Conservation

Long range forecasting of the weather is filled with uncertainty, so I will not pretend to know how soon it is going to start getting cold.  The calendar is soon to read “December” and chances are there is some cold weather in our future, but how soon we will have enough ice for ice-fishing is anyone’s guess.  In Nebraska “normal” is the average of the extremes, and I have been on the ice as early as Thanksgiving.  However, most years …

Nebraska has added more opportunities for deer hunters to vary their hunting styles. This gives hunters the chance to choose different forms of harvest to enhance their seasons or to challenge their skills or even both. I respect and admire the ones who want to take things one step further. Hunting with primitive weapons takes practice, patience and brings you close and personal to your quarry. Here are a few hunters who did just that: Garret Tramp has been following …

Want to get one more blog post up before I walk out the door for “grandma’s house”.  We will spend lots of time feasting with family, will likely enjoy some time together on the water and in the field. Doesn’t that pretty much sum up what this holiday is all about?  While you and your’s spend time doing the same things, I hope it is a reminder to us all. . . we have A LOT to be thankful for! …

Just a week ago I posted a blog with some miscellaneous short news items (Miscellaneous News Items).  Naturally, about as soon as I got that done, I got some pictures.  So, I want to get those up here. I mentioned a week ago that a new fishing dock was being installed in the northwest corner of Lake Ogallala.  There was an old dock there and high winds took a toll on that old dock.  So a new handicap-accessible dock has …

I have blogged many times about interesting experiences and sights seen while in the field and on the water.  Yes, it is about catching fish and successful hunts, but it is SO MUCH MORE than that.  Those experiences and sights are the spice, the gravy, that make the memories so much more full, complete. Some times those experiences and sights border on the bizarre–boats at full speed whacking buoys, Nimrods filling waders and then lying on their backs with legs …

I am sure if you asked bucks in Nebraska they would suggest this is their favorite time of year.   They finally get to search for a girlfriend and the gals are finally interested in them.   The rut is a magical time for sure and deer hunters all across Nebraska are taking advantage of it. Ask 10 deer hunters, and I would be 8 really like hunting deer during this time.   And for good reason.  Love makes a guy do….well….dumb things.   …

I have fished for a few years now; long enough to realize that oftentimes little things make a huge difference!  The learning never stops, even in a lifetime of fishing, and the best anglers know and do so many of the little things that they do not even think about them–“Why do you do this or that?”  “I don’t know, because I always have.”  The best have forgotten more things than most anglers will ever know. Sharp hooks are one …

I have several little news updates I want to mention today, none of them major, but some folks will want to know! Lake Ogallala As I recall, some weather events eventually took a toll on the old fishing dock in the northwest corner of Lake Ogallala.  That is being replaced: New floating fishing dock to be installed at Lake Ogallala SRA LINCOLN, Neb. – The Angler Access Area in the northwest corner of Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area (SRA) will …

Once in awhile I still get to play a part as a fisheries biologist when folks ask me to assist in the identification of “mystery” fish they have caught.  On rarer occasions I am asked to help identify even more obscure aquatic critters.  One of those occasions happened a few weeks ago when I took a phone call from a gentleman.  I had met this gentleman recently in person when he brought in a state record fish for certification.  I …

This news release went out last week; I have not heard much “chatter” about it: Niobrara River instream flows approved for NRDs and Game and Parks LINCOLN, Neb. – Jeff Fassett, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, on Oct. 19 signed an order granting application A-19406 to appropriate water for the purpose of instream flows on the Niobrara River to maintain habitat for the fish community. The instream flow permit was granted to the Nebraska Game and Parks …