and I also spent a couple Labor Day holidays fishing for planted trout at San Francisco’s Lake Merced, perhaps as a compromise for my complaining about that birthday/first day of school good news/bad news scenario.
But probably my favorite Labor Day fishing memory was just a few years ago during the Covid pandemic, when my sisters, brother-in-law and myself – plus our dogs – rented a cabin in the Sierra community of Arnold (California Sportsman, October 2020).
During such a difficult time that we all had to endure, our socially distanced cabin was cathartic, as despite the air quality hampered by a series of California wildfires – sadly, the conditions only worsened by the time we drove back to the Bay Area – it was a relaxing weekend grilling a birthday tri-tip on our deck while the pups stared down all the small critters that frolicked around the cabin.
We got up before dawn on that Saturday – on my birthday –to wet a couple lines at nearby White Pines Lake, and while the temperature stayed comfortable most of the morning and the wildfire smoke was still manageable, more than once as I sat alone with my dog hoping a fish would bite my nightcrawler, I thought about not my birthday but the chaos going on throughout the planet. Not catching a fish was unimportant. But spending time with the family meant everything.
This year, Labor Day falls on the weekend before my birthday, so after a busy set of August weekends I’ll be taking it easy during the holiday. But I’ll enjoy the summer sendoff and I hope you will too. -Chris Cocoles
Correction: In our August issue, we misidentified the name of Larry Armstrong as Jerry Armstrong in a story about Lake Oroville landlocked salmon fishing. Apologies to Larry for the mistake.
Spending a Labor Day birthday weekend and fishing at Arnold’s White Pines Lake during Covid in 2020 was cathartic for the editor, his dog and other family members. (CHARLENE KING)
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
1-15 First dove season dates (mourning and white-winged dove)
3-25 Northwestern Roosevelt elk general season dates
4 California Waterfowl Palo Alto Banquet, Elks Lodge; (408) 203-9647
6 Shaver Lake Team Kokanee Derby (Pardee Lake as an alternative); kokaneepower.org/derbies
6 Zones D-11 and D-13 to D-19 archery deer seasons open
6 Southern Tulare County Sportsmen’s Association Fundraising Dinner, Porterville Veterans Memorial Building; stcsa.org/2025-fundraiser-dinner
6 Golden State Salmon Association Ladies’ Salmon Fishing Trip, Half Moon Bay; goldenstatesalmon.org
10-21 Marble Mountains Roosevelt either-sex elk apprentice season dates
10-21 Marble Mountains Roosevelt bull elk general season dates
Note: General bear season opens concurrently with general deer season in the A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 deer hunting zones and extends through December 28, 2025. For those portions of Zones X1, X2, X3a, X4, X6a, X6b, X7a, and X7b open to bear hunting, the general bear season begins October 11, 2025, and extends through December 28, 2025.
For a complete list of California bass tournaments, go to wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/ Inland/Contests.
WISH UPON THIS STAR FISHERY
SIERRA’S WISHON RESERVOIR AN UNDERRATED TROUT PRODUCER
By Cal Kellogg
Wishon Reservoir lies high in the Sierra National Forest, well above the agricultural fields and the bustle of the Central Valley. Tucked between rugged granite ridges and dense stands of pines, it’s a quiet but remarkable destination for trout anglers.
Though it doesn’t carry the name recognition of California’s larger and higher-profile lakes, Wishon has long held a loyal following among
those who appreciate its blend of scenic beauty and productive fishing.
With a rich history tied to the Kings River hydroelectric project, a deep and cold basin that sustains healthy trout populations, and an intimate alpine setting that feels worlds away from the valley floor below, Wishon stands out as one of the Sierra’s true hidden gems.
HISTORY AND CHARACTER
Wishon Reservoir sits at an elevation of about 6,500 feet in the western
Sierra Nevada, just east of Shaver Lake and south of the Kaiser Wilderness (it’s roughly a two-hour drive from Fresno). Completed in 1958 as part of Southern California Edison’s Big Creek hydroelectric project, the lake was created by the construction of Wishon Dam, which impounds the North Fork of the Kings River. At full pool, Wishon covers roughly 1,000 surface acres and drops to a maximum depth of about 250 feet.
The reservoir was designed
Though not as well known as other Sierra fisheries, don’t underestimate Wishon Reservoir, a high-elevation gem about two hours from Fresno. (CAL KELLOGG)
FISHING
primarily for hydroelectric storage, but it quickly established itself as a productive coldwater fishery. The deep, clear water provides ideal habitat for trout, and the surrounding forest makes for a setting that feels wild and remote, even though it is easily accessible by road from Shaver Lake.
RAINBOWS, THEN BROWNS AND KOKANEE
The backbone of the fishery at Wishon Reservoir is its population of rainbow trout. These fish are planted regularly by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and grow quickly in the fertile waters.
Rainbows averaging 12 to 16 inches are common, but larger fish pushing 20 inches are always possible.
Brown trout also thrive in Wishon. Though less abundant than rainbows, the browns grow larger,
with fish in the 5- to 10-pound range showing up for patient anglers willing to put in the time.
Kokanee salmon have also been planted in past years, and a self-sustaining population exists at low levels, providing bonus catches for anglers trolling deeper water in summer.
In addition to trout, anglers occasionally encounter brook trout near the inlet streams and smaller tributaries, a reminder of the lake’s alpine setting and character.
FISHING THE DEPTHS
For boaters, Wishon offers plenty of opportunities. The lake’s small size allows anglers to cover water efficiently and – depending on the season – the depth structure provides fish with multiple holding zones.
In spring and fall, when water
temperatures are cool, trout cruise the upper layers of the reservoir and often feed near shore. Trolling is highly effective during these times.
Small spoons and spinners like Kastmasters, Needlefish or Thomas Buoyants that imitate pond smelt and minnows will draw strikes when trolled 1.5 to 2.5 miles per hour.
Flatlining lures behind the boat is often all that’s needed early and late in the season, but downriggers become important during the warm months when trout move deeper. During the summer, trout often hold between 30 and 60 feet deep. This is when downriggers, divers and leadcore lines become indispensable.
Kokanee are most commonly caught 40 to 70 feet deep, and small hoochies tipped with white shoepeg corn and trolled behind dodgers are the standard rig. Rainbows will also
Wishon’s boat ramp includes a floating dock and can accommodate even large aluminum trout and salmon sleds. (CAL KELLOGG)
FISHING
take these offerings, as they will small spoons and snelled spinners tipped with worms, corn or both.
For those targeting big browns, fall is prime time. Trolling fast with large stickbaits or plugs along rocky points and dropoffs is a proven way to connect with trophy fish.
When browns grow large they primarily feed on small trout and kokanee, so lures that mimic these forage items give trophy anglers an edge.
