Published by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Fall 2008

Inside• Women in the outdoors, Page 2• Recruitment program, Page 2• CRP outlook, Page 3• Fall canoeing, Page 4• State park schedule, Page 5• Fall camping, Page 5• Fall turkey hunting, Page 6• Hunting seasons, Page 7• Mixed-bag hunting, Page 7

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By Daryl BauerWinter is the time of hardship for

most wild creatures and that is true forthe fish that inhabit Nebraska’s waters.To prepare for the long, cold winter,fish will put on weight in the fall byfeeding as much as possible. This fallfeeding binge should tip off Nebraskaanglers that some of the best fishing ofthe year occurs when many of them areputting away their rods and reels anddusting off shotguns and rifles.

Studies of the feeding habits of somespecies of fish have shown that thosefish may actually increase the amountof food they consume in the fall. Thisnot only prepares the fish energeticallyfor the lean times of winter, but formany species begins the production ofeggs, or milt, for the following year’sspawning (immature eggs, or milt, willbe present in many species of fish in thefall). Most Nebraska fish will be at ornear their best body condition of theyear in the fall; they will be as fat asthey will ever be, near their maximumweight.

However, with the abundance ofbaitfish in some Nebraska waters,fishing can still be challenging in theautumn even though predator fish areactively feeding. Gizzard shad or

By Eric FowlerNebraska deer hunters broke nearly

every record they could in 2007,including the number of permits theybought and the total number of deer,whitetails and mature bucks theyharvested.

All but one of those records, permitssold, should fall again this year,according to Kit Hams, big gameprogram manager with the NebraskaGame and Parks Commission. Why?Because the Commission is givingaway bonus antlerless tags with

87,000 of the 130,000 deer permits ithas made available. That’s $2.25million in free permits, and 66,600more bonus tags than last year, but theresult could be fewer permits sold.

“We’re putting these 87,000 bonustags out there for a reason, and that’sbecause we’ve got too many white-tailed deer, especially in the east andespecially in the riparian corridors,

and we want them to harvest antlerlessdeer,” Hams said.

In 2007, only hunters with permitsfor the November firearm season inthe Elkhorn unit received bonus tags.This year, hunters in the BlueSoutheast, Blue Northwest and Wahoounits will get bonus tags. In those fourunits, nearly 14,000 antlerless whitetails were harvested last year,and Hams expects the bonus tags willincrease that figure by 8,000.

Additionally, all archery,muzzleloader, youth, landowner

permits and two additional SeasonChoice Areas will get bonus tags.Hams said biologists aren’t sure howmany people will use their bonus tags,but said statewide antlerless harvestcould be between 30,000 and 35,000deer, up from 24,700 in 2007.

Hams said antlerless deer have madeup between 37 and 45 percent of thetotal whitetail harvest the past 10years. The past three years, it was 39percent. “To reduce that population,

Bonus tags target whitetail herd

Feeding time:Fish tip ‘scales’during autumn

Mentored hunts ensure that Nebraska’s hunting heritage is passed on to future generations.

By Aaron HershbergerZach had been up for at least an

hour before his alarm sounded. Hejust couldn’t stay in bed any longer.

The night before, as he lay in bed,he didn’t think he could fall asleep.When he finally dozed off, hisdreams woke him from time to time.Despite his lack of rest, Zach showedno sign of being tired as he double-and triple-checked his gear. Zach wasready – ready for his first hunt.

In a fall tradition even older thanour state, young hunters have headedto the open spaces and wooded areasfor their first-ever hunts – under thewatchful guidance of familymembers and friends. These newhunters are drawn by the challengeof escaping the detection of a white-tailed deer, the excitement of flushing rooster pheasants andprairie grouse or the thrill of talkinga turkey into range.

Nebraska has a history ofopportunity for new hunters, and thisfall is no different. Despite busierschedules and a shift toward moreurban environments, there never hasbeen a better time for new hunters to

take to the field. In fact, theNebraska Game and ParksCommission, along with severalindividuals and groups, is puttingtogether the details to offer someamazing experiences for new huntersthis fall.

One of these programs is theCommission’s Mentored YouthArchery Program (MYAP). This program pairs middle and highschool bowhunter education graduates with experiencedbowhunter education instructors forthe entire archery deer season.MYAP is designed for youth that

Mentoring the future

Tree stand safety Page 3Mule deer management Page 6

See Whitetails, Page 6

See Mentoring, Page 3

See Fishing, Page 5

State has manyopportunities to getnew hunters into field

www.OutdoorNebraska.org

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Page 2 Outdoor Nebraska

Outdoor Nebraskais published by the Nebraska Game

and Parks CommissionCopyright 2008

Commission OfficesHeadquarters

2200 N. 33rd St.P.O. Box 30370

Lincoln, NE 68503-0370(402) 471-0641

www.OutdoorNebraska.org

Alliance299 Husker Rd., Box 725Alliance, NE 69301-0725

(308) 763-2940

Bassett524 Panzer St., Box 508Bassett, NE 68714-0508

(402) 684-2921

North Platte301 E. State Farm Rd.

North Platte, NE 69101-0430(308) 535-8025

Norfolk2201 N. 13th St.

Norfolk, NE 68701-2267(402) 370-3374

Kearney1617 First Ave.

Kearney, NE 68847-6057(308) 865-5310

Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31

Gretna, NE 68028(402) 332-3901

Omaha1212 Bob Gibson Blvd.

Omaha, NE 68108-2020(402) 595-2144

CommissionersChairman:

James Ziebarth, Wilcox Vice Chairman:

George E. Hall, Bridgeport2nd Vice Chairman:Jerrod Burke, Curtis

Dr. Mark Pinkerton, WilberRon Stave, Waterloo

Dr. Kent Forney, LincolnLynn Berggren,

Broken BowMick Jensen, Blair

Director: Rex AmackAssistant Directors:

Roger KuhnKirk NelsonSam Sidner

StaffAdministrator, Information& Education: Doug Bauch

Editing and Design:Jerry Kane

Outdoor NebraskaVol. 17, No. 2

Under federal and/or state law,discrimination is prohibited on thebasis of race, color, religion, age,

gender, marital status, national ori-gin, disability or political affiliation.If you think you have been discrim-

inated against in any program,activity or facility or want more

information, contact the AffirmativeAction Officer, Nebraska Gameand Parks Commission, Lincoln,

NE, 402-471-0641; the EqualOpportunity Commission, Lincoln,

NE, 402-471-2024, TTY / TDD402-471-4693. USFWS, Division of

Bird Habitat and Conservation,Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401

North Fairfax Drive, MBSP 4020,Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Printed on recycled paper with soy ink byJacob North Companies, Lincoln, NE.

