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Fishing &Hunting December 2007

This month’s fishing picture is of a pair of dandies:
Jason Debur & Brain McConnaughey from Auburn showing a pair of Blue Cats taken near Peru this fall.

The Missouri River is very low now due to the end of the barge traffic season. The water is clear & smooth and running around 45 degrees. The cold weather has held out for the most part which is allowing plenty of fishing opportunities. You can really see the deeper holes with the lower water level. These conditions really give you a feel for the lay of the river’s bottom. It’s a long drop to the water’s edge in places and you can see lots of rip-rap rock formations this time of year. The river dike piling towers well above the water’s present level giving you an understanding of the hazard that lay under the waters surface when boating at normal spring & summer river levels. The fishing action is mostly channel cats on dough baits with a fair amount of luck with night crawlers. I’m not saying that the live baits won’t catch fish but there isn’t much action on them right now. Even with the dough baits it’s not a real strong hit but rather a playful tug as they mouth the bait. The bottom line is that they are not as aggressive in the cooler water as they were just a month ago.

This month’s hunting picture is of 14 year old Trent Mertes shown with his first deer – a 10 point buck taken opening day. Sure is a big bodied deer - Congratulations Trent!

2007 Fall Turkey Season is open and permits can still be bought now. All permits are available online at www.outdoornebraska.org, by mail through the Lincoln office or over the counter at any Commission Permitting office.

2007 Fall Turkey Season Dates are:
Shotgun: Oct. 14 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31.
Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31.

The 2007 Fall Deer Firearm Season was warm but didn’t seem to bother the hunters or the deer. You did however need to get your harvested deer to a butcher ASAP due to the 70 degree weather on the opening weekend of season. It was a little different deer hunting in a short sleeved shirt. But the bucks were in rut and really didn’t mind any thing but the does. Big mistake on their part – several nice bucks were harvested locally and a fair amount of special antlerless permits seemed to be filled also.

There’s a lot of hunting opportunities out there this time of year. With all the seasons in full swing you can almost pick your sport right now. So get out and get yourself some – you won’t be sorry you did.

Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today? So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”

*Fishing &Hunting October 2007*
The Missouri River has been up and down this last moth with the recent record breaking fall rain we have been receiving. But the fishing has been pretty good for the most part. The biggest problem being: “getting there” due to the rain & muddy roads. They have been cold rains too – the ones that aren’t very enjoyable to stay out in. But as the old saying goes “fish are biting with the river on the river’s rise” is still holding true. They are hitting on just about anything you throw at them. What are they biting on? They are hitting chubs & goldfish hard right now. Leopard frogs are also weighing in on the action and they are plentiful near the waters edge and around the recent mud puddles. Netting them for bait is another story. They can jump a mile! Again remember ‘Big bait - Big Fish’ is policy for this time of year and there are some monster frogs out there this time of year. You really need to get out there, this may be your last chance – soon enough the hunting seasons will be coming along and it’s so long river, except for the duck hunters.	Seth Kerwin from Auburn showing off his 17 pound blue cat caught near Peru this fall.
2007 Fall Turkey Season is open and permits can still be bought now. All permits are available online at www.outdoornebraska.org, by mail through the Lincoln office or over the counter at any Commission Permitting office. 2007 Fall Turkey Season Dates are: Shotgun: Oct. 14 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31. Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31. The 2007 Fall Deer Season permits are still available on a “fist come first serve” basis for Residents and Non-Residents. Check the Nebraska Game & Parks website (http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/) for permit availability or stop in to a commission office. Deer season is coming sooner than you think and it’s time to get that high power sighted in so it’s one shot one kill when the time is right. If you’re like me I hate to miss. So it’s worth the time to zero your rifle in so it’s lethal when you want it to be. And it’s good sportsmanship to make a clean kill when the time arises and you can’t use the rifle as an excuse when the big one gets away. Blaming the rifle is always easier than blaming the shooter. 2007 Rifle Deer Season Date is: Nov. 10^th thru Nov. 18^th A lot of hunting coming our way as the seasons open one by one. There’s plenty to do and plenty to get ready for. But all those choices are what make this time of year fun. Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today? So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”

Fishing &Hunting September 2007

The Missouri River has looked good all this month. Making it perfect for fall fishing. The fish are hitting on just about anything you throw at them. They know that the cool weather is coming and it’s time to feed up for the long winter. Many of the fish that are caught now are pretty filled out. With the spawns over there is nothing for them to do but feed up in preparation for next year. What are they biting on? They are hitting chubs & goldfish hard right now. Leopard frogs seem to be drawing attention of the big ones as of late too. It definitely means if you want to see the big ones on the bank of in the boat, now is the time to bait for them. ‘Big bait - Big Fish’ is policy for sure. The mosquitoes are trying to get their last bites in but fall fishing always seem to be the best. Fall fishing is the best for several reasons 1) You always seem to bring fish home, 2) It’s enjoyable to kick back while you’re doing it too, and 3) The smell of fall on the river is like no other. You need to get out and see what you’re missing – soon enough the hunting seasons will be coming along and it’s so long river.

