How To

Whenever the occasion arises, whether camping or in the backyard, I always light the fire pit for an outdoor treat.   The outside weather has never been a factor, anytime of year will do.   My family agrees a meal cooked over the campfire, grill or in the Dutch Oven, is simply irresistible. Skip the restaurant this year, and make your own Valentine’s Day dinner – in your backyard! This February 14, I will be preparing an Italian dinner, consisting of lasagna, …

LINCOLN – The indoor archery range at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln will close to public use because of events, competitions or holidays on Feb. 13, Feb. 20 -21, Feb. 27, March 26, and March 27. The family-friendly facility, located at 4703 N. 44th St., fosters learning for all ages and skill levels. It includes indoor archery and firearm ranges, as well as an outdoor archery range. For more information, call 402-471-6141 or visit http://outdoornebraska.gov/outdooredcenter/. …

I know this has been publicized already, but I want to give it another round and make sure as many folks as possible are aware of this opportunity: Rock Creek Station Hosting Youth Fishing Instructor Certification Jerry Kane January 19, 2016 Fishing, How To, NGPC News, Parks LINCOLN – Learn to teach youth and families the lifelong activity of fishing by becoming certified as a youth fishing instructor. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will conduct this free workshop Feb. …

Give the nation a snap shot of the birds living in your backyard this weekend as part of the 19th annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Dave Titterington from the Wild Bird Habitat Store will tell us how when he visits Nebraska Outdoors this Thursday evening.   We will also find out what our feather friends are up to this time of year and how you can attract them closer. Nebraska Outdoors radio can be heard every Thursday evening starting at …

I am a huge fan of fishing clubs and organizations, especially those with Nebraska connections.  I will always tell you that joining those organizations is a great way to learn more about the fish you pursue, become a better angler, socialize with fellow anglers, and give something back to the sport and our fisheries resources.  If you are serious about your fishing, find an organization like that and JOIN IT! In my position as the fisheries outreach program manager for …

Let me say a few things about one of the most popular species of fish that anglers, especially ice anglers, like to catch, yellow perch.  Most people would tell you that walleyes are one of the best fish on the table and they are right.  Except their smaller “cousin” the yellow perch, is just as good, and maybe even a little bit better.  For that reason word of a hot perch bite during a Nebraska winter travels faster than the …

Please consider me the proverbial town-herald, rather than an alarmist. But…The end is near! THE END IS NEAR!! January 31, draws nigh and with it comes the end of my beloved bird season.  And what a season it has been, too.  Last season (2014/15) I was pleasantly surprised with bird numbers.  This season (2015/16) I was shocked.  The birds bounced back. Yes-yes, I heard all the good news prior to heading to field this past fall, but data is just …

I hope many of you have looked at the title of this blog post and wondered, “What in the world is “barotrauma?””.  Barotrauma is the pointy-headed fish biologist term for what happens to some species of fish when they are quickly raised from relatively deep water to the surface.  Most species of our freshwater fish have swim bladders–internal “bags” of gas that the fish use to regulate buoyancy.  Fish living at depths of 20-30 feet or more only have a …

LINCOLN – Get out of the house this winter and spend some time viewing Nebraska’s bald eagles. They can be seen year-round across the state, but winter and early spring are the best times to see numbers of eagles. In the winter, there often are concentrations of bald eagles feeding on fish and sick or wounded waterfowl at reservoirs that have some open water. Favored sites include Sutherland Reservoir near Sutherland, Harlan County Reservoir near Alma, and below Gavins Point …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in February: Feb. 1, 5 – Hunt Safe Session, Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex, Platte River State Park (SP), Louisville, 5:30 p.m., 402-234-2217 Feb. 2 – Big game public informational meeting, Bridgeport, Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St., 7 p.m. Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 – First Steps Pistol, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6 p.m., …