OUTDOOR NEBRASKA
Just A Dog
REPRINTED FROM FEBRUARY 1941 ISSUE OF FIELD AND STREAM Freedom, New Hampshire November 24. 1940 Ray P. Holland Editor of Field & Stream New York, N. Y. Dear Ray:I KNOW this is a kind of unusual request; but I'd like to borrow some space in your columns to write an open letter to a man I do not know. He may read it if it is in your columns; or some of his friends may notice his name and ask him to read it. You see, it has to do with sport—a certain kind of sport.
The man's name is Sherwood G. Coggins. That was the name on his hunting license. He lives at 1096 Lawrence Street, in Lowell. He says he is in the real estate and insurance business in Lowell.
This week-end, Mr. Coggins, you drove up into New Hampshire with some friends to go deer hunting. You went hunting on my property here in Freedom. You didn't ask my permission; but that was all right. I let people hunt on my land. Only, while you were hunting, you shot and killed my bird dog.
Oh, it was an accident, of course. You said so yourself. You said that you saw a flick of something in the bushes, and you shot it. All you saw was the flash of something moving, and you brought up your rifle and fired. It might have been another hunter. It might have been a child running through the woods. As it turned out, it was just a dog.
Just a dog, Mr. Coggins. Just a little English setter I have hunted with for quite a few years. Just a little female setter who was very proud and staunch on point, and who always held her head high, and whose eyes had the brown of October in them. We had hunted a lot of alder thickets and apple orchards together, the little setter and I. She knew me, and I knew her, and we liked to hunt together. We had hunted woodcock together this fall, and grouse, and in another week we were planning to go down to Carolina together and look for quail. But yesterday morning she ran down in the fields in front of my house, and you saw a flick in the bushes, and you shot her.
You shot her through the back, you said, and broke her spine. She crawled out of the bushes and across the field toward you, dragging her hind legs. She was coming to you to help her. She was a gentle pup, and nobody had ever hurt her, and she could not understand. She began hauling herself toward you, and looking at you with her brown eyes, and you put a second bullet through her head. You were sportsman enough for that.
I know you didn't mean it, Mr. Coggins. You felt very sorry afterward. You told me that it really spoiled your deer hunting the rest of the day. It spoiled my bird hunting the rest of a lifetime.
At least, I hope one thing, Mr. Coggins. That is why I am writing you. I hope that you will remember how she looked. I hope that the next time you raise a rifle to your shoulder you will see her over the sights, dragging herself toward you across the field, with blood running from her mouth and down her white chest. I hope you will see her eyes.
I hope you will always see her eyes, Mr. Coggins, whenever there is a flick in the bushes and you bring vour rifle to your shoulder before"you know what is there
COREY FORD.SHEILA. BEAUTIFUL SETTER OWNED BY L. H. LYLE. OF ATLANTA. THE TYPE DOG DISCUSSED IN THE ACCOMPANYING ARTICLE
Some years ago a farmer in New York State was complaining to a friend that there were no longer any ducks on the big marsh at the lower end of his farm.
"Herb," he said, "you're a biologist; can't you tell me why I haven't any ducks any more? There used to be three or four broods come off that marsh every summer."
"Well, John, I don't know. It might be for any one of a dozen reasons. Let's walk down that way and take a look."
But it was not settled in one afternoon. Herb made several visits to the marsh at different seasons of the year until, bit by bit, he pieced his observations together to make a complete picture. Then the biologist met his friend again.
"The ducks are gone," he said, "because the boys are trapping all the skunks."
"Why, what in thunder have the skunks got to do with the ducks?" John retorted. "I'd think trapping the skunks was all to the good, if you ask me."
"Maybe so," continued Herb, "but the situation looks like this: Skunks dig snapping turtle eggs out of the sand where they're laid, and eat them. When the fur prices went up and the boys started trapping skunks the turtles had a chance to multiply. But there wasn't enough food down there for them and they began to feed on the ducklings. Ducks won't nest where they are molested that way, and so they have gone somewhere else. If you want those ducks back you'll have to quit trapping the skunks. Their hides aren't worth much now anyway."
John was not convinced, but the ducks had been the pride of the whole family, so he decided to try the biologist's suggestion. Today there are as many ducks as ever. For when trapping ceased, the skunk population increased with a resultant drop in the number of snapping turtles; the turtles no longer exerted pressure on the ducks, which returned to nest at the pond; and something like the previous set of relationships was established.
The biologist had attempted in this instance to deal with all the factors affecting a given situation, instead of considering a single factor to the exclusion of others that might have an equally important influence. This is an example of ecological thinking.
—EDWARD H. GRAHAM.
Hunting Season To Open October 16th
The season on migratory waterfowl and pheasants will open simultaneously in Nebraska at sunrise on October 16th and continue for sixty days on waterfowl and for three weeks on pheasants. It will be the fourteenth annual hunt for the wary 'chink' and we believe it should be the best season Nebraska has ever experienced.
From all reports, surveys and observations, pheasants are plentiful in nearly all parts of the state and with almost the entire state open, there should be no great concentration of hunters in any one part as in seasons past, and there should be birds for all that take to the fields for their annual hunt.
All the state, except reserves, is open to duck and goose hunting, and all the state except reserves and four southeastern counties, that have been set up as quail restocking areas, will be open to pheasant shooting. These counties are Richardson, Johnson, Pawnee and Nemaha. No shooting will be permitted in these counties, for the protection of the quail that will be placed there the middle of September.
Officers will be instructed to patrol this area thoroughly, and anyone caught violating will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
According to reports from the north, where extensive surveys have been made by "Ducks Unlimited," there should be more ducks and geese on the wing this fall than for a number of years.
Here are some of the regulations this year to keep in mind:
A daily bag and possession limit of five (5) pheasants will be permitted, one of which may be a hen if shot accidentally, but the Commission does not recommend that hen pheasants be intentionally shot.
The daily bag on ducks and geese will be ten (10) ducks and three (3) geese and a possession limit of twenty (20) ducks and six (6) geese. The restrictions on canvasback and ruddy ducks have been removed, leaving only the redhead and bufflehead ducks on the restricted list. Not more than three (3) in the aggregate of these ducks can be taken daily or six (6) in possession.
Another liberalization of the regulations permits the taking of six (6) blue geese daily if no other geese are taken and have twelve (12) in possession. If the daily bag of three (3) other geese are taken you will be permitted to take three (3) blue geese in addition, making a total bag of six (6) geese. This same regulation permits you to have six (6) other geese and six (6) blue geese in possession or a total of twelve (12) geese.
The twelve o'clock shooting hour on the Platte River and the North Platte River has been repealed and you will be permitted to shoot during the regular shooting hours. The North Platte River and for ten (10) rods on each side in Garden County, and the Platte River and for ten (10) rods on each side in Dodge, Saunders and Douglas Counties to the bridge on Highway No. 16 are closed to all shooting.
