California Sportsman Mag - Nov 2020

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Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 13 • Issue 1 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Art Isberg, Todd Kline, Bill Schaefer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Jim Klark, Mike Smith DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER Matthew and Mitchell Ling and their pup Trixie had a great fall day in the blind, limiting out with teal, spoonies and a few pintails.

(MARC LING)

MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.mediaindexpublishing.com

4 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 1

FEATURES 19

USFWS DIRECTOR ON CALIFORNIA SALMON

Aurelia Skipwith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director, recently traveled to California to tour the Coleman National Fish Hatchery near Anderson. With salmon runs in peril throughout the Central Valley, Coleman has a critical role in helping maintain Chinook numbers in the state. We chatted with Skipwith about salmon conservation and a few other Golden State topics.

33

SOCAL’S THREE B’S ARE A-LISTERS

55

HUNGER GAMES: BE SMART FEEDING GUN DOGS

Fall and early winter means Southern California saltwater anglers can fill their coolers with – as our Capt. Bill Schaefer calls them – “the three B’s.”

That would be barracuda, bonito and bass (sand and calicos). From inshore bays to the kelp beds further out, the fishing can be outstanding this time of year. Schaefer has the details on how to cash in on this bonanza!

“There’s no excuse for not properly managing your dog’s diet,” writes Scott Haugen, our hunting dog guru.

He shares what he’s found that does and doesn’t work for his four-legged hunting partners when it comes to what he feeds them, and you might be surprised.

49

DECODING DECOYS FOR DUCKS

California’s waterfowlers know how lucky they have it in this most productive state for ducks and geese. But shrewd hunters know that a great day out on the marsh and in the fields starts with setting out an effective set of decoys.

Veteran Redding duck hunter Art Isberg shares how to set up your spread for multiple species of birds from one end of season to the other.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 9 11 15 17 29

The Editor’s Note The Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar Protecting Wild California: Promising returns of Battle Creek winter-run Chinook 43 From Field to Fire: Caring for your waterfowl decoys

(ART ISBERG)

Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2020 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 6 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

THEEDITOR’SNOTE

The Feather River Hatchery in Oroville took the lead in finishing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Inland Chinook Salmon Program when a wildfire shut down the facility in Napa. (ANDREW HUGHAN/CDFW)

O

ne of the most successful California Department of Fish and Wildlife projects has been the stocking of landlocked salmon in the state’s Central Valley reservoirs. I have some pretty good memories of fishing those lakes.

Last month I reminisced about my Lake Oroville fishing trips and the landlocked coho we caught, but I can also remember fishing outings at Mother Lode lakes like Camanche – where I fished for catfish at night during a camping trip – and that day as a tween I caught a squawfish on a Rapala lure at nearby Pardee Lake. When I showed a lake ranger my catch I probably felt like I’d caught a lakerecord kokanee!

In the early 2000s I also had a chance to join some CDFW biologists on an electrofishing survey at New Melones Lake. It was fascinating to stand at the edge of the boat – net in hand – scooping up fish at the surface and then helping the guys log in their data back at the dock.

So in a year riddled with bad news and despair, it felt cathartic to see these lakes get some good news thanks to some heady CDFW teamwork.

The devastating Glass Fire, which burned over 67,000 acres and destroyed roughly 1,000 homes and commercial buildings in Napa and Sonoma Counties, prevented the Silverado Fisheries Base in Napa from its usual contribution to the incubation of Feather River Hatchery eggs for CDFW’s Inland Chinook Salmon Program. Feather River took up the slack as Silverado shut down due to the wildfire and housed the fingerlings and smolts until they could be released.

It’s the kind of feel-good story we all need in a time of a pandemic and contentious Election Day lead-in.

“Understanding the inherent risk of losing an entire year’s production, CDFW staff will play a crucial role in ensuring future inland Chinook fisheries in Folsom, Oroville and eight other lakes and reservoirs,” Kyle Murphy, a senior environmental scientist with CDFW’s Fisheries Branch, said in a press release. “This interagency teamwork will have long-reaching effects for thousands of anglers in Central and Northern California.”

And hopefully we can all make more future memories at those lakes. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

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W

s e r u t n e v d A

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e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek on what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddklinefishing.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor

Last month I took a trip to Lake Mead on the Nevada-Arizona border outside Las Vegas and landed this giant smallie! (TODD KLINE) The brilliant colors of a morning sunrise on Lake Mead make for a spectacular backdrop. (TODD KLINE) There’s nothing like some tunes while fishing, courtesy of the Scosche BoomBottle MM. (TODD KLINE)

We shared the shoreline of the Colorado River impoundment with some locals. (TODD KLINE)

calsportsmanmag.com NOVEMBER2020 2020 California Sportsman calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER

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Know who’s rig and boat look good at the launch? This guy’s! (TODD KLINE) The landscapes surrounding Lake Mead are amazing. I love them. (TODD KLINE)

My son Dylan and I were getting geared up for Halloween. Next thing you know we’ll be preparing for Thanksgiving! (TODD KLINE)

My fall guide trips on Southland waters have been awesome.

(TODD KLINE)

Here are some more happy clients. The bass bite has been solid. (TODD KLINE) 12 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 ||calsportsmanmag.com calsportsmanmag.com

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PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Grant Clare is the winner of our monthly Fishing Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of he and his stout Oregon rainbow trout. It wins him gear from various tackle manufacturers!

Jordan Hansen is our monthly Coast Hunting Photo Contest winner, thanks to this pic of him and his Washington bull moose. It wins him a knife and light from Coast!

For your shot at winning hunting and fishing products, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to ccocoles@media-inc.com or California Sportsman, 14240 Interurban Ave S, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

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16 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Editor’s note: Because of COVID-19 restrictions, all events should be checked for changes or cancellations. Below are events that had been scheduled in November and December, with websites/phone numbers for you to check for updates.

