Volume 102, Issue 9, 2024
November 2024
- Title:
- Volume 102, Issue 9, 2024
- Issue Name:
- November 2024
- Date Issued:
- 2024-11-01
- year:
- 2024
- month:
- November
- Season:
- Autumn
- Publisher:
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Format:
- Periodical
- volume:
- 102
- issue:
- 09
- number:
- 102.09
- Decade:
- 2020s
- Type:
- Rights Holder:
- Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, all rights reserved.
- Extracted Text:
-
magazine
$4.95
To renew your subscription or change your
address call 1-800-632-5263
I N S P I R I N G O U T D O O R A DV E N T U R E S I N C E 1 92 6
N OV E M B E R 20 24
INSIDE
Waterfowl Zones Explained O Deer Antler Crafts
Nebraska’s Best Running Trails O Nebraska’s WWI Flying Ace
Fishing for Rainbows O Shooting Shadows O The Primordial Pouch
2
Nebraskaland • November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
3
Volume 102 No. 9
November 2024
Cover: A drake and hen pintail cup their wings toward
a Hamilton County wetland. See story on page 40
regarding how hunters can influence Nebraska’s
waterfowl zones.
DOUG STEINKE
FEATURES
20
26
28
34
38
This page: A colorful evening sky decorates the scene
where the Oglala National Grasslands meet the Pine
Ridge in Sioux County.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
IN THE SHADOWS
The light and dark of aerial photography
Photos and story by Eric Fowler
OUTDOOR NEBRASKA
What to do in November
By Renae Blum
DEER ANTLER CRAFTS
What you can make with your harvested antlers
By Jeff Kurrus
ORVILLE RALSTON
Nebraska’s WWI flying ace
By David L. Bristow, Nebraska State Historical Society
MY FAVORITE RUNNING
TRAILS IN NEBRASKA
By Christy Firestone
40
WATERFOWL ZONES EXPLAINED
44
ROCK CREEK HATCHERY
Story and photos by Jeff Kurrus
100 years of trout production
By Julie Geiser
DEPARTMENTS
8
12
52
60
62
Your Nebraska
In the Field
Mixed Bag
Portraits from the Past
The Last Stop
ON THE WEB
For more articles and
information, visit
NebraskalandMagazine.com
4
Nebraskaland • November 2024
Nebraskaland (VOL. 102 / NO. 9 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 all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY
FACILITIES: send address corrections to Nebraskaland, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
5
Magazine Staff
magazine
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.
Communications Director Christy Firestone
Public Relations Manager Shawna RichterRyerson
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, Todd Mills,
Ryan Sparks, Gerry Steinauer
Art Director Tim Reigert
Graphic Designer Mel Severin
Videographer Nick Sauvageau
Photo Librarian Jaclyn Cruikshank Vogt
Administration
Director Tim McCoy
Deputy Director Jim Swenson
Assistant Director Roger Kuhn
Commissioners
Chairman - Doug Zingula, Sidney
Vice Chairman - John Hoggatt, Kearney
2nd Vice Chairman - Donna Kush, Omaha
Magazine Subscriptions
For address changes, magazine and subscription
questions, 800-632-5263 or visit
nebraskalandmagazine.com
Advertising
For advertising information, contact:
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shanegilster@solotreemedia.com
Look for swallowtail butterfly
chrysalises on tree bark.
Pat Berggren, Broken Bow
Rick Brandt, Roca
Scott Cassels, Omaha
Ken Curry, Columbus
Dan Hughes, Venango
Kent McNeill, Papillion
Nebraskaland Magazine Copyright 2024, 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
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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
Trevor Stahlecker
Headquarters/Southeast District Office
2200 N. 33rd Street Lincoln, NE 68503
Phone 402-471-0641
ADMINISTRATION
Jeff Clauson
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Administrator
Travis Shepler
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Asst. Administrator
Stacey Lewton
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Asst. Administrator
Mike Thome
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Asst. Administrator
Knox, Antelope, Pierce
Mitch Johnson
402-613-8612
Cedar, Knox
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
(Includes counties covered)
Northwest District Office
East Hwy. 2, Box 725 Alliance, NE 69301
Phone 308-763-2940
NORTHWEST
Dan Kling
308-430-0572
Captain
Bassett Office
524 Panzer St., Box 508 Bassett, NE 68714
Phone 402-684-2921
Jerod Hahn
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.gov
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
308-520-5539
Sergeant
308-280-4320
Hunter Lee
Keith, Arthur, Deuel
Jaden Porter
308-289-2274
Keith, Garden, Grant
Tyler Stueck
308-289-6260
Keith, Arthur, Grant
Keith Jadlowski 531-310-2869
Keith
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Sean McKeehan 308-672-1824
Sergeant
Josh Widhelm
308-279-9133
Scotts Bluff, Banner, Sioux
Brandon Wallace 308-280-4488
Scotts Bluff, Banner, Sioux
Travis Schultz
308-279-1292
Morrill, Scotts Bluff
Casey Gehrt
402-617-2112
Dawes, Sheridan
NORTHEAST
Dale Davis
402-760-0712
Captain
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Jeff Jones
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission does not discriminate
based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual
orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information,
veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs,
activities, or employment. 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 Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln,
NE 402-471-2024, TTY/TDD 800-642-6112; Director, Office of Diversity,
Inclusion and Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Interior, 1849 C Street,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
6
Nebraskaland • November 2024
402-762-5022
Sergeant
Holt, Boyd
Greg Hesse
308-546-7464
Rock, Brown, Keya Paha
Jonathan Andreasen
402-340-3981
Madison, Pierce, Stanton
PHOTO BY JANET ALLEN, OURHABITATGARDEN.ORG
402-928-9099
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
Cory Krause
402-380-6410
Sergeant
Kyler Prochaska 402-830-8278
Platte, Colfax
Matt Costello
402-317-4014
Dodge, Colfax
Kelbi Abke
402-237-2537
Washington, Burt
Nicholas Fix
402-508-0261
Dixon, Dakota, Thurston
Kyle Hansen
531-739-7392
Dodge
CENTRAL SUB-DISTRICT
Doug Pollard
308-730-7050
Sergeant
Daryl Teter
308-440-1863
Howard, Greeley, Merrick
Matt Brandt
308-202-0819
Sherman, Howard
Klint Gill
402-613-5800
Nance, Wheeler, Boone, Polk
Garrett Zimmer 402-416-5736
Hamilton, Polk, York
Tim Williams
308-380-7331
Hall, Hamilton, York
SOUTHWEST
Brian Piernicky 308-330-8780
Captain
NORTH SUB-DISTRICT
Alex Hasenauer
308-660-4671
Sergeant
308-395-6001
Jacob Stoinski
Sioux, Dawes
Frank Miller
402-389-0444
Cherry, Hooker
Luis Nuñez
531-333-6093
Blaine, Custer, Thomas
Brandon O’Neal 308-530-3157
Lincoln, McPherson, Logan
SOUTH SUB-DISTRICT
Bryce Streger
308-537-0404
Dawson, Gosper, Custer
Tyler Adelman
402-314-4783
Dawson, Gosper, Furnas
Kelsey Glodowski
308-242-9000
Red Willow, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock,
Furnas
Sophia Gobber 308-222-0368
Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock
SOUTHEAST
Matt Seitz
402-806-0915
Captain
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Matt Taylor
402-200-9597
Sergeant
402-902-2017
Eric Javins
Adams, Clay, Webster
Justin Gress
308-629-9335
Thayer, Nuckolls, Fillmore
Pat George
308-920-2762
Harlan, Franklin, Phelps
Ethan Teter
308-440-3847
Buffalo, Kearney
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
Heath Packett
402-210-0888
Sergeant
402-209-1506
Russell Mort
Otoe, Johnson
Rich Berggren
402-619-1355
Douglas
Brian Arp
531-530-9011
Douglas, Sarpy
Mike Luben
402-443-6392
Saunders
Bryan Adams
402-429-1924
Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson
CENTRAL SUB-DISTRICT
Curt Prohaska
402-470-1298
Sergeant
402-890-6463
Dina Barta
Lancaster
Mark McDonald 402-805-2353
Lancaster
Mark Sullivan
402-741-0636
Lancaster, Seward, Butler
Jarrod Messman 531-739-9760
Lancaster, Saline
YOUR NEBRASKA
Instagram Photos
Follow us @nebraskaland
and tag us in your photos
to be featured in an
upcoming issue.
Ed Prussa, Tekamah
Playing at Merritt Reservoir
Marquene Koontz, Ogallala
Banded Garden Spider
8
Nebraskaland • November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
9
Brendan Leehy, Omaha
Foggy Sunrise
Chelsae Beyer, Bridgeport
Lab Work
Correction: In the October issue on page 46, it is
incorrectly stated that legal shooting hours for
pheasants end 30 minutes after sunset.