This month’s fishing picture is of Jamie Reeves sporting a thick 8 pound flathead. Look how wide that fish is!

Hunting

A lot of the doves have moved out with the latest cool shot of weather. But if you got out the first weekend of season they were there in droves. You could go almost anywhere to hunt them then, but they are in isolated areas now. Hunters are still having fair luck near creeks and ponds where they go to water. Season is over October 30^th and limits are 15 bag & 30 possession.

The 2007 Fall Deer Season permits are still available on a “fist come first serve” basis for Residents and Non-Residents. Check the Nebraska Game & Parks website (http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/) for permit availability or stop in to a commission office.

2007 Fall Turkey Season permits can still be bought now. All permits are available online at www.outdoornebraska.org, by mail through the Lincoln office or over the counter at any Commission Permitting office.

2007 Fall Turkey Season Dates are:
Shotgun: Oct. 14 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31.
Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31.

You can, kind of, pick you preference right now between “fishing” of “hunting”. It’s cooling off and time to get the rifles out for sighting in. Also time to sharpening up those shotgun skills for pheasant and quail seasons just around the corner by shooting some blue rock. But all those choices are what make this time of year fun.

Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today? So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”

Fishing &Hunting August 2007

This month’s fishing picture shows a fine pair: Jack McConnaughey (left) with a 56 pound Flathead Catfish & his son David McConnaughey (right) shown with 55 pound Blue Catfish.

Fishing

The Missouri River has been steadily dropping the last month. The piling and rip rap rock formations are easily in sight. The sand bars for the most part were washed away this spring with the flooding. But they will eventually return with the a few rises and falls of the river and soon enough they’ll be reestablished in behind the trail dikes the way they were last summer. With the sand bars changing so goes the fishing strategy. Basically there are three places to fish - the rocks, the bars, or the holes. Now that the sand bars are washed out, that fishing is out for now so that leaves fishing the rocks which takes patience & tackle. The rocks are not very forgiving - when you’re hung up “you’re hung up!” That means breaking your line a lot and loosing your rigging. So what’s that leave you? Fishing the holes right now is the right place to be. The river water temperature is over 85 degrees and there is only one place the fish like to be when it’s that hot –IN THE HOLES. You are at the mercy of the brush and snags that are also in the holes. But that’s where they are, keeping cool in the deep water. What are they biting on? They are hitting sand toads (which are plentiful on a flood year) pretty regular. But it seems the night fishing has had the best results with goldfish and bluegill. Get out and give it a try but take lots of sunscreen and bug spray. The only cool spots are in the shade and unfortunately that’s where the bugs are too.

Hunting:

The 2007 Fall Deer Season permits are available on a “fist come first serve” basis starting June 11^th by Residents and Non-Residents. Check the Nebraska Game & Parks website (http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/) for permit availability or stop in to a commission office.

ATTENTION

2007 Fall Turkey Season permits can be bought beginning August 14. All permits are available online at www.outdoornebraska.org, by mail through the Lincoln office or over the counter at any Commission Permitting office.

2007 Fall Turkey Season Dates are:
Shotgun: Oct. 14 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31.
Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 10 and Nov. 20 - Dec. 31.

Summer is here and it’s hot. But there is nothing cooler than getting around some water and the river is no exception. If there is a breeze in the area it’s at the river, add a little shade, and it’s not too bad. It really is time to get out there – the fishing is good. And you won’t be sorry you did. Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today? So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”

Fishing &Hunting

July 2007

The Missouri River has settled down and returned inside its banks. The damage done during the spring flooding seems to have mended and those areas have grown over in vegetation. The river is ready to except boaters and fishermen. The high waters have cleaned the banks back and removed that old favorite log you tied to last summer. So new land marks are needed to mark your favorite fishing hole. Do I have a favorite fishing hole? You better believe it! In my opinion it’s the location that that you can always get a bite and if you miss it then it’s your fault. Fishing has been real good this last month. Fishermen are getting the best out of the cool spring water fishing mixed with the warm summer water fishing seasons. The early season’s cooler water brings the Blue catfish success and the later warmer water brings on the Flatheads. Both seasons are sprinkled with Channel catfish success. And baits seem to vary also with early cool water fish reacting to dough and cut baits and the warmer water fish hitting the live baits. Some big ones have been landed pretty frequently as of late. Make sure you take the bug spray because there are no shortages of mosquitoes. It seems when you’re in the shade so are they. The spray will keep them from biting you but it won’t keep them from swarming you. The only thing you can do is move to another location or hope for a breeze.

