California Sportsman Mag - July 2022

FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM

Incredible 166 Acre Property w/Majestic 360˚ Views Custom Crafted Home + Guest House + Barn + Shop Luxury Rural Living

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NEW, FIRST IF IT’S KIND, COMBO ADVENTURE FISHING PACKAGE FOR THE 2023 SEASON.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR 2023 RESERVATIONS FOR THIS EXCITING PACKAGE BY AUGUST 31ST 2022.

We are very pleased to introduce you to our one of a kind, Combo Adventure Fishing Package for the 2023 season. This is our 5 night 6 day, Combo Salmon and Sturgeon Package. This Combo Package includes: 20 hours of guided fishing for sturgeon on the world famous Fraser River and 20 hours of guided fishing for salmon, halibut and lingcod on the Wild West Coast of Vancouver Island. Zeballos Top Guides is pleased to announce that we are partnering with Great River Fishing Adventures in order to bring you this exciting Combo Salmon/Sturgeon Package.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF OUR MOST RECENT REVIEWS: This review from David M. was received on Nov.9th 2021

Dale S fished with us last month.

Fabulous weeks guided fishing w/GRFA

Great Adventures

This was our first trip to GRFA and we were blown away. Despite some challenging weather, the whole trip was fabulous end to end.

Our guide Landon was a real expert, super professional, but also a joy to fish alongside. From the Sturgeon in the Canyon to Salmon on the Harrison and Chehalis River, we were always on fish quickly. We really didn’t want to leave. So good...3 return trips already planned for 2022....Thanks guys.

This was my fifth year of Sturgeon fishing with GRFA. The guides are knowledgeable, helpful and fun. The Fraser River scenery is stunning. The boats are comfortable and well equipped. The boat ride on the Fraser River is an adventure in itself. Reeling in Sturgeon is awesome. The power of these fish is something to experience. I am already looking forward to next year, catching up with friends and catching and releasing more of these magnificent fish. GRFA is a fantastic way for friends to spend a memorable day together.

Watch Our YouTube Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpilZyz3uM0

5 NIGHT 6 DAY COMBO SALMON/STURGEON PACKAGE Includes the following: All meals, including wine with your dinner meals, 5 nights accommodations and 40 hours of guided fishing. You will spend your first 2 nights with GRFA and your next 3 nights with Zeballos Top Guides at their Lodge in Zeballos. Your 5 day fishing licenses are included along with the vacuum packing and freezing of your catch while fishing with Zeballos Top Guides. Also included is your transportation between our Great River Fishing Adventures location on the Banks of the Fraser River and the Zeballos Top Guides Lodge in Zeballos, BC Canada.

Party of 2, fishing 2 per boat...$5537.00 + tax USD PP Party of 3 fishing 3 per boat....$3633.00 + tax USD PP Party of 4 fishing 4 per boat... $3185.00 + tax USD PP How to book your Combo Salmon/Sturgeon 5 Night 6 Day Package for 2023: Go to https://www.zeballostopguides.com/contact and complete and submit the Submissions Form. If you have any questions or would like information on availability, just give us a call at 1-250-337-2158 or send an email to doug.zeballostopguides2022@gmail.com Here are the Dates for the package: May 1st to May 6th, May 6th to May 11th, May 11th to May 16th, May 16th to May 21st, May 21st to May 26th May 26th to May 31st, May 31st to June 5th, June 5th to June 10th, June 10th to June 15th, June 15th to June 20th June 20th to June 25th, June 25th to June 30th, June30th to July 5th, July 5th to July 10th, July 10th to July 15th July 15th to July 20th, July 20th to July 25th, July 25th to July 30th. September 1st to September 6th, September 6th to September 11th, September 11th to September 16th, September 16th to September 21st, September 21st to September 26th and September 26th to October 1st.

Don’t wait—packages will sell out fast! ZeballosTopGuides.com

Wild Boar

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estled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, High Adventure Ranch offers all of the excitement of western big game hunting without the costs and hassles.

Be prepared for a fair chase hunt! With over 3 square miles of prime natural habitat, our ranch provides challenges to even the most seasoned hunter, but our experienced guides and “No Game, No Pay” policy practically ensure that you won’t go home empty handed. In addition, High Adventure’s hunting season is year-round, allowing ample time to fit the most demanding schedule.

While our whitetail, elk, wild boar and red stag hunts top our hunter’s most popular lists, hunters from around the world have visited our ranch, hunting everything from American bison, black buck, fallow deer to Spanish goats and African game.

So, whether you desire a 10-point whitetail mount for your trophy room or simply the thrill and challenge of taking down one of our many elusive big game animals, High Adventure Ranch guarantees memories of an unparalleled hunting experience that will bring you back again and again.

Red Stag We are 8,000 miles closer than New Zealand.

We are in Missouri and have red stag.

Call Charles (ranch owner) 314-293-0610 or Brad 314-578-4590 highadventureranch.com

California

Sportsman

Volume 14 • Issue 9

Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

PUBLISHER James R. Baker

INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn

GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott

CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine

EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, John Heil, Todd Kline, Lance Sawa, Bill Schaefer SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold

ON THE COVER California’s soaring summer temperatures don’t mean anglers can’t have fun and trick some big ones. The state’s lakes boast plenty of hungry catfish to fill your stringers. (CHAD SMITH)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Kelley Miller, Mike Smith DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines

MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120 Renton, WA 98057 (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.mediaindexpublishing.com

DIGITAL ASSISTANT Jon Ekse ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 9

FEATURES 47 ON TOP OF THE CALICO WORLD

This time of year, calico bass are spawning around kelp beds in the Pacific as well as looking for a quick bite.

While many fishermen work around the beds, Capt. Bill Schaefer prefers to use weedless swimbaits right within the kelp itself, because as he puts it, “Going into the stringers can catch you some giants.” Get the details on how to fish this water and what to throw at these hungry saltwater treats.

53

DO THE CLAM

Our American Angler in Japan scribe Lance Sawa spent many childhood days with his dad and family friends scooping up tasty clams at beaches from San Pedro to Ventura to Pismo. Now, Sawa is handing down that tradition to his son Nico, thousands of miles away in their new country. Find out how Lance and Nico did on a warm sunny day on a beach right in Tokyo.

61

39

Hunters never sleep, even in July when most seasons for big game aren’t open.

Scott Haugen prefers to be proactive this time of year (when he’s not out fishing, of course). In the first of a two-part series in our From Field to Fire feature, Haugen cites some ways you can improve your shooting skills ahead of your fall hunts. And stick around for Tiffany Haugen’s moist pressure cooker upland bird recipe!

