Nebraskaland Magazine

A week ago I blogged about a favorite discussion topic among anglers–lure or bait color.  Actually, I did not blog about it so much as stole my buddy, Greg Wagner’s blog post on the subject.  That topic generates a lot of interest among anglers.  I have blogged about it before. That got me thinking.  I will always tell you that you should worry about a lot of presentation variables before you worry about color.  Anglers tend to jump to color …

In March, we highlight the timber rattlesnake, a Tier I at-risk species in Nebraska.   By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Like Indian Jones, many people are terrified of snakes, but this fear is not much more than a defense mechanism. When you stop to think about snakes and their role in the ecosystem, these animals have evolved to possess unique traits that are actually quite ingenious. For example, the serpents’ cryptic coloration keeps them well disguised, and with no …

Three archers repeated as state champions at the National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament March 17-18 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. Winning back-to-back titles were Harrison Harvey of Lincoln Southwest in the high school division, Ayla Salistean of Milford in the middle school division and Paul Ng of Omaha Mater Dei Academy in the elementary division. Harvey and teammate Aaron Wohleb scored 284 points — out of a possible 300 — for the highest scores in …

Plenty of improvements in Nebraska’s state parks await visitors in central Nebraska this year. Projects completed in 2022 or to be finished in 2023 will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects: Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area At Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine, multiple campgrounds saw improvements. Cedar Bay Campground electrical was upgraded at a cost of $155,973 and the shower house for $19,750. The existing dump station …

Got a news item today that will not affect many Nebraska anglers, but it will some.  In fact, I heard some questions can comments about these ramps at the Omaha Sport Show.  So, to spread the news, some of you will want to know: Riverview Marina, Brownville Riverside Park boat ramps temporarily closed for repairs Boating access improvements at Riverview Marina State Recreation Area in Nebraska City and Brownville Riverside Park will begin March 13. Boat ramps at those areas …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers and the Gering Police Department responded to the occurrence of a mountain lion on a security video twice recently. A mountain lion was recorded on a video in south Gering on March 9, then in a different part of town at 3 a.m. Sunday. It is not known if the animal seen on both videos is the same. Gering police officers and Game and Parks officers searched the area of Sunday’s incident but …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in April. Here are some opportunities: Little Saplings program presents Terrific Trout Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna. The 2023 series continues April 5 with the theme Terrific Trout at 9 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver. …

Spring has sprung! The amount daylight is increasing. The weather will be warming. In Nebraska, there are a multitude of activities that you can do in early spring. Here are eight to encourage you to step outside. (1) View Early Spring Birds. A wide variety of opportunities await Nebraska bird watchers in early spring. The migration of wild fowl is truly something to behold! The spring spectacle of the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska should …

How a forest-dwelling shorebird makes a living in Nebraska’s prairies By Joel Jorgensen and Stephen J. Brenner Photos by Eric Fowler As winter’s grip begins to loosen in early March, one of the first tangible signs of spring comes in the form of one unusual bird’s evening courtship display. Along with first returning flocks of geese, sandhill cranes and a noticeable northward push of bald eagles, the American woodcock is one of our earliest arriving migratory birds, often laying claim …

Nebraska’s weather has done its usual March, Nebraska thing this week.  I say it is erratic.  That, and the cold water, makes this one of the toughest times of year to catch fish from open water.  On the other hand, if you can still get on the ice, late ice can be some of the best fishing of the year.  That is exactly why I hope every year for the ice to last as long as possible. But, assuming that …