The use of live decoys is prohibited. Shotguns must be plugged, and all hunters over 16 years of age must have a duck stamp when hunting waterfowl. Baiting of waterfowl is prohibited and a new regulation prohibits the use of cattle, horses or mules in taking waterfowl.
The east lines of Sheridan, Garden and Deuel Counties have again been designated as the division line between Mountain and Central time. The hours of shooting on both waterfowl and pheasants will be from sunrise to 4 P.M. each day during the open season.
Pheasants and waterfowl may be legally possessed for twenty (20) days after the close of the season.
All game placed in cold storage plants must have regular cold storage tags attached. No game can be shipped unless accompanied on the same common carrier by the shipper.
There is no open season on the following game birds: rails, doves, swans, cranes, curlew, plover, prairie chicken, grouse, quail, chukar partridge, Hungarian partridge, wild turkey, or snipe (Wilson or Jack).
Play safe! Don't take chances! Whenever in doubt about any rules and regulations, or wildlife and conservation problems, either contact your local deputy conservation officer or write the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission, State House, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Hunting Hints
Open SeasonDucks, October 16 to December 14, inclusive.
Geese, October 16 to December 14, inclusive.
Pheasants, October 16 to November 5, inclusive.
Squirrels, October 1 to November 30, inclusive.
Raccoon, November 1 to February 1.
Rabbits, January 1 to December 31, inclusive.
HOURSDucks and Geese, Sunrise to 4 P.M.
Pheasants, Sunrise to 4 P.M.
Squirrels, 7 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Rabbits, All Hours.
LIMITS5 cock pheasants.
No more than three (3) redhead or bufflehead ducks a day, or six (6) in possession.
No more than ten (10) ducks a day or twenty (20) in possession.
No more than three (3) geese a day or six (6) in possession, except Blue Geese. Blue Geese, six (6) a day or twelve (12) in possession if no other geese taken.
Pittman-Robertson Activities
By L. P. VANCEFollowing is a complete progress report of pheasant releases from the cooperative pheasant rearing units as of September 1, 1941, showing the location of cooperative pheasant rearing units, sponsoring organizations of the units, men in charge, total number of birds started, total number of birds released, and percentage of birds released.
Unfortunately, we are not able at this time to give a complete summary of all releases, as complete releases will not be made until after date of publication of this magazine.
These first releases show a total of 14,564 birds started and 10,251 birds released, an average release of 168 birds per unit. Some 40 more releases are scheduled; all second broods are part of the organizations listed here.
The success of those sponsoring cooperative pheasant rearing units this year has been exceptionally high. You will notice that some of the units have fallen down to a rather low figure, but in every instance this low success has been due to a cause beyond the control of the caretaker. Many of these birds were shipped out during the first two weeks of June, which, you will recall, were exceptionally wet and cold, resulting in severe chilling in transit and a great decrease in the number of birds raised. Other units experienced heavy loss due to severe wind and rain storms, and at least two units received unexpected losses from barn rats and civet cats.
All in all, each organization sponsoring a pheasant rearing unit feels that it has had a highly successful year and is looking forward to continuing this program on even a larger scale next season.
Unit Location Chairman 1. Humboldt Rudy Vertiska, Jr. 2. Crete Ben G. Miller 3. Shickley Carl Wentersteen 4. Platte Center George Burrows 5. St. Paul Laverne Jacobsen 6. Pierce Elvon Bo wen 7. Albion Louis I. Smoyer 8. Surprise A. W. Kilgore 9. Bertrand Ford Bryant 10. Plainview Henry Peterson 11. York Dr. R. E. Karrer 12. Beaver City Clarke Kelley 13. Grand Island Leo Stuhr 14. Shelton A. A. Jaeke 15. Columbus Harry Winsinger 16. Curtis F. M. Allen 17. Gresham Renald A. Tobey 18. McCook Joe Rothmeyer 19. Holdrege Jo Titus 20. Papillion Frank Leaders 21. Gladstone Ernest Kriesel 22. Alma Robert Porter 23. David City Richard Zeilinger 24. Gladstone Emil R. Schoen 25. Elwood Cloyd Clark 26. Nehawka Parr Young 27. Ft. Robinson Capt. James P. Burns 28. Genoa W. D. Rowden 29. Sutton Jack Nolde 30. Papillion J. Gates Lilley 31. Schuyler Rev. A. Bergt 32. Culbertson Emanuel Sinner 33. Minden V. W. Binderup 34. Harrison W. E. Mumby 35. South Sioux City Clarence Rockwell 36. Memphis George Baker 37. Alliance Hugh G. Schooley 38. Aurora Levi Anderson 39. Lincoln H. W. Jesperson 40. Hay Springs Chester Irish 41. Franklin Judge William H. Smith 42, Crawford Robert H. McDowell 43. Syracuse Dr. W. E. Kendle Sponsoring Organization No. Birds Started Moss Lake Club 220 Izaak Walton League 225 Shickley Community Club 220 Izaak Walton League 217 St. Paul Gun Club 215 Pierce County Wildlife Federation 240 Albion Wildlife Federation 220 Blue River Pheasant Project 218 Volunteer Fire Department 212 Plainview Sportsmen's Club 240 York Kiwanis Club 218 Beaver Sappa Game Conservation Society 215 Izaak Walton League 220 Shelton Lions Club 218 Izaak Walton League 216 Frontier Wildlife Club 220 Gresham Commercial Club 220 McCook Junior Chamber of Commerce 216 Phelps County Wildlife Club 220 Papillion Gun Club 218 Blue Valley Sportsmen's Association 220 Harlan County Game Association 220 David City Commercial Club 220 Jefferson County Sportsmen's Association 217 Elwood Wildlife Unit 220 Neighborhood Club 220 Ft. Robinson Wildlife Club 219 Genoa State Farm 220 Boy Scouts 220 Twin Oak Neighbors 220 Co'fax County Game Farm 216 Culbertson Wildlife Club 220 Minden Wildlife Club 217 Harrison Commercial Club 218 South Sioux City Commercial Club 220 Izaak Walton League 212 Alliance Gun Club 220 Hamilton County Game Protective Association 220 Izaak Walton League 220 Hay Springs Northwest Wildlife Club 330 Franklin County Wildlife Association 220 Crawford Northwest Wildlife Club 220 Lions Club A 330 No. Birds Per Cent Released Released 216 98.18% 218 96.88% 212 96.36% 209 96.31% 207 96.28% 230 95.83% 208 94.54% 206 94.49% 199 93.86% 223 92.91% 201 92.20% 194 90.20% 196 89.09% 194 88.99% 192 88.88% 195 88.63% 194 88.18% 180 87.96% 193 87.72% 185 84.86% 186 84.54% 183 83.18% 183 83.18% 179 82.49% 179 81.36% 178 80.90% 175 79.90% 174 79.09% 173 78.63% 173 78.63% 163 75.46% 166 75.45% 163 75.11% 161 73.85% 160 72.72% 152 71.69% 155 70.04% 153 69.54% 150 68.18% 213 64.54% 142 64.53% 141 64.09% 211 63.93%
A long-felt need for a handy, pocket-size booklet to serve as an instant identification for the duck shooter's game is filled by the new publication Wild Ducks, just issued by the American Wildlife Institute.
