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Volume 98, Issue 1, 2020

January-February 2020
Volume 98, Issue 1, 2020
Identifier:
nela.2020_098_01
Title:
Volume 98, Issue 1, 2020
Issue Name:
January-February 2020
Date Issued:
2020-01-01
year:
2020
month:
January
February
Season:
Winter
PDF filename:
NL_98.01_2020_Jan_Feb_Spreads_Entire.pdf
Publisher:
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Format:
Periodical
volume:
098
issue:
01
number:
098.01
Decade:
2020s
Type:
PDF
Rights Holder:
Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, all rights reserved.
Extracted Text:
magazine

$4.95

P.O.Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503
nebraskaland@nebraska.gov
To renew your subscription or change your
address call 1-800-632-5263

JJanuary-February
an uary Feb ruary 2020
2020

In this issue
Rekindle the fun of being together
at Nebraska’s State Parks
Find events near you at OutdoorNebraska.org/ParkEvents

Nebraskaland
2 0 1 9 Pho to Con t e s t

PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG

Volume 98 No. 1
January-February 2020

Cover: Eric Wellman’s image
“Perseverance” won Best of Show in
the 2019 Nebraskaland Photo Contest.
See page 20.

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

20

6
10
60
68
70

2019 PHOTO CONTEST

Photos submitted by Nebraskaland
Magazine readers

34

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

36

THE SOUL OF THE PRAIRIE

What to Do in January-February
By Renae Blum
What does a scarcity of bison mean
for Nebraska’s grasslands?
Story and photos by Chris Helzer

44

NEBRASKA’S FIVE CAPITOLS

48

THE UNSEEN

56

A WARM DAY

58

ADVANCING GROUNDHOGS

Your Nebraska
In the Field
Mixed Bag

Portraits from the Past
The Last Stop

ON THE WEB
To see additional content including photos,
videos and additional articles, visit
Magazine.OutdoorNebraska.gov/digital.

By David L. Bristow

Camera traps capture wildlife at
Indian Cave State Park
Photos and story by Eric Fowler
Survival on the Missouri
By Todd Mills, as told to Jeff Kurrus
Look Out Nebraska
By Keith Geluso

Nebraskaland (VOL. 98 / NO. 1 ISSN 0028-1964) is published monthly, except for the combined Jan./Feb. and Aug./Sept. issues, by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd St.,
Lincoln, NE. Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Nebraskaland, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.

Magazine Staff

magazine

Communications Director Christy Firestone
Public Relations Manager Cara Pesek

Published by the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission since 1926. The Commission is
dedicated to the conservation and protection
of all the state's natural resources and the
people who use them.

Editor Jeff Kurrus
Associate Editor Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Regional Editors Eric Fowler, Julie Geiser,
Justin Haag
Contributing Editor Michael Forsberg
Regular Contributors Renae Blum,
Chris Helzer, Chris Masada, Ryan Sparks,
Gerry Steinauer
Art Director Tim Reigert
Graphic Designer Mel Severin
Photo Librarian Jaclyn Cruikshank Vogt

Administration
Director Jim Douglas
Deputy Director Tim McCoy
Commissioners
Chairman - Robert Allen, Eustis
Vice Chairman - Dan Kreitman, Wahoo
2nd Vice Chairman - Pat Berggren, Broken Bow
Dick Bell, Omaha
Rick Brandt, Roca
Scott Cassels, Omaha
Jim Ernst, Columbus
Doug Zingula, Sidney
John Hoggatt, Kearney

Circulation
For address changes and questions about your
subscription, call 800-632-5263
Advertising Sales Manager
For advertising information contact
Shane G. Gilster, 402-742-0125
Email: shanegilster@gmail.com
Nebraskaland Magazine Copyright 2020, all rights reserved.
Nebraskaland is available in audio from the Nebraska Library
Commission Talking Book and Braille Service, Suite 120, 1200 N St.,
Lincoln, NE 68508. 800-742-7691. Nebraskaland Magazine and the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reserve the right to reject any
advertising not in keeping with the agency mission.
Rates: $18 for one year; $33 for two years; $44 for three years. Nebraska
recipients must add appropriate sales tax. To subscribe call
1-800-NEBLAND (632-5263), or go online to:
NebraskalandMagazine.com.

Commission Offices

Conservation Officers

Headquarters/Southeast District Office
2200 N. 33rd Street Lincoln, NE 68503
Phone 402-471-0641

ADMINISTRATION (Lincoln)
Craig Stover (Administrator)
Duane Arp (Asst. Administrator)
Jeff Clauson (Asst. Administrator)
Travis Shepler (Asst. Administrator)

Northeast District Office
2201 N. 13th St. Norfolk, NE 68701
Phone 402-370-3374
Southwest District Office
301 E. State Farm Rd. North Platte, NE 69101
Phone 308-535-8025
Northwest District Office
East Hwy. 2, Box 725 Alliance, NE 69301
Phone 308-763-2940
Bassett Office
524 Panzer St., Box 508 Bassett, NE 68714
Phone 402-684-2921
Kearney Office
1617 First Ave. Kearney, NE 68847
Phone 308-865-5310
Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium/Schramm Education
Center
21502 W. Highway 31 Gretna, NE 68028
Phone 402-332-3901
Omaha Office
8495 Frederick Street, Omaha, NE 68124
Phone 402-595-2144

OutdoorNebraska.org
Any program that receives federal funding from the National Park
Service, or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits
unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender,
marital status, national origin, age, disability or political affiliation. Any
person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in
any program, activity, facility, or service, should contact the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-0641, the Equal
Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-2024, TTY/TDD 402471-4693; United States Fish Wildlife Service, Civil Rights Coordinator,
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; Director, Equal Opportunity
Program, U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C
Street NW, Mail Code 0008, Washington, D.C. 20240-0001.

4

402-471-5531
402-471-5531
402-471-5531
402-471-5531

NORTHWEST (Includes counties covered)
Jim Zimmerman (District Supt.)
308-641-6138
Kelsey Glodowski
(Box Butte, S 1/2 Sheridan, Grant)
308-763-8226
Sean McKeehan
(Kimball, Banner, Scotts Bluff)
308-672-1824
Dan Kling (Sioux, Dawes)
308-430-0572
Kyler Prochaska
(E 1/2 Dawes, N 1/2 Sheridan, W 1/2 Cherry)
308-430-3984
308-458-7650
Terry Brentzel (Deuel, Garden, Grant)
402-389-0444
Frank Miller (Cherry, Hooker)
308-279-9133
Josh Widhelm (Morrill, Cheyenne)
NORTHEAST (Includes counties covered)
Tom Zimmer (District Supt.)
402-649-8053
402-760-0712
Dale Davis (Keya Paha, Brown, Rock)
402-340-3981
Jonathan Andreasen (Holt, Boyd)
402-719-6226
Kyle Gaston (Dodge, Colfax)
402-613-8612
Mitch Johnson (Knox, Antelope, Pierce)
402-762-5022
Jeff Jones (Knox, Cedar)
Jon Reeves
(S 1/2 Thurston, Burt, Washington)
402-889-8508
Andrew Heyer (Pierce, Madison, Stanton) 402-613-2241
Cory Krause
(Cuming, Wayne, Stanton, Dodge)
402-380-6410
Steve Oberg
(Colfax, Platte, Madison, Stanton, Nance)
402-910-3366
Owen Johnson
(Dixon, Dakota, N 1/2 Thurston)
402-266-1759
Doug Pollard (Loup, Garfield, Valley)
308-730-7050
Ethan Teter
(Boating – eastern Nebraska)
402-620-8129
SOUTHWEST (Includes counties covered)
Roger Thompson (District Supt.)
308-530-3097
308-202-0819
Matt Brandt (Sherman, Howard)
308-380-7331
Tim Williams (Hall, Hamilton, Merrick)
Pat George
(Harlan, Franklin, Phelps)
308-920-2762
Matt Andrews
(Gosper, Furnas, Frontier, Red Willow)
308-746-2418
Brian Piernicky
(Red Willow, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock)
308-340-6627
John Lee (Hitchcock, Dundy, Chase, Hayes)
308-414-1432

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

Nicholas Fix (Keith, Perkins)
Bryce Streger (Keith, Arthur)
Sean Schultz (Keith)
Brandon O’Neal
(Lincoln, McPherson, Logan)

Alex Hasenauer

(Lincoln, McPherson, Logan)

Mike Thome (Dawson)
Ray Dierking (Custer, Thomas, Blaine)
Taylor Dixon
(Dawson, N 1/2 Gosper, N 1/2 Phelps)

Eric Javins

(Adams, Clay, Nuckolls, Webster)

Kevin Bergstrom

(Boating – central Nebraska)

Daryl Teter

(Boating – central Nebraska)

Greg Hesse

(Buffalo, Kearney)

308-289-0427
308-289-1169
308-760-0145
308-530-3157
308-660-4671
308-529-8146
308-870-0322
308-217-2108
402-902-2017
308-520-1031
308-440-1863
402-440-3847

SOUTHEAST (Includes counties covered)
Stacey Lewton (District Supt.)
402-890-7140
402-619-1355
Rich Berggren (Douglas)
402-616-5961
Dan Evasco (Sarpy)
402-210-0888
Heath Packett (Cass)
402-209-1506
Russell Mort (Otoe, Johnson)
402-200-9597
Matt Taylor (Thayer, Fillmore, Jefferson)
402-806-0915
Matt Seitz (Gage, Saline)
402-890-6463
Dina Barta (Lancaster)
402-937-3422
Dudley Sorensen (Lancaster, York)
402-314-9641
Trevor Stahlecker (Lancaster)
402-443-6392
Mike Luben (Saunders, Butler, Polk)
Scott Eveland
(Lancaster)
402-853-3273

YOUR NEBRASKA

Instagram Photos
Follow us (@nebraskaland)
and tag us in your photos
to be featured in an
upcoming issue.

