Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners and staff are in the midst of the Rooster Roundup — a quest to hunt pheasants on public land throughout Nebraska. The first stop on their journey is described below. The morning was a typical fall Nebraska morning as hunters hit the field at Sherman Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for pheasant hunting. Pheasant and quail numbers are up this year providing upland game hunters with plenty of opportunities to get out and walk many …

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program in Nebraska continues to grow and empower women. Nebraska was the second state to embrace this outdoor program started by Dr. Christine Thomas from Wisconsin in 1991. Thomas had a mission to give women the knowledge to be active in the outdoors and through the BOW program women gain the confidence needed to engage in all types of outdoor activities. The BOW program has grown not only in Nebraska and Wisconsin but is …

The Nebraska archery turkey season for youth and adults begins March 25. Shotgun season for youth begins April 11, followed by the general shotgun season starting April 18, with all seasons closing May 31 – as hunters hit the field keep safety in mind to keep all hunters safe in the field. Turkey hunting has some safety concerns that need to be addressed by all hunters; camouflage, calling, stalking and decoy use all make it imperative that hunters be on …

The spring migration has begun when the unique and primeval call of the sandhill crane is heard; it is one that captures our attention and curiosity. Standing four-foot tall these prehistoric birds travel through Nebraska as part of their migration from summering areas in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico to their nesting areas in the upper United States, Canada and as far North as Siberia. In the Central Flyway, Nebraska is one of the few places left for the 500,000-plus …

Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) offers a great public area to hunt – located near Lewellen the WMA is a short travel distance for those in central and southwest Nebraska and a go-to destination for others. The area is owned by Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and encompasses more than 6,200 acres of land and water depending on lake elevation. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) leases this area for wildlife management and public use access. …

Big water reservoirs are often hunted by Nebraska Game and Parks commissioner Lynn Berggren along with family and friends. Commissioners Berggren, Jerrod Burke and Norris Marshall along with Burke’s son Logan, and Berggren’s sons Kevin and Pat and grandson Kaleb were all out waterfowl hunting this past month – making lasting memories and enjoying morning sunrises. Part of hunting is spending time with family and friends, chasing sunrises and sunsets and enjoying time spent together in the field or on …

There is nothing like hunting season; when brisk air bites at bare skin and the challenge of the hunt begins. Every hunt has its challenges, which evens the score for the quarry and keeps the hunter in pursuit. Hunting isn’t about the kill or bag limits, or it shouldn’t be, but is a personal quest, a way to touch nature, view it and be a part of it. While walking fields of bluestem and stubble during the Pheasants Forever Rooster …

Hunters and anglers are always on the lookout for places to enjoy their sport – with nearly 800,000 acres of state and federal areas already public accessible in Nebraska, the public access program for hunting and fishing on private lands increases the amount of land available for public use. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) staff and Pheasants Forever work closely with hundreds of private landowners who voluntarily participate in private land access programs. The Open Fields and Waters (OFW) …

Nestled in beautiful fall colors and cool temperatures of the Nebraska National Forest, the Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop was held last weekend at the 4-H camp near Halsey. The BOW workshop is a place where women of all backgrounds and ages gather to learn more about the outdoors in a non-intimidating, friendly environment. It is a weekend of hands-on experiences, learning new skills, making new friends, renewing old friendships and having a great time. I write about this …

This past week the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission stocked 990 paddlefish at Gallagher Canyon and Midway Canyon Reservoirs located south of Cozad. The twelve-inch paddlefish have been stocked in efforts to offer anglers a chance in central Nebraska to be able to snag or use bow and arrow on mature paddlefish. “We hope to establish a sufficient population so that a season can be implemented similar to that on the Missouri river,” said Dave Tunink, Assistant Administrator Fisheries Management …