The booklet not only serves as an identification aid, but is filled with interesting as well as educational reading material, prepared by the country's foremost authorities.
Sixteen 8-color lithographs, drawn by Fred Everett, form the basis around which the booklet is built. Male and female mallard, American pintail, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, cinnamon teal, shoveller, baldpate, greater scaup, ring-necked, American golden-eye, wood duck, canvasback, ruddy, red-head and buffle-head are depicted. The male of the black duck and gadwall are also shown in the 4 5/8 by 4% illustrations. Maps showing the breeding range and wintering range of each species are also included in the illustrations. A 6-color lithograph forms the front cover and the back cover is devoted to a colored map showing the principal migration routes.
The written text of the booklet includes a foreword by Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson, Director of the U. S. Fish and "Wildlife Service; an interesting story by Colonel H. P. Sheldon and a story on The Waterfowl Flyways, by Frederick C. Lincoln, America's foremost authority on this subject.
Biographical sketches of the artist and authors complete the 36-page publication. The booklet has been printed on the finest of paper so that the illustrations are suitable for framing.
The booklet Wild Ducks, which should be in the hands of every sportsman, may be obtained for 25 cents from the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska.
OUTDOOR NEBRASKA
EDITOR - William Lytle COMMISSIONERS M. M. Sullivan, Chairman Dr. H. C. Zellebs Carl S. Horn Clarke Wilson Dr. M. Campbell EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE Dr. H. C. Zellers Dr. M. M. Sullivan William Lytle Published quarterly at Lincoln, Nebraska, by the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission, State of Nebraska. Subscription price, 25 cents a year; $1.00 for five years. VOL. XVIII FALL, 1941 Number 4EDITORIAL
SAFETY HINTS FOR HUNTERS"Nowadays, we hunt mostly for the pleasure of it, and it takes only one accident to mar forever the memory of the good hunting and the pleasant companionship of what might have been a happy hunting trip."
As the leaves will soon begin to put on their colored coats and the tang of the first frost of autumn will fill the air, thousands of hunters will soon take the trusty old shotguns from the rack, in the anticipation of the hunt that is to come.
This fall, throughout the hunting grounds,, it is estimated that 2000 persons will be accidentally killed and thousands of others will be maimed and disabled. Such being the case, every hunter going into the fields ought to take all precautions for his own safety and that of others. Here are a few hints that may prove helpful:
1. Handle every gun as if it were loaded.
2. Be sure of your target before you pull the trigger.
3. Never leave your gun unattended unless you first unload it.
4. Carry your gun so that you can control the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble.
5. Always be sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
6. Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.
7. Never climb a fence or tree with a loaded gun.
8. Never shoot at a flat hard surface or the surface of the water.
9. Carry only empty guns, taken down or with the action open, into your automobile, camp, and home.
10. Do not mix gunpowder and alcohol.
If the above ten commandments of safety are observed, many accidents will be avoided and you will be helping to make shooting a safe sport.
When a hunter violates the game laws or steps beyond his rights as a sportsman, he does injury to you and also to himself. First of all, the sportsman should co-operate with the farmer and landowner. It is your duty as a sportsman to protect the property you are on. Never leave a gate open or cut a wire fence as acts of this kind will offend a once-friendly farmer and spoil your future hunting in that neighborhood.
Don't shoot near buildings. There may be livestock near, or human beings may be about and the startling report of a shotgun is not a pleasant thing to the lady of the house. Many farmers will be in the cornfield shucking corn during the hunting season and they cannot shuck corn and watch for hunters, so be careful about hunting in a cornfield where they are at work in the field.
In addition to the above courtesies to the farmer, you will ask permission before you enter on his land to hunt. If you do this, you will usually make a friend and be welcome when the next hunting season rolls around.
Let us make every effort to go through this coming hunting season without one accident to mar forever the memory of what might have been a happy hunting trip!
THE FALL had come, creeping with infinite patience over the earth, to fill the countryside about the lake once again with its old mellow spell of loneliness and the memory of days long past. It came as it always came, in majestic silence, with a melancholy sunlight that bathed the hills and fields and lake in a thin, lukewarm glow which was but a ghost of summer's brilliance. And from the trees the bright leaves were drifting down, sometimes just casually and sometimes in clattering showers when the wind shook them loose from the branches — but ever drifting down, dry and dead.
It was well along into the afternoon when a boy carrying a shotgun came down the side of a hill that arose just behind a fringe of woods along the lake shore. A black spaniel dog, stiff with age, limped along at his heels. Following a row of corn shocks they.crossed the lower part of the field and went into the woods. When they came out onto the reed-grown lake shore they were directly behind a narrow sand-spit that jutted out a hundred yards into the blue water. The projecting finger of land was overgrown with cattails and into this shoulder-high jungle the boy and dog disappeared, wading through a stretch of mucky ground until they were upon the hard packed, sandy backbone of the sand-spit.
Crawling over piles of drift and matted heaps of dead reeds, the remains of a bygone season's growth, they reached the outer end of the sand-spit where the boy squatted Indian fashion, resting the butt of the shotgun upon the sand between his feet. The old dog lay down nearby, snuffling the air with idle curiosity. The rotting vegetation gave off a damp swamp odor, peculiar to the flag beds, and this scent assailed the boy's nostrils while he heard close at hand among the bases of the cattails the murmurous suck and splash of the lake.
Only a portion of the lake was visible to him through an open place in the dun colored reeds for the lake was large, curving away to each side in a great half moon beyond his line of vision. But he could see a wide section of it glittering coldly in the light of the late fall sun. A few wooded islands loomed in the distance, and beyond them, still more distant, was the mysterious dark line of the other shore.
IT WAS the season for those travellers of the Fall, the water-fowl, and a quarter of a mile or so away, near the middle of the lake, several big flocks of ducks were scattered about riding riffles which the wind was making upon its surface. They were a varied assortment: mallards, black ducks, bluebills, coot, a few pintails and some redheads. As the boy watched them, his face glowing with excitement, occasional bunches beat their way up and circled in short, nervous flights only to settle back once more among the main rafts. Now and then there came to him their hoarse "wack-wack-wack", carrying clear and far in the deep silence that hung over the emptiness of the lake.
