FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL
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Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource
Volume 18 • Issue 10 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Tim E. Hovey, Cal Kellogg, William “Will” Murray
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 10
FEATURES 14
WILD AMERICAN ADVENTURE
Just about an hour from Sacramento’s urban setting is a whole other world of whitewater. The Middle Fork American River is home to a feisty population of wild trout that, as author Mark Fong discovered, can be active but very difficult to get to the raft after a hookup. Fong recaps a day spent floating and fishing the river with guide Austin Wilson.
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31
MORE THAN JUST KID STUFF
Want to help secure the future of angling? Take a kid fishing. That’s the advice from longtime guide and outdoor writer Cal Kellogg, who shares the right way to pass the baton to the next generation of conservation champions and have great fun and create wonderful memories while doing so.
Correspondent William “Will” Murray shares another of his famed hunting tales from his days spent guiding the Central California coast. This time, Murray leads some eager off-duty law enforcement officers in search of wild pigs in Monterey County. While the story of these “sharpshooters” may seem “largely unbelievable,” as Murray himself delicately puts it, decide for yourself just who got the last laugh.
43 VIDEO DOESN’T LIE
California’s big game hunting seasons start to take shape in August and will be in full swing in about a month, and our From Field to Fire team of Scott and Tiffany Haugen has you covered. First up, Scott shares tips on how to set up and use your trail cameras to learn the most about your quarry’s behaviors. And after you put that knowledge to good use and fill your tag, Chef Tiffany whips up a venison slider recipe that’s a new twist on a happy hour staple.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 9
The Editor’s Note: A Colombia fishing adventure 13 Outdoor Calendar 21 Targeting bass with poppers 25 Summer panfish fun 49 Versatile dog training tips, part II
(CAL KELLOGG)
Get the digital version of California Sportsman for free. 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 $39.95 (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 © 2026 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 AUGUST 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com
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THE
EDITOR’S
NOTE
GUATAPÉ, Colombia–“Are you having fun, Chris?” I understood Juan Felipe Gutierrez’s question. It had been one of the longest days of many long days during an almost two-week trip to Colombia, my first time on the South American continent. I was sunburned, my arms were sore from casting and reeling for hours, and the bass bite was getting sporadic. Yet as I told Juan, my guide for this day’s fishing trip at popular Colombian destination Lake Guatapé, “I couldn’t ask for much more: I’m outside at this beautiful lake, with great company and I’m fishing. This is a great way to end my trip.” Last month I joined my sister, brotherin-law and niece in this vibrant, friendly and at times chaotic nation. But I knew I wanted to try and get in some fishing. When I corresponded with Juan, who’s based in the fascinating and previously infamous Colombian city of Medellin, he sold me on his description of what was a full-service experience: pickup and drop-off from our hotel in Medellin, a homemade breakfast and lunch of traditional and hearty Colombian cuisine, snacks and all the The editor’s Colombian fishing trip featured a lot of small bass, some great food and a great memory to end his visit to South America. (JUAN FELIPE GUTTIEREZ/ANGLERS COLOMBIA; CHRIS COCOLES)
gear we’d need to target black bass at one of the largest lakes in the country. And the cost – a little more than $300 US – made it an absolute bargain. Juan, whose primary job is a digital specialist for a Medellin TV station and who also operates Anglers Colombia (anglerscolombia.com), is a successful tournament fisherman who on our drive mentioned some of his accolades. He is also the president of his local fishing club and he’s proud to say that his young daughter
has become a fishing fanatic. By the time we picked up our food from a local woman near the lake and linked up with Juan’s fishing buddy and our boat’s motorman, Jairo, the rain that drenched us throughout the drive from Medellin was replaced by warm sunshine but mild conditions. That was a welcome reprieve for me after beginning our Colombia trip in humid, sultry Cartagena and Santa Marta along the country’s north coast on the Caribbean Sea. (Colombia’s quaint coffee-
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growing region in the Andes Mountains near Salento was also significantly cooler, and the coffee we tasted at a couple local farms was top-shelf.) All I cared about at the lake was catching a few big bass, but alas, despite Juan and Jairo putting us in what looked like prime fish cover – docks, rocky points, partially submerged stumps and grassy marsh water – the overnight rainfall likely slowed the bite. Still, we managed to land a handful of small fish that we took quick snaps of before putting them back (Juan is a staunch believer in catch-and-release fishing). At midday, Jairo beached the boat in a secluded cove and set up an impromptu picnic on a shady hill overlooking the lake. We feasted on a typical Colombian dish of pork belly, chorizo, plantains, rice and other goodies. With his English better than my Spanish, Juan and I talked about – big
Despite the fish being small, it was a memorable day in Colombia for the editor. (CHRIS COCOLES) shocker – fishing, including his trips to fish for bass in Florida and his love of online tackle shopping at American retailers like Sportsman’s Warehouse. But I was eager to get back on the water and catch bigger bass. In reality, the scenery alone made it a
Gutierrez, based in the once infamous crime- and druginfested city of Medellin, offers great value for his full-day trip to Guatapé. (CHRIS COCOLES) 10 California Sportsman AUGUST 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com
worthwhile day. Lake Guatapé is man-made – it’s officially known as the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir – but it’s a picturesque setting at 6,200 feet in Colombia’s stretch of the Andes. Its most famous attraction is the El Peñón de Guatapé, a large rock formation with 708 twisting steps to the top that my sister and niece climbed on the same day I fished. As we headed past the rock and the overwhelmingly colorful city of Guatapé toward another fishing spot, we passed by several beautiful lakeside vacation homes, including side-by-side estates owned by local buddies and former brothers-inlaw James Rodriguez and David Ospina, teammates on Colombia’s World Cup national soccer team (watching matches at Colombian sports bars was an epic part of our trip), plus an abandoned, condemned home that was once a retreat for infamous drug lord and crime boss Pablo Escobar. While the big bass eluded us – Juan cursed in Spanish when at one point he just missed what would have been by far our biggest fish of the day – like I’d told Juan and Jairo earlier, I was having the best time to wrap up my adventure. I managed to catch and release one last bass before Jairo took us back to unload the gear and for Juan to drive me back through a heavy traffic jam to the hotel in Medellin. The sun dipping over the mountains behind the city that was among the world’s most dangerous places during the volatile Escobar era in the 1980s and early ’90s made for quite the backdrop. We said our goodbyes and Juan said he’d love to fish with me again someday (check out his Instagram page @AnglersColombia for some of his clients’ bigger catches). If I make it back to this beautiful country, I’ll for sure take him up on it. -Chris Cocoles