By Tiffani GerberTraditionally, men hunted

and women turned the wildgame into a savory dish. Thatis changing, as women arebecoming more comfortablewhen venturing outdoors bythemselves or with family andfriends.

Women now have theopportunity to learn valuableskills that enable them toenjoy the wealth of naturalresources offered in Nebraska.Residents are fortunate tohave conservation groups andretailers that understand theimportance of hands-on workshops for women.Nebraska Wild TurkeyFederation offers Women inthe Outdoors events.Trailblazers ResourceConservation andDevelopment has a Women’sWilderness Weekend. Therealso are sporting goods storesthat offer day events.Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a program offeredby the Nebraska Game andParks Commission.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is aimed at givingwomen a chance to learnoutdoor skills in a nonthreatening andnoncompetitive environment.Each workshop is anexperience filled with fun

activities, hands-on learningexperiences, skill building,and opportunities for camaraderie and newfriendships.

BOW provides an idealforum for women to learnabout outdoors sports withintroductory level classes.Participant ages range from18 to 80-plus years. Beforethey drive to the heart of the

Nebraska Sandhills, thesewomen are receptionists,realtors, business managers,teachers, universityprofessors, mothers andwives. These women feel freeto learn things they’ve neverlearned before in anenvironment free of the usualdistractions. They can getaway and just be themselves.

The workshop’s classes

reflect Nebraska’s uniqueresources. At a typicalworkshop, you choose classesfrom a list of activities thatare balanced among hunting,fishing, and nonharvest pursuits such as camping andcanoeing. BOW is offered inthe fall every year.Registration begins in Apriland the workshop fills quickly.

BOW has also expanded tooffer Beyond BOW eventsthat offer single-topic or mini-BOW adventures that includeturkey and deer hunts, icefishing, kayaking, tank floatsand more. The Beyond BOWconcept was spurred on byrequests from women whowanted to take the next step inlearning following their BOWexperience.

The growth of BOW meanswe are reaching more womenand providing them with avenue to learn not justoutdoor skills, but also moreabout themselves. Researchshows that women who attendBOW are more likely to huntor fish in the future thanwomen who do not attend aworkshop. Women all acrossthe country have said BOWchanged their lives.

For more information onBOW and other women’sevents, go online toNebraskaBOW.com.

(Tiffani Gerber is a staffassistant in the Commission’sEngineering Division and aBOW participant.)

By Jerry KaneNebraska’s heritage is closely tied to its

outdoor recreation, and hunting andfishing are deeply embedded in that culture. While the state has not beenimmune to the national trend of declining participation by hunters and anglers, thereis a plan in place to reverse that trend.

The Nebraska Game and ParksCommission has undertaken a 20-yearplan to ensure the proper place of thestate’s outdoor heritage. TheHunter/Angler Recruitment,Development and Retention plan wasapproved by the Board of Commissionersin March.

The goals of the plan are:• Recruitment of Youth Hunters and

Anglers,• Recruitment of New Adult Hunters

and Anglers,• Recruitment of Lapsed Hunters and

Anglers,• Development and Retention of

Existing Hunters and Anglers, and• Support of Hunting and Fishing by

All Citizenry in Nebraska.The plan is designed to implement

education, marketing, access andresearch strategies that ultimately willhelp the Commission reach the goals.

The mission of the Commission is:“Stewardship of the state’s fish, wildlife,parks and outdoor recreation resources inthe best long-term interests of the peopleand those resources.”

Nebraskans become stewards of thoseresources because the permit fees andexcise taxes they pay fund conservationand hunting and fishing benefits healthywildlife populations. MaintainingNebraskans’ involvement in hunting andfishing ensures they will remain stewardsfor generations to come.

Hunters and anglers contributed $75billion to the economy nationwide in2006, and Nebraskans contributed $376million to the state’s economy, accordingto the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Hunter and angler participation isnecessary to maintain that funding forconservation and to maintain healthywildlife populations.

The plan emphasizes strategies that canimpact a broad spectrum of outdoorenthusiasts. Creators of the plandeveloped a set of actions to beimplemented with partners andCommission personnel.

Hunting and fishing providesenjoyment for thousands of Nebraskansfor different reasons. Many like theaspect of participating with family orfriends. Their pursuits put food on thetable for themselves and others.

But being outdoors also has physicaland mental benefits. Hunting and fishingbring the opportunity to exercise the

body and relieve stress from the mind.These activities also can be tied to otheroutdoor ventures such as boating, hiking,and camping.

One key is to attract more youth to hunting and fishing. Research has shownthat most long-term participants in huntingand fishing began before the age of 20.

By attracting new adult hunters andanglers, a segment of the population isreached that has limited leisure time buthigher income. Nearly half of all activehunters are age 35-55 years. This groupalso is likely to have children that mayparticipate, as well. Also, 33 percent ofhunters start after the age of 20.

Existing hunters and anglers have anopportunity to purchase multiple permits,but they are more likely to do so if theirunderstanding of hunting and fishingincreases. Research suggests people canbecome long-term participants if theirskills, opportunities and understandingare developed.

Public support of hunting and fishingby Nebraskans is important for the futureof those pursuits. Research shows that 75percent of state residents support legalhunting and 95 percent support legal fishing. Strong public support is neededfor participation in those sports to growand for the success of conservation programs in the future.

(Jerry Kane is a public informationofficer in the Commission’s Informationand Education Division.)

Participants in a Becoming an Outdoors-Womanworkshop may develop skills in canoeing.

Commission tackles recruitment plan

Women’s opportunities growingBOW just oneoffering to honeoutdoor skills

Agency looking at waysto increase participationin hunting, fishing

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Fall 2008 Page 3

By Tim McCoyLands enrolled in the federal

Conservation Reserve Program(CRP) typically provideNebraska hunters opportunitiesfor great mixed-bag huntingacross the state.

This fall, hunters also maysee a mixed bag of conditionson the CRP fields they hunt.This includes changes inenrollments and conditions onacres where public access isprovided through CRP-Management Access Program(MAP).

At the end of May, the U.S.Department of Agriculture(USDA) announced that morethan 1.1 million (more than 80percent) of Nebraska’s CRPacres would be eligible forCritical Feed Use to help

reduce the impact of highgrain prices on livestock producers. As a result, huntersshould expect see more CRPthat has been hayed or grazedthan ever before.

On the other hand, hayingand grazing can provide anopportunity to improve theeffectiveness of mid-contractmanagement activities onCRP. The impacts on uplandbird production this year areexpected to be minimal, ashaying and grazing will begin

after the bulk of nesting hasbeen completed, but late harvest of CRP acres will notallow needed regrowth fornesting next spring.

