Conservation

LINCOLN, Neb. – Tax season provides a unique opportunity for Nebraskans to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation. The Nebraska state income tax form allows individuals to donate all or a part of their tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund, which is used to maintain adequate habitat and healthy populations of wildlife across the state, particularly those that are rare, endangered or threatened. Tax refund donations have helped many species over the years including river otters, monarch butterflies, swift …

It is that time of year again, banquet, sportshow, and workshop season.  I am actually as busy, if not more busy, at this time of year than any other.  Planning to be in Maxwell this coming weekend! Here are some more details: For the latest updates be sure to check out the Maxwell Outdoor Expo and Wild Game Feed FaceBook page. Stop by, say “Hi”, tell me a fish story, show me your fish pictures, take a look at mine!

Some of us hard-core ice anglers refer to “ice trolling” when we talk about drilling lots of holes and keep drilling them until we find fish.  I am a big believer in “ice trolling”. Looks like I am going to have to step up my game! Yes, sometimes ice-fisherman spend a long time between bites. Have a great weekend everyone, make sure the ice is safe, and GO FISH!

LINCOLN, Neb. – Adults, youth and bird lovers of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to attend Project Feeder Watch on Feb. 3 in Plainview. This hands-on learning experience starts at 10 a.m. at Plainview Public Library, 209 N. Pine St. Project Feeder Watch is a citizen science project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Citizen science is a way for the public to contribute to the scientific understanding of the natural world. Participants of this free workshop, which …

Time for my “annual report” on state record fish in the past year.  As with most years there was some state record activity and there were some surprises! Surface Spearfishing  There were no fish entered for surface spearfishing records in 2017. Underwater Spearfishing We had four fish certified as new underwater spearfishing state records in the past year.  The smallest of those was a whopping 1 ounce alewife taken from Lake McConaughy. In September, a 10 ounce shortnose gar was …

Again I know this news release already went out, but I want to spread the word as widely as possible. Fisheries public informational meetings scheduled across Nebraska LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers are encouraged to attend the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s fisheries public informational meetings this winter to offer input on the future of fisheries management in Nebraska. The meetings will begin with an overview of the 2018 fishing forecast, an update on special projects, and a report of potential …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two Nebraska conservation officers received special recognition for their heroic efforts from the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association during the Jan. 19 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Officer Bryce Streger helped families escape a western Nebraska wildfire and evacuated an elderly couple in the nick of time. Streger lost all of his personal belongings in the fire. Officer Brian Piernicky responded to an accident near Swanson Reservoir and located …

Keeping tip-ups from being a big tangled mess after they are rigged with hooks and weights can be a challenge.  In my surfing around the inter-webs, I have found a couple of ideas you might like! Here is a website for that product:  TUHK. Or, if you have some corks lying around, here is another DIY idea: Never forget, proper etiquette dictates that when you get a bite, you yell at the top of your lungs, and run as fast …

We absolutely treasure them. We collect them. We investigate their origins. We tell stories of the hunt about them. We give them places of honor on our call lanyards. But, official waterfowl leg bands are more than just coveted collectibles, more than just “priceless jewelry” to hunters. The information the bands possess is vital to the management of these web footed birds. There are even monetary reward bands. Getting a duck or goose with a reward, or “money” band on it is extra special because they …

I like to put the Nebraska Youth Fishing Instructor’s newsletter in my blog when I get them.  Most, if not all of the youth fishing instructors have already received this, but in case they have not they can see it here, and a whole lot of other folks can stay updated on our youth fishing instructor program as well. For those of you who may be interested in becoming a youth fishing instructor, notice in the newsletter that there is …