Tag Archives: outdoor experience

The morning air is crisp and cold. The stalks of corn stubble and hardwood trees along the river bottom stand as stalwarts; motionless and silent. The scene offers a picturesque postcard setting against the slowly lightening predawn sky. An emerging mid-November sunrise on a firearm deer hunt along the Elkhorn River in southeastern Nebraska. Photo by Greg Wagner/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission The sounds of wildlife awakening for the day can now be heard along the river bottom. A raucous calamity of crows is off in the distance. Two fox squirrels …

Someone once said: “Deer hunting is a lot about nothing.” “Nothing,” seriously? In my view, that statement is so far from the truth. It is the time of year for archery deer hunters and soon, firearm deer hunters, to be on their stands or in their blinds all day long, up to 12 hours … alone. During part of a day off, Nebraska Conservation Officer Rich Berggren of Waterloo allows a photo to be taken before he enters his firearm …

Someone once said: “Deer hunting is a lot about nothing.” “Nothing,” seriously? In my view, that statement is so far from the truth. It is the time of year for archery deer hunters and soon, firearm deer hunters, to be on their stands or in their blinds all day long, up to 12 hours … alone. During part of a day off, Nebraska Conservation Officer Rich Berggren of Waterloo allows a photo to be taken before he enters his firearm …

Picture yourself harnessed in a tree stand for deer hunting. You are losing light. It’s nearing sunset. The prime time for deer movement. Suddenly, you hear a squirrel bark and chatter. Then even closer to you, from the same direction, you hear curiosity putts from some wild turkeys. Within a few minutes you hear another squirrel bark and chatter by your location. Then, you hear the guttural grunt of a buck. Out of nowhere appears an adult white-tailed deer doe …

With September just a one more quick flip my on NEBRASKAland magazine calendar, it is time once again to reflect on the age old question of why hunting is so important. Yeah, I know hunting is important. But, why do you think hunting is important? Give it some more thought. Really think about the question: Why is hunting important? Why is hunting important to you, if you hunt? If you don’t hunt, why do you think hunting is important? Sure, hunting offers a multitude of benefits. Hunting is quiet …

The morning air is crisp and cold. Hardwood trees stand motionless and silent — faint brush strokes against the slowly lightening predawn sky. As light emerges, wild plants still green are bejeweled with dew. Small sounds begin to carve the creek bottom. A raucous calamity of crows can be heard in the distance. An assertive, vociferous blue jay appears on a limb. Two fox squirrels squabble amid the leaves on the woodland floor. The insistent nasal yammering of a white-breasted …

When me and my friends are hunting Canada geese in southeastern Nebraska this time of year, we find ourselves continually staring at the sky. Sure, we are watching the sky intently for flocks of Canada geese flying, but it goes far beyond that. Oh yes, far beyond that. We find ourselves mesmerized by the ever-changing sky here on the Great Plains. And, our Nebraska sky invites you to stare. Some say the sky is our mountains. By staring at the sky, you discover that there are no boundaries or limitations. You can see that …

The air is crisp and cold. Hardwood trees stand motionless and silent — faint brush strokes against the slowly lightening predawn sky. Small sounds begin to carve the creek bottom. A raucous calamity of crows can be heard in the distance. An assertive blue jay appears on a limb. Two fox squirrels squabble amid the leaves on the woodland floor. In the grass beyond the trees, a rooster pheasant cackles; greeting the first full rays of the sun. Suddenly, and …

It’s the holiday season and I’m thankful for the beauty of nature in Nebraska. I am thankful for the sky. I am thankful for the breathtaking views of the landscape. I am thankful for the diversity of habitat. Grasslands. Wetlands. Woodlands. Water. And, yes, even cropland. I am thankful for all free-ranging, living creatures. Large. Medium. And, small. I am thankful for being allowed to harvest nature’s bounty. I am thankful for being given the role to become an active participant in the cycle of nature, the …

Over UNL’s recent fall semester break, I accompanied my son Micah, a junior at the university, on a mission to collect certain insects for his entomology class on a friend’s natural area just north of Omaha. There was just one problem though, Micah forgot his insect collecting gear back at the Acacia House fraternity back in Lincoln where he resides, along with his officially-licensed Husker apparel that he wanted to wear on the insect hunt for this blog, BUMMER! So, …