With increasing cash rentvalues, especially in theeastern third of the state,many landowners with expiring CRP land may convert expiring acres back tocrop production. In 2008, theimpact will be relativelysmall, with contracts on 3.5percent of the state’s 1.25

million CRP acres expiring.The biggest impact has beenfelt in northeast Nebraska.Fifteen percent of CRP acresin that region went into cropproduction last year, withmore to come this year.

Under the newly passedFood, Conservation, andEnergy Act of 2008, the CRPwill become smaller, requiringa reduction in the program fromthe current 34.7 million acres to32 million acres by 2010.

Nebraska landowners stillmay enroll wildlife habitat inContinuous CRP practices,such as those for enrollingwetlands, filter strips, fieldborders, and buffer strips, andin the state’s two ConservationReserve EnhancementPrograms (CREP).

In late May, enrollmentbegan in the new State AcresFor wildlife Enhancement(SAFE) began, which includesstatewide opportunity to enrollfields or portions of fields inhigh quality habitat for uplandbirds.

SAFE also provides oppor-tunities for landowners innortheast and southeastNebraska that are targeted tohelp greater-prairie chickens.At the same time, enrollmentwas reopened in the CentralBasins CREP for more than16,000 new acres of pivotcorners and small fields.

(Tim McCoy is the agriculture program managerin the Commission’s WildlifeDivision.)

Hunters may find variety of CRP conditionsCRP-MAP Atlas

Check out the free 2008 CRP-MAP Atlas, available inSeptember from the Nebraska Game and ParksCommission. For more hunting information, read the 2008Nebraska Guide to Hunting and Public Lands.

For More InformationAll Mentored Youth Hunt OpportunitiesAaron Hershberger, Nebraska Game andParks Commission, (402) 471-6144 oraaron.hershberger@ngpc.ne.gov

Pheasants Forever Mentored HuntsNebraska PF’s State Office, (308) 754-5339www.nebraskapf.com

National Wild Turkey Federation HuntsAaron Hershberger, NGPC, (402) 471-6144oraaron.hershberger@ngpc.ne.govDennis Conger, NWTF, (402) 933-5601

Duck Callers Association of NebraskaLuke Hazuka, DCAN, (402) 235-3454

Waterfowl Blind and Other YouthWaterfowl OpportunitiesAaron Hershberger, NGPC, (402) 471-6144oraaron.hershberger@ngpc.ne.gov

might not otherwise have theopportunity to take up archeryhunting. The young hunters learneverything needed to be successfulin pursuing white-tailed deer,including scouting, tree standplacement and safety, as well as thearchery skills needed to be aresponsible hunter. The MYAPcontinues to grow as new lands andqualified mentors are recruited.

For those interested in learningabout upland bird hunting, NebraskaPheasants Forever (PF) has joinedwith the Commission. Each year, PFchapters around the state host mentored hunts where new huntereducation graduates can discoverthe challenges and thrills of wing-shooting practice, bird dogs,habitat and take part in an upland

bird hunt. Last year, more than 50such hunts took place and more than900 youth were involved, many ofwhich would not have otherwisehad the chance to hunt.

If taking advantage of the state’sbooming turkey populations soundsinteresting, check out the partnership between theCommission and some ofNebraska’s chapters of the NationalWild Turkey Federation (NWTF).Many of the local NWTF volunteers have created mentoredturkey hunts in the spring and fall.Mentors trained by the Commissionteach new hunters some techniquesin calling turkeys, as well as set-upstrategies and turkey habits, whilechasing these birds.

Waterfowl hunts also areavailable through several local conservation groups, includingchapters of Ducks Unlimited andthe Duck Callers Association ofNebraska (DCAN). DCAN is

hosting its annual Don PlowmanMemorial Youth Hunt this fall forseveral interested young waterfowlers. The event includes aweekend workshop that teachesnew hunters bird identification,decoys, calling and much more.

Also, thanks to the Papio-Missouri River Natural ResourcesDistrict and Eagle Scout ColeWatts, a new duck blind is beingprepared for mentored youth huntson the Platte River near Gretna.

Several organized efforts aregetting young hunters into thefield. But the sky really is the limitthanks to special youth-onlyseasons and special youth-permits.In fact, anyone can serve as a mentor and help feel the need ofnew sportsman or outdoor woman.

(Aaron Hershberger is anoutdoor education specialist in theCommission’s Information andEducation Division.)

MentoringContinued from Page 1

By Tom KeithTree stands are a basic tool of

many deer hunters, but they canbe dangerous if not usedcorrectly.

Nebraska Hunter EducationCoordinator Mike Streeter of theNebraska Game and ParksCommission says most tree standaccidents are caused bycarelessness and can be avoidedby following 12 easy steps.Here’s how:

1 Inspect the stand, steps andsafety belt carefully before

leaving home to determine if theyare in good condition, rather thanfinding repairs are needed whenyou are in the woods.

2 When inspecting your stand,look for missing and/or

broken fasteners, braces, frames,seats and platforms and replacemissing parts.

3 Place the stand in a spotwhere you can get into and

out of the tree and the standsafely and easily, regardless of

weather conditions.

4 Put the stand on the tree inthe manner recommended by

the manufacturer.

5 Think carefully aboutinstalling portable steps.

Visualize a step breaking whileyou are climbing into or out ofthe tree. Use only steps that are inperfect condition.

6Always use a rope to getequipment into and out of

the stand; never climb into thestand with equipment hangingfrom your body.

7Always wear a full-bodyharness from the time you are

on the ground before climbing intothe stand, until you are back on theground after climbing down.

8 When climbing, use thethree-point method, which

means at least three parts of yourbody – two hands and one foot, ortwo feet and one hand – alwaysare in contact with the tree.

9 Once in the stand, attachyour harness to the tree.

Taking off the belt is the last thingyou do before climbing down.

10 Never use a stand madeof lumber and nails; they

are very dangerous.

11 Remain calm when adeer approaches. Some

hunters become so excited whenthey see a deer that they forgetwhere they are and accidentallyfall from the stand. Others forgetthey are in a stand and try to walktoward the deer after they shoot.Taking a step off of a tree standplatform may result in injury,even if you are wearing a safetybelt.

12After taking a shot, sitand calm down. Wait at

least 30 minutes if you are sureyou have made a perfect shot. Ifyour shot placement was notperfect, wait even longer.

(Tom Keith is a public information officer in theCommission’s Information andEducation Division.)

12 Steps to Tree Stand Safety

Learning the proper use of tree stand equipment is essential to a safe hunt.

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By Jeff FieldsA variety of hands-on

activities await visitors to theFourth Annual Missouri RiverOutdoor Expo, which is set forSept. 20-21 at Ponca State Park.

