By Greg Wagner
It’s winter. The daylight is short. The nights are long and dreary. Air temperatures outside are cold and downright frigid at times. Most likely, there’s some snow cover.
We are all spending a lot of time indoors this season, aren’t we?
It is that time of year when we get that cooped-up, restless, nothing-to-do feeling that is referred to as “cabin fever.” Stuck inside, too many of us get weary and lethargic and spend long, endless hours watching TV re-runs, binge-watching television programs or playing video games — none of which really help to provide any relief. So, to use your time more creatively and release energy, here are some ideas — 20 to be exact — for reducing cabin fever and curing the “I’m bored” syndrome.
1) Just get outside!
There’s cold weather. There may even be snow cover. But, it’s important to bundle up and just get outside! And while we’re out there, let’s have a little fun! Walk in the snow, lay in a snow drift, create some snow angels, make some snow balls or form a snow man or snow creature, even sample a little snow. Feel the brisk wind or the warmth of the sun shining on your face. Let everything you’re experiencing outside absorb into your being.
2) Cook wild game.
Dig into your freezer and grab a package or two of wild game you have harvested. Thaw it out. Try a different recipe with it. Visit the popular Food for Hunter’s blog. Maybe make a smoked wild Canada goose breast meat sandwich with Norwegian cheese and a touch of horseradish as I did the other day. Remember, cooking is a soothing activity!
3) Play with the dog.
Whether it’s your fenced backyard, a dog park or a leashed walk around the block, you and your canine companion will both appreciate a little exercise and fresh air. It has been said that dogs are winter role models, and wouldn’t you agree? They love going outdoors and especially frolicking in the snow!
4) Check your spring outdoor gear.
The snow and Ross’s geese will be flying very soon. Nebraska’s 2026 archery spring wild turkey hunting season opener is March 25th. Our fishing waters will be ice-free before you know it. Why not examine and organize your gear and get it all ready for your favorite spring outdoor pursuit before it arrives. Do everything from replace batteries in your headlamp to sharpen your knives. Oh, and better sort through your turkey hunting stuff and practice turkey calling, don’t you think?
5) Watch a good outdoorsy movie.
Think about it. What’s your favorite outdoors-related movie? We all have one. Pop some popcorn (add butter to it, of course), snatch a soda from the frig, sit down and watch that flick with a friends or family members! In my case, it’ll be The Revenant, which is an Academy-award winning, 2015 movie that is based on the life of famous frontiersman Hugh Glass (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his early 19th century quest to survive in the American wilderness.
6) Take a walk.
Layer up, put on your stocking cap, grab the warm gloves and head out for a walk in your area. From sidewalks in the neighborhood to a nearby recreational trail, there are plenty of places to go for a stroll, or even a short one at that. You’ll burn some calories, smell the cool, clean, fresh winter air and get some Vitamin D on that simple walk! Getting your body in constant motion will do more for your well-being than you may come to expect. Those that hunt may want to take a walk in the countryside on a nostalgic cottontail rabbit hunt before the end of February.
7) Photograph birds.
You don’t need expensive equipment to enjoy photographing birds in your backyard. See how many different bird species are frequenting your yard and capture them on camera for lasting images and to share with others on social media channels. Nearly everyone has a fondness for birds, right? I certainly do! You could also participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
8) Sit around a campfire.
One of the more fun activities to do during the cold winter months is to sit around a campfire. Not only can you roast hot dogs or marshmallows over an open fire, but you can also cozy up around the flames with a cup of your favorite hot beverage. There’s nothing quite like sitting around a warm, crackling campfire on a chilly night. It’s certain to provide a great winter memory, whether you’re looking for a romantic evening or just want to hang out with family or friends.
9) Ice fish.
Gazing down a hole drilled in thick ice and waiting for a fish to bite your baited hook might not sound like a good time, but for those of us who can’t wait until spring arrives to feel a strike, ice fishing is the solution. The winter sport of ice fishing gives anglers the opportunity to wet a line during the cold weather months while affording adventure and the chance to catch a legal limit firm-fleshed fish from the frig for supper. Link up with someone you know and trust who ice fishes, check the current Nebraska Fishing Guide for regulations and heed ice fishing safety guidelines before venturing out onto the hard water. Check out my blog, “Why Go Ice Fishing?” to learn more.
10) Hunt pheasants and chukars on a Controlled Shooting Area.
The season for hunting pheasants and chukars on licensed Nebraska Controlled Shooting Areas (CSAs) or pay hunting preserves is still open and continues through April 15. Booking a hunt and paying a fee on a CSA offers opportunities for a fully guided hunt, watching great dog work, and good chances to bring home tasty game birds for the dinner table. A hunt on a CSA is especially ideal for youth, newcomers or those individuals with physical challenges.