NOVEMBER

7 Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone scaup season opens 7 Southern California Zone scaup season opens 7-8 NorCal Trout Challenge Tournament of Champions, Collins Lake (anglerspress.com) 11 Northeastern California antlerless elk (Rocky Mountain) season opens 14 General/statewide pheasant season opens 14 Fall wild turkey season opens 14 Late dove season opens 14 La Panza Period 2 antlerless elk (Tule) season opens 25 Fort Hunter Liggett Period 2 antlerless and bull elk (Tule) seasons open

DECEMBER

5 Most bighorn sheep hunting seasons open 7 Balance of State Zone American crow season opens 13 Fall wild turkey season closes 17 Second Northeastern Zone scaup season opens 19-27 South area band-tailed pigeon season dates 27 General bear hunting season closes (could close earlier if quota of 1,700 filled) 28 Second archery-only pheasant season opens 31 Last day 2020 hunting and fishing licenses are valid

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Mitchell Ling took this wild turkey during the 2020 spring season in California. Mitchell and other gobbler chasers can now look forward to the fall-winter season that opens on Nov. 14. (MARC LING)

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FISHING

Q&A WITH USFWS DIRECTOR AURELIA SKIPWITH ON CALIFORNIA SALMON, WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT

By Chris Cocoles

U

.S. Fish and Wildlife director Aurelia Skipwith recently toured one of California’s most critical federal facilities, the Coleman National Fish Hatchery.

The hatchery stop was part of a busy day during Skipwith’s visit to California.

“It’s been fantastic,” she says of her Golden State stopover, which also included meeting with land trust organizations “working hard to conserve beautiful landscapes that allow hunting and fishing.”

Skipwith is part of a presidential administration that has come under fire at a time when many conservationists and environmentalists are skeptical about the federal government’s concerns for such issues. She says that USFWS, President Donald Trump and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt are committed to and focused on “providing outdoor recreation, which is a part of our American heritage … and we’re delivering.”

She also discussed wildfire management with multiple state and federal agencies in the wake of a devastating 2020 of statewide blazes.

Skipwith is the first Black director of the USFWS and one of a handful of women who have held the post first served by Ira Noel Gabrielson in 1940.

We chatted with her about the trailblazer she’s become, plus the role Coleman Hatchery can play at a time when California’s king salmon runs on the Sacramento River and its main tributaries have endured a devastating drought

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith talks with Brett Galyean, project leader for the Coleman National Fish Hatchery during Skipwith’s visit to the facility in Anderson, south of Redding. (USFWS) calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

19

FISHING

Fall-run kings make their return to the hatchery. “This year it is too early to tell how the run will be,” facility manager Brett Galyean said last month, “but the hatchery is very optimistic and expecting another good run.” (STEVE MARTARANO/USFWS)

and currently a political tug-of-war over water allocation.

Chris Cocoles When you visit a facility like Coleman National Fish Hatchery or a refuge, what are you looking for?

Aurelia Skipwith I really enjoy visiting a national fish hatchery, but each one is different, especially when it comes to fish production. Either in the way that it’s set up for mitigation purposes, or also knowing that the production of fish is going for either commercial industries or hoping to sustain populations for recreational fishing. In looking at the massive numbers that are produced here at Coleman National Fish Hatchery, I (was) really excited to see the behindthe-scenes operation for the hatchery to meet its goal of continuing to provide opportunities for the multi-million-dollar commercial and recreational fishing

industry here in California.

When you think about 2020 and COVID-19 and the impact that it’s had, it shows the resilience of the Fish and Wildlife Service that regardless of whatever is going on, we’re still meeting our goal, still providing for industry, still providing for the American public.

CC How has the pandemic affected the Service?

AS When COVID-19 came along, we had our lands open and available; that was really hopeful in this type of environment. In having our (national wildlife refuges) open, we saw an increase in visitation. And it’s given people a renewed sense of the great outdoors. And I always say that there’s no better place to social distance, and social distancing was happening at our refuges and hatcheries long before COVID-19 came

20 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

along. Whenever this clears up, the goal is for people to not forget that they have this opportunity to reconnect with the outdoors. Remember that and still come back to see us whenever we do reach that new normal.

CC You have roots in the Midwest and Deep South and fell in love with fishing, as I did in California, where salmon are literally kings. Can you appreciate the passion this state has for salmon runs and preserving them?

AS Oh, most definitely, especially knowing that the Fish and Wildlife Service plays a role facilitating that. It shows that there’s something bigger here and that we’re one of those pieces. It also shows the relationship that we have between the angling communities. One of the greatest things that I love, besides seeing the passion and outdoor

FISHING

GOLDEN STATE SALMON CHALLENGES AHEAD

W

e asked Coleman National Fish Hatchery complex facility manager Brett Galyean about the state of king salmon runs in California and how the federal hatchery is working to sustain the fish population.

Here are his responses.

California Sportsman A lot of Chinook seemed to return to the Sacramento-Feather-Mokelumne drainages last fall with another solid run projected for this season after some lean runs. Is that promising for the near future, or in your experience is it too difficult to project when it comes to salmon?

Brett Galyean Last year over 33,000 fallrun Chinook salmon returned to Battle Creek, with the hatchery taking in 13,000 for spawning purposes and allowing the remaining 20,000 to spawn naturally in lower Battle Creek. This year it was too early to tell how the run will be, but the hatchery was very optimistic and expecting another good run.

Fishermen were catching hatchery fall-run Chinook salmon at the Barge Hole – the fishing spot where Battle Creek joins the Sacramento River – which was a great sign that salmon run is in full swing.

CS How important is it for federally run agencies like Coleman to be able to work in sync with state hatcheries run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to help ensure salmon runs for years to come?

BG The states have a wealth of scientific knowledge and management expertise that help us in our efforts to recover species, and it is extremely important that we actively engage with them as we work toward our shared goals. Coleman National Fish Hatchery has a great working relationship with California Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries, often exchanging information during spawning operations, sharing new technologies and occasionally even personnel and equipment.