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OUTDOOR CALENDAR AUGUST 1 Southern Tulare County Sportsmen’s Association Fundraising Dinner, Porterville Veterans Memorial Building (stcsa.org/2026-fundraiserdinner) 1 Stampede Reservoir Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org/ derbies.php) 1 Return of the King Salmon Derby, Bend Bridge Park, Red Bluff (ncgasa.org/product/king-salmon-derby-2026) 1-9 Fort Hunter Liggett archery tule either-sex elk hunt dates 8 Zone A general deer hunting season opens 8-16 Owens Valley multiple zone archery tule bull elk hunt dates 11-14 Grizzly Island period 1 apprentice tule antlerless elk hunt dates 13-16 Grizzly Island period 2 apprentice tule spike bull elk hunt dates 15 California Waterfowl Conservation Celebration State Banquet, California Auto Museum, Sacramento (calwaterfowl.org/events/CWAState-Banquet-8-15-26) 15 Zones B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5 and B-6 archery deer hunting seasons open 15 Zones D-3 through D-10 archery deer hunting seasons open 22 Zone B-4 general deer hunting season opens 22 Start of Ambush at the Lake fall fishing derby, Convict Lake (convictlake.com; 800-992-2260) 26-Sept. 8 Siskiyou archery Roosevelt bull elk hunt dates 29-Sept. 4 Lake Pillsbury period 1 tule antlerless elk hunt dates
SEPTEMBER First dove hunting season dates (mourning and white-winged dove) 1-15 2-13 Northeastern archery Rocky Mountain either-sex elk hunt dates 2-24 Northwestern Roosevelt elk hunt dates 5 Zones D-11 and D-13 through D-19 archery deer hunting seasons open 9-20 Marble Mountains apprentice Roosevelt either-sex elk hunt dates 9-20 Marble Mountains general Roosevelt antlerless elk hunt dates 12 Shaver Lake Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org/derbies.php) 12 Zone Q1 mountain quail hunting season opens 12 Sooty (blue) and ruffed grouse hunting seasons open 12-20 White-tailed ptarmigan hunting season dates 12-27 Bishop period 1 muzzleloader tule bull elk hunt dates 16-27 Northeastern apprentice Rocky Mountain either-sex elk hunt dates 17 California Waterfowl Palo Alto Banquet, Elks Lodge (408-203-9647) 19 Zones B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, all of C, D-6, D-7, X-9a, X-9b and X-12 general deer hunting seasons open 23-Oct. 4 Mendocino Roosevelt/tule bull elk season dates 26 Zones D-3, D-4, D-5, D-8, D-9, D-10, X-8 and X-10 general deer hunting seasons open 26 Oroville Salmon Festival, downtown Oroville and Feather River Fish Hatchery (visitoroville.com/salmon-festival) For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx.
Stampede Reservoir near Lake Tahoe hosts the latest Kokanee Power team derby on August 1. Go to kokaneepower.org/derbies.php for more information. (CAL KELLOGG) calsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2026 California Sportsman
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RA THE W Just about an hour from the hustle and bustle of Sacramento, the Middle Fork American River offers anglers a whole other world of whitewater and wild trout. These fish can be a challenge to catch, but persistence pays off. (MARK FONG) 14 California Sportsman AUGUST 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com
FISHING
Local guide Austin Wilson launched his raft into the swirling waters of this wild stretch of the American, allowing him and author Mark Fong to float-fish the river. (MARK FONG)
RAINBOWS OF E WHITEWATER FISHING FOR WILY WILD TROUT ON THE MIDDLE FORK AMERICAN RIVER By Mark Fong
I
n June, I had the opportunity to experience an awesome evening of shad fishing on the lower American River with Austin Wilson of Fisherman Wilson’s Guide Service. Last month, I set my sights on the upper reaches of the river, the Middle Fork in particular.
AN ALL-AMERICAN FISHERY When most people talk about fishing the American, they are speaking of the lower mainstem, from Lake Natoma to Discovery Park, where the river
flows into the Sacramento River just above downtown Sacramento. The primary fisheries in this section of the American include striped bass, shad, steelhead and salmon. There is, however, much more to the American River watershed. Prior to speaking with Wilson, the only thing I knew about the upper American was that it is extremely popular with whitewater rafters. Little did I know that all three forks offer excellent trout fishing opportunities for both browns and wild rainbows, but that was also all I needed to learn. The American originates in the
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FISHING
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Sierra Nevada, and it is made up of three forks, the North, Middle and South. Water from all three forks flows to Folsom Lake and then downstream to Lake Natoma. We chose to fish the Middle Fork above Lake Folsom for our little adventure – a raft and trout float.
SHUTTLING TO THE RIVER I met up with Wilson just off of Interstate 80 near Roseville. From there we caravanned to the takeout area, where I parked my vehicle and jumped into Wilson’s truck for the journey to the put-in location. Wilson had arranged for a shuttle, so while he drove his truck and trailer back down to the takeout and shuttled back, I had a chance to soak in the beauty of the river. The canyon of the Middle Fork is absolutely breathtaking, and the scenery is amazing. It was hard for me to believe that such a unique fishing opportunity exists just a little over an hour’s drive from Sacramento. Once Wilson returned to the putin, we slipped the raft into the water and he rowed out into the current. And just like that we began our journey downriver. This stretch of river offers not only some great wild trout action, but its scenery is easy on the eyes. (MARK FONG)
A NEW CHALLENGE Until that morning, I had never floatfished from a whitewater raft before,
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FISHING so I was super excited to experience something new. Just floating the river was a thrill in itself, but adding in the opportunity to catch a few wild trout had the makings for a great day. There are many different ways to target river trout. Fly fishing is a popular and highly effective option, and, of course, live bait is a viable method. However, my choice was to fish ultralight spinning tackle, the same gear I employ for tossing lures to stillwater trout.
Finally, after some near misses, the author landed his wild trout prize. “This time luck was on my side,” Fong writes. (MARK FONG)
SLOW-STARTING BITE The action started out slow. We went quite a ways downriver before I got my first bite. Notice that I said bite and not hookup, as the trout simply swiped at my minnow plug without connecting. If that wasn’t enough, on the very next cast the same scenario played out again. As we continued along, Wilson would call out the high-percentage locations. It wasn’t long before I got a good sense of where to make my casts. It was evident that my guide had spent many days on the American and that he had great knowledge of the river and the fishery. Good water flows are key to good fishing, and when we’d begun our float that morning, Wilson noted that river levels were down and the flow was reduced as well. The stretch we were fishing is governed by upstream releases from the Ralston Afterbay Dam. During the summer, as water releases are coordinated for recreational use, Wilson knew that we should be seeing a step up in flow that would put the trout on the feed, which is exactly what happened.
A SHIFT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION It took awhile, but once the water began to move with more force, the trout began to position themselves in predictable locations to feed. I made a long cast to the edge of a seam and was met with a solid strike and hookup. The fish surged downstream on a powerful run that put a big grin on my face. As I played the fish close to
the raft it took off again, this time going airborne several feet and throwing my minnow plug back in my face. Needless to say, I was very disappointed, but Wilson assured me that I would have other opportunities. We drifted onto the next hole, and I hooked up again with another good fish. It made a long run towards the middle of the river, and then it was gone. I reeled in my plug, and upon inspection, I saw that the split ring had opened up and the hook was missing. At this point, I was beginning to feel snakebitten and in need of a little luck. But nothing was going to be easy on this day.