David McConnaughey (left) and his fishing partner Joel McConnaughey (right) shown with the big 80 pound prize winning
Blue Catfish
.

On a bigger note: Old Man River Fishing Contest biggest catfish prize went to David McConnaughey who landed a whopping 80 pound Blue. David reported that the monster bit on a bluegill and never stopped. The fish spool out David’s reel and if not for his nephew Joel cutting the boat loose from the bank the fish would have surely been gone. Congratulations David!

This month’s fishing pictures are: The winners of the Old Man River Fishing Contest Joe Whisler (left) won the biggest carp
(61/2 lbs) and biggest catfish winner David McConnaughey (right) shown with the “Catch of the Day”- an 80 pound Blue Catfish.

The 2007 Fall Deer Season DRAW units fist round application have been drawn and the remainder of those DRAW area permits are available on a “fist come first serve” basis starting June 11^th by Residents and Non-Residents. Check the Nebraska Game & Parks website (http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/) for permit availability or stop in to a commission office.
Summer is here and so is the fishing season. Flatheads are hitting hot and heavy. And the bait situation seems to be good for this time of year. It’s time to get out there - You won’t be sorry you did.

Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today?
So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”

Joe Whisler & Jeff Dewitt Jr. with a fine pair of toms

Joe Whisler showing a ¾ pound Morel Mushroom found in the hills of Peru.

*Fishing*	*June* 2007	*Hunting*
The Missouri River has been a mess the last month. Spring rains have caused the river to swell to 5 & 6 foot over flood stage. Though these levels were only for a few days, but this was more than enough time to eliminate access to the river for several weeks. The receding waters left some good and some bad. There is a layer of settlement (top soil) over the entire area flooded by the high waters. This allows low spots that normally have water sitting in them to fill. And areas where water rushed though left holes that water is still setting in. So the soil thing is a trade off “holes where there were none & previous holes filled in with silt.” Several bad things come with river flooding, one is mosquito breeding areas where the water is trapped or will not run off. We can most certainly expect a nice population of these pests. Another item not real pleasant when flood waters recede is the smell of rotting vegetation and the dead fish trapped when the flood water receded into the river. So the river fishing is on hold while the River settles out and the access & banks dry out. I’m sure the catfish are biting if you can get there because the water temperature is getting right for fishing.		The 2007 Spring Turkey Season is drawing to a close. And it has been a dandy! I believe there was moderate success among hunters. The bird split up nicely and as big as the flocks were there were plenty of single toms & jakes to be had. Although the wind didn’t help hunters much, blowing most days since the season started. Or at least most of the weekends that I hunted. Turkeys don’t seem to want to talk a lot when it’s windy and lay pretty low as far as moving around also. So you would have days when the toms wouldn’t talk to you or come to your call. But if you stuck with it, it seemed you would finally have one come your way. It’s been said to “stay were you are, they can hear you”. Well, it worked for me to move if I had nothing answering my calls to where I did get a response. You take the risk of being seen but some times it pays off. Mushroom Hunting: This spring wasn’t one of the best years for Morel Mushrooms but some folks were lucky enough to find a few. I went several times and many times came up dry where I had found them in the past. Some have blamed the lack of truffles was due to the cold spell we had at the end of March where wind chills reached into the single digits and we even has a late snow & ice storm. What ever the reason, the season was not the best around here.
Spring seem to have turned into summer with the 90 degree days recently. Higher temperatures mean river time to those who like to get into the Flathead cats. It’s the Blues turn right now in the cooler water but as the water approaches the 70 degree mark, then comes Flathead season. We have got a lot of good fish between now and the real hot weather so get out and get yourself some. You won’t be sorry. Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today? So until next time *“Happy Hunting & Fishing.”*

May 2007 Fishing

Hunting

River fishing is opening up slowly but surely. But is still has been pretty cool to get out on the water in a boat but that doesn’t stop the fishing from the bank. There you can pick a place, in out of the wind, and be pretty comfortable because the sun is pretty warm as long as you get out of the cool wind. This has entirely nothing to do with fish biting itself but face it to catch fish you have to put in the time. Your definitely are going to spend more time fishing if your comfortable doing it. Local fishermen have been landing channels for the most part and some larger blue cats. What are they biting on? Chicken livers and night crawlers mostly, with moderate action on dough baits. They aren’t hitting the hardest, but the fish are there and reacting to bait. That’s good! You just never know what’s on the other end when they mouth you bait this time of year.