CS What do you think USFWS and Coleman can do going forward to improve and enhance California’s populations of salmon and steelhead? Because other

species of salmon and steelhead are listed as threatened or endangered, there are concerns about fall-run salmon also becoming in jeopardy down the line given what’s happened in other parts of the country to salmon runs.

BG We are always looking for new approaches to conservation and recovery, using the best scientific information available. For example, in recent years the Coleman National Fish Hatchery team has begun work with federal, state and local partners to reintroduce – “jump start” – winter Chinook to Battle Creek, expanding their range into an area that has undergone substantial restoration.

The team has released approximately 200,000 juvenile winter Chinook into Battle Creek annually since 2018. The first adult returns from this program are expected this year and we are excited to learn the results (see report on page 29).

Coleman NFH has started releasing

a small portion of the fall-run Chinook smolts in March, to take advantage of earlier release conditions. In addition, the hatchery is working with fishing interest groups in off-stations releases that could maximize outmigration survival and is also working with a conservation organization on a potential floodplain-rearing project.

All of these efforts will hopefully lead to increased salmon returns to the upper Sacramento River in the near future. CS Editor’s note: On Oct. 28, the Bureau of Reclamation announced a series of salmon habitat improvement federal projects totalling $40 million, which would be put toward restoration of various areas along the Sacramento River drainage over a four-year period..

“Our water operations along the Sacramento River are closely intertwined with the health of Chinook salmon populations,” said Ernest Conant, Reclamation regional director. “We are committed to the restoration actions laid out in our current operating plan to help restore, maintain and improve rearing and spawning habitat.”

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FISHING enthusiasts among our amazing staff here at the Fish and Wildlife Service, is that (anglers) are paying into conservation. When you look at what it takes to conserve, it takes resources – people on the ground doing the work. It’s the sales tax and excise tax that come off equipment. It’s the increase in boat sales. The anglers are the advocates of conservation and they’re putting their money into these industries that allow it to continue to be sustainable. That’s what I also enjoy seeing, how that passion is so deep with the outdoor enthusiasts.

CC Is it also important to emphasize how critical salmon are in California and throughout the West Coast? There seems to be a perception that this administration isn’t concerned about these native species.

AS It is something that’s definitely important to the Trump administration and Secretary Bernhardt. And here in California, salmon is king. So it’s making sure that we’re working in partnerships and making sure that the operation within the framework and the plans that we’ve put together make it sustainable for the different industries that rely on salmon.

Skipwith prepares to open the fish ladder, and the start of the 2020 fall Chinook spawning season at the hatchery. “I (was) really excited to see the behind-the-scenes operation for the hatchery to meet its goal of continuing to provide opportunities for the multi-million dollar commercial and recreational fishing industry here in California,” she says. (USFWS) 22 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

And that is key. Think about what this administration has done for conservation, like in August when the president signed the Great American Outdoors Act. That is the greatest conservation legacy since President Theodore Roosevelt. Knowing that the investments that we make today are investments for the future, this (administration) is committed to ensuring that those investments in our environment and our wildlife and the waters happen. And that’s setting our framework and infrastructure for tomorrow.

CC How satisfying was the bipartisan passing of the Great American Outdoors Act considering how divisive the political arena has become?

AS Oh my goodness; yes. It’s one of those things where you’re like, “This can be so amazing when this happens.” When it had passed in the House and you could look forward to when it was going to be introduced to the Senate, we could start to make our plans. This was something that we knew would be historic when it happened. Just to know that it was bipartisan to get something like this passed, it shows that regardless of whatever side of the aisle that you’re on, at the end of the day this shows that there’s common ground when looking at our environment and wildlife and how we protect and invest for the future. It shows that this is something that is important to everyone. It was definitely an important day for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

CC You mentioned you did some wildfire assessment during your visit. What can federal agencies such as USFWS do to help states combat these devastating blazes like the ones California has endured during such a difficult time?

AS It has been. You look at the impact that that has had on communities, the local economy of these communities and peoples’ lives. Plus the destruction (the fires) have on wildlife because their habitat is no longer there. So it is a multi-faceted approach, where you need to bring in multiple agencies. Because we all have different areas that we focus on with a dif-

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FISHING

Coleman officials are hoping many more fish make their way back to the hatchery to make good on previous releases. “We are always looking for new approaches to conservation and recovery, using the best scientific information available,” Galyean says. (STEVE MARTARANO/USFWS)

ferent mission. And so our mission of being a conservation organization focused on wildlife and their habitat, we do play a role in being able to help facilitate activities that happen, where we can bring our science to bear when it comes to where management by another agency needs to occur. And at the same time, we have deployed folks within the Fish and Wildlife Service to come out and help on these fires. So not only is it our science to help when it comes to management of the land, but it also – when new fires do happen – we activate our folks to come out and help. Because it’s not just California that’s seeing it. This is an issue that impacts all Americans.

CC And what’s notable about California is its size, dense population and the fact that there are so many endless natural resources and different ecosystems. What kind of

a challenge is that for your agency?

AS California, unlike the other states when it comes to fires, there’s no other place like it. When you look at the management of water, which is sometimes more valuable than air and gold, there are more stakeholders and users. How do you balance that? At the Fish and Wildlife Service, the decisions that we make are based upon science, the rule of law and common sense. And when we’re making those decisions we’re not making them in a vacuum. We have the interest of other stakeholders for us to make those considerations. We have our guardrails with science and with the law.

But we have to come up with creative approaches to make sure that the specific issues to California – specifically when you’re looking at water and how you manage the timber – it’s definitely a different ecosystem. And having that flexi-

24 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

bility and being able to adapt becomes critically important.

CC What advice would you have for women and people of color for what you’ve achieved in your career?