(JEFF WALTERS)

KEEP CATCHING DURING SUMMER’S SIZZLE

Summer means baseball, beaches, beer and barbecues. But even as temperatures rise, anglers can still beat the heat to score everything from bass, catfish and panfish to even trout. Jeff Walters (shown here with a Lower Colorado River largie) loads the bases with tips that will keep you in the game, even if you need to go extra innings and fish at night!

PRESEASON HUNTER SKILLS CHALLENGE

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 15 19 23 25 29 73

The Editor’s Note: Summer fishing memories The Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar Endangered Devils Hole pupfish slowly increasing in numbers Tracking training for gun dogs

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, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. 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 © 2022 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. 12 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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THEEDITOR’SNOTE

F

or most of my 20 years or so as a sports reporter and mostly covering my main beats of Division I college athletics and high school sports, the summers were traditionally my opportunity to exhale and take significant time off. So I got used to planning my vacation time between June and August.

Truth be told, these days I prefer to take vacation days – particularly for international travel – in the fall or spring; less tourists, more affordable, milder weather. Yet as I read Jeff Walters’ report on how to beat the summer heat to catch fish (page 39), I now look back and think that some of my best fishing experiences have come in the summertime. Go figure.

Granted, I’ve caught a lot of nice fish in the spring and fall, but I think some of my happiest days as an angler were during our family trips to Lake Tahoe and Clear Lake in the dog days of July and August. My first Clear Lake catfish bit my nightcrawlers on a blazing hot afternoon in late June. And there was the 3-pound kokanee my dad and I landed while toplining in a rented boat off Tahoe Vista during our annual summer trek. When we brought it back to our motel – we’d become regular visitors and friends with the proprietors – the owner cleaned it, fried it up and we all got a taste.

And on back-to-back mid-June days in 2012, I had two great trips for Lake Berryessa kokanee and Lake Oroville landlocked coho with guide Rick Kennedy. Great memories.

What’s funny is that despite growing up in San Bruno, just 12 miles south of San Francisco and where the temperature rarely exceeds 75 degrees year-round, I’ve since lived in rotisserie ovenhot summer climates like Fresno and Lancaster in California, and Fayetteville, Arkansas. So I’ve gotten used to triple-digit conditions that make you want to flee inside for the air conditioning.

So while I’m indeed planning a trip out of the country for late September and early October, maybe I should be thinking about those catfish, kokanee, bass and other creatures that swim this month and next – hot weather be damned. Fish gotta eat too.

-Chris Cocoles

During this Lake Berryessa trip in June 2012, a hot day provided some great fishing for the editor. Some of his best days as an angler have some in the scorching summer. (CHRIS COCOLES) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

15

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16 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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17

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ures Advent

W

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

We took a family trip to Cozumel, Mexico, so there were reasonably good views involved! (TODD KLINE)

How about this for a great sunset view in this Mexican paradise? (TODD KLINE) The undersea bounty of the Caribbean was amazing. (TODD KLINE)

Underwater fun in the clear-blue Caribbean waters of Cozumel, an island off the Yucatán Peninsula coast. This was our first family scuba experience. (TODD KLINE) calsportsmanmag.com calsportsmanmag.com || JULY JULY 2022 California Sportsman

19

I went straight from Cozumel to Louisiana to hook up with a Major League Fishing bass pro and our sponsor Grundens to film in Cajun country. It was nothing short of awesome – great food, fishing and fun. (TODD KLINE) With the kids out of school I was able to enjoy some father-son guiding trips.

Have a great July! (TODD KLINE)

Fishing the oil rigs of the Gulf of Mexico was an awesome experience. (TODD KLINE)

All the ingredients came together for a Cajunstyle crawfish boil. Delicious! (TODD KLINE) Here is a plate of yummy blue crab for the pot. (TODD KLINE)

When in Louisiana … you take advantage of the tasty sea critters these waters are known for. (TODD KLINE) California Sportsman | calsportsmanmag.com 20 20 California Sportsman JULY JULY 20222022 | calsportsmanmag.com

PHOTO

CONTEST

Updated website with new products

WINNERS! KOKANEE — TROUT LANDLOCKED LANDLOCK CKED CK KED SALMON S LMON SA

Matching lures: NEW Kokanee Krill, Beaded Spinners, Super Squids, Spin Bugs Only the finest fluorescent (“UV”) materials used. Tandem Gamakatsu hooks.

FISH WITH GARY TACKLE CO. La Pine, Oregon

Loren Benson is the winner of our monthly Coast Fishing Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of he and his Columbia Gorge spring Chinook. It wins him a knife and light from Coast!

www.fishwithgary.com 541.536.1002 Home of Kokanee University

Eric Smith is our monthly Coast Hunting Photo Contest winner, thanks to this pic of himself (left) and his trophy Central Washington mule deer buck taken on a special permit. It wins him a knife and light from Coast!

For your shot at winning a Coast knife and light, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to ccocoles@media-inc.com or California Sportsman, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

23

JULY 1 Rabbit and varying hare hunting season opens 1 Spring Chinook salmon fishing opens on portions of the Klamath River Basin 1-10 Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby, Upper Twin Lake; facebook.com/Mono.

Village, (760) 932-7071 1-31 How Big-Is-Big Fishing Derby, West Walker River; northernmonochamber.com 2 Free fishing day, no general license required in state waters; wildlife.ca.gov/ Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days 9 Kokanee Power Team Derby, New Melones Lake; kokaneepower.org 9 Zone A archery deer hunting season opens 16 Sacramento and Feather River king salmon fishing scheduled to open 22 Recreational ocean salmon fishing reopens from the 40°10’ Line to Point Arena 23 Zone B-4 archery deer season opens 29-30 Bridgeport Fish Fest, Twin Lakes Resort; facebook.com/twinlakesbridgeport

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

AUGUST 6

Lake Berryessa Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 6-14 Most archery pronghorn antelope hunting season dates 13 Zone A deer season opens (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) 13-21 Owens Valley Multiple Zone archery-only bull tule elk hunt dates 16-19 Grizzly Island Period 1 apprentice antlerless archery tule elk hunt dates 18-21 Grizzly Island Period 2 apprentice archery spike bull tule elk hunt dates 20 Archery-only and falconry quail, grouse and chukar hunting seasons open 20 Zones B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5 and B-6 archery deer seasons open 20 Most D Zone archery deer seasons open 20-28 Most general and apprentice pronghorn antelope hunting season dates 26 Start of Ambush at the Lake fall fishing derby, Convict Lake; convictlake.com, (800) 992-2260 31–Sept 11 Northeastern California either-sex Rocky Mountain elk season dates

Note: With COVID-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending.