11) Hunt coyotes.
There used to be no cure for hunters who suffered “cabin fever” from the end of the late deer season to the beginning of spring turkey season. But now, hunters can enjoy a real challenge and a chance to harvest some beautiful fur throughout the winter months because of coyote calling and hunting. Coyotes are abundant and widespread and present a wary, formidable quarry to draw close. Nebraska residents need no permits or stamps to hunt, trap or harvest coyotes. Nonresidents must have a nonresident hunting permit to pursue and take coyotes.
12) Go Sledding.
An outdoor activity that doesn’t take too much to do and will help rekindle your enjoyment of winter is sledding. Buy or borrow a plastic sled and locate a safe, accessible hill. Sledding is the ideal cure for claustrophobia. Be sure to check out the sledding/tobogganing hill at the Mahoney State Park Activity Center, where snow is made and groomed and plastic sleds can even be rented for a few bucks!
13) Try cross-country skiing.
When snow cover blankets the ground, make arrangements to rent equipment for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing through a local outdoor vendor or business. Then, purchase a current, valid state park permit for your vehicle and then take to one of our many Nebraska park land trails. Cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing offer a great physical workout but also a nice opportunity to experience our park lands in winter.
14) Rent a cabin at a state park.
You wouldn’t think that a cabin could cure cabin fever, but it can! Rent a warm Nebraska state park cabin for a couple nights! Weekday discounts and Valentine’s week specials may be available. Play fun board games, curl up in front of the fireplace with a blanket, roast a few marshmallows, make some s’mores, have a cup or two of hot chocolate and watch wildlife out the window. Perhaps you’ll even plan a hike from the cabin if the weather is decent. That state park cabin provides a different indoor atmosphere for you and your family in a natural setting.
15) Take a scenic drive.
A wonderful way to experience the beauty of the Nebraska countryside is with a scenic drive on our rural roads, our gravel roads during a balmy, clear winter afternoon when conditions permit. Find out about scenic spots and overlooks near you. Have a park permit on your vehicle and end up at a Nebraska state park, historical park or recreation area to enjoy some snacks and drinks and snap a few pics.
16) Look for animal tracks.
Finding and identifying animal tracks in fresh snowfall, softer snow cover or even mud can be an interesting winter outdoor activity for anyone curious enough to look. See what critters are traipsing around your area or creek bottom. Observing animal tracks is a good way to get the family outdoors, engage kids with nature and learn more about our natural world.
17) Fish for trout in open water or streams.
Believe it or not, there is an open-water fishing option in Nebraska during the coldest part of the winter and involves trout. Fed by ground water springs, many of Nebraska’s trout streams in the north and west, or at least stretches of them, remain relatively ice-free all winter. Other areas of open-water also exist for trout. The rainbow, brook, brown and cutthroat trout in these waters can offer some fun bank or wade fishing action on some of the nicer winter afternoons. Plus, you could work on completing your Trout Slam challenge.
18) Try winter camping.
It can sure be daunting to think about going camping when it’s well below freezing and there is possibly snow cover outside. But if you have the right gear and wherewithal, you might try it. First, set up a tent in the backyard, where the consequences would be low and indoor warmth would be nearby if needed. Next, get a feel for how you and other folks will handle the cold, what things you need to adjust, and what you need to add. After the backyard, choose a campsite where you can set up near your vehicle in case things don’t go as planned. Make your winter camping trip your own experience. You can go as big or small as you want, but be prepared!
19) Hunt for shed deer antlers.
There’s a unique form of hunting you will enjoy this time of year. It is a challenging and rewarding pastime that makes for an excellent family outdoor scavenger hunting adventure. It is deer shed or cast (scientific term) antler hunting. White-tailed and mule deer shed their antlers for regrowth purposes in Nebraska in winter and early spring. The objective of shed hunting is to slowly hike through the woods or fields in search of these hidden natural treasures. Good areas to look for shed deer antlers are feeding, traveling, bedding and staging areas. Don’t forget to obtain permission before going onto private property to hunt for shed antlers.
20) View bald eagles.
Winter is the peak time for viewing bald eagles in Nebraska, as they congregate around open water near reservoirs, dams and along rivers. The best times to see them are early mornings between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. when the eagles are most active trying to catch fish or waterfowl, or late afternoons (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.) as they return to roost. You can find them perched in large cottonwood trees along rivers or on the ice edges. Also be sure to scan the tops of large, mature trees (especially dead ones) along shorelines where the eagles like to perch to digest meals or scout for prey. Be sure to bring binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view without disturbing the birds.
Get all kinds of information on winter activities at OutdoorNebraska.gov.