How To

I gotta admit, this June heat wave has dampened my enthusiasm to do anything but sit someplace cool.  But, then there is the realization that it is still just June and there is a long summer ahead of us–better enjoy it!  So, even in the middle of the day, right at the worst of the heat and humidity, my kids and I went fishing.  We kept it basic, just dipped and dabbled for some panfish, but the fish were willing …

What is a locavore? A locavore is classified as any person that chooses to utilize the goods and produce that are cultivated or created locally (traditionally within 100 miles of home). Although some people are capable of thriving nearly entirely on the food that they get from their own land or from other farmers, most people do not maintain such resources. Why be a locavore? The most common answer that people have when poised the question: “Why are you a …

Last weekend I warned you about the “leech-nado“.  Got another public service announcement this weekend:  Beware the Carp-nado! Carp-O-Rama at Branched Oak Reservoir is tomorrow!  If everything goes well, this is what it will look like when we get done pre-baiting or “chumming” the area! OK, seriously, I would not like to fall into the water there.  I suspect a death by carp-sucking would not be a pleasant way to go, well, it would be embarrassing at the least. Obviously, …

LINCOLN – Women can learn more about using .22 caliber handguns at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park’s (SHP) free Basic Handgun Class for Women. Set for June 25, the class will cover gun handling safety, types of handguns, and shooting grip, stance and sight alignment. The class will conclude with a Q&A session and range time. Equipment is provided, and registration closes on June 18. Fort Hartsuff SHP is located 10 miles southeast of Burwell. A park entry permit is required …

A week ago I blogged about some fish handling issues that needed to be addressed according to recent reports from the water.  Actually, I do not know that folks really need another lesson on proper handling of fish that by law must be released, as much as they need an attitude adjustment.  I never know who reads my “stuff”, hopefully it made someone stop and think. This week I want to return to the same topic, but I want to take …

I know a couple of things in the “Carp World” this week that I want to mention.  First of course is our annual “Carp-O-Rama” event at Branched Oak Reservoir this coming Saturday.  As a fisheries biologist I will tell you that invasive Carp species, including the Common Carp that have been here for over a hundred years, are a scourge and if I could snap my fingers and make ’em all go away, I would.  Fisheries biologists will forever be managing …

Those that know me know that handgun hunting is my passion.  I would rather use a handgun than any other method of take for small and big game.   I think this started from days when my Dad would take me to the farm for an afternoon of plinking with our 22 LR pistols. We would also watch old westerns movies that made me dream about riding the range with a six-gun on my hip! Those days had a huge …

I was going to blog about something different today, but I just heard some talk about hot Walleye bites on Nebraska reservoirs and folks having problems releasing fish that they by regulation have to release.  I do not know why this is any kind of a problem any more–we have had a variety of length limit regulations for a variety of species for a lot of years now and catch and release is a routine part of fishing!  Either by regulation …

My buddies here at the Game & Parks Commission, Jeff Rawlinson and Aaron Hershberger have been taping some “how to” videos or “V blogs” or whatever you want to call them.  You can find them on YouTube under the title of “Nebraska Outdoors“. Aaron invited me over last week to talk fishing and they just got that video posted up today.  Might as well share it here on my blog too! Have a great weekend everyone.  Fish are biting, get …

LINCOLN – Anglers of all ages interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing are invited to attend Carp-O-Rama on June 18 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA). This free event will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lieber’s Point. Carp caught by anglers will be used in demonstrations on cleaning, preparing and cooking the fish. The cooked fish then will be served as a free lunch. Other activities include fish printing and Dutch oven cooking demonstrations. …