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The May 2014 edition of NEBRASKAland magazine is available on-line right now: As always there is a variety of “stuff” and I do not care who you are, you will find something in there that will interest you.  If I may, let me point one out:  On page 38, Jeff Kurrus has an interesting article titled Pound for Pound, Fighting Nebraska’s Fish.  In that story you will find a species by species breakdown of different Nebraska fish, their anatomy and …

After a morel mushroom hunting adventure with a buddy along the Elkhorn River this weekend, I am issuing a final call for harvesting morel mushrooms, at least in the river bottom woodlands here in eastern Nebraska. Head to your woods for morels as soon as you can! They’re there, most likely in good numbers due to the heavy rain event we had this past Sunday. We did find fresh morels. However, some were dry and had brown tops to them. Fungi/mushroom expert Mark Davis, Writer/Photojournalist for the …

It’s now the middle of May. Spring turkey season in Nebraska is entering its final weeks.  I have already spent a good number of hours in a ground blind – mostly with members of my family – and I hope to spend several more in the days to come.  For sheer excitement the portable blinds cannot compete with sitting at the base of a tree as a gobbler closes in, but they do give a person plenty of time to …

Some of you are looking at the title of this blog post and thinking to yourselves that I am crazy.  For the record, I am, crazy that is.  Secondly, there are times where I literally do wear my life jacket to work! But more specifically today, May 16, 2014 is National Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day! This annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) serves as a fun, educational way to kick off National Safe …

Did you know that one of our Nebraska state park lands actually has an old town site within its boundaries? Know which state park it is? Here’s the sign denoting the old town site that has couple reconstructed buildings. One of them is a reconstructed schoolhouse. There’s also a reconstructed mercantile. And, a reconstructed cabin near the old town site. Founded by Native Americans of mixed heritage to serve their reservation, this town sprung up around a trading post and …

You all know I am a huge fan of In-Fisherman and all of their products.  Their system for catching fish flat out applies to every water you fish, everywhere–including Nebraska!  As a matter of fact, their editors/writers have fished Nebraska waters, many times.  Most recently, you need to watch this segment from their TV show; it was filmed on Lake McConaughy and it will apply to wiper fishing anywhere you fish!  Follow this link to watch it, McConaughy wipers .

I’ll be telling you why you should go fishing with your family and visit a Nebraska state park land this Saturday on my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News. That’s because this Saturday, May 17th marks Nebraska’s Free Fishing and State Park Entry Day, woo-hoo! It’s kind of an open house of sorts in our great outdoors! Special, how-to, fun family-oriented fishing events events will also be held around the state. Be sure to bring all the kids! Tune …

The Nebraska Tourism Commission announced this week that it approved a new brand campaign, entitled: “Nebraska Nice.” This campaign emphasizes one of Nebraska’s strongest assets — us, it’s people. However, “Nebraska Nice” has a two-fold meaning.  It’s not only about we-Nebraskan’s being nice to our visitors and to each other, as we are, but it’s also a reference to the “nice moments” that make the best vacations memorable and special.  It’s about that special moment that is talked about for years and years to come. …

I will always tell you that I do not force what I do (as an avid outdoor enthusiast or as a conservation professional) on my kids but I have introduced them, continued to take them, and to this day, bug them to death about going with me (The Old Man) to enjoy time in Nebraska’s great outdoors. I especially bug them to go fishing and have been successful over the years! All of my kids love to wet lines and catch …

Once again this spring I was asked to help with a turkey hunting camp held at Maranatha Bible Camp near Maxwell.  SkyQuest Outdoor Ministries hosts a couple of turkey hunting camps in Nebraska each spring, and I was one of the “locals” asked to help at their west camp.  The attendees this year came from Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa.  I was paired to hunt with Doug from Iowa and Randy from Minnesota.  Both gentlemen had killed turkeys before, and Randy …