Conservation

The year 2022 has been a rough one–Nebraska has suffered the loss of some of its greatest storytellers.  Early this year I blogged about the passing of Dick Turpin and Larry Porter.  Now, unfortunately, the dean of Nebraska storytelling, Roger Welsch, passed a week ago. I have no personal stories about Roger to share with you.  Back in my college days at the University of Nebraska I tried several times to enroll in his folklore class.  I never did because …

It has been quite a while since I gave an update on Nebraska state record fish.  The main reason for that is there has not been much activity.  There has been some however, so let me tell you about it. Rod & Reel The first was caught by rod & reel back in April.  I told you it had been a while.  The fish was a shorthead redhorse, a native species of sucker.  Adam Pavelka from Verdigre caught the fish.  …

I know these news releases have been circulating for a few days.  I also know that it is fall and fishing activity is winding down.  However, if you are still fishing, or hoping to fish, on any of these waters, then this is news you need to know.  So, I am spreading the word again: Drawdown will affect boating access at three SRAs A planned drawdown of Lake Ogallala for infrastructure maintenance will affect boating access at three Nebraska state …

By Alie Mayes, Community Science Education Specialist Are you a bird nerd? Maybe you like to casually watch birds visit your backyard feeder. Or perhaps you visit local green spaces in hopes of spotting some of your favorite feathered friends. Or maybe you have only recently started noticing the birds that you see every day. Whether you are new to bird watching or have been enjoying it for years, community science is a great way to level up your hobby …

I really appreciate that this “hot topic” was thoroughly cussed and discussed on FaceBook this week.  Now, if anyone is still listening: Fish salvage not permitted on Sutherland Canal system — yet September 30, 2022 Fish salvage along the Sutherland Canal system near North Platte will not be permitted at this time due to potentially unsafe conditions while maintenance is performed on canal structures. Nebraska Public Power District is currently performing canal structure inspections and repairs between Lake Ogallala and …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Phenology is a word that you may not be familiar with, but I am pretty sure that you’ve experienced it. Think about what season it is. Spring? Summer? Fall? How do you know it is that season? Phenology, that’s how, which can be defined as the timing of events in the life cycles of plants and animals. For example, you know that winter is waning when you see robins begin building nests or when …

If you have been drawn into the addiction that is muskie fishing, you have a few stories to tell.  Most of those stories will be about fish caught and fish lost, close encounters and days, weeks, without a bite.  However, with all the time on the water, you will see some strange things.  One of the strange things muskies do is described in this article.  A couple of really smart, pointy-headed fish biologists propose theories for the behavior.  Read on, …

I started getting calls about this over a month ago.  Here you go, the fall 2022 trout stocking schedule: Game and Parks announces stocking schedule for rainbow trout Rainbow trout will be stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. “This program emphasizes the urban and community waters statewide,” said Greg Anderson, Game and Parks’ fish production supervisor. “Ten-inch trout are stocked to provide angling opportunities for all ages to catch and …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is better able to monitor the health, movements and distribution of bighorn sheep in the Wildcat Hills thanks to a project completed this month. With the help of a helicopter capture crew, Game and Parks placed tracking collars on 27 sheep during two mornings, Sept. 20-21. Similar to past efforts, the helicopter crew used a net gun to ensnare individual sheep, place them in a sling bag and ferry them back to mobile processing …

I hear that tomorrow is National Hunting and Fishing Day.  Sounds like a great idea to me!  As a matter of fact, with our diversity of hunting and fishing opportunities, I believe Nebraska is the perfect place to spend some time outdoors doing both!  Fall is the perfect time to do that.  Let me offer my kid’s recent adventures as proof. . . . Last weekend both of my kids were in western parts of Nebraska.  First, I got a …