The hunting doesn’t end only because you’ve fired off a shot. Not according to Joakim Lidström anyway, a passionate hunter who puts his primary importance is to seize as much as possible of the game he’s taken down. This is a way of thinking we wish more shared with him.
Below you’ll find some of Joakim’s advice for enjoying nature for a long time.
I'm welcomed by a choir of dogs barking from a yard next to a white, newly built house on the hills in the small village of Malgovik, Wilhelmina municipality. The sun’s carefully looking through the heavy clouds, and it smells early summer. At the door, I meet Joakim Lidström who takes me into the stunning house he created. Minimalistic, light with rustic elements in the shapes of timber, a harsh dining table, and details in solid wood. The walls are decorated with prints of numerous portrayed animals and his own trophies for both big and small games. It’s impossible to miss that this home contains a person who loves nature.
Joakim Lidström was born and raised in Wilhelmina, where hunting has always been a natural way of life. Since being a kid, he’s followed his father and grandfather on different forms of hunting. His grandfather loves hunting hares, while his father is a confirmed moose hunter. Joakim was only a child when he discovered his interest in animals, nature, and hunting generally. He drew a lot, played, and dabbled in other activities where the main focus was wildlife.
- Eventually, I got myself an airgun. But the biggest thing that affected me was following my father, who has always had exceptional hunting dogs. During the time I followed, mooses were shot, and I believe that’s why my interest has grown.
The four-legged friends - that barked in the big yard - are Joakim's shooting dogs; one older, wise jämthund (Swedish moose dog) and two yellow-red Finnish spitzes. He hunts mostly moose and birds with his dogs but longs for a dogging god for hunting hares. However, that has to wait because right now he’s busy with other things.
After high school, where he studied for the hotel- and restaurant industry, he read hunting- and fishing education that gave him the title of guide. Since then, Joakim has arranged guided tours. At the beginning only a few, but today for the crowd. The guests travel from all over Europe and not only Sweden, where Turkey, France, Italy, and Finland are the latest countries represented in our majestic nature areas. During the guided tours, Joakim gets to combine all the things he loves; hunting, fishing, and cooking, and maybe it results in a trophy.
- The demands are high during a guided hunt. Many factors need to align for a successful tour. Firstly, you’d want nice weather, but you also want to fire. I’ve had guests who only wanted to shoot a capercaillie, and when that’s done, they want to fish instead.
Joakim thinks that the beauty of guided hunting is to experience the joy and share it with someone else. He compares it with hunting with dogs;
- If I could only choose one hunting form, it’s, without a doubt, everything that concludes dogs. You get to raise your own puppies, hunt with them and train them to be good hunting dogs. The feeling is indescribable when taking down the first game for your own dog. You experience a special bond, a collaboration where we trust each other. Sharing that joy and happiness with a proud dog is the most lovely thing about hunting.
Judged by the interior, Joakim wants to preserve what nature offers. That’s why I’m not surprised when he tells me about how he’s taking care of the animal after the hunting session.
- I want to preserve as much as possible, and I believe too many dump things that you can actually do a lot with.
Cooking is an interest that hasn’t been obvious but has grown over time. It has probably grown because he could cook with his own ingredients. He explains the pleasure of trying new recipes and discovering what you can do with what he’s been taking down himself. He’s self-sufficient on meat and fish. He can’t remember the last time he bought meat in the store.
- There are plenty of undiscovered things that you don’t even think of. I believe you should eat what you hunt. Too many hunters don’t even eat the bird they shot. There are many exciting and tasteful recipes to try, and by using your meat you’ll get the most qualified there is.
The parts that Joakim doesn’t eat himself, he gives to the dogs. The roast beef is a detail he believes is underestimated. He prefers to barbecue the whole piece on a warm summer day, served with locally grown potatoes, a tasteful sauce, and a glass of red wine. All parts of a game can be used, one way or another, and Joakim thinks that you have to take care of this fantastic opportunity.
When moose hunt season ends and the Mose intense period of the year is over, the next busy time enters. The walls are decorated with several beautiful trophies that Joakim made himself. There are also a couple adorning the walls in Stalon. Joakim made these as well, and he does a few per year. The work takes a long time, and it’s extensive work before it’s completely done. All equipment used is a legacy from his grandfather.
- I never got to learn from him, but when I shot my first bull I made one for myself. Then, I made it for some friends, and I’ve kept going since then. Even though it’s hard work it’s an honor to touch up a hunter's dream moose.
Wildlife management is something that Joakims puts a lot of time and effort into, to keep sustainable populations. During the wintertime, he contributes with his own pine marten traps and foxtails.
- I think it’s given to put effort into wildlife management if you hunt small game to keep a healthy balance.
From woods to the table - well, it’s an expression that truly suits Joakim. To get most of his hunting experiences, he uses both the old, faithful servant Stalon Compact, but also the newer Stalon X108.
- I use my X108 for several different weapons, and it's incredibly good. I used it for 22HORNET on the ptarmigan hunt, and it sounded like a .22.I can be at 100 meters, and it doesn’t boom at all. I use it for my rifle as well, a .308, and it reduces noise so well it’s not harmful if I forget my hearing protection.
- It’s good for my dog as well, the noise isn’t even close to what it is without a silencer. A lot of dogs become scared of the shooting noise, so of course I want to do everything I can to reduce that risk. I haven’t mentioned the recoil either - being able to sneak up on a bird and shoot straight up without it being unpleasant is almost too good to be true. Besides, it sounds even less when shooting into the sky, and if it’s a lot of snow on the trees, it sounds nothing.
Ptarmigan breast filet
Black currant sauce
Butter fried chantarelles
Fried kale
Walnuts
Important to remember: don’t roast the board too long.