For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx.

July 2 is a Free Fishing Day in California, when a general license is not required for anglers to wet a line. (CHRIS COCOLES) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

25

FISHING A curious captive-raised Devils Hole pupfish at the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility. In April, scientists counted 175 pupfish in their Nevada home, the most of this critically endangered species observed in a spring count in 22 years. (OLIN FEUERBACHER/USFWS)

SAVING AN ENDANGERED FISH IN THE DESERT

By John Heil

F

or more than 50 years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife and their partners have used scuba and surface monitoring for Devils Hole pupfish, and it appears conservation and recovery efforts are paying off.

This past April, scientists counted 175 pupfish, the most observed of this critically endangered species in a spring count in 22 years. Fall counts are typically higher due to greater food resources as a result of more sunlight throughout the summer months.

Brandon Senger, supervisory fisheries biologist for NDOW, scubacounted the “surprising” number of

young fish below the surface with other biologists, noting that the fish appeared to be in “both remarkable condition and very active.”

SMALL FISH, EVEN SMALLER RANGE Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) live in the upper 80 feet of a deep water-filled cavern and sun-lit shallow pool at the cavern’s entrance,

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

29

FISHING making this the smallest range of any vertebrate species on the planet.

Devils Hole is a detached unit of Death Valley National Park surrounded by the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nye County, Nevada.

“Devils Hole is still under the impacts of groundwater pumping in the 1960s, so I feel that we have a duty as a society that if we’ve impacted the habitat for this pupfish, then we should do something to try to save it,” said Kevin Wilson, aquatic ecologist for Death Valley National Park, who manages the resources of Devils Hole.

The importance of the pupfish is more than just biodiversity and the Supreme Court decision in 1976 to protect the species accordingly, per senior USFWS fish biologist Michael Schwemm.

“The protections that this iconic fish has, and the decisions made to support it in light of human development in the region caused an increased awareness in general throughout the desert southwest to protect other species of desert fishes,” Schwemm said of the Supreme Court decision. “This created an awareness of water issues in the desert southwest and an inspiration to do more.

“It’s just such a different species and it is remarkable that it has managed to survive. It lacks pelvic fins due to

Kevin Wilson, the National Park Service’s Devils Hole program manager discusses habitat with James Woolsey, superintendent at Great Basin National Park, as divers Brandon Senger of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and Mal Maloney of Volunteer In Park surface in the pupfish cavern’s pool. (OLIN FEUERBACHER/USFWS)

the extreme conditions such as low food resources and high temperature, adapting to habitat conditions which have evolved over time.”

REPLICATING HABITAT Those conditions have been mirrored in a 100,000-gallon tank at the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility.

This captive population, which is currently around 300 fish, guards against extinction, according to fish biologist and facility manager

“It’s just such a different species and it is remarkable that it has managed to survive,” said USFWS fish biologist Michael Schwemm on the Devils Hole pupfish, which are only found in a section of Death Valley National Park just across from the California border in Nevada. (OLIN FEUERBACHER/USFWS) 30 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

Jennifer Gumm.

Population size in the wild is estimated by counting fish throughout the habitat, with standard counting protocols. Scientists scuba dive to count fish in the cavern, starting at depths below 100 feet. Simultaneously, other scientists count fish on the shallow shelf at the water’s surface. The final count includes both surface and underwater fish.

“It’s not the way that you would think of to count most species of fishes,” said Gumm. “The unique cave habitat of Devils Hole and the population being so small for so long – those different components contribute to this being the best way to get a population size estimate.”

Before the 1990s, the population was around 200 pupfish in the spring. However, pupfish numbers have been especially low during the last two decades, averaging only 90 fish. This spring’s count continues an overall increase seen during the past nine years, from the all-time low of 35 fish in spring 2013.

A return to higher numbers of pupfish this time of year could signal important changes in the ecosystem.“Such shifts highlight the

FISHING importance of maintaining long-term data as we work to find out what’s changed,” said Wilson.

CHANGING UP THE PROCESS

Jeffrey Goldstein, NPS fish biologist, conducts a stereo video survey of Devils Hole, allowing precise size measurements of the fish encountered during the dive.

(OLIN FEUERBACHER/USFWS)

32 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

After the second population crash in 2013, with the previous dire situation coming in 2006, Schwemm said something needed to be done.

“In 2017, the managing agencies met to discuss how to react more efficiently next time,” Schwemm said.

“We knew this was something we’d need to deal with – be able to respond quickly – so we developed a strategic plan with baseline information in case anyone on the team ever left, so we wouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel and start from ground zero.”

The agencies are now working collaboratively to implement the strategic plan and be proactive in management of the species. The next pupfish count occurs next fall.

“It was exciting to see this shift (both in collaboration and pupfish numbers), because it allows more opportunities to study and explore new management options.”

Other research questions include studying genomic work to understand the genetic variation in both the wild and captive populations. “There is a really high potential that this will transform what we know and how we manage the species,” said Gumm.

Scientists are also looking at the fish in captivity to understand impacts of the environmental variables, including climate change.

“Being able to understand how temperature influences development, growth rates and morphology is something else we are looking at,” said Gumm. “So having success in captive breeding and high fish numbers, both in the wild and in captivity, is allowing us to do a lot more research to understand the species and inform management and recovery.”

Finally, according to Gumm, they have recently started understanding more about the physiology (how the body functions) of the fish by looking at waterborne hormones, where

FISHING Biologists count pupfish on the shallow shelf in Devils Hole, while divers simultaneously tally those in the cave system to depths of approximately 110 feet.

Pictured front to back: Kevin Wilson, NPS aquatic ecologist, Devils Hole program manager, Death Valley National Park; Jennifer Gumm, USFWS fish biologist/ facility manager at Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility; Michael Schwemm , USFWS senior fish biologist, Southern Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office.

(OLIN FEUERBACHER/USFWS)

between agencies and other partners per Gumm, Wilson and Schwemm.

“This isn’t just one agency that is working on the recovery and conservation of this critically endangered fish,” said Wilson. “This interagency effort shows that it’s better to play well together in the sandbox and check your egos at the door. We’re really working well together now as a group. The pupfish and the habitat are the important part and we as scientists and managers are just trying to do what is best for them. It takes a team.”

Gumm agreed. “We are likely seeing some of these positive trends in population size because of the coordinated efforts that we have between the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as outside partners,” she said.

Thanks to the recent population increases in the wild and captivity, scientists are hopeful as they look towards the next 50 years of Devils Hole pupfish conservation. CS Editor’s note: John Heil serves as the deputy assistant regional director for external affairs in the USFWS Pacific Southwest Region headquarters in Sacramento. For more, go to fws.gov/cno.

scientists can get the hormone levels just from the water the fish are in as a tool for understanding reproduction, and stress.

