Travel

My NEBRASKAland magazine duties are a little different than other types of journalism I’ve experienced during my career. With the bulk of the content for our magazine’s print edition being created a year in advance and stories going to press far ahead of each edition’s designated month, it doesn’t leave much room for “last-minute” changes. We all know conditions in Nebraska are susceptible to the whims of Mother Nature. For instance, a photo spread I produced titled “A Short Fall,” …

The effects of torrential spring flooding has dampened activity at Harrison’s Coffee Park for months, but thanks to a cooperative effort between local, state and federal officials there’s been a lot of movement at the remote attraction in Sioux County in recent days. Before long, trout anglers will be among those bringing the action. Major clean-up efforts at the park, located along Sowbelly Creek in the heart of the Pine Ridge in Sioux County, began last week when Fuller Construction …

My ice-scraper went to work this week for the first time in months. Some may lament this annual milestone and the coming of winter, but each scrape gets me more excited for ice-fishing and the soon-to-come season of fun on the hardwater – even if I am just a few days removed from a more summer-like scene of comparable enjoyment. With abundant sunshine and near perfect temperatures Sunday, Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area in Sheridan County reeled in my son …

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 …

Pumpkin patch goers and Goldilocks have one thing in common: everything has to be just right. Because of this, choosing the right pumpkin can be quite a task. Story and photos by Sarah Kocher Imagine, then, trying to grow enough perfect pumpkins for hundreds of patch guests. As a strictly October squash, commercial pumpkins are 10 months of work for two months of payoff. As soon as one Halloween is over, the next is already on the radar. According to …

You’re walking in chest-high grass along the edge of a harvested cornfield when suddenly the hunting dog freezes and then leans toward a patch of thicker grass and bramble. You approach it with stealth. A flash of color suddenly rises out of the grass. Everyone yells: “Rooster!” It’s a rooster ring-necked pheasant. You know that you have a scenario for a safe shot. You raise your shotgun reminding yourself to aim slightly beyond the target and follow through with the shot.” You squeeze the trigger. The shot rings out. “Boom!” The rooster goes down. The dog retrieves the …

In conjunction with the apple harvest in the Nebraska City, NE area, I’ll be encouraging you and your family to visit beautiful Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City on this week’s WOWT 6 News Weekly Outdoor Report. Have you ever been there and toured the mansion and the grounds? Gorgeous place! There’s a bountiful crop of apples this year at Arbor Day Farm and the other orchards in the area, too! Thanks to the efforts of our partner, the …

On my Weekly WOWT 6 News Outdoor Report, while you’re watching some neat video of wild turkeys, I’ll be verbalizing why you – the hunter of any game species – should consider buying a turkey permit this fall in Nebraska and then taking to the field after a couple of birds. One of the main reasons for going turkey hunting in the fall is that it presents a wonderful opportunity to take a youth outside. He or she would really enjoy a 2015 …

If you’re a hunter, an angler or an outdoor enthusiast of any kind, don’t miss Scheels outdoor expert and Omaha Police Bomb Squad Sgt. Matt Manhart on The Great Outdoor Radio Show. Matt is an avid outdoorsman and loves to share his knowledge of hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities with others, most notably youth. Matt will be with me LIVE AND IN-PERSON Saturday morning! He’ll be stopping by to answer any outdoors-related questions that you may have, especially those pertaining to hunting. You may recall Matt who …

The massive Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park near Ponca, NE  (happening this weekend of Sept. 19th & 20th) is in the crosshairs for my Weekly TV Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News LIVE this Thursday at 6 p.m CST during the sportscast. Jeff Packer of the WOWT 6 Sports Machine and I are gonna show you why you and your family should attend this grand-scale expo which is one of the largest in the nation and is celebrating its 11th anniversary! There will …