A large flock of mallards, strung out in single file, went past the tip of the sand-spit well beyond gunshot. Like a smear of methodically spaced bird shot, they swung high over the lake and made several wide circles before gliding down to alight in the midst of the flocks already congregated on the water. Sometimes small bunches, or singles or pairs, went past the boy's Biding place, coming unexpectedly from the bright afternoon sky and going on toward some nameless destination. But always they flew high or kept a safe distance off shore.
After quietly waiting for a long period the boy stood up to relieve the ache in his legs. He looked down the deserted reach of shoreline. As he watched, two specks appeared in the sky just above the tree tops. mallards and were flying close in.
Almost breathlessly the boy waited, drawing back into the cattails. They came on swiftly, shied once around the sand-spit as if looking it over and then dropped toward the weed grown shallows. They were within easy range when the boy arose and brought the gun
(Continued on page 13)
HERE and THERE 'n anglerdom
Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Higgins, Kansas City, Mo., June 5. 20 Bass.
Ralph Lee, Leslie Allender, North Platte, Nebraska. Limit of Walleyes. Taken at North Platte Reservoir, May 11, 1941.
Four of the people in the picture caught 60 Crappies and several Walleyed and Northern Pike in the first part of June. Most Crappies were 12 inches long.
Art Powers, North Platte. 2 Bass; 3 Crappie. North Platte Regulating Reservoir. May 11, 1941.
Roy Laird, Ingleside, Nebraska, age 15 years, son of Dr. C. R. Laird of the staff at State Hospital.
Northern Pike—Weight, 19 lbs. 14% oz. Caught at North Platte Regulating Reservoir.
Chas. O. Fredricey, North Platte. Nebraska. Great Northern Pike, 19 lbs. 12 oz. Caught May 4, 1941.
Bill and Ivon Seager, of Atkinson, Nebraska, Spencer Dam, August 12, 1941. Catfish, 11% lbs., 12 lbs. 13% lbs.— 3 big ones.
G. A. Moore, Harold Evans, North Platte, Nebraska L. K. Frye, Alfred Frye, Indianola, Nebraska
17 Bass, 12 Crappie, 3 Rock Bass, 1 Sunfish, 2 Northern Pike, 9 Walleye Pike. North Platte Reservoir. May 11, 1941.
George Dawson, Holdrege, and Archie Detenbeck, Smithfield. North Platte Regulating Reservoir, May 11, 1941. Walleyes and Perch.
"Paid in Full"
by E. Lloyd KingIT WAS a beautiful late October day in the gay nineties. The two sportsmen riding expensive bicycles down the dusty country lane eagerly revelled in the bright sunshine, the last lingering hum of the few remaining insects, the smoky dreamy haze over the drowsy landscape. There was the pungent odor of dying and rotting leaves, the tardy birds overhead were hurriedly winging south; vagrant breezes kicking up out of the southwest carried nary a hint of King Winter. All in all it was one of those afternoons that make men grateful only to be alive, inspire him with a calm peace toward all living things, a tantalizing Indian Summer gem standing as a last bulwark against the death dealing blasts of the frozen north.
The two cyclists were such as are not seen on the highway today. The wheels alone, fancy silver mounted works of art only then beginning to awaken to the rumbling threat of the gas buggy, might well have cost several hundred dollars each. The sportsmen themselves looked a strange pair; discerning eyes might have had difficulty determining whether these were hunters or fishermen. Long cane poles, a minnow bucket, a two handled seine were strapped to and occupied places of convenience on the pedallers' steeds. Boots there were too; however, each had a gun across his shoulder on a sling, both wore the shooting jacket common to those days. Fishermen or hunters, or both?
The pedallers were traversing an old rocky roadway along a sparkling creek winding about a sentinel tree clad hill just north of the Mason and Dixon Line in Southern Pennsylvania; alike they ignored a stately picturesque natural dam of virgin native stone, calmly riding past the ruins of an ancient stillhpuse and its legend of buried treasure, up beyond the mill grinding out grist and on along the race to the man-made artificial dam.
In truth the two were on a journey of dual purpose; first and most important they planned to secmo and cache a bucketful of minnows, then to retreat to the fastness of the hill to while away a few hours late afternoon and evening with the grey tails, not to mention the few Black Fox squirrels still lingering thereabouts. At dusk the duo intended to slip down to the rocky dam and spend the early evening hours angling for a gigantic old smallmouth bass known to haunt a protected outcropping.
Gliding up to the overhanging rocks where usually the bikes were safely parked, duffel stored and the like, immediately signs of a recent intruder became evident. A crude fireplace had been thrown together, a bed of leaves snuggled against one wall, several tin cans ostentatiously recently used as cooking utensils leaned neatly against a shelf-like ledge; about the smoldering coals and flat restraining stones lay remnants of some turnips and potatoes, likely snitched from a late garden nearby. On adjacent bushes hung the dripping remains of a recent wash, pathetically faded and torn jeans, a much abused and ragged shirt; not far away reposed a pair of brogans that might have been cast aside even by Washington's shoeless army at Valley Forge.
From behind some dense undergrowth and the environs of the nearby mill race came the sound of wild splashing; some thing or things were frolicing mightily therein. Cautiously parting the bushes a startling scene greeted our two friends. Violently jumping about in the knee deep water, apparently trying to catch something with bare hands, was a gaunt, lean, hungry looking and wholly naked 15 or 16 year old boy, so skinny that his ribs resembled nothing so much as the teeth of an old fashioned country hay rake. His hair was shaggy and long; legs and arms thin and bony. Beside him, equally excited and just as shaggy, was a dog of all too apparent doubtful ancestry and also desperately endeavoring to capture something in the water. Creeping closer our friends readily identified the quarry. Armed with only hand and fang, the two fisher folk had cornered three or four small suckers. Sensing the hunger of boy and dog, the newcomers unwound the minnow seine and swung into the fray. In a thrice several shiny suckers lay in the outstretched paw of the lad, whose eloquent eyes shone in mute gratitude while he vainly tried to blubber more articulate thanks.
With a deft twist of a rusty knife, the lad slit the suckers, spilled out the innards, cut away the gills leaving heads on the fish, hurriedly scraped away a few scales and ran to the fire. Still nude he carefully dropped the fish onto the hot flat stones, and crouched on his haunches, watching the cooking meat, one arm hugging and restraining the quivering canine. The fish were still only half cooked when the first came from the fire and was evenly divided half and half, one part for the human and one for the dog. The second fish followed in the wake of the first, and yet the third, share and share alike. It all touched the hearts of the strangers; such desperate hunger they had never witnessed in this fat section of Pennsylvania. Diving into jacket pockets, out came their lunch,, one sandwich each of fresh home made bread, laden with butter, coated with old fashioned brown sugar, another each of the same delectable bread and a half-inch thick layer of Pennsylvania Dutch pot cheese, yet a third pair boasting thick pungent slices of cold fried summer sausages, that kind typified in an art almost lost to the world today, cloth bags or hog bladders stuffed to bulging diameters with juicy pork, pepper and celery salt, then smoked slow and long over a green hickory wood fire. Topped off with several spicy sugar cookies, the cravings of the ravenous pair had been appeased, apparently at least.
