“Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of praying, as you no doubt have yours. Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds, until the foxes …

By Ryan Sparks I can vividly recall the two animals I’ve shot and didn’t recover. The memories still give me a gut-wrenching feeling of loss and remorse. The first loss was a Montana mule deer I tracked with a friend for several hours before falling snow made it impossible to continue. The second was a Nebraska white-tailed buck. I searched for him for three days, but never found him. He’s still the biggest buck I’ve ever seen. There are many …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Turtles are some of the oldest living and unique animals on the planet. Let’s start with the obvious: their shell. A turtle shell is unlike any other physical, protective device found on an animal. Most turtles have a hard shell made from beta keratin. These hard shells are covered in scutes, similar to scales, which gives them rigidity for protection. But not all turtles have hard shells. Nebraska is home to two species of …

I probably should have blogged about this last month during the paddlefish snagging season.  Sorry, I did not get around to it then, but I am not going to miss this opportunity to highlight a Nebraskaland story you should check out. One of our Missouri River fisheries biologists, Kirk Steffensen, wrote a story on paddlefish and our Nebraska paddlefish fishery on the Missouri River.  I know the fish, that fishery and its history will be of interest to a lot …

By Renae Blum Looking for a place to go camping this fall? You can’t go wrong with a Nebraska state park. All are great choices, but these 11 stand out for their camping amenities and activities to enjoy during your stay. Pick one near you and enjoy a camping adventure with family and friends this fall. Indian Cave State Park Campers can experience some of Nebraska’s best fall color at Indian Cave State Park. The park’s hardwood forest puts on …

A History of a Unique Fishery By Kirk Steffensen, Missouri River Program Manager Paddlefish are a group of ancient fish species with fossilized records dating back approximately 125 million years. They are one of the largest and longest-living freshwater fish species in the world, with a lifespan of 30-plus years, and are easily recognizable by their elongated rostrums — beaklike snout — and lack of scales. Filter feeders, paddlefish swim with their large mouths open and filter the microscopic plankton, …

The deer harvested by a hunter prompted celebration but other hunters on social media certainly did not think so. You see, it was a smaller, younger white-tailed buck. It was a beautiful animal and a great photo of the proud hunter and his deer. I was one of the initial people to “like” the post on Facebook. However, it did not take long for the naysayers to chastise and ridicule the individual for shooting a basket-racked buck. Seriously? A trophy …

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 …

Story by Angie Kokes Photos by Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Dove hunting offers generous bag limits and opportunities statewide. Although these birds can be hunted in almost every corner of the world, one of the most serene destinations to do so is in the Sandhills of Nebraska. If you can hear the melancholy tune of an old windmill creaking, you have found the ideal location to try your hand at bringing these tasty morsels out of the sky, while marveling in magnificent …

10 state parks that offer great picnicking By Renae Blum Picnicking is a great way to relax, enjoy the outdoors and bond with friends and family. If you’re looking for your next picnic spot, consider a Nebraska state park. Nearly all parks offer picnic areas, and the best spots combine shade trees, nicely mowed areas, conveniently located restrooms, and plenty of activities to enjoy before and after your meal. Here are 10 state parks to consider when planning your next …