8 minute read
From Field to Fire: Summer’s training time for hunting dogs; salmon fillet recipe
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No matter what workout he’s giving or where, professional dog trainer Jess Spradley is always teaching and reinforcing commands to his dogs. Here, Spradley works with one of his prized German shorthaired pointers. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
THE DOG DAYS
OF SUMMER ’TIS THE SEASON TO TRAIN FOR UPCOMING HUNTS
BY SCOTT HAUGEN
Summer is here, and for your hunting dog there is no o season.
During the spring and summer I work my dogs in a wide range of habitats for seven days a week. My goal is to condition and train them in a variety of landscapes and situations, so they’re physically and mentally prepared come hunting season. A lot of discipline training is achieved in the process. ROAD RUNNERS Jess Spradley of Cabin Creek Gun Dogs in Lakeview, Oregon, is a renowned dog trainer, dedicated upland hunter and trains competition and breeding dogs year-round. Some of Spradley’s prized pudelpointer pups live in Alaska.
“Now is when I start roading dogs,” he says. “There are a couple ways to do this, but for hunters the most e cient is to get on a secluded logging road or remote country road and drive an ATV, electric bike or ride a mountain bike, and (then) let your dogs run in front.”
Spradley notes the goal of roading is to let your dog run loose at its own pace.
“You want to reach 6 to 10 miles per hour, and if your dog wants to go faster, great. I like running dogs up a gentle incline, as that builds strength in their back end.”
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HOW SWEET AND SMOKE CAN FLAVOR UP ‘FISHY’ SALMON
BY TIFFANY HAUGEN
When looking to transform a stronger-flavored fish like salmon, think sweet and smoky.
Many people who don’t care for a salmon dinner will fawn over smoked salmon, while those who think of salmon as having a “fishy” flavor might change their minds with a fruit-forward salmon recipe. Unique and complex, the subtle smokiness and layered fruit flavors work ginger, coriander, paprika and salt until thoroughly combined.
Preheat your smoker for 10 to 15 minutes. Add smoker chips, chunks or pellets of choice to the chip pan. Place salmon skin-side down on a smoker rack. Smoke for 30 to 40 minutes. If using a gas smoker, be sure not to turn it on too high of a temperature or the fish can get overcooked on the outside. This is a quick smoking approach to simply infuse the salmon with smoke flavor and not cook it.
Remove fish from smoker and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top salmon fillet with fruit mixture. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 15 minutes or until salmon reaches desired doneness or an internal temperature of 135 to 140 degrees. Top with chopped chives or scallions if desired.
The combination of sweet chunks of fruit like pears or apples and the flavor from the smoking process can eliminate the fears about your salmon tasting too “fishy.” (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
together to create a very special taste.
This delicious recipe works with all five salmon species, whether they’re caught from rivers or the ocean. Remember, salmon have delicate meat, so avoid tossing them around in the boat or on the river bank. Be sure and bleed fish immediately after being caught and get them into a cooler. Taking proper care of your fish in the field will result in a tastier end product.
One large salmon fillet 2 tablespoons soy sauce ½ cup grated pear and/or apple Zest and juice of one orange 3 tablespoons melted butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar ½-inch grated ginger root ½ teaspoon dried coriander ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon salt Chive or scallions for garnish
Remove pin bones from salmon. Place soy sauce in a large casserole pan and place salmon fillet meat-side down on top of soy sauce. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, mix graded apple and/or pear, orange juice and zest, butter, brown sugar, rice vinegar, Editor’s note: For signed copies of Ti any’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, and other bestselling titles, visit .ti anyhaugen.com.
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When Scott and Ti any Haugen lived in Hyder, Alaska, there was no shortage of fun, exciting, challenging places to exercise and train their dogs, Echo (left) and Kona, both
pudelpointers. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Spradley’s goal is to attain a 45-minute workout. He gives water to his dogs every 15 minutes, as an objective of this training is to condition a dog to perform without constantly begging for water.
“If they ask for it every few minutes, keep working them and make them wait; don’t give in,” he says.
FREE-RUNS I love running my dogs in the mountains and expansive fields, as it gets them in shape and engages their minds. When we lived in Hyder, Alaska, our two pudelpointers loved running through alders, creek bottoms, big timber, steep hills, tidal flats, gravel bars and even in the snow; all are good workout settings.
“I’ll let my dogs run in the woods or brush for an hour,” points out Spradley. “They go at their own speed: running, jumping and exploring. Let ’em go as fast as they want, and if you have two dogs, that’s better, as they push one another. This is great for endurance training and the sights, smells and sounds stimulate their mind.”
“Remember: Hunting dogs are very smart and they get bored doing the same thing in the same place,” Spradley adds. “Their mind and body need continual stimulation and challenges in order to optimize their happiness and performance levels.”
Even on short morning outings and before dinner, I like letting my dogs explore di erent areas. On these brief potty runs, it’s about opening up their minds, not getting them in shape. Even if you have to drive a short distance to let them roam and play, do it.
WATER TIME If I had one setting in which to condition my dogs it would be water, and Spradley agrees with how e ective of a workout it is.
“Long swims work every muscle in a dog, and the more water situations you can get them in, the better,” he says. “Lots of folks swim their dogs for 30 to 40 minutes while they paddle alongside in a canoe, kayak or paddle board.”
The water can still be cold in many parts of Alaska, so don’t keep your dog in the water too long. Neoprene vests can also help keep your dog warm during summer swims in cold water.
I swim my dogs in lakes, ponds and rivers, as well as waters with reeds and tall grass, while avoiding swift currents. I split summer workout sessions into two 45-minute blocks; one running in the morning and one swimming in the afternoon. Those occur four days a week. Two days they’ll run during both sessions, and one day they’ll rest. I mix up bumpers and training dummies to motivate the dogs and keep them interested.
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Swimming is a low-impact workout and one of the best ways to keep your dog in shape. Swimming dogs while you paddle a kayak, canoe or paddle board is one option, as are long-distance water retrieves. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
“If you can devote 15 minutes of conditioning training in the morning and 15 at night, that’s better than nothing,” Spradley says. “But I’d rather go twice a week for 45 minutes and work ’em hard, rather than go more days for shorter times.”
In every workout scenario I’m training my dogs to obey verbal commands and hand signals. Such training never stops, and instilling basic commands is important for e ective training and later, for hunting.
“My commands never vary,” concludes Spradley. “No matter where I am, I’m teaching my dogs the same commands in all situations. Conditioning sessions are the time to train your dog and get them to do what you want, and this will carry over into hunting scenarios.” ASJ
Editor’s note: To learn more about Jess Spradley’s training and gun dogs – especially his elite line of versatile pudelpointers – visit cabincreekgundogs.com.
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