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Story and photos by Jeff Kurrus It’s easy to become entranced with these gigantic birds, their honks seemingly daring you to take the plunge into the deep water that is Canada goose hunting. But before you do, I’m going to encourage you not to. Find something, anything else, to do with your time. You’ll thank me for it. Just What I Needed First, you don’t have enough decoys. Well, maybe you do. But you probably don’t. In the beginning of …

Trumpeter swans are one of North America’s greatest conservation success stories. By Olivia DaRugna, Wildlife Diversity Biologist Trumpeter swans are among the largest and heaviest of native waterfowl in North America, weighing about 25 pounds and standing close to 4 feet. Their large size makes getting airborne quite the achievement. Similar to an airplane, swans need a large, open space where they can gain enough speed, running to take flight using their long wings and shallow, rapid wingbeats to slowly …

The survival instincts of animals kick into high gear in the winter. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist As winter blankets the landscape with frost and snow, the survival instincts of wildlife kick into high gear. In this season of scarcity, the availability of quality habitats becomes crucial for the well-being and sustenance of various species. From birds and mammals to insects and aquatic life, each organism seeks refuge in habitats that provide warmth, food and protection from the elements. …

The bighorn sheep pre-rut provides an incredible show on Nebraska’s wildlife scene. By Justin Haag Nebraska’s Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and their amazing climbing capabilities are enjoyable to watch throughout the year, but there’s arguably no greater show than when they put their heavy headwear to use during fall. It’s the headwear, after all, that gives the species its name. With a spread that can reach almost 3 feet wide, the horns on a mature ram can weigh …

This December, look for the color red in nature. By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist This article is part of the Nebraska Nature in Color series. This limited series will run monthly December 2023- June 2024. When contemplating the colors of December in Nebraska, the hues that come to mind are the browns of a sleepy landscape and the blanket of white that, at times, covers this seemingly barren terrain. But soon after, the color red also comes to mind, …

Watch for these signs of wildlife in winter. By Olivia DaRugna, Wildlife Diversity Biologist The cool, crisp air; the silent, still landscape; and fewer hours of daylight — winter offers a unique time to spend outdoors. While viewing wildlife can be difficult in winter, looking for signs of wildlife is not. Winter is a great time to look for clues – such as tracks, scat and old nests – and solve the mysteries of the animals that passed through the …

Explore the fascinating ways insects survive through Nebraska’s harsh winters. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist For humans, winter means thick, fuzzy blankets, space heaters and hot chocolate to keep ourselves warm during the short, cold days. For many animals, winter is a time of change and adaptability, as temperatures dip and the amount of daylight gets shorter. For example, some animals migrate, some hibernate and others stay active throughout the season. Insects, however, have a few more creative strategies …

When it’s too cold to play outside, check out these fun, indoor activities at your state parks. By Renae Blum When it’s too cold to be outdoors, you don’t have to stay cooped up at home. Try any of these opportunities for indoor fun, where you can learn more about nature and Nebraska history, get active or be entertained. Educational Opportunities Interested in learning more about a particular place? Then you’ll love the Wildcat Hills Nature Center, which explores the …

When we introduce newcomers to hunting, we must do so with the individual in mind. By Jeff Kurrus We’ve all messed up at one point here: When introducing a newcomer to hunting — whether it’s a kid or adult — we try to make them love exactly what we love. Some do, but many don’t. To effectively pass on hunting skills, what we need are smarter ways to welcome people to the sport. So, the next time you introduce someone …

Quail wing feathers can indicate a bird’s age, thus providing clues to maintaining high-quality habitat. By Kellie Hayden The features that make our favorite game birds so charismatic also provide details into the ages of these birds. When we read the clues that feathers hold, we can make smart decisions on maintaining high-quality habitat. Feathers take time and energy to grow — two things young birds don’t have much of when they need to quickly learn how to forage, fly …