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I’ve always said the outdoor world presents many different twists and turns, and that’s what makes it so intriguing! I compare entering the outdoor world anytime to going out on that first date: You’re excited, you’re nervous, you’re not wanting to forget anything, you’re probably overdressed and you’re wondering what eventualities might take place. But, I think spending as much time as possible in the field and trying new things improves your overall outdoor knowledge and skill level. In my mind, you’re able …

I am heading up to Sioux City this weekend; will be at the monthly meeting of the Siouxland Fly Fishing Club Saturday morning.  The club meets at 9:00 a.m. to do some fly-tying and then their meeting and my presentation, will get going at 10:00.  If you are in that area, please stop by.  They meet at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center on the Iowa side of the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers.  Come for the meeting if you can, …

As you may have heard, Wisconsin lawmakers are currently looking into expanding their blaze orange requirements for deer hunters to allow hot-pink to be worn as well.  The Wisconsin’s Sportsmen’s Caucus – a bipartisan group of lawmakers – hopes the introduced legislation could encourage an even greater breakdown of the gender-divide often seen in hunting, while maintaining the safety aspect of the blaze orange rules.  Females make up about 10% of the deer hunters in Wisconsin, but represent the fastest …

Get your Nebraska outdoor law and regulation questions ready for Conservation Officer Rich Berggren of Waterloo on my Saturday Morning Great Outdoor Radio Show. It airs LIVE from 9-10 a.m. CST on Omaha’s KOZN Radio/1620 AM “The Zone.” Here’s a photo of Rich on a youth spring wild turkey hunt. Rich and I will be covering various do’s & don’ts, regulation reminders and tips for fishing, boating, state parks, wildlife, hunting and even more. Rich will also touch on what it’s like to be a conservation officer. You’ll find this program to …

I get a little tired with the exclusivity some anglers have:  You know, “I’m a walleye angler”, or “I only fish for bass”, “Catfish or nothing”.  I get it, we naturally have our favorites, but it gets real old when some are so snobbish that they despise other fish that end up on the end of their lines.  They just do not get it.  Oh, I have my favorites too, but I believe that you can actually become a better angler for …

Don’t miss my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News LIVE this Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CST during the station’s sportscast when we float a Nebraska river in a livestock watering tank. Seriously! We’ll cover why floating scenic Nebraska rivers in livestock watering tanks is so popular. It is something unique and fun to do outdoors with your family or friends this summer. A listing of river outfitters and rental businesses is available here. Tanking offers a perfect opportunity to kick back, …

Time is flying through the Memorial Day weekend already and that means summer is off and running!  We have already hosted a couple of Family Fishing Nights, but things are really going to get busy now!  We have more family fishing events scheduled for this summer than ever before, let me highlight them: In our southwest region, In our northeast region, In the panhandle, In southeast Nebraska, And in the metro areas, If you would like to see all the …

The three-day Memorial Day weekend is about the fun of getting together with family and friends for cookouts, camping expeditions, fishing excursions, river float trips, etc. However, Memorial Day weekend is truly about saluting and remembering those individuals in the U.S. Military who lost their lives while in the service to our country, particularly in combat. My thoughts also drift to my son-in-law, Tyler Nichols of Omaha, NE. Tyler is currently serving with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Tyler and …

One of the most popular questions in my office this week is the one that titles this blog post.  Folks assume that since it has been raining, the new boat ramp at Burchard must be open already: Burchard Lake filling slowly– boat ramp remains closed An aquatic habitat rehabilitation project at Burchard Reservoir a couple of years ago required an 11-foot draw down to repair the outlet structure.  During the project, enough water remained in the reservoir to maintain the …

School is out for many young Nebraskans which means parents are busy trying to figure out what to do with them this summer.  If you want your youngster to have an adventure, then summer camp is your answer.  If you want your child to build leadership skills and self-esteem, then summer camp is your answer.  If you want your kids unplugged from the digital world for a bit, then summer camp is your answer. According to the American Camp Association …