Luke Kathol, Kearney
Autumn Fog

Kathy Strong, Fremont
Back Porch Fox Squirrel

Richard Ryan, Omaha
Hot Air Balloons in Waterloo

6

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

7

YOUR NEBRASKA

Karen Kutz Smith, Omaha
Zorinsky Lake Owl

Send your comments and photos to:
Jeff Kurrus, Editor
Nebraskaland Magazine
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503
or email Jeff.Kurrus@Nebraska.gov

Joshua Feuerstein, Dakota Dunes, SD
Blizzard Labrador Near Hartington
8

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

Please include your postal address
and telephone number. Letters may be
condensed and edited. Photographs are
also welcome.
January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

9

IN THE FIELD

OLD BOOTS
It has been a common
practice to place worn-out
cowboy boots as covers on
fence posts like this one in
Dawes County.
PHOT
PH
HOT
OTO BY
B JUS
JU
UST
TIN HAA
TIN
HAAG
AAG
AG
A

10

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

11

IN THE FIELD

RECOVERING AMERICA’S WILDLIFE ACT:
AN UPDATE
By Melissa J. Panella

12

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

We could begin catching up on much needed inventory,
monitoring and research of wildlife populations. More
environmental education programs will be offered. There
would be additional outdoor recreation opportunities available.
Current estimates indicate that Nebraska would receive
approximately $16.5 million in federal funds if the Act is
passed. The funds to make this possible would come from
existing sources, including fees from energy and mineral
development on federal lands and waters. This money can
be strategically applied to conservation, while being shared
with private landowners and others willing to conserve land
and water to benefit wildlife.
Nebraska has a track record
of success with the Natural
Legacy Project, where willing
landowners have received costshares to enhance over 50,000
acres every year to benefit wildlife
by finding common ground since
2005. The Act would result in
grants for universities, nonprofit
organizations and community
groups to put the responsibility of conservation directly in
the hands of the highly capable people who live, study, work
and undertake recreation in Nebraska’s biologically unique
landscapes. This support will help the Nebraska Natural
Legacy Project meet its full potential.
Many outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, anglers, scientists and
businesses are supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife
Act as a way to get in front of the conservation challenges at
hand. More than 1,000 scientists and hundreds of businesses
around the country have signed a letter of support. Over 160
members of Congress have been called to action by their
constituents and have signed as co-sponsors on this bipartisan
legislation. The House Natural Resources Committee recently
voted 26-6 in favor of advancing the legislation. The list of
supporters is growing. Nebraskans have the chance to be part
of the solution to conserve the full array of fish and wildlife
today and for future generations.
To learn more, visit ournatureusa.com.
Melissa J. Panella is a wildlife biologist for the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission.

PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS

The grinning child with her first harvested turkey, the angler
with the biggest catch of his life, the longtime birder with a
new state record in her sight – people of all walks of life value
abundant wildlife for varied reasons. Plants and animals and
the habitats they depend upon offer us bountiful enjoyment
and recreational opportunities, in addition to playing vital
roles in ecosystems. New research shows that time spent
outdoors even improves our overall health and well-being.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission works diligently
to conserve the state’s natural legacy, but this charge can be
daunting. The number of people and financial resources to
take on the workload often pales
in comparison to the demands
brought on by habitat loss, disease,
invasive species and other threats
to wildlife. Nebraska is not alone.
States across the country share in
the mission to conserve all native
wildlife, but often with not enough
resources to do so.
Wildlife professionals and
others who care about this issue
have long been exploring ways to fund the recovery of
declining populations of native plants and animals and
keep common species common. Traditional wildlife funding
sources such as hunting and fishing licenses are an important
contributor to conservation, but not all species of greatest
conservation need are eligible to use those funds.
The most recent and promising effort to date for a funding
solution comes in the form of Recovering America’s Wildlife
Act, introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives on July
12, 2019, under leadership by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry
(R) of Nebraska and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D) of
Michigan. This bipartisan legislation has created a path that
will lead to increased resources for state wildlife agencies
and their partnering organizations to help prevent the need
to add species to endangered or threatened lists, and to
increase populations of the most at-risk wildlife. A new title
to the legislation is dedicated to supporting conservation
strategies on tribal lands and territories as well.
In Nebraska, Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would
enhance our grasslands, combat invasive species, restore
wetlands, maintain water quality and improve our woodlands.

IN THE FIELD
Woodpecker’s barbed tongue

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELE FARRAR

The tongue wraps around the back of the skull

TONGUE TIED
By Monica Macoubrie
Nebraska’s natural world is filled with all sorts of
flamboyantly bizarre creatures. Hiding inside their mouths
are some of nature’s most outrageous tongues, which give
these animals unique abilities. Here are a few.
Woodpecker tongues are long and narrow with backwardprojecting barbs near the tip. They use this tongue like a
spear, impaling insects and then capturing prey with a large
amount of sticky saliva. However, where does a woodpecker
store this tongue, which can be several times longer than its
bill? In short, its tongue wraps around its skull. The bones
and muscles that attach the tongue to the throat run over
the brain, around the side of the head, under the lower jaw
and into the mouth where the bones meet to form the
tongue.
Bobcat tongues, like all feline tongues, are covered with
papillae, or tiny hooks, that give their tongue a rough texture.
These microscopic hooks face toward the throat of the
animal and work like a comb to help clean the cat’s fur. In the
wild, these papillae also help the animal tear meat off the
bones of its prey. Their tongues also work like temperature
regulators; during the winter, they help to fluff the fur to
keep warm. In the summer, they use their saliva to wet their
fur down to stay cool.
Over the past few decades scientists have determined
that the closest approximation of what snakes do with
their tongue is smell. Snakes collect chemicals from the air
14

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

and ground whenever they flick their tongue in and out.
The tongue itself does not have receptors to taste or smell.
Instead, the receptors are in the Jacobson’s organ in the roof
of the mouth. Once the chemicals are inside the mouth, they
will trigger electric signals, which are then relayed to the
brain. Because a snake’s tongue is forked, they can collect
information from two different places at once. Their forked
tongue gives them a 3-D smelling “view” and helps them
gain a sense of direction.
A frog’s diet can vary, so their tongue has to be widely
adaptable at grabbing sticky, hairy and even slippery
surfaces with ease. The speed at which they stick their
tongue out is also incredible, around five times faster than a
human can blink. Studies also show that they can use their
tongue to pull prey 1.4 times their own body weight. The
impact on the insect is studied in some frogs to be around 12
times the acceleration of gravity. Just so you have something
to compare this to, when astronauts take off in a rocket
launch, they experience around three times the acceleration
of gravity.
Tongues are sometimes considered gross and slimy;
however, they are essential organs that can make all the
difference when it comes to an animal’s chance of survival.
Monica Macoubrie is an outdoor educator with the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission.

IN THE FIELD

PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER

HOARFROST
By Martha D. Shulski
Feathers on a fence post. No, not that of a bird, but
rather wisps of white interlocking crystals that form as
water transitions directly from vapor to solid form. This is
hoarfrost.
This specific type of frost is voluminous, feathery and
light, extending out from leaves and tree branches, wires or
poles. Most of us are familiar with frost, the thin coating of
ice on the landscape that occurs when water vapor deposits
on surfaces at temperatures that are below freezing, termed
deposition. But hoarfrost has much more structure than
frost and may in fact look like a dusting of snow from a
distance.
The occurrence is most common under clear and calm
16

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

nights as the earth cools and loses its daytime heat energy
to the atmosphere. If there is just a light wind, the crystalline
structure will act as a wind vane and tell you the direction
the air is moving. Hoarfrost can also form as liquid dew that
cools and subsequently freezes, in which it is then called
silver or white frost.
As with everything else when it comes to our weather,
conditions change as quickly as a bird taking flight. Catch
these “feathers” before the faint winter sun turns them back
into liquid phantoms.
Martha D. Shulski, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is
the director of the Nebraska State Climate office.

