Justin Haag
Justin Haag has served the Commission as a public information officer in the Panhandle since 2013. His duties include serving as regional editor for NEBRASKAland Magazine. Haag was raised in southwestern Nebraska, where he developed a love for fishing, hunting and other outdoor pursuits. After earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chadron State College in 1996, he worked four years as an editor and reporter at newspapers in Chadron and McCook. Prior to joining the Commission in 2013, he worked 12 years as a communicator at Chadron State, serving as the institution’s media and public relations coordinator the last five. He and his wife, Cricket, live in Chadron, and have two children.
July 12, 2023
Fishing, Latest Features, NEBRASKAland Articles, open water fishing
By Justin Haag Nebraska’s fisheries have their ups and downs, especially if we’re talking water levels. The water stored in many of the state’s most popular fishing lakes is vital for irrigating crops when Mother Nature is stingy with rain. The annual drawdown of water is important for agriculture, but can be challenging for fish populations and the people pursuing them. Anglers at many Nebraska reservoirs have become accustomed to casting lines among trees in spring and watching the shoreline …
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July 10, 2023
Nebraskaland Radio
By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, channel catfish are in the spotlight. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Channel Catfish Air Dates: July 7-14 Length: 3:00 Episode 277
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June 21, 2023
Nebraskaland Radio
By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. Hunter Baillie, northwest district wildlife manager for Game and Parks, joins the program to discuss changes to big game permits. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Chadron State Park Air Dates: June 16-23 Length: 3:00 Episode 274
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June 7, 2023
Nebraskaland Radio
By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, the topic is Chadron State Park. Gregg Galbraith, park superintendent, is the guest. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Chadron State Park Air Dates: June 2-9 Length: 3:00 Episode 272
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June 5, 2023
Fishing, How To, Latest Features, NEBRASKAland Articles
Painting baits is rewarding, economical and fun. Story and photos by Justin Haag Many a fly angler knows the satisfaction of catching fish on a hand-tied masterpiece. For those more inclined to cast and retrieve for pike, bass and walleye, here is a way to emulate that remarkable experience: painting crankbaits. Quality crankbaits are some of the most expensive products to tie to the end of a line. At $5-20 each, losing one to a deep snag can put a …
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May 3, 2023
Conservation, Latest Features, NEBRASKAland Articles, Research
Photos and story by Justin Haag A new research effort is aiming to uncover mysteries about Nebraska’s wild turkeys. University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have teamed up with Nebraska Game and Parks to trap turkeys, measure them, collect samples and outfit them with GPS transmitters and leg bands. Over time, researchers will learn about turkey movements, habitat selection, nesting success and genetic diversity. These variables all play a role in wild turkey population numbers, which have shown a decline in many …
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April 27, 2023
Nebraskaland Radio
By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, the topic is the importance of dark skies. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Night Skies Air Dates: April 21-28 Length: 3:00 Episode 266
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April 24, 2023
Latest Features, NEBRASKAland Articles, Photography, Travel
For those wanting to observe the night sky, Nebraska’s remote locations are tops. One such place has earned official confirmation of its brilliance after dark. By Justin Haag For lovers of solitude, it is hard to imagine a better place to be. The occasional howl of a coyote, hoot of an owl, moos from cows. The eerie sound of ice forming over a lake on a cold December night. On occasion, the quiet, but growing, roar of a truck’s engine …
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April 7, 2023
Nebraskaland Radio
By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. The topic of this program is rainbow trout. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Rainbow Trout Air Dates: April 7-14 Length: 3:00 Episode 264
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April 3, 2023
Nebraskaland Radio
By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, Luke Meduna, big game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, discusses changes to the turkey hunting regulations. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Turkey Season Air Dates: March 31-April 7 Length: 3:00 Episode 263
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Nebraskaland Magazine
