How To

Tell someone you hunt mushrooms in the fall, and they’ll utter phrases like: “Are you crazy, do you really know what you’re picking?” “Why do you want to do that, aren’t you scared that you might pick and eat a poisonous one?” “You don’t eat those (fall mushrooms) surely, do you?” Statistics related to the frequency of mushroom poisonings are hard to come by, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. While the federal agency says the poisoning …

Many years ago when I was going to school training to be a pointy-headed fish biologist, I never dreamed I would be doing what I am doing now.  Yes, I am referring to blogging, communicating, writing and speaking, informing and educating; that is pretty much what I do all of the time.  A big reason I am doing that now, and something we never dreamed of years ago, is this interwebby thing.  Simply put, the internet is an extremely valuable …

I originally heard this story on a radio station, then found it making the rounds on the inter-webs: Market Shut Down for Putting Googly Eyes on Fish To Make It Look “Fresher” Apparently, after sitting around on a table in some stinky fish market, adding some “googly eyes” improves sales! See how much better it looks! Now why didn’t eye think of that? My latest walleye photo after dark was a little blurry, if I had added a googly eye …

Upland game hunting and Nebraska are words that go together like a campfire and good friends.  The upland slam is on the minds of many hunters this year as they start making plans for the field and is within reach of most if they just do a little planning for the fall.  The Upland Slam is a challenge to all hunters to pursue ring-necked pheasant, northern bobwhite quail,  greater prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse.  This is a no-brainer for a state like Nebraska.  We …

If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I believe the best open-water fishing of the year is upon us right now.  I love fall fishing.  I have touted the many reasons I love fishing in the fall, and one of those is there is a lot less activity on our waters in the fall.  There are a lot of other outdoor pursuits that occupy people’s time in the fall; once the fall hunting seasons start to …

The Seven Fish guys teamed up with one of our fisheries biologists to do a video on what EVERY boater should do when taking their boat out of EVERY body of water: That is a great reminder, and yes, you can expect me to continue to hammer on this message every chance I get.  We all must do our part!  Your fishing, my fishing, depends on it!

Wild turkey hunting isn’t just a hobby for some of us, it is a passion. There is so much more to fall wild turkey hunting than just traipsing through the woods hoping to get a shot at a bird. From continually scouting the countryside to busting up flocks and calling them back together there are many action-packed aspects to fall wild turkey hunting. But, new fall turkey hunters often do not know where to find birds or how to hunt them, especially in Nebraska. So, it is time to get …

Nebraska is a place where we experience all four seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall.  Sometimes we experience two or more of those seasons within a 24-hour period. Most of the time the transition between seasons is much more gradual, much more subtle.  If you only fish a few times a year, your transition between seasons may be abrupt–spring on one trip, summer the next.  But, if you spend a lot of time on the water, if you pay close …

If the sound of a material like canvas or sturdy flannel being ripped brings a smile to your face as you look skyward – then you’re probably a duck hunter.  Wind rushing through the cupped wings of a flock of ducks as they quickly descend from high above makes a near identical sound.   The larger the flock the greater the sound and the bigger the smile.  This early in September the ducks are nearly always blue-wing teal – a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A wild game processing workshop will be held Sept. 24 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. The event, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation and the UNL Animal Science Department, will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Animal Science Building, 3865 Fair St. Attendees will learn how to process a deer and receive tips and tricks that can make the experience easier. Space is limited. Register at register-ed.com/events/view/125681.