How To

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will post a notice Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. if ice conditions are deemed unsafe for an upcoming Discover Ice Fishing clinic. The clinic is scheduled for Jan. 9 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s CenturyLink Lake from 1 – 4 p.m. Six inches of ice is required to conduct this free clinic. Ice conditions will be determined Jan. 6. If necessary, a cancellation notice will be posted by 4 p.m. at …

If you’re one of the lucky ones you are coming out of the holiday season with some cash cards, gift certificates and maybe even some ol’ fashion greenbacks.  Perhaps you already know exactly what you are going to spend this hard-won bounty on.  If so, stop reading right now – this article is not for you.  However, for the rest of us – surprise, surprise – I’ve got a few quick ideas. There are two methods of correctly spending gift cash.  …

I have not played with underwater cameras a lot, some, but not a lot.  Most Nebraska waters are productive enough that even under the best of conditions visibility is limited.  However, visibility is best during the winter, under the ice, and all ice anglers like to play around with new gear.  There is no doubt that underwater camera technology also has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, New Generation Underwater Cameras.  If water clarity allows, and on the …

Most years, I would have posted my obligatory reminder about ice safety by now.  With the mild weather we have had so far this late fall/early winter, I have not said anything yet, well, because we just ain’t got ice.  I will continue to drop farther into a foul mood each day I do not ice-fish at this point. Even now, I am not sure about the ice conditions throughout the state.  I have heard a few whispers of some hardcores …

I will readily admit to you that I very much wish we had enough ice to be fishing on right now.  I L-O-V-E to ice-fish!  I am warning you, the longer this winter goes without ice, the grumpier I am going to get. But I have learned that sometimes life gives you lemons and you just have to make lemonade. . . . A week ago I posted a little review of what has been a great, long, and very …

When me and my friends are hunting Canada geese in southeastern Nebraska this time of year, we find ourselves continually staring at the sky. Sure, we are watching the sky intently for flocks of Canada geese flying, but it goes far beyond that. Oh yes, far beyond that. We find ourselves mesmerized by the ever-changing sky here on the Great Plains. And, our Nebraska sky invites you to stare. Some say the sky is our mountains. By staring at the sky, you discover that there are no boundaries or limitations. You can see that …

It’s time to call some critters – coyotes, bobcats and raccoon.  So, Jeff and Hershy are inviting Steve Satra to the studio to tell us about the challenge and excitement of getting up close to some of the state’s top predators. Along with working in the Fisheries Division, Steve spends a lot of his fall and winter around our fur-covered wildlife and has mentored many new critter callers and trappers. Join the conversation and get your questions answered at 402-489-1240 …

It can be a real challenge to select a holiday gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your family. What do you buy for that hunter, trapper, angler, camper, hiker, biker, boater or bird watcher who has a roomful or a basement cave full of outdoor gear? Hmmm … And, did I mention that we are a very picky, practical bunch of folks. Yes, I fall into all of those genres of outdoor activities I listed! And, I’m certain I’m not …

Ran into a fellow pointy-headed fish biologist yesterday who has since moved on to bigger and better things in another state.  But, he stills comes back to Nebraska to do some hunting!  He asked me how my fall has been and that got me to thinking that I should give a little review.  It has been a good fall, mild, warm, long, lots of fish. . . . I love fall fishing.  I fish H-A-R-D in the fall; it is …

They’re more than just pets; more often than not, they’re members of your family who’ve stuck by you through thick and thin. But, like any living thing, they will eventually pass. The death of a pet to which we have become emotionally bonded can be a traumatic loss. Such was the case when my brother-in-law Dean had to put down Harley, his constant companion and dog of nearly eight years of age, recently due to terminal health issues. Harley was an English …