FINALLY, A FISH I fished through a number of goodluck areas without a bite, and then made a cast to a shady pocket. Within a few cranks of the reel handle, I was
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hooked up with a nice rainbow that decided to go airborne; as it did I held my breath, but thankfully the fish remained pinned. I carefully – and I emphasize carefully – played the fish within reach of Wilson and the net. This time luck was on my side, as Wilson skillfully netted the fish. We took a few moments for a quick pic of my prize, and then the fish was carefully released back into the river. Throughout the remainder of the float I caught and released a number of small rainbows, none worthy of print, but super fun nevertheless. Overall, I had a great time exploring a new fishery and even got to experience some whitewater as well. CS Editor’s note: If you would like to fish with Austin Wilson, he can be reached at (916) 410-4900, or follow him on Facebook (@ austinwilsonfishing).
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FISHING
THIS LURE»S TOPPING MY «POP» CHARTS
A BASS ANGLER NOW SWEARS BY ENTICING LARGEMOUTH WITH POPPERS – HERE ARE THE CONDITIONS, RETRIEVES HE FOUND WORK BEST By Tim E. Hovey
O
ver my fishing career, I have thrown just about every lure imaginable to catch largemouth bass. From small spinners to chatterbaits, plastic finesse worms to – my favorite – crankbaits, if we’re targeting bass during a fishing trip, a variety of these lures will be tied onto our rods ready to throw. Last year, purely on a whim, I grabbed a floating popper out of my tackle box and tied it on. We were fishing in some calm water and I noticed bass breaking the surface around us. Looking for something that would float on the surface, I found the light lure in the corner of one of my tackle boxes. Of all the types of bass lures I’ve used over my lifetime, I’ve had the least amount of experience with poppers. On the first cast the lure landed a foot from shore and was instantly inhaled. I set the hook on a feisty 1-pounder and easily brought him to the boat. Over the next hour, I caught another six bass ranging from half a pound to 2 pounds. I varied the retrieve, and paused between pops. I found that many of the explosive hits came while the lure sat stationery. As I honed my popper fishing, I became convinced that larger bass would fall
While crankbaits, spinners and plastic worms all catch bass, there’s something about the action of a popper that can entice big-time strikes. (TIM E. HOVEY) calsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2026 California Sportsman
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FISHING
The popper that started it all for author Tim Hovey, a Strike King KVD Splash Jr. (TIM E. HOVEY)
Calm surface conditions are best when fishing with a floating popper bait, as the fish can see the lure better than in waves. (TIM E. HOVEY)
for the popper as well. That evening, I looked through my tackle and realized that the only popper I had was the one I’d been fishing with. I looked at the floating shad imitation and remembered I had found the lure a few years back; it was floating at the shore and tangled in weeds. The next day, a quick trip to the tackle shop boosted my popper assortment and honestly, I couldn’t wait to get back to the lake to do some summer popping.
IN MID-JUNE, MY WIFE Cheryl and I headed to the lake. I had spent the off week reading all I could about using poppers for bass. I knew how to fish the lure, but I wanted to zero in on seasonal use and ideal water conditions. As I suspected, several sites confirmed that the magic popper is best used during low-light conditions on calm, glassy water. The lure seemed to be an ideal
choice from spring through fall. On the drive out, I told Cheryl about fishing with the popper. When we go fishing, Cheryl just wants to catch fish. It’s almost always quantity over quality. However, once she heard how I was going to dedicate a large portion of the day to fishing poppers, she wanted in on the action. I agreed to set up a rod for her once we launched. Little did I know that I had just created a popper-fishing monster. At the lake we made a long run to a spot where Cheryl wanted to fish. Within a few minutes, we were casting poppers near the shore. I explained a little on how to work the lure to Cheryl. We’d cast to goodlooking areas, let the lure sit for several seconds and then work it back to the boat in short jerks. I told her, “You want to make the lure move in a jerking action, where the water makes a popping sound with every
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lure movement.” As she always does, she picked up the technique quickly. We began catching smaller bass on the poppers and were having a good time. We moved to a small cove swarming with nesting swallows. The birds had built their characteristic mud nests 30 feet above the water, where they were dive-bombing the sky above us. Cheryl was casting to a small point when I told her to make a cast directly under the nests. Knowing that largemouth bass are ambush predators, I figured they were probably stacked up under the cliff waiting for chicks to fall out of the nests. She reeled in and tossed the magic popper under the nests. The lure splashed in the calm water and was instantly inhaled by a fish. Cheryl set the hook and the largemouth came jumping out of the water. The 3-pounder dragged her around the boat until I was finally able to net it.
The fish had the lure crosswise in its huge mouth. We took a few photos and let the prize go.
OVER THE NEXT FEW hours, Cheryl outfished me five to one using the popper. And all of her fish were in the 3-pound range. I had caught a few, but nothing over 10 inches in length. She felt bad and offered to give me the popper she was using. I told her I didn’t care and we kept fishing. We ended up catching fish on popper lures all day long. At the last spot of the day, I made a cast behind
“Any type of fishing that gets bass to react aggressively and smash a surface lure is very exciting,” Hovey writes. “Whenever we’re out on the lake, a couple of boat rods will always have poppers tied on.” (TIM E. HOVEY)
a boulder in only 3 inches of water. The popper sat there for a few seconds and then disappeared in a swirl. I set the hook and felt solid pressure. For a second I thought I was snagged; then the fish left the water. After a short battle, Cheryl scooped the net and brought the largest fish of the day aboard. Without a doubt, it was our best big fish day on the boat. Cheryl was using the popper I’d found, which turned out to be a KVD Splash Jr. in the smokey chrome blue pattern. Now that I know the type and brand of this topwater lure,
On a productive outing with poppers where his wife Cheryl was outfishing him, the author rallied late with this big bass of the day. (TIM E. HOVEY)
I’ll be picking up a few more. It was definitely the top lure of the day. As for me, I used XPS Chaos Shad in several different colors, with my favorite being ghost shad. Working the lure was pretty simple. I’d cast in spots where I thought bass might be lurking and let the lure just sit for about 15 to 20 seconds. Cheryl and I both caught fish while the lure sat motionless immediately after the cast. I would then twitch it a couple of times, making sure to work it aggressively enough to produce the popping sound. I’d repeat this retrieval cadence all the way back to the boat. Any type of fishing that gets bass to react aggressively and smash a surface lure is very exciting. Over the last month, it’s been our favorite way to target largemouth. We have noticed that glassy water conditions are best when choosing to twitch a popper. When it’s choppy, the lure doesn’t stand out enough on the surface to really trigger bass. That doesn’t really matter to us. Whenever we’re out on the lake, a couple of boat rods will always have poppers tied on. CS calsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2026 California Sportsman
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Fishing for Walleye, Trout, Pike, Pan Fish, Bass, Stripers, Salmon and Whitefish with Bay de Noc Lures
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FISHING
CURE FOR SUMMER ANGLING BLUES? PANFISH! THE DOG DAYS CAN SERVE UP EPIC BLUEGILL, REDEAR AND CRAPPIE ACTION, AND HERE’S HOW TO TAP INTO IT By Cal Kellogg
B
y the time July rolls around, many California anglers begin believing the best fishing of the year is behind them. Spring trout action has slowed as warming water pushes fish deeper into reservoirs, while bass become increasingly selective after the spawn. Long, hot afternoons and seemingly reluctant gamefish cause plenty of anglers to spend more time thinking about autumn than enjoying summer fishing. That’s a mistake. While trout anglers probe the depths and bass fishers grind for increasingly difficult bites, another fishery is quietly entering its prime. Across the Golden State, bluegill, redear sunfish and black crappie become more active when water temperatures climb. Whether you’re fishing a sprawling reservoir, a small foothill impoundment, a neighborhood pond or a slow-moving river, chances are excellent that quality panfish are feeding nearby. Despite all that, panfish seldom receive the respect they deserve. Many anglers think of them as children’s fish or something to catch while waiting for bass to bite. The
As summer enters its dreaded August dog days, anglers melancholy over inactive trout and bass should turn their attention to targeting fat panfish, which you can find and tempt at virtually every Golden State freshwater fishery. (CAL KELLOGG) calsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2026 California Sportsman
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reality is much different. A handsized bluegill or a pound-class redear sunfish on ultralight tackle provides an outstanding fight, while a cooler full of crappie filets rivals any freshwater meal California has to offer. Perhaps the greatest thing about panfish is their availability. Bluegill, redear and crappie inhabit virtually every type of freshwater fishery in California. They thrive in irrigation ponds, city lakes, farm reservoirs, major impoundments, sloughs and lazy rivers. Waters such as Collins Lake, Folsom Lake, Rollins Lake, Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, New Melones Reservoir, Lake Camanche, as well as countless others, support excellent panfish populations. Regardless of where you live in California, a quality panfish water is probably only a short drive away.