BANK FISHING TIPS
While boats give anglers more range, shore fishing at Wishon is far from a second-rate option. The reservoir’s size and shape mean much of the shoreline is accessible and productive.
In spring and early summer, trout move close to shore, and bank anglers score with PowerBait, salmon eggs or inflated nightcrawlers fished off the bottom with sliding-sinker rigs. Casting spoons and spinners is also effective, especially during the lowlight hours of dawn and dusk.
Hamilton Cove, the dam area and the inlets are popular bank spots.
Fly fishing is also viable, particularly in the evenings when
trout rise to caddis and mayflies along the coves and bays.
And anglers stripping streamers or leech patterns from float tubes near the shoreline also often hook into the rainbows and browns that cruise these shallows.
WHEN TO GO
The fishing season at Wishon Reservoir typically runs from late spring through fall. Because of its elevation, snow can block access to the reservoir into late May during heavy snow years, but fishing starts quickly once the road opens.
Spring offers some of the year’s fastest action, as trout hungry from winter feed actively in the shallows. Fall, however, is considered the prime window for big fish. As the water cools, rainbows and browns move back toward the surface, and anglers have their best chance of tangling with trophies.
Summer can still be productive, but fish are deeper and require specialized trolling gear. That said, the warm weather makes it a popular season for camping and family trips, and there is always the chance of connecting with kokanee or rainbows willing to chase a lure in the depths.
WHERE TO STAY, OTHER AMENITIES
One of the charms of Wishon is its rustic setting. Wishon Village, located near the reservoir, serves as the primary hub for visitors. The resort offers a well-equipped marina with boat rentals, fuel and a launch ramp. It also has a general store stocked with tackle and provisions, and a small café for meals.
For those planning longer stays, Wishon Village provides RV sites and tent camping facilities, including restrooms and showers.
Nearby, the Sierra National Forest offers additional campgrounds for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Those not interested in camping can find lodging options down the hill at Shaver Lake, which has cabins, motels and more developed services. From there, it’s a short drive up to the reservoir.
A CLASSIC SIERRA EXPERIENCE
What makes Wishon Reservoir special is the blend of fishing, scenery and atmosphere. The lake is large enough to offer variety, yet small enough to feel intimate. On any given day, an angler might catch a quick limit of rainbows, hook
Tipping lures with corn or bits of nightcrawler is a favorite approach when targeting kokanee or rainbow trout at the reservoir. (CAL KELLOGG)
into a deep-running kokanee and then spend the evening casting for browns under the alpenglow. The granite cliffs, forested shoreline and cool mountain breezes add to the sense of adventure.
For anglers in Central California
and beyond, Wishon is an easily accessible escape into the high country. Whether you prefer trolling from a boat, casting from shore or simply sitting by a campfire after a day on the water, Wishon delivers.
So if your idea of a perfect fishing
trip involves hungry rainbows, the chance at a trophy brown and the backdrop of the Sierra at its best, point your truck toward the Kings River drainage. Wishon Reservoir is waiting, and its waters are alive with opportunity. CS
Pan-sized rainbows are abundant at Wishon. This frisky trout grabbed a threaded nightcrawler trolled 25 feet deep. (CAL KELLOGG)
Early and late in the year Wishon’s big brown trout provide sport for trophy trout enthusiasts. (CAL KELLOGG)
This rainbow smashed an Uncle Larry’s Spinner tipped with pieces of corn and nightcrawler. “If your idea of a perfect fishing trip involves hungry rainbows,” Kellogg writes, “Wishon Reservoir is waiting, and its waters are alive with opportunity.” (CAL KELLOGG)
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It’s far away in Plumas County and it’s a big body of water, but Lake Almanor offers some epic fall trout and bass fishing. Visiting anglers are encouraged to release the browns they land. If you want a fish or two for the table, make them rainbows. (CAL KELLOGG)
HIT ALMANOR FOR AUTUMN EXTRAVAGANZA
NORTHEAST SIERRA FISHERY SHOULD BE PRIME FOR TROUT, SMALLIES
By Cal Kellogg
Tucked away in the northeastern Sierra Nevada, just outside the small town of Chester, Lake Almanor is one of California’s most celebrated and yet, in many ways, underappreciated fishing destinations.
It’s a lake that rewards persistence, patience and knowledge, but when the stars align, it delivers unforgettable angling experiences.
In the fall, when the days shorten, the air grows crisp and the water begins to cool, Almanor comes alive in a way that few other lakes can match. Trophy rainbows, broad-shouldered brown trout and hard-fighting smallmouth bass all feed heavily, taking advantage of abundant forage before winter arrives.
For anglers with boats, it is nothing short of paradise, and even those casting from shore find themselves in the thick of some of the year’s best action.
WHERE GIANTS GROW
At over 28,000 surface acres with more than 50 miles of shoreline, Almanor is not a small or simple place to fish.
Built in 1914 when the Great Western Power Company dammed the North Fork of the Feather River, the reservoir was originally designed to generate hydroelectric
power. Over the decades, however, it evolved into one of California’s premier coldwater fisheries.
At 4,500 feet in elevation, Almanor is subject to dramatic seasonal changes. In the dog days of summer, trout retreat into deep water and relate to a well-defined thermocline, but in the fall, surface temperatures cool into the high 50s and low 60s, breaking down stratification and drawing fish back into shallower, more accessible waters.
The lake’s fertility is another reason for its reputation. A broad food web sustains predators here. Japanese pond smelt form vast schools in open water, sculpins and minnows occupy rocky shoals and flats and crayfish are abundant along the bottom.
Insect life is prolific as well, with hatches that keep trout looking upward. All of this means that Almanor can and does produce double-digit browns, rainbows pushing 8 pounds and smallmouth of a size that would make any bass angler envious.
CHOMPING RAINBOWS
Rainbow trout are often the first species to come to mind when anglers think of fall at Almanor. These are not cookie-cutter stockers, but rather wild, powerful fish that are shaped by the lake’s cold, fertile waters. They average between 2 and 5 pounds,
but larger specimens approaching double digits are far from rare. Fall is when these rainbows truly shine, as they roam the lake in search of smelt and insects.
My personal-best wild rainbow came on an October day a few years ago. The fish was nearly 8 pounds and I’ll be on the hunt for a doubledigit Almanor rainbow this fall.
Boat anglers have an advantage at Almanor, as they can cover water and locate roaming schools of trout. Trolling is the method of choice, and in the fall it becomes particularly effective.
Anglers work the east shore near Hamilton Branch, the rocky west shore coves or the water off the lake’s peninsula, where they pull spoons and small plugs that flash and dart like smelt.
Autumn rainbows are active and aggressive as they chase down fastmoving baits. Spoons like Speedy Shiners or Trigger Spoons in silver or gold hues, or even in trout patterns, are consistently effective, especially when trolled a little faster than one
might pull lures in summer.
