Barbs and Backlashes

If you are a subscriber to NEBRASKAland magazine you have already seen this, but in case you have not I want to call attention to a photo essay in the May 2017 issue.  You can see that issue HERE. Turn to page 36 and you will see Wipers on the Fly by Doug Steinke. The photography is excellent!  Doug is a professional photographer who’s work has been featured in NEBRASKAland many times; been featured in a lot of other places …

I know this is not new news and in fact some of our family fishing events for this summer have already occurred.  However, we are getting to the time now when almost all the kids are out of school and I want to post this up as a little reminder! Family Fishing Events scheduled for 2017 LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for another spring and summer of fun with Family Fishing Events. Family Fishing Events …

I do not do it often, but now and then current events and “pop culture” compel me to make some comments.  Recently, I heard about something called “fidget spinners“. I guess fidget spinners are the new fad toy.  In fact I heard a TV news report that school teacher’s desk drawers are beginning to look like the teacher’s desk drawer in A Christmas Story movie–full of fidget spinners. Purportedly, fidget spinners help burn off nervous energy. I found something on …

I suppose it started with David Letterman’s nightly top 10 lists, direct from the “home office” in Wahoo, Nebraska, and now media, including social media, is full of lists–top 10 this, top 10 that. Whatever. Suppose I might as well jump in . . . . May and June are the best fishing months in Nebraska.  That is true for a variety of species, a variety of waters.  If you are sitting around waiting for a good fishing report right …

I want to mention an opportunity coming up this summer:  Ever want to learn how to bowfish?  Here is your chance! For more information, be sure to check out the FaceBook page, Nebraska Bow Fishing Mentor Program. Oh, did I mention it is free!? Contact information is included above, sign up!

I believe we should call ’em fisheries conservation permits rather than “fishing” permits! The stewardship of our state’s fisheries resources is very much “user pay” in Nebraska.  Money from the sale of fishing permits and excise taxes on boating and fishing equipment is THE funding used to take care of Nebraska’s fisheries resources.  Hunters, trappers and anglers have been, and continue to be, the original conservationists, and I thank you! Now, you got the permit, it is the weekend, GO FISH!

Got another report from Nebraska’s spring turkey “woods”.  Once again this year I was privileged to help with a turkey hunting camp at Maranatha Bible Camp.  The camp was hosted by Maranatha and SkyQuest Outdoor Ministries.  We had folks from several states and in spite of lousy weather took a number of birds from private land in the camp vicinity. I always say “weather trumps everything” and in Nebraska I am reminded of that often.  The weather was not good …

I like to post a lot of fish pictures on my blog–I cannot get enough of big fish pictures and I have learned there are a lot of other folks that think the same way.  One other purpose in doing that is to again let folks know that our Nebraska fisheries workers are always busy, always doing something, and our fisheries biologists spend a lot of time in the field handling a lot of fish.  No, we do not necessarily …

I probably have too much clutter on my dresser.  One thing you can find in the junk and trinkets piled there is my very first turkey call. An instrument of torture. I did not start hunting turkeys until I was in college.  Still, that was a few days ago.  In preparation for that inaugural spring turkey hunt, my cousin Robin gave me my first turkey call.  As I recall it was a Christmas present.  It was a mouth diaphragm call, …

I have often said that THE KEY to spring turkey hunting is to scout, and then scout, and before you are finished, scout some more.  Simply put, no one can call birds where they do not want to go, so you better know where they want to be.  I will admit to you that my son has put in much more time scouting for us this spring, but the time spent hunting the same areas year after year, in other …