How To

You can start some good arguments/discussions in a group of anglers by bringing up the subject of color.  Everyone has an opinion on the importance of color in catching fish, and some guys have several opinions.  What I will tell you is that we know that fish can see colors, that is a scientific fact.  It ain’t rocket science, but it is fisheries science.  We even know that different species of fish have different sensitivities to different colors. When doing …

With Saturday being the opening of Nebraska’s spring turkey season – shotgun edition –  I ask this one simple question.  “What happens when you are just too good at calling turkeys?” This video answers that very question.  It shows the struggle of some turkey hunting greats who are at the top of their game. Have a great, safe turkey hunting weekend. hershy

I have been doing a poor job of giving updates on aquatic habitat and angler access improvement projects.  There are a bunch of them to tell you about, let me try to get ’em all into this one blog post: South Boat Ramp Replacement at Pawnee Reservoir Rock Creek Boat Ramp NORTH PLATTE, Neb. –  A new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approved boat ramp, parking area and vault restroom is soon to be constructed at Rock Creek Lake State …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Get ready for summer by learning some new outdoor skills at the 12th annual Fort Kearny Outdoor Expo on May 12. This free Expo, designed for family members of all ages and experience levels, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, located just south of Kearney. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. The Expo offers opportunities for participants to get hands-on experience in …

I mentioned that our Nebraska Game & Parks fisheries staff hits the ground running every spring and that we have really geared up with our collection of walleye eggs starting this week.  I also want to note that this sure ain’t the first field work we have been doing already this spring.  Our field crews have been on the water in several places sampling, tagging, collecting eggs, etc., etc.  I want to show you a few photos to give you …

We still call them ‘slate-calls’ though the surface of many of these turkey calls nowadays are glass, aluminum or some other material.  And again this spring, thousands of gobblers in Nebraska will give testament to their effectiveness – when in the right hands. The beauty of the slate-call is first and foremost that they produce some of the truest turkey talk a hunter can make. Sometimes sounding even better than the real deal. Secondly, they are the model of versatility.  …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn traditional rifle marksmanship skills in a safe, family-friendly environment at the Project Appleseed clinic April 15 at Platte River State Park’s Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex. Project Appleseed events teach traditional rifle marksmanship skills while reconnecting Americans of all ages and backgrounds to the people and events of our nation’s founding. Only .22 rimfire rifles will be allowed at this daylong event (Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 rifles not allowed). Participants will learn the six …

Let’s see, snowed yesterday, more forecast for later this week, it is below freezing, ice just melted, it is cloudy, the wind is blowing, and the calendar says first week in April.  Yep, must be time for the walleye spawn! Our Nebraska Game & Parks Commission fisheries crews will be hitting the water starting this week to collect the walleye eggs needed for stocking walleyes around the state this year.  Here are the details: Walleye egg collections begin April 2 …

Nebraska’s popular archery spring wild turkey hunting season is in full swing, and seemingly a growing number of hunters have added another piece of legal archery equipment to their repertoire  — the modern crossbow. The word — crossbow — can stir up a very heated debate in conventional bow hunting circles. Consider that a similar debate also took place when the compound bow was first introduced into the hunting scene many years ago. Some folks will be quick to let you know that a crossbow or arbalest is …

Holy Cow!  I look out my window right now and the sun is shining!  Seems like we have had nothing but cloudy, damp, and cold, forever! I think this calls for drastic action! Naturally Mike would tell you to go catch a bass, should be a good day for that, but it could be a pike, walleye, trout, crappie, catfish, whatever. . . . I know this much for sure, THIS AIN’T SPREADSHEET WEATHER!  Take his advice, stop what you …