—Courtesy Pennsylvania Angler.Then the curious benefactors asked for
the story. It seemed the boy and dog were
on their own and had been for several years
already. They were the late 19th Century
OUTDOOR NEBRASKA
11
prototype of what the New Deal likes to call
transients—in the old days less polite persons
dubbed just such as tramps, or even bums.
Winter time the pair spent in the south;
summer they travelled north, run of the lot
knights of the road let us say. This season
they had remained north on a little job longer
than usual, too long; then starting south a
week ago with an older fellow, they awoke
one morning with the companion gone, with
him the lad's new shoes, his little supply of
money, his one blanket. Handouts were
meagre and grudging, the country folk wary;
it was rather late in the season for the type,
besides the youth of the lad proved a hindrance
rather than an aid, the majority
suspiciously refusing to believe he was that
which he professed to be. Slipping through
here the evening before at twilight and discovering
the suckers swimming about in the
race, they made camp. Turnips and potatoes
prepared without salt, pepper or meat formed
the evening meal; turnips and potatoes furnished
breakfast. Until a half hour past,
dinner had succeeded most successfully in
eluding the wanderers.
Curiosity satisfied and vanity mellowed by the act of charity, our friends prepared to search for the precious bass bait, minnows. Now minnows were never plenty in the cold waters of the creek that a few miles above offered safe haven for brook trout. A likely contributing factor to the scarcity of bait fish were the many large smallmouth bass lurking in the rocky channels.
The little stranger proved an anxious and willing helper in the search, displaying an avid interest in the manipulation of the two handled seine. After possibly forty-five minutes effort, the trio succeeded in corraling an exceptional assortment of big four inch chubs. Refusing the lad permission to join the hunting foray and cautioning him not to fool around with the bucket of precious bait fish, the two sportsmen retired to the forest primeval for several hours with the shotgun prior to nightfall.
Meeting only with indifferent success the hunters returned at twilight and made their way to the rock cleft in quest of the little wanderer and the minnows. No sign of boy or dog. Thinking perhaps the lad had gone over to the creek and noticing a bright fire burning, our friends hurried in that direction. From the fireside came a good natured hail: "Who's there? That you, Bill?" Approaching the fire, the would-be fishermen discovered several natives doing a little nocturnal wood chopping, raiding a fallen bee tree under the haven of falling darkness. Still no sign of the boy. Asking if the lad had been sighted, the first speaker remarked: "You mean that crazy little tramp? Hell, the last we saw of him he was cooking minnows in a bait bucket. Said he and the dog were going to eat the damn things cold, heads and all. Packed those blamed sardines between layers of leaves in the bucket and headed down the road along about sundown. Had a darn nice bucket and seine; wasn't yours was it, Bill?"
So that was the payoff? The lad they befriended not only ate their lunch, but also the bait. And the little wanderer took the means of procuring more bait right along with him, even if it had been possible to obtain a fresh supply in the darkness, which it wasn't. No doubt the boy intended to do a little fishing on the way south, not with hook and line, nor even with bare hands, but with a more effective weapon, a minnow seine. And despite the borrowing act, despite the first wave of disappointed anger, passing time soothed the incident over with her magic wand of humorous .understanding and appreciation of the inherent courtesy of the waif; he might have carried off an expensive bicycle too, but the wheels were not molested. Taking only that which might assist in sustaining the inner man, the lad probably needed the seine more than the rightful owners.
Neither expected to see the youth again, but the workings of fate are ever strange. Several years later, the younger of our two sportsmen, accoutered in the trappings of a United States soldier, lay in a steaming tropical jungle far away from his Pennsylvania home. All around him crouched other men attired either in the khaki of the volunteer or the blue of the regular; some of them quietly patiently enduring, others fumbling rifle locks or nervously polishing already gleaming bayonets. Up above on the hill, the ragged line could see little figures in white darting about; from thence came the spiteful crack of the Mauser, followed by the humming whine of bullets, accompanied every now and then by a dull sickening thud, signifying that another homesick Yankee boy had likely received a free ticket to fame's eternal camping ground, the bivouac of the dead.
The suspense was well nigh unendurable; too costly to remain inactive, no orders to advance. Men were being hit in ever increasing number; the wounded suffering in the intense humidity and heat piteously called for water; some, the more crazed by thirst and pain, begged horror stricken comrades to end the misery. Deadly scorpions and tarantulas darted through the rank weeds and tangled growth; ghastly land crabs excited by the tantalizing smell of fresh blood scuttled to the side of the desperately wounded forming circles about the victim, only awaiting the last quiver of life before beginning the ghoulish feast. Roads and trails there were none; only congested paths through the jungle. Outfits became confused and mixed up; officers lost their commands; commands lost their officers. Such orders as were dispatched often did not reach the proper officer or unit; confusion and uncertainty reigned supreme. And still men continued to die.
A few hundred yards away from our friend lay a volunteer regiment later to become famous in American history; the second in command, in full charge today, was yet to be a President of the United States. The plight of the Americans became more critical; it was safer to inch up the hill toward the Don rather than remain a target of his bullets at the jungle edge. A venturesome few of the enlisted men worked out and upward on the incline; immediately the Spaniard began to feel the sting of American rifle fire; others in khaki and blue joined in the movement and the Krag-Jorgensens spat more viciously now. An iron jawed officer, wearing spectacles, rushed out in front of the volunteer regiment, turning once to glance down the tense expectant battle line, and waved his hat. The boyish bugler dogging the officer's steps raised a battered service trumpet to lips, and the charge blared out on the torrid
(Continued on Page 13)
Conservation Problems are the Vehicle of the Izaak Walton League
It was Abraham Lincoln who once said that "with public opinion of the favorable type one can accomplish much and without favorable public opinion, very little that is worth while can be accomplished." How true this has always been and will continue to be down through the ages. That is one reason why the Izaak Walton League has succeeded with its program of conservation of natural resources since January of 1922. People are interested in its program. They are interested in the wise use of those things which guarantee their livelihood. This is only natural for more or less, everyone is selfish and is interested in those things which affect him.
The program of the League covers all natural resources, trees, water, soil, wildlife of all kinds, both of the land type and the aquatic type. To say that one can deal with one type of conservation activity without taking into consideration the others would be stating shortsightedly the facts.