A TEAM EFFORT All of this has come together as a result of a strong effort at collaboration "This interagency effort shows that it’s better to play well together in the sandbox and check your egos at the door. We’re really working well together now as a group. The pupfish and the habitat are the important part and we as scientists and managers are just trying to do what is best for them. It takes a team," said Michael Schwemm. Devils Hole dive team and surface support personnel pose after a successful weekend.

Pictured left to right: Schwemm and Mike Bower (USFWS), Brandon Senger (NDOW), Ambre Chaudoin (NPS), Peter Garcia (Volunteer in Park), Jeffrey Goldstein and Kevin Wilson (NPS), Mal Malone (VIP), Jenny Gumm (USFWS), and Steve Cane and Robert Novak (VIP). (OLIN FEUERBACHER/USFWS) 34 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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FISHING

e

In many parts of California, summer means hot temperatures but also lots of opportunities to catch fish. Reading the water and knowing how and where different species will be this time of year will increase your success, as will dressing to stay comfortable while fishing in the heat. (JEFF WALTERS)

STAND THE HEAT, STAY IN THE KITCHEN TIPS FOR FISHING DURING CALIFORNIA’S SCORCHING SUMMER

By Jeff Walters

F

ishing California’s super hot summer days and nights may sound like a great idea – until the outdoor temps reach the mid-90s and higher.

Hopefully, you can jump into the water you’re fishing and cool off.

However, if stuck without the chance

to take a dip, it can be ridiculously hot while fishing – even more so when the fish just aren’t biting. It’s just what comes with angling the state’s rivers and lakes during these months.

But the facts surrounding fishing in hot summer temps may surprise you; after all, the fish are relatively nice and cool in the water. The differences in your approach boil

down to the species of fish you’re pursuing and their food source, and water temps, clarity, depth and whether it is moving or standing.

So let’s take a look at some of the differences around fishing these hot summer days and nights.

HOW SPECIFIC FISH HANDLE THE HEAT The species of fish really does make

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FISHING Working jigs and other lures around docks is a good strategy for summer fishing in the early evening. (JEFF WALTERS)

a difference on these days. Big largemouth bass retreat into cooler, deeper water as the sun gets higher in the sky. Bluegill and other smaller panfish seek shelter in the weeds, rocks and ledges. Catfish must keep moving to stay cool or bury themselves in mud someplace if they can find it.

Trout like it cold, so you know they will be in deeper water if not a coldwater environment already.

Understanding the water you’re fishing and how fish relate to it is half the battle; the other half is figuring out the right bait, lure and presentation.

Hot days and nights present a different feeding pattern for most fish, and that also depends on the prey that is available. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are not the baitchasing type of fish that pelagically oriented trout, stripers, white bass

and others can be. Largemouth will hide in deeper water when the temps skyrocket. Finding these hiding spots without electronics or if you’re shorebound can be a challenge, which is why knowing how to read the water and surroundings is a great way to increase your odds.

Look for drop-off points where the shoreline is steep. Rockpiles, earthen dam facings, and under docks and moored boats are always good spots for bass to hide away from the heat and strong daytime light.

KNOW YOUR FISHERIES Understanding the water you are fishing is very important. Consider some of these questions: Have you fished here before? What are water depths in the areas you may know about? Is the water clear, moving, stained or just plain muddy?

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Then look at the surroundings.

Are there rockpiles and, if so, are they man-made? This makes a difference because, believe it or not, most random rockpiles along the shore that are man-made are put there for various reasons, such as fish habitat.

Learn as much as you can about the water you are fishing; it makes a big difference.

CAN I HAVE FRIES WITH THAT? Since it is summer and the spawn was a few months ago, there will be lots of little fish fry swimming around and in turn attracting larger fish. The best time to use smaller-style jigs and lures is early morning and early evening, when temps are cooler and fry simply stay closer to the open shoreline.

Larger fish will sneak up on the schools for an easy meal. And other fish species, crayfish, turtles and

FISHING Author Jeff Walters (right) and his son Jason enjoy the camaraderie (and cooler weather) of night bass fishing. (JEFF WALTERS)

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birds will all want their fair share of these tasty little morsels to dine on. Understanding how these other creatures feed will often affect your fishing success.

Bass will bite just about anything that comes their way and topwater baits have always been a go-to style of lure on these hot summer days.

Baits resembling mice, lizards and even large rats offer a big, fat meal for a big, hungry bass. There are so many styles and options of topwater lures to choose from; understanding the water you are fishing plays a big part in that decision-making process.

If there are lily pads and other plant matter close to the top of the water column, then a bouncing frog or swimming lizard will work. If the area you are fishing is void of anything except rocks and boulders, then a mouse pattern or lizard style of lure will do the trick. Again, understanding the water you are fishing is key.

FISHING WHEN THE NIGHT COMES When temps cool down at night, don’t forget to fish the docks. Even as lights come on around the water, bigger fish won’t spook easily. A lot of bigger panfish feed at night, chasing fry and larger insects attracted to dock lights. Try using smaller jigs.

Fly fishing at night – think topwater bugs, poppers, frogs and lizards – works well when targeting lighted docks and boats. Soaking a nightcrawler under a lighted bobber or on the bottom near lighted dock

areas can also provide excitement, as you never know what is going to bite.

CAT FIGHTS AFTER DARK Fishing at night for catfish has always been a favorite of many anglers during the summers. The scorching daytime temps drop; the small campfire helps keep the flying insects away; the radio plays some tunes; and everybody tells stories of times gone by. It makes for a great evening.

Rigging up heavier lines and plunking on the bottom with Filling a stringer full of catfish caught after dark is a great way to combat the sizzling summer weather. This lucky angler had a good evening at San Diego’s Poway Lake. (JEFF WALTERS)

tasty offerings like chicken livers, nightcrawlers, shrimp and other cut baits is the way to do it. If you fish with others or have a second-rod validation, you can rig multiple different baits to see what works best and then use that on other lines. Outfitting the rods with bells, lights and/or alarms will tell you when a fish is biting.

If you plan on being out there for a while, throwing a crayfish trap or two closer to shore is also a good idea.

This is the time to relax and enjoy some quality fishing.

However, catfish are not the only nighttime prowler. Believe it or not, trout will start sneaking in toward shoreline in the hopes of ambushing some prey. Trout like to move along the bottom rockpile areas looking for big tasty insects and crayfish. These lake-bound trout will travel in patterns the same as they do in the open water, but under the cover of darkness they will be closer to shore.