For pheasants and other upland game, small game, turkey
and waterfowl, shooting hours close at sunset. Only big
game can be hunted until 30 minutes after sunset.
We regret the error.
Send your comments and
photos to:
Jeff Kurrus, Editor
Nebraskaland Magazine
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503
or email Jeff.Kurrus@Nebraska.gov
Steve Krout, Papillion
Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron
10
Nebraskaland • November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
11
IN THE FIELD
FIND THE HUNTERS
Jake and Keith Jadlowski,
of Ralston, waterfowl hunt
for ducks and geese on the
Elkhorn River near Tilden.
JEFF
JEFF
EFF
FK
KU
KURRUS,
KUR
UR
URRUS
RUS,
R
RU
US, N
US
NE
NEB
EBRA
RASKALAN
RASK
ASK
A
KALA
ALAN
LAN
LAND
L
AN
ND
12
Nebraskaland • November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
13
IN THE FIELD
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
FISHING FOR FALL RAINBOWS
By Julie Geiser
Every fall, Nebraska Game and Parks hatcheries release
10-inch trout in waters across the state to provide anglers
more fishing opportunities. Trout fishing is inexpensive,
requires simple equipment and is fitting for a variety of ages
and skill levels.
Light Tackle
Light or ultra-light rods and reels with 4-to 6-pound-test
monofilament line are ideal. Four-pound test is virtually
drag-free and makes it easier to detect soft strikes often
typical of trout in cold water.
One or two split shots fastened 10 or 12 inches above a
No. 6 or 8 hook is ideal for trout fishing. Adjust the weight
to keep the bait where the fish are biting by adding or
subtracting split shots as needed.
Popular Bait and Lures
Popular baits to catch trout are salmon
eggs, wax worms, PowerBait and my
favorite, a small piece of worm or a
small minnow and bobber.
Under many conditions, bait
or lure-and-bait combinations
are the best ways to put a
mess of trout in the creel,
but at times, lures alone
have their advantages.
Casting and retrieving
lures allows anglers to
cover a lot of water, often
catching more trout than
14
Nebraskaland • November 2024
Salmon eggs
Wax
worms
the live bait angler.
In-line
spinners
In-line spinners are a superb lure
choice. A flashing spinner imitates
a small minnow, which trout love
ve
to hit.
Spinners trigger strikes using
g
flash and sound. A slow-revolving,
Colorado-type blade works great
with its wide, deliberate movement.
Silver spinners match the silveryhued minnows trout prey on. In
discolored water, gold, chartreuse
and copper spinners are effective.
Spinners with a hair trailer may
produce more strikes than a bare hook
spinner.
Spoons, which wobble and flutter,
are another choice for trout. They work
Colorado spinner
better than spinners in swift water
where they can be
e worked faster and
more erratically than spinners.
They are also
a good pick
for fishing fastSpoon
moving waters or
for trout in lakes or ponds.
Start with slow retrieves, which will let you know just
how active the trout are. Then switch from a slow to a faster
retrieve if you can’t get the fish to bite. As when fishing for
other species, you may need to change lures altogether to see
what the trout prefer on a particular day.
IN THE FIELD
Mountain lions have primordial pouches, offering a lifeline for extended periods without hunting success.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
THE PRIMORDIAL POUCH
By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist
The primordial pouch, also known as the “belly flap,” in
felines is a natural accessory seen in our Nebraska mountain
lions (Puma concolor), bobcats (Lynx rufus) and even our
pet house cats. This pouch is an extra flap of loose skin and
fatty tissue located along the length of the belly, extending
from the lower abdomen to the hind legs. Contrary to the
common misconception that it is simply a sign of obesity, the
primordial pouch serves several important functions.
Protection of Internal Organs
When a cat engages in activities that involve physical
confrontation, such as fighting with other cats or defending
itself from predators, the primordial pouch provides an
additional layer of protection. The loose, pliable nature of
the skin allows it to absorb impacts and distribute the force
over a wider area, reducing the likelihood of severe injuries to
organs, such as the stomach, intestines and liver.
Additionally, the pouch can stretch and shift,
accommodating the cat’s movements and further minimizing
the risk of internal damage during intense physical exertion.
This evolutionary adaptation is particularly advantageous
for wild cats, such as mountain lions and bobcats, which
often face aggressive encounters in their natural habitats.
By providing a flexible yet protective barrier, the primordial
pouch enhances the cat’s ability to withstand blows and
bites, thereby improving its chances of survival in the wild.
Greater Flexibility
The primordial pouch contributes to a cat’s exceptional
flexibility and movement. The loose nature of the pouch
allows the skin to stretch and expand, giving the cat a
greater range of motion during various activities. When a cat
stretches, jumps or twists, the primordial pouch provides the
16
Nebraskaland • November 2024
necessary slack in the skin, preventing it from tearing, and
allowing the cat to perform these actions more fluidly. This
flexibility is critical for wild cats, aiding them in hunting,
climbing and evading predators.
In the wild, mountain lions and bobcats rely on their agility
to navigate diverse and often rugged terrains, to pounce on
prey with precision and to quickly escape from threats.
Energy Storage
From stretching to protection, it’s hard to believe the
primordial pouch does more. It also serves as a reservoir
for extra energy. In the wild, where food availability can
be unpredictable, this ability to store fat is particularly
advantageous. During times of abundance, cats can consume
more food than immediately necessary, and the excess
energy is stored in the fat within the primordial pouch. This
stored fat can then be metabolized during periods of scarcity,
providing the cat with a critical energy reserve.
The primordial pouch offers a lifeline to wild cats at risk of
facing extended periods without successful hunting. It helps
to ensure the necessary energy reserves for sustaining vital
bodily functions, maintaining muscle mass and supporting
physical activities like hunting and defending territory. This
energy storage capability is not just about survival; it also
enhances the cat’s endurance and resilience, enabling it to
thrive in diverse and often challenging environments.
The primordial pouch is a remarkable and multi-functional
feature in cats, illustrating the sophisticated adaptations
these animals have developed to thrive in their environments.
From providing crucial protection to internal organs during
physical confrontations to enhancing flexibility and
facilitating agile movements, the primordial pouch plays a
vital role in a cat’s survival and overall physical prowess.
IN THE FIELD
The CanCooker offers an easy way to cook nourishing meals in the duck blind.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
DUCK CANCOOKER
By Todd Mills
I was first introduced to using the CanCooker in a duck
blind by my good friend, Trevor Johnson. Although I’d had
one at home for a while, I never thought of using it outside
the house. After that day, the duck blind CanCooker
became a staple in my boat and on hunting trips. As an
added plus, it can be used on almost any heat source.
Whether you’re camping, hunting or just looking for a
quick meal with easy clean up, using this method is about
as easy as it gets. Below is my favorite CanCooker recipe.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
4 links duck sausage cut up into small chunks (or
substitute your favorite sausage)
Carrots, broccoli and celery cut into cubes, to taste
4 small white potatoes cut or sliced into cubes
Approximately 2 cups wild rice
12 oz. liquid, such as stock, dark lager beer or pop (I
•
•
•
•
•
18
Nebraskaland • November 2024
•
prefer Dr. Pepper.)
Seasonings, such as Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
Spray the inside of the CanCooker with cooking spray.
Add liquid first, and then put in vegetables with potatoes
and rice. Meat goes in last, on top of the vegetables.
Add Lawry’s or other seasonings at the end. Close the
CanCooker, put on medium heat and wait for steam to start
coming out of the top. When you see steam, slightly turn
down heat and cook for 45 more minutes.
Prepare the can and ingredients the night before and store
in the fridge so it’s ready to go without any morning prep.
Clean-up is easy and fast, another plus if you’re looking for
convenience, which we usually are in the duck blind.
Feel free to substitute ingredients. The CanCooker is
versatile, and you can experiment with various protein
and carbohydrate choices.
There’s nothing like it in the duck blind.
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
19
In the Shadows
The light and dark of aerial photography
Photos and story by Eric Fowler
The rising sun casts long shadows across a
foggy meadow dotted with trees along the
Platte River in Douglas County.
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Nebraskaland
• November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
21
W
e’ve all stood and looked at our
shadows on the ground, many
of us even creating shadow
puppets in our younger years or,
later, for the entertainment of our kids
and grandkids. We’ve sat in the shade
of a tree and watched the darkness cast
by a hill or mountain creep across the
landscape at the beginning or end of a
day.
Shadows are a product of light,
an object that blocks that light and
geometry. When the light source is
the sun, the shadows are the longest
early and late in the day. A 60-foottall cottonwood, for example, casts a
60-foot-long shadow when the angle
of elevation of the sun is 45 degrees
above the horizon. Thirty minutes after
sunrise, however, when the angle is just
5 degrees, the shadow from that same
tree stretches nearly 700 feet.