IN THE FIELD

DUCK WITH THYME AND CREAM
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley

When cooking wild game, simple is often the best
treatment. This wild duck with herb and cream sauce recipe
has few ingredients, but it allows the main ingredient to
shine: Savory and tart Ponzu, fruity dry sherry and fresh
herbs complement the gaminess of mallard well.
You can cook the duck whole, spatchcocked or simply
halved. Or take the time to debone the breasts, pictured,
while leaving the legs and thighs intact. This helps the
pieces lie flatter in the pan, allowing for more even browning
and cooking. Prepping duck this way also makes it easier to
eat at the table. Check foodforhunters.com for step-by-step
photos.

other side until internal temperature reaches about 135
degrees. Remove duck from heat, wrap in foil and rest for at
least 5-10 minutes for a finishing temperature of 140-145
degrees for medium doneness.
4. Meanwhile, add the rest of the olive oil to the pan and
sauté the shallot, marjoram and thyme for 30 seconds; do
not let the shallot burn. Add the dry sherry and cook until
most of it evaporates – a few seconds – while scraping the
bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release browned
bits. Then add the Ponzu and heavy cream. Simmer until
thickened and season to taste.

Servings: 2
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 whole mallard duck, plucked
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons of dry sherry
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 sprigs of fresh marjoram, optional
2 tablespoons of Ponzu sauce
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Kosher salt, to taste

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

18

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY

1. Remove the duck’s backbone with
kitchen shears. Then follow the contours
of the duck’s back and breast bones and
separate the meat from the bone. Keep
leg and thigh bones intact by snipping
the socket between the thigh bone and
body. Cut the duck in two between the
breasts. Allow the meat to sit for an hour
at room temperature.
2. Pat duck dry with paper towels and
season with salt and pepper. Add half
the olive oil to a pan and turn heat to
medium. Add duck skin-side down to
the still-cold pan and cook until the skin
renders and turns golden.
3. Flip the duck and brown on the

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

19

2019
P ho to
C o nt est
With more than 2,000 entries, the
2019 Nebraskaland Magazine Photo
Contest drew a record number of
stunning images from your fellow
Nebraska photographers in the
categories of Wildlife, Flora, Scenic,
and Recreation.
The Nebraskaland Magazine staff
found it difficult to pare down the
excellent images – especially the
Best of Show winner, which went
to Eric Wellman and his image,
“Perseverance.”
We thank everyone who participated
and made this exciting feature possible
in our magazine. We look forward to
seeing more of your great photographs
in next year’s contest.
Keep shooting.
Jeff Kurrus, Editor
Nebraskaland Magazine

BEST OF SHOW
Perseverance
Photo by Eric Wellman, Lincoln
@ericwellmanphoto
20

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

21

WILDLIFE
FIRST PLACE – All Choked Up
Photo by Mike Bazant, Omaha
@mbazant2321

SECOND PLACE – Howdy, Neighbor
Photo by Rebecca Johnson, Central City
@thecoloringtree

22

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

23

WILDLIFE

THIRD PLACE – Class Photo
Photo by Marquene Koontz, Ogallala
@marquenemarie

24

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

25

FLORA

SECOND PLACE – Blaze
Photo by Eric Wellman, Lincoln, @ericwellmanphoto

THIRD PLACE – Purple Sunset
Photo by Derrill Grabenstein,
Lincoln
@de_grabenstein
FIRST PLACE – Carns in Bloom
Photo by Emily Swan, Springview
@emilyswanphotography

26

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

27

SCENIC
FIRST PLACE – A Two-colored Sunset
Photo by Lindsey Keller, Lincoln
@llarson4

28

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

29

SCENIC

SECOND PLACE – Milky Way Tree
Photo by Tyler Moore, Omaha, @drtylermoore

THIRD PLACE – Autumn Horses
Photo by Julie Hudson, Omaha
@j.hudsonphotos

30

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

31

FIRST PLACE – Branched Oak Angler
Photo by Derrill Grabenstein, Lincoln
@de_grabenstein

RECREATION

SECOND PLACE –
The Trout Dance
Photo by Jacob Patterson,
Mitchell
@living_on_the_fly

THIRD PLACE – Reflections of a Dream
Photo by Ryan Jones, Seward, @bentlight

32

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

33

Outdoor Nebraska
By Renae Blum

Crisp, clear days sparkling with snow – that’s a perfect
opportunity to go outdoors and make memories with activities
like these. Learn more about the events listed below at
Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. N

What To Do in January and February
February 23-March 16 | Ponca State
Park

PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY

CHADRON CREEK RANCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG

This popular birding event features Avian
Adventure tours and viewing blind sessions
that offer the chance to see and learn about
waterfowl, eagles, and other early spring
migrants. For more information, contact
the park at 402-755-2284 or visit the park’s
Facebook page.

Cold Days, Warm
Hearts
Jan. 11, Eugene T.
Mahoney State Park

Try night photography
Throughout the month | Statewide

Winter camping is a totally different experience. This year, try it at
a state park. Fort Kearny and Branched Oak state recreation areas,
Indian Cave State Park, and parks with ice fishing access are popular.
Keep in mind that in most cases, water, restrooms and sometimes
electricity is not available, so check ahead. Also call ahead to see if
snowy roads and campsites are accessible.

Feb. 22, Wildcat Hills
State Recreation Area

FINDING A CACHE AT BUFFALO BILL STATE RECREATION AREA
PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER

Throughout the month | Statewide
Geocaching, a kind of treasure hunt using GPS to
find hidden containers, can be fun even when there’s
snow on the ground. Dress for the weather, drink
lots of fluids and tell someone where you’re going
and when you’ll be back. Waterproof gloves and
boots and something to dig through snow with are
also handy.

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

Throughout the month | Statewide

Winter Wildlife
Tracking

Go geocaching

34

Camp at a Nebraska state park

Go goose hunting

SETTING UP CANADA GOOSE DECOYS BEFORE A HUNT
PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS

On a clear, moonless night, get out your camera
and tripod and take some pictures of the stars.
Use a large aperture and adjust your settings
manually based on the amount of light available.

WINTER CAMPOUT AT FORT KEARNY STATE RECREATION AREA
PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER

Attend Marsh Madness

Seasons vary | Statewide
Goose hunting can make for a great day of hunting with
family and friends. Strategies for success include scouting
for areas where geese frequently feed; using a variety of
decoys, including silhouettes, full-body, shells and socks;
and selecting a couple of people to call while the rest of the
group calls sparingly or not at all.

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

35

The Soul of the Prairie
What does a scarcity of bison mean for Nebraska’s grasslands?
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS HELZER
he plains bison has earned its standing as an iconic
large animal of the American prairie. That status was
reinforced a few years ago when the bison was named
the national mammal of the United States. Bison
capture the imagination of people like few other grassland
animals, but there are not many places where you can still
find them within big prairie landscapes.

T

Before European Settlement
Everyone has heard stories about the masses of bison
roaming across the Plains prior to European settlement.
Estimating the historic size of the North American bison

population is difficult and much disputed. Many estimates
put the herd size at between 30 and 60 million animals prior
to the year 1600. Bison then expanded their range for a
few centuries, as Native American peoples were decimated
by disease and subjugation by Europeans. By the 1890s,
however, widespread European settlement and excessive
harvesting had nearly obliterated bison as a species, leaving
only about 1,000 animals.
During that same period, a few people began efforts to
save what was left of the bison population. Some wanted to
crossbreed bison with cattle (leading to very small amounts
of cattle genetics in many of today’s bison) while others were
strictly focused on conservation. According to the National

A bison bull in
autumn with
its full winter
coat.
A small group of bison grazes in the northern Sandhills at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve.

36

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

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37

The fresh growth of grasses after a prairie fire are a strong
attractant to bison.

and domestic cattle is related to their use of wooded areas
and water. Cattle tend to seek out the shade of trees during
hot sunny days, but bison tend to avoid wooded areas except
when they need something to rub against. Bison also don’t
often stand around in ponds or streams, polluting those areas
with manure and disturbing sediment as cattle are prone to
do. While cattle managers have to mitigate for the impacts
of cattle hanging around shade and water, bison-grazed sites
don’t typically have those problems, especially when bison
have plenty of room to roam around.