MOVING TIME If fishing cool moving water, you have a whole different type of fishing to adapt to. Trout will still bite at night, but the fish will be more selective as they cruise along the shorelines in search of big bugs and tasty little crustaceans.

Where allowed under the regulations, using live bait at night in cold and moving water works well.

Some fisheries do not allow the use of live bait. If that is the case, then the old tried-and-true dough baits will suffice, since trout are really sightsensitive after chasing tiny bugs all day. Let their ability to smell your dough bait work instead.

KEEP COOL IN THE HEAT Just remember that even when summer temperatures rise, so do the fishing opportunities. Understanding the type of water you are fishing is the most important part of becoming a successful angler this time of year.

Tight lines, everyone, and stay cool. CS 44 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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46 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

ADD EXCITEMENT TO CALICO FISHING TARGET AGGRESSIVE BASS IN THE SALT WITH A VARIETY OF UNWEIGHTED TOPWATERS

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

I

t’s that time of year for all calico anglers to head to the kelp beds for topwater action.

Bass are spawning now and have switched to killer mode. They will attack anything that passes in front of their noses. Schools of calicos roam the kelp and will practically go after anything you throw in the water.

A lot of fishermen will work along the outer edge of the kelp, which may be where the fish stack up from time to time, but going into the stringers can put you into some giants. I’m not talking about the stringers that are so thick there’s barely a hole in them; I’m talking about the fairly thick stringers that are all laying in a row on top.

Tilt your motor slightly and drift over these stringers for nonstop action.

WATCH THE WATER Current can make a difference when it comes to catching fish. As most calico fishermen know, you want a down-and-in current; that is, the stringers are pointing down to the south and into the beach. But an upand-in flow will work as well.

You see, the current will be pushing the baitfish into the stringers where bass are waiting to feed on them. The current will stir up the food chain no matter what direction it’s going. But if it’s slow in one area, then move on to the next, as it may be flowing correctly up or down the shoreline.

THE CHASE IS ON Every once and a while you’ll see calicos chasing baitfish right on top of

Topwater baits, those with minimal or even no weight, are an effective and exciting way to target postspawn calico bass around kelp beds off the Southern California coast this summer. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

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FISHING the water’s surface. They may be up for a second, or they may be up for quite a long time. It’s worth it to try to make it over to them and take a few casts in their general direction. A lot of times the baitfish may have sunk out but the bass will still be there and ready to eat your lure.

GO WEED-FREE So now that you’re out there, how do you fish topwater baits for calicos?

Most of the time I will throw a weedless swimbait with no weight at all. I want the true topwater explosion you get when a bass comes up to gobble it on the surface. It does take some

getting used to the strike, so don’t be discouraged if you miss a few of them.

Once you get the hang of it you will not want to put this rod down.

If there are a lot of stringers in your favorite area, your first cast should be across them at a 90-degree angle.

Bass are under these stringers and throwing your lure down the alleys will work, but I feel I get more strikes covering more stringers.

The key is, the second your casted bait hits the water, start reeling it back across the top. The lure should be on the surface or no more than an inch or two underneath it.

The lighter the jighead, the easier it

Author Bill Schaefer’s son Bricen shows off a nice calico taken on a surface swimbait. You might miss a few early strikes, but keep at it and you’ll eventually hook up.

(BILL SCHAEFER)

is to skitter the bait across the stringers.

I only pause for a second as I come off the kelp stringer and then go right back to full speed. Many times the calicos will eat it right as you approach a stringer, because they think it’s going to get away, or right after you come off of the kelp while they are tracking it.

THE THRILL OF THE STRIKE When a calico explodes on your bait – and you will probably miss the first one – it is a super exciting, rattling moment that will wake you up.

I feel that jigheads with weed guards get more hookups. When reeling in the bait, keep your rod tip up at a 45-degree angle. When it gets hit, stop reeling and wait for the fish to pull your rod tip down. Then set the hook. This does take practice, but you will hook more calicos.

Even the explosions that you are sure to miss help keep the day exciting. If one bass misses the bait, go right back to reeling. Sometimes he will circle around and grab it or one of his friends will.

Light conditions can make a difference as well. Gray light first thing in the morning can bring larger fish to the surface, although I have done well all day at times. If the conditions, current and bait are right, then you should score the rest of the summer and into early fall.

When everything lines up, I won’t put my topwater rod down the entire day. I may not get quite as many bites as my fishing partner, but the explosions right on the surface make every one worth two or three times a regular catch.

A PLUG FOR SLUG BAITS While the fast action of a topwater bait right in the thick of things is exciting, there are a few more ways to have fun fishing the surface that you may or may not have tried yet and should if you haven’t. Slug-type baits are another method to fish right on the top or just under the surface.

They can be an exciting topwater bait.

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FISHING Slugs are fished without a weight and aren’t rigged on a jighead. The bait will sink a tad on its own and will still give you the big toilet-flush boil or explosion when bit. Again, cast out over all the stringers and twitch the bait along, keeping the rod tip up at a 45-degree angle. Let the bass pull the rod tip down before setting the hook and then wind like mad to get him out of the weeds.

BRING SOME SWIMBAITS The last topwater I want to tell you about is a weedless swimbait. But like the slug baits, fish them lightly weighted or – most of the time

– weightless. You can use larger swimbait hooks, like my Mustad widegap hooks, without weight.

The weight of the bait will take it down a bit and make it easier to pull a big boy out of the stringers. I usually use this technique when I know there should be some big fish in an area.

You need to give the calico the bait a tad longer and then set the hook on them; because of this I will use a little heavier tackle.

There are some other topwater baits you can use in sparse kelp or when the current has the pulled the stringers completely under, like glide baits, walking baits, etc. But I want

you to try this method right on top. I find so many fellow anglers who just can’t believe the way I chase these bass on top, but many who have fished with me adapt quickly, and I know you will too.

RODS AND REELS Speaking of tackle, let’s look at how to set up for this fun. I use Daiwa DXSB swimbait rods in various actions, usually 10- to 30- or 12- to 40-pound line actions. My Daiwa Lexa WN 300s are loaded with anything from 20-pound Maxima Ultragreen mono to 60-pound braid.

If you are using braid and keep missing fish, you may be pulling the bait away from them too fast. Try going to mono for a little stretch and allow a few more seconds for the fish to inhale the lure.

For bait brands, you need to have a variety. The different vibrations produced by different tails can make a difference to what bass are keying on with their lateral lines. There are so many good companies out there now, with Big Hammer, MC Swimbaits, LK Lures, Reyes Swimbaits, Yamamoto and Reebs Lures being some of my favorites. All these designers feel their tail kicks the best. And they do at different times, so you need to change if your buddy is outfishing you.

