Conservation

Time again for an update on the state record “front”.  I have a handful to tell you about, plus another close call.  This time most of the activity has been in the bowfishing category, but I have one underwater spearfishing record to report, and one rod & reel record. . . . Rod & Reel Nine-year old Alex Weinrich from Pierce was fishing up on the Missouri River in Cedar County on October 14 when he reeled in a new …

So you enjoyed the opening weekend but did not harvest a deer yet.  No need to panic as some of the best hunting is still to come over the next few days.   A lot of deer will be harvested in the final weekend of the firearm deer season and there are many tactics that are at play now that can enhance your chances of filling a tag. Weather – this weekend will usher in a cold front like we have not …

A couple weeks ago I noted that fall is a busy time for our fisheries division field biologists (Standard Surveys).  I believe by now most of that field work has been finished, and now there will be some processing of samples and data followed by some report-writing in the coming winter months. Last week I got an e-mail from Dr. Kevin Pope at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reminding me that some of the students there got their hands fishy while …

Yes, tomorrow is a holiday for all of us at the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.  Make sure you thank a veteran tomorrow! Thank you all, appreciate everything you, and your families, have done to preserve our freedom! I am betting most of you have a friend or family member who is a veteran and maybe you can do a little more to show them some appreciation, maybe take them fishing or hunting! And then the day after tomorrow, Saturday, …

There is nothing worse than losing a big fish: “Sorry Hunny, that fish is gawwn.” Ouch, afraid to say, I know the feeling, so do you. That video advertises good line; equipment failure certainly is one reason you can lose a fish. . . . So is operator error.  But, I would say that other than those excuses, which would be good blogs for another day, the biggest reason fish are lost is because the hooks were not sharp!  Sharp …

Only those who have walked into the silent woods together in the predawn hours and waited motionless for white-tailed deer amid the woods in a stand or blind as the different hues of daylight unfolded truly understand. Only those who have watched a canine companion intently work with a grassy field for upland game birds with family members and friends truly understand. Traditions. They are a major part of us and our values. They help to shape who we are. And, …

Short blog post today, just want to update folks on some of the Aquatic Habitat work that is in progress right now: Valentine NWR aquatic habitat project continues LINCOLN – Users of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge will continue to see construction and equipment along public roads and trails until freeze-up as an aquatic habitat project progresses there. Road and trail closures could occur for short periods as the project progresses. Access for ice fishing this winter should not be …

Readers who received the November issue of NEBRASKAland may have seen “The Hull Story,” my article about eco-friendly components in shotgun shells. The story was inspired by a February visit to a public hunting area dotted with a considerable number of wads and hulls. As an update, above is a photo of one of the Bio-Wads that Kent Cartridge sent to me. As you can see, its fiber composition is looking pretty rough after soaking in a bowl of water …

One thing every angler needs is a good net man!  Unfortunately, many do not take that responsibility seriously. You know what they say, “Can’t find good help anymore”. This fall has been beautiful and there are still lots of fish to be caught, including many for which you will need a net!  Hope you and your net-person get to practice your fishing, and netting, skills this weekend! “Fish On!”

One of my favorite themes about fishing in Nebraska is the variety of species and fishing opportunities our great state offers.  There are around a hundred species of fish swimming in Nebraska waters.  More than half of those hundred species are minnows of some kind and a variety of other small fish that typically are not caught on hook and line.  That is unless you are “micro-fishing”.  Micro-fishing?????  What in the world is “micro-fishing”?  Watch this and you will get …