From ground level, it’s hard to
appreciate just how long those shadows
can be. From the window of a Cessna,
1,000 feet above the ground, you get
a much clearer picture. The contrast
of light and dark, and the patterns it
creates on the landscape, can be striking,
and has always caught my eye when I’ve
been on an aerial photo assignment for
Game and Parks — especially when the
flight plan includes an early takeoff or
late landing. N
A silo towers over grain bins in a
cornfield in Thurston County.
22
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
23
TOP LEFT: Cows, calves and
cottonwoods in fall color pepper a
meadow along the Cedar River in
Greeley County.
BOTTOM LEFT: Trees on a terrace
crossing a cornfield in Thurston County.
RIGHT: Fencerow trees between
cornfields in Hall County.
TOP RIGHT: A water tower in the city of
Wilber in Saline County.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Streaks of sunlight
filter through cottonwoods onto sand
deposited on George Syas Wildlife
Management Area in Platte County.
24
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
25
Outdoor Nebraska
By Renae Blum
Soak in the last of autumn by spending time outdoors — whether
that’s in a deer stand, hiking at a beautiful park or trying your
luck with fishing. N
What to Do in November
Fish for walleye and wipers
at Lake McConaughy
Anytime or as weather allows | Lake
McConaughy State Recreation Area
While fishing opportunities may be limited this month,
you can still pick up some walleye and wipers by
vertical jigging on reservoirs like Lake McConaughy.
“It’s a good time for big fish,” said fisheries biologist
Daryl Bauer — perhaps 8 to 10 pounds or more for both
walleye and wipers at Lake Mac. It’s a boat game, so
look on your depth finder for schools of baitfish that
these predators will be feeding on.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
Attend ‘Birding by Ear’ workshop
Nov. 12, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
When you’re out birding, it is often difficult to see birds, whether they’re
too far away or hidden behind tree branches. However, if you can
recognize the bird’s call, you can still identify it. Birders of all ages and
levels are invited to join Nebraska Game and Parks naturalists to learn
how to identify some common Nebraska birds by their calls. The program
begins with indoor instruction followed by time outdoors to practice. Meet
at the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center. The program is free,
but a park entry permit is required. RENAE BLUM, NEBRASKALAND
Hike at Ash Hollow State Historical Park
Throughout the year | Near Lewellen
Walk paths that have been traveled for thousands of years — from Indigenous
peoples to pioneers on the Oregon and California trails. Be prepared for a
challenge, though; several trails are steep. One of them, the paved Windlass
Hill trail, will reward you with the sight of swales, or depressions, left by wagon
ruts. The River Overlook Trail offers an impressive view of the North Platte
River Valley and is a great spot for birdwatching. Twelve miles of trail are
available; bring a comfortable pair of hiking boots and a cell phone in case of
emergency. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
Gather wild rose hips
All winter; generally October into spring
Throughout the state
Season is Sept. 1 to Jan. 31 | Statewide
The hip, or fruit, of the wild rose is an excellent
source of Vitamin C and can be made into tea, jams,
jellies, syrup and more. For most uses, you will need
to first split each hip open and remove the hairs and
seeds; a baby-food spoon works well. Avoid plants
that have been sprayed or grow along heavily used
roads. For recipes and more information, see Wild
Seasons: Gathering and Cooking Wild Plants of the
Great Plains by Kay Young.
No game birds represent the American Plains
better than prairie grouse. Nebraska has two
species, the greater prairie-chicken and the
sharp-tailed grouse. Nebraska is arguably
the best place on Earth to pursue both on the
same hunt. Several public hunting areas in
the Sandhills provide opportunities. Every
bird harvested is a testament to the hardiness
of these native birds and the effort of
the hunter. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
26
Nebraskaland • November 2024
Hunt for prairie
grouse
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
27
DEER
ANTLER
CRAFTS
What you can
make with
your harvested
antlers
Deer antlers can be a rustic
addition to a dinner
table centerpiece.
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
By Jeff Kurrus
F
or deer hunters, the decisions that need to be made
are endless. Should I hunt the stand by the cornfield
or the pine thicket? Should I stay up a little bit longer
this morning? Should I take that shot or wait a split second
longer?
Once the deer is down, and all the appropriate
congratulations and photographs have been handled,
you would think there would be no decisions left. But this
notion is also incorrect. Brats or burger? Shoulder mount or
European mount? Or, like the spot many of us have been in
before — what else can I do with these antlers?
The last question becomes
a fun one, as it’s quite easy to
get online and see the endless
possibilities hunters have
for repurposing deer antlers,
from practical uses to home
décor.
We share a few of our
finished favorites and how to
get you started.
After the Hunt
Desktop decoration, complete with various metal deer tags
from other deer. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
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Nebraskaland
• November 2024
A black powder measure
made from an antler tine
hollowed out with a drill
and files.
Removing the antlers is
a necessary first step, and
there are three ways to do it. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
First, and my least favorite,
take a handsaw and begin to cut in front of the deer’s ears
but behind the antlers at a 45-degree angle. Then, make the
same cut just above the eyes toward the end of the first cut.
This wedge can then be removed. My apprehension for this
method is cutting into the deer’s brain. Since I was a kid, I
never liked the messiness of this step. However, with small
bucks (pictured, left), a standalone desktop deer tag display
can be created because of how well small antlers like these
balance.
A second, and cleaner, option is to cut the deer’s head
completely off below the throat. Again, with a handsaw,
you’ll have to cut through the deer’s hide, muscle tissue and
backbone, but it’s a relatively clean cut.
A slightly less cleaner cut is to open the deer’s mouth
and separate bottom and top teeth until you cut completely
through the rest of the muscle, bone and hide. My only
hesitancy with this method is it reminds me of ’80s horror
movies of my youth.
After you decide how you’ll remove the antlers, there are
more decisions to make. You can go through the painstaking
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
29
task of removing the buck’s facial hide, muscle
fibers and brain tissue with a knife. From there,
you’ll need to soak the skull in boiling water to
loosen up the rest of the deer’s hard-to-remove
fibers. I rarely enjoy this labor-intensive process.
The technique I do like, especially if I happen
to shoot a deer early in the season, is to remove
the deer’s entire head, dig a hole in my garden,
and bury the skull. I cover up the antlers with
aluminum foil to prevent mice from eating them,
and then place a bucket or large pail over the
entire skull. Just before the ground freezes for the
winter, I remove the skull, wash it with a hose
and soak the skull in a combination of water and
clothes fabric softener to remove any leftover
odor. The final step is to dry the skull in the sun
and stuff two scented dryer sheets in the brain
cavity. Now it’s ready to display.
The last, extremely easy option of removing
deer antlers is to take a fine-toothed saw and,
starting underneath the pedicles, cut the antlers
off at their bases. Choose this technique if you
know you’re not going to hang your deer on the
wall, but you still want the antlers for other uses,
including rattling antlers for deer hunting.
Chronic Wasting Disease
by Justin Haag
Chronic wasting disease has changed the game for
those who want to display their big game trophies. These
processes involve the brain and the spinal cord, where the
stubborn prions that cause CWD accumulate most. People
should take proper precautions for handling and disposal,
especially in areas where the disease is known to exist.
Disease experts recommend wearing gloves and a mask,
and soaking the skull and all equipment in a solution of 50
percent chlorine bleach and 50 percent water after tissues
have been removed. In p
places where CWD rates are high,
g ,
your best, and easiest,
move may be to
remove the antlers
and affix them to
one of the many
faux skull options
available from retailers
like these
shown.
My favorite method: Burying the deer’s head and letting Mother Nature do the cleaning. Just remember to cover the antlers
with aluminum foil so rodents don’t chew them while they are sticking out of the ground. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
Hose off the debris after the flesh has been eaten away.
30
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
After the skull dries, apply furniture stain with a brush to restore antler color that has been lost.
RYAN SPARKS
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
31
Antler awl with
beaded sheath
Options
Antler tine letter opener
From fire pokers, letter openers and sewing kits to kitchen
décor and mantel pieces, the possibilities for antlers are
never-ending. Repurposing can range from the complicated
task of creating an antler wreath to finding the perfect set
of antlers to use as a tabletop centerpiece for Thanksgiving
dinner.
Just don’t, under any circumstance, permanently keep
them in a box somewhere never to be seen again. N
Antler-handled knife
Items and tools you may find helpful in making
a European mount include:
Handsaw
Slow cooker (for heating and soaking)
Fabric softener (for soaking)
Aluminum foil (to cover antlers when burying)
Furniture stain (to paint the antlers)
Clothes dryer sheets (for the brain cavity)
Twine or wire (for hanging)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Antler
fireplace
poker
Some of the tools you may find helpful in creating
these projects also include:
Fine-toothed saw
Drill and bits
Files
Sandpaper
Epoxy
•
•
•
•
•
Antler tine ink pen
Antler
handledawl
Round
and
triangled
files made
with
antler
handles
Sewing kit made
from an antler tine
Antlerhandled
skinning
knife
Antler
tine
needle
awl
ALL PHOTOS THESE PAGES BY JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
32
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
33
Orville Ralston
Nebraska’s WWI Flying Ace
By David L. Bristow, Nebraska State Historical Society
O
rville Ralston had a choice to make. Flying over France,
the engine of his Sopwith Camel fighter plane was
giving him so much trouble that he dropped out of the
combat formation. Then an oncoming allied fighter
plane signaled him that enemy aircraft had been sighted.