Last year, more than 38,000visitors participated in 75activities for all ages on avariety of outdoor pursuits,including hunting, camping,fishing, shooting sports,kayaking/canoeing, outdoorcooking, wildlife observation,dog training, and much more.

The objectives of this eventare many, but focus primarilyupon introducing orreacquainting participantswith those services orprograms sponsored by theNebraska Game and ParksCommission and otheroutdoors partners. With thehelp of sponsors and morethan 300 local volunteers, thisintroduction is done viahands-on outdoor activitiesand demonstrations that arefree to the public.

Ultimately, after attendingthis event, a grandparent orparent may buy or dust offthat fishing pole, Dutch oven,tent, or shotgun, take a familymember outdoors, andperpetuate an outdoor tradition.

Featured again at this year’sExpo will be the Splash Dogs– a national touring dog jumpcompetition. This competitionwill include opportunities forlocal dogs, along with national jumpers. In 2007, alocal Labrador retrieverjumped more than 22 feet.

Other popular activities willinclude shooting sports(shotgun, muzzleloader, pelletgun, and .22 rifles), outdoorcooking demonstrations, liveanimals (courtesy of Omaha’sHenry Doorly Zoo), fish andturtle tanks, Missouri Riverboat tours, and kayaking.

A variety of outdoorvendors will display fishingtackle, hunting equipment,wildlife artists, ATVs, RVs,

and boats. Food vendors willprovide everything fromfunnel cakes to burgers.Guided hayrack shuttles willprovide fun transportationthroughout event at the beautiful state park.

The Commission, ScheelsAll Sports, Interstate Batteries,Pheasants Forever, KTIV-TVin Sioux City, Iowa, GreatPlains Communications, Z98,The Better Ponca Foundation,Nebraska Lottery, and Friends

of the NRA are this year’smajor sponsors. These andother sponsors help keep theExpo free to the public.

(Jeff Fields is the PoncaState Park superintendent.)

Missouri River Expohas plenty of funon tap for all ages

Page 4 Outdoor Nebraska

By Tom KeithThe song goes, “. . . summertime

and the livin’ is easy . . .” and it’sinviting you to float Nebraska’s sceniccanoe trails, other canoeable streamsor rivers, or paddle around on one ofthe state’s many lakes or reservoirs.

The majority of Nebraska’s riversflow gently during most of the year,making them ideal for family outingsand teaching an inexperienced personhow to handle a canoe. The list ofcanoe trails includes the Calamus,Cedar, Dismal, Elkhorn, Missouri,Niobrara, North Loup, Platte, andRepublican rivers.

Some rivers have public camping siteswhere canoeists may camp overnight.These sites are well signed and have pittoilets and fire rings. Other areas opento camping are state recreation andwildlife management areas along therivers, or in some cases, nearby cityparks. Permission must be obtainedbefore camping on private propertyalong the rivers.

The Nebraska Game and ParksCommission has a set of maps thatlocate each of the canoe trails and listsrules and regulations, generalinformation and points of interestalong the routes. They are availablefrom Commission offices, or can bedownloaded from the Commission’sWeb site at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Pack the heaviest of your gear onthe bottom in the center of the canoefor proper balance and to keep thecanoe properly trimmed, whichmeans the least amount of impact on

balance and maneuverability. Keepgear below gunwales and tie it downto keep it from moving around insidethe canoe.

Always check the weather forecastbefore you leave, keep an eye onconditions while you are on the waterand get off the water at the first signof high winds or lightning.

If the canoe capsizes, stay with it. Ifyou are in water shallow enough towade, pull the canoe with you andwade to shore.

As with all outdoor activities, tellsomeone where you are going and

when you plan to return.People interested in enjoying fall

color while canoeing should float theNiobrara (which not many people doin the fall), the upper Niobrara, theElkhorn or the Dismal rivers. Thecolor usually begins coming on by thelast week of September or the firstweek in October on the Dismal andNiobrara; the others usually by thesecond or third week in October.

(Tom Keith is a public informationofficer in the Commission’sInformation and Education Division.)

Gear for CanoeingHere are some important items thatshould be included on a canoeing trip:

• waterproof bags• first aid kit• drinking water• sunscreen • insect repellant• sharp belt knife• hat• shirt to prevent sunburn• rain gear in a spot where you can

easily get to it• comfortable PFD• extra paddle

Enjoy a relaxing canoe trip in Nebraska

There’s nothing better than a fall color cruise down the Niobrara River for a scenic canoe trip.

State has manyriver trails to takeadvantage of in fall

Never been in a kayak? Come to Ponca State Park and float on the Missouri River.

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Fall 2008 Page 5

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park(402) 873-7222

Sept. 20-21 – Arbor Lodge andNebraska City Apple Jack Festival, 9a.m.-5 p.m.Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19 – Living HistoryDemonstrations, 1-5 p.m.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park(402) 944-2523

Sept. 13 – Moonshell StorytellingFestival, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.Sept. 19 – Nebraska Star Party StarGazing, dusk-11 p.m.Oct. 4-5 – Autumn Harvest Art Show,Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-4p.m.Oct. 24-26 – Holiday Craft Show andOld West Cookout, Oct. 24, 4-8 p.m.,Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-3p.m.Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day Buffet,7:30-10 a.m. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park(402) 468-5611

Sept. 6-7, Oct. 4-5 – Living HistoryDemonstration, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fort Kearny State Historical Park(308) 865-5305

Aug. 30-31, Sept. 1 – Labor DayWeekend, Aug. 30-31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.,Sept. 1, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Indian Cave State Park(402) 883-2575

Oct. 10-11, 17-18 – Haunted HollowHayrack Rides, 7:30 p.m.

Ponca State Park(402) 755-2284

Sept. 4-7 – Missouri River HistoryConferenceSept. 6 – Archery Sight-in Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Sept. 20-21 – Missouri River OutdoorExpoOct. 4, 11 – Hallowfest, all day andeveningNov. 1 – Muzzleloader Sight-in Day, 10a.m.-3 p.m.

For more detailed information on theseparks events, go online toOutdoorNebraska.org, and click onOutdoor Calendar.

alewives, in particular, still can befound in abundance in the fall and canmake the fishing morechallenging on waters where thosebaitfish are common. But even onwaters with an abundance of naturalprey, the fall feeding binge will makeit easier for anglers to catch fish thanit was during the dog days of summer.

Anglers fishing Nebraska reservoirs where gizzard shad oralewives are the most abundantprey should look for concentrationsof those baitfish in the fall. Hybridstriped bass, walleyes, or evenmuskies likely will be found closeto those baitfish. In a typical fall,the baitfish and predators will tendto move toward deeper water as thewater cools; start the fall lookingfor fish in shallow water in creekarms or bays and move towardsdeeper water and the main body ofthe reservoir as fall progresses.

