🎙 Episode 33 – Mikael Kronstrand (Part 2) 🐾

In part two of our conversation with Mikael Kronstrand, we dive deep into the world of Swedish hunting trials. Mikael shares how he became a hunting trial judge and what it takes to evaluate dogs in a system built to test real hunting skills.

We also circle back to Laikas and other spitz breeds—comparing their traits and discussing how different breeds perform in trials. Mikael talks about his experience competing in the Swedish Wild Boar Championship with one of his East Siberian Laika females and what that journey looked like. 🐗🏆

A great continuation of our talk on dogs, training, and what it means to develop reliable hunting companions. Don’t miss it!

🎧 Tune in now—and as always, if you enjoy the podcast, like, share, and leave a review to help us grow!

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We kick off this episode by diving into the training of wounded game tracking dogs—how to build them up, challenge them, and keep their drive sharp.

Mikael Kronstrand shares how his tracking journey started, eventually leading him to lay blood trails in some unexpected places... like an IKEA parking lot

From there, we get into Mikael’s work with East Siberian Laikas—his experiences breeding and hunting with them. We also explore the differences between East and West Siberian Laikas, and how they compare to Norwegian and Swedish Elkhounds in both hunting style and mentality.

This is Part 1 of our chat with Mikael. Part 2 will dive deeper into hunting trials, judging, and the world of organized tracking and hunting tests.

A great listen packed with training insight, stories from the woods (and the asphalt), and honest talk about the realities of working dog life. 🎧

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to like, share, and leave a review to help us grow!

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In this episode, Erik and Adam open up about some difficult but necessary decisions regarding their dogs. Adam has made the tough call to rehome Kylo with Darren Petty after struggling with Kylo’s temperament issues toward his family. Meanwhile, Erik faced his own challenges with his Russo-European Laika, Daisy, ultimately deciding to cull her at the end of this hunting season.

We dive deep into discussions on dog mentality, Laika temperaments, and the difficult choices that come with responsible dog ownership. Adam also shares what Swedish breed he’s looking to import for coon and wild boar hunting, while Erik talks about the American dog he’s considering bringing over to hunt lynx and brown bear.

A raw and honest conversation about the realities of working with hunting dogs—this is one you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in now! And as always, if you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to like, share, and leave a review to help us grow!

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This week, we sit down with Kevin Yates, a lifelong dogman and competition hunter. Kevin made history in 1996 as the first handler to qualify for the Joy Super Pup Shoot-Out Hunt, and he’s been deep in the hunting world ever since.

We talk about his journey with Laikas and Feists, competition hunting on coons and squirrels, and his work in predator calling and control. Plus, we dive into the differences between Nordic and American hunting cultures—from breeding to training and everything in between.

Tune in now! And if you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to like, share, and leave a review to help us grow!

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In this episode, Erik and Adam share stories of tough days in the woods—long hours, hard work, and moments they’ll never forget. Adam talks about a special hunt with his first Laika, Snow, and how that dog shaped his wild boar hunting journey.

They also dive into wild boar hunting, comparing the differences between Sweden and Louisiana. From the challenges of terrain and climate to the ways hunters and dogs tackle boar in each region, this episode is packed with real hunting experiences and insights.

If you enjoy the podcast, don’t forget to like, share, and leave a review to help us grow!

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Dog Shows, Health Checks & Breeding Differences

In this solo episode, Erik shares his thoughts on dog shows and how Sara performed in her first two competitions. He also covers health checks and dives into the key differences between the Nordic and American approaches to breeding hunting dogs.

From hunting diplomas to health testing and the role of dog shows in Sweden, Erik compares it to the U.S., where these elements are much less present in Laika breeding. He also gives a quick recap of the latest lynx hunting and some early planning for the spring season with his dogs.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the different approaches to breeding and testing hunting dogs!

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In this episode, Erik sits down with Tony Lee Collins to talk about his journey into hunting with Laikas and Dachshunds.

From his first Laika, a special connection made through A Soldier’s Child Foundation, to his experiences breeding and importing hunting dogs, Tony shares his insights on what he’s learned along the way.

A big part of the discussion? Squirrel hunting! Lots of squirrel hunting—how Laikas work squirrels, how the hunt plays out, and why it’s such a beloved tradition in parts of the U.S.

We also dive into the role of Dachshunds in the U.S., their hunting style, and how they compare to their European counterparts.

Plus, we touch on hunting diplomas, dog shows, and why these aren’t as big in the States as they are in Europe.

A great conversation on hunting dogs, dedication, and the lessons learned from years in the field. Don’t miss it!

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In this special bonus episode, Erik sits down solo to reflect on his January hunting adventures with Sara and Lily.

He shares insights into their progress, the ups and downs of the season, and how Lily is recovering from her recent setback.

Erik also talks about the challenges of hunting wild boar with Laikas—what makes it difficult, how the dogs handle the pressure, and what he has learned along the way.

It’s a shorter episode this week, but we hope you enjoy the update!

As always, thanks for tuning in to Nordic Tales and American Trails!

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In this episode, we’re diving even deeper into the world of hunting dogs with Torkel Norling.

We talk about his views on breeding East Siberian Laikas, what he looks for in a dog, and how selection impacts performance in the field.

We also get into:

🐻 Hunting brown bears with Laikas

🐱 The challenges of hunting lynx with dogs

🐕 A deep dive into different hunting styles and what makes a great dog

If you enjoyed Part 1, you won’t want to miss this one—Torkel brings years of experience and some strong opinions on breeding, training, and working with top-tier hunting dogs!

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In this episode of Nordic Tales and American Trails, we sit down with one of Sweden’s most experienced tracking hunters, Torkel Norling, who has spent over 30 years in the field and takes on more than 250 tracking assignments every year.

From wounded game recovery to wildlife collision response, Torkel has seen it all and has played a key role in developing modern tracking methods, including a documentation system that helps hunters improve both their skills and their dogs’ performance. He is also an active figure in the Swedish Laika Club, working to keep Laikas actively hunting predators.

We dive into the differences between male and female tracking dogs, the debate around Laikas that engage or threaten to engage game compared to those that take a more passive baying approach, and Torkel’s views on Laika breeding and the traits he values most.

This is just part one of our conversation with Torkel, so stay tuned for part two next week!

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