Fire

Bison at sunrise at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve. Unlike cattle, whose loud bawling can be heard from
far away, bison vocalizations consist of soft grunts and “huffs.”

Bison Association, there are now about 360,000 bison in North
America, about half of which are on private ranches and farms.
While most of today’s bison are in captive populations,
there’s still something emotionally stirring about seeing them
in person – especially when they’re surrounded by grassland
that stretches from horizon to horizon. Perhaps more than
any other prairie animal, bison evoke feelings of wildness and
nostalgia within us. Grasslands without bison can be beautiful
and inspiring, but grasslands with bison are on another level.

Bison and Cattle
Herds of large grazing animals have always played a
crucial role in the ecology of grasslands. Historic bison
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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

herds modified habitat structure for animals and growing
conditions for plants in ways that sustained a broad diversity
of both across the Plains. Today, both cattle and bison can
fill those roles, though there are some important differences
between the species.
Bison need to consume large amounts of vegetation to
sustain their massive bodies, eating as much as 20 pounds
or more of grass per day. The majority of their diet consists of
grasses, but bison also eat a variety of wildflowers to satisfy
their constantly shifting nutritional needs. Cattle have
similar diets when given the opportunity to forage wherever
they wish (as opposed to being squeezed into a series of small
paddocks). However, cattle tend to make broad-leaved plants
a slightly higher percentage of their diet than bison do.

Bison and cattle are selective about both the species of
plant they eat and its level of maturity, and their diet choices
constantly change throughout the year. Young, tender,
actively-growing shoots are their favorite, so animals are
drawn to where those fresh shoots are abundant. Recentlyburned grassland is extremely attractive to both bison and
cattle because it creates a broad swath of vegetation in that
early, highly-nutritious growth stage. Plants that have been
recently grazed and are putting on fresh growth again are
also strongly targeted by both cattle and bison. This means
the grazers often focus on a particular patch of prairie for
much or all of a season, re-grazing the same plants for as long
as they keep producing new shoots.
Perhaps the biggest behavioral differences between bison

Historically, indigenous peoples recognized the attraction of
bison to fresh grass growth and burned large patches of prairie,
knowing they could come to that area later and find bison
to hunt. Bison would often concentrate within those large
stretches of recently-burned prairie for most or all of a growing
season, creating huge patches of short, sparse vegetation.
Other wildlife species were drawn to those same patches
too, including many birds, mammals and insects that prefer
short habitat structure to the taller, more rank vegetation
outside burned and grazed areas. Examples of those wildlife
species included upland sandpipers, horned larks, jackrabbits,
kangaroo rats, many species of grasshoppers, tiger beetles,
dung beetles and other invertebrates. Predators of all those
creatures, of course, followed their prey into those areas.
Eventually, new fires (or the eventual inability of plants to
keep putting out sufficient new growth after repeated grazing)
would draw bison away to new foraging areas. This allowed
the grassland community to begin recovering from its long
period of repeated grazing. It often took a year or more for the
most heavily impacted perennial grasses and wildflowers to
regain their dominance within the plant community. During
that time, annuals and other opportunistic plant species
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39

Wallowing
Bison also create important smaller-scale disturbances.
The most recognized of these is the result of wallowing, or
dust bathing. Whether to help shed a winter coat of fur or
gain some relief from flies and other biting insects, bison
enjoy rolling in the dust. Big bulls will also urinate and then
roll around in it to advertise their physical prowess to other
bulls. Over time, the favorite areas for these behaviors turn
into shallow depressions in the ground called wallows.
Bison wallows are utilized by other animals, too. Insects
are drawn to the open sunny habitats within wallows, and
that draws invertebrate predators including tiger beetles and
robber flies, as well as small vertebrates like toads, lizards
and rodents. Wallows also provide great habitat for plant
species that thrive in mostly bare soil where competition is
light. When wallows are temporarily abandoned as herds
move elsewhere, opportunistic plants quickly colonize them,
followed more slowly by longer-lived plants. However, when
fire or chance brings the herds back, bison revisit previous
wallowing areas, re-opening and enlarging them each time.
When wallows are created in low-lying areas, or in soils that

Lesser earless lizards are among numerous wildlife species
that appreciate habitat with a lot of exposed bare soil.

are easily compacted, they can become temporary ponds after
rain events. Tadpoles of toads and frogs are often abundant
in those pools, along with aquatic insects and other small
animals. The ponds also provide drinking water to many

Dust bathing by bison creates wallows that provide habitat for many other animal and plant species.

flourished, including annual sunflower, ragweed, hoary
vervain, evening primrose, gumweed and many others. The
combination of short, weakened grasses and a flush of tall
“weedy” wildflowers created a habitat bonanza for many
wildlife species.
An abundance of insects quickly flowed into those areas.
Some, like bees and other pollinators, were drawn to the
wealth of flowers produced by the opportunistic plants.
Other insects took advantage of a habitat structure that
included tall wildflowers with an understory of short grass
plants, still weakened by a long period of repeated grazing.
That combination made it easy for insects to regulate their
temperature by moving quickly from sun to shade while
feeding on the abundance of plants and/or other insects.
Upland birds such as grouse and quail, looking for a place
to rear their mobile broods, were drawn to the same locations.
The chicks of those species could easily move through the
short-statured grasses and feed on the abundant insects
while sheltering under or near the protective cover of the
“weedy” plants all around them. They could also easily
find sunny patches in the mornings to dry out and warm
up and then enjoy the shade of tall wildflowers during hot
afternoons.
As vegetation gradually recovered from the impacts of
40

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

intense bison grazing, it became tall and dense once again.
That provided habitat for yet another suite of wildlife
species that preferred that heavier cover. Those species
included nesting grouse and quail, along with other bird
species such as sedge wrens and Henslow’s sparrows. Some
small mammal species, especially voles, also thrived in tall
thatchy vegetation, and that, in turn, attracted predators
like bull snakes and many others. Of course, the density of
the plants and abundance of dried vegetation from previous
years also created prime conditions for fire, through either
random lightning strikes or purposeful ignitions by people.
Those fires restarted the entire cycle of bison grazing and
subsequent recovery.
Today, grazing patterns of both bison and cattle can create
a similar succession of habitat types across the prairie.
However, most contemporary cattle management consists of
relatively short bouts of grazing, which leads to quick recovery
of grasses and low heterogeneity of vegetation heights and
density across the landscape. Even many bison herds are
managed in ways that fail to create the kinds of season-long
intensive grazing that leads to flushes of opportunistic plants
and the habitat they provide. As a result, many grasslands are
missing some key habitat components, contributing to the
plight of many wildlife species across the Great Plains.

Fourpoint evening primrose is a biennial plant, and one of many plants that benefits from intensive bison grazing.

January-February 2020 •

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41

Bison spread out across the Nebraska Sandhills at the McMurtrey ranch.

terrestrial animals, as well as places to cool off and rehydrate.
If they are big or long-lasting enough, water-holding bison
wallows can support aquatic vegetation and even provide
stop-over and feeding habitat for migratory water birds.
Cattle don’t have the same extensive wallowing behavior as
bison, though they can sometimes provide smaller scale areas
of bare soil. In addition, both cattle and bison create trails
through the prairie along paths between water sources or
42

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

favorite feeding or loafing areas. Those trails are often used by
many other wildlife species seeking easier movement through
dense vegetation. Reptiles and insects also utilize those trails
as places to come out in the sun and warm up on cool mornings.

Soul of the Prairie
The days of 30 million bison rambling across the prairies

of North America are long gone. Fortunately, cattle grazing
can still fill many of the roles of those historic bison,
though current livestock practices tend not to provide the
full spectrum of habitat needs for prairie plants and animals.
There are countless species of prairie wildlife, each of
which adds to the complexity and function of the
grassland.
Any visit to a prairie is enhanced by a flock of grouse

exploding from cover, the loud buzzing of katydids and
cicadas, or a coyote slipping quietly out of sight. Somehow,
however, there’s nothing quite like coming over a rise and
spotting a group of massive furry beasts grazing and grunting
their way across the landscape. Bison make important
contributions to the ecology of large grasslands, but they
might contribute even more significantly to the soul of the
prairie. N
January-February 2020 •

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43

Omaha newspapers ridiculed the state
government’s move to the tiny village of
Lincoln. “Nobody will ever go to Lincoln,
who does not go to the Legislature, the
lunatic asylum, the penitentiary, or some
of the State institutions,” said one paper.
Lincoln “is destined for isolation and
ultimate oblivion,” said another.
Governor David Butler feared that unless
a new building was ready to receive the
state legislature in January 1869, Omaha
would find a way to remain the capital city.
The new capitol was ready in time, but
it was a rush job and its inferior stone soon
began to crumble.