Try darker colors for early morning and then a little lighter as the day clears from the overcast skies in the morning. The best suggestion is that you fish with your favorite colors.

GET FIRED UP

Jeff Linsenbard caught a hungry calico on the surface off Point Loma in San Diego. “If the conditions, current and bait are right, then you should score the rest of the summer and into early fall,” Schaefer writes. (BILL SCHAEFER) 50 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

I hope that you get excited about trying out this type of topwater fishing if you haven’t already. It’s fun, fast and exciting when a calico explodes on your bait.

You probably have the right equipment already if you fish for calicos, so just adapt to the suggestions I have made here and you will find it hard to put the topwater lure down if the bass are biting it. I know it is for me. CS

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Author Lance Sawa’s son Nico enjoys digging for muddy bounty at a beach in Tokyo during a father-son clamming trip. The adventure conjured up memories of the author’s childhood of clam digging along the Southern California coast. (LANCE SAWA)

CAN YOU DIG THIS? CLAMMING IN TOKYO

By Lance Sawa

D

ad would be in our garage, cutting half-inch rings from a PVC pipe in the vice, which could only mean one thing: Clam digging!

He cut out at least one ring for each person who planned to come along.

When I was little, a string would get attached as well for my wrist so that I wouldn’t lose it during the day.

Our normal Southern and Central California clam digging location was San Pedro Beach, but we also went to Pismo Beach and Ventura Beach

occasionally. We would drive over a bridge after skirting a beach, and after parking we’d dig almost directly under the bridge we had driven over.

Everyone had their own buckets and PVC rings in hand while walking down to the beach. Dad would carry a shovel to use during the day.

Sometimes it was a big party, with other friends or families waiting for us to join in. This was a summer event and all the adults would chat as they dug for littleneck clams.

There was a familiar thump sound from the buckets every time a legal one was found. Most of the children

didn’t care too much about the clams themselves, but it was fun to dig in the sand and find little treasures.

On days that it was only us there, I think getting limits was faster. There was no need for chatting and catching up; just digging. Normally, winter days were like this, even though the tide was lower in that season. I loved that checking the size of clams was so easy; if the widest part of the shell fit through the ring, it wasn’t legal and went back into the hole. Every once in a while a ghost shrimp would swim through the hole we were digging, which would catch me off guard.

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Along with the white ghost shrimp, we would find the long razor clams that would cut us, living up to their name. I knew of a few people who dug for and kept the razors, but we never did. Pretty much the only clams that came home were the littlenecks, though as children they had no name; they were just clams. Multiple buckets of saltwater came home with us too for the clams to spit the sand.

Depending on how many people were digging, we’d have either one or two buckets full of the tiny mollusks.

They would stay on the front porch and spit sand for at least two days.

After coming home from school, I would watch them for a while with their tongues sticking out. A little touch to the bucket and they would shut their mouths quickly, with their tongues retreating inside.

All the different colors inside the bucket looked like a treasure chest full of jewels. There were also little jets of water and little bits of sand that came out with them. When it was time to cook the clams, I was always surprised at how much sand was left at the bottom of the bucket.

We usually cooked them by simply boiling them, with salt to taste. Even though us kids didn’t like them, there never seemed to be any leftovers.

Not far from Tokyo’s popular Disney theme parks is the Nishi Nagisa area, which features its own ferris wheel and a bridge leading to a man-made beach on Tokyo Bay where clamming is popular. (LANCE SAWA) 54 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

NOW, AS I THINK back, it has been about 15 years since the last time I went clam digging. Living in a landlocked part of Japan hasn’t helped my opportunities to do it again.

In Japan, clamming season is very short and varies by area. Most are open from mid-March to late May and sometimes into June. I decided to make a detour during a planned trip with the family to also include one day of clam digging – shiohigari in Japanese.

This trip was into Tokyo, which meant that I couldn’t bring that much equipment – just one small net with a makeshift digging tool for my son Nico. In Japan you dig with a modified garden trowel with three fingers and webbing between, called bear hands, to catch any clams. Nico

was happy to dig with the old pasta stirrer and I was happy with my bare hands.

This location is called Nishi Nagisa, near the small island of the same name in Tokyo Bay and a short walk from the Kasai-Rinkai-Koen JR (Tokyo’s light rail transit) train station. You can’t miss it, as you can see the huge 56-foot Ferris wheel after exiting the station. This station is the one right before the stop for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. From the train, it’s a short walk through a great green park that also has an aquarium and bird-watching areas.

Nico and I got to the beach in the morning about an hour before low tide. It was advised that everyone wear shoes or boots of some kind, but that request didn’t last long with my

son and I didn’t even bother. The few boulders were worn smooth from the ocean waves.

Quickly we were on the sand and heading for the water’s edge. Others were already digging and more clammers crossed the bridge to the man-made beach. Before we’d leave this little beach would be packed with people.

IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE we found our first clam, a Japanese littleneck (asari).

These mollusks look very similar to the ones I found in California. The minimum size is not dictated by law, but you are asked not to take anything smaller than a 10-yen coin (about quarter-sized). It was large enough and went into the little net we brought along. That was it for the first hole and we moved to the next.

Actually, a hole is a wrong way to explain it, as most asari are found in about one hand-width of sand. I dug in a sweeping motion, using my hand

Father and son getting dirty but also scoring some tasty clams from the beach. (LANCE SAWA) 56 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

as a guide to how deep into the sand to go. Nico just dug straight down and had fun. We found many tiny clams before our next keeper appeared, which we added to the net.

As we moved around, I watched the razor clam searchers. All had little bottles of salt that went into any holes they saw. Normally, they put a bit in and went to the next hole until about 10 holes were salted. Then if they got lucky a razor clam would come popping out. On this day I only saw a few razors come up. I could tell that the children were looking forward to the clams rocketing up and out of their holes.

As the tide was reaching its lowest point, I found a hamaguri, or Japanese hard clam. They have a wonderfully smooth shell and are more bulbous than the littlenecks. I was ecstatic because I had heard these are the most delicious clams you can find.

They can be quite expensive and are almost never seen in the stores back

home. Before we left I found another.

It was around this time that Nico got bored with digging holes and started playing on the beach. Oysters are farmed here and their shells can be found everywhere. The water does not get deeper until you go past the poles the oysters grow on. Nico splashed and looked for interesting things as in the distance planes took off and landed at Haneda Airport.

A LITTLE BEFORE NOON we decided to leave, since we both were getting tired and baked by the sun. Our original plan was to give away the clams we found to some other family. That changed when Nico started having fun and wanted to eat them at home.

