Conservation

LINCOLN – A nationwide panel of energy, business and conservation leaders on March 2 released its recommendations on how to avert the nation’s growing endangered species crisis, according to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). The panel, co-chaired by former Wyoming Gov. David Freudenthal and Bass Pro Shops founder John Morris, determined that using a portion of revenues from energy and mineral development on federal lands and waters to fund state-based conservation could address conservation needs for thousands …

Admittedly I do not get out and do a whole lot of field work anymore, but once in awhile “the guys” need some help, and when they are desperate they give me a call.  A couple of weeks ago I got to slip out to Lake Wanahoo to help with the northern pike tagging again this spring. For those of you who may not be familiar with the pike tagging at Lake Wanahoo, I will not go into all the …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has completed the third year of a five-year aerial survey of mule deer in the Pine Ridge of northwestern Nebraska. The survey, which covers eight subunits with the most suitable mule deer habitat within the Pine Ridge deer management unit, indicated a decrease in the overall mule deer population, but an increase in the number of the species’ fawns. Commission employees counted 636 mule deer compared to 758 in 2015 and 862 in 2014. …

Let me mention one more fishing seminar that I know is happening this spring.  This one is coming up this coming Saturday, March 19: I am planning to be there as you can see from the schedule.  I promise, I will not have much to say, I want to listen to the other speakers!!!!! If you are interested, here is where you can find out more and get tickets, Walleye Wisdom Workshop, Lincoln, NE. I must add, as of right …

Heading for another boat show this weekend, this time in Republican City: I know, I know, it is just plain time to GO FISH!  But, if you want to take a break on Saturday and just talk fishing, stop by and say “Hi”.  I will be doing a seminar on the 2016 statewide fishing outlook, and of course I will mention a few things about Harlan County Reservoir in particular.  I believe I will be speaking at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 …

Living in this technology and information age, sharing your fishing waters with other anglers is a fact of life.  There are no secrets anymore.  As a matter of fact, you will be sharing all public and most private waters with lots of other anglers.  So, besides figuring out the fish you are pursuing, where they are located, and how to catch them, you better have some strategies to at least cope with if not plain out-fish every other angler.  Dealing with fishing …

The weather has been nice and I know folks have fishing fever.  Recently, my phone has not quit ringing about the spring trout stockings.  I have been telling folks that when we have the schedule set, we would let everyone know.  Here you go. . . . Grab a young angler or beginner, and GO FISH! Location Number Time Location Week of March 7th Gracie Creek 1,025  Calamus SRA 16-Mar Bridgeport NW 1,400 Middle Morrill 450 North Morrill 1,350 17-Mar …

You hard-core bass anglers likely will know that the 2016 BassMaster Classic is happening in Oklahoma this weekend.  The Classic is a huge happening each year, especially for bass anglers, but in many ways for a lot of the North American freshwater fishing world.  Once again this year, Rapala has been teasing us with a promised announcement and huge “splash” for a new bait.  Regardless if you liked last year’s Shadow Rap or not, their marketing strategy worked because for at …

I really hope that is not something we have to say in the coming years but to tell you the truth…it is not looking good.  All hunters, anglers and shooting sports enthusiasts should be very concerned.  Things are about to change.  How they change depends on you! The Problem Each state continues to witness declining hunter and angler numbers, a trend that has been occurring for the past 30 years.  In 1992, peak hunting license sales Nationally peaked for hunters …

My ice fishing season ended in literally a week this year; we were on 13+ inches of hard ice, and a week later it was not safe.  It was much too short.  My son and I were left with a feeling of unfulfillment–we needed just one more trip, just one more big fish.  I suppose you could say we have that feeling at the end of every ice season, but we felt it even more this year. I have not …