Nebraska’s Five Capitols
By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska

O

ur state capitol is one of the nation’s most recognizable, but did you know it’s the third capitol built on that spot, and the
fifth to serve as Nebraska’s seat of government?
Nebraska’s first territorial capitol was built in Omaha by the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company. It was Omaha’s
first brick building and stood on Ninth Street between Farnam and Douglas.

The third capitol was completed in Lincoln
in 1868. History Nebraska RG1234-3-1

“The building is a neat and substantial
one, but altogether too small for the purpose
intended,” said the Nebraska Palladium
(Bellevue) after the first legislative session
opened in January 1855. The front door
opened into a hallway, with the House of
Representatives chamber on the left and
the governor’s apartment on the right.
A winding staircase led upstairs to the
Council chamber (equivalent to a Senate)
and committee rooms. A real estate agent
would call it “cozy.”

In 1858 the legislature moved to a larger,
partly finished building on the present site
of Omaha Central High School. The new
building began falling apart immediately. A
year later it had to be repaired to keep a wall
from collapsing.
And with no “privy” on the grounds,
members of legislature relieved themselves
in the dirt-floored basement. In this photo
the capitol would have been drafty and
chilly, but at least it didn’t stink as much in
cold weather.
The second capitol stood on the present
site of Omaha Central High School. History
Nebraska RG2341-2-p17-1

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• January-February 2020

Built in the 1880s, the
fourth capitol remained
in use while the present
capitol was built around
it. History Nebraska
RG1234-13-8

The fourth capitol was built on the site
of the third. It was bigger but not much better.
Completed in 1888, it soon settled and cracked.
It was in poor shape by the early 20th century.
By the 1920s Nebraska was planning its fifth

capitol in less than 70 years. Here you can see
the present capitol rising around its predecessor.
This was done to keep the old building open until
part of the new one was complete.

January-February 2020 •

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45

You might think the legislature
would play it safe and try for a plain but
competently-constructed building. Instead
they commissioned an unusual, modern
design. They spent 10 years having it built,
paying for it as they went. Our present
capitol was completed in 1932 – an enduring
landmark at last. N
Visit History Nebraska’s
history.nebraska.gov.

website

Raising the Sower,
April 24, 1930. The eight-ton
sculpture doubles as a
lightning rod.
History Nebraska
RG1234-42-3

at

The fourth capitol was demolished before the present tower (photos above and top) was built. History Nebraska RG1234-40-6

46

Nebraskaland

• January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

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47

The Unseen
Camera traps capture wildlife
at Indian Cave State Park
PHOTOS AND STORY BY ERIC FOWLER

2/17/2018, 5:32:11 PM
A mountain lion steps
off a fallen tree at
Indian Cave State
Park in Richardson
County.

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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

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49

W

hen I placed a camera trap along a game trail in the
wooded bluffs at Indian Cave State Park in 2017, I was
hoping to capture a photograph of a mountain lion
that had been spotted in the area. I figured it was a long shot,
at best. And I never imagined the camera would capture
nearly every mammal larger than a mouse that lives in those
woods. To succeed on both fronts shows the effectiveness of
camera traps to survey wildlife, and that while you might not
see most of them when you’re hiking these woods, the forest
is indeed alive with wildlife.
The first evidence of a mountain lion in the area came
in 2015 from a hunter who sent a copy of a game camera
photo captured near the park to Sam Wilson, the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission’s furbearer/carnivore program
manager. Wilson met with the man, confirmed the report,
and set up his own cameras on his land and at several
locations throughout the park. His cameras have since
captured the lion several times, as have the cameras of other
hunters in the area. One neighbor was lucky enough to get
a live look at the cat and photograph it with her cell phone.
Wilson was also able to collect DNA that identified the cat
as a female.
Justin Haag, Nebraskaland Magazine’s regional editor
in Chadron, had been using a camera trap to successfully
photograph mountain lions in the Pine Ridge since 2015.
You saw many of his photos in “Lessons from Cat Country”
in the November issue of the magazine. Wilson thought
the chances of photographing the lion at Indian Cave were
good enough that we ordered another camera trap from Jeff
Dale of TRLcam, who builds them for photographers around
the world. Like Haag’s, it is a Nikon DSLR in a waterproof
housing, wired with three external Speedlights that allow
quality photos to be captured day and night, a major step up
from the game cameras used by hunters.
With Wilson’s help, I picked a spot along a game trail and
set up the camera on February 7, 2017. On a warm afternoon
11 days later, I took my wife, Theresa, and son, Mace, to the
park to go for a hike and change the output on the flashes to
get a better exposure on the camera. Just 8½ hours later, at
11:41 p.m., it captured the first photos of the night: six frames
of a Virginia opossum walking up the trail. Five minutes later,
it captured a series of 45 photos, one per second, of the lion
walking up the trail, pausing to sniff the trail and log where
we’d placed scent, and to look at the camera.
Not only did I find that series of photos when I checked
the trap, I found two more sets, one captured of the cat
walking down the trail on February 26 and another walking
up on March 1. Wilson and I were elated.
I moved the camera farther uphill on the trail and
captured the lion two more times in the next 10 days. Each
time the cat passed, it paid less attention to the click of the

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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

camera and the flash of the strobes. I moved the trap again,
but captured no photos of the lion before pulling the camera
at the end of May.
I put the camera back out in December 2018, capturing no
photos from the first location. The second location produced
the photo that leads this story, part of an interesting series
you can see online of the cat noticing the camera from the
next ridge and turning back for a closer look. The third
and final spot I placed the camera that winter was on the
main trail near that fallen tree. It was nearly successful at
capturing a photo I was lacking: the cat walking directly
toward the camera. I did capture her presence, but she left
the trail 10 feet before she was within the pre-focused range
of the camera and the range of the strobes, leaving her
blurred, underexposed and partly obscured by vegetation.
With more help from Wilson, I picked a new spot for the
camera last winter, placing it along a rock wall and setting
up for an exposure that would only work at night. The lion
posed for the camera once, providing four frames in the
minute she was in the spot.
That was the sixth time she provided us with quality
photos, something neither Wilson nor I could have imagined
happening. Equally surprising was the variety of wildlife the
camera trap captured. According to Mammals of Nebraska,
a Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum, if
you don’t count bats, mice, shrews, voles and other small
creatures camera traps aren’t designed to capture, there are
22 species of mammals that can be found in southeastern
Nebraska. Of those, Keith Geluso, a University of Nebraska
at Kearney professor and one of six co-authors of Mammals,
said there is a realistic chance that 14 could be found in
the woodlands at Indian Cave. My camera trap captured 13
of them, missing only the southern flying squirrel. If you
add white-footed mice, wild turkeys, an owl and four song
birds, hikers, mushroom hunters and roaming domestic dogs,
the trap captured 22 species in all, and some interesting
behaviors.
Whenever I recounted the species the trap captured to
my wife, she asked a fair question: Why do we rarely see
anything other than squirrels when we are hiking at the
park?
The answer, according to Wilson, lies in wildlife behavior.
“Most mammals are active at dawn or dusk or during the
night and we hike during the day, so we’re out there when
they are least active,” he said. “And they are shy, elusive and
very aware, so although you may hike by a fox or bobcat, if
it sees you first it’s not going to step out and put on a show.
It’s going to hide.”
So if you want to see wildlife, the best thing to do is to go
early or stay late, sit quietly and patiently, and wait for them
to come to you. Like a deer hunter does. Or a camera trap. N

2/18/2017
3:18:47 PM
The author, his
son, Mace, wife,
Theresa, and their
dogs pose in front
of the camera trap
after resetting the
strobes and taking
a hike.

2/18/2017
11:46:51 PM
At the same
location a little
more than 8 hours
later, a mountain
lion walks the
trail past the trap,
pausing to sniff
the air.

January-February 2020 •

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51

12/19/2017
3:31:35 PM
A white-tailed buck
peers over a fallen
tree at the camera
trap.

3/4/2018
10:46:37 PM
An eastern
cottontail rabbit
passes in front of
the camera trap.

1/9/2018
6:43:16 PM
A coyote walks across the same
fallen tree the mountain lion is
pictured on in the opening spread
of this article. Six mammals
walked across the log in the 52
days the camera was focused on it,
including the raccoon and bobcat
below.

3/4/2018
10:48:03 PM
Less than a minute
and a half later,
a bobcat stalks
the rabbit. This
was one of several
interactions
between two
species of wildlife
recorded by the
camera trap.