In 1932 and the spring of 1933 the Nebraska Division of the League started its program of building dams on farms to hold back in the area in which it fell, the spring and fall rains. This program met with a hearty welcome from the farmers for most of them were not familiar with the different types of dams which could be built with but very little expenditure of money. With the co-operation of Ivan D. Wood, who at that time was connected with the College of Agriculture, descriptive circulars were sent out which showed how to build brush and earth filled and rock dams. Where this was done by the farmers, their soil moisture was enlarged and many of them provided a place for fish during the summer, and ducks during the fall months. Nineteen sites for dams were furnished by the League in Lancaster County alone during the summer months of 1934 after the Federal Government came into the picture of conserving the "little waters."
After the extreme drought of 1934 and during the following years the League entered vigorously upon its program of tree planting. Many of the chapters over the state directly planted 2000 or more trees. Practically all of the chapters were engaged in the planting of trees around the rural school yards. Others lent their efforts to the planting of trees in the parks, along some of the denuded stream banks and in roadside parks and surrounding some of the sand pit lakes of the state.
The League is now engaged in helping the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission in raising and planting pheasants in the areas where they are less densely populated, and in the stocking of streams in the state with sufficient number so that there will be at least a few for all who stay at home in Nebraska and do their fishing in native streams. There is no reason why Nebraska should not be one of the outstanding states for the vacationer in the next few years.
During these days when most people are defense-minded, it is imperative that there be a well organized group of sportsmen and those, who although they may not be interested in out-door sports, are vitally interested in conservation of natural resources. No better place can be found for these people, than the Izaak Walton League, for the League is ever watchful of the various projects that are recurrently promoted by some, in the name of national defense and the manufacturing of kilowatts, which are not for the' benefit of the people as a whole. We should keep in mind that when the national defense program is all over, it will be necessary that the folks who are left continue to live here. Therefore, it behooves us to continue aggressive conservation activities so that there will be something left to support human life in some semblance of peaceful living.
The League invites all unselfish, public-spirited men and women to become affiliated with it in this program of conservation.
Nothing succeeds like success. The League is successful in its program. With "favorable public opinion" much more can be done for your community, the state of Nebraska and the country as a whole. Inquire of your local secretary as to what you can do, or write the state office of the Izaak Walton League, Lincoln, Nebraska.
WARD C. BETZER, State President.ATTENTION!
PHEASANT HUNTERSHave you observed any bands on the legs of pheasants you have shot or accidentally killed? Would you be interested in knowing why these birds were banded? If so, write the Nebraska Game Commission, State House, Lincoln, Nebraska, for full particulars on any bands you find or have in your possession.
It is not necessary to send in the band. All we ask is that you jot down on a postal card or send a letter giving the number of the band and the exact distance and direction from the nearest town where the bird was shot or found.
This data furnishes the Game Commission with much valuable information which will enable them to determine the longevity of the bird and the distance traveled from its original point of release.
Won't you please co-operate with us in our attempt to better the hunting for Nebraska's sportsmen?
air. As if by pre-arrangement, other line officers stepped out, a chorus of buglers joined in the din, and there was an audible sigh of relief all along the line.
Maddened American doughboys were on the charge; without regard to units they left the jungle lair and rushed out and up the hillside. Pent up anxiety and hate at last gave vent to action; after the first rumbling cheer few shouts were heard, few shots fired, the incline re-echoing only to the thud of many pounding feet and the laborious breathing of the attackers.
Sporadic Spanish rifle fire heightened into a roaring crescendo. Men fell in twos, threes, and fours, some struggled to their feet and tried to go on, often to fall again with the second bullet. No one stopped to succor the wounded; each one only wanted to feel that sharp sliver of steel at his rifle point slip into a white clad tormentor somewhere about the belt buckle.
Down went the standard bearer of a white militia outfit. Ere the colors touched the ground, a lanky bowlegged darky, no doubt a regular from one of the colored cavalry regiments, snatched up the staff and waved his fellows on. In another moment or so, the black man too sagged to his knees, coughing up the stream, of life in a crimson torrent. Next a blond bare-headed kid, hardly out of his middle teens, grabbed the flag and rushed onward. As the burial' detail came to him hours later, he still tightly clenched bits of the shattered staff in fingers forever numb.
Up and over the crest the avengers swept, bayonetting the futile resistance as it wavered and fled. Abreast of the surging weaving line ran our old time fisherman. Jumping across the shallow entrenchment, he found himself confronted with three or four white clad figures, desperate, and lunging madly with the bayonet. Disposing of one and sorely beset by the remainder, our friend felt his time had come when suddenly a tall lean figure in the regular blue appeared at his side. Bayonets jabbed, thrust, parried and came away dripping—three or four white clad figures writhed or lay still on the ground. One a non-com discharged a service revolver full at the chest of the man in blue, and the regular sank to his knees, futilely striving to close the spouting flood with numbing fingers. Kneeling quickly, the Pennsylvanian tenderly stretched the dying lad on his back. Conscious and apparently numb to pain, the boy smiled, then his eyes clouded in a puzzling questing gaze. Again faintly smiling, dimming eyes brightening a bit with sudden recognition, he whispered: "Did you get him?" and slumped back limp and lifeless.
It was the little waif of the wooded hill and our friend always wondered until his last day whether the dying lad meant the Spanish officer or the big bass of the long ago. Somehow or other the Pennsylvanian liked to believe it was the bass; that the last living moment to one of Yankeeland's bravest was tempered and cheered by a pleasant memory of an October day back in the distant homeland he was never again to see.
On Fame's eternal camping ground, His silent tent is spread, And Honor guards with Glory round, The bivouac of the dead!In The Lonely Autumn
(Continued from page 7)to bear oil them. The two shots seemed to make an immense noise in the utter stillness, — a double "ker-pow!" that reverberated like a volley from the woods and bounced on across the lake. It was nice shooting. One after another the ducks fell with a splash into the mossy water leaving only a fluff of feathers to drift away in the air.
The old dog sprang erect, stiff legged, his ears cocked up, and uttered a sharp, excited bark. "Be still!" the boy said, opening the breech of his gun to reload.
The reports of the shotgun, coupled with the thunderous echoes, had set the far-off rafts of water-fowl into motion. In great bunches they began to arise and circle around. They did not alight again but headed back into the country, flying high, seeking the lonely cornfields where they could feed.
After awhile the boy parted the reeds so the spaniel could get through and sent him splashing out belly deep to retrieve the dead mallards. They were plump from good feeding and had clean, shining plumage. The dog sniffed over them joyously, working the stub of his tail in cadence with his nose.
ALTHOUGH it was time for the boy to start for home, still he lingered, while the daylight began to fade very slowly, ebbing into the evening dusk. Far down was the sun, sinking in the midst of a wild, spreading burst of clear red light that enveloped the whole western sky. A cold night damp was seeping into the air and the wind grew stronger, rattling the dry cattail stalks together and causing the pale maple leaves to fall upon the water where they floated with the gentle motion of the waves.
