There are few things as thrilling as the sound of air rushing through the cupped wings of a mallard flock or the sight of committed Canadas as they extend those big, black paddles.  These are the things that make waterfowlers leave a warm bed at ungodly hours and put in long hours of work prep.  Now’s the time the effort pays off… To help out a bit for those looking to take their pursuit to the next level the Nebraska …

As I readied myself for the evening deer hunt the strong west winds kept hitting me with the dried-up corn leaves left behind by the combine that had passed through the field 4 days earlier.  Perfect for the Alli Way stand.  I found relief from the wind, and the dust it was kicking up, once I dropped down beside a tall north-south bluff on my walk in.  The day was warm but I made my elevated perch and hadn’t worked …

For me and my spaniels there are two time designations in the fall – BN & PT.  The BN or Before November time period is often characterized by the mostly carefree time one spends outdoors pursuing critters during the early hunting seasons.  These hunts are often rather relaxing affairs with the idea that many are a prelude to the bigger or better hunts yet to come.  Common examples of hunting at this time can include guarding puddles for early-migrating ducks, freezer-filling …

For me and my spaniels there are two time designations in the fall – BN & PT.  We are currently in the BN or Before November time period.  The BN period is often characterized by the mostly carefree time one spends outdoors pursuing critters during the early hunting seasons.  These hunts are often rather relaxing affairs with the idea that many are a prelude to the bigger or better hunts yet to come.  Common examples of hunting at this time can …

Like iron filings to a magnet – or teenie-boppers to a Justin Bieber concert – I find myself almost inexplicably drawn to the ring-necked pheasant.  As October nears its end my mind centers more and more on the bird that wears autumn in its feathers. Make no mistake I love the chaos of a bobwhite covey, sing praises for the noble prairie chicken and sometimes swear at the devious sharp-tailed grouse.  However, when the final Saturday of the month arrives I have tunnel vision for the …

It starts on the faded-blue wing patch of the teal, capitalized by the Canada goose, punctuated by the elegance of the pintail and capped by the mayhem that is the green-headed mallard.  It is the fall waterfowl migration, and it is spectacular. Few can resist the instinctual urge to glance skyward when the sounds off of a passing flock reach their ears – I know I cannot.   The annual southward movement of waterfowl has been an attraction to me for …

Man this summer has gone by quickly.  With summer camps, shooting competitions, major conferences and several odds and ends, June-July and a bit of August have just disappeared.  So, in the last few weeks I have taken on the challenge to sneak away from my responsibilities and spend some time outdoors with family as best as I can.  The first such outing included the Nebraska Bowhunters Association Jamboree.  This event allows you to wander the National Forest near Halsey to …

Even before the smoke cleared the young camper at one of Nebraska 4-H’s Outdoor Skills Camp declared it “the coolest thing ever!”  Which was immediately followed by “did I hit?”  She had just taken her first-ever shot with a black powder rifle, sending the round ball clanging into the triangular, metal gong 30 yards downrange. The tradition of summer camps is alive and well in the state of Nebraska.  And for a few hundred youngsters each year camp means making …

We are blessed to have some very active individuals here in Nebraska that are looking for ways to have a positive impact in the lives of our young citizens and help preserve our natural legacy.  You can be one of those people by burning some powder and breaking some rock – just having fun with the shotgun. Nebraska Ducks Unlimited (DU)  is one of many organizations filled with such motivated volunteers.  On June 15, you can join the Seward County …

Lions, Leopards and Bears – oh, my! In effort to avoid a case of the off-season blues I shot a turkey, deer and a triceratops this past Sunday.  The targets were all part of Blair’s own Orion Archery Club and their annual Brandon Tomcak Memorial 3D Shoot.  The entire event was designed to give youth, and their parents, a chance to take part in this amazing family activity.  Bows, arrows and instruction were available to all that had the need.  …