Except that for us, we wouldn’t be home for another four days. I knew I needed more saltwater for the clams, so I filled a large bag with some.

With two large bags full of water and our clams, we returned to the hotel. We were so sticky with salt that

Nico was happy to show off the Sawas’ smallish clams, such as the Japanese littleneck (asari). Also under the sands were hamaguri, a hard-shelled clam, and razor clams. (LANCE SAWA)

As the warm day dragged in, more and more visitors showed up, many digging up some tasty treats from the sand. (LANCE SAWA) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

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About the size of a 10-yen Japanese coin, these clams taste just as good when boiled. A cold beer makes the meal complete. (LANCE SAWA)

we both needed a bath. We cooled off afterwards before heading to the next destination of the day: the Ueno National Museum of Nature and Science.

This attraction was for Nico’s benefit, but inside we saw an area all about the local area’s flora and fauna, including a display with many kinds of clams. Nico spotted the clams we

had found earlier in the day, even one that had the same pattern as one of those we found on the beach.

FOUR DAYS LATER AND we were finally back home, and the two bags of water and clams were down to just a small cup of clams and water. They had had plenty of time to spit sand and clean themselves of anything slimy.

A side trip to Tokyo’s Ueno National Museum of Nature and Science just happened to have a clam display, making it an educational experience for Nico. (LANCE SAWA) 58 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

There wasn’t enough to make soup, but just enough for us all to snack on, so we made sake-steamed clams. Clams are very popular in Japan and this method and clam soup are how most home cooks prepare them here.

The clams are added to a pot with sake and soy sauce before being brought to a boil. The smaller ones are then removed, while the larger clams need just a minute more to cook. You can drink the broth as you eat the clams, and it is all great with rice and a beer. The hamaguri did not disappoint and was easily the besttasting clam I have ever eaten. CS

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calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

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HUNTING

SUMMER HUNTER’S SKILLS CHALLENGE

FROM FIELD...

7 STEPS TO BECOMING A BETTER SHOOTER (FIRST OF TWO PARTS)

By Scott Haugen

W

ith summer comes no shortage of fun to be had outdoors. But if you’ll be hunting big game this fall, now is the time to start preparing. While scouting and getting in shape take center stage, you’ll also want to build those shooting skills.

This month we’ll take a look at seven steps that will help you become a better rifle shot, things that have personally helped me over the decades of big game hunting around the world. Next month, we’ll follow it up with seven more tips, all in an effort to help make your big game hunts come together smoothly this season.

1. USE A TRIPOD A tripod has three legs, which is much more stable than a bipod, which is much sturdier than a monopod.

Make sure the tripod shooting sticks you get allow you to stand and shoot with the legs fully extended, as often you’re shooting over tall grass, brush or rises in the land.

When shooting from sticks in a kneeling position, put the knee of your non-shooting side on the ground and raise your shooting side

Now is the time to get ready for this fall’s big game hunts.

Author Scott Haugen did everything right to prepare for this hog hunt in Northern California, where he took this big boar with one well-placed shot. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

knee. This feels unnatural, but it allows you to anchor your shooting elbow on the elevated knee of the same side, maximizing your stability.

Make sure the tripod you get is sturdy, so as not to bend under pressure. If hunting from an ATV, you might want to consider Bog

Gear’s DeathGrip tripod. They’re big and bulky, meaning you won’t want to pack them far, but the clamping device makes them rock solid and invaluable in the right situation.

2. SANDBAG Spend time afield and you’ll use your

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HUNTING Tiffany Haugen says a pressure cooker can provide potentially dry game birds with the moistness to preserve their flavor.

... TO FIRE

(TIFFANY HAUGEN)

PRESSURE POINTS ADD FLAVOR TO YOUR GAME BIRD

By Tiffany Haugen

B

efore we know it, bird hunting season will be here. Since doves and pigeons are among the first hunts we’ll be embarking upon, here’s a look at an easy and failsafe way to cook these tasty little gems.

One of the quickest ways to cook your quarry is by pressure cooking. Lean game birds especially benefit from moist cooking methods like a slow cooker or pressure cooker. Getting flavor into birds prior to cooking with a quick brine is also beneficial.

Right after plucking and dressing your birds, toss them into a brine, refrigerate a few hours and you’ll be ready to add some herbs and enjoy a fresh pigeon or dove dinner – quickly – and right out of your Instant Pot.

Two to four pigeons or eight to 10 doves, dressed and plucked 6 cups water 1/3 cup kosher salt

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¼ cup white sugar 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 medium onion, chopped 1 cup chopped celery 1 large sprig fresh rosemary Four to six fresh sage leaves ½ cup fresh parsley ½ cup chopped tomatoes 1 cup chicken or game bird broth 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1½ teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water Fresh parsley for garnish In a large container, mix water, kosher salt, white sugar and black pepper until thoroughly combined. Add birds to the brine and cover so birds are fully submerged.

Refrigerate three to 12 hours.

Remove birds from brine and pat dry.

Let sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. In a pressure cooker on medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add olive oil and brown birds until golden on all sides. Add onion and celery and sauté until soft. Add rosemary, sage, parsley, tomatoes, broth, salt and granulated garlic to the pressure cooker. Cook at high pressure 30 minutes and let pressure release naturally.

Remove birds from pressure cooker and bring pan drippings to a boil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until thoroughly combined. Add to the boiling pan drippings and stir until sauce reaches desired thickness. Pour sauce over birds and serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen's popular book, 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.

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

63

HUNTING Getting a steady shooting rest is vital to accurate shot placement. Here, the author uses a tripod, which is much more stable than a bipod or monopod. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

5. CONTROL YOUR BREATHING Catching your breath before taking a shot will result in a solid rest and better shot placement. If cresting a ridge and you’re breathing hard, slow down while the animal is still out of sight, then take your time while moving into shooting position.

Find a breathing routine that works for you and practice it. When it comes time for the shot, I personally like taking a deep breath – letting half of it out – relaxing and then pressuring the trigger.

6. DON’T RUSH IT

pack as a rest to shoot from. Whether laying it on the ground, atop a rock or a log and then nestling the gun into it, the moment the gun makes contact you’ll realize how unstable the rest is.

Add in the fact the pack is soft when not crammed full, and it’s even more difficult to gain a steady rest.

This is where a small sandbag can come in handy. Nestle the sandbag on your pack, then the rifle into the sandbag, and you’ll be amazed at how much more secure it is. In the right situation you can even place the sandbag on a rock or the ground, and then shoot off it.

