Nebraskaland Magazine

Nebraska Game and Parks, in collaboration with the Platte Basin Timelapse project, released expanded wetlands educational content on World Wetlands Day, Feb. 2. These new resources offer the opportunity to learn about Nebraska’s five diverse wetland types, as well as grow one’s understanding of their importance to the state, its people and its wildlife. Expanded content includes: Five documentary films about Nebraska’s wetlands and the wildlife and people who depend on them. These films, created by Platte Basin Timelapse at …

Mormon Island State Recreation Area in Hall County is undergoing a sewer improvement project that could affect ice-fishing. With the area’s typically high groundwater level, contractors must pump groundwater away from the construction site. So, water will be pumped into Lake No. 1 north of the accessible fishing pier and east along the north shoreline beginning this week. This will melt the ice on the surface of the lake where the water is displaced. Ice anglers should take extra caution …

Winter offers the best opportunities for viewing these large birds of prey. By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Is there an animal more majestic than the bald eagle? A once-endangered bird due to insecticides, including DDT, and hunting, bald eagles have rebounded and are now flourishing across the country. They represent one of America’s greatest conservation success stories. In Nebraska, bald eagles can be observed year round, but arguably, winter offers the best opportunities for viewing these large birds of …

The calendar has turned over, it is a new year.  It is also time to look back at last year and summarize some things.  Things, like state record fish. . . . First of all, I have one update to give.  One application for a state record fish came late in the year.  Noah Jelinek of Waverly caught that fish, a silver carp.  He caught it on November 24.  The fish was caught by rod & reel from Salt Creek …

Four volunteer Hunter Education instructors were recognized for their extraordinary service at the 2023 Hunter Education Conference on Jan. 28 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Instructors were selected based on merits that significantly advance Hunter Education in Nebraska through instructing safe, ethical and responsible hunting practices. Instructors recognized were: John Wittwer, Lincoln, 2021 Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Heidi Hillhouse, Lincoln, 2022 Estella Wolfe Female Hunter Education Instructor of the Year John Ross, Bancroft, 2022 Master Hunter Education …

Efforts to control the light goose population continue with the Light Goose Conservation Order, which begins Feb. 10, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The dates for the conservation order are: East Zone, Feb. 10-April 15; Rainwater Basin Zone, Feb. 10-April 5 and West Zone, Feb. 10-April 5. White and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese may be taken statewide during the conservation order, but different regulations apply in each zone. Read the 2022-2023 Nebraska Small Game and …

By Renae Blum, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Looking for your next date idea? Or maybe a fun afternoon you can enjoy with family, friends, or just yourself? Look no farther than a Nebraska state park. Whether you want to learn something new, stretch your legs or see something beautiful, here are some ideas for outdoor fun that can be completed in just a day. Visit a nature center Spend an afternoon indulging your curiosity and learning about nature. Schramm …

Got a blog post for some of you most hardcore fish heads.  I know some of you are out there! One of my co-workers found this and called it to my attention. . . . The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a weekly podcast on fish!  Yes, this is a podcast by pointy-headed fisheries biologists, so yes, it can be “deep”.  However, I know some of you love the information.  They have done a bunch of podcasts on …

Bushcaft. Have you heard the term? If run in outdoor circles like I do you probably have. Do you know what it means? It was brought to my attention recently, and I did not have a good explanation of its definition. So, I turned to Nebraskan Sam Larson, who is a renown, well-traveled Bushcraft (there’s that word again) Instructor and Wilderness Skills Expert and winner of the popular TV show survival challenge ALONE – Mongolia on the HISTORY Channel. He …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn tree and brush piles on the west side of Ash Hollow State Historical Park on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The burn will be conducted in conjunction with local fire departments.