How To

I will not pretend to know when we are going to have fishable ice this winter.  The long-range forecasts I have been following are calling for a wetter, but also warmer than average winter.  I am still fishing open water and I will absolutely as long as I can.  However, I know this, it is time to start thinking about getting the hard-water gear ready to go. There are a number of auger options on the market today, more than …

Like its domestic counterpart, the wild turkey is a bird that keeps on giving after your Thanksgiving holiday feast and even after everyone has enjoyed having a turkey sandwich or two. So, when your looking at what’s left of the great game bird’s carcass, it offers the final, arguably – the most delicious dish – (wild) turkey soup! And, WOW! Have I got a (wild) turkey soup recipe for you to try! The scrumptious recipe below was given to me …

You all know I am an In-Fisherman junkie.  No other publications, videos, TV shows, radio shows, etc. have taught me more about catching fish!  I was reminded of that again when I picked up the October/November 2015 issue and saw the “Inside Angles”, lead-off column by Doug Stange, From Shore.  In that column, Doug makes the case for fishing from shore and that a person does not necessarily have to own a boat and all of the latest modern toys …

The fisheries biologist side of me will always tell you what a scourge invasive carp are to our aquatic habitats, water quality and sport fish populations.  Common carp have been here for over a hundred years and have been detrimental to a lot of our fisheries.  Pointy-headed fisheries managers will continue to manage carp populations by eliminating them as much as possible in some situations. On the other hand, as an angler, I will tell you that we are always …

Throughout a year of fishing open water, I spend a lot of time casting and retrieving, over and over again.  Depending on the season, water, and species pursued, I know I may spend hours in between bites.  That does not bother me especially if those few bites result in big fish.  This fall I have been standing in the water doing a lot of that, and I have been thinking. . . . You hear a lot of athletes, especially …

Need a good venison burger recipe for a Nebraska deer that you have harvested or will harvest during one of our seasons? Here is a must-try, very healthy, tasty recipe for those of you who have or will have some wonderful, lean ground deer meat available fresh, or in the frig or freezer. The recipe is actually a healthy twist on an older recipe in my file. Even non-hunters and non-wild game meat eaters visiting the Wagner abode have greatly enjoyed this recipe! It …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners and staff are in the midst of the Rooster Roundup — a quest to hunt pheasants on public land throughout Nebraska. The first stop on their journey is described below. The morning was a typical fall Nebraska morning as hunters hit the field at Sherman Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for pheasant hunting. Pheasant and quail numbers are up this year providing upland game hunters with plenty of opportunities to get out and walk many …

In my position I have taught a variety of fishing classes and workshops.  Those classes have ranged from introductory levels for folks who barely know which end of the rod to hold, to hard-core anglers who have spent literally thousands of hours on the water.  One of the things I love about fishing is the learning process.  It is never-ending, you can always learn more about the fish and how to catch them.  That is a huge reason I never …

I am a bird hunter. Shaped by my experiences.  A product of my surroundings.  As I was growing up the opening of bird season was a grand celebration that rivaled any holiday gathering or football game.  Family reunited, old friends came back and you even had a chance of running into an orange-vested celebrity or two.  In fact, as a hunter you kinda felt like a celebrity with all the welcome signs and hunter breakfasts. Read a couple (or more) …

Ring-necked pheasants are really a lot like us humans. They live their lives on a fairly predictable, routine basis. When a pheasant hunter learns to understand that schedule and interrupt the pattern, he or she will be on the path to having increased opportunities for success. Pheasants begin their day waking at roost sites, usually in areas of short to intermediate height grass or weeds where they have spent the night. At first light, they head for roadsides or other areas …