BLUEGILL: MEET SUMMER’S MOST AGGRESSIVE PANFISH Bluegill are undoubtedly the foundation of California’s panfish fishery. They reproduce well, grow quickly in fertile waters and remain aggressive throughout the warmest months of the year. Unlike trout, which seek cooler temperatures, bluegill flourish in warm water and often feed with remarkable consistency from dawn until dusk. Most anglers associate bluegill with shoreline weeds, docks and tule beds,
Panfish will put up quite a fight on ultralight tackle. (CAL KELLOGG)
and during the spawn that’s exactly where you’ll find them. As summer progresses, however, the biggest fish often abandon the shoreline entirely. Modern sonar has changed the way many experienced panfish anglers approach bluegill. Rather than beating the bank all day, today’s anglers spend time searching open water for suspended schools. These fish frequently hold 15 to 25 feet below the surface over 40 or 50 feet of water while feeding on zooplankton and tiny baitfish. I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly at Collins Lake during the heat of summer. Instead of hugging shoreline cover, large bluegill suspend beneath Commonly known as “shellcrackers” elsewhere, redear sunfish are among the biggest of the panfish family. Northern California’s Collins Lake is among the state’s most productive spots to crush some. (CAL KELLOGG)
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schools of threadfin shad. Once the fish appear on sonar, the challenge shifts from finding them to presenting a bait at exactly the right depth. The presentation itself couldn’t be much simpler. A small drop-shot rig baited with half of a red worm or a mealworm lowered directly into the school often results in immediate action. If fish are relating to shoreline cover, however, it’s difficult to improve upon a small Aberdeen hook, a split shot and a lively worm suspended beneath a float. Bluegill are rarely picky. If your presentation reaches feeding fish, chances are your bobber won’t stay afloat very long.
SHELLCRACKERS: THE GIANTS OF THE PANFISH WORLD Redear sunfish, better known throughout much of the country as shellcrackers, may be California’s most underrated gamefish. Unlike bluegill, redear spend much of their lives feeding along the bottom, where they crush snails, freshwater mussels and aquatic insects using specialized throat teeth. That feeding behavior should dictate the way you fish for them. One of the biggest mistakes redear anglers make is suspending their bait several feet above the bottom. While bluegill willingly rise to intercept a meal, these fish prefer to feed
FISHING
Those feisty fish can also provide some underappreciated table fare. (CAL KELLOGG)
close to the lake floor. Successful shellcracker anglers understand this and keep their offerings where the fish naturally feed. A simple drop-shot rig has become one of my favorite redear presentations. Tie a size 6 or 8 Aberdeen hook 12 to 18 inches above a light sinker and bait it with half of a jumbo red worm or a lively mealworm. Lower the rig until the sinker rests on bottom, tighten the line and simply wait. Often the bite is surprisingly subtle. Rather than jerking the rod, the fish simply swims away, loading the rod with steady pressure. Like bluegill, giant redear don’t always remain shallow. At Collins Lake, I’ve found some of the biggest shellcrackers of the year suspended over deep water beneath schools of bait.
Without electronics these fish would have remained completely unnoticed. Many anglers never realize poundclass redear exist because they continue fishing shallow spawning areas long after the fish have moved elsewhere.
CRAPPIE: FOLLOW THE SCHOOLS
Crappie might just be the most misunderstood member of California’s panfish family. Spring spawning receives all the attention, but some of the year’s most consistent fishing actually occurs during midsummer. The key difference is location. Rather than relating to shoreline
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FISHING
“Perhaps no freshwater fish are better suited for introducing newcomers to fishing than panfish,” Kellogg writes. “Whether you’re fishing from shore, a kayak, a dock, a pontoon boat or a fully rigged bass boat, panfish provide opportunities for anglers of every age and experience level.” (CAL KELLOGG)
brush, summer crappie commonly suspend around creek channels, standing timber, bridge pilings and baitfish schools. Finding them requires a willingness on an angler’s part to search open water rather than simply cast toward visible cover. Fortunately, once you locate a school, the action can be phenomenal. As crappie are highly social fish, where there’s one, there are usually many more. Small marabou jigs remain among the finest crappie lures ever created. White, black and chartreuse color patterns continue producing fish year after year, as the marabou fibers breathe naturally even when barely moving through the water. The biggest mistake anglers make
is retrieving too quickly. Crappie are perfectly willing to chase a lure, but slow presentations consistently produce larger fish. When you think you’re fishing slowly enough, slow down even more. Small tube jigs, curl-tail grubs, paddle-tail plastics and live minnows also produce excellent catches. Don’t hesitate to experiment until the fish reveal their preference.
HOW ELECTRONICS CHANGED THE GAME If there’s one piece of equipment that’s transformed modern panfishing, it’s sonar. You don’t need forward-facing sonar to become a better panfish angler, although it certainly has its place. Even a quality traditional sonar unit allows anglers to locate
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suspended schools that would have gone unnoticed only a decade ago. Instead of spending hours casting at empty shoreline cover, today’s anglers can identify baitfish, suspended panfish and productive depth zones before making their first presentation. When a school appears beneath the boat, presentations become remarkably efficient. Simply lower a bait or jig directly into the fish rather than making repeated blind casts. The result is more fish and less wasted time.
