How To

The calendar said it was fall, late fall.  In reality it was a beautiful evening, warm, a breath of southeast breeze.  A few clouds hung in the western sky, just enough to make another spectacular autumn sunset. I got to the lake early; wanted to scout a few spots before the evening bite.  It was a reservoir I had fished before, but never in the fall.  Up until this evening, I had never targeted walleyes there either.  Having done some …

A few weeks ago I spread the word about some road work scheduled at Davis Creek Reservoir.  In the past week or two I started hearing some rumors about that project and then I saw an official update: Davis Creek Recreation Area Road Closure Postponed The road improvement project previously scheduled for Oct. 1 through December 21, 2023, at Davis Creek Recreation Area, is being postponed. No construction bids were accepted for the project to pave the access road through …

As Nebraska’s largest hunt by participation – the firearm deer hunting season – comes into view from Nov. 11-19, visions of antlers and venison tenderloins can make the mind wander a bit. So before you take to your stand or blind, please read over these deer hunting safety tips and regulation reminders to keep yourself focused, safe, ethical and within the rules. With 44 years at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and as a rural land manager and longtime …

If you are any kind of sports fan, you know that Bob Knight passed away this week.  To say that he was a controversial figure would be an understatement.  No doubt he was an old-school coach.  Also no doubt he was very successful. He also had a passion for the outdoors, for hunting and fishing.  I suspect he was in many ways a different person in that venue. Regardless of your opinion of The General on and off the basketball …

I love traveling around Nebraska.  Love getting out of the eastern end of the state and back “home” every chance I get.  When I do that, I am often made aware that life in the city gets sped up more than needed.  I appreciate being reminded to take a breath and slow down when I am back in the real Nebraska. That is a good reminder if you are still spending some time on the water this time of year. …

A wildlife biologist at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge shares his perspectives on one of his favorite pastimes: hunting prairie grouse. By Justin Haag Melvin Nenneman knows birds. As wildlife biologist for the 71,516-acre Valentine National Wildlife Refuge the past 21 years, he’s become familiar with flying creatures that range in size from the huge pelicans cruising the shallow lakes to minute grasshopper sparrows flittering about the rolling, grass-covered dunes. He and his coworkers strive to preserve and maintain the …

One would think in this age of cell phone and digital cameras that it would be pretty easy for hunters to get a good quality photo of them with their harvested deer. But, think again. Whether it is the excitement of the moment or the rush to get the animal field dressed, many hunters just flat out fail to successfully capture the cool hunting images of the day. The opportunity is there though for you to properly document the moment …

I know I keep returning to certain topics over and over again in my blog.  Going to again today. It is a proven fact that fishing is good for you! This time I found an article about a mental health study done in Britain.  Wouldn’t you know it?  Fishing is good for your mental health! No kidding? Don’t believe me?  Read it for yourself: Fishing Has Positive Mental Health Benefits I can tell you for a fact that my blood …

I have introduced many of the fishing seminars I have done with the question that titles this blog post.  “Got luck?” That is a rhetorical question that I answer by stating I do not believe in “luck”.  Sure there are random events that we cannot control.  If you spend any time in nature, on the water or in the woods and fields, you know that is very true. However, you know that angler you consider to be “lucky”, the guy …

It’s a magical time of year, really. As daylight wanes, the temperature begins to drop, frost appears on the pumpkin, leaves turn color and start toppling to the ground, and experienced bowhunters know the deer rut or breeding season is underway. Buck rubs on trees and scrapes on the ground are apparent. A buck rub on an eastern cedar tree in rural Sarpy County, NE. Photo by Greg Wagner/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Deer movement is picking up and the …