Reluctantly the boy got up to leave. He was pushing his way through the brittle flag toward shore when he heard a sound that brought him to a nalt,. quivering with amazement. His eyes swept the sky and found them, — seven slow moving shapes flying close bunched in an almost perfect 'V. Again the sound came down from the evening sky, the faint, musical "honk-honk" of Canadian geese. There was something haunting in that cry, a mournfulness that was like the very voice of autumn. It held a promise of dark days arid fearsome skies, of winds heavy with the burden of snow. It pierced the boy's mind and heart, filling them with its magic, so that years afterward, when' his youth was gone from him forever, that moment still remained undimmed in his memory like an imperishable treasure.
THE GEESE were flying just at far shotgun range, pumping their wings in a tireless rhythm through space. They held their graceful dark heads out-stretched and the boy could plainly see the white marks that encircled them behind the eyes. As they swung past, out from the sand-spit, he raised the gun. It was a far shot. The gun muzzles followed the geese, drew ahead of them. The boy's finger pressed against the trigger. Then he lowered the shotgun without firing, rested it in the crook of his arm and eased down the hammers.
The wedge of geese flew on into the red, sunset sky. Ever so faintly their cry came back and was lost in the dusk.
"Too far," the boy murmured. "Too far". The old black dog looked at him and whined. Then they crossed to the shore, walked through the shadowy woods and went off toward home, two vague figures in the darkening and silent field of corn shocks.
—The Ohio Conservation Bulletin, October, 194U.
New Fishermen's Association
The Nebraska Better Fishing Association is four months old. Perhaps the question uppermost in the minds of fishermen might be: What has the Nebraska Better Fishing Association accomplished to date? This is a fair question and is deserving of a fair answer. Bear in mind that we are still very young, much time being spent in the perfecting of our association.
However, we are proud to report the circulating of petitions with an aggregate of one thousand signers being obtained. These petitions were sent to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Washington, D. C., requesting favorable action on H. R. 3361, more commonly known as the "Buck Bill." Senator Butler and our five Congressmen were requested to appear at the hearing on this bill which was held May 14th. Congressmen Stefan, Curtis and McLaughlin replied to our request, stating they would appear at said hearing. We will learn in a short time whether our efforts have been of any avail.
Here is the second question our fishermen friends might ask: How can the Nebraska Better Fishing Association really better fishing?
First, the Nebraska Better Fishing Association is definitely of the opinion that fishing can and should be bettered.
HERE ARE OUR PLANS
1.
Maintain a lobbyist in our future legislatures, to protect the rights of our Nebraska fishermen, and to work for legislation which will better fishing.
2.
Co-operate with farmers and landowners along our lakes and streams in order that many places which are now closed to fishermen, may again be opened.
3.
To discourage the practice of leasing lakes and streams. This benefits only a few, and leaves many fishermen without suitable places to fish. Due to poor fishing many small groups have adopted this practice and more groups are following suit. If this practice continues to develop; and we believe it will, unless discouraged, danger lies ahead, not only for the future fishermen of Nebraska, but for the future of our Fish and Game Commission as well.
4.
To set aside a week to be known as "Let's Take the Kids Fishing Week." Good sportsmanship is an asset to any community and to all ways of life. It is much easier to teach them to be good sports when they are young. You will hear more about this in a short time.
5.
To encourage people in all walks of life to procure permits, whether they participate in the grand sport or not. Pointing out to them the results that could be obtained if our Fish and Game Commission had more money upon which to operate. Each year thousands of tourists travel through Nebraska. Wouldn't it prove very beneficial to the people of Nebraska if fishing attracted several thousand anglers here annually? Minnesota makes a play for the fisherman's dollar. Perhaps fishing in Nebraska may never equal that of Minnesota, but we can at least make a concentrated effort to better fishing.
6.
To promote adherence to all fishing laws and endeavor to improve upon them. Much can be accomplished by creating greater respect for our game laws. Sixteen conservation officers can't be expected to carry out their work as extensively as we wish. Let's give them a lift.
7.
To secure the co-operation of our Fish and Game Commission in the conservation and restocking of our lakes and streams through the medium of establishing adequate propagation lakes.
The Nebraska Better Fishing Association is, strictly speaking, non-profit, being the only fishermen's association in Nebraska. Dues are one dollar per year. The money which is collected from these dues is to be used to pay for meeting places, advertising, maintaining lobbyist and other incidental expenses.
We organized our first out-state chapter at Beatrice, August 11th. The following officers were chosen: Emory Gish, president; Vern Swan, vice-president; Bob Gaddis, secretary, and Louis Hetherington, treasurer.
We were very pleased at the intense interest which was shown regarding our association.
At the present time they have sixty members and are getting more. This chapter will bear watching, and rest assured that they are going places. In a recent communication from their president, Emory Gish, I was informed that Wymore is interested in getting a chapter organized, and within the next few months we hope to have Fairbury, Blair, Crete, David City, Columbus and Fremont.
We just recently received the printed hearings on the Buck fish-aid bill which were held May 14th and July 15th. Many sportsmen's groups were on record as favoring this proposed legislation, and we are proud to say the Nebraska Better Fishing Association was among them—in fact, our association was the only representation the Nebraska fishermen had. At the present time our congressman is taking a poll of the committee to ascertain what chances it has of being reported out. If it is not reported out we are going to get busy on the Clark fish-aid bill which was introduced in June. It will bring into Nebraska about $15,000, and it will be used exclusively for the betterment of fishing. Anyone interested in bettering fishing in Nebraska should make it a point to get a copy of this bill and do his share in helping to get it passed. Write your senators and congressmen. Let's all join hands and put this bill across. Nebraska needs a fish biologist, and this is one way of getting one. Write a card today to Chairman Schuyler Otis Bland, House Office Building, Washington, D. C.
The best way to become interested in anything is to be working at it. There are a few sportsmen who feel their share is done when they criticise and watch others do the work.
We are glad to answer questions concerning the Nebraska Better Fishing Association. Address all communications to Dick Wait, Secretary, Nebraska Better Fishing Association, 914 K St., Lincoln, Nebraska.
ReferencesCanfield, H. L., and A. H. Wiebe, 1931. A cursory survey of the Blue River system of Nebraska. U. S. Bur. Fish. Esonomic Circular No. 73.
Clements, F. E., and Ralph W. Chaney, 1937. Environment and life in the Great Plains. Carnegie Institution of Wash. Supp. Publ. No. 24 (Revised Edition).
Evermann, B. W., and U. O. Cox, 1896. A report upon the fishes of the Missouri River Basin. U. S. Comm. of Fish and Fisheries, Pt. XX. Rept. of the Commissioner for year ending June 30, 1934.
Hoyt, J. C, 1936. Drouths of 1930-34. U. S. Geol. Survey, Water-supply paper 680.
The annual sale of confiscated guns was held at the Holding Plant of the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission in Lincoln on Saturday, September 20th.