AS My mom, she’s definitely a huge role model for me. And she was supporting me in all the random activities that I was into. [Laughs.] God bless my mom.

With that, it’s follow what you want to do. You’ll have those people who are your cheerleaders – those people who are there to support you. It’s not always going to be an easy road, but it’s always worth it. For the women, for minorities, for anyone, always value education, work hard and be good to Mother Nature. Because she’ll be good to you.

CC We’re also right on the verge of the 2020 election and not sure what’s next,

FISHING

“For the women, for minorities, for anyone, always value education, work hard and be good to Mother Nature,” says Skipwith, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s first Black director.

“Because she’ll be good to you.” (USFWS)

but what would be your vision for the USFWS going forward?

AS Two things: The first one is I want to leave the Service better than how I found it. My goal is to always make a difference wherever I go. And the legacy that I want to leave is for any little boy or little girl, when they’re (asked), “Who do you want to be or what do you want to be when you grow up?” And everyone says, “I want to be a doctor,”“I want to be a lawyer,” or “I want to be an astronaut.” I want them to say, “I want to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I want to be a biologist.” In order for us to ensure that our wildlife and our habitat are here for the next generation, we have to be the best advocates and let them know that we’re out here. CS

Editor’s note: Follow Aurelia Skipwith on Twitter (@USFWSDirector). For more on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coleman National Fish Hatchery, check out fws.gov/ coleman.

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PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

Endangered winter-run Chinook salmon are starting to return to the Sacramento River tributary of Battle Creek. An early count of 700 subadult and adult fish exceeded officials’ expectations. (JACIE KNIGHT/USFWS)

BATTLE CREEK WINTER CHINOOK COUNT A SURPRISE

By USFWS Pacific Southwest Region staff

A

t least 700 sub-adult and adult winter-run Chinook salmon returned this year to Battle Creek northeast of Red Bluff.

Although monitoring efforts were curtailed, 47 redds were also observed, with juveniles now being captured in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rotary

screw trap as they emigrate out of the system. To date, more than 300 fry have been captured and monitoring efforts will continue through the fall.

Establishing another self-sustaining population in a second watershed (in addition to the Sacramento River’s population), such as Battle Creek, is a high priority and a major component of the Central Valley salmonid recovery plan.

These returns are higher than expected, as there was an anticipation to see 500 to 600 adult fish return this year. Although the restoration actions in Battle Creek are not complete, there was adequate habitat for some fish to spawn and produce juveniles. This year’s returning adults were released into Battle Creek as part of the Jumpstart Project in 2018 and 2019, when 214,000

calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

29

PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

“The evidence of reproduction in Battle Creek is a testament to the collaboration of federal and state agencies, landowners and others, and to the tenacity of these fish that just do not give up,” said Cathy Marcinkevage, assistant regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region. (STEVE MARTARANO/USFWS)

and 184,000 juveniles were released.

“These results illustrate the significant foresight to start the captive broodstock program after California’s historic drought had devastating impacts to winter Chinook salmon eggs and fry, particularly in 2014 and 2015,” said Paul Souza, regional director for USFWS’s California Great Basin Region. “Continued collaboration between NOAA Fisheries, the state, Bureau of Reclamation and the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife] Service is paramount for successful recovery of this endangered species. Working together, we can accomplish a great deal for the future of this species.”

Bureau of Reclamation regional director Ernest Conant agreed.

“Reclamation is pleased to collaborate with our federal, state and private industry partners on the restoration of this important watershed and the reintroduction of winter-run Chinook salmon,” said Conant. “The higher

than expected numbers of winterrun salmon returning to Battle Creek this year demonstrate the value of our investments in fish passage and habitat.”

Winter Chinook were extirpated from Battle Creek in the early 1900s with the development of a hydroelectric project in the watershed. Through the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project, these historic habitats will be accessible again.

“The evidence of reproduction in Battle Creek is a testament to the collaboration of federal and state agencies, landowners and others, and to the tenacity of these fish that just do not give up,” said Cathy Marcinkevage, assistant regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region. “It’s great progress in helping California’s native salmon come back.”

A Battle Creek Winter-run Reintroduction Plan was completed in 2016, calling for complete restoration

30 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

before the reintroduction of fish. In response to the 2012-2016 drought, the resources agencies decided in 2017 to jump-start the reintroduction of winter Chinook into their historic habitat of Battle Creek. Juvenile fish were released into the watershed in 2018, 2019 and 2020. These efforts have been coined the “Battle Creek Jumpstart Project.”

“The return of winter-run Chinook salmon to Battle Creek illustrates the resiliency of salmon in the Central Valley and the success that has been accomplished on Battle Creek through partnership and collaboration,” said Tina Bartlett, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Region 1 manager. “The department is excited to be part of the reintroduction project and looks forward to future returns increasing in numbers as it moves forward.” CS Editor’s note: For more on the USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, go to fws.gov/cno.

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32 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

CHASE THE 3 ‘B’-MIGOS HERE’S HOW TO CATCH BASS, BARRACUDA, BONITO PROWLING THE SOCAL COAST

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

A

s we transition from fall to winter, fishing off the Southern California coast has been excellent. Warm weather has kept the bite going and anglers are taking advantage of it. But here’s the question: How much longer will it last?

I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that the three B’s will take us through the winter months with some fun action. If we’re talking barracuda, bonito and bass, they will do the trick this winter for your fishing fix.

KELP CLASS When starting off in your preferred offshore kelp bed, watch for the different species of game fish pushing bait to the surface, as well as terns feeding on the schools from the skies.

Inside bays and harbors you’ll find bonito – with some barracuda and even some spotted or regular sand bass – below the surface. Outside, if right along the kelp, those same bonito and barracuda will be joined by the calico bass.

Bonito have been running from about 1 to 5 pounds, with occasional fish up toward 8 pounds. Usually, the larger 10- to 15-pounders are found farther offshore. It’s been a while since we have seen the giants we used to get off the kelp line, but maybe they will start to return, as the bonito population seems to be improving every year.