Fall rainbows will smash a lure pulled at speeds over 3 miles per hour, and the strikes are often violent, with the fish leaping and cartwheeling across the surface.
Fly trolling is another productive approach. Woolly Buggers, leech patterns and flashy streamers mimic both baitfish and insects.
The beauty of autumn at Almanor is that the fish are scattered but hungry, and trolling a fly behind leadcore or a sink-tip line keeps your offering in the strike zone for extended periods.
Those without a boat need not be discouraged. Bank anglers can find excellent rainbow trout fishing in the fall, particularly near Hamilton Branch, where the cooler inflow attracts fish. Casting Kastmasters or spinners from the bank produces action, and a simple inflated nightcrawler drifted off the bottom can be deadly.
Fly anglers standing knee-deep in the shallows can also tempt
This Almanor rainbow was caught on a Trout Trix Minnow during an October fishing adventure. (CAL KELLOGG)
FISHING
cruising fish with nymphs or midges suspended under an indicator during calm mornings and evenings.
CHASING ALMANOR BROWNIES
While rainbows provide plenty of
action, it is the brown trout that give Almanor its legendary status. Known for their wariness and brute strength, these predators grow fat on smelt, crayfish and even juvenile trout.
Each fall, big browns move into
shallower water to hunt, giving anglers their best shot of the year at fish well into the teens, and occasionally beyond 20 pounds.
Boaters seeking browns focus on power trolling large minnow plugs that mimic the prey these fish love to ambush. Rapalas, AC Plugs and other stickbaits fished just off the bottom along rocky points, ledges and dropoffs can entice heartstopping strikes.
The pace of action here is slower than with rainbows, with most anglers working their lures along contours where browns lurk hour after hour, hoping to draw a handful of strikes from trophy-caliber fish.
Bank anglers also get their shot at big browns, and casting large swimbaits, stickbaits or heavy spoons into rocky structure at dawn or dusk can put a trophy within reach. Browns are ambush predators, and a well-placed cast near a submerged boulder or point can produce a strike that will test any angler’s nerves.
Minnow plugs in a variety of sizes are a great choice for both trout and bass at Lake Almanor during the fall. (CAL KELLOGG)
Almanor offers outstanding smallmouth fishing that is often overlooked by trout enthusiasts. Author Cal Kellogg shows off a nice version of the lake’s bronzebacks. (CAL KELLOGG)
FISHING
SMALLIE SURPRISES
Though often overshadowed by the trout fishery, Lake Almanor is home to one of California’s most prolific smallmouth bass populations. These hard-fighting fish thrive in the lake’s rocky habitat, feeding heavily on crawdads and baitfish.
For many seasoned anglers, Almanor’s smallmouth are a wellkept secret, but in the fall, when the water cools, bass feed aggressively, making it one of the best times of year to target them.
From a boat, anglers search out rocky shoals, points and submerged
boulder fields. Smallmouth often school up; where there’s one on this structure, there are usually more.
Methods vary, but the most consistent involves presenting lures that mimic crawdads or baitfish. Bass will take plastics dragged along the bottom, small crankbaits worked across rocky flats or even spinnerbaits churned through the shallows on windy afternoons.
The average smallmouth weighs 2 to 4 pounds, but 6-pounders are common enough to keep anglers dreaming of records.
Shore anglers, too, can enjoy
excellent bass fishing in the fall. Rocky shoreline stretches around Geritol Cove, the west shore and near the dam are prime spots. Casting small jigs, tubes or crankbaits during low-light hours can result in explosive strikes. With the fish moving shallow and feeding heavily, this is as good a time as any to experience the fight of a bronzeback on light tackle.
FALL: SPECIAL TIME AT ALMANOR
What makes fall so unique at Lake Almanor is the convergence of conditions. Water temperatures
FISHING
drop into the ideal range, forage concentrates and fish of all species feed with urgency.
Rainbows roam widely and take advantage of insect hatches and smelt schools. Browns slide into the shallows to ambush prey, often under the cover of darkness. Smallmouth prowl rocky shoals and gorge on crawdads and minnows. For anglers, this means opportunity at every turn.
Boat fishing reigns supreme, offering the mobility needed to follow smelt schools or work long stretches of shoreline. But shore anglers are far from excluded,
especially at inflows and rocky points where predators push baitfish close to land.
The variety is part of Almanor’s appeal; you can troll spoons for rainbows in the morning, chase browns at dusk and still spend a few hours in between pulling bronzebacks off rocky structure.
GETTING THERE, GETTING STARTED
Access is straightforward, with multiple public ramps around the lake, including facilities at Canyon Dam, Prattville and the North Shore Campground.
The town of Chester provides everything an angler could need – from lodging and restaurants to fuel and tackle shops. Campgrounds and RV parks line the lake for those wanting to stay closer to the action.
One note of caution: Lake Almanor is big water and fall winds can whip up quickly. Mornings are generally calmer and more productive for fishing, but boaters should always be prepared for changing conditions.
FISHING ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER
Fall fishing at Lake Almanor is something every serious angler
This is a big lake that covers around 28,000 acres, but both boat and bank anglers can score fish in the fall as the water temperature drops. (CAL KELLOGG)
FISHING
DISCOVER
SKellogg bagged this massive rainbow while pulling a smelt-imitating trolling fly on an October morning. “Fall fishing at Lake Almanor is something every serious angler should experience,” he writes. (CAL KELLOGG)
should experience. The lake’s history, size and fertility make it one of the most unique waters in California, and autumn offers the best opportunity to encounter its finest fish.
Rainbows leap and run, browns strike with savage power and smallmouth bulldog across rocky flats. Add in the beauty of fall colors and crisp mountain air, and it becomes more than just a fishing trip; it’s an experience that lingers.
So pack your tackle, prep your boat and head for Chester and Plumas County this fall. Because if you’re serious about big trout – and maybe a few bronzebacks along the way – you seriously need to visit Lake Almanor. CS
Editor’s note: Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California outdoors writer. Subscribe to his YouTube channel Fish Hunt Shoot Productions at youtube.com/user/ KelloggOutdoors.
LAKE LODGE & RESORT
ince 1903, Odell Lake Lodge & Resort has been a cornerstone of Oregon’s outdoor adventure. Nestled in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, this historic lodge blends rustic charm with modern comforts, offering the perfect getaway for families, couples, and adventurers alike.
With 14 cozy cabins and a full-service restaurant, guests can relax in comfort after a day of excitement. In the summer, the sparkling waters of Odell Lake invite you to cast a line on a guided fishing outing, explore hiking trails, or camp beneath the stars. When winter arrives, the lodge transforms into a winter wonderland, with cozy fireside evenings, breathtaking alpine scenery and world-class snow-
mobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
This winter, Odell Lake Lodge & Resort is thrilled to announce a brand-new addition: a year-round sauna, designed for deep relaxation and paired perfectly with invigorating winter plunges in the pristine lake. It’s the ultimate way to rejuvenate after a day of adventure.
