Stewardship; Public and Private Initiatives; Regional
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Update
As I often do on my blog, let me start with the news release: Aquatic Habitat Project at Valentine NWR begins second phase LINCOLN, Neb. – In preparation for a rotenone treatment in 2018, length limits on largemouth bass and northern pike at Pelican Lake will be rescinded Dec. 1 through Aug. 1, 2018. This …
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Here’s What We Found to Be the Best Rifle Caliber for Deer
If you ask 20 people what they think is the best rifle caliber for hunting deer, you’ll likely get one of these three answers every time. I just so happen to be in the market for a new deer rifle. We’re now at the end of the second year of rifles being allowed for deer in
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Combodacious, Late Fall 2017
I am always up on a soap-box promoting the diversity of fish & wildlife, hunting and fishing opportunities we have in Nebraska. With no closed season for fishing and long hunting seasons for a variety of species, it is very possible, and double the fun, to combine the activities! Fall is one of the best …
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Updates
Got a couple of updates on Aquatic Habitat/Angler Access/Renovation projects. As a matter of fact, I blogged about both of these back in September, Some News Items, September 2017. Merritt Reservoir As noted the boat ramp/angler access project at Merritt Reservoir was long-awaited and postponed for a year or two because of high water levels. …
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And Now Our Fish Are Stoned!
Back in June I told you about drunk crayfish, And Now, Even Our Crayfish are Drunk. Well, the unthinkable has happened again! Check out this headline! Scientest Gave Fish Marijuana to See If It Would Make Them Relax Go ahead, follow the link, read the story. I ain’t making this stuff up! Wow, I am …
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Long Rod River Trout
I have never fished for steelhead. Someday? Maybe, but not yet. However, as a pointy-headed fisheries biologist, I will tell you that rainbow trout and steelhead are the same fish, Oncorhynchus mykiss, a steelhead ain’t nothing more than a rainbow trout that migrates to the sea. That line of distinction becomes even more blurred when …
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Ice Gear Prep
Long range forecasting of the weather is filled with uncertainty, so I will not pretend to know how soon it is going to start getting cold. The calendar is soon to read “December” and chances are there is some cold weather in our future, but how soon we will have enough ice for ice-fishing is …
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Deer Responsible for Dropping Moose Population in Minnesota
Minnesota has been facing a declining moose population. After efforts to identify why, the conclusion is that deer are probably to blame. According to the Star Tribune, state and tribal biologists have both concluded that a parasite carried by deer is likely the largest contributor to the declining moose population. Since they have not built up resistance to
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A More Primitive Type of Hunt
Nebraska has added more opportunities for deer hunters to vary their hunting styles. This gives hunters the chance to choose different forms of harvest to enhance their seasons or to challenge their skills or even both. I respect and admire the ones who want to take things one step further. Hunting with primitive weapons takes …
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Thankful
The season for gratitude and reflection is upon us. Thanksgiving week is when we remind our families and friends how much they mean to us and express our sincere appreciation for what we have been given in life. While you are considering what you are thankful for, don’t forget nature. During the nine days of the …
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Miscellaneous Addendum
Just a week ago I posted a blog with some miscellaneous short news items (Miscellaneous News Items). Naturally, about as soon as I got that done, I got some pictures. So, I want to get those up here. I mentioned a week ago that a new fishing dock was being installed in the northwest corner …
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What Do You Think? Can Hunters and Conservationists Coexist?
Are the “murdering” hunters and the “tree-hugging” conservationists really searching for the same solution? In a world with more and more voices emerging across the sprawling digital landscape our society seems so drawn to, our screams are becoming louder with no thought to the validity or accuracy of our words. Politics is the best, or
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Lead Fishing Tackle is Killing Loons at an Alarming Rate
Loons mistake lead fishing tackle for food and scrabble for their crop. Here’s what’s happening and how to stop it. We’ve known about it for a long time, and still it shows its ugly head. Lead fishing tackle kills waterfowl. Many states have banned it, we stopped shooting it out of our shotguns, but the fact remains
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Miscellaneous News Items
I have several little news updates I want to mention today, none of them major, but some folks will want to know! Lake Ogallala As I recall, some weather events eventually took a toll on the old fishing dock in the northwest corner of Lake Ogallala. That is being replaced: New floating fishing dock to …
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What Are They?
Once in awhile I still get to play a part as a fisheries biologist when folks ask me to assist in the identification of “mystery” fish they have caught. On rarer occasions I am asked to help identify even more obscure aquatic critters. One of those occasions happened a few weeks ago when I took …
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Great News!
This news release went out last week; I have not heard much “chatter” about it: Niobrara River instream flows approved for NRDs and Game and Parks LINCOLN, Neb. – Jeff Fassett, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, on Oct. 19 signed an order granting application A-19406 to appropriate water for the purpose of …
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Video: Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon in the Fall Looks Amazing
Here’s that Atlantic salmon fishing video that you’ve been hearing about. This is beauty and angling at their finest. Here’s some of the best footage of fall Atlantic salmon fly fishing you’ll see today. On the east coast of Canada in the combined provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, you can find some of the finest fishing in the
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The Sandhills Call To Me
Anyone can appreciate the mountains but it takes a true outdoors person to appreciate the Sandhills. They are as beautiful as they are rugged. Inviting yet unforgiving. Gentle to the eye yet harsh to all who inhabit this rugged and scenic landscape. Filled with incredible flora and fauna along with some of the coolest people …
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