’CUDA FOR ALL Barracuda have always mainstay of fishermen

been a in the

Even with winter near, Southern California saltwater fishing should stay hot through this month. Larger bonito tend to hang offshore, but fish will drift in following bait. Joel King admires a nice one. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

33

FISHING Southland saltwater fisheries. They grow to “log” size of 8 to 10 pounds, but these toothy guys usually average about 4 to 6 pounds among larger keeper fish.

When they show up, barracuda are usually not hard to locate. Large schools can be seen foaming the water as they chase bait. When hooked, they go ballistic and don’t give up even once in the boat. There are a ton of shorts to play with as well.

TROLL MULTIPLE OFFERINGS

Fishing with light tackle and chrome or brightly colored jigs or spoons makes catching barracuda a lot more fun. (BILL SCHAEFER)

34 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

Here’s one trick to locating the fish quickly: If they are not boiling on the surface, fish with two rods that have some type of Rebel, Rapala or your favorite trolling crank tied on. Every time you make a move, troll for a portion of it and you shouldn’t have to go far before you hook up. Nothing looks more like an anchovy than one of these plugs in silver or chrome with a black, blue or green back.

calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

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FISHING Inside the bay or outside along the kelp, these are the baits to troll with.

Go a little heavier on your trolling line, as these toothy fish sometimes miss the lure and hit the line, breaking it.

If you are lucky enough to find the fish in a feeding frenzy, then throwing artificial baits will work just fine. Various spoons and iron jigs will work just great for the bonito and barracuda. Chrome, white, blue and

white, different greens, or even reds will attract the fish into hitting. It’s best to have some variety in color, shape and size. Even plastic swimbaits are an option, but these aggressive fish will tear them up, especially the barracuda.

THE BAIT GAME If you are trolling to locate fish and then get a hookup, toss bait around the boat to draw the school of fish Where baitfish drift into the kelp, calico bass become a good option for anglers tossing swimbaits that imitate sardines and anchovies. (BILL SCHAEFER)

closer. Then toss out your lines and you should start getting bites. If you and your buddies just take turns and use your time to toss a few baits out every time someone aboard lands a fish, then this should keep the school around the boat and the action should continue for quite a while.

HERE COME THE BASS When the balls of bait drift up close to the kelp, then the calicos and some sand bass get in on the feeding action.

You will be able to score on bait and plastic swimbaits.

When fishing the kelp, you may want to go a bit heavier with your line selection; 12- to 20-pound test should probably do the trick. I like Maxima Ultragreen for abrasion resistance and Maxima braid when right in the kelp.

For my rod and reel I match a Daiwa DXSB swimbait rod with a Lexa reel, which represent classic calico tackle.

This rig will work best for both bait fishing and swimbaits. Throw plastics in sardine and anchovy colors.

FISHING ON THE FLY All three of these species will take flies as well. The bass can be a bit finicky, but the barracuda and bonito are easy to catch when they’re in a feeding frenzy and will produce the best battles. A 7- or 8-weight rod will handle the smaller bass, barracuda and bonito, but you may want to go up to a 10-weight for the larger bonito. For flies, white or red and white, as well as other streamers, will do well. Don’t forget a wire leader.

STILL FISH TO BE CAUGHT We may be approaching the official start of winter, but right now there is a ton of bait off the kelp beds and inside the bays. The action is getting better every day.

Don’t give up on fishing yet; the season is never over. You just have to move on to the next species. Yes, it’s getting cold at times out on the water, but remember that action on the salt can be red-hot this time of year. CS 36 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

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38 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

DICKINSON ARMS

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SILVER HORDE

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GIBSON’S BLIND COVERS

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RAD POWER BIKES

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HAKAI LODGE

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It’s nice to have a break from your devices and what better way to bond with your family than on a fishing trip in the scenic wilderness of British Columbia? (The lodge has WiFi; whether or not you use it is up to you!)

Hakai Lodge is family-friendly and offers special rates for young adults.

Their fishing trips are all-inclusive, including round-trip airfare from Seattle, Washington, and range from six days to two days. Check their website for rates. hakaifishinglodge.com

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The Skinner Sights HTF bag allows your firepower to be “concealed in plain sight,” yet ready in case of an emergency. Holds up to a 40-inch long gun and two handguns. Room for three rifle and eight pistol magazines.

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F

HUNTING

FROM FIELD...

Adding contrasting white and black colors to your waterfowl decoy spread helps attract the attention of distant, often wary birds. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

THE CARE & FEEDING OF DECOYS HOW TO MAKE YOUR FAUX FLOCK LAST LONGER AND BE MORE PRODUCTIVE

By Scott Haugen

W

aterfowl season is here; we just need some water and birds to move in. In preparation for the prime part of the season, here are some things to consider when it comes to decoy use and preparation.

DECOY CARE Duck and goose decoys have come

a long way since I first started using them in the early 1970s. With the attention to detail, anatomy and paint jobs that make decoys mimic the real thing, keeping them looking that way is important.

Not only will taking proper care of your decoys extend their life, it will also attract more birds. At the end of the day, give your decoys a quick rinse of fresh water. Get saltwater, weeds, grass and seeds off the decoys

to ensure they don’t dry on the decoy, and then peel off paint when you go to pick them clean.

If the decoys have mud or clay on them, use dish soap and hot water to get them clean. It’s important to get mud off the dark parts of decoys, as it can dry light in color and make it appear unnatural.

For those pricey decoys with special head finishes, getting a decoy bag with individual slots will keep

calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

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HUNTING They may not sound appetizing to some, but among the best parts of a harvested duck are its heart and gizzard.