Whether you seek adrenaline, tranquility, or a bit of both, Odell Lake Lodge & Resort delivers an unforgettable experience—season after season. A terrific location for retreats, team building, weddings and family reunions.
Come see why they’ve been Oregon’s premier year-round destination for over a century. Your mountain escape awaits!
Visit Oregon’s Year-Round Escape in the Cascade Mountains!
An excellent venue for retreats, team-building activities, weddings, and family reunions, Odell Lake Lodge & Resort offers cozy cabins, delicious food, boat and slip rentals, and endless adventure. It’s the perfect place to gather, connect, and create lasting memories in a stunning natural setting. Enjoy fishing, hiking, and camping in the summer, or snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fireside relaxation in the winter.
Experience over a century of mountain magic—any season, every reason.
A CENTRAL VALLEY BASS ANGLER SHARES HIS PASSION FOR SMALL FISHERIES
By Mark Fong
Like many anglers, pond fishing is where I developed my passion for fishing.
I can still remember catching my first fish, a bluegill, at a small pond in the Sacramento area. As a youngster, anytime I visited Sacramento, I would ask my dad or my uncle if they could take me to the pond.
Over time, as my fishing skills grew, I began to tire of catching panfish, so the next challenge was, of course, to try my hand at targeting bass.
It took awhile, but I was definitely hooked once I finally caught my first pond bass. Today I spend most of my time chasing these fish from the front end of a bass boat, but I still relish the opportunity to spend a few hours here and there pond hoppin’.
THE BASICS
Ponds come in all shapes, forms and sizes. From farm ponds to your local park’s small lake, or maybe a pothole on a neighbor’s property, these seemingly nondescript bodies of water can harbor good populations
of fish. Many are untapped gems, and if you happen to find one, they can produce some epic bassin’.
I am grateful to know a few people with ponds who, over the years, have allowed me to fish their property. Just remember to obey your local fish and game regulations, practice safety and respect private property.
Depending on the body of water, there are many possible options to access it. First and foremost is to walk the bank. In addition, heading out in a float tube, kayak or even a small
Ian Rigler shows off a fat largemouth he caught not off of a fancy bass boat on one of Northern California’s premier mega lakes, but at a modest local pond. If you can access similar small public or private bodies of water, you too can enjoy a fun, productive outing. (MARK FONG)
FISHING
pram may also be a viable choice. Historically, I have spent a lot of time fishing from a float tube, but more recently I have come to enjoy the freedom of simply hiking the bank.
WHEN TO FISH
Pond bass can be caught year-round, but I have had most of my success during the warmer months, as the bass are active and more willing to bite. Winter rains can produce runoff that muddies up the water, and there are not many worse conditions for fishing than cold, murky water.
Spring is a great time to fish. The fish move shallow for the spawn and they can be easy to catch. But my favorite time of year to target pond bass is during the late summer and into the fall.
Most ponds are shallow and contain some form of aquatic vegetation. During the heat of the summer they can become choked with weed growth, scummed over with algae and difficult to fish. But as the heat of the summer begins
to give way to cooler mornings and shorter days, the water temperature starts to drop, the vegetation thins out and the bass go on a fall feeding binge in preparation for the upcoming winter.
GEAR UP FOR SUCCESS
One of the beautiful things about pond hopping is its simplicity. You don’t need a flashy boat and load of tournament gear to catch fish. All you need are a few rods, a small amount of terminal tackle and a handful of baits.
While there are a variety of lures that will help you catch pond bass, I keep just three types of baits in my arsenal at all times.
By far my favorite way to catch fish in ponds is with a topwater frog. I’ll drag it over matted surface vegetation and fish it around any type of cover. One especially productive method is to work the openings in the grass with a walkthe-dog-style cadence, which allows the frog to shift from side to side while only moving forward slightly.
Froggin’ is not for the faint of heart; strikes on a frog can be jarring. A quick tip: Don’t immediately set the hook on the sight of a blowup; give the fish a moment until you feel pressure, then set the hook hard.
Frog fishing requires stout gear – a 7-foot, heavy or medium-heavy fast-action casting rod with a light tip to properly work the frog. Pairing the rod with a 7:1-ratio casting reel
Fishing a frogging setup “is not for the faint of heart; strikes on a frog can be jarring,” writes author Mark Fong, who feels nostalgia for his childhood when today he casts from either the shore or a float tube on small ponds around Northern California. (MARK FONG)
Soft plastic stickbaits, frog imitations and shallow-running crankbaits all work well for pond fishing. (MARK FONG)
FISHING
Rigler and Fong have had many great bassing days on small fisheries, at both public ponds and after getting permission to fish private bodies of water. “I still relish the opportunity to spend a few hours here and there pond
spooled with a 50-pound braided line will get the job done.
Perhaps the most productive pond bait I have fished with is a soft plastic stickbait. It is so versatile, and I like to rig it weightless with a wacky-style hook. This bait will get bites from even the most finicky bass. Anytime the bite is difficult, this is my go-to offering. I like to fish it along weed edges and around cover such as tules or brush.
As it falls in the water column, the stickbait has an enticing shimmying action that triggers bites. Expect to get bit on the drop. The same rod and reel used for froggin’ will work well with a soft plastic stickbait.
Another important lure to have in your tackle box is a shallowrunning crankbait. As the water cools and the vegetation dies off, this will create more fishable open water, and this is where a hard bait
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shines. I like to crank one around the edges of the weedline, any rock that is present and near any structure in open water.
A crankbait is a great lure for covering water, and when the fish get on the fall feed, not many lure choices are better. Similar to fishing a frog, when a bass strikes your crankbait, wait until you feel pressure or the weight of the fish before setting the hook. There is no need to set the hook hard; simply reel quickly and sweep the rod.
The setup for fishing a crankbait is somewhat different, however. A 7-foot, medium- to moderate-action casting rod matched to a 6:1-ratio casting reel spooled with 30-pound braid is a good combination.
Whether you are looking to catch your first fish, or you are like me and just want to sneak away for a few casts, pond bassing is a great opportunity to do so. CS
hoppin’ for bass,” the latter writes. (MARK FONG)
“That tradition evolved into a family affair,” author Tim Hovey writes about dove hunting, as his now young-adult daughters Jessica and Alyssa (this page) and wife Cheryl (right) have joined him on summer and fall hunts for these migratory birds. (TIM E. HOVEY)
FINDING MY BIRDS OF A FEATHER
LONGTIME DOVE HUNTER RECRUITS FAMILY AND FRIENDS INTO ANNUAL TRADITION
By Tim E. Hovey
As we ease into another dove season, I find myself thinking of past hunts and the special times I’ve had over the years. Closing in on my 40th season chasing these birds, I find it hard to believe that I’ve been at this so long.