The sensible thing would be to get out of there. Instead,
Ralston decided to return to his formation, balky engine or
not. Soon he saw “three Camels being driven down by five
[German] Fokkers,” with another enemy formation above.
What to do?
It was Sept. 26, 1918, a day neither Ralston nor his
beleaguered comrades would ever forget.
Born in Weeping Water in 1894, Ralston graduated from
Peru State Teachers College before enrolling in the dentistry
program at the University of Nebraska. He left the university
for an army officers’ training program soon after the U.S.
entered World War I.
Ralston volunteered for the flying corps, but the U.S. was
Lt. Orville A. Ralston in France
beside a fighter plane painted
with the roundel of the Royal
Air Force. NSHS RG2929-0-348
Ralston pasted into his scrapbook this photo of “Red Baron” Manfred von Richthofen’s “Flying Circus,” noting that the photo
was “captured from Hun pilot.” NSHS RG2432-1-305
34
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
35
Ralston kept this photo of his friend and fellow Nebraskan Lt. Jarvis Offutt, who
became Omaha’s first air casualty on Aug. 13, 1918. Fort Crook’s Offutt Field (now
Offutt Air Force Base) was named in his honor. NSHS RG2432-1-144
Royal Air Force S.E. 5 fighters lined up
for patrol, from Ralston’s scrapbook.
Ralston flew an S.E. 5 with the RAF’s 85th
Squadron before flying a Sopwith Camel
for the 148th American Squadron.
Lt. Orville Ralston, portrait taken in London.
NSHS RG2429-0-351
NSHS RG2432-1-337
so far behind in military aviation that he learned to fly under
British instructors in Canada. (And he soloed after only twoand-half hours of instruction!) As a fighter pilot, Ralston flew
British planes and spent the first part of his combat duty
with a British squadron. Only two weeks after joining the
squadron, Ralston earned his first combat victory, returning
to the aerodrome with three large holes in his wings.
“Oh, how much a fellow realizes how little he knows about
the game after he has been out here a while,” Ralston wrote in
his diary. His combination of boldness and humility got him
through his early days as a novice fighter pilot. Within weeks
he was an experienced and deadly pilot racking up victories.
And then came Sept. 26. With his buddies in trouble,
Ralston attacked the nearest enemy and chased him into a
36
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
cloud, risking a mid-air collision in low visibility. Emerging
back into the sunshine, he shot down his foe at short range.
Ralston was then attacked by four enemy planes, but escaped
by ducking into another cloud. Back at the aerodrome, a
mechanic discovered that Ralston had flown the mission
with a cracked cylinder that had no compression.
Ralston received the Distinguished Service Cross for that
encounter.
The war ended with an armistice on Nov. 11. In four
months of combat, Ralston shot down at least five enemy
aircraft — making him Nebraska’s only “ace” of the war — and
had other unconfirmed victories. Back home in 1919, Ralston
spent a summer as a Chautauqua speaker to earn money
to finish dental school. He told audiences about his war
experiences and talked up aviation’s growing commercial
potential.
Ralston then settled into married life, opening a dental
practice in Ainsworth, where he became a community leader,
even serving as mayor. Later, “Doc” Ralston and his wife
owned a ranch near Valentine.
But he left it all behind after the U.S. entered World
War II. Reenlisting in the Army Air Forces, he trained as
an intelligence officer. On Dec. 30, 1942, Ralston was a
passenger on a B-17 bound for Ainsworth Army Air Field
when the bomber crashed in Montana, killing all aboard. He
was 48 years old. N
Visit NSHS’s website at history.nebraska.gov.
The control stick from Ralston’s Sopwith Camel. He carved a
notch for each enemy plane he shot down. NSHS 10091-15
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
37
My Favorite Running
Trails in Nebraska
By Christy Firestone
T
here is nothing better than
a long run through beautiful
country.
As
communications
director
for the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission, I get to travel to some
of the state’s best destinations for
meetings.
Quite often, before those meetings
start, I hit the trail. Donning my
Nathan hydration belt and a headlamp,
I head out before sunrise, take in the
first light of day and return in time
to make roll call. Here are some of my
favorite parks and trails for walking,
hiking or running.
Fort Robinson State Park
Kick off your day on the White River
Trail just before sunrise and witness
the golden glow lighting up the Red
Could Buttes of Fort Robinson. This
flat, easy, out-and-back trail along
the White River offers stunning
views and is lined with native plants
and wildflowers. Keep an eye out
for longhorn steers grazing nearby.
Another gem here is the loop around
Fort Robinson’s historical buildings —
roughly a mile-long trail where you
can stop to pet the horses and enjoy
the mouth-watering aromas wafting
from the lodge.
Jenna Marshall, from Omaha, runs at Schramm Park State Recreation Area — another picturesque option in eastern Nebraska.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
Platte River State Park
Nestled between Lincoln and
Omaha, Platte River State Park
offers surprisingly diverse terrain in
a tranquil paradise. The steep hills
above the Platte River boast winding,
tree-lined trails that feel like a hidden
escape, especially the trail guiding
you to the peaceful Stone Creek Falls.
Don’t worry about getting lost: the
trails are well-marked.
The Niobrara River Bridge on the
Cowboy Trail in Cherry County.
MIKE FORSBERG, NEBRASKALAND
A longhorn steer grazes in a pasture of Fort Robinson State Park in front of the
Red Cloud Buttes. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
38
Nebraskaland • November 2024
With its rolling hills and
breathtaking vistas, Niobrara State
Park is rich in history and teeming
with wildlife. Listen for the gobble
of turkeys in the morning and keep
an eye out for deer. A ridge-top trail
provides an impressive view of where
the Niobrara and Missouri rivers
converge. Even if you’re not into
running or hiking, grab a cup of coffee
and enjoy the view from the comfort of
the park’s cabins.
Ponca State Park
Cowboy Recreation and
Nature Trail at Valentine
This trail, and the bridge 2 miles
southeast of Valentine, showcase
some of Nebraska’s most breathtaking
scenery. Cross the bridge over the
Niobrara River for an elevated view
that will leave you in awe. Keep
heading east and the trail takes you
through the serene Sandhills and past
wildflowers and grazing horses and
cattle. Complete your visit by renting
a tube or kayak from a local outfitter
and float down the Niobrara River,
with a must-see stop at Smith Falls.
Niobrara State Park
Wild turkeys at Niobrara State Park.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
For both hiking and running,
Ponca State Park is a top choice. The
challenging rolling hills will test
even the fittest adventurers, offering
numerous spots to pause and catch
your breath. Framed by an enchanting
canopy of oak woodlands, the trails
make you feel like you’ve stepped
into a storybook. Follow the road to
the banks of the Missouri River for
a peaceful trail experience. Within
the park, well-marked trails promise
fun challenges for the whole family.
The Tri-State Overlook Trail gives you
a view of South Dakota, Iowa and
Nebraska.
Park visitors walking a trail at Ponca
State Park in the winter.
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
Pro Tips for Your Park Visits
When visiting any of these parks,
be sure to chat with the park’s staff
for personalized recommendations.
Maps are available, or you can use the
popular AllTrails app to explore even
more.
Nebraska’s parks and trails are
calling. Will you answer? Whether
you’re looking to catch the sunrise,
hike challenging trails, or simply soak
in the scenery, there’s a perfect spot
waiting for you. N
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
39
Waterfowl Zones Explained
Story and photos by Jeff Kurrus
Todd Mills prepares breakfast from his boat blind on the Missouri River
near Santee while his Labrador retriever, Hope, continues to hunt. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
N
ebraskaland contributor and avid waterfowler
Todd Mills’s hunting season seems to have as much
windshield time as blind time. After spending his
mornings in early September hunting teal in the
Rainwater Basin, the Gretna resident begins road tripping for
ducks on the Missouri River near Santee.
By season’s end, he will have hunted ducks and geese at a
few locations in eastern Nebraska, the Missouri River in South
Dakota and Nebraska, the Platte River near Grand Island, the
North Platte River near Paxton and in the Hastings area. And,
if weather allows, reservoirs in Missouri and Kansas.
He makes these trips out of necessity. One, it feeds the
constant burn that is duck season for Mills. This yearly
40
Nebraskaland • November 2024
tradition is his fall and winter Super Bowl. Secondly, he does
so because Nebraska has some of the most diverse waterfowl
habitat of any state within the Central Flyway.