KEEP TACKLE SIMPLE One of the greatest attractions of panfishing is its simplicity. A 6-foot ultralight spinning rod paired with a small spinning
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FISHING reel spooled with 4- or 6-pound monofilament handles nearly every situation you’ll encounter. Terminal tackle is equally uncomplicated. Small Aberdeen hooks, lightweight jigheads, tiny split shot and slip floats remain the basic building blocks of successful panfish fishing. There’s no need to overcomplicate things. Artificial lures deserve serious consideration, particularly when searching for active fish. Small white marabou jigs continue producing year after year, while tiny soft plastics have become increasingly popular. I often tip a marabou jig with a small Berkley Gulp! grub or a tiny piece of worm to combine scent with lifelike movement. Natural bait, however, still reigns supreme. Red worms, mealworms and small pieces of nightcrawler consistently tempt bluegill, redear and crappie, regardless of where you are fishing.
PERFECT FAMILY FISHING Perhaps no freshwater fish are better suited for introducing newcomers to angling than panfish. Children stay interested because bites come frequently. Parents appreciate the simple tackle and relaxed fishing. Grandparents enjoy steady action without the physical demands often associated with larger gamefish. Success breeds confidence, and confidence creates lifelong anglers. Whether you’re fishing from shore, a kayak, a dock, a pontoon boat or a fully rigged bass boat, panfish provide opportunities for anglers of every age and experience level. Every summer, thousands of California anglers spend countless hours chasing deep trout or reluctant bass while overlooking one of the state’s finest warmwater fisheries. Bluegill, redear sunfish and crappie are abundant, widely distributed, aggressive and exceptional on
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the table. They inhabit nearly every corner of California, require relatively inexpensive tackle and provide enough action to keep even seasoned anglers smiling throughout the hottest days of the year. The next time that summer’s heat convinces you that fishing has slowed down, consider leaving the heavy bass tackle and deep-diving trout gear at home. Instead, grab an ultralight spinfishing outfit, a handful of worms or small jigs and head out for your favorite pond, river or reservoir. You may discover that California’s forgotten summer fishery isn’t forgotten at all. It’s simply waiting for anglers willing to appreciate just how much fun panfish can be. CS Editor’s note: Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California outdoors writer. Subscribe to his YouTube channel Fish Hunt Shoot Productions at youtube.com/ user/KelloggOutdoors.
FISHING
HOW TO GET THEM HOOKED FOR LIFE INTRODUCING A KID TO THE JOY OF FISHING IS REWARDING THE WHOLE WAY AROUND By Cal Kellogg
A
sk a room full of anglers when they became fishing fanatics and you’ll hear dozens of different stories, but they all have one thing in common: Somewhere in every story there was an adult willing to invest a little time in a child. It may have been a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt or family friend, but someone took the time to hand over a fishing rod, tie on a hook and patiently wait while a youngster discovered the excitement of catching a fish for the very first time. Most of us don’t remember exactly what kind of rod we were using. We probably can’t remember what brand of reel was mounted on it or even what bait was tied to the hook. What we do remember is the feeling. We remember watching a bobber disappear beneath the surface. We remember the excitement of feeling a fish tugging against the line. We remember proudly holding our catch while someone snapped a photograph that still sits in a family album decades later. Those simple moments have an amazing way of shaping lives.
FISHING HAS ALWAYS BEEN about much more than catching fish. It’s about spending time together, learning patience, building confidence and developing an appreciation for the outdoors that simply can’t be taught in a classroom. Every youngster introduced to fishing represents another person who understands why clean water matters, why healthy fisheries deserve protection and why California’s incredible natural resources are worth
The future of fishing depends on how strongly the next generation embraces the sport’s joy, need for conservation and respect for the waters and species we’ve enjoyed. Now is the time to introduce kids to fishing. (CAL KELLOGG) calsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2026 California Sportsman
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FISHING kids simply want to catch fish. That distinction is important.
EXPERIENCED ANGLERS ARE PERFECTLY willing to spend six hours grinding away for one trophy bass or one giant trout. Young anglers aren’t wired that way. They thrive on action. Every bite is exciting. Every fish is an accomplishment. If a youngster catches 20 bluegill during an afternoon outing, he or she will usually remember that day far more fondly than spending eight hours watching adults fish for a single trophy. For that reason, I always encourage parents and grandparents to target fish species that provide consistent opportunities. The Golden State offers tremendous options. Panfish such as bluegill and redear sunfish provide
Any of us can be that mentor who “took the time to hand over a fishing rod, tie on a hook and patiently wait while a youngster discovered the excitement of catching a fish for the very first time,” as author Cal Kellogg writes. (CAL KELLOGG)
preserving. And it’s the kids who truly are the future of fishing. If we want tackle shops, guide services, boat dealers, conservation organizations and public fishing opportunities to thrive 20 years from now, we have to introduce today’s youngsters to the sport. Fortunately, there has never been a better time to do exactly that. School is out for the summer, families are looking for ways to spend time together outdoors and warm weather has bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, bass and stocker trout feeding aggressively throughout much of California.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of introducing countless youngsters to fishing through my guide service (fishcalkellogg.com). Watching a child catch his or her first fish never gets old. I’ve watched timid youngsters become confident anglers in a single morning. I’ve seen kids who barely spoke when they climbed aboard the boat spend the ride back to the dock excitedly telling stories about every fish they caught. Those are the trips that stay with me long after the day is over. One lesson stands out above all the others: Adults often think kids want to catch big fish, but in reality,
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FISHING nearly nonstop action during the summer months, while black crappie often cooperate around docks, brush piles and submerged timber. Stocked rainbow trout remain excellent choices throughout much of the state, particularly in mountain lakes and reservoirs receiving regular plants. Even small largemouth bass and spotted bass can provide youngsters with memorable action when the conditions are right. The goal isn’t catching the biggest fish in the lake. The goal is putting smiles on young faces. Equipment should reflect that philosophy. Adults have a tendency to overcomplicate fishing by worrying about specialized rods, expensive reels and the latest electronic gadgets. None of those things matter to a child catching
bluegill beneath a bobber. A light spinning outfit – 4- or 6-pound line, a small hook, a split shot and a lively red worm – have introduced more youngsters to fishing than all the sophisticated equipment in today’s tackle stores combined. Keep things simple. Children learn more quickly when they’re enjoying themselves than struggling with equipment that’s too complicated or too heavy. Choosing the right location is equally important. Trophy fisheries aren’t always the best places to introduce youngsters to fishing. A neighborhood pond full of eager bluegill often provides a much better classroom than a sprawling reservoir where bites may be few and far between. Look for locations with easy access, plenty of shade, nearby restrooms and fish that
While hooking a massive lightning trout would be an epic welcome-to-fishing moment, a simple bobber and worm setup that catches a bluegill can be the perfect tool to add a new young fan to anglerdom. (CAL KELLOGG)
The author (right) is an experienced guide who loves taking out young rookies for their first fishing adventure. (CAL KELLOGG)
are willing to cooperate. Success builds confidence, and confidence creates lifelong anglers. Timing also plays a major role. Adults may happily fish from sunrise until sunset, but children usually have much shorter attention spans. Rather than planning an all-day adventure, schedule a morning or evening outing lasting a couple of hours. Fish tend to feed actively during those periods, temperatures remain comfortable and youngsters stay engaged from beginning to end. One successful twohour trip will almost always generate more enthusiasm than an exhausting eight-hour marathon. One mistake I frequently see adults make is apologizing for the size of a youngster’s fish. Don’t. A
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FISHING
“This summer, consider introducing a youngster to fishing,” Kellogg writes. “You may be creating a memory that lasts a lifetime and inspiring the next generation of anglers.” (CAL KELLOGG)
6-inch bluegill may not impress an experienced angler, but to a 7-yearold it might as well be a world record. Celebrate every catch. Take photographs. Offer encouragement. Those pictures will become treasured family memories, and the child will remember how proud everyone was long after the exact size of the fish has been forgotten.