Even after all this time, I get that same old feeling towards the middle of August leading into the September 1 early-season opener. To this day, I still can’t wait for that early-morning sunrise and for the birds to start flying.
This season, I reflected on how my hunts have changed over the years. In my late teens, I’d head out solo, thinking that no one else was really interested in shooting doves so early in the morning. Finding a relatively good spot, I remember hunting that same area during my second year and seeing other hunters out enjoying the shoot as well. It was the first time I realized that I wasn’t alone in my dove hunting interest.
As I became more serious about hunting, I started acquiring lifelong friends who enjoyed hunting the opener as well. For a decade, my good friends Jose De Orta and Rito Escamilla and I would head to Central California the night before the opener and hit the sunflower fields and almond orchards early the next morning. It was a tradition we created that I seriously looked forward to every season.
During those early hunts we’d hunt hard the entire day, scratching out our 10-bird limit (the California limit is now 15 birds per hunter, per day). I know one thing for sure: The three
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of us got lots of practice and became better shots as the seasons unfolded.
A FAMILY THAT HUNTS BIRDS TOGETHER …
That tradition evolved into a family affair as we began bringing our kids along to hunt with us. My daughters, Alyssa and Jessica, along with their contemporaries, Adrian De Orta and Andrew Escamilla, grew up together hunting mourning doves in those same fields near Bakersfield. Those annual trips helped our kids develop strong friendships that last to this
day. Above all the successes of the hunt, I’m most grateful for that.
Just like most hunters, we’d hunt the California opener, maybe squeeze in one or two more dove hunts during that first two-week season, then patiently wait for other seasons to open. That pattern persisted until I realized that I had created a hunting monster. Alyssa, my oldest, wasn’t content with chasing doves only twice during the opening season. Intrigued by wingshooting, she wanted to
first of two dove
on
squeeze every available hunt out of the first two weeks of September. Taking time off from school and work, we’d hunt for a couple days beyond the opener and any open weekends during that time. She’d also make sure we made plans for California’s second mourning dove season, which runs from the first week in November until the third week in December. That became our tradition.
Our extended hunting clan was tight in those early years, but they
As California’s
hunting seasons gets started
September 1, former Southern California resident Hovey (far left) hasn’t forgotten those days when he hunted with good friends Rito Escamilla (center) and Jose De Orta. (TIM E. HOVEY)
say that the one constant in life is change. Our kids got older, and the responsibilities of life began to guide their directions. Jobs and college cut time short for our kids and as some traditions do, ours began to fade. Priorities changed and we all had less time for those dove hunting traditions.
Honestly, I’d give anything for just one more opening morning with the gang.
NEW HOME, NEW DOVE PARTNER
As if to completely shut the door on those sunflower mornings, in 2020, after I retired I relocated my whole family to Idaho, where both my daughters would attend Boise State University. In a new state, I would have to find new dove hunting
areas, and sadly, just like when I first started, I would have to do it all alone. Or so I thought.
In the entire time I’ve been married to my wife, Cheryl, she had never shown an interest in hunting. She always referred to it as “my thing,” and that was that. She loved to hear about my trips, but when I asked if she’d like to tag along, she’d always decline. That all changed during a chance bowfishing trip here in Idaho. Slinging arrows at fish in the shallows flipped the hunting switch for her, and after that, if I went out hunting, she insisted on coming out too.
In 2021, she participated in her first mourning dove opener, and she was hooked. Idaho has a longer season for dove, and she
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sharpened her wingshooting skills as we explored the agricultural fields looking for birds. She would occasionally mention that she wished she had gotten into hunting sooner and gone out with us during those early days. I tell her that starting late in life is the way it was meant to be.
For the next few years, Cheryl and I hunted everything together. It was amazing to be out with my best friend and enjoying the pursuit of game birds. My daughters, now adults, had less time to hunt. Jessica decided early on that hunting was not for her. Alyssa gets out with me when time permits, but honestly, I’m lucky if it’s once or twice a year. Understanding the pull of adulthood, I was completely content to be hunting with Cheryl, and I became
“When I think back on those early hunts, I remember amazing times with very good friends, and later with beloved family members,” Hovey writes. “I feel fortunate that my good hunting buddies had kids the same age as my girls, and we got to show them this activity together.” (TIM E. HOVEY)
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Riley Richards (left) and Drew Kaminski, the significant others of Jessica and Alyssa, respectively, have joined in the Hovey family’s dove hunting fun. “With Riley and Drew, I feel like I can show the next generation of hunters why this activity is so important to me,” the author concludes. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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rejuvenated with hunting again.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE BIRD GANG
In 2025, Alyssa, my oldest daughter, got engaged to her longtime boyfriend Drew. During a recent dinner, we were visiting in my office, the walls of which are decorated with hunting photos and framed magazine covers.
I knew Drew shot guns, but I didn’t know he wanted to start hunting. His next statement put me on a path to the next chapter of my dove hunting journey. “So, Tim, can you take me hunting some time?” I remember smiling when he asked me that.
Earlier this year, my youngest daughter Jessica began dating a young man named Riley. Looking to become a paramedic, Riley fits right in with
our family. During his first visit to our home, Jessica showed him the hunting shrine that is my office. A few visits later, he too began asking questions about hunting. It looks like the Hovey hunting clan is getting bigger!
Just like I’ve done with anyone who wants to start hunting, I had both Drew and Riley take their hunter’s safety course and get their hunting licenses. To me, this step demonstrates commitment and shows that they are serious about joining the hunter’s fold. I don’t push it. I simply ask them once to go through those steps.
During the 2025 opener, myself, Riley and Drew hunted the edge of a wheat field for mourning doves and Eurasian doves, which would be the guys’ very first hunt. Even though I brought a shotgun, it stayed in the truck, as I pointed out incoming birds for them and gave pointers on shots. Sitting there watching them search the sky for birds, I realized that I had come full circle in the dove hunting game. Like I try to do each season, I had offered up the hunting experience to new hunters. Honestly, it is the only way our hunting legacy can be passed onto the next generation.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
When I think back on those early hunts, I remember amazing times with very good friends, and later with beloved family members. I feel fortunate that my good hunting buddies had kids the same age as my girls, and we got to show them this activity together. Moving on in life, I fully understand that priorities change and not everyone has the time or interest to hunt like we all used to.
However, now with Riley and Drew, I feel like I can show the next generation of hunters why this activity is so important to me. That’s something I take very seriously. And as this season unfolds, I fully realize that those early sunrises over the sunflower fields and the birds have led me here. CS
Longtime Central Coast guide William “Will” Murray took on one of his biggest challenges when he led four hunters in search of deer during a major September temperature swing. (DAN RYAN/BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT)
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him out of the volunteer business. It was 3 in the morning when I headed down to the corrals to get five horses ready before 5 a.m. It was here that the unexpected cold sent me back to my room for flannel-lined jeans and my Carhartt rancher’s coat.