The Platte River, unlike nearly any other river, offers
exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities throughout the
season and across the entire state. The Loup River system
spans the Sandhills and can provide open water through
early January, while shallow Sandhills lakes and wetlands
might be frozen over by Thanksgiving in most years.
To accommodate these varying hunting circumstances,
Nebraska has four hunting zones, providing early- or lateseason opportunities, or both. Mills hunted three of them last
year with high river water levels forcing him from hunting all
four. This year, he plans to hunt all four, with trips scheduled
on both the Loup and in the Sandhills.
Because of Nebraska’s waterfowl habitat diversity, hunters
like Mills know they can find a zone with open water and
ducks from start to finish during the season. They also know
there are factors across all four flyways — including total
breeding populations, harvest estimates and the habitat
needs of waterfowl species — that come into play when
determining the future of these zones.
Fortunately this fall, like they can every five years in
Nebraska, waterfowl hunters will have a say regarding the
future of these zones.
But first, some history.
In 1971, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the
High Plains Mallard Management Unit, which roughly
extended west from the 100th Meridian in states
throughout the Central Flyway. MAP BY TIM REIGERT, NEBRASKALAND
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
41
Waterfowl Rezoning Process
Occurs once every five years
AUG.–OCT.
2024
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Flyway Councils
agree upon and approve criteria
NOVEMBER
Public input period, first round
DECEMBER
NGPC analyzes and implements public input, and
proposes new zone boundaries (if any)
JANUARY
Public input period, second round
For some time prior to 1971, duck hunters east of U.S.
Highway 83 enjoyed a season that was a week longer than it
was west of that line. In 1971, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
established the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, which
roughly extended west from the 100th Meridian in states
throughout the Central Flyway. The new High Plains Unit,
however, received 23 additional hunting days, a decision based
on research that had shown harvest and the number of hunters
was lower in this portion of Nebraska and these other states.
In 1981, the Low Plains Unit was divided into four zones
with different season dates based on early- or late-season
hunting opportunities. The zones have been modified since.
Re-zoning
Every five years, the USFWS allows changes to waterfowl
zone boundaries. To take advantage of this, Nebraska hunters
who obtained a Harvest Information Program number will
receive a postcard in November directing them to the Nebraska
Game and Parks website where they can offer their input on
current zone boundaries.
Hunters will print a zone map, mark any changes they desire
and mail the form back. “Nebraska has a history of working
with duck hunters on waterfowl zone boundaries,” said John
McKinney, waterfowl program manager for the Nebraska
Game and Parks, “and since this opportunity only arises
42
Nebraskaland • November 2024
every five years, it is important that we hear from hunters this
November.”
During this initial round of input, only written comments
will be accepted. Hunters are encouraged to suggest only
small changes, as larger shifts could affect a greater number
of hunters who may not agree with the change and result in no
change being made. A letter in support of a boundary change
with multiple signatures will not be accepted.
A second round of input will be sought in January regarding
any boundary changes that are being proposed. “Nebraska is
an amazing state for waterfowl hunting,” said McKinney, “and
we want hunters to be engaged during this process.”
The boundaries approved by the Game and Parks Board of
Commissioners next spring will be submitted to the USFWS
for final approval. New zone boundaries will go into effect
beginning in fall of 2026. Concurrently, Game and Parks will
seek input and make season date recommendations based on
harvest estimates, hunter participation and preference, and
migration patterns and timing.
These are important steps for hunters like Mills, who has
journaled for years on success rates and the migration itself.
“With waterfowl hunting being so weather dependent,”
Mills said, “it’s difficult to predict what seasons should look
like. Data from this survey is crucial in determining the most
effective way to set zones that can increase the success for
hunters.” N
2025
Zone History
FEB.–APR.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
NGPC analyzes and implements public input, and
proposes new zone boundaries (if any); submits for
Commission approval
AUGUST
AUGUST
Deadline for zone boundaries to
be submitted to the USFWS for
approval
Season Dates Process
begins after zones are
determined
Staff begins developing season
date recommendations for the new
zones incorporating harvest, hunter
participation, hunter preference, and
migration timing
MARCH
2026
A mallard retrieved by a Lab during an eastern Nebraska duck hunt.
After USFWS approval of new zones, NGPC proposes new season dates to coincide
with new zones for Commission approval
OCTOBER
Waterfowl hunting season begins under new zone configuration
Learn more at OutdoorNebraska.gov
GRAPHICS BY MEL SEVERIN, NEBRASKALAND
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
43
Rock Creek
Hatchery
100 years of trout
producƟon
By Julie Geiser
O
nce regarded as the most
popular of all game fish, the
rainbow trout still has a big
presence in Nebraska waters.
In the early 1900s, trout were not only
a staple food source for many but also
an esteemed sport fish for anglers.
Because of this popularity, ideas began
to form at the Nebraska Bureau of Fish
and Game, now the Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission, about growing
rainbow trout.
Then, in 1924, the Bureau purchased
20 acres of land north of Parks for
a new hatchery for $4,500. Fed by
Rock Creek, a series of the largest
and coldest springs in Nebraska, the
Bureau planned for this new hatchery
to supply the entire state with trout.
It was a lofty goal that quickly
gathered steam.
The Beginnings
H.P. Runion was a rancher and
owner of a hatchery at Benkelman
until it was purchased by the Bureau
in 1919. Runion raised many fish at the
Benkelman hatchery and sold them to
the state. But he thought more could
be done and done better. Years before,
Valentine
Fish Hatchery
Gretna
Fish Hatchery
Rock Creek
State Fish
Hatchery
Parks
Benkelman
Rock Creek Hatchery was the third state hatchery in Nebraska after the Gretna
and Valentine hatcheries. TIM REIGERT, NEBRASKALAND
44
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
around 1911, Runion began a nursery
pond experiment at Rock Creek back
when the crystal-clear waters of Rock
Creek served as a watering area for
thirsty cattle.
Runion found out the water and
vegetation at Rock Creek were ideal for
newly hatched trout fry and that they
thrived and grew rapidly in the clear,
cool, flowing waters at Rock Creek.
Coming from the notion of rearing trout
and other fish to a fingerling size before
releasing them into wild waters, giving
them a better chance of survival, these
features made Rock Creek seemingly
exceptional for a fish hatchery.
Getting a hatchery at Rock Creek
did present challenges, however. The
State Fish Commission in Lincoln
claimed there wasn’t enough water
flowing in the creek to support a troutrearing facility, dismissing the idea of
a hatchery in that part of the state.
Frank Richardson, a Benkelman
resident and hatchery supporter,
challenged the Commissioners to travel
the 300 miles to Rock Creek to take
a look. If they still claimed the creek
didn’t
produce
enough
water,
Richardson would pay their travel
expenses, buy them a steak, and put $10
in each of their pockets — a substantial
amount of money at that time.
After making the journey and
seeing Rock Creek’s potential, the
Commissioners vowed to build a
trout facility there. Shortly after, Gov.
Charles W. Bryan visited the area
and was also supportive of this idea,
helping push the hatchery through
during his first term in 1923.
Construction soon followed.
In this 1950s photograph, Rock Creek
Hatchery assistant Charles Blank
(center) and two assistants, Jerry
Plucker (left) and Elvin Bray, seine
trout fingerlings from a circular
raceway for stocking.
NGPC LIBRARY
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
45
ConstrucƟon and
Expansion
With construction well underway
in 1926, Harry Runion was appointed
superintendent to Rock Creek along
with running the nearby Benkelman
hatchery. A facility with the capacity
for hatching several million trout eggs
a year was built, along with a residence
for a caretaker, a barn, several small
holding ponds and other buildings.
New ponds were in the works to be
built as there were more fish that could
be hatched than there were nursery
ponds to put them in.
The Bureau purchased 87 more
acres of land for Rock Creek hatchery
in 1927 for $6,500. An icehouse and a
new road were built along with more
nursery ponds.
By the summer of 1927, 42,000
largemouth bass fingerlings had been
raised in the small pond, supporting
the idea that conditions at the
hatchery were ideal for both bass and
trout rearing.
But the Bureau sought even more
success. At the time, there were few
facilities available to hold fry and raise
them to a larger size prior to stocking.
It was estimated that only about 5%
of trout raised ever reached maturity
or were available for anglers to catch.
The Bureau’s plan was to keep the
fish in the nursery ponds from spring
to fall so they had time to grow into
fingerlings and increase their chances
of survival. They would distribute
less fry and more fingerling-sized
fish to Nebraska’s lakes and streams,
which meant more rearing ponds and
nurseries were needed.
Rock Creek would help this policy
by building more ponds for trout and
bass, but more were needed to satisfy
the growing demand of fish by anglers.
To help supply fingerling fish, private
fish culture was encouraged by the
Bureau. Chapters of the Izaak Walton
League built nursery ponds and were a
big supporter of raising the larger fish.