FISHING WITH CHILDREN ALSO requires a willingness to slow down and enjoy the experience through their eyes. Kids are naturally curious. They’ll stop to watch turtles swimming through the shallows, examine dragonflies landing on the dock or ask questions about every bird flying overhead. That’s not a distraction from fishing – it’s one of the greatest benefits
of spending time outdoors. Fishing provides the perfect opportunity to teach youngsters about wildlife, conservation and the natural world in a way that feels like an adventure rather than a lesson. Safety should always remain the highest priority. Properly fitted life jackets are mandatory whenever children are aboard a boat, while sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, hats and plenty of drinking water help keep everyone comfortable throughout the day. Comfortable youngsters remain enthusiastic youngsters. One of the greatest misconceptions surrounding guided fishing trips is that they’re only for experienced anglers chasing trophy fish. In reality, hiring a guide can be one of the best investments a family makes. A
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good guide removes much of the stress associated with introducing youngsters to fishing. The boat, tackle, bait, locations and instruction are all provided, allowing parents and grandparents to focus on what really matters – sharing the experience with the kids. Some of my favorite guide trips each year involve families with children. Whether we’re trolling for trout aboard my pontoon boat at Collins Lake, chasing bluegill and redear on ultralight tackle or introducing youngsters to bass fishing, my objective remains the same: I want every child stepping off the boat at the end of the day to be excited about the next fishing trip. If they leave asking, “When can we go again?” then we’ve accomplished something far more important than simply catching fish. In today’s fast-paced world, uninterrupted family time has become increasingly rare. Phones demand our attention, schedules grow more hectic each year and meaningful conversations often take a back seat to daily responsibilities. Fishing changes that. Hours spent on the water create opportunities to talk, laugh and simply enjoy one another’s company without the constant distractions of modern life. The fish become almost secondary. What really matters is the time spent together.
THIS SUMMER, CONSIDER INTRODUCING a youngster to fishing. Take your son or daughter; invite a niece, nephew or grandchild; offer to take the neighbor kid who’s never held a fishing rod. You may think you’re simply spending a pleasant morning at the lake, but there’s a good chance you’re doing much more than that. You may be creating a memory that lasts a lifetime and inspiring the next generation of anglers who will one day pass the tradition along to someone else. In the end, that’s how fishing survives: Not one trophy fish at a time, but one child at a time. CS
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The sight of wild hogs can be enticing to any hunter, and when then guide and author William “Will” Murray took three off-duty law enforcement officers out on a 2002 Monterey County day hunt, he expected these “sharpshooters” to connect on just about every chance they had. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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HUNTING
HUNTING HOGS WITH «SHARPSHOOTERS» MEMORIES OF A WEIRD GUIDED TRIP WITH TWO SWAT OFFICERS AND AN UNDERCOVER COP By William “Will” Murray
L
ong, long ago, back when I could still rope the wind, I operated Murray Outfitters out of San Luis Obispo, guiding for deer, turkey, quail and, during the offseason, wild boar. I had two private ranches leased for hogs that were located northeast of Paso Robles, where it was all hot and dry land with a smattering of jack pine, cactus, poison oak and a wide variety of brush. The meadows were covered with native grasses that seemed to always be so dry that they crumbled beneath my feet. Now you know where I guided and what it looked like, so let’s get started. The following story is true to the best of my memory; frankly, it’s largely
unbelievable, so I’ll not use names of any kind in my own pitiful attempt to protect the not-so-innocent!
IN EARLY SPRING 2002, I was due to guide three would-be hog killers from the central coast of California. Three of our finest police officers had booked a one-day hunt with me, so I picked them up at their hotel at 3 in the morning and headed north to a small but productive ranch just north of Parkfield, in Monterey County. On the way there, I learned that one of these officers worked undercover, and he looked the part – long hair and all the trimmings. The other two were sharpshooters on I believe the SWAT team. I didn’t pay much attention to the bragging that was going on in my truck that
morning; let’s just say that according to these three heroes, 600 yards and running through heavy brush would be no problem. On a lighter note, most of the talk was light and wholesome – kind of; they seemed like good guys. I pulled my truck through the ranch gate and parked. I had no misgivings; I checked their licenses, gave them my standard safety talk and told them that there was only one person in charge and that it was me. To this they exclaimed, “Don’t worry, pops; we’ll take care of you!” I should have run for the truck, but I didn’t (foolish boy).
WE HUNTED SOME LOW brushy country that was usually productive in the morning. As we hunted through
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HUNTING some very stunted oak trees, we jumped a small hog from his bed. We had already determined who would shoot first, but as that black and white tusker headed south, all three of our nation’s finest opened up on him. Let me say here for the record that .300-caliber magnums might be a little more than you need, especially if you’re ruining your guide’s hearing! I can’t recall who hit this fourlegged porker first, but we’ve all eaten pulled pork and there was no longer any need for pulling! Of course, they were a happy bunch now; in fact, a little too happy! I strapped that hog to my meat pack and we headed for my truck and lunch before setting out on the afternoon hunt. Once at my truck, I had to encourage them to leave this hog alone; it’s my belief that these three intrepid first responders had been undercover for way too long. After lunch – I was the only one to eat since they just kept conversing with the dead hog lying on my tailgate – I took them to a mountain pass where the afternoon and evening hunts had usually been successful. After a quick but brutal hike uphill, I placed one of them on a little hill to the north of this pass, one right in the middle of the saddle and the last one on the hill just to the south.