This month’s fishing picture shows Jamie Reeves with a nice 5 pound channel cat – look a the belly on that fish!

2007 Spring Turkey Season is in full swing. There are lots of birds and at this point they aren’t breaking up the best. When you see them – you see a lot of them. “So what’s the problem?” you ask. It’s simple: You call the Tom to you with a hen call. If they are with 10 hens why would he come to your lone call? It’s tuff until they split up a little. When I say splitting or breaking up I mean eventual the toms will run the jakes off from the flock and with the hens laying eggs the groups will get smaller and smaller, thus increasing your chance of luring a tom within shooting range. Again there are unlimited permits this year (if you want one --buy one). And you can obtain up to 3 permits. The permit is the same as in the past – one male (Tom) or bearded hen per permit. Permits can be obtained from now through May 20^th over the counter or online.

Fall Deer Rifle Season Draw units applications (Residents Only) can be sent in from April 16^th to May 4^th. Our area is Blue Southeast and if you want an either sex for this season you’ll have to draw during this application period. Otherwise if you want to bag a buck in this area you’ll have to obtain a Statewide Buck Permit.

This month’s hunting picture is of me opening weekend of Spring Shotgun Season with a 20 pound tom sporting a 9 inch beard.

Spring is here and it’s time to pick your pleasure – fishing or hunting. The cool weather will turn to hot soon enough, so get out and enjoy some of the activities that are opening themselves up this spring. We need to enjoy the spring while we can.

Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today?
So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”


*April 2007 Fishing*	*Hunting*
No river fishing yet but it’s just around the corner. It has been a crazy month. We have seen very cold days one week only to be followed by record breaking temperatures the following week. With the sudden heat up came the flood waters due to the snow melt run off. This compounded by the ground still having frost doesn’t allow much water to soak in so the run off is pretty significant. Areas north of here received over a foot of snow the last go around and when it melts it all seems to come our way. The river is presently at flood stage and is full from bank to bank. There is good and bad about every thing the river does. The good is that the spring snow melt cleans a lot of the brush and debris (tree limbs, grass, etc.) off the river’s banks and sand bars. It also cleans creeks and streams out and with this water comes bait for the fish in the river. Thus comes the saying “Fish bite better on the River Rise”. But high waters also make a mess trying to get to the river and it’s hard to get a boat in. So what is there to do? It’s time to hit the ponds & lakes. With the high temps and the winds it didn’t take long to get the 12 inches of ice off the area ponds & lakes. It’s time to throw a minnow on and catch some Crappie. Several fishermen have been having luck in the last week. But if you have ever fished for Crappie you know that they are a little touchy when they are going to bite. When I say “when they are going to bite” I mean the time of day. So this mean you have stay with it because when they start to hit the feeding frenzy only goes on for an hour or so and as fast as it starts it’s over. The whole time you are reeling in , removing fish, and re-baiting as fast as you can so you can to get as many as you can while they are hitting. That little burst of action keeps the crappie fishermen coming back. Plus they eat pretty good too. Crappie are considered panfish and Limits are 30 bag (on the stringer) & possession 60 (in the freezer).	2007 Spring Turkey – Starting January 10^th thru the end of season you can purchase your statewide spring turkey season tag. There are unlimited permits (if you want one --buy one). And for the first time in you can obtain up to 3 permits. The permit is the same as in the past – one male (Tom) or bearded hen per permit. You however can purchase up to 3 permits (at one time if you wish). “What’s up with that?” You say. One thing is you can get bow and shotgun permits. The second thing is you can keep hunting after you get one. The second option seems more logical to me. You scout them out - you find them – you call one in – and you bag one. You season is over. Did you like it? Do you want some more? Whip out another permit and go again. Sound fun to me! I tell you another thing that has happened to me and others have stated the same thing. Two toms come in to your decoy. Now you can try to bag them both. Permits can be obtained from now through May 20^th over the counter or online.