Conservation

I often smart off that northern pike are called “northern” for a reason:  They are a cool-water fish who’s native range is thought to have extended only as far south as north-central Nebraska.  Many waters, especially in eastern and southern Nebraska, simply can get too warm during the summer to support northern pike. Where we do have northern pike in Nebraska, they go through their spawning rituals as soon as the ice is gone.  If we have ice longer than …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Numbers of sandhill cranes on the Central Platte River during the spring migration typically peak in the third week of March. That seems to be changing. Close to 195,000 cranes are on the Central Platte as of Feb. 27, according to an aerial survey by the Crane Trust. That figure was around 66,000 just a week ago. Numbers should continue to build with continuing mild weather and viewing should be favorable going forward. The aerial survey detected …

I suppose it is not really fair to blog about ice fishing when most waters in Nebraska are pretty much liquid now.  However, even as I write this there might be a place or two in the state where you can still get on the ice and catch some fish. . . just make sure you are very, VERY, careful. Ice Safety Tool Having said that, let me say that I will be on the ice as soon as possible …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Dean Rosenthal has been selected as the fisheries division administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Rosenthal, a nearly 40-year veteran of the Commission, has been acting fisheries administrator since 2016. The fisheries division administrator oversees the Commission’s aquatic resources and conservation programs. “Dean’s extensive experience is an incredible asset,” Commission Director Jim Douglas said. “The good working relationships he has developed with other state fish and wildlife agencies over the years has opened doors to …

I had a question on this at the Omaha Sport Show Saturday, so I thought it might be a good idea to spread the word a little more: Sandpit lake management workshop scheduled in Grand Island LINCOLN, Neb. – Persons interested in sandpit lake management are invited to a free workshop March 2 in Grand Island. The workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. U.S. Highway 34. Registration by Feb. 27 is …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission received the Land Stewardship Award from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) on Feb. 16 during the 41st annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn. The award was presented to the Commission for promoting responsible forest management, wood procurement and manufacturing practices for the benefit of the nation’s forests, wildlife and people. The Commission and the NWTF have a long history of partnering to enhance wildlife habitats across Nebraska. …

I call these few months right after the first of the year “Sport Show” season.  This weekend is the big one, the Omaha Boat, Sports and Travel Show.  Might as well watch the promotional video: There will pretty much be something there for everyone, bring the whole family.  Stop by the “Goose Pit” and pick the brains of the experts; I know Keith Kavajecz is one of the very best walleye pros. I love wandering around sport shows and seeing …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska children can learn about the importance of monarch butterflies and milkweed in the Monarchs on a Mission project. Monarchs on a Mission aims to educate children by inviting them to color a monarch of their own. The colored monarchs will be collected and used in an exhibit at the Nebraska State Capitol this summer during Pollinator Week 2017. Monarchs across North America are disappearing. Pesticide and herbicide use, deforestation of their wintering grounds in Mexico and …

Yesterday was a holiday, President’s Day, and I had the day off.  Never fear, I went fishing, actually got on the ice one last time for this season.  Don’t worry, George Washington would have approved! Actually, I recently learned that President Washington liked to fish!  He did some profitable commercial fishing at Mt. Vernon, and took opportunities to fish other places too.  However, I doubt he dried off any stripers while crossing the Delaware. Tomorrow evening I will be in …

CHADRON, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission got up-close and personal with 20 bighorn sheep ewes this week in an effort to track their future offspring. The goal is to get a handle on the species’ population struggles in the Pine Ridge area of northwestern Nebraska. With the help of a helicopter wildlife capturing crew and others, Commission staff on Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 14-16, equipped 20 pregnant female sheep with a device to immediately detect when lambs …