Productive presentations will

range from lures and baits that canbe used in shallow water early inthe fall to those made for deepwater fishing in late fall. It isgenerally a good idea to try to“match the hatch” by imitating themost abundant baitfish in size,shape, and color. Keep in mind thatthose baitfish have been growingall summer and are larger in thefall. Also consider that predatorfish are fattening up for the winterby selecting for large prey items inthe fall. Using big baits for big fishis probably most true in the fall.

As water temperatures cool inlate fall, some species of baitfishwill become stressed and begin todie. Predator fish love easy mealsand will take advantage of weakened baitfish in the coolingwaters of late fall. Anglers whoimitate those dying baitfish withtheir presentations can experiencesome of the best fishing of the year.

(Daryl Bauer is the lakes andreservoirs program manager forthe Commission’s FisheriesDivision.)

FishingContinued from Page 1

By Jerry KaneIt’s hard to beat a camping

trip at a Nebraska state parkarea for an enjoyable fallouting. The trip can be aquiet, primitive getaway forthe weekend or the basis fortaking part in some of theparks’ many events andactivities.

Nebraska’s state park areasnever close. Planning a trip,buying a permit, andreserving a campsite are aseasy as going to the NebraskaGame and ParksCommission’s Web site atOutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska has more than 70state park areas that offercamping.

“Go adventuring to a parkyou have never been to before,or enjoy your favorite statepark during the fall or winter,”said Suzanne Ridder, theCommission’s administrativeassistant for parks. “Theadvantages of fall campinginclude more opportunities forchoice sites, enhanced wildlifeviewing because of thetranquility of the season, fallcolors, and crisp eveningsaround a campfire.”

Ridder said winter campingrates will go into effect asearly as mid-October andadded that electricity isavailable year-round.

In addition to activities suchas hiking, fishing, orcanoeing, many parks alsohave a variety of scheduledevents in the fall.

And what better way isthere to take in Nebraska’sfall colors than in a state park

area? Whether on foot or on abike, you can witness thechange of seasons at yourown pace.

When preparing for a camping trip, comfort iscritical. Know what kind ofweather Mother Nature mightbring and plan accordingly.Have the proper clothing andgear to ensure your warmthinside and outside the tent.

What you bring on your tripdepends on what you plan ondoing. Plan on cooking over acampfire or will you use apropane stove? Are you goingto be fishing for your dinneror be opening a can of stew?

Take along what you needfor your trip but also what willfit in your vehicle. There’s nopoint in packing some gearthat probably won’t be used,especially if you can use thatroom in the vehicle forsomething like extra fire woodor an extra tarp.

You never can be too

prepared. A first aid kit andradio with fresh batteries are amust. Make sure you chargeyour cell phone before the tripand have a list of emergencyphone numbers for the area inwhich you will be camping inthe rare event that you will

need them. The best way toensure you bring everythingyou need is to make acamping checklist and keep itin your camping box.

It’s also important to be acourteous and responsiblecamper. Observe quiet hours,

properly extinguish campfires,and dispose of trash. Leavethe campsite with no tracethat you were there.

(Jerry Kane is a publicinformation officer in theCommission’s Informationand Education Division.)

Camping in fall has lots of advantages

Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area is one of the state’s many ideal fall camping sites.

Fall State Park Events

Many activitiesmay be enjoyedfrom base instate park area

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Nebraska has some of thefinest state park areas inthe nation, andReserveAmerica’s annuallist of the country’s Top100 Family Campgroundsconfirms that. Make reser-vations online atOutdoorNebraska.org. Theaward categories, and theNebraska honorees, are:

Top 100 FamilyCampgroundsEugene T. Mahoney SPFort Robinson SPPonca SP

Top 25 Amazing SpotsFort Robinson SP

Top 25 Biking TrailsChadron SPPlatte River SP

Top 25Bird-Watching SpotsFort Kearny SRAPonca SP

Top 25 Canoeing SpotsPonca SPSmith Falls SP

Top 25 Educational andHistorical FacilitiesFort Robinson SPPonca SP

Top 50 Fishing SpotsCalamus Reservoir SRALake McConaughy SRALake Ogallala SRA

Top 50 Hiking TrailsFort Robinson SPIndian Cave SPPonca SP

Top 25 Kid-Friendly ParksEugene T. Mahoney SPFort Robinson SP

Top 25 Park BeachesCalamus Reservoir SRALake McConaughy SRA

Top 25 Picnic AreasNiobrara SPPlatte River SP

Top 25 Romantic SpotsEugene T. Mahoney SPPonca SP

Top 25 Scenic ViewsFort Robinson SRANiobrara SP

Top 25 Tours and EventsEugene T. Mahoney SPNiobrara SP

Top 25 Unique CabinsFort Robinson SPTwo Rivers SRA

Top 100 Family Campgrounds

By Jerry KaneMore people than ever are taking

advantage of Nebraska’s fall wildturkey hunting opportunities.

Those opportunities have increasedover the years via liberalizedregulations and men, women andchildren have responded by putting foodon the table and meat in the freezer.

Many turkey hunters prefer thespring season, when they can call aturkey into shooting range. But the fallseason has seen increased permitssales seven of the past eight years.And since 2002, permit sales haveincreased 85 percent.

There’s a good reason for theincrease in permits sold, too. It’s thebirds. The Nebraska turkey populationhas increased 400 percent since 2002,when rural mail carriers spotted anaverage of 1.13 turkeys per 100 miles.This year, that number increased to6.13.

That increasing turkey populationover the years – and the increasingcrop damage caused by those turkeys– has resulted in the loosening of hunting regulations. In 2004, permitsbecame unlimited in number and validstatewide. The shotgun season waslengthened in 2005 and shotgun andarchery seasons were extended to theend of December in 2006. Last year,the fall turkey bag limit was increased

from one to two, so with thetwo-permit limit, hunters now maytake up to four birds. Also in 2007, the12-year minimum age requirement tohunt turkeys in the fall was removed.

While hunters may have no morethan two permits, those permits maybe two archery, two shotgun or one ofeach. Landowners may have two permits, only one being a landowner permit.

The fall always has been a greattime to hunt in Nebraska, especiallyfor turkeys. Sportsmen find less hunting pressure than in the springseason and use their fall hunt as achance to scout for the deer season.More women and children also arehunting turkeys as programs for themhave expanded.

Fall turkey permits are $24 for residents and $86 for nonresidents.

Hunters who fill out applicationforms to buy permits are asked tosubmit current e-mail addresses. TheCommission uses e-mail surveys toestimate turkey harvest and determinehunter opinions about future huntingopportunities.