1/20/2018
1:57:05 AM
Common Raccoon

1/9/2018
7:08:53 PM
Bobcat

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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

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53

12/17/2017, 12:01:56 PM
Coyote with mange

3/4/2017, 2:21:17 AM
White Footed Deermouse

2/23/2017, 3:30:35 AM
Red Fox

3/8/2017, 4:27:14 PM
Northern Flicker

2/10/2017, 5:22:16 AM
Striped Skunk

4/9/2017, 6:42:02 PM
Woodchuck

4/20/2017, 9:22:27 PM
American Badger

3/03/2017, 11:49:03 PM
Virginia Opossum

1/26/2018, 4:49:11 PM
Eastern Gray Squirrel

2/27/2017, 6:26:18 PM
Great Horned Owl

3/12/2017, 7:04:31 PM
White-tailed Deer

4/3/2017, 6:58:51 AM
Wild Turkey

1/21/2019
10:51:36 PM
A mountain lion walks in front
of a sandstone wall above the
Missouri River at Indian Cave.
The long, nighttime exposure
was further illuminated by a
full moon, and also allowed a
ghost of the cat to be recorded
when it paused in front of the
camera trap.

1/19/2018
5:28:47 PM
An eastern fox squirrel
triggered the camera trap
while a white-tailed buck was
walking along the next ridge.

To see more images from
this story, visit Magazine.
OutdoorNebraska.gov.

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55

A Warm Day

Survival on the Missouri
By Todd Mills, as told to Jeff Kurrus

t was Nov. 30, 1998. Three of my childhood friends were
coming back to duck hunt – a tradition we had done since
the mid-1980s. I’ve known one since kindergarten, the rest
of them fifth and sixth grade, more than 50 years. We grew
up hunting together with BB guns, so we spent a lot of time
in the field getting to know one another. This probably had a
lot to do with the fact we’re still alive.
We were hunting on the Missouri River, and it was a very
mild day – 48 degrees. When we finished our hunt, we decided
to scout. We were coming back from a little pothole near the
main channel of the river toward the Santee boat ramp. We
had four guys, two dogs and a pile of decoys in a 14-foot john
boat with a wooden blind on top of it; we’d hunted out of it for
several years. We weren’t thinking about our weight, or what
could happen if your boat is overloaded, or if you’re not in the
right place inside the boat.
I said, “Let’s go down one more channel, check one spot
and then we’ll turn around and come back.” Then, at the last
minute, we decided we weren’t going to do it. I was in the back
of the boat, running the tiller, and the rest of the guys were in
front. I stopped, then began to turn around in a little bay.
As I did, one of the guys in the front of the boat said, “Get
the bucket.” That’s the last thing I remember before our boat
turned upside down. So, in a matter of 30 seconds, we went
from tooling down the river to being underwater.
Looking back, several things were wrong.
There was too much weight to

I

begin with, but
even if there
wasn’t, we didn’t
distribute it
properly. I had
a flat-bottomed
boat, which I
will never have
again because water
ater
can come over the
e front way too easily.
Plus, it was a mild
d day, so we were a little more relaxed than
we normally would be.
We popped up like bobbers, and the look on everyone’s faces
was complete shock. It happened so fast that it wasn’t really
so much “we’re in a bad spot,” as it was disbelief. If the boat
had flipped mere feet in a different direction, we would have
been dumped in the main channel and no one would have
survived. Fortunately, because we had just drifted off that
channel, we could stand. We didn’t have to swim, but my dog
was leashed to the front of the boat – which had suctioned to
the water surface – and was trapped underneath. My buddy
was able to reach underneath and unleash my dog so she
could get out. My other buddy threw his dog on top of the
boat, and we all just stared at each other. I’ll never forget
the hopelessness watching our decoys, life jackets and other
gear drift
away with the current.
d
We got the boat to a long point of cattails where it would
set, tthen realized we were in trouble. No one was on the
water,
water and we weren’t prepared. Only one of us was wearing
polyester,
while the rest were in big, heavy, cotton shirts and
polye
jeans. We had another channel to cross before we could even
get close
to the channel that took us to the boat ramp.
cl
At that point, and I truly believe that because of us
knowing
each other so long, none of us panicked. We started
know
throwing
information at one another and trying to find the
throw
right fix. We had no way of getting across the channel, and it
was an
a hour before sunset.
It was
w getting cold, and we were trying to get the boat
tipped
tippe upright. When we finally got it turned back over, we
got as much water out as we possibly could. At that point,
I couldn’t
get the motor started, so we agreed that once
co
we got enough water out to float the boat, we had to get
Left:
Le Scott Lewis, Todd Mills, and Gray Carlson hunt in
2016
20 near Grand Island. Above: Scott Lewis and Dean
Schade
Scha hunt in 2017 on the Missouri River.
Sc

56

Nebraskaland
N
Nebr
ebras
ask
kaland
land • January-February 2020

it across to another island, and across a channel, so we could
start walking the boat up. Because we still had our shotguns
st
– they had suctioned underneath the boat as well – we also
tried to fire a couple of distress shots, which was to no avail.
tr
I didn’t have any sort of flare in the boat. We were completely
unprepared. So we decided to cross the channel with two oars
u
and our weight as evenly distributed as we could, with no life
a
jackets and water two inches from the top of the boat.
ja
When we got to the other side, I did whatever I could to
get the motor to run. In the meantime, the one guy wearing
g
polyester took a rope at the front of the boat and started
p
walking us around the island. We had probably a half-mile
w
of channel to get to another bigger channel to get to the boat
o
ramp. Obviously, everyone was colder. If it had been a normal,
ra
Nov. 30 kind of day, we would’ve all died from hypothermia.
N
But we finally got the boat all the way to the point. We
were still a long way from the boat ramp, but there was a kid
w
who rode up on a bike. We fired two or three more distress
w
shots but he didn’t even acknowledge it. So we huddled as
sh
closely as we could in the middle of the cattails to provide
some sort of heat to one another. I kept working on the motor
and, finally, got it started. Broken prop, but it started.
We decided that another person and I would get across the
channel to the boat ramp, drain the boat, then come back for
the others. When we got to the ramp, some guys came down
and we asked them to get help, and they said they would. But
they never came back. This was before cell phones, so we
couldn’t call anyone for help. We were also terribly dehydrated.
But somehow, that was the first time I really felt like we
were going to be OK. A little while later, after leaving one
buddy at the ramp, just in case, I tooled back across. It took
two more trips but I got the other two back to the boat ramp.
In the years since, I’ve thought a lot about this day. How any
number of slight differences would have changed the outcome
for the worse. I can only shake my head at our ignorance, and
how the good Lord was definitely looking down on us. N

Survival Tips

If you hunt, fish, or participate in
any other outdoor activities, it’s not a
matter of “if” you get in a dangerous
spot, it’s “when.” Apply these tips to
your outdoor ventures.

•
•
•
•
•
•

Wear your life jacket
If the boat would have flipped
over 10 yards before it did, we
would have been in the main
channel and dead because we
weren’t wearing our life jackets. I
rarely see a duck hunter leaving
the boat ramp with a life jacket
on – a big mistake.
Tell someone where you are
There were always people
hunting on that stretch of river,
but that day there weren’t. Let
someone know where you are
at all times and have the local
conservation officer’s number
with you.
Don’t overload your boat
Follow your boat’s guidelines
and evenly distribute weight. We
didn’t and it nearly cost us.
Bring extra clothes
Always have extra clothes in your
boat, even if it’s a warm day. And
remember to stay away from
cotton. We prefer polyester.
Never leash your dogs to the
boat
This gives them no chance to
survive if something goes wrong.
Don’t remove boat flotation
Many people will take it out to
create extra storage. Don’t do it.
It probably saved our lives.

Todd Mills waterfowl hunts near Grand Island.

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

57

Advancing
Groundhogs
Look Out Nebraska

G

By Keith Geluso

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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

PHOTO BY CHRIS HELZER

roundhogs, whistle pigs or woodchucks are all
synonymous with a large squirrel commonly active
during the day and seen frequently on the edges of
woodlots, rivers, streams, fields and even in backyards across
eastern parts of the United States. Punxsutawney Phil of
Pennsylvania is likely the most famous woodchuck of all, and
along with other individuals from the Eastern United States,
supposedly predicts the length of winter based on seeing
its shadow (or not) on Groundhog Day, the 2nd of February
each year. This past winter, however, we all know that the
groundhogs back East did not predict the length of winter
here in Nebraska, as snow cover and cold temperatures
extended well into March.
Until recently, many folks in Nebraska likely were
unfamiliar with this species in the Cornhusker State. That
is, sightings of woodchucks in much of the state are rather
recent occurrences, unless you live in eastern Nebraska.
As a kid in the 1970s and 1980s, I remember seeing a few
individuals on the outskirts of Omaha, with one even taking
up residence under a shed in our backyard in town.
Woodchucks literally have been on the move in Nebraska,
advancing westward across the state to almost now Colorado,
where the related cousin, the yellow-bellied marmot, resides
at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains.
Researchers have continued to plot this westward
advancing front. In the 1960s, woodchucks lived in only the
eastern quarter of the state, not much farther west than York.
However, by the late 1990s and early 2000s, woodchucks
reached central parts of the state.
In 2018, my students and colleagues at the University
of Nebraska at Kearney, including assistance from many
private residents and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
conservation officers and wildlife biologists, once again
updated the whereabouts of woodchucks across Nebraska.
We were surprised to learn that woodchucks are now as
far west as Ogallala in Keith County and are quite common
throughout all of central Nebraska. We calculated that
woodchucks colonized the central and western parts of the

Woodchucks have colonized central and western parts of the Platte River at a rate of about 6 miles a year since 2000.