The goal was to have excellent trout
fishing in approximately 65 streams
across western and northwestern
Nebraska.
By 1929, four new ponds were
added at Rock Creek, a bridge was
constructed across the creek leading
to the hatching ponds and several
retaining walls were built on the
ponds. Three concrete spillways were
constructed, and sewer pipe was laid.
A modern fish hatchery was
constructed for $6,000 in 1930. At the
time, this was one of the most up-todate hatching houses in the country
and had the capacity to hatch 1.5
million eggs. The old hatch house
was then turned into a residence for
hatchery staff. The hatchery was
said to have 31 ponds of varying sizes
from the small nursery ponds to the
main lake that took up 16 acres on the
property.
A vehicle drives through the entrance to Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery near Benkelman, circa 1940s. The text on this
postcard reads: “State Fish Hatchery, Benkelman, Nebr.” NGPC LIBRARY
46
Nebraskaland
• November 2024
In 1981, an adult female rainbow trout jumps up the 18-inch concrete pipeline that was constructed for
growing adult trout at Rock Creek Hatchery. This pipeline is no longer in use. ROCKY HOFFMANN, NEBRASKALAND
Statewide,
fishing
became
increasingly popular. As roads
were developed and cars became a
household staple, more people were
traveling to fish. This also meant fish
production and transportation of
the fish would have to change with
growing needs.
By 1940, the Commission’s number
of adult fish for spring stockings was
increased by about 30 percent from
the year before. However, at this point,
Rock Creek’s maximum capacity levels
had been met, and if more fish were to
be produced there, the hatchery would
need to be expanded.
To meet this demand, the largest
spring at Rock Creek was evaluated.
This spring sat about 3,000 feet above
the hatching house and that water
was running into the creek, meaning
the flow of 2,000 gallons of water per
minute was not being utilized.
To tap into this unused water
supply, an 18-inch concrete pipeline to
a surge tank near the hatching house
and a group of circular pools were
constructed for growing adult trout. By
doing this, up to a quarter million adult
trout could be grown at Rock Creek
annually.
A Relentless Task
Feeding the fish at Rock Creek was a
relentless task. In the early years, trout
were fed liver; staff would walk from
pond to pond with a kitchen cheese
grater and beef liver, scraping off
chunks of meat into the water as they
went. As the trout grew and required
larger pieces of liver, the grater was
turned over and the cabbage shredder
side of the utensil was used.
As more fish were reared, more food
was needed, and the hatchery turned
to horse meat that was butchered
in Benkelman and ground up at
the hatchery. Sometimes, the meat
arrived spoiled and infested with
maggots, which would later become
an innovative way of feeding the fish.
Frank
Weiss,
the
new
superintendent, discovered that trout
loved maggots and seemed to thrive
on them. So, he designed a wooden box
with a hail screen, a galvanized wire
mesh covering, on the top and bottom
and suspended them over the ponds.
“We’d shoot a few jackrabbits and put
them in the boxes and leave the rest to
the flies,” he stated. As the maggots
developed, they’d drop from the box
and the trout fed on them.
During World War II, finding fish
food meant coming up with different
sources. Weiss began seining carp
from area lakes, transferring them to
hatchery ponds. The carp were then
seined again when needed as food.
They were frozen overnight and run
through a large meat grinder.
From 1943 to 1945, trout production
was dramatically impacted at Rock
Creek due to the lack of meat products
for feeding the fish and the lack of
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
47
Fish Cars
Fish cars were used on
railways to carry eggs
from other states, such as
Massachusetts, Michigan,
Missouri and Wisconsin, to
Nebraska. These cars were
the best in service at that
time, made specifically for
hauling fish long distances.
Equipped with fish tanks
instead of seats, water was
kept running over the tanks
to keep the air supply at
appropriate levels for the
fish. There were also living
quarters on board for fish
crews.
The Antelope was the first
fish car to service Nebraska
in 1889. It was a woodenframed car and would
eventually be replaced by
a modern metal car. The
Angler was the original name
of Nebraska’s second fish car,
later named the Waltonian.
This car serviced Nebraska
and Rock Creek with fish
deliveries until around 1931.
When the trains stopped
at a depot or near a
stocking location, fish were
taken off the fish car and
transported the rest of the
way by horse and cart in
milk cans, by baggage or
other means of less-thansuperior transportation over
sometimes undeveloped
terrain.
Fish rearing evolved, and
fry were no longer taken
from hatcheries and dumped
into lakes, ponds and
streams. Instead, they were
placed in nurseries where
food was abundant and they
could grow to larger sizes.
The fish cars would
eventually be replaced by
trucks, increasing stockings
from 10-15 per day up to 50
at about the same cost. By
1930, a fleet of fish trucks
equipped with ice and
oxygen were placed into
service.
48
Nebraskaland
The Commission’s second fish car was originally named the Angler, later named
the Waltonian. Millions of fish were transported to waters throughout the state in
this railroad car until around 1931. Circa 1910. NSHS RG0031
An aerial view shows the Rock Creek Fish Hatchery in Dundy County in 2000.
Interior view of the above photo fish car, the Angler, showing the tanks. Circa
1918. NGPC LIBRARY
Live trout transport tank on truck from the Rock Creek Hatchery. Undated.
NGPC LIBRARY
• November 2024
labor in the area because of the war.
Weiss was pretty much a one-manshow at the hatchery. If it wasn’t for
the help from anglers and his family,
production would have been cut back
even more.
After 24 years of grating liver,
grinding horse meat and carp and
propagating maggots, Weiss came
up with another solution to feeding
trout, with its principles still used
in hatcheries today. Weiss began
experimenting with a dehydrated
cereal pellet.
Previously, the cereal was in powder
form, but Weiss found that when
beef melt, which is beef pancreas, is
ground with fish cereal, it makes a nice
floating fish food that sinks slowly,
giving trout a chance to eat it before it
reaches the bottom.
Ground liver was still used along
with the new concept of floating
fish food at Rock Creek until the late
1970s. Nowadays, most hatcheries
exclusively feed trout floating fish
food.
If It Works ...
Rock Creek Hatchery has produced
millions of fish for Nebraska anglers
to catch. In 2024 alone, Rock Creek
Hatchery was scheduled to stock more
than 92,000 rainbow trout and 2,500
tiger trout.
The hatchery has also produced
many other species of fish. Everything
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
from rock bass, redear sunfish, crappie,
largemouth and smallmouth bass,
bluegill, channel catfish, yellow perch,
brown trout, brook trout, wiper and
grass carp have been raised there. Even
Kokanee red salmon were hatched in
1958 and released at Lake Ogallala.
Today, the modern hatch house
that was built in 1930 is still being
Fish culturalist Clint Burrell (left), biologist Nolan Watkins, and Julie Fraley,
Nebraska’s first woman fish production manager, load trout from the Rock Creek
raceway ponds into a truck to stock into lakes and ponds around the state.
JULIE GEISER, NEBRASKALAND
November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
49
Making Trout
While some of the eggs used at Rock Creek are
obtained from federal hatcheries and fertilized
before being shipped, quite often biologists,
with a squeeze from their hands, start the
process of making trout.
Once a female’s eggs are stripped, a male’s
milt is immediately put into the pan of eggs to
fertilize them. This is a tedious task and must be
done quickly as the eggs are full of pores and,
once exposed to water and air, will begin closing
rapidly. The milt must be obtained and enter
the egg’s pores quickly to fertilize them. After
being fertilized, the eggs are placed in a large
container with running water for three to four
hours to harden. Afterward, they are moved into
the hatching troughs in the hatch house.
The already fertilized eggs that are delivered
to the hatchery are shipped in ice water. Before
these eggs can be placed in hatching troughs,
the eggs are tempered by slowly warming
the water they are in for three or four hours
to match the temperature of the water in the
troughs.
Once in the troughs, temperatures have to
be regulated as warm water speeds up the
hatching process, which produces weaker
fish and could lead to death. Successful
temperatures are between 50 and 60 degrees
for trout, and the spring-fed water from Rock
Creek is about 56 degrees year-round.
Newly hatched trout absorb their yolk sac as
food, and once the sac is gone — around 14
days — trout look for other food swimming
toward the surface of the water. Because of this,
staff feed them ground liver four or five times
daily.
As the fry grow, they are thinned out to make
room for slower-growing trout. Once trout
reached a fingerling size of 1 to 2 inches, they
are transferred to outdoor circular ponds. At
this point, food is changed from a liver diet to a
liver-cereal mix. The cereal is prepared by feed
mills and is high in protein and vitamins.
As the trout grow, they are again sorted with
the larger fish placed in spring-fed ponds while
smaller trout are held in the circular ponds. The
sorting process is repeated until the fish are at a
desirable length for pond stocking.