And Tiffany Haugen has a delicious Asian-infused recipe to go make good use of your bird. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

... TO FIRE

A DUCK DISH WITH HEART (AND GIZZARD)

By Tiffany Haugen

T

he gizzard is among the healthiest and most nutritious parts of a game bird, yet it is among the most neglected when it comes to table fare. Full of protein, low in fat and carb-free, once the silver skin and grinding plates are removed from a gizzard, it’s a firm, clean cut of meat.

Bird hearts are also a tasty, healthy

treat. High in protein, riboflavin, iron, zinc and vitamin B12, we like cutting out the large arteries and fat surrounding the upper heart prior to cooking.

Whether cooked alone or chopped up with other parts of your bird, here’s a tasty recipe that makes a great topper for your salad, rice or pasta, or it can be enjoyed as is.

If you want to save a bunch of gizzards and hearts from small game birds and ducks to cook all together, this recipe is great for that, too. This recipe works with any game bird. We used duck in this sample.

1 pound thinly sliced duck meat (heart, gizzard, breast, thigh and/or back) ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon gochujang or chili sauce One or two green onions 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cold water Thinly slice duck meat. Thinly slice green onion, separating the white bottoms (to put in the marinade) from the green tops

44 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

(to use as a garnish). In a medium bowl, mix onions, soy sauce, honey, oil, garlic and chili sauce until thoroughly combined.

Place meat in marinade and let sit at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes. For longer marinade times – up to four hours – refrigerate until ready to cook.

Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat.

Add meat and marinade to the skillet and stir-fry until meat reaches desired doneness.

Keep this in mind: The longer duck cooks, the stronger the flavors and tougher the meat may become. Remove meat from skillet and set aside. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water. Add to the skillet and bring sauce to a boil, stirring constantly for about a minute. Serve sauce over duck or add duck back into the sauce before serving. Garnish with remaining green onion.

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen's popular cookbook, Cooking Game Birds, send a check for $20 to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.

HUNTING

High-end decoys, like these from Dave Smith Decoys, are not cheap.

In order to maximize their effectiveness and your investment, storing and transporting them in slotted bags is ideal. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

them from coming into contact with one another, which quickly ruins paint jobs and flocking finishes.

When home, avoid tossing bags of loose decoys atop one another, as that causes wear and ruins paint jobs.

Storing decoys in slotted bags is ideal.

You can also hang them up in Texas rig decoy bags, or Texas rigs alone. Decoys can get costly, and investing just a little time in how you carry and store them will prolong their life and performance.

BRING ON THE BLING Color is one of the most important features of a duck decoy spread.

While it’s true that movement and position are critical, if decoys can’t easily be seen their full benefit goes neglected.

The two colors most visible on a decoy are white and black. This is because they create contrast amidst a range of lighting conditions. Be it sunny

days, overcast days or rainy days, black and white decoys nicely compliment one another.

When hunting puddle ducks, drake pintail and shoveler decoys offer high-visibility white to your mallard, teal and wigeon spreads.

Adding a few Canada goose decoys will not only provide confidence to a duck spread, but the white patches on these larger decoys are eye-catching from afar.

When positioning white-colored puddle duck decoys in the marsh, try spreading them throughout the flock so the direction they’re facing or moving in the wind is optimized and reflects incoming light.

When fastening diving duck decoys to a string, try placing the white ones furthest from where you’re shooting, as this will often catch the attention of birds, which then encourages them to bank closer to the dark decoys.

46 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

I know of many diving duck hunters who paint nearly all their decoys white to capitalize on light reflection. Others might use all black decoys when targeting species like scoters.

The ratio of white to dark duck decoys you have in a spread will come down to personal preference, lighting conditions and the species being hunted. Don’t be afraid to go heavy on white-colored decoys, even if it means investing in species of decoys you’re not targeting.

CONFIDENCE DECOYS Herons, egrets, coots, Canada geese and swans have one thing in common: they can help bring more ducks into your decoy spread. Why? Because these birds are wary, have exceptional eyesight and frequent the same water used by many duck species.

Waterfowl and other shore birds have a symbiotic relationship; this is

HUNTING where one species benefits another, and vice versa. In many cases ducks stir up feed that attracts other shore birds, and in turn these fellow keen-eyed sentries alert waterfowl of danger that might otherwise go undetected.

The key to finding what confidence decoy is right for you comes down to seeing what species are in your hunting area. Keep in mind that which species of confidence decoy you use can change throughout the season as birds migrate through.

Now is the time to start preparing those waterfowl decoys, for once the season starts you want everything in order so you can focus on the hunt. CS

This season, try adding multiple species of ducks to your decoy spread, making sure to include contrasting colors. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, send a check for $20 (FREE S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or order online at scotthaugen.com.

calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

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HUNTING

WATERFOWLING SETUP GUIDE THERE’S MUCH MORE TO BRINGING DUCKS IN THAN JUST TOSSING OUT A DOZEN DECOYS.

By Art Isberg

olden State waterfowl hunters truly do have one of the finest and largest choices of both state and federal public shooting refuges available anywhere in the entire nation. The list, from north to south, reads like a geographical “who’s

G

who” in the waterfowling fraternity.

Beginning with the far north near the Oregon border, there’s Shasta Valley, then Tule Lake; at midstate, Sacramento, Delevan and Grizzly Island; and locations further south include Kern, Merced and San Luis. All are tremendously popular destinations.

California is also unique to other states in another very big way – mostly because of its vast north/ south landmass that stretches nearly 1,000 miles corner to corner. That means that during fall and winter weather, you can have rainstorms in the north at the same time that the south basks in warm sunshine. This is

California’s fertile waterfowl hunting habitat provides plenty of chances to have success this winter. Here, author Art Isberg retrieves a pair of green-winged teal that worked his decoy spread. (ART ISBERG) calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

49

HUNTING species always work best, compared to more suspicious shot-over birds.

That’s what decoy rigs should show.