The weather had changed dramatically; the cold that morning was penetrating, and after saddling five already tired caballos, I headed once again to my room for long underwear and extra socks and gloves. I had also noticed a strange stillness in the air, almost foreboding.
Shaking it off, I met my clients at 5,
and after a safety talk and license check, I paired up each man on the horse that matched him best. They seemed like good people and were just as surprised as I was at the sudden weather change. It was cold and we could see each other’s breath.
The air was deadly still as we crossed Highway 1 and headed up the mountain. Halfway up we stopped at a little spring where I normally watered the horses from my well-used Stetson, but not this morning. As I approached my horse Smokin Dusty with that hat full of water, he turned away from it.
My horses hadn’t come close to
sweating, and now as I dumped the water from my hat, I felt the beginning of a slight breeze and the trees around that spring began to ripple with a whispering wind, which made the cold much worse.
My hunters all had jackets and hats, but none of us were prepared for what took place next. By the time we hit the top of the first ridge that overlooked the Pacific Ocean, that slight leaf-rustling breeze had become a gale. At 9 that morning, the foreboding in the air had turned into winds that were whipping from 30 to 40 miles per hour. It was no longer cold. No, it was freezing. My saddle bags were full of extra pairs of socks and jersey gloves, and I was able to rustle up a pair of gloves or socks for everyone but myself. Every half hour or so, all day long, I’d stop, dismount my horse and stick my frozen hands between his buns, saving my hands from freezing but freezing his sitter!
WE RESTED THE HORSES in a little coulee up on top and I made sure that the guys were up for a cold-as-hell hunt, but one that might bring success. If you’ve ever hunted deer, you know that a severe weather change can bring on the rut. When deer decide it’s time to mate, well, they are just like you and me, completely foolish with no common sense!
My hunters, whose ages ranged from 25 (never hunted before) to 55 (and highly experienced), all elected to keep hunting. They had booked two long days of what was now torture, and I was determined to help them find either four big bucks or the way back to the trailhead. Before we moved on, I admonished them to listen to me when it came time to shoot. I didn’t want any more missed shots and disappointed faces.
At the back side of our almost windfree coulee, there was a spring and
The horses that carried the author and his four clients had a workout of their own on this adventure. (WILLIAM MURRAY)
“My hunters all had jackets and hats, but none of us were prepared for what took place next,” Murray writes. “By the time we hit the top of the first ridge that overlooked the Pacific Ocean, that slight leaf-rustling breeze had become a gale.” (WILLIAM MURRAY)
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water trough. It was here that this day really turned Western and stayed that way. We all lined up on one side of the trough and stayed on our horses as they now took long, cool drinks of that life-sustaining water. I just happened to look up from that very trough when two bucks, one a large fork on both sides, and the other a small fork on one side with a spike on the other, walked right over the ridge and stood there as if waiting for their turn to drink. They were 30 yards away and staring at our horses when I whispered to my older gentleman to slip out of the saddle real slow – the same way that porcupines mate – pull his rifle out of the saddle scabbard and shoot the bigger of our first big break in weeks. Normally, I never have hunters mounted for shooting, but having guided on public land my whole life, I knew that it was quick or never.
THOSE BUCKS NEVER MOVED and neither did my horses when his Remington .3006 roared to life. The big fork dropped in his tracks never knowing what had hit him. The younger of the two just walked off almost as if nothing important had happened. As we all know, love will do that to you! The rut had come alive overnight and the freezing-everything-that-you-caredabout wind had finished the deal.
My caballos had all packed downed game before, but they sure didn’t appreciate the smell coming off that deer. We stopped just long enough to dress and hang the forked horn in
a tree when, as I stood up from the carcass, another, better buck came around a tree, took one look at the goings on and lazily walked right back where he’d come from.
I grabbed one of my hunters who was hunting with open sights and had him follow me. I knew the area, and after a little running and gasping for air I sat my guy down behind a boulder and told him to catch his breath. He barely had time for this when that good buck walked right by the other side of that rock. At 20 yards his little open-sighted .243 did a great job with, once again, an instant kill. I quickly dressed this deer, and we dragged him back to that little windless coulee, which would have to serve as a freezer for our two deer.
I NOW HAD TWO clients chomping at the bit! I high-lined two of the horses at the trough and took the other three with us. We rode south down the ridgeline until noon, when none of us could stand the cold any longer.
I decided to hunt a steep but windfree canyon just west of us on foot. The guys flipped a coin, and the youngster went with me while the other man watched over the horses. Down we went, slipping and sliding on some of that treacherous coastal shale. Once we hit the bottom we began to hunt up and into the head of this small and rugged canyon that was all jack pine, buckbrush and poison oak.
I was in the lead, and as I peeked around the trunk of a large oak tree, I
saw a huge buck – while probably no more than a four-by-four, his antlers were huge, and so was he! I turned and whispered to my youngster that he needed to bend around that tree trunk with his rifle out in front of him and shoot that big boy standing broadside about 50 yards away. He did just what I asked him to do, bent himself around that gnarly oak trunk, and as I watched him steady up, that .284 mountain rifle barked and liked to deafen me there in that little canyon.
He looked me in the eye and said that he was down. While he waited, I made my way downhill and into the rocky, snake-filled dry streambed where that big boy had been standing. I couldn’t find him anywhere. All I could find was a nice little buck with small forks on either side.
It seems that the big guy had moved up and the youngster had taken his place. It didn’t matter; my young hunter was delighted and I spent half an hour teaching him to gut and ready his buck for the back of my horse.
I left him there with his first deer and hiked up to the horses so that we could put his little, soon-to-be-deersteaks buck on the back of my horse, Dusty. We all headed back to our little haven from the wind there in that coulee, where I now had three deer hanging and cooling out, with one man to go.
ONE OF THE HUNTERS was anxious to get back to the trailhead, and it took a short and firm conversation to
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convince him to wait until I’d made an effort to find a deer for my last untagged hunter. This gentleman had hunted with me before and really deserved some good luck.
Off we went, and we rode the last two horses with any energy left. We hadn’t gone half a mile when I smelled something rotten in the wind. I knew from past experience that there was a bachelor deer upwind and heavy in the rut, so we turned our horses into that frozen air to have a look.
A quarter-mile down a windy and rocky draw I spied just what we were looking for: a monster of a buck with heavy horns sticking every which way. He was in love. Paying no attention to us, he had two does with him and was obviously having a hard time making up his mind. In fact, from what I could see, he was busy with both!
