This week, we sit down with none other than Rasmus Boström – one of Sweden’s most experienced and recognized brown bear hunters.

We cover everything from checking wounded bears by helicopter in Norway (on behalf of the government!) to the dogs he uses for bear hunting and other predator hunting in Sweden.

Rasmus also shares his unique experiences hunting mink in the Swedish archipelago and dives deep into what it really takes to develop a reliable bear dog.

We also discuss how to start young dogs and the importance of timing. As Rasmus puts it:

“You always have to ask yourself – is this experience going to evolve my young dog, or be a bad experience?”

Outside the hunting and making videos for youtube Rasmus works as a teacher at a nature-based high school, where he helps guide the next generation of hunters.

This episode is packed with stories, hard-earned insights, and wisdom from decades in the field. Tune in and enjoy!

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This week, we head underground—literally.

Erik and Adam sit down with Jan Gustavsson, better known as Trapperlodge, one of Sweden’s most experienced den hunters and a finalist at this year’s Jaktgalan (Hunting Gala). Jan takes us deep into the world of fox and badger hunting with terriers, where precision, grit, and trust in your dog are everything.

We talk about:

– How Jan got started with Patterdales and the evolution of den work in Sweden

– What to do when a dog gets stuck underground

– Tools, tactics, and training

– Cultural connections to terrier work in both Sweden and the USA, with Adam sharing insights from Louisiana

From the forest floor to the heart of the den, this episode is packed with underground action and knowledge.

🎧 Tune in now to Nordic Tales & American Trails – wherever you get your podcasts.

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Episode 38 – Ask Hyldgaard

This week, we sit down with Ask Hyldgaard – a Swedish wounded game tracker, former professional cowboy (yep, really), and one of the very few people in Sweden running a Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Ask’s journey is unique. He started with German Shepherds and a background in cowboy life, but now he’s all-in on tracking wounded wild boar, moose and deer with his Catahoula – a breed far from common in Scandinavia. His dog comes from the same bloodlines as those used by Adam and Dominic of Bayou Outlaws, but Ask’s training and environment have shaped a very different hunting style than you’ll see in the American South.

We continue the nature vs. nurture conversation from last week and explore:

What makes a great tracking dog – instinct or experience?

How a Catahoula works in Swedish conditions

Why Ask added a Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound) to the mix

Lessons from years of recovering wounded game

This episode is packed with insight, passion, and a fresh angle on the bond between hunter and dog.

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In this laid-back episode, Erik and Adam sit down to recap the last four episodes and dive into some deeper dog talk.

We explore the age-old debate: breeding vs. training – what really makes a good hunting dog?

We also talk:

What breeds Adam is eyeing for his next dog

Heat stroke and staying safe in the field

Wild boars, Laikas, hounds – and everything in between

Grab a cup, kick back, and join us for a real dogman-style conversation.

Tune in now to Nordic Tales & American Trails – wherever you get your podcasts!

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This week, we sit down with Chris Powell – founder, host, and driving force behind the Houndsman XP podcast. With a lifetime of experience as a hunter, houndsman, and conservation officer, Chris brings deep insight into the American hunting tradition and the importance of preserving wildlife and wild places.

We talk about:

– The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

– Chris’ decades as a game warden with the Indiana DNR

– His passion for hound hunting and working dogs

– What inspired him to launch Houndsman XP

– The role of hunters as stewards for future generations

From the field to the mic, Chris’s mission has always been clear: to protect what matters and pass it on.

Tune in to Nordic Tales & American Trails – available wherever you get your podcasts.

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In this week’s episode, we sit down with Per Kristensen, also known as PK Hunting. Per is a Swedish hunter and content creator, part of the Wild Jaeger crew, who discovered bowhunting a few years ago—and it’s taken him far beyond Sweden.

We talk about: – Growing up in Sweden’s traditional almogejakt culture with hunting dogs

– Hunting without dogs and finding your own way in the woods

– The spot-and-stalk hunting style and how it differs between Europe and the USA

– His trips to the USA, Denmark, and Latvia to pursue bowhunting

– And his big love for foraging wild food—especially mushrooms

Per shares an honest and thoughtful perspective on what it means to connect with nature, whether it’s through a bow, a rifle, or a mushroom basket.

Tune in to Nordic Tales & American Trails – available wherever you get your podcasts!

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In this week’s episode, we sit down with Dominic Brown, co-owner of Bayou Outlaws alongside our host Adam Vu.

Dominic is a passionate and experienced hunter who runs a mixed pack of dogs including Black Mouth Curs, Catahoula Curs, and West Siberian Laikas, with a strong focus on wild boar hunting.

We dive into: – Hunting wild boars in the American South

– The strengths and roles of different breeds in his pack

– His experience with Laikas and how they compare across continents

– Cultural and practical differences between hunting in the USA and Sweden

From bay dogs to boars, Laikas to Louisiana – it’s a gritty and honest conversation with a dogman.

Tune in now to Nordic Tales & American Trails – available wherever you get your podcasts!

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🎙 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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