Nebraskaland Magazine

LINCOLN, Neb. – March visitors at Ponca State Park can experience spectacular bird-viewing opportunities and related activities during the spring migratory celebration of Marsh Madness. The public is invited to witness the migration during guided tours with members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society on March 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17. Visitors will view the brilliant spring plumage and courtship displays of geese, ducks, bald eagles and other raptors following the northern migration. A variety of resident wintering nuthatches, woodpeckers, cardinals, …

Getting my feet on the ground has always been important to me. Many of my most enjoyable experiences begin by stretching my legs over Nebraska’s magnificent landscape, whether I’m hiking the trails of Chadron State Park, launching my kayak for an afternoon of fishing at Carter P. Johnson Lake, flushing a rooster pheasant in Sheridan County, or wedging sand between my toes at Bridgeport State Recreation Area. Last week, however, I worked at getting my feet on the ground in …

As some may already know, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a long-term, volunteer-driven bird monitoring program conducted throughout North America. BBS data are used widely by wildlife agencies, researchers and in conservation planning. More information can be found here. Recently, I took over as the state BBS coordinator and perhaps my principal duty is identify individuals that may be able to fill vacant routes. Currently, there are four available routes in Nebraska, these are shown on the map below …

Just a quick blog post today, a reminder of the Trout Unlimited Nebraska banquet coming up this Saturday evening. If you believe in trout and the habitats in which they are found, and who doesn’t?, plan to be there!  There will be lots of raffle prizes and auction items, and a bunch of folks who like to fish and talk about it!  This is an important fund-raiser for TU Nebraska.  Contact information is listed on the poster or go to …

I can hardly wait until Tuesday (tomorrow) afternoon! I’ll be swinging by Game and Parks Headquarters on UNL’s East Campus to pick up my conservation compatriot Daryl Bauer of our Game and Parks Fisheries Division, and then it’s down the street to Hardin Hall Room 228 to Dr. Lisa Pennisi’s Environmental Communication Skills Class to lecture to UNL students from 2-3:15 p.m. Daryl and I will give another one of our unique, fun presentations about the importance of having and …

Not sure when it started.  Perhaps when I was 16 and could drive myself.  Maybe I was younger and the day just happened to fall on a weekend.  Regardless, I have tried my best to hunt the final day of the bird season each year, and I have succeeded for a bit over 2 decades. I do my best to spend the full day in the field, but sometimes things get shortened by the weather or by an abundance of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors Feb. 11 in Elba. The workshop is from 6-9 p.m. at the Elba Community Center, 519 12th St. Register by Feb. 8. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.

Always take a camera with you. When you don’t, you may see six raccoons sitting on the same tree limb in perfect sunset light. If it happened to me, it will happen to you. But aside from twice-in-a-lifetime photos, take a camera so you can see what your camera can do. Last night, I was curious how my Canon 5d would adjust to the low-light scenario at the aquarium inside the Cabela’s in La Vista. I’ve shot there before with an …

Position #04524, Temporary Park Superintendent I-Lake Wanahoo (Wahoo, Nebraska) is now being advertised on the Game and Parks website at http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/admin/jobs/ and on the State of Nebraska jobsite at http://www.statejobs.nebraska.gov/.

I am “out” on an adventure, deep in the Nebraska sandhills (i.e. “God’s Country”!).  I will take some time to tell you all about it when I get back.  For now, just a quick post for the weekend. This commercial is extremely corny, stupid. . . . And that is probably exactly why I like it! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JiYjgfp9GM[/youtube] One thing bothers me about that commercial:  Why did that bass shake off a waterdog?????  Maybe there really are no magic baits?  There …