NGPC News

Volunteer Spotlight – Fort Atkinson State Historical Park

Living history volunteer Bob Baker celebrates 30 years at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park  By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Fort Atkinson State Historical Park is located in Fort Calhoun, Washington County. The original military post was active 1819-1827, and its main purpose was to protect the American fur trade by guarding the “gateway to the West.” At its height, Fort Atkinson housed nearly a quarter of the standing U.S. Army (approximately 1,200 soldiers) and roughly that many civilians lived just beyond the …

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Catfish are Predators Too!

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Have heard or seen comments from several anglers recently surprised at catching catfish, some of them big catfish, on artificial lures!  That really is not unusual.  In fact, catfish are more predators than they are scavengers! Before I go any further, let me define some terms:  Nebraska is home to three species of large catfish, channel, flathead and blue.  Two of those species, blue and flathead catfish are especially predatory.  By far the best bait for flatheads is a lively …

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The Last-Season Push for Largemouth

By Jeff Kurrus Angler Ryan Glatter coaches high school softball in Omaha. In Nebraska, softball season happens to be played during the fall, which doesn’t necessarily align with one of his favorite times of the year to fish. So, when he has a morning here, or a few afternoon hours there, he has to maximize time. The following are several ways Glatter fits in fishing during the dogs days of August afternoons to the cool mornings of late September. Rainouts …

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Boat Access Updates

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Got a couple of access updates I want to spread around.  First, this news release was published recently: Boaters beware: Low water levels at Elwood Reservoir Water levels at Elwood Reservoir in Gosper County are dropping rapidly, affecting boating access to the water body. Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District is reducing reservoir water levels so repairs can be made along the dam and pump station areas. As water levels drop, sediment at the bottom of the boat ramp …

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Why Do I Hunt?

As the popular hunting seasons in Nebraska draw nearer, I thought you might like to read my perspectives about why I hunt.  I am a hunter. I write and speak about hunting. I take images and record videos of hunting. I interact with hunters. Hunting is a major part of both my personal and professional lives. With my occupation (as a longtime communications and marketing specialist at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission) and through my personal social media accounts, …

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DIY Trail Camera Mount

By Ryan Sparks It is the time of year when hunters start thinking about deer and preparing for the upcoming season. A part of that process is placing trail cameras to take an inventory of the deer on the property you hunt. The right trail camera in the right spot can be the key to tagging the buck of a lifetime. But getting a trail camera placed just right is easier said than done. Trees rarely grow perfectly straight, and …

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Howdy!

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I already shared this on my FaceBook page this week.  Am also going to put it in a blog post and make some additional comments. . . . Saw this on the Tall Tales of Roger Welsch FaceBook page.  Thought it was right on! In the parts of Nebraska where I grew up, everyone did the finger wave.  Growing older I ended up spending more time in more urban areas and I noticed a lot less of the “waving”.  Why …

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Just a Little Salty – Nebraska’s Saline Wetlands

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist One would never guess looking at Nebraska’s prairies: A hundred million years ago, it was once a vast sea inhabited by shark-like marine reptiles, and when the sea finally retreated, it left behind remnants of salt, and quite a bit of it. The saline wetlands that surround our capital city, Lincoln, is still as salty as today’s oceans. Nebraska is far from any coastline, more than 1,000 miles to be specific, yet it is …

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Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Boat

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I hear the questions and comments all the time:  “Where is a good place to fish from shore?”  “Where can I catch __________ (fill in blank with favorite fish), without a boat?” I realize that in some cases those asking the question are looking for ease of access, perhaps someplace to take the kids and grandparents fishing.  However, my usual response, at least to myself, is don’t make no difference if you have a boat or not.  A good place …

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Jump at the Chance to Go Bullfroggin’ in Nebraska

It is a season that is open here in eastern Nebraska. It is an unusual season, but one that just flat out reeks of adventure, challenge and tremendous entertainment value. It is a season tailor-made for kids. And, trust me, this is the season that will create memories and stories like no other! No, it is not a hunting season. “It” is Nebraska’s bullfrog season. “Bullfrog season,” you say, “really?” Yep. Look at the size of this adult North American …

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