Once in the pond, trout are fed only twice per
day for two weeks before feeding is cut to once
a day. Trout also feed on insect life naturally
produced in the ponds. Surface feeding for
insects prepares the trout for introduction into
rivers, streams and lakes where they must feed
on their own for survival.
Female rainbow trout eggs are stripped into a pan
and ready for the male fish’s milt. ROCKY HOFFMANN, NEBRASKALAND
used along with 16 ponds for
fish production. While much of
the hatchery resembles its 1924
beginnings, there were obstacles to
overcome and modifications made in
trout rearing.
Improvements at the facility over
the years include new and additional
trout troughs in 1950 that would
produce almost 600,000 brown and
rainbow trout eggs, over 200,000 more
than before the addition.
By 1976, it was feared that the cold,
clean water flows at the hatchery
would be greatly reduced because of
the large number of irrigation wells
that were put in near the hatchery
for center-pivot systems, and a new
hatchery may need to be built. After
studies were completed, geologists
found that if the water flow was
greatly reduced, more water could be
obtained by installing high-capacity
pumps and wells.
In 1980, more than $200,000 was
A rainbow trout swims in the newly renovated pond at Chadron State Park during
the park’s first stocking of the year. The fish were shipped in by truck from the
Rock Creek Hatchery. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
spent modernizing the hatchery,
with raceway, piping system, water
reservoir, and aeration system
improvements, along with new wells,
to pursue the science of raising trout.
Since then, much of what worked
the past 100 years still works, as seen
from the thousands of fish stocked
each year. Which is why if you’ve
fished for trout in Nebraska in the last
century, chances are you’ve landed
one raised at Rock Creek Hatchery. N
See our video celebrating 100
years of the Rock Creek Hatchery at
NebraskalandMagazine.com.
A microscopic image of fertile eggs.
The “eye” in each circle is a trout. ROCKY HOFFMANN, NEBRASKALAND
Newly hatched trout still have their egg sacs that will
feed them until they are larger. ROCKY HOFFMANN, NEBRASKALAND
The Gretna Fish Hatchery Museum in Sarpy County displays items from Rock Creek and the state’s other hatcheries.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
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• November 2024
November 2024 •
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51
MIXED BAG
UPLAND BIRD HUNTING THIS WINTER
By Julie Geiser
Winter is an ideal time for upland hunting. Some hunters
don’t want to battle the cold and snow, leaving many public
areas wide open for you to chase pheasants, quail and prairie
grouse.
Although hunting in the early mornings can mean cold
temperatures and sometimes snow and wind, hunters can
play the elements in their favor.
On cold early mornings, birds may sit a little tighter, and
will move a little slower to get into fields to feed. Add snow
and wind into that mix, and you’ll have a tight-sitting bird,
half-tamed by the cold until they are triggered by the flush.
Keep your dog a little closer to help find snow-ridden birds.
Hunters should try walking in a zig-zag pattern across the
field to cover more area. If hunting with a partner, keep the
distance between each other a little closer than you normally
would to help find sitting birds. Always abide by safe zones
of fire when shooting (with two hunters, each zone-of-fire is
about 45 degrees directly in front of them).
Use the wind to your advantage, and let it mask the noise
you make by walking into the wind. Be quiet when pushing
through a field. Minimal talking or yelling at dogs will help
keep birds sitting tight.
Hunt areas where there are agricultural crops, natural
grasses, forbs, brush and wildlife plantings. Many public
hunting areas offer these features. Open Fields and Waters
sites have many excellent areas for walk-in hunting — from
corn or wheat stubble to rolling hills. Wildlife management
areas, managed by Nebraska Game and Parks, have habitat
specifically for wildlife and are walk-in accessible to hunters.
Here’s my list of WMAs to hunt upland birds this winter:
• Sherman Reservoir WMA, Sherman County - 3,180 acres
• Davis Creek WMA, Valley and Greeley counties - 2,450
acres
• Sacramento-Wilcox WMA, Phelps County - 2,320 acres
• Medicine Creek WMA, Frontier County - 7,487 acres
• Red Willow WMA, Frontier and Red Willow counties 5,278 acres
• Pressey WMA, Custer County - 1,579 acres
For a complete listing of all public
walk-in areas, including WMAs, Open
Fields and Waters sites and more, pick
up a copy of the Public Access Atlas,
available online at OutdoorNebraska.
gov, at sporting goods vendors or Game
and Parks offices.
For those willing to contend with the cold, snow and wind, many public areas are wide open for pheasants, quail and prairie
grouse hunting in the winter. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
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53
MIXED BAG
TO HANG OR NOT TO HANG
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Deer hunters should take every opportunity to hang deer,
especially when temperatures are above freezing and below
50 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only will hanging deer yield more
tender meat, but it can also improve the flavor of venison.
Rigor Mortis
every day.
Be mindful when hanging deer in a less protected area, such
as an uninsulated shed or outbuilding. Too much temperature
variability on the warmer end could cause meat to spoil. If it
is too cold, the meat will freeze, which will inhibit enzyme
activity during the aging process.
No two seasons are the same.
Some years, a cold snap might
come through, and I’d have to
hang deer longer. Other years, a
warmer fall forces me to butcher
immediately after rigor mortis. I
just go with it.
After mammals die, they go
through a process called rigor
mortis that causes muscles and
joints to stiffen. Butchering a deer
while it’s in rigor mortis will result
in tough meat.
Hang deer in a cool, dry place
away from pests, debris and direct
sunlight at least until rigor mortis
Mold
has faded. Because I don’t have
High humidity might lead to
a temperature-controlled, pestmold. If you see white mold, don’t
proof walk-in cooler, I hang deer
panic. Unless you’re allergic or
in my garage with the hide on for
immunocompromised, the white
protection. When the shoulders
mold you see is similar to the mold
and knee joints move and bend
that grows on salami or expensive
freely, I know rigor mortis has
aged beef.
dissipated. During typical fall or
Wipe off mold with a paper
early-winter weather, three days
towel soaked with any kind of
usually does the trick.
vinegar. Check the deer every day
Temperature plays a role in the
and never let mold sit so long that
duration of rigor mortis. I once had
it turns into something darker,
to hang a December whitetail for
which could be toxic. If the white
two weeks because temperatures
mold becomes aggressive, I make
were so cold. Conversely, in a hot
a point to butcher sooner rather
When conditions allow, hang deer for more
environment, rigor mortis can fade flavorful, tender venison.
than later and cut away the
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
in a matter of hours before the
affected parts.
onset of decomposition.
If conditions continue to be favorable, hanging deer past
When Not to Hang Deer
rigor mortis can give you better quality venison for the dinner
Early-season archery hunters may not get the opportunity
table. Mature animals can greatly benefit from aging.
to hang deer because of the risk of spoilage. January hunters
may have the opposite problem; a frozen carcass cannot age
and is not enjoyable to break down. In these two scenarios,
Aging
it’s best to butcher the deer right away.
I try to hang deer for at least a week — two if possible.
Each season, I adjust how I will utilize deer depending on
During this time, natural enzymes break down connective
the quality of the meat. On a good year, I may get fantastic
tissues, resulting in more tender, flavorful meat.
steaks or kebab meat from the top and bottom rounds in
Aging deer, or any meat, in an uncontrolled space — such
the hindquarters, which are giant muscles. During a less
as a garage — requires that you pay close attention to the
favorable year when I don’t get the chance to hang deer, I
temperature and be flexible. Keep a thermometer in that
might turn most of it into stew meat, burger or sausage.
space and keep a close eye on it. Forty degrees Fahrenheit
That’s the beauty of wild game — you learn to appreciate
and below is generally safe — you won’t have to worry about
and bring out the best of what you have. It will make you a
meat spoiling. However, I am comfortable hanging deer in
better cook in the long run.
ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees, as long as I check it
54
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November 2024 •
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55
MIXED BAG
IT’S A FAMILY TRADITION
By Jeff Kurrus
Six years ago, Nate Murdoch, a medical doctor in Grand
Max was doing a great job of not taking a bad shot. It was
Island, visited his grandfather’s nursing home in Holdrege.
very mature of him.” The buck started walking again toward
Nate had graduated medical school and completed residency
the thick timber, and Nate stopped him again with a grunt
and fellowship training. He had a nice house and a beautiful
tube. This time the buck had stopped in one of the narrow
family.
windows to shoot. Nate whispered to his son, “Alright Max,
But when Nate, who didn’t hunt as a kid, shared photos
there’s your shot.”
of his first mature buck taken on Grandpa Bill’s old pasture
“My heart was pumping pretty good,” Max said, his quiet
ground, granddad gathered his
confidence contributing to his ability
friends at the home and said this
to take a deep breath before squeezing
about his grandson: “He’s a hunter.”
the trigger on his Browning .308 bolt“It struck me as funny,” Nate
action, a family rifle.
said recently while standing in his
Nate saw the deer jump when Max
Grand Island home. “That was the
shot. The buck quickly disappeared
way he wanted to introduce me to
out of sight, and Max became
his buddies, ‘He’s a hunter’.” His
anxious. “I thought that I shot him,
granddad has since passed away, but
but I wasn’t sure,” Max said. “That
that memory remains impactful to
was pretty nerve-racking.”
the Murdoch family.