Permits may be purchased online atwww.OutdoorNebraska.org.

(Jerry Kane is a public informationofficer in the Commission’sInformation and Education Division.)

Page 6 Outdoor Nebraska

we probably need to be at 45 percentor higher,” he said. “So ourpopulation is still growing in manyof the units.”

Recognizing the fact that mosthunters only want to harvest one deer– 70 percent of 89,000 deer huntersbought only one of the 124,000permits sold – the Commission willlaunch a Deer Exchange Programthis fall to help match hunters withpeople who want deer but can’t ordon’t hunt.

Other changes for 2008 include theaddition of four new Season Choiceareas in central Nebraska, whichmeans the entire state is nowincluded in one of these areas, wherehunters can use these antlerless permits in the archery, muzzleloader,November firearm and Januaryfirearm seasons. Landowner permitsnow can be used in any season aswell, as can youth permits, whichlast year were not valid in January.

While Commission game managersare focusing on reducing the whitetail herd, a benefit of having alarger herd is having more maturebucks age 2½ or older. In 2007, 64percent of the bucks harvested fit thatdescription, a higher percentage thanin the 1960s when some units wereopened to hunting for the first timein modern history.

This means hunters can be picky, if

they aren’t already, and hold out fora true trophy. “If you want qualitybucks where you hunt, pass on thelittle bucks and shoot a doe or shoota buck that’s bigger than one you’veever shot before,” Hams said.

“I would guess it’s going to be thebest year we’ve ever seen inessentially all categories:opportunity, harvest of both bucks anddoes and age structure,” Hams said.

(Eric Fowler is a regional editorfor NEBRASKAland magazine.)

WhitetailsContinued from Page 1

By Bob GrierHistorically, mule deer were found

across Nebraska, but the reduction ofthe open spaces used by mule deer andthe westward expansion of white-tailed deer populations have changedNebraska’s deer herds significantly.

Hunters and wildlife biologists seemule deer populations impacted bycontinuing habitat loss and theincreased competition from white-tailed deer that are more adaptable andbiologically able to breed earlier andmore likely to bear twin fawns.

“Fragmentation of mule deer habitatand the mule deer’s visibility in openterrain, even their characteristic stop tolook back before moving out of thehunter’s sights, increases theopportunity to harvest mule deer,” saidTodd Nordeen, Panhandle wildlifemanager for the Nebraska Game andParks Commission. “White-tailed doescan breed as fawns and white-taileddeer are much more elusive in thehabitat they tend to select, as well.”

Mule deer are abundant in Nebraska’s10 western deer units, common in fourcentral units and rare in four easternunits where cropland conversion ofgrassland habitats is extensive.

“Nebraska’s statewide mule deerherd is at a historic high, at least forthe past 120 years,” said Kit Hams, theCommission’s big game programmanager. “We are in a fortunate position in that our mule deer issuesare manageable. We have had success

in increasing mule deer herds in mostunits with a basic strategy of protecting does from harvest.”

According to Nordeen, Commissionmule deer management efforts have

attempted to respond to changing muledeer and whitetail populations over theyears. The Commission has taken anumber of steps this year to reduce pressure on the mule deer herd. Theharvest of antlerless mule deer is veryrestricted in seven of the 14 managementunits where the species is common. Thatrestriction has been in place in some ofthose units for a decade or more.

A restriction in the Pine Ridge unitprohibits the harvest of antlerless muledeer, for all weapons and seasons, atFort Robinson State Park, SoldierCreek National Wilderness Area,Peterson Wildlife Management Area(WMA) and the new Fort Robinson

WMA. The mule deer population onpublic land in that area has declinedsignificantly in recent years.

“Reducing doe harvest is one of thekey ways to impact mule deer numbers,” Nordeen said. “Each regionof western Nebraska may requiredifferent approaches, but we feel therestriction on the new special management unit for 2008 has the bestchance to be successful. Deer hunterswill still be able to harvest antleredmule deer on the special managementarea in 2008.”

Commission wildlife managers tookanother step in the Frenchman, Platteand Republican units this year toprotect bucks as well as does bycutting the number of tags that allowthe harvest of a mule deer buck. Thenumber of permits that allow theharvest of any whitetail in those unitswas increased proportionally.

Additionally, while half of thepermits in the Buffalo unit will allow theharvest of either sex of either species,half of the permits will not allow theharvest of antlerless mule deer.

“Like all of the regulations needed toproperly manage Nebraska’s wildliferesources, hunter cooperation andunderstanding plays a critical role in thesuccess of this effort,” Nordeen said.“Our hope is that hunters in future deerseasons will see increased numbers ofmule deer on our western ranges.”

Mule deer buck harvest has doubledin the Calamus East, Loup East, KeyaPaha, and Missouri units since 2003,indicating an increase in herd size.

(Bob Grier is the districtinformation officer in theCommission’s Alliance office.)

Deer Exchange ProgramA new program awaits

Nebraskans this fall that will unitedeer hunters with people whowant to receive deer meat. TheDeer Exchange is a pilot programof the Nebraska Game and ParksCommission.

This program will bringtogether, via a database atOutdoorNebraska.org, hunters(donors) who have deer or deermeat they are willing to giveaway, and citizens (recipients)who want to receive the meat orwhole deer. There is no cost toenter the program and no moneymay exchange hands betweendonors and recipients.

It is up to the donor and therecipient to make arrangementsfor the transfer of deer. TheCommission is not responsiblefor the quality of the deer or thefailure of the donor or recipient tofollow through with the transfer.

Hunters taking advantageof fall turkey possibilities

No-DoesHarvesting antlerless mule deer isprohibited in these units during theNovember firearm season:

Calamus East Keya PahaRepublican Loup EastPlatte MissouriFrenchman

The mule deer population is below desired levels in the Republicanunit, where an antlerless restriction has been in place since 2003.

