Nebraskaland Magazine

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in April: April 1 – Light Goose Conservation Order ends in Zone 2 April 1-14 – Application period for archery paddlefish permits April 2 – Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children, York Elementary School, 1501 Washington Ave., York, lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov April 4 – Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 5000 St. Paul Ave., Lincoln, lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov April …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners Mick Jensen, Lynn Berggren and Kent Forney have been reappointed for second terms by Gov. Heineman and confirmed by the Nebraska Legislature. Jensen, of Blair, represents District 3 (northeast Nebraska). Berggren, of Broken Bow, represents District 6 (Sandhills) and Forney, of Lincoln, represents District 8 (Lancaster County). The new terms for all three began Jan. 15 and last four years. Jensen was originally appointed to the board in January 2008. “I’ve enjoyed …

LINCOLN, Neb. – While boating season still is months away, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission suggests that now is the time to take a boater safety course. A list of boating safety classes is available at boatsafenebraska.org. The list includes six-hour classroom courses and three-hour home study review and test courses. More classes will be added to the list during the year. Persons born after Dec. 31, 1985, who operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska, must have …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors April 15 in Hastings. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Fire Station, 1145 S. Hastings Ave. Register by April 12. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.

I love pike. I have since the first time I hooked one and it tried to rip my rod and reel from my grasp. Therefore, it was a no-brainer for me to tag along with Jordan Katt and his surveying crew yesterday morning at Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo. What I found was tremendous. Not only did we trap net a high number of northern pike, the fish looked extremely healthy with many in the 30-inch range. And the best part? …

I will always tell you that big fish are not hard to catch because they are so smart, but because they are so rare.  In almost any population of sport fish, any species, large specimens usually are the least abundant.  For that reason, I am a huge proponent of selective harvest.  I am not against harvesting some fish for a meal of fresh fish now and then, and I believe we should maintain the tradition of eating some of what …

Alright, so my question to you looking at the photograph above is this: Where was it taken? Well, guess what? You’ll find out if you tune in to my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT-TV/Channel 6 and online at www.wowt.com LIVE Thursday night at 6 p.m. CST during sports! What a cool destination this park makes for a spring break hiking or mountain biking outing or perhaps a fitness run! Look below, cabins are even available for overnight rental …

What do pheasants and bees have in common?  More than you might think.  Click below to learn how and why Pheasants Forever is focusing on prairie conservation, including the promotion of pollinator habitat. http://prairieecologist.com/2013/03/19/prairies-forever-collaborative-conservation-for-pheasants-pollinators-and-people/

I have to admit that I’m not much of a book reader. I do enjoy reading professional journal articles, hunting and fishing magazine articles as well as current and older NEBRASKAland magazine issues from cover to cover. However, I have been thoroughly enjoying a new book by a fellow outdoor/conservation compatriot, longtime Fremont High  School Teacher/Coach and Fremont Tribune Outdoor Writer — Bryce W. Lambley. Here’s a pic of Bryce with his deer taken by traditional archery equipment on December …

I have blogged about the handicap-accessible fishing pier project at Bowling Lake before, http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2012/09/bowling-lake-fishing-pier-project/ .  The group of anglers who got the ball rolling on that project, “Anglers of the Blue Moon”, have already had one fund-raiser at La Paloma Restaurant here in Lincoln.  That evening was such a success that they are hosting another one tomorrow night, March 19.  Here is all the information: Start working on an appetite now, plan to come out and buy some raffle tickets, …