Early in the morning of the hunt, Murray was able to get his clients a nice hog. The afternoon leg of this adventure would prove to be less successful. (WILLIAM MURRAY)
All these positions overlooked a little stream that ran from north to south, and from prior experience I knew that it was 200 yards on the money. Almost every time I hunted this area, we harvested a good boar or two as they meandered along this little stream rooting up all the moist ground along the way. We didn’t have long to wait before the biggest boar I’ve ever seen came rooting north along our side of the
It was in country like this near the Monterey County community of Parkfield where the author figured his three officer-clients from the Santa Maria area would bag one of the biggest boars he’s ever seen. (WILLIAM MURRAY) 38 California Sportsman AUGUST 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com
creek. I couldn’t believe my eyes; he was pure white/pink and had tusks that I sure didn’t need binoculars to see! And that’s not all. I could see it was a boar, but I’m not going to describe his attributes on paper; it may be illegal. I guessed his weight at around 600 pounds, and frankly, he looked like a huge barnyard pig! Now the fun began.
I HAD TO HOLLER at my hog killers to start shooting. Remember, two of them were departmental sharpshooters! They’d all shoot and then I’d holler, “You’re over-shooting him,” then they’d all shoot again and I’d yell the same thing. This went on until all three magnum bolt-action rifles with 3x9 scopes were empty, and that Godzilla of a boar had just simply walked away. The silence up there in that mountain pass was deafening – at least until I could no longer hold back my laughter, which is always better than crying. My hunters weren’t nearly as amused as I was.
HUNTING Murray after a more successful pig hunt. But despite the officers inexplicably missing their big afternoon target, they’d sign up for a future hunt with the author … (WILLIAM MURRAY)
We hiked back to the truck as evening fell upon us. It was only a 30-minute hike, but the silence that had befallen us made it seem like an hour. We loaded up and headed for home, and it was here in the truck that I made my fatal mistake: The sight of those hostage-saving sharpshooters missing that huge target 12 times began to play on my mind – until I could stand it no longer and started to laugh again. I was tired, and no matter what I did I just couldn’t stop laughing. Finally, I gained enough control to tell my new friends that if I were ever taken hostage to please shoot directly at me; you see, I figured that would be the safest thing to do. You could have cut the silence in the cab of my truck with a butter knife!
I left them at their hotel and we said our goodbyes, and to their credit they booked another hunt. I managed not to laugh.
JUST ABOUT TWO MONTHS later, these new buddies of mine showed up at my place of work. They pulled right up in front of my coworkers and boss in a police car, walked into the building, placed me under arrest, shoved me into the back of their squad car and then drove me about a block away, at which point they released me, and all the while they couldn’t stop laughing! I kinda liked them. CS Editor’s note: For more on William Murray and his books, check out his website, williamwillmurray.com.
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…But not before they had a little fun with the guide. “They pulled right up in front of my coworkers and boss in a police car, walked into the building, placed me under arrest, shoved me into the back of their squad car and then drove me about a block away, at which point they released me, and all the while they couldn’t stop laughing,” Murray writes. (WILLIAM MURRAY)
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HUNTING
FROM FIELD...
Author Scott Haugen has over 170 trail cameras set in three states, and he places many in specific positions to capture unique video. “Trail cameras allow us to see and hear things we’d otherwise never know,” he writes. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
VIDEO DOESN»T LIE USE TRAIL CAMERAS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUCKS AND BULLS AND THEIR BEHAVIOR
By Scott Haugen
T
rail cameras are a learning tool, not a killing tool. Wherever you might be pursuing deer or elk this season, trail cameras can teach you a lot. I currently have over 170 trail cameras set in three states spanning more than 800 miles. Every trail camera is set to video mode because a clip with sound reveals more than a still image or series of still images ever will.
CAMERA BRAND OPTIONS In areas with cellular coverage, I run Moultrie trail cameras. If a thumbnail looks intriguing, I’ll download the 15to 20-second video. One thumbnail last summer showed a big velvet buck staring into the camera. Since it looked exceptional, I requested the video. Not only did the big buck
cruise the trail right by the camera, but so did seven other bucks, four of which carried record-book racks. I like Moultrie cellular cameras because there’s no card to check. They can be set up and perfectly positioned with a mount/aim feature. As foliage grows, the Smart Zones feature can be reset from anywhere, thereby decreasing false triggers. In areas with non-cell coverage I run Stealth Cam Ultimate DS4K trail cameras. I use 64 GB SD cards, set each camera on the highest-definition video mode and program them to run for two minutes; three minutes on extensive trails. I check them once a month and scrub through thousands of clips each time. It’s time well spent.
school biology teacher turned full-time outdoor writer 25 years ago, nothing has taught me more about deer and elk behavior than this technology. While scouting and observing game is always an education, we can only be in one place at a time. If you’re a deer and elk hunter, now is the time to get serious about running trail cameras, when bucks and bulls are in velvet. Velvet-covered antler is one of the fastest-growing tissues on the planet. Antlers are a status symbol, used for fighting competitors and as a defense against predators. During the velvet stage, antlers are fragile and animals don’t want to damage them. This means they avoid thick brush and travel on open trails.
LEARNING FROM TECHNOLOGY
CLEAR THE VIEWING AREA
The entire trail camera process is time consuming, but as a former high
When initially setting trail cameras, a machete will allow you to open
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HUNTING Throwing a big game twist into one of the perfect happy hour plates has been a big hit for Tiffany Haugen. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
... TO FIRE
MEATLOAF SLIDERS ARE AN EASY WIN By Tiffany Haugen
I
first tried this slider recipe when we lived in Alaska and Scott brought home a big bull moose that was in the rut. The recipe turned out delicious. It’s been a hit with every big game animal I’ve cooked it with. Even black bear and waterfowl turn out delicious. Deer and elk are winners with this one every time, and with the season upon us, it’s worth your time and effort. If you find yourself too busy to shape mini-burgers for sliders, try this baking sheet meatloaf hack that not only results in extra flavorful, super easy burgers, but it keeps you off the grill on those days when you don’t want to work so hard at preparing a meal. While these little bites may not have grill marks, the caramelized
onions and peppers hide that fact and make this dish extra delicious. 1 pound ground venison One egg ½ onion, minced 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup breadcrumbs ¼ cup tomato paste ¼ cup pickles (sweet or dill), minced 2 tablespoons yellow mustard 1 to 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Olive oil for the pan In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until fully combined. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Spread meatloaf
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mixture out evenly on the sheet to about 1 inch thick. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 to 17 minutes until meat reaches desired doneness – judge like a hamburger from rare to well done – keeping in mind the edges will cook faster than the middle. Remove from the oven and cut into slidersize pieces. Serve on a bun with onions and bell peppers that have been caramelized in butter. Editor’s note: To order signed copies of Tiffany Haugen’s popular book, Cooking Big Game, visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.
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HUNTING fallen trees, which offer overhead shots of trails below. If strapping cameras to slim trees or willows, chop out the tops so they don’t blow in the wind and trigger the camera. Good sets can take an hour or more to create, but the footage they capture equates to greater learning.