Mule deer managed for growthRestricting harvestof antlerless deerkey part of strategy

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Fall 2008 Page 7

2008-09 Hunting SeasonsUpland Species Dates Daily Bag Poss.Squirrel Aug. 1 - Jan. 31 7 28Cottontail Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 7 28Jackrabbit1 Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 4 16Dove Sept. 1 - Oct. 30 15 30Common Snipe Sept. 1 - Dec. 16 8 16Virginia & Sora Rail Sept. 1 - Nov. 9 10 20Woodcock Sept. 20 - Nov. 3 3 6Grouse-West Zone Sept. 13 - Dec. 31 3 12Grouse-East Zone2 Sept. 13 - Dec. 31 3 3Youth Pheasant, Quail and Partridge3 Oct. 18 - Oct. 19 2 4Pheasant Oct. 25 - Jan. 31 3 12Quail Oct. 25 - Jan. 31 6 24Partridge Oct. 25 - Jan. 31 3 12

1No open season east of U.S. Highway 812A special permit is required east of U.S. Highway 813Two of each species allowed in the bag, four in possession

AntelopeArchery4................ Aug. 20 - Nov. 14 and Nov. 24 - Dec. 31Muzzleloader ..............................................Sept. 20 - Oct. 5Firearm................................................................Oct. 11 - 26

4Closed during firearm season

DeerArchery ................Sept. 15 - Nov. 14 and Nov. 24 - Dec. 31Firearm ..............................................................Nov. 15 - 23Muzzleloader ........................................................Dec. 1 - 31Special Seasons ........See 2008 Nebraska Big Game Guide

Fall TurkeyArchery ....................Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 and Nov. 24 - Dec. 31Shotgun..................Oct. 11 - Nov. 14 and Nov. 24 - Dec. 31

Waterfowl SeasonsThe 2008 waterfowl hunting seasons were set following the

deadline for this issue. Information is available now atOutdoorNebraska.org and in the 2008 Nebraska WaterfowlGuide, available in mid-September.

Harvest Information ProgramAll hunters must register with HIP before hunting doves,

ducks, coot, geese, rail, snipe or woodcock. Call 1-877-634-8687or go to OutdoorNebraska.org.

Wildlife CrimestoppersIf you see a game law violation, report it to the Nebraska

Wildlife Crimestoppers toll-free hotline at 1-800-742-7627.

By Tom KeithThe Nebraska Game and

Parks Commission, along withother conservation agencies,has been involved since the1970s in an effort to eliminatelead poisoning. At that time,2-3 million ducks and geesewere lost to lead poisoningannually nationwide. Thattotal was 10 times the numberof waterfowl harvested byNebraska hunters then.

Lead poisoning occurredwhen birds swallowed leadpellets by inadvertentlypicking them up while feedingon seeds or plant matter.

Over the years, hundreds oftons of lead shot of all sizesaccumulated in favoritemarshes and fields wherewaterfowl congregated andfantastic build-ups of leadshot occurred.

Studies showed that 3-5 percent of the waterfowlsampled in Nebraska hadingested lead shot.

The 10 states that make upthe Central Flyway Councilagreed to convert entirely tosteel shot for waterfowlhunting by 1987. TheCommission took the lead andset the 1985 waterfowl seasonas the target date for Nebraska’stotal conversion to steel shot forwaterfowl hunting.

In 1991, the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service (USFWS)banned the use of lead shotfor waterfowl hunting across

the country. Nontoxic shotalso is required for all shotgunhunting on federal waterfowlproduction areas, nationalwildlife refuges and somestate wildlife managementareas, as posted.

Many hunters questionedthe performance of steel shot,and in response to theircomplaints and suggestions,several other types of nontoxic shot have beendeveloped.

“The reason we wanted toeliminate lead from theenvironment is that it is ahealth issue for both humansand wildlife,” said Kirk Nelson,a Commission assistant director. “Why put a knownenvironmental toxin out there?There are nontoxic substitutesthat cost a little more. but theirbenefits to the environment arewell worth the cost.

“State and federal authorities are talking aboutrequiring nontoxic shot forhunting game birds andanimals,” he said. “One of thespecies being considered is themourning dove. Dove huntersshoot lead shot, and they shootmore lead shot than any othergroup of hunters in the wholeMidwest Flyway. If we finddoves are ingesting lead shot,heavily-used hunting areas onpublic land that are managedfor doves would probably bethe first places where nontoxicshot would be required forhunting species other thanwaterfowl.”

Lead also kills by secondarypoisonings. Of some 650eagles examined between1967 and 1982, 7 percentwere diagnosed as dying fromlead poisoning – from eatingpoisoned birds. Other birdsand animals that feed on poisoned birds and ingest leadpellets may die or sufferdebilitating effects.

“There is also concern bothfor wildlife that eats carcassesshot with lead and for huntersthat consume game animalssuch as deer that are killed bylead bullets that fragment whenhitting bone,” Nelson said.

(Tom Keith is a publicinformation officer in theCommission’s Informationand Education Division.)

Use of nontoxic shot still criticalNontoxic Shot

The U.S. Fish and WildlifeService lists these as legaltypes of nontoxic shot:

steelbismuth-tintungsten-irontungsten-polymertungsten-matrixiron-tungsten-nickeltungsten-bronzetungsten-tin-bismuthtungsten-tin-nickel-irontungsten-tin-irontungsten-iron-copper-nickel

By Bob GrierIt is amazing how far a little

planning and preparation cango, especially when a fall hunting trip anywhere inNebraska is penciled in on yourcalendar. Is your fall trip fordeer, turkey, small game,grouse, pheasants, or waterfowl?

Even with the 2008 firearmdeer season, Nov. 15-23,impacting huntingopportunities – many otherseasons close during thefirearm deer season – it still iseasy to plan a “mixed-bag” fallhunt, especially before andafter the firearm deer season.

Here are some suggestionsthat may add significantly tothe enjoyment of your timeafield:

So, how about a small gameand turkey hunt this fall, or anycombination of the huntingseasons that run concurrently?

A mixed-bag hunt willrequire some additionalpreparation. Many areas ofNebraska offer the opportunityto hunt pheasants and grouse.

This year’s ConservationReserve Program ManagementAccess Plan (CRP-MAP) Atlascan be helpful. Time andvehicle fuel costs can bereduced and the public

walk-in-only access programswon’t require contacting private landowners for permission to hunt. Just plan tostop at several different CRP-MAP sites to and from yourdestination.

What to carry in addition toa shotgun, rifle and otherequipment? Shotgunners mayneed different loads and shotsizes for the different species,and waterfowlers will need toremember that carrying leadshot on a waterfowl outing isprohibited. Many public areasrequire nontoxic shot forupland and waterfowl hunting.Small-game hunters can uselighter shotgun loads or thestandard .22 rimfire rifle orhandgun on most areas.

Adding a predator hunt intothe trip requires additionalforethought and morespecialized equipment,although there are specialshotgun loadings available thatmake the shotgun very usefulfor predators up to the size ofcoyotes. During the Novemberfirearm deer season, onlyhunters with a valid unfilleddeer permit may hunt animalsother than deer with riflesusing center-fire cartridges.During that time, animals other

than deer may be hunted onlywith a shotgun, .22 rimfirerifle, a .22 rimfire handgun, ora smaller caliber rimfirehandgun or rifle.