3. THE PRONE POSITION When possible, shooting from a prone position will greatly increase your accuracy. This military-like shooting style is something a lot of hunters overlook, or don’t anticipate taking advantage of. As soon as you make a move on an animal, evaluate where

the shot might come from and what position you can get in to make it efficiently happen. If you can lay flat on the ground, do it. This is also where that little sandbag can come in handy.

4. A SLOW TRIGGER PULL A trigger pull should never be a yank or a sudden jerk, which can cause a miss. Trigger jerk happens for two reasons. The first is when too much of the index finger is wrapped around the trigger. Put only the tip of the index finger on the trigger.

The second cause is not having a steady rest, thus trying to time the firing of the gun when the reticle of the scope passes through the kill zone. With a steady rest, keep the reticle stationary on the kill zone and slowly apply pressure to the trigger until the rifle fires. Adrenaline is usually flowing when we shoot, and when the gun goes off it will likely surprise you; that’s a good thing.

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If you know where your target animal is and it has no clue you’re around, take your time. In addition to being a full-time writer, I’m a wildlife photographer. One thing that’s always amazed me is how long you can watch an animal when you’re not trying to kill it.

Don’t be in a rush, don’t spook an animal and you’ll be surprised how calm and under control the whole hunt scenario plays out, hopefully culminating with one well-placed shot.

7. STUDY THE ANIMAL In addition to not spooking an animal, watch it closely before closing in for a shot. See if it’s feeding, rutting, traveling, nervous, relaxed or about to bed down. Look to see how other animals around it are acting, and always monitor the wind. Study how your target animal is behaving, as this will determine your next move.

With these points, the time to start practicing your shooting is now. Don’t wait, for the more routine these steps become, the better shot you’ll be. CS

Editor’s note: To order copies of Scott Haugen’s popular instructional DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, visit scotthaugen.com. Mention California Sportsman and receive a free copy of he and his wife Tiffany’s bestselling cookbook, Cooking Big Game, a $20 value.

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HUNT

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HUNTING

SUMMER TRAINING PART II: TRACKING

By Scott Haugen

W

atching a dog effectively track, be it a furry animal on land, an upland bird in heavy cover, or a crippled duck across water, is one of the great rewards of hunting with a good dog.

While much of a dog’s ability to track comes down to genetics, a great deal can also be taught.

ONCE AGAIN I TURNED to good friend Jess Spradley, one of the West’s top versatile gun dog trainers, for advice.

In addition to breeding an elite line of pudelpointers, Spradley trains multiple breeds year-round from his home in Lakeview, Oregon.

“The goal of tracking is conservation; that is, not losing a wounded bird,” begins Spradley.

“I’ve started many pups tracking at 2 months old, getting them to use their nose on command. At first I place a little piece of hot dog in the yard for them to find. Right away I give the command ‘find it,’ so they know this isn’t a game. Their reward is eating it once they find it, and I always set them up for success. Place it in a spot where they can smell it, even see it once they’ve moved close to it.”

As soon as he can, Spradley progresses to using a dead bird to track. Some pups pick up on a bird smell quickly; others take a bit more time than with hot dog training.

“Using a bird carcass – one I’ve taken the breast meat, legs and thighs from last season – stored in the freezer, I’ll pull it out to train with,” Spradley offers. “As with the hot dog, I set up for success. With a bird, I’ll pull some feathers and make a small pile where

Using a check cord while teaching bird tracking helps keep your gun dog focused and moving forward, as trainer Jess Spradley demonstrates. (SCOTT HAUGEN) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman

73

HUNTING

Freezing bird carcasses cleaned of all meat, or drying and wrapping bird skins around a bumper, are good ways to teach bird tracking to pups like this. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

the track will start. Then I’ll drag the bird along the ground so the dog can smell it. I put the pup on a check cord or short leash so I can control their movement, as I want them focusing on progressing forward. If they get distracted, I’ll tighten the lead and get them back on track, allowing them to move at their own pace. The thing to avoid is slowing them down by overcorrecting.”

In addition to dragging the bird on the ground, you can rub the skin around to disperse more scent, or pull more feathers.

“I’ll put a few feathers on the ground every 15 feet or so, to keep the pup interested,” Spradley points out. “You can also use white pieces of tissue paper for sight recognition. The pup will go to the tissue, then pick up the smell.

Soon they’ll associate the feathers with the smell. Keep them moving forward to the bird, which is placed 50 to 60 feet away. Place the bird and feathers

without the pup watching you. If it’s a small pup, start with the bird placed 15 feet away. Keep it short and positive, ending in success.”

Remember, each dog is different.

You want to place the hot dog, bird or rabbit skin far enough away so the pup can’t see it and has to cover ground and work to find it.

“Having grass on the ground to hold scent is best,” says Spradley.

“Don’t train on concrete, gravel or dirt. Mornings are ideal, as the humidity is higher and tracking conditions better. Don’t train on hot days or in high winds, either. Cool mornings following a rain or gentle mist are great, as are foggy days with dew on the ground.”

ONCE THE DOG HAS straight-line tracking down, Spradley starts making turns.

“Drag the carcass in gentle turns so the dogs can follow it, but have to work at it. As they achieve success, make

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more turns and increase the angle of severity. If the pup gets off track, use the check cord to get them back on it.”

Some dogs like to track on the run or at a gentle lope, others with their nose up, and others with their nose down.

“With dogs that track with their head up, it looks like they’re not doing the right thing, but they’re actually catching the wind as it rises from the ground, so let ’em work,” Spradley advises. “As they progress, increase distance and turns and introduce obstacles like logs and creeks. This is the time to start simulating what you’ll encounter in the field.”

IF YOU’RE A WATERFOWL hunter, first master the tracking on land, then move to shallow water. Wading and dragging a duck carcass across the water is a great way to teach dogs how to track on water, and yes, they can smell the scent left on the water’s surface.

HUNTING “Once a dog has it, they’ll not forget how to track,” concludes Spradley. “Still, it is a learned skill, so come back to it. With a pup I’ll track at least once a day, often in the morning and evening, and I won’t overload them with other training. With adult dogs I might track train once every couple of weeks, depending on how the sessions go.”

Progress at your dog’s level of achievement and strive for good practice sessions with consistent word repetition. I don’t use electric collars when tracking because I don’t know what the scent is doing as the dog moves away from me and I don’t want to falsely correct them. Keep tracking training fun and brief, and soon your pup will be impressing you with its skills. CS

Yes, dogs can track on water. Here, the author’s 9-year-old pudelpointer Echo did just that on a long-range duck retrieve last season. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

76 California Sportsman JULY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

Editor’s note: Learn more about Jess Spradley’s breeding and training programs at cabincreekgundogs.com and follow his helpful tips on Facebook.

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