Now is primetime for running trail cameras to learn more about the deer and elk we love to hunt. Some states are restricting game cam use, but California hasn’t done so yet. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
THINK LIKE BULLS, BUCKS
and trim trails. Better yet is a string trimmer, if feasible. A folding saw and shears also help. Every time you check cameras, take tools and maintain the trails. With cellular trail cameras, solar panels help keep them powered all summer, through the fall and into winter. This means you don’t have to regularly venture into the woods and risk spooking game. When setting trail cameras with solar panels, trim overhanging limbs and adjust for the sun’s changing path as fall approaches.
Some of my solar sets have gone unchecked for over a year, and they produce shots nearly every day.
GET CREATIVE WITH PLACEMENT I set a lot of cameras in nontraditional positions. I’ll bury them in the ground, smack in the middle of trails where deer and elk cross logs and big rocks. I hang them 2 to 3 feet off the ground to capture eye-level shots and sounds. I’ll also strap them to rocks mere inches from a flowing creek and hang them on partially Positioned to optimize the capture of sunlight, solar panels allow connected trail cameras to run for months on end. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Right now, bucks and bulls are easy to pattern. Find the trails they travel, learn when they move in certain areas and keep expanding the reach of cameras to learn more. Locating bedding and feeding areas is one thing, but finding trails that connect the two can be key to filling tags. Many of the elk I catch this time of year travel 7 to 9 miles every night to feed. Once the velvet comes off, buck and bull movement can become concentrated. Wise bucks quickly turn nocturnal. Some go off on their own. Some hang with one or two their age. Others stick with young bucks and always let them move ahead, often on different trails. Increasing cameras in these areas will help you find and learn about the movement of specific animals, even how to hunt them. Trail cameras also reveal fawn and calf recruitment, along with predator pressure. Two summers ago seven fawns were born in one of my hunting areas. In less than two weeks all appeared to be killed by coyotes. Bears and mountain lions can take their toll on calf elk. Bobcats kill a lot of deer fawns.
SOAKING UP THE DETAILS Trail cameras allow us to see and hear things we’d otherwise never know. Utilized properly, with the intent of expanding our knowledge, trail cameras are one of the greatest teaching tools a hunter can turn to. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s bestselling books, visit scotthaugen. com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook. 46 California Sportsman AUGUST 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com
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HUNTING
MORE VERSATILE GUN DOG TRAINING TIPS
Hunting for carefully placed shed antlers should be part of the summer training schedule for versatile gun dog breeds, a list that includes pudelpointers like author Scott Haugen’s Echo, as well as pointers, setters, spaniels and others. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
PREPARE YOUR PUP FOR FALL HUNTS WITH THIS CONDITIONING AND TRAINING REGIMEN Editor’s note: In the second of this two-part series, Scott Haugen looks at conditioning options and training tips for owners of versatile gun dog breeds. By Scott Haugen
O
nce a week or so, my two gun dogs and I head into the hills early in the morning. Here, I train them for shed hunting and to keep the pair of pudelpointers in good condition. Do this early, when thermals are still dropping and dogs can catch the whiff of an antler. Before starting out, wash the antlers and only handle them with rubber gloves. You want the dog smelling the antler, not the scent of your hands. Abrasive paper can help
freshen an antler. Also, use bleached sheds for sight recognition training. I put half a dozen antlers into a backpack without the dogs knowing. I carry a couple bumpers in my hand, tossing them as we work our way into the hills. This keeps it fun. Then I let the dogs explore ahead, out of sight, while I toss antlers into strategic places. Set them up for success. Challenge them, but make it so they can win.
IF MORNING TEMPERATURES ARE low and there’s a cloud cover, I’ll do conditioning work in the hills. This is a notch above educational training. Typically, I reserve conditioning work for later in the day, but some days I’ll change things up. That’s because one of the biggest
takeaways I’ve learned in training versatile dogs like pudelpointers is to break the routine. Getting in a rut leads to dogs rushing through a specific task to please you or, worse yet, becoming bored. They want to be done and move on. Breaking up the training regimen with your dog is important, both physically and mentally. Morning training sessions aren’t long. Sometimes, 15 minutes is plenty. If life gets busy and I have to cut training short, a five-minute disciplined workout is all we get done, and that’s OK. It doesn’t have to be full speed all the time. When doing hill runs, be it morning or evening, I either take an electric bike, ATV or truck and let the dogs run ahead of me. A simple stroll
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HUNTING up a knoll won’t cut it. Seek extended runs with intermittent sprint sessions to keep dogs in shape, build muscle and toughen their feet. Intense hill work is usually saved for later in the afternoon. For these 30- to 45-minute sessions, I drive into the mountains. In addition to running ahead of the truck, we’ll do bumper drills on steep hillsides and rock slides. These uphill sprints are great for narrow-waisted breeds that need back-end strength.
EVENING IS WHEN THE majority of swim training is done. We swim at least three times a week, as this is one of the best all-around workouts for hunting dogs. Using a canoe or paddle board and having the dog swim beside you is ideal. Seek extended swims in order to optimize conditioning, not 20 bumper tosses into the water. That said, bumper work in water is great for reinforcing verbal commands and hand signals. I sometimes bumper train in water during the heat of the day when I know an evening training session will be missed. These midday workouts are no more than 15 minutes. The dogs welcome the cool
Controlling problematic California ground squirrels not only hones shooting skills but builds disciplined dog work too. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Water training can take on many forms this time of year, including reinforcing verbal commands and hand signals – plus it’s a great chance for dogs to cool off in the heat. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
ONCE A WEEK WE train with live birds,
Many versatile dogs hit another level when hunting fur. We hunt gray squirrels in the fall, which my dogs love to tree and retrieve. I shoot a lot of nuisance ground squirrels in the summer, for shooting and dog training practice. Their burrows wreak havoc on farm equipment and livestock, and landowners despise them. Because these squirrels are on the ground, the dogs rarely spot one before I shoot. This is great practice for heeling, holding steady in the shot and following hand signals on the retrieve.
either with launchers or planted birds. Pointing and holding is the focus. Sometimes I’ll shoot a good point and flush to reward the dogs, but most of our summer shooting practice comes with starlings, Eurasian doves and ground squirrels. There are a good number of invasive Eurasian doves and starlings in our area, and we’re shooting these all summer, sometimes twice a week. They’re great training tools for many reasons. This time of year, the dogs know the moment I grab a gun what’s happening. We also have a lot of ground squirrels in the farmlands and hills.
MY HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES and I were athletes. We often talk about how bored and burned out we would have been if we had had to choose one sport to compete in all year, as is the case for many kids today. Versatile gun dogs are no different. They’re wired to achieve multiple tasks and hunt a variety of species in a range of conditions. Focused, dedicated training will help them reach their full potential. It takes time and commitment on your end, but when you invest in a versatile breed, that’s what you sign up for. Enjoy every moment. CS
water, and the short sessions keep them focused. If they grow hot and lose interest, I stop. When riding a bike on flat ground with a dog running alongside, 3 miles is my minimum, and 5 miles is better. Be sure to do it early in the morning or in the evening. Having water for them to drink is essential, and a pond or stream to jump into is a big bonus. Don’t let your dog overheat; it can be lethal.
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