How To

Well, my grandson, Jackson Edward Wagner, turned one year old on Monday, November 28, 2016. I have written him a letter. It is my hope that someday he will read this letter and understand why he is so treasured by me and the value of the sage advice his wise, old grandfather has offered him. November 30, 2016 My Dearest Jackson, It’s been a year since I held you in my arms at the hospital and had that extraordinary feeling …

You have probably noticed that the weather outside is becoming a bit more frosty. The critters of Nebraska feel this change more than we do. You may have observed an abundance of birds flying in the sky or that the neighborhood squirrels look extra plump this time of year. We aren’t the only ones feasting during the Holiday season. With the cold comes snow and with snow comes snow-days which leave you and your family trapped inside. Well you’re in …

No matter what kind of fish you pursue, you likely have a tackle box that contains a variety of soft plastic baits, “rubber” worms, grubs, crayfish, flukes, swimbaits, etc., etc.  Those baits are very effective and most anglers use them at least part of the time.  Some of us use them A LOT!  In the course of a day on the water, especially if fish are being caught, those plastic baits will take some abuse and need replacement.  So, then …

Your deer season in Nebraska doesn’t have to end on the 3rd Sunday in November.  There is so much more time left to get out and fill the freezer and maybe even continue the pursuit of the buck you’ve been dreaming about. Permits for the December Muzzleloader Season are unlimited.  There are several units that have Seasons Choice Antlerless Only permits available, too – which is good news for those that have already bought their two “buck permits”.  Additionally, those …

There are thousands of different recipes that exist on how to cook wild turkeys, but how about a unique twist on preparing North America’s largest upland game bird for this Thanksgiving week? I have a scrumptious wild turkey recipe for you to try from avid outdoor enthusiast and outdoor writer Rick Windham of North Platte, NE. Windham says since we are in the midst of Nebraska’s fall wild turkey hunting season and Thanksgiving week, hunters might be looking for a …

You know what they say, “All fishermen are liars except you and me, and sometimes I wonder about you.” Yep, you have to ask the right questions, but even then we can be really vague with our answers: Seriously, the mental approach to fishing fascinates me.  I have found it very interesting that some of the best professional and tournament anglers intentionally avoid getting fishing reports from a body of water they intend to fish.  In fact some of the …

So you enjoyed the opening weekend but did not harvest a deer yet.  No need to panic as some of the best hunting is still to come over the next few days.   A lot of deer will be harvested in the final weekend of the firearm deer season and there are many tactics that are at play now that can enhance your chances of filling a tag. Weather – this weekend will usher in a cold front like we have not …

Deer hunters, save the heart of that deer you harvest this season! Don’t just toss it in the gut pile for the crows and coyotes to eat, unless it is shot. Why? Because the heart of a wild, free-ranging deer is “muscle meat” and is as good as a piece of tenderloin! Master chefs and outdoor enthusiasts such as Andrew Zimmern, Hank Shaw, Ben Ford, Toufik Halimi and Krissie Mason all tout the filet mignon-like succulence of venison heart. Packed with …

This time of year just doesn’t last as long as it should.  There is simply not enough November to take part in all the things that happen during these short 30 days. Nebraska is a special place to watch November unfold and to become an active participant in its events.  Nebraska and November were made for each other like chili and cinnamon rolls. As such they even share the same number of letters. November slides in nonchalantly like it normally …

There is nothing worse than losing a big fish: “Sorry Hunny, that fish is gawwn.” Ouch, afraid to say, I know the feeling, so do you. That video advertises good line; equipment failure certainly is one reason you can lose a fish. . . . So is operator error.  But, I would say that other than those excuses, which would be good blogs for another day, the biggest reason fish are lost is because the hooks were not sharp!  Sharp …