Platte River at about 6 miles (10 km) a year since about 2000.
We did not see as extensive movements along the Republican
or Niobrara rivers, but we might learn even more about the
distribution of this large squirrel by Nebraskaland readers. We
also learned that woodchucks are at times a nuisance species
in places where they now occur in the state, as they tend to
like gardens, outbuildings and crop fields. Although reported
as troublesome, woodchucks dig extensive burrows that, in
turn, create habitats for river otters, raccoons, mice, snakes,
birds and more.
Other woodland mammals, too, have been moving
westward across the state, including eastern fox squirrels,
white-footed mice, opossums and a number of bat species.

Why the shifting distributions? The former treeless prairies
of the Great Plains were once a barrier to such tree-loving
species found in eastern parts of the state. Large-scale
changes to our prairie rivers (flood control and installation
of bridges) and changes to grassland ecosystems (loss of
wildfires), as well as tree plantings associated with cities,
towns, farms, ranches and shelterbelts all have greatly
increased trees statewide. Since the early 1980s, forested
areas have increased across the state. So watch out
Nebraska. Don’t be surprised if woodchucks become a regular
occurrence in your area of the state, if not already. N

of Nebraska at Kearney. If you have observed woodchucks
in the unshaded areas below, please contact Dr. Geluso
(gelusok1@unk.edu).

Dr. Keith Geluso is a professor of biology at the University
January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

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WILLOW CREEK STATE RECREATION AREA NEAR NORFOLK
PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY

MIXED BAG

VISIT NORFOLK
By Erin Lenz, Nebraska Tourism Commission
Discover Norfolk, the heart of northeastern Nebraska.
Shopping and nightlife downtown, exciting outdoor
adventures and a whole lot of charm and hospitality can be
found here.
Explore downtown Norfolk and find a wide variety of
shopping, dining, nightlife and local experiences. Shop at
Magnolia’s Home Décor and Design for the perfect decoration
to add to your home, or if you love to quilt, shop at I Bee
Quiltin for fabrics and patterns.
For art lovers, take an intimate guided tour of the Norfolk
Sculpture Walk, a revolving sculpture attraction that features
beautiful art pieces and showcases the downtown area. For
more, head to Ravenwood Art Gallery to view professional
prints and paintings from a variety of local artists.
Getting hungry? At Black Cow Fat Pig everything is made
in house; all meat is cut and smoked on the premises, and the
menu is seasonally inspired to support local ingredients with
menu items such as braised pork belly and steak bruschetta.
Or warm up with a latte at Downtown Coffee Company,
where you can stay for lunch and enjoy soup, salads and/or
sandwiches made with freshly baked bread, and then finish
your meal with a dessert or pastry.
A trip to the Norfolk isn’t complete without a visit to the
Elkhorn Valley Museum. Home to the Johnny Carson exhibit,
the museum also features a restored first home of Norfolk, a
Square Turn Tractor, one room school house and more. Visit
the Norfolk Arts Center to view exhibits, attend events and
be a part of various educational classes.
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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

Stay overnight at Norfolk Lodge & Suites. With several
fireside gathering areas, an indoor atrium-style pool and
18-hole miniature golf, this is the perfect place to stay after
a day of exploring. The hotel is connected to the SandBar &
Grill and Divots Brewery, Norfolk’s only brew pub serving
handcrafted beers.
Enjoy the great outdoors on the longest rail-to-trail project
in the United States, the Cowboy Trail. With the trail head
located in Norfolk at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, the Cowboy Trail
is a great spot for biking, hiking and horseback riding. Or
stay where you are: Ta-Ha-Zouka Park features a public
campground, softball fields, fishing, a disc golf course,
off-leash dog recreation area, sand volleyball courts and
more.
For outdoor time on the water, head to North Fork Outfitting
to rent kayaks, tubes, canoes, stand-up paddleboards or
paddle boats for experiences on the Elkhorn River or Skyview
Lake. North Fork Outfitting also offers bike rentals for the
Cowboy Trail and a free shuttle to get you to your starting
point.
If hunting is more your interest, Top Flight Hunts offers
1,110 acres of private and CRP hunting grounds along the
Elkhorn River. They specialize in pheasant, quail, turkey and
deer expeditions and can accommodate hunting groups of up
to 20 people for hunts that range from a half-day to five days.
Whether you’re planning to spend a day downtown
shopping and eating or a day in the great outdoors, Norfolk
has what you’re looking for.
January-February 2020 •

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MIXED BAG

JOHNNY, I BARELY KNEW YE ...
By Roger Welsch

SCENE: Lawyer’s office in Lincoln
CHARACTERS: Two opposing lawyers and the perp
SITUATION: Deposition being taken under oath. The air is
heavy with tension. The person under oath has just attacked
the character of the opposing lawyer’s client.
CLIENT’S LAWYER: “Don’t you even start to talk about the
morality of my client. We know what you do down there at
the river cabin of yours!”
[He slams shut his notebook. His face is red with
indignation. He rises and stomps out of the office, leaving
the door open behind him. Roger (let’s call him Roger because
his name is Roger) looks at Lawyer Ed (let’s call him Ed
because his name was Ed) in bewilderment.]
LAWYER ED: “Uh, Rog, what the heck do you do down
there at the river cabin?”
ROG: “Nothing! We can’t afford expensive vices and when
the day is over, we’re far too exhausted to indulge in the
inexpensive ones. I can’t imagine what he’s talking about.”
LAWYER ED: “I know Cy (let’s call him Cy … well, you know)
and I’ll just talk with him and find out what the issue is.”
All of the above is true, including the names, but since I am
the only one still alive I think I can go ahead and skip the part
about “any resemblance ....”
Ed did talk with Cy and reported to me later what I had
done to offend the general morality. Rumors had it, Cy
said, that if a fairly tall person stood on the third bridge
railing support on the southwestern corner of the Loup River
bridge at Dannebrog, tipped his head slightly northward,
and had a decent pair of at least 10x50 binoculars, late on
hot August afternoons that person might see some people
of my acquaintance – avert your eyes if you are of tender
sensibilities – DIPPING SKINNY IN THE RIVER!
Well, jeez ... At the time my friends and I were rebuilding
an 1872 log house, a filthy, hot, exhausting job. The only
water source at the site was a pitcher pump that belched up
a half cup of water with every handle push. At the end of the
day we were covered with ancient dirt and sweat, hot and
weary. And there was that wonderful, clean, cool, sandy,
soothing river. There was no one else closer than a quarter
mile and, we presumed, intent on driving across the bridge,
over the hill, and around the curve. We barely saw the cars so
they barely saw us. The operative word being, at least in Cy’s
mind, I guess, was “barely.”
Now, to be honest, it was not only during that month of
construction that this offense was committed. In fact, I have
bathed in that river in every month of the year except January.
I suppose I could have worn a swim suit, then exiting the river
carrying 10 or 12 pounds of sand in the loose parts, but when
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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

was the last time YOU took
k a
bath with your clothes on? No,
until it got to the point where
ere
age made it almost impossible for me to get to
o
the river’s cleansing waters, I was out there lying
ying in the
sun and water almost every day for decades. It was therapy.
It
th
was reviving. It was an unmitigated joy. Even poetical! Noted
Nebraska anthropologist, poet and essayist Loren Eiseley
wrote in The Immense Journey, “The Flow of the River”: “I lay
back in the floating position that left my face to the sky, and
shoved off. The sky wheeled over me. For an instant, as I
bobbed into the main channel, I had the sensation of sliding
down the vast tilted face of the continent.”
Skinny dipping is moreover an inspiration for many
American folktales, this one from my own book Why I’m
An Only Child And Other Slightly Naughty Plains Folktales
(University of Nebraska Press), to wit:
[One] hot summer day a local gent decided to cool down
by skinny-dipping …. He left his clothing in a pile behind a
cedar bush near the bridge but kept his straw hat on to avoid
getting his face and nose sunburned. He made his way up
stream and then lay back in the cool, clean water, letting
the current drift him back downstream toward the bridge – a
practice we still enjoy in the same river, referring to it as
“butt bouncing.” But as he approached the bridge he heard
voices so he pulled himself toward the shore and peeked
through the shrubs to find – oh no! – the preacher’s wife was
hosting the church’s annual ladies’ auxiliary near the bank
at the bridge. That is, between him and his cached clothing.
He lowered himself back down into the water and quietly
mulled over his options: He could cover his private parts with
his hat to preserve his dignity, make a mad dash through
the gathering, grab his clothes, and head for cover up the
bank; or he could cover his face with his hat to preserve his
identity and make the same run. He decided on the latter. So,
holding the hat over his face, he dashed among the startled
and screaming women, grabbed his clothes, and hotfooted it
through the trees toward town.
Once they had recovered from their astonishment and
regained their voices, one woman decided to defend her
family’s honor and said, “I can tell you one thing – that was
not my husband.” Whereupon a second insisted, “Well, it
wasn’t anybody from my family.” But conversation came to
a stop when the preacher’s wife said, “I’m pretty sure it was
no one from this congregation.”

