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Justin Haag

Justin Haag has served the Commission as a public information officer in the Panhandle since 2013. His duties include serving as regional editor for NEBRASKAland Magazine. Haag was raised in southwestern Nebraska, where he developed a love for fishing, hunting and other outdoor pursuits. After earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chadron State College in 1996, he worked four years as an editor and reporter at newspapers in Chadron and McCook. Prior to joining the Commission in 2013, he worked 12 years as a communicator at Chadron State, serving as the institution’s media and public relations coordinator the last five. He and his wife, Cricket, live in Chadron, and have two children.

Wildlife’s Wintering Ways

When the weather grows cold, animals have special adaptations and behaviors to battle the elements. Story and photos by Justin Haag When the mercury dips down around zero, most of us are fortunate to have heated spaces to take refuge. Wildlife aren’t so fortunate, but do have special adaptations and behaviors to battle the elements. Some escape the cold by migrating south. While such travel is certainly effective, and attractive to us humans, it comes at the expense of a …

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New Hunters Enjoy ‘Historical’ Sandhills Hunt

Four budding hunters were given the special opportunity to hunt on pristine ranch land in the Sandhills. By Justin Haag The description would surely get attention from near and far if posted by a real estate agent: “Outstanding mule deer property with 7,000 acres of pristine ranch land in the Sandhills of northwestern Cherry County. Has not been hunted in decades.” Four budding hunters were given the special opportunity to hunt such a property in December 2022 during the Nebraska …

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Clash of the Bighorns

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 …

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Booming Bobcats

Something of a mystery, Nebraska’s bobcat population remains healthy. By Justin Haag As I moved among patches of shoulder-high weeds at an abandoned farmstead in search of pheasants, I glanced over to see my younger brother, fresh out of hunter-safety training, become excited as he entered a clearing. “Whoa, what was that? It looked like a lion,” he shouted as an unfamiliar creature scurried into cover. Despite any skepticism by those of us in the hunting party that day, we …

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Upland Hunting the Sandhills – A Scientific Approach

A wildlife biologist at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge shares his perspectives on one of his favorite pastimes: hunting prairie grouse. By Justin Haag Melvin Nenneman knows birds. As wildlife biologist for the 71,516-acre Valentine National Wildlife Refuge the past 21 years, he’s become familiar with flying creatures that range in size from the huge pelicans cruising the shallow lakes to minute grasshopper sparrows flittering about the rolling, grass-covered dunes. He and his coworkers strive to preserve and maintain the …

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Panhandle Afield Podcast – Bats

By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, Amanda Filipi joins the program to discuss bats. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Bats Air Dates: Oct. 20-27 Length: 3:00 Episode 293  

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Sowbelly with Coffee – Special Names for a Special Place

The scenery alone is worth a trip to this spot in the Pine Ridge. Don’t forget the fishing rod, though. Story and photos by Justin Haag Without knowing better, the name might lead some to assume Sowbelly Creek is a stream of manure oozing from a pig farm. Far from it. The clear, babbling brook between rugged sandstone buttes in Sioux County represents the best attributes of northwestern Nebraska’s Pine Ridge. If it were not located in one of the …

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Panhandle Afield Podcast – Ornate Box Turtle

By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, the program features the state reptile — the ornate box turtle. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Ornate Box Turtles Air Dates: Aug. 18-25 Length: 3:00 Episode 284

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Fishing the ‘Down Times’

By Justin Haag Nebraska’s fisheries have their ups and downs, especially if we’re talking water levels. The water stored in many of the state’s most popular fishing lakes is vital for irrigating crops when Mother Nature is stingy with rain. The annual drawdown of water is important for agriculture, but can be challenging for fish populations and the people pursuing them. Anglers at many Nebraska reservoirs have become accustomed to casting lines among trees in spring and watching the shoreline …

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Pandhandle Afield Podcast: Channel Catfish

By Justin Haag A weekly radio segment featuring outdoor topics relevant to the Nebraska Panhandle. This week, channel catfish are in the spotlight. Justin Haag · Panhandle Afield: Channel Catfish Air Dates: July 7-14 Length: 3:00 Episode 277

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