I like to set my teal decoys on either the outside edge or the downwind portion of my regular layout where they are out in the open – and easiest to see – rather than lost in larger decoys at the center. Mixing teal decoys in with mallard or pintail like this means I’m generally floating three or four dozen total blocks.

Teal are quick to decoy to floaters of their own kind. I’ll still set teal decoys in my overall spread even late in the season. They break up that wooden soldier look of all decoys exactly the same shape and size.

To add to this natural look, I’ll tailtie a third of my teal decoys – as I do larger blocks – so they’re not all facing one direction and are easier moved by wind or current. It adds another nice touch that makes any overall decoy layout look real. The little teal really top off a setup like this.

WIGEON

Green-winged teal are important birds for Pacific Flyway shooters. Their decoys should be part of hunters’ regular layouts. (ART ISBERG)

also important to understand because fall waterfowl migration down the Pacific Flyway can be very different as to species, their presence and the numbers in differing parts of the state.

To put it another way: Not all mallards, pintail, teal, wigeon or gadwall arrive at the same time in the same place. Realistic decoy layouts should clearly reflect this for top gunning success.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL Green-winged teal are early fall migrants both in Northern and Central California. The little speedsters arrive

in numbers before larger birds like wigeon, mallards and pintail do.

Because of their timing, they make up larger numbers in hunters’ bags throughout the first half of the season. Any savvy shotgunner would be wise to float a dozen green-winged teal decoys along with his regular larger blocks layout.

Floating all pintail or all mallard decoys when neither bird has moved in numbers into the area you’re hunting simply makes for an unnatural-looking spread. As gunning pressure increases, naturallooking layouts of current local bird

50 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

Wigeon are the second most harvested duck species, filling a lot of Pacific Flyway hunters’ bags, and doing so early in the season, like teal. Yet for some strange reason, few hunters own or float wigeon decoys in their regular sets.

I’ve never understood why. Like teal, wigeon will readily work to decoys of other species, but their addition to your mallard or pintail layouts, along with teal, really does a solid job of matching natural bird gatherings in your area. Go to any nearby refuge area to see what I mean by this mix. I like to set a dozen wigeon to a dozen greenheads or bull sprig, plus the teal. At some time in the season, depending on where I’m hunting, I’ve floated a set consisting of only wigeon and teal decoys, because that area held very few larger birds. I’ve never suffered a slow day’s gunning because of it. As a pair, they complement each other.

I keep two dozen flashy wigeon

HUNTING decoys in my decoy stash, using them in various numbers as season advances, and bird numbers change.

Their colorful body patterns – that white front face and fancy sidebars – really add a nice touch of color and a different size and shape to any decoy layout, regardless of size. And I like to tail-tie three or four decoys in a dozen so they move by weather in a different direction, imitating busy feeders.

PINTAIL The graceful and wary pintail sprig is the second most popular and coveted bird in the Pacific Flyway – trailing only the mallard in the pecking order. Some dedicated sprig hunters might argue that point. By definition, the pins are late-season arrivals throughout California.

It’s also quite common to see small bunches of green-winged teal flying in flocks of pintails. That tells us that

Isberg makes good use of his decoy barge when he loads it with decoys, birds and guns. It’s a perfect setup for a waterfowler. (ART ISBERG) Confidence decoys like this heron can add a nice touch of realism to any layout. (ART ISBERG)

A decoy barge like this one Isberg owns gives hunters an easy way to haul lots of decoys without backaches. (ART ISBERG) calsportsmanmag.com | NOVEMBER 2020 California Sportsman

51

HUNTING on the water, the two species mix well and your decoy rigs should match that.

Due to their inborn wariness, pintail respond best to large decoy spreads. In the pintail marsh I grew up hunting, private clubs thought little of floating 100 sprig decoys to each set of double blinds, trying to convince the birds to drop in by a show of sheer numbers.

Because most day shooters in refuge areas cannot match numbers

like this, wise ’gunners need a way to haul big spreads without backaches.

The answer is using little “decoy barges,” which are small plastic floats generally 5 feet long by about 3 feet wide. A single barge can hold more decoys than one man can carry on his back. Four dozen of them fit nicely inside. Hunting with a buddy, as most of us do, you can double the number of your layout. I also add my gun,

shells and something to eat or drink in my barge.

These slick little neoprene plastic floats slide easily over mud, snow, ice and even dry ground. They can be towed behind ATVs to hunting areas. I hook a short line from my barge to the belt on my waders and move hands-free in the water or out. If I want to use a wading staff or flashlight, my hands are free to do so.

Once set up to hunt, the darkcolored or camo-colored floats can be turned over to blend in with weeds, grass or tules.

The barges have really changed the face of waterfowl hunting since their inception. I never go hunting without mine in tow.

MALLARD

Along with decoys imitating multiple species, the author carries a variety of calls for a day in the field. (ART ISBERG) 52 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

Big, gaudy, loud-calling mallards are the number one choice of California waterfowl hunters, as they are throughout the nation. They respond well to authentic calling and will decoy to a puddle the size of a wash tub – or, just as quickly, a large lake and reservoir.

You can have gunning success floating a half-dozen decoys in a hidden tule-lined pothole, or you can have four dozen riding the current on a bend in the river. Indeed, the mallard’s strong point is its diversity.

Regardless of where I’m hunting these big birds – public shooting grounds or freelancing on my own in an open marsh – I rely on one important point to convince them in.

I prefer to use magnum-sized decoys.

I do this for several important reasons.

First, the big jumbos can be easier seen in low light, cloudy days and in surrounding cover. Their flashy colors and size work real magic. I have one set of mallard floaters that are actually goose decoys painted in mallard colors and mallard heads. On these points, size does matter!

Another advantage for the big boys comes when you’re hunting public areas, which can be either state or federal land. Like it or not, public

HUNTING hunting means you will be competing with dozens of other shooters and their decoys, sometimes set up nearby.