There were forty-two guns sold for $556.75, or an average of $13.25 each.
OPEN SEASON, BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS AREAS OPEN FOR GAME BIRDS, GAME ANIMALS AND FISH
The Following Open Seasons, Bag and Possession Limits, and Areas Are Fixed, Prescribed and Published, Effective October 1, 1941, to October 1, 1942.
Size Daily Posses'n Species Open Season Hours Open Area Open Limit Bag Limii Notes GAME BIRDS: Ducks—All species except Woodducks Oct. 16 to Dec. 14, incl. Sunrise to 4 P.M. Entire State 10 20 Not more than three (3) daily of Redhead, or Buffle-head ducks or six (6) in Geese and Brants Oct. 16 to Dec. 14, incl. Sunrise to 4 P.M. Entire State 3 6 possession. Blue Geese: Six a day or (Except blue 12 in possession if no other Coots (Mudhens) Oct. 16 to Dec. 14, incl. Sunrise to 4 P.M. Entire State g 25 eese) 25 5 geese taken. Pheasants Oct. 16 to Nov. 5, incl. Sunrise to 4 P.M. (Exception: 5 One hen permitted if acci- See note below) dentally shot. GAME ANIMALS AN D FURBEARERS: Rabbits (Cottontail) Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, incl. All Entire State 10 5 2 20 10 2 Squirrels Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, incl. 7 A.M. to 6 P.M. Entire State Raccoon Nov. 1 to Pebr. 1 All Entire State No possession limit on rac- Opossum Nov. 1 to Pebr. 1 All Entire State 3 3 coon and opossum furs. Deer No Open Season Antelope No Open Season Muskrat No Open Season Beaver No Open Season Poxes Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 All Entire State No Limit No Limit Badger Nov. 1 to Pebr. 1 All Entire State " Mink Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 All Entire State Skunk Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 All j Entire State PISH: Trout April 1 to Nov. 30 All hours except state-owned lake. Entire State ! Keep All 10 10 See Regulations on state-owned lakes. Bass .(Large and April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 10 inches 5 10 " " * Small Mouth) Crappie April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 6 inches 15 25 " " " Sunflsh (Bluegill April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State Keep All 15 25 and Green) Rock Bass April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 6 inches 15 25 " " " " Bullheads April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 6 inches 15 25 Perch Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 tt " tt Entire State Keep All 25 25 " ' " " Pike (Walleye) April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 12 inches 5 5 " " " Pike (Northern) April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 12 inches 5 5 1 Pike (Sauger or Sand) April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 12 inches 5 5 1 Catfish April 1 to Nov. 30 " " " Entire State 12 inches 10 15 Catfish (Commercial) Jan. 1 to Mar. 16 May 1 to Dec. 31. Missouri River 13 inches No Limit Under proper Commercial permit issued, catfish may be taken from the Missouri River with nets, the meshes of which must not be less than 1% inches square. TIME DIVISION LINEThe Division Line between Central Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time will be the east lines of Sheridan, Garden and Deuel counties. All hunting east of this line will be done on Central Standard Time and all hunting west of this line will be on Mountain Standard Time.
NOTES CONCERNING GAME BIRDSNo open season on the following game birds: Rails, Doves, Swans, Cranes, Curlew, Plover, Prairie Chicken, Grouse, Quail, Chukar Partridge, Hungarian Partridge, Wild Turkey or Snipe (Wilson or Jack).
No pheasant hunting is permitted in the following counties: Johnson, Richardson, Pawnee and Nemaha.
Where the entire state is open it does not include game farms, game reserves, sanctuaries, or areas closed by any Federal or State laws or city ordinances.
Game may be held 20 days following the close of the open season thereon.
It is illegal to carry any loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle on any public highway.
The Platte River and for ten (10) rods on each side, beginning at the west line of Dodge and Saunders counties and extending to the bridge on Highway No. 16 near Yutan; and North Platte River and for ten (10* rods on each side in Garden County closed all hours. The remainder of the Platte River and the North Platte River open during the regular hunting hours during the open season.
Migratory game birds are protected by Federal as well as State laws and the following regulations must be observed:
All persons over 16 years of age hunting migratory waterfowl must have Federal duck stamp validated by his signature written across the face thereof in ink, in addition to regular hunting permit.
The use of live decoys, cattle, horses or mules, or baiting, is prohibited.
Dogs, blinds and boats may be used, but the use of automobiles, powerboats or aircraft is prohibited.
Those under 16 years of age are permitted to hunt without permits and are allowed the same regulation bag of birds.
No rifles can be used in taking game birds, and shotguns larger than 10 gauge are prohibited. Repeating shotguns limited to three shells on migratory waterfowl.
Game birds can be shipped by express, baggage or automobile, if accompanied by shipper.
No shooting of game birds from automobiles or public highway.
All game placed in cold storage plants must have regular cold storage tag attached.
Wear your hunting badge in plain sight on hat or coat.
NOTES CONCERNING GAME ANIMALS AND FURBEARERSAll persons hunting raccoons with dogs must purchase a Raccoon Hunter's Permit.
Where the entire state is open it does not include game farms, game reserves, sanctuaries or areas closed by any Federal or State law or city ordinance.
All parties trapping furbearing animals, regardless of age, must have a Trapping Permit.
It is unlawful to hunt or trap furbearing animals on the land of another without his consent. Animals and the pelts thereof taken without permission may be replevined by the owner of the land.
All game and furs bought, sold or bartered, shipped or had in possession contrary to law, are subject to seizure and confiscation.
It is unlawful to hunt, take or destroy furbearing animals with the aid of a ferret.
It is unlawful to let hunting dogs run loose in the fields or upon lands where game birds or game or furbearing animals may be found between April 1st and September 16th of each year.
Permits to train dogs in the field from August 1st to September 16th may be issued by the Commission upon the payment of one dollar ($1.00) for each dog trained.
Raw fur shipments by express or mail must be accompanied by a statement placed upon package in two. places, giving the name of the shipper, number of his trapping permit, and the number and kind of raw furs in shipment.
It is unlawful to have in possession the raw fur of any furbearing animal at any time other than during the open season and for ten (10) days immediately thereafter.
It is unlawful to mutilate or destroy the house or den of any furbearing animal or to cut down or into any tree containing the den or nest of any furbearing animal or to use explosives, chemicals or smokers of any kind to drive furbearing animals out of holes, dens or houses.
The skunk has been added to the list now as a protected furbearing animal and a Trapping Permit is required for taking same.
WILD DUCKS
Hunting Hints Open SeasonDucks, October 16 to December 14, inclusive.
Geese, October 16 to December 14, inclusive.
Pheasants, October 16 to November 5, inclusive.
Squirrels, October 1 to November 30, inclusive.
Raccoon, November 1 to February 1.
Rabbits, January 1 to December 31, inclusive.