I quickly found my hunter a rock and steady rest, and then I instructed him to shoot at the bottom of the buck’s chest. It was a severe downhill shot, and I didn’t want him to overshoot a lifetime trophy. But that is exactly what he proceeded to do, missing that lumber-carrying buck five times in a row. That brute of a deer just calmly used his horns to gather up his two girlfriends and head south! He was gone.
I now did something that in all the years of my outfitting I tried not
to do; I chewed out my client for not listening to me.
We hiked back to the horses without conversation, then mounted and rode to the top of a bare and rocky little canyon, where as luck would have it, there was a fine buck standing on top of a boulder at an easy 100 yards but with a severe downhill slant.
I admonished him to take the crosshairs off the deer and focus them just below his chest. I really liked this guy: however, he now began to shoot and miss to the point where I had to go to his horse, an old guy named Painter, for more ammunition. Now, this old horse had seen plenty in his day, but he was smart and didn’t want to let me get my hand into that saddlebag and grab more rifle shells.
He’d had enough of the thunder that was coming out of the end of that rifle barrel. By sheer luck, as my before always-steadfast horse trotted backwards, I was able to get one shell into my hand. By the time I returned to my hunter, that buck was about 250 yards away and quartering uphill to the right and swiftly gaining don’tshoot-anymore speed.
I told my hunter to shoot at him just like he was shooting dove and to lead him by 2 feet and 2 feet over his head. He stared at me for just a moment as if I was crazy, but after slipping that
130-grain shell into that should-bedeer-harvesting Winchester .270, and taking his time, he squeezed that trigger back until the firing pin hit that primer. At what measured out to be 325 yards, he hit that deer with a merciful head shot.
We both stood there just staring in disbelief when he shared with me that he’d done exactly what I’d asked him to do. We spent a little time there on the frozen knoll that overlooked the ocean getting his deer ready and onto the back of my horse. I would be walking once again.
OUR MOOD WAS LIGHT when we arrived back at our little windless oasis and loaded up all four deer. It was a long way to the trailhead, but somehow we were no longer cold and miserable. It had been a very eventful day on public land!
My clients knew that luck and the ongoing deer lovefest had helped them. After some hearty goodbyes, my hunters got on the road while I slipped down to the corrals and gave my champions extra hay and grain.
It was an extraordinary day! CS
Editor’s note: To order author William Murray’s book, Worn Out Saddles and Boot Leather, visit mcfarlandbooks.com/product/ Worn-Out-Saddles-and-Boot-Leather.
In the end, all four of the author’s hunters were able to fill their deer tags. (WILLIAM MURRAY)
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Author Scott Haugen has been hunting elk for over 45 years. The more time he spends studying wallows, the more he learns about elk behavior. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
HUNTING ... TO FIRE
With California reinstating an inland salmon
SHALLOTS MAKE SALMON SING WITH FLAVOR
By Tiffany Haugen
There’s a lot happening in September, including salmon fishing up and down the Pacific Coast. Whether it’s a one-day fishing trip out the back door, hitting the ocean for a weekend or maybe heading to Alaska for several days, there’s no arguing the flavor both fall Chinook and coho salmon have to offer.
Wherever you go, be sure to bleed the salmon by popping a gill rake as soon as it’s landed. Then hang it in the shade or place in a cooler so the meat can quickly cool. Bleeding a fish and keeping it cool will result in a bettertasting end product. It’s often the mishandling of salmon that leads to off-putting flavors, not the cook’s work.
This is a fun, easy recipe that gets gobbled up quickly in our house. If you’re trying to make room in the freezer, it even works great with frozen fish.
In a small skillet, sauté shallots in butter on low heat until they begin to soften. Do not brown. Set aside to cool. Place salmon, skin-side down, on a baking sheet or layer of foil.
Carefully remove pin bones without damaging fish flesh. Squeeze fresh lemon over salmon and lightly salt and pepper. Spread grated cheese evenly over salmon. Next, spread the partially cooked shallots evenly over salmon and sprinkle with the dill.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 15 minutes or until fish reaches desired doneness, or an internal temperature of 120 degrees.
Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, and other best-selling titles, visit scotthaugen.com.
fishing season, kick up your fall Chinook filets with flavorful shallots. Chef Tiffany Haugen shares how. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
create dry aged steak and cured meats from home
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Slayer Calls makes what author Scott Haugen calls “the perfect bite-down cow elk call,” the company’s Harem model. “The range of cow and calf elk sounds the Harem delivers is vast and very precise,” he writes. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
TRUE CALLING PERFECTION
If you struggle with a diaphragm call, the perfect bite-down cow elk call is here. Slayer Calls’ (slayercalls.com) new Harem bite-down call is an open reed that’s enclosed by soft rubber and can easily be held – hands free – in your mouth. The more pressure you apply by biting down, the higher the pitch as you blow. The range of cow and calf elk sounds the Harem delivers is vast and very precise. It’s perfect for emulating herd chatter and specific cow sounds all season long.
For bowhunters, slide the Harem into the corner of your mouth and operate it hands free. If you’re at full draw and need to stop a bull in a specific spot to thread an arrow through, the Harem will allow you to do it with utmost efficiency. A lot of bulls will die this season – guaranteed – due to the Harem. SH
MY BUDDY’S MISTAKE WAS that he was making assumptions based on what he smelled, not what he observed in the actual wallow. I put my foot in the wallow, next to the elk print. I lifted it and light brown sediment swirled in the pool. We watched it for a couple minutes.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“There’s no flow in this wallow. See how the sediment isn’t moving
or even settling?” I pointed out.
We found two more wallows near this one. They weren’t easy to see due to being surrounded by brush. Neither of them had current flow either. There was no doubt a bull had been there, but how long ago? The pools were murky and not running clear. The grass around them was matted down and covered in dry mud.
We kept moving down the draw
on a game trail. Dry mud was splattered on briar bushes. We found two rubs on cedar trees. The sap in both were dry, the strips of bark curling on the edges and void of moisture. I’d not been to this place before and was eager to learn more. We covered the ground, saw nothing fresh, then headed back to the truck.
On the way, we again passed by the wallow I’d stepped in. The move was intentional. It had been three hours since I’d stepped in it, yet the suspended sediment looked nearly as it did when we left it. You get a 700-pound Roosevelt bull elk rolling in this and it can take days to settle. This bull had likely only been here one time, worked its way down the draw and just kept on going. It was the only track we saw; we did not even see any cow sign. What droppings we found were hard and pale. Though the stench of the rutting bull was powerful, it was likely miles from us by now.
ON A PUBLIC HUNT high in the Wyoming wilderness one archery season, two buddies and I came across the most impressive rub line I’d ever seen. Over 20 pine trees had been worked over – all on the same trail atop a timbered ridge, and all within 50 yards. We were at 9,800 feet in the Absaroka Range, split up and took different draws to learn more. It was the day before the opener and our second day of scouting.
