Perhaps you have already read about and seen photos of livestock tank floating on Nebraska rivers in the June Issue of NEBRASKAland Magazine. If not, you can read Eric Fowler’s cool article about it here.  However, if you want to view video of what we refer to as “tankin’,” then you’ll wanna tune in to my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News LIVE this Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CST during the station’s sportscast. Yup, we’re goin’ tankin’! We’ll …

After a morel mushroom hunting adventure with a buddy along the Elkhorn River this weekend, I am issuing a final call for harvesting morel mushrooms, at least in the river bottom woodlands here in eastern Nebraska. Head to your woods for morels as soon as you can! They’re there, most likely in good numbers due to the heavy rain event we had this past Sunday. We did find fresh morels. However, some were dry and had brown tops to them. Fungi/mushroom expert Mark Davis, Writer/Photojournalist for the …

Did you know that one of our Nebraska state park lands actually has an old town site within its boundaries? Know which state park it is? Here’s the sign denoting the old town site that has couple reconstructed buildings. One of them is a reconstructed schoolhouse. There’s also a reconstructed mercantile. And, a reconstructed cabin near the old town site. Founded by Native Americans of mixed heritage to serve their reservation, this town sprung up around a trading post and …

I’ll be telling you why you should go fishing with your family and visit a Nebraska state park land this Saturday on my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News. That’s because this Saturday, May 17th marks Nebraska’s Free Fishing and State Park Entry Day, woo-hoo! It’s kind of an open house of sorts in our great outdoors! Special, how-to, fun family-oriented fishing events events will also be held around the state. Be sure to bring all the kids! Tune …

The Nebraska Tourism Commission announced this week that it approved a new brand campaign, entitled: “Nebraska Nice.” This campaign emphasizes one of Nebraska’s strongest assets — us, it’s people. However, “Nebraska Nice” has a two-fold meaning.  It’s not only about we-Nebraskan’s being nice to our visitors and to each other, as we are, but it’s also a reference to the “nice moments” that make the best vacations memorable and special.  It’s about that special moment that is talked about for years and years to come. …

I will always tell you that I do not force what I do (as an avid outdoor enthusiast or as a conservation professional) on my kids but I have introduced them, continued to take them, and to this day, bug them to death about going with me (The Old Man) to enjoy time in Nebraska’s great outdoors. I especially bug them to go fishing and have been successful over the years! All of my kids love to wet lines and catch …

I’ve been around the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for sometime. This month of May marks my 35th year with the agency! And, I loved every bit of it! I am truly “living the dream!” So, on this Throwback Thursday, it’s “Wags on the Water.” One of my claims to fame is that I have canoed, kayaked or tanked each and every one of Nebraska’s Water Trails, and then some. As you know, from my previous blog posts, I have …

Join me this week on my WOWT 6 News outdoors/park segment (The Weekly Outdoor Report) when we preview the exciting living history weekend (May 3rd and 4th) at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park located on the east edge of Fort Calhoun. Fort Atkinson has fascinating history and is one of my favorite state historical parks in Nebraska! Most likely the reason Fort Atkinson is so special to me is that Park Superintendent John Slader lets me borrow and use the …

Just wanted to throw a few Friday “Fungi” Fun pics your way. Here’s a cool t-shirt I want my wife Polly to buy for me. Well, maybe not. I’ll just dirty it up. I really get into my morel mushroom hunting, you know! Now, for a quick quiz on “morelling.” See if you can find all five morel mushrooms in this pic. Good luck! Happy morel mushroom hunting or whatever Nebraska spring outdoor adventure you’re planning this weekend! If only this jake wild turkey would …

Come with us as we go out morel mushroom hunting on my Weekly Outdoor Report on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News tonight! Morels have popped up in the moist areas of river bottom woodlands and parks here in eastern Nebraska! Soon morels will be emerging in hilly forested areas. They are one of nature’s tastiest delicacies! I’ll be covering some of the dos and don’ts for morel mushroom hunting on the report which airs LIVE on the WOWT 6 News Thursday at …