By Greg Wagner
Spring has arrived on the calendar. The amount daylight is increasing. The weather is warming.
In Nebraska, there are a multitude of activities that you can do in early spring. Here are several to encourage you to step outside.
Go bird watching.
A wide variety of opportunities await Nebraska bird watchers in early spring. The migration of wild fowl is truly something to behold! The spring spectacle of the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska should be on everyone’s bucket list before the cranes leave. A trip to the Sandhills or specific portions of southern or northern Nebraska to see prairie grouse displaying on their short-grass prairie breeding grounds is enthralling, particularly if you have never witnessed it.
In addition, let us not forget about the millions of ducks, geese, swans, gulls and shorebirds that migrate through Nebraska in early spring. View these not far from home, especially at state parks and recreation areas with adequate water and habitat available.
Pursue game birds.
If you like to hunt, don’t put your away your equipment! Because there are a few early spring options for pursuing different game birds in the Nebraska countryside. There is targeting light geese (snow and Ross’s Geese) during the conservation order hunting period, depending on migration, into April (check specific dates). There is hunting upland game birds like pheasants on licensed Controlled Shooting Areas or hunting preserves for a fee through April 15. The real highlights of hunting in spring are the fun, challenging spring wild turkey hunting seasons. Archery begins on March 25, youth shotgun opens on April 5 and regular shotgun starts on April 12.
Go fish!
Get your open-water fishing gear in order as Nebraska offers a variety of species to catch after in early spring such as channel catfish, northern pike, yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and 12-inch plus rainbow and cutbow trout (where stocked).
Those of us who fish in early spring would do well to concentrate our efforts with slowly retrieved appropriate baits and lures along wind-swept shorelines. The more sun-exposed northern banks and coves of a water body with darker bottoms on a warm spring day can yield some catches. Also the upper ends of reservoirs, where the shallow water warms quickly, should not be overlooked. The sides of docks most exposed to the afternoon sun can be good for fishing, too.
Lace up your hiking boots.
Put on your hiking boots, check conditions and head out to one of Nebraska’s many state park lands for a trek, whether it is a backpacking trip or a day hike. In early spring, park areas aren’t packed with people, probably because the weather is fickle. There are many benefits to early spring hiking. Among them are experiencing warm afternoon temperatures, checking your physical conditioning, evaluating new gear, having no bugs and seeing great views with the leaves off the trees.
A sturdy but comfortable pair of waterproof boots with good tread, along with wool socks, and trekking poles will give you the ability to navigate most trail scenarios you’ll encounter. Oh, and a reminder: A current state park permit is required for your motor vehicle.
Forage for morel mushrooms.
To hunt for wild edibles in Nebraska is to hunt for morel mushrooms in the springtime. Emerging for a few weeks each spring from about mid-April to mid-May, these mushrooms are highly prized for their rich flavor. Look for morels on a warm, sunny days following spring rains. With their honeycombed, cone-shaped cap, they’re also relatively easy to find and identify in moist, mature woodlands near dead and decaying trees such as cottonwoods and elms. River bottom areas are popular locations to search for morels.
For private lands, whether posted or not, morel mushroom hunters are reminded that they must have landowner permission to access any private property! Nebraska Game and Parks Commission lands are open to morel mushroom hunting but with safety considerations during the spring wild turkey hunting seasons and provided there is a state park permit on vehicles entering state park areas.
Hunt for animal tracks.
Spring is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the exciting happenings in nature with a trip to find, identify and examine animal tracks. Do some research before you leave home about wild animals found in your locale, then venture safely to a nearby park, forest or rural area and start tracking them with an app on your smart phone. The best places to locate animal tracks are any environment with lots of mud or sand in spring. These locations would include muddy trails through woods, along the edges of water (e.g. creeks) and agricultural fields and sometimes even in a backyard garden. Your kids might like it so much they will look at nature in a whole new light. And, guess what? They’ll start looking everywhere for animal tracks!
Pitch a tent or park an RV.
From tents to RVs, spring can be a great time for camping! Cool nights, milder daytime temperatures, low humidity, the absence of crowds and no bugs offer some very nice conditions for camping in Nebraska state park lands or other places during the springtime. Camping can easily be combined with hiking, fishing and wildlife watching ventures. Spring campers should purchase their state park vehicle permit in advance of their trip, bring along some cash for camping fees, pack drinking water, buy some local firewood plus throw in an extra warm blanket or two.
“Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.” – E.O. Wilson