Each of us found fresh wallows and trails covered in wet, splattered mud. Trails were going up and down the hills – most of them connecting to the trail atop the ridge where the rubs were. For the bulls, it was nothing to move up and down the mountain, but for us it was hard on our lungs.
The next day each of us had a place to hunt. We stuck to trails inside the timber. Our thinking was, because there were so many bulls working the area, we’d intercept them between wallows, creeks and ridgetops. It worked. One buddy
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and I both arrowed big six-points on opening morning. We spent the rest of the day packing meat. The following morning our other friend tagged out on a big seven-by-seven.
CLOSELY STUDYING WALLOWS OVER the decades has taught me a lot about elk and elk hunting. When you find a wallow, don’t just look at it; closely inspect it. See if there’s a current flow that quickly whisks away sediment and any fresh sign. Look for nearby tracks and trails and scour the area for wet splash marks. Search for nearby rubs and closely inspect them for freshness, something that’s easy to decipher based on the condition of sap and shredded bark.
If you see a pool of water from a distance, walk to it for a closer look. It might be a drinking hole, a wallow or, if it’s big enough, both. I’ve never killed a bull in a wallow, but the information I’ve gleaned from them has accounted for many thrilling encounters and notched tags.
That said, wallows are not shoo-
in locations for killing an elk. Bulls often approach them with caution, sometimes pausing on the outskirts to make sure all is safe before moving in. When they’re done, some leave in a rush.
Setting trail cameras on elk wallows can reveal a lot. Last September I thought one bull was visiting a wallow. I caught seven bulls using it one day.
The more wallows you inspect, the more you’ll learn about elk and how they use them. Consider how temperature, humidity, wind currents, sunlight and shade impact sign in and around a wallow. Even if there’s no water, elk will wallow. I’ve killed some nice bulls on dry wallows, but that’s a story for another time. CS
Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular books, including a DVD on field dressing and caping elk and other big game, visit scotthaugen .com. Follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
It doesn’t take much water for a rutting bull elk to make a wallow. This trail camera caught seven different bulls using this wallow in 24 hours. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Elk use small water holes in many ways, and not always to wallow. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
PACE YOUR PUP EARLY IN HUNTING SEASON
GET MORE OUT OF GUN DOGS BY EASING INTO THESE UPCOMING MONTHS OF OPPORTUNITY
By Scott Haugen
Hunting season is here. And while you and your dog are excited, don’t overdo it right out the gate. Easing your dog into each hunting situation this time of year is important, both for their health and obedience.
These first hunts of fall set the tone for the rest of the season. If a dog isn’t taught – or reminded – how you expect them to hunt, it will lead to frustrations. Make sure all communication is calm and consistent, and that your dog
understands what it is you’re trying to communicate. Though you’ve been achieving this during training sessions all summer long, the level of intensity greatly escalates on a hunt. You may need to slow down and redirect your dog in order to attain the desired behavior. Letting a bird or squirrel get away is a small price to pay for the teaching that can be accomplished at that moment.
MY PUDELPOINTERS LOVE TO hunt western gray squirrels. Echo, my 11-year-old female, hunts close, relying on smell and tracking to get the job done. Kona, my
9-year-old male, is all about covering ground. He likes spotting squirrels scurrying on the ground – often over 200 yards away – then sprinting to them and chasing until they tree. Before we go on our first hunt, I know I’ll need to put the brakes on Kona.
Fall turkey season is also on the horizon. Both my dogs love tracking as well as breaking up flocks of these large upland birds. California allows the hunting of fall turkeys with a dog, something I wish every state offered. That said, we don’t usually hunt these birds until winter, once their
If you own a multipurpose gun dog like author Scott Haugen does, resist the urge to go all in as hunting seasons begin this month. Hot, dry conditions can be dangerous and lead to hyperthermia – overheating. Also watch for grass seeds, ticks and poison oak. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
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flocks have grown and the birds have matured. Those are the best-eating turkeys out there.
In some places where we hunt gray squirrels, fall turkey are also present. During their overlapping seasons, I pick one or the other to focus on. If we’re squirrel hunting and see a flock of turkeys, I’ll make sure the dogs don’t engage the birds. They know the difference between the two hunts, and their enthusiasm will often need to be contained. Sometimes we’ll hunt gray squirrels in the morning, turkeys in late afternoon.
Meanwhile, mourning dove season is wide open right now. Wherever you go, make sure to have plenty of water for your dog, both to quench their thirst and clean their mouths of the inevitable mouthful of feathers. During these hot days of the first half of
September, hunting doves over water sources is great for a dog, helping to keep them cool and hydrated.
If pursuing forest grouse and mountain or valley quail, start early in the morning while there’s still moisture and scent on the ground. If it gets too warm and dogs lose interest or are slowing down due to overheating, stop. Again, there’s no need to push them early in the season. Their minds will adjust quicker than their bodies. A driven gun dog can be very challenging to slow down, and the only way to ensure their safety is to put a stop to the hunt. Be sure to provide plenty of water and let their body temperature drop before placing them in the kennel for the ride home.
IF LAST SUMMER SEEMED bad for noxious grass seeds, this year is worse. Way
worse. Last month I took my dogs to the vet for their annual checkups. The vet warned me about the seeds. Last summer was the worst he’d ever seen; he did probes for burrowing seeds on a dog a day. Years prior to that he averaged one a week. But this summer he’s averaged three a day.
Be sure to trim all the hair between the toes, pads and around the edges of your dog’s feet. Plucking hair from inside the ears and around the eyes will also help prevent burrowing seeds from being trapped.
Pliers, tweezers, a fine-toothed brush and small scissors are good to have on early-season hunts for quick removal of grass seeds. A first aid kit is a must.
Also be sure to inspect for ticks during and after each hunt; they’ve been bad this summer too. If traveling,
Hunting mourning doves over water is a great way to offer relief to a dog this time of year. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
HUNTING
be sure and have emergency vet numbers near where you’ll be hunting.
THOUGH WE WANT TO hit the ground running, it’s wise to ease into hunting season, especially when it’s hot and dry like it is now. Hunt early and late in the day, when temperatures are favorable and safer for your dog. Rest when needed, and always have a means to quickly cool off your dog –hyperthermia is more dangerous and common than hypothermia in this part of the country.
With months and months of hunting season ahead, play it smart now. The healthier your dog, and the more obedient it is, the safer and more enjoyable hunting season will be for both of you. CS
Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen.com and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
Pursuing forest grouse with a dog early in the morning is ideal, not only for the scent left on the ground by the birds, but for the cooler hunting conditions it affords. Here, Haugen and his dogs got a great mixed bag start to the day with a blue and ruffed grouse in the Cascades. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
