Education

I hope each and everyone one is having an enjoyable Independence Weekend celebration.  I know many are hitting the State Parks or camping in recreation areas across Nebraska and with this weather….Let’s just say it could not get any better!  I spent the 4th of July morning hosting my neighborhoods annual family fishing program and it was a blast.  I always enjoy getting young families outdoors.  Kids dig it!  They love to fishy, play in the water, catch bugs, and …

Attention Hunters!  Each year, we host training for a few passionate folks who want to “give back” to the sport they cherish.  Below are two such opportunities.  As a certified volunteer Hunter Education Instructor for the state of Nebraska, you will have the opportunity to help insure our future hunters and safe, ethical and knowledgeable.  You will have the good fortune of working along side Commission professionals and other like minded hunters who share your passions.  You will have the …

Even before the smoke cleared the young camper at one of Nebraska 4-H’s Outdoor Skills Camp declared it “the coolest thing ever!”  Which was immediately followed by “did I hit?”  She had just taken her first-ever shot with a black powder rifle, sending the round ball clanging into the triangular, metal gong 30 yards downrange. The tradition of summer camps is alive and well in the state of Nebraska.  And for a few hundred youngsters each year camp means making …

As most of you know, our conservation efforts hinge on the ability of our hunting, fishing, shooting sports, boating and camping communities to introduce new participants each year to these time honored traditions.  These activities just make our lives better.  Each of us strives to keep these traditions alive and some of our most valuable contributions come from the many gun clubs and conservation organizations across the state.  You folks are the backbone of our educational efforts and we could …

Perhaps some of us grew up hunting, fishing, shooting, camping, kayaking or just simply enjoying the outdoors.   Imagine that you would love to do those things but simply do not know where to start.  For thousands of women in Nebraska, that is unfortunately the case.  I know this may be a shocker to some, but Dad, sometimes, did not take his daughter along on the annual hunting/fishing trips (shame on you Dad).  Today, thousands of women are taking to the …

We are blessed to have some very active individuals here in Nebraska that are looking for ways to have a positive impact in the lives of our young citizens and help preserve our natural legacy.  You can be one of those people by burning some powder and breaking some rock – just having fun with the shotgun. Nebraska Ducks Unlimited (DU)  is one of many organizations filled with such motivated volunteers.  On June 15, you can join the Seward County …

Lions, Leopards and Bears – oh, my! In effort to avoid a case of the off-season blues I shot a turkey, deer and a triceratops this past Sunday.  The targets were all part of Blair’s own Orion Archery Club and their annual Brandon Tomcak Memorial 3D Shoot.  The entire event was designed to give youth, and their parents, a chance to take part in this amazing family activity.  Bows, arrows and instruction were available to all that had the need.  …

Friday, May 31.  Final day of the 2013 Nebraska Spring Turkey Season.  And what a season it was.  Each year brings challenges and this year seemed to contain them all.  Snow and cold, wind and dust, rain and flooding – sometimes it seemed as if they all occurred in the same day, too.  But this is Nebraska and there were birds. I was able to get out on the second day of archery season with my brother, the first day …

Time to camp.  For me spring turkey hunting and fishing are the excuses I have given already this year for spending time around the campfire with friends and family at some of our state parks and recreation areas.  During these early season trips the aromas of camp are a simple pleasure that add to the experience.  The smell of a warm campfire at night, the bouquet of hearty meals being cooked and the deep nasal therapy of camp coffee brewing …

Don’t give up as there are still plenty of morels left to find.  With the new bout of rains and the warm temps, there should be a nice batch for the picking!  This year has been spotty with the weird weather but if you hit your old haunts a few weeks ago and did not fine what you were looking for, I highly encourage you to return in the next day or two as you may be surprised at what …