Education

As the saying goes “Roosted ain’t Roasted” but following this plan should tilt the opening days odds in your favor.  You’ve got the gobblers located and even know the spot you want to start your season from.  Let’s make sure things go smoothly from here. Pop the Blind Early If you will be working out of a ground blind for an early morning hunt get it set out and ready the day before. Ideally in the early afternoon.  This avoids …

We’ve come along way in bow hunting for spring gobblers.  Used to be you would hit the woods using the same methods as the shotgun hunters. Hoping you had enough camouflage or distraction that the gobbler would let you get to full at the moment of truth.  Your broadhead was simply whatever you used on deer last fall. Trouble is that deer and turkeys are quite different.  A broadhead that works well for securing venison steaks isn’t necessarily much good …

The countdown to the start of Nebraska’s spring turkey season is on.  And what you do right now could ensure one of your most memorable springs, yet.  These simple prep items can help get that ol’longbeard strolling your way right off the roost on opening morning.  And they won’t take too much of your time. Road-Scouting You got to be where the gobblers are.  Quickest way to find them is using your ears early in the morning as they sound …

“…camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have had these kinds of (camp) experiences end up being healthier and have less problems which concern us all.” – Peter Scales, Ph.D., noted author/educator, and Senior Fellow, The Search Institute. Like most kids, my parents enrolled me in local club sports while growing up.  Often I found myself  frustrated with these because I wasn’t very interested or skilled …

Who says there isn’t anything to do in the off-season? Of course you can work on tree-stands, buy some gear and explore new ground.  What about placing some trail cameras out to see what you can catch on film or video while you’re sitting in the office? Trail cameras can be a prized possession and useful tool for hunters. They keep track of deer, turkey and other critters that roam your hunting grounds throughout the seasons. I found a few …

Fishing isn’t always just about the fish. Like many of us, I grew up learning how to fish from my dad. Many summers were spent camping out at Merritt Reservoir SRA and casting off the bank. I still remember catching fish with my Snoopy fishing pole before I graduated to a regular pole. I especially remember the time when I caught a fish before my older brother did. Anyway, can’t talk too much about summer now as I trudge through …

With much of our 2017/18 hunting seasons in the rear-view mirror its time to start planning for next season’s opening day.  Planning efficiently is especially important in Nebraska where long, liberal hunting seasons make for a short off-season. The Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, better know as the SHOT Show, is a great place to start thinking about what gear might need replacing, updated or simply for getting ideas for your “gotta-have” list. This year’s SHOT Show opened on …

With the onset of cool weather, and presumably sometime soon some actual “cold” weather, since December is just a few days away, my thoughts have turned to “comfort food.” And a major ingredient in comfort food around my house is, of course, wild game. Now there are all sorts of wild critters currently residing in any one of our four freezers (yes, I said “4”), including doves, squirrels, rabbits, various kinds of fish, snapping turtle, and lots of venison. So …

It was the eve of deer rifle season, sitting by the front door were two pairs of boots, two blaze orange vests, a backpack of snacks, binoculars and one rifle.  They were ready to go!  Catching the last few minute of sleep I hear small feet walking towards the bed.  “Mom, I thought dad was getting up early to go hunting?”  Seeing that is was 5:25 am, I reassured him that dad’s alarm clock will be going off any minute.  …

Nebraska has added more opportunities for deer hunters to vary their hunting styles. This gives hunters the chance to choose different forms of harvest to enhance their seasons or to challenge their skills or even both. I respect and admire the ones who want to take things one step further. Hunting with primitive weapons takes practice, patience and brings you close and personal to your quarry. Here are a few hunters who did just that: Garret Tramp has been following …