You want your decoy layout to draw in circling birds to you, passing up all the other hunters’ setups. What catches their attention? Size and color.

I believe two dozen magnum decoys have more drawing power than twice that number in standard-sized decoys.

I’ve relied on that power for decades.

WATERFOWL WONDERLAND As California hunters graced by winged travelers of the Pacific Flyway, we are given a unique opportunity to experience the finest public hunting anywhere.

Understanding the many species of high-flying waterfowl that visit us each fall and winter, plus what decoy choices bring us gunning success, is the backbone of our sport.

Decade after decade, they give us ’gunning memories to last a lifetime. CS

A couple dozen freshly painted decoys like this set of pintails and mallards can produce great waterfowling in the Golden State. (ART ISBERG)

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• Mallard Corn Pond Hunting on 16 Private Ponds • Freeze Up No Problem! Aerators & Springs in Most Ponds Average 5.5 Ducks Per Person in the 2019-20 Season!!

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HUNTING

A healthy diet and constant exercise are critical for optimizing your dog’s health and in-the-field performance. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

MORE TO FEEDING DOGS THAN JUST FILLING A BOWL

By Scott Haugen

“W

ow, your dog looks great, and by dropping that extra 2 pounds, you just extended her life by a year or more,” my vet stated, looking me straight in the eye.

“One of the most frustrating parts of my job is seeing overweight dogs,” he added.

He was referring to my then-5-yearold dog, Echo, a pudelpointer who had put on too much weight following

waterfowl season. The statement was a compliment to me, not Echo, but in retrospect it also meant she was overweight, and that was my fault, initially. Overweight dogs are not to blame for their problems, owners are, and we owe it to our hunting companions to make sure they are in the best shape possible.

WHAT YOU FEED your dog and how often you feed them comes down to knowledge of food and knowing your dog’s metabolism. It also comes down

to consistent exercise. We exercise our dogs a minimum of one hour every day; 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the evening, and often another 15 to 20 minutes midday.

We have two pudelpointers, Echo, a female that is 6, and Kona, a 4-year-old male. Echo puts on weight much more easily than Kona. Kona’s metabolism is much higher than Echo’s and I struggled keeping his weight up. Once I switched their dry food from a boxstore brand to a high-quality brand, their lives dramatically improved.

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HUNTING Two years ago I switched to NutriSource dog food, a high-quality food I can’t say enough good things about. At first glance people often comment on the cost of this food, but when you read the labels and serving size, it’s actually a very affordable food because serving portions are smaller than foods of lesser quality.

In fact, NutriSource is actually less expensive than many major brands that can be less healthy and require larger servings in order for dogs to attain proper nutrients and calories.

I’ve talked with multiple pet and feed store owners over the years and have found them to be the most knowledgeable when it comes to selecting the best diet for my gun dogs. Veterinarians are good, but they don’t necessarily receive frequent, unbiased information that store owners do when it comes to dog food

Feeding your dog a healthy, nutritious diet is one of the most important things you can offer it. The author’s food of choice is NutriSource, which comes in many flavor options. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

and dog food options.

Professional trainers continue to surprise me with their lack of dog food knowledge, falling victim to

unhealthy foods offered to them at great discounts from large companies.

I recently wrote a feature story on bird hunting for a national magazine and they asked me to interview a wellknown dog trainer for his take on brand-X dog food, something that’s easily available in most big box stores, nationwide. After the interview I told the editor I didn’t agree with what the trainer said, and didn’t want my name affiliated in promoting such low-quality food.

Bottom line, dogs don’t live very long, and keeping them healthy from the time they are pups through adulthood will increase their level of mobility, lessen health risks, and will prolong their lives.

LAST YEAR MY wife and I lived in remote

Author Scott Haugen, here with pudelpointers Echo and Kona, has experienced ups and downs when it comes to their diet, but after years of careful research and trial and error, is finally happy with where they’re at. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 56 California Sportsman NOVEMBER 2020 | calsportsmanmag.com

Alaska. We ran out of NutriSource dog food in the spring and had to switch to a leading Canadian brand, as we lived right on the British Columbia border.

Within a couple days of feeding, both Echo and Kona experienced itching and their droppings doubled in size. Echo incurred joint pain and stiffness too. Two months later we got our hands on NutriSource, and the dogs’ comfort and performance levels noticeably changed after only a few days of feeding.

Another mistake I made in Alaska

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Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.

ZER

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was supplementing my dogs’ diet with store-bought beef. Back in Oregon, where they grew up, my dogs regularly had scraps of venison and fish added to their diet. In Alaska we only had access to salmon, no red meat, so I figured free-ranging beef would be good. After a couple weeks, Kona’s ears were inflamed, moist and itching. I figured it was due to the wet environment we were in every day in southeast Alaska.

Echo also experienced stiffness and irritability like I’d never seen.

This went on for months, and again, I discounted their conditions to the wet, cold environment – we’d received over 25 feet of snow and it was very wet and cold all winter long. Both dogs also experienced hair loss like never before. Then we ran out of beef.

After a few days of eating just their NutriSource food, both dogs displayed noticeable improvement. Shame on me for not recognizing sooner that they were both allergic to beef. The impacts were so visibly devastating on both dogs that they no longer eat beef.

WHEN SUPPLEMENTING A dog’s diet, make sure it’s done with healthy choices. As a rule of thumb, brightcolored vegetables are good options.

We regularly feed our dogs sweet potatoes, carrots and broccoli. Avoid table scraps that lead to inflammation and have no nutritional value such as bread, fat and cheese.

Reading the labels, understanding nutritional information, and getting to know your dog’s metabolism, health and performance levels are necessary in order to keep them healthy and living life to the fullest.

This process requires effort and discipline, but in the end, there’s no excuse for not properly managing your dog’s diet, and awareness of healthy food options and consistent exercise are critical. NS

Editor’s note: To watch Scott Haugen’s series of puppy training videos, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.

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