In The Wild

On The Great Outdoor Radio Show I host Saturday morning, we’ll  be goin’ to the dogs, or, I should say, they’ll be coming in-studio! It’s all about hunting dogs, puppies, hunting dog training and the unique small munsterlander breed with friends Kris Hill of the Hunting Hills Kennel near Brainard and Pam Robinson of Robingun Kennels near Lincoln along with a small munsterlander or two, of course. Thanks to top-notch photographer Mario Robinson for the use of his pics from prior …

I’ll have some last-minute holiday gift ideas for the hard-to-buy-for outdoor enthusiast in your family (my hand is up!), on my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News LIVE Thursday at 6 p.m. CST during sports with Greg Ortiz. Here’s one idea that I’ll be suggesting to you that’s on my Christmas gift list!  I hope Santa Claus is good to me so I can spend a lot of time in the field in 2014! Photo by Mark …

A quick blog post to wish each and every one of you the very best during this holiday season from the Wagner’s! Here’s our 2013 Christmas card which celebrates our kids, our youth! My wife Polly and I are very, very proud of them, as I’m sure, you are of your children! Our oldest son Zach has his Master’s Degree from U.N.O. in political science and works at Mutual of Omaha. Micah is a 2nd Semester junior at U.N.L. majoring in human sciences. Emma is a 2nd …

Just last night, after returning home from my outdoor TV gig at Omaha’s WOWT Channel 6, and unloading my vehicle filled with various pieces of waterfowl hunting gear/TV props (goose decoys, layout blinds, camouflage clothing, etc.), a new neighbor and I got to talking. After exchanging pleasantries and ‘small talk,’  she asked me the question: “So, why do you hunt?” I explained to her that hunting is who I am, it is part of my fabric and I conveyed to her my deep, eternal affection of and the connections I have …

For me, watching and hanging out with a good hunting dog really makes the hunt! This week I went Canada goose hunting with friends along Nebraska’s Platte River corridor in western Douglas County and thoroughly enjoyed Buddy, a three year-old black labrador retriever. The moment I entered the blind, I instantly fell in love with Buddy! Here’s Buddy at work having fun on a goose retrieve. Buddy and I after one of Buddy’s face-licking sessions on me, HA! Whenever you …

With the popularity of the new movie Catching Fire, along with a special public archery event this Saturday at Platte River State Park, the sport of archery is on fire and it takes center stage on my Weekly Outdoor Report on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News Thursday night LIVE at 6 p.m. during the sportscast. Archery is a fun activity for people of all ages, especially youth! Millard South High School Junior Gracie Momsen (right) enjoys archery shooting and hunting. Find out more about Saturday’s event at …

I always tote my camera along wherever I’m going these days to capture glimpses of wildlife and so should you! This Thanksgiving holiday period I decided to bring my camera with me to our Thanksgiving family rendezvous with my in-laws who live on Kuester Lake located on the east side of Grand Island, NE. I was hoping to shoot some pics of waterfowl on the lake that I could share with you. I was fortunate. There were mallard ducks hanging around! Enjoy …

I hope you’re enjoying those Thanksgiving leftovers and getting ready to cheer on the Huskers against the Hawkeyes on the gridiron! Hey, just a reminder that Scheels fishing expert Mike Platt will be joining me tomorrow on Saturday morning’s Great Outdoor Radio Show to talk about ice fishing and holiday gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast in your family. Here’s Mike on the ice doing what he loves best – catching fish! Mike will also be covering what to get for …

I’ll be encouraging you and your family  to take a hike in a state park and work off some of that leftover turkey near the Omaha-metro area on the Thanksgiving Edition of The Weekly Outdoor Report on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News LIVE Thursday on the station’s 6 p.m. (CST) newscast during the sports segment with Greg Ortiz. You could hike up to this scenic vista located at what state park land? Any guesses? Here’s another hint for you. Figured it …

Did you save the heart of that deer you harvested this season or did you toss it in the gut pile for the coyotes? Next time, save it, trust me! Venison heart is “muscle meat” and is as good as a piece of tenderloin! Packed with B vitamins and protein, with little fat, and a very mild flavor, venison heart is positively delicious if prepared properly! It’s actually simple to make, is best eaten fresh, not frozen, at least within a …