Once they found blood, Max
These days, more than one hunter
calmed. However, his dad silently
lives in Nate’s house; 16-year-old
began to worry. “We started finding
Bennett and 14-year-old Max have
blood but the direction wasn’t great,”
taken on the family tradition — an
said Nate. “He was going toward the
annual trek to granddad’s land near
edge of our property. Then, when he
Oxford along the Republican River for
made a turn back into our property,
the November firearm opener.
I felt a lot better.” Twenty minutes
Last season, this trip brought
later, they found him.
even more fond memories as Nate
After the congratulatory text
witnessed his son shoot the biggest Max Murdoch is all smiles with his buck of a
messages and field dressing the deer
lifetime taken last season. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
buck they have ever seen.
together, the hunt became even more
That day, Bennett sat with Nate’s
of a family affair because of the size
cousin, Will, and Max with his dad in ground blinds. The
of the buck’s body.
adults left their guns at the truck. “The younger boys get to
“We’d drag him 15 yards and couldn’t do it anymore,” said
shoot first,” said Nate. “If we make it far enough, the older
Nate with a laugh, describing the valley-filled land they had
guys get to shoot.”
to navigate. “We had to get Will, Bennett and my uncle, Tim.”
Hunting next to a dry creek bed, Nate and Max saw a nice
Once back, they checked with neighbors. No one had seen
4x4 in the morning, but for some reason, Max passed on it.
this buck. They checked their cameras. Not a single image.
By mid-afternoon, however, when older brother Bennett
To this day, the Murdochs are convinced Max was supposed
downed a buck, Nate thought his younger son might have
to shoot that buck, carrying on a family tradition that Nate
been feeling a little left out. Then, around 5:30 p.m., came the
plans to continue long into the future.
doe. Behind her came a bigger deer.
Maybe one day the boys will finish their hunt early and
“We knew he was a buck,” said Nate, “but we didn’t know
dad gets to shoot. But … maybe not.
he was this.”
Either way, they’ll be there together, another generation
The doe disappeared through a cedar thicket about 60
of hunters going back to family land along the Republican
yards away, and as the buck turned to follow, Nate used his
River.
“YouTube version of education” on a grunt tube, and the deer
stopped. “I didn’t want him to go into the timber,” he said.
Start, or continue, your family hunting traditions at
Max didn’t have a clean shot at the deer’s vitals.
OutdoorNebraska.gov where you can find season dates, places
“You could tell he was a big deer now,” said Nate. “But
to hunt or buy your permit.
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November 2024 •
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57
MIXED BAG
CWD NOT GOING AWAY SOON
By Justin Haag
North America’s deer, elk and moose continue to face a
taken to a licensed landfill.
silent killer.
“Proper disposal is especially important with CWD,”
First identified in Colorado in 1967, chronic wasting
Nordeen said.
disease is now in Nebraska, 33 other states and four Canadian
Knowing what they are up against, researchers and
provinces. It has no cure or effective treatment.
wildlife managers are doing their part to monitor and control
CWD is caused by prions — misfolded proteins that cause
the disease.
neighboring proteins to misfold. These prions accumulate in
In February, 59 Panhandle mule deer were captured and
the brain and lead to erratic behavior, drastic weight loss and
equipped with tracking collars as part of the USDA National
an emaciated appearance.
Wildlife Research Center’s interstate efforts to study chronic
Unlike the viral epizootic hemorrhagic disease that kills
wasting disease. Information obtained during the captures,
deer within days, CWD progresses slowly, said Todd Nordeen,
including blood and tissue samples, gives insights into the
big game disease and
species health.
research
program
Each
year,
lymph
manager for Nebraska
nodes also are collected
Game and Parks. It can
in five of 18 deer units
take about two years
in a statistical-based
before
an
infected
approach to discovering
animal
will
show
new areas where the
symptoms. As its motor
disease is present. Before
functions
deteriorate,
the 2024 deer season,
it also becomes more
CWD had been detected
susceptible to predation,
in free-ranging deer and
vehicle collisions and
elk in 58 of 93 counties
hunters.
— all of the Panhandle
“We’ve gotten to some
and southwestern region,
that are showing latewith
other
counties
stage symptoms, but
ranging to the eastern
usually something else Workers collect blood and tissue samples from a mule deer in the
border.
beats us to it,” Nordeen Wildcat Hills while equipping it with a tag and tracking collar. The
Since 1997, Game and
capture effort in February was part of a multi-state effort to study
said.
Parks
has tested more
Chronic Wasting Disease. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
Believed to be spread
than 57,000 deer and
among susceptible species by body fluids, prions can persist
over 400 elk, with 1,269 deer and 19 elk testing positive. The
in soil and vegetation for decades, complicating efforts to
rate of positive animals has exceeded 30 percent in some
contain it.
states, but is not that high in most areas in Nebraska. Some
“It’s a very difficult disease to deal with,” Nordeen said.
eastern units are 5 percent or less. But at their last testing in
“It’s so hard to destroy. It’s not eliminated by fire or freezing.”
2022, the Plains, Frenchman and Pine Ridge units in western
Proteins, which are not formally living things, are the
Nebraska each tested at about 30 percent.
building blocks for tissues, muscles and organs. When
Some states are implementing regulations to prevent the
misfolded, as prions, they wreak havoc on an organism’s
movement of potentially infected carcasses, while others are
mental function. Other prion diseases include Creutzfeldtexploring experimental treatments and vaccines.
Jakob disease in humans and bovine spongiform
In the meantime, in Nebraska, biologists are furthering
encephalopathy, known as mad cow disease.
their research, understanding and education on the disease in
Thankfully, no evidence suggests CWD poses a direct threat
the hopes of finding solutions for the future. They are asking
to humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
the public to report suspected diseased animals to Game and
encourages caution, however. People should wear gloves and
Parks — and to spread awareness of the disease.
a mask when handling big game species, especially the brain
and spinal cord where prions accumulate the most. To limit
Learn more about CWD at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for
the diseases’ spread, carcasses should be double bagged and
“CWD.”
58
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November 2024 •
Nebraskaland
59
PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST
Pheasant hunting near Laurel, 1942
This is a photo that appeared in
Hunting and Fishing Magazine in
February1943.
The hunter on the left with the pipe
is my late father, Louis Hetherington,
who wrote the article about Nebraska
being a “hunter’s paradise.”
He and the other hunters were
from Beatrice, my hometown.
The gentleman in the middle,
Eugene Gish, was a reporter
for the Beatrice Sun.
– Dennis Hetherington,
Las Vegas, Nevada
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November 2024 •
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61
THE LAST STOP
This windmill is one of four at Fort Robinson State Park.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
THE WINDMILL: FROM PROSAIC TO PRETTY
By Justin Haag
This image from Fort Robinson State Park has a few things
people seem to like in a Nebraska photo: A blue sky with
contrasty clouds, the Red Cloud Buttes defying the state’s
reputation for being flat, and, of course, a windmill whirring
in a steady breeze. The windmill is one of four in the park
used to water its bison, longhorns, horses and whatever else
needs a drink.
As a nature photographer, I often point my camera away
from windmills, fences and other man-made structures.
Windmills, however, have become an endeared element of
our region’s landscape, and this one seemed to be the only
nearby compelling foreground element when the light was
right.
Have they always been photo-worthy? I read an article
in a 1905 newspaper that panned the modern-at-the-time
windmill as compared to the big, elaborate brick and wood
structures with doors and windows that became popular on
the other side of the Atlantic Ocean centuries prior.
“While there are undoubtedly more windmills in the
United States than any other country in the world, they
62
Nebraskaland • November 2024
are, all of them, very prosaic, very practical, and essentially
businesslike. For the picturesque windmill, we still have to go
to Europe,” the author wrote.
The article described the aesthetics of windmills dating
back to the 11th century in Europe, where their multiple uses
included grinding corn to flour. They’ve had varied purposes
in the U.S., too, but one has prevailed.
“So far as modern windmills are concerned they are entirely
used to pump water, and while they add nothing that makes
for beauty on the landscape, they have been responsible for
making a garden out of the desert spots in this country,”
said the 1905 article. “While the picturesque old windmills
in old England are fast disappearing, the new style windmill
becomes more and more numerous here, in spite of the fact
that this is the age of electricity and the times are those in
which stupendous tasks are lightly undertaken.”
What would the author think of today’s solar-powered
wells and wind turbines that generate electricity? Perhaps,
they too, will someday provide nostalgic fodder for scenic
photos. I’m betting some of you might doubt it.
November 2024 •
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63
Position: 583 (19 views)