A championship duck caller shares his methods for success. By Todd Mills It’s one thing to call in ducks from a blind, but to compete and earn a championship title, competitive callers have to excel at a much higher level. After a few years of attending classes, exchanging audio files with other callers, obsessively watching videos and driving my wife crazy by blowing nonstop in our basement, I entered the world of competition calling. In 2011, I competed in the …

While you wait for the spring turkey opener, here are a few hunting seasons still open. By Jeff Kurrus There are years when I don’t want to put down my shotgun, even in late winter or early spring. Fortunately, in Nebraska, I don’t have to. While many bird hunters have put away their pumps, semi-autos and over-and-unders, waiting until the spring turkey opener, there are still a few transition hunting seasons to keep you gunning until that first gobble. Eurasian …

The American mink is becoming increasingly prevalent in Nebraska’s aquatic ecosystems. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist In the quiet corners of the Midwest, among the rustling reeds and meandering streams, lurks a creature of remarkable stealth and cunning: the American mink (Neovison vison). With its sleek fur and sinuous movements, this mysterious carnivore prowls the water’s edge, weaving through the tangled undergrowth in search of its next meal. While they are rarely seen by humans, the American mink is …

The color yellow can be found throughout the year in outdoor Nebraska. By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist Ya’ll – I went outside the other day, and there was a bright yellow dandelion in my front yard! I think it is only after the harshest of winters that something so mundane can seem so special. Early season blooms are special. In addition to providing an exciting, visible sign that spring is on its way, early blooms provide valuable food resources …

Monthly moon names offer a glimpse into North American cultural traditions and folklore. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist The night sky has long been a source of wonder and inspiration, and the lunar cycles have long been observed and celebrated by cultures and civilization across the world. In North America, moon folklore and traditions surround monthly full moon names. January – The Wolf Moon January’s full moon is often dubbed the Wolf Moon. This name hearkens back to ancient …

Animal group names provide clues to their social lives. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist From a “murder of crows” to a “rhumba of rattlesnakes,” the animal kingdom boasts a diversity of collective nouns to describe groups of animals. These imaginative descriptors not only enrich our understanding of Nebraska’s wildlife but also serve as linguistic snapshots that convey the essence of their social lives. Birds Names in the avian world reflect the unique social dynamics and behaviors of different bird …

While horns and antlers share some similarities, they are distinct forms of animal headgear. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist How many times have you heard someone say, “Wow, look at the horns on that deer”? Horns and antlers are not interchangeable. While they share some similarities, horns and antlers are distinct forms of animal headgear. Antlers Males in the Cervidae family, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose and elk, are the only class of mammals to grow antlers. Exceptions: …

Starting in 1900, Carrie Nation became a household name for her fanatical opposition to alcohol. By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska Imagine that you are in a bar in the early 1900s — a glass of cold beer in your hand, a spittoon within easy spitting distance on the hardwood floor, and a racy painting of some unclothed beauty hanging on the wall. You turn at the sound of a woman’s voice singing hymns, and in walks a mature woman …

If you love Nebraska’s natural and recreational resources, the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation is a perfect way to show your appreciation By Jeff Kurrus Core values. The Nebraska Game and Parks has many. Access. Opportunity. Stewardship. Providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, camping and outdoor education and recreation. They have an economic value of $3.8 billion in our state. These activities are the backbone of introducing Nebraskans, and visitors alike, to the outdoors and keeping them outdoors, and …

Winter offers favorable conditions for viewing stars. By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist As winter envelopes Nebraska, it is a welcome escape to dream of the color orange. A brightly streaked sunset. Sunburst lichen on full display. Bright American bittersweet pods. Campfires burning into the night. The color orange is a beacon of warmth and light — a promise of warm days ahead. But instead of focusing on the future, let’s appreciate the present. Three years ago, at a cold …