At least 400 square inches ofhunter orange is required onthe head, back and chest at alltimes when hunting big game,including antelope, deer, elk orbighorn sheep with a firearmor muzzleloader during firearmor muzzleloader seasons,hunter orange is recommendedfor other hunts, and should beused for a mixed-bag season atother times of the year.

The 2008 Nebraska Guide toHunting and Public Lands lists300 publicly owned areas covering more than 800,000acres. The guide also includesarea-specific regulations, but ingeneral, unless otherwise posted, big game hunting isallowed on all wildlife management areas.

Beginning the Tuesday afterLabor Day, hunting also isallowed on most state recre-ation areas. Some of the areashave weapon restrictions.

(Bob Grier is the districtinformation officer in theCommission’s Alliance office.)

Opportunities endless forNebraska mixed-bag hunt Late Summer

Through Late October:Shorebird migrationAugust: Fishing for carp is goodin rivers, lakes and sandpitsAugust: Good panfishing atreservoirs, drifting through deepwater with worms. Pond fishingalso good at edges of weedbedsand coverAugust: Catfishing is good onmany rivers and lakes.Aug. 1: Squirrel season opens Aug. 15: Elk season opens(Boyd Unit)August-September: Whitebass, wiper fishing good onreservoirsAug. 20: Archery antelopeseason opensSept. 1: Cottontail and jackrabbit seasons openSept. 13: Grouse season opens

FallSeptember-October: Excellentbass fishing on farm ponds andsmall lakes.September-October: Walleye,white bass fishing good onmajor reservoirsMid-September: Elk in rut inPine Ridge, bulls bugle intoOctoberSept. 15: Archery deer seasonopensSept. 15: Youth, landowner andSeason Choice deer seasonsopenSept. 20: Muzzleloader antelopeseason opens

Sept. 20-21: Missouri RiverOutdoor Expo, PoncaSept. 27: Elk season opens(except Boyd Unit)Late September: Whoopingcrane, hawk migrations beginOct. 11: Firearm antelope season opensOct. 18: DeSoto muzzleloaderseason opensOct. 1: Fall archery turkey season opensOct. 1: Paddlefish snaggingseason opens on Missouri RiverOctober-November: Best troutfishing in Lake Ogallala andSutherland Supply CanalOctober-November: Brook troutin Pine Ridge streamsOctober-November: Walleyeand sauger at Gavins Point Damand Lewis and Clark LakeOctober-November: Fall colorpeaks at state parksOct. 11: Fall shotgun turkey season opensOct. 25: Pheasant, quail andpartridge seasons openNovember-December: Troutstocked in selected lakes forwinter fishingMid-November: First big pushof ducks and geese into thestate. Bald eagles begin tocongregateNov. 15: Firearm deer seasonopensDec. 1: Muzzleloader deerseason opensDec. 2: Bighorn sheep seasonopens

Outdoor Calendar

Fall 2008 Page 8

By Bob GrierEvery part of Nebraska offers something special

each year when the greens of summer take on theircolorful coat of festive fall colors. The gold, redsand oranges of fall are believed to be the domain ofNebraska’s forests and woodlands, but the state’sgrasslands, including the Sandhills and shortgrassprairies of the West, offer subtle and dramatic fallcolors of their own.

All of Nebraska’s riparian corridors and the PineRidge, although dominated by evergreens, provide arich variety of showy fall colors. All Nebraskans canfind beautiful fall color areas to tour near theirdoorsteps.

In the Pine Ridge, roads leading south and eastfrom Fort Robinson State Park (SP) and Crawfordalong Squaw Creek, then north and west along WestAsh Creek form a perfect scenic loop tour.

The West Ash Creek Loop travels through one ofthe state’s most colorful valleys, with hardwoodssuch as ash, as well as cottonwood, box elder, aspen,wild grape, poison ivy, woodbine, wild plum andother colorful fall vegetation. The road tour coverspublic and private land.

Let’s begin the West Ash Creek Loop tour.• Begin at the junction of U.S. Highway 20 and

Nebraska highways 71 and 2 just east of FortRobinson SP and Crawford. Travel south on thehighway to the Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area(WMA) sign and turn east (left) onto Sawlog Road.

What to See: The hilly road covers open ranchpastures and a busy and somewhat blind railroadcrossing after the road becomes known as SquawCreek Road and before crossing Squaw Creek.

• Turn southeast (right) along the stream.

What to See: Travel past the WMA’s headquartersand proceed southeast to the junction of SquawCreek and Table Road.

• The junction is atop a steep hill and the turn eastonto Table Road requires caution. Proceed 3 mileseast to West Ash Creek Road.

• Turn left (north) and proceed carefully down thetwisting road along the stream.

What to See: About 1 mile into the canyon is asmall U.S. Forest Service picnic area with shadedpicnic tables and vehicle parking area in a stand ofmature ash and cottonwoods. No other amenities arefound on the tour until returning to Crawford.

A rare stand of aspen is located on the west side ofthe creek, about 300 yards north of the picnic area.

• Proceed north, crossing West Ash Creek about amile north of the picnic area. About 20 miles intothe drive West Ash Creek bends west for the tripback to Crawford.

(Bob Grier is the district information officer in theCommission’s Alliance office.)

The West Ash Creek Loop drive takes visitors through a beautiful Pine Ridge valley of ash, cottonwood, aspen, and box elder.

Fall colors comealive in drive along West Ash Creek

Distances from Start(Start at intersection of U.S. Highway 20 andNebraska Highways 2 and 71)

to Sawlog Road 2.6 milesto Squaw Creek Road 4.6 to crossing of Squaw Creek 7.1to Table Road 11.4to West Ash Creek Road 13.8to U.S. Forest Service picnic area 17.2to western turn onWest Ash Creek Road 20.7

Please Don’t LitterLitter is unsightly in our parks and roadsides,

pollutes our waters and landscape, and can befatal to fish and wildlife.

When outdoors, be sure to properly dispose oftrash. If camping, hiking or fishing and no trashcontainers are available, pack up the trash anddispose of it when possible.

Also, anglers can dispose of used fishing lineat recycling bins located at many lakes andsporting goods stores in eastern Nebraska, aswell as the Omaha office of the Nebraska Gameand Parks Commission.

West Ash Creek LoopLocation: Southeast of Fort Robinson State Park

Drive Time: About one hour, without stops

Recommended Time: Several hours (take acamera and a picnic lunch)

Total Distance: About 28 miles

Roads: Paved and unpaved (be wary of roadconditions during inclement weather)

What’s NearbyCamping, backpacking, hiking, hunting and fishingare among the fall activities that may be enjoyed inthe vicinity at these areas:

Fort Robinson SP Chadron SPPonderosa WMA Bighorn WMAChadron Creek Ranch WMA Box Butte SRA/WMA

Pine RRidge PPalette

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