800-657-2184

pondtini.com

Roger Welsch is a folklorist, humorist and author who lives
in Dannebrog.
January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

63

MIXED BAG

SHOTGUNS FOR WATERFOWL HUNTERS
By Julie Geiser

PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER

Tried and true semiautomatic shotguns have been in use
since the early-1900s, and many folks still use them today.
Inertia-driven guns like the Browning Auto-5 were the first
on the scene. In the mid-1900s, gas operated shotguns,
including the Remington Model 1100, appeared.
Inerita-driven shotguns work in most every situation
including extreme cold, snow and rain. When these shotguns
are fired, the recoil compresses an inertia spring that powers
a bolt assembly to quickly cycle the action, unloading the
spent shell and loading a new one into the chamber. With
fewer parts than a gas-operated gun, they are lightweight
and balanced. While they deliver more felt recoil than gasoperated guns, a hunter will hardly notice the difference in
the field.
When the trigger is pulled and the powder in the shotshell
ignites in a gas-operated gun, some of the expended gas
traveling up the barrel is redirected through one or more
ports into a piston in the forearm. The piston drives a bolt
back to cycle the action. The drawback with these guns,
however, is the carbon residue left behind means they must
be cleaned regularly. Hunters who fail to do so may find that

in very cold and/or wet conditions, their shotguns will not
cycle properly. Whether you keep this gun dry and warm in
a blind or field hunt can make a difference in performance.
Regardless of the type of semiautomatic shotgun you
choose, most will reliably cycle light to heavy loads.
Autoloaders on the market today are offered with polymer
stocks that are strong and lightweight, and most have an
enlarged safety, bolt handles and release buttons that make
them easy to operate when wearing gloves in cold weather.

September 1, 2019 — January 31, 2020
Nebraska is an upland bird hunter’s paradise – the mixed bag capital of the
Great Plains – with diverse hunting opportunities, long seasons, great access
to public lands and high rates of hunter satisfaction.
Learn more about the second year of the slam and the prizes you could win at

OutdoorNebraska.org/UplandSlam

64

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

65

MIXED BAG

THE VALUE OF PHOTO MENTORS
By Gerry Steinauer

PHOTOS BY GERRY STEINAUER

My first Nebraskaland articles, published in the 1990s, were
tag team efforts. I wrote the text while staff photographers
Mike Forsberg or Jon Farrar provided the photos. This worked
well, but after a few years, I decided it was time to expand my
journalistic repertoire and take my own photos. So I bought
an old Nikon camera and few lenses from Forsberg, stocked
up on film and started snapping pictures.
My problem, I knew little about photography. So first, I

read a few nature photography books, but it was my next
move that was sheer genius. I began taking my photos to
Forsberg and Farrar for critique. Lucky for me, they were not
only excellent photographers, but also willing and patient
teachers.
During a typical session, one of them would examine a
few of my photos and kindly say something such as: “This
would be a nice photo, if only ... the light was better,” or
“the background wasn’t so cluttered,
the focus was sharper, or if you had
just done this with the composition.”
Fortunately, I was a good listener
and my ego recovered quickly. Like
most beginners, I fancied many of my
photos as pretty good, but the more I
learned, the more my shortcomings
became apparent. Unfortunately, a
few of my early photos still hang on
the walls of friends and family.
Eventually, I weaned myself of the
enlightening critiques of Forsberg and
Farrar that jump-started my venture
into photography. Over the years, I
have continued to improve my skills,
mostly by studying the works of
other photographers, watching a few
videos (Nebraska native Joel Sartore’s
One of my earliest images of a yucca flower taken in the Sandhills of Cherry County.
Fundamentals of Photography is
really good, and can be purchased at
joelsartore.com), and taking heed of
the advice of Nebraskaland’s photo
editors.
In some aspects, my photographic
talents are still fairly amateurish.
For example, I know little about
the technological capabilities of my
camera and I am shaky, at best, with
Photoshop. Technology was never
my cup of tea.
But overall, I have learned enough
to take decent photos. Photos that
help tell my Nebraskaland stories.

A recent yucca image with more interestingblight and composition.
66

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

AN EXHIBIT EXPLORING 13,000
YEARS OF HISTORY WITH
NEBRASKA’S ARCHEOLOGISTS.
SHOWING NOW THROUGH 2021

 

    

  ! " #$%&''&
# %

Gerry Steinauer is a botanist
with the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission and a regular contributor
to Nebraskaland.
January-February 2020 •

Nebraskaland

67

PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST

This picture of Brown County residents was taken near Eddyville, NE, in 1963. Pictured left to right: E.G.
Grooms, Miner Hagen, Merlin “Turk” Beebout and Mel Lacy. Turk, my dad, was a member of the greatest
generation and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He passed away in the fall of 2019 at the age of
95. His legacy will include his love for all things Nebraska – hunting, fishing and, of course, the Cornhuskers.
– Bruce Beebout, Kearney

These fish were caught on March 25, 1972, at Sioux Lookout Check on NPPD canal using
creek chubs 6 to 8 inches long with #2.0 hooks. They were 8 to 10 pounds and caught in one
hour. My cousin Bob runs a bait shop in North Platte. Granddad had one in the 30s-40s with
his son, who ran Freeze’s Bait and Tackle in North Platte – 70 years in the bait business.
– Larry Freeze, North Platte

Send contributions to: Portraits from the Past, Nebraskaland Magazine, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370. Or e-mail to Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov. Photos
should show people enjoying Nebraska outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, hunting or fishing, and must have been taken before 1980. We will give priority
to unusual photos or activities. When possible, please include a story about the photograph and identify the people, places and approximate date it was taken. Text
may be edited and photos adjusted for reproduction. All photos will be returned.

68

Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

January-February 2020 •

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THE LAST STOP

PHOTO BY CHRIS HELZER

FROGS ON ICE
By Chris Helzer
It was a balmy 30 degrees outside and I was in desperate
need of some fresh air, so I headed to Springer Basin
Wildlife Management Area west of Aurora. When I stepped
carefully onto the thin layer of ice, I was hoping to find and
photograph some interesting patterns on the frozen surface
of the wetland. I certainly didn’t expect to come away with
photos of leopard frogs.
Leopard frogs typically spend the winter lying at the
bottom of a stream or pond where the thin skin along the
sides of their body allows for enough oxygen exchange
to keep them alive. However, while they enter a kind of
dormancy, they can still move around when they want to.
On this particular day, as the thin ice cracked around my
feet, I saw some leopard frogs swimming around beneath
the frozen surface. Once, when my foot punched through the
thinner ice near the wetland edge, a few frogs even popped
up onto the top surface of the ice and hopped/slipped around
comically for a few minutes.
I was a little surprised to see the frogs swimming around,
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Nebraskaland • January-February 2020

though I’d seen that a few times before. Having them come
out on top of the frozen wetland through the hole I created
was a little more startling, but understandable, given the
opportunity presented to them. However, about a half hour
later and a half mile away, I was shocked to find a few
different leopard frogs hopping easily around on top of the
ice as if they were just out for a morning constitutional.
Recovering quickly from my shock, I laid out prone on the
ice and tried to get some photos of them. While they weren’t
as lively as frogs in the summer, they were more than hoppy
enough to make it tricky to get them into focus before they
moved away. I did eventually get some nice photos, and then
took the time to wonder what in the world those frogs were
doing on the ice. Even now, I’m still not sure why they were
there, but I’m grateful for the chance to spend a little time
with them.
Chris Helzer is The Nature Conservancy’s director of science
in Nebraska.
January-February 2020 •

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Position: 637 (17 views)