Page Nebraska is Occasional Stopover for Whoopers 3 Whooping Cranes Fight Extinction 7 Conservation Camp Big Success 8 "Outdoor Nebraska" Quiz 12 Pheasant Outlook Bright 13 True and Distorted 15 Deer Data Reveals Much 16 The Missing Picture 19 Common Misunderstanding of Game Laws Clarified 21 It Pays To Know 24 Buck and Minnie, Marsh Residents 26 Nebraska Trapping Regulations 30 Nebraska Hunting Regulations 31 Waterfowl Production Down 32 Decoy Placement Depends on Duck Species Sought 34 Spec and Bobbie, Kindred Souls of the Soil 37 Know Your Warden 41 Diversity of Game Birds, Animals Inhabit Nebraska 42 Fall Stocking Program Starts 45 Notes on Nebraska Fauna—Beaver 46

Outdoor Nebraska 3

NEBRASKA IS OCCASIONAL STOPOVER FOR WHOOPERS

The only bird in North America which can be described as being almost as tall as man. That distinction has been awarded the whooping crane, one of the most beautiful and spectacular of all birds of America. On numerous occasions this bird has been observed in the state of Nebraska.

The whooping crane is known to be about five feet high when stretched to its full height. Its white plumage deceivingly makes it appear still taller.

On the verge of almost certain extinction in years back, the whooping crane has rallied and is now known to number at least 36. Because of a close similarity in appearance while in flight, the sand hill crane, American Egret and pelican are often mistakenly confused with the whooping crane.

A particularly large bird, the whooping crane has a wing spread of seven and one-half feet. Its plumage is white; the head has a bare spot on each side below the eyes, extending to a point on the back of the crown and sparsely covered with short hair.

The physical appearance of the young and adults vary to some degree. The head of the young is feathered and the plumage is whitish, variegated with rusty-brown. The adults are white with black primaries and coverts; the bare part of the head is carmine; the bill dusky-greenish; the legs black; and the iris yellow.

Normally long-lived, the whooping crane frequents prairies, marshes and barren grounds. In migration it flies at such tremendous heights that it may pass over large areas unnoticed by anyone.

There have been several authentic reports that the whooping crane becomes   4 Outdoor Nebraska surprisingly tame after capture. In the eighties when Dakota was still a Territory, the son of a settler shot and wounded a young crane. Instead of making the crane a part of the dinner menu, he put it in the hen house until the wound healed. This having been accomplished, the whooping crane was released, having the opportunity to take its freedom or remain on the settlement.

The young crane began picking up bits to eat and remained there. He answered to the name of "Bill" and accompanied the settler on daily walks. But fate caught up with the unsuspecting crane as it approached a youngster, unaware of what it was, and was shot and killed.

Presently the continental whooping crane population is reported to stand at 36. Twenty-nine adults returned to their wintering grounds in Texas along with four young last year. Three others are in captivity at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the east coast of Texas, one of which was recently caught in Louisiana.

The National Audubon Society and U. S. Fish and.. Wildlife Service are jointly sponsoring efforts to save the remnant of America's tallest bird.

In 1935, a group of Gothenburg men, including Albert Peters, John Kruse, Ray Geiken, Ed Berger and Pree Harkness, captured a whooping crane on the Platte river near Brady. The whooping crane had an injured wing which was hanging useless. After a few years of captivity and under close observation by the Gothenburg Rod and Gun club, the bird was turned over to the National Audubon Society. This whooping crane, named "Pete," was mated and later built a nest.

Two eggs were produced but both -were found to be infertile. Sometime after that "Old Pete," as he was affectionately called, died of natural causes. He was 14 years old. Through the cooperation of the Gothenburg Rod and Gun club which presented the bird, much valuable information was acquired which undoubtedly will play an important role in the fight to save the whooping crane from extinction.

Several members of the Nebraska Game Commission have been among the fortunate people who have seen the whooping crane either feeding or in flight. Lloyd P. Vance, supervisor of state game, observed a flight of 25 whooping cranes west of Shelton in Buffalo county during March of 1946. He was accompanied by Rod Amundson, former editor of "Outdoor Nebraska."

Warden Loron Bunney, presently headquartered at Ogallala, has had several encounters with the whooping crane. When a youngster, Bunney said it was very common to see one or two to a dozen whooping cranes among a flight of sandhill cranes migrating in the fall of the year. He remembers seeing large flights of whooping cranes on only two occasions. The last was in the spring of about 1903 while he was herding cows in Harlan county. The flight, numbering about 40, came in very low and flew directly over him.

In the fall of 1945, Bunney saw a lone whooping crane in Keith county. On the 13th of October in 1949 he saw two others which are pictured in the accompanying photograph taken by Bunney. He watched the two cranes very closely!

According to Bunney, they loafed on a sandbar during mid-day in the North Platte river just above the west end of the back water of McConaughy reservoir. There were a few sandhill cranes in the vicinity but they always remained a few yards away from the whooping cranes.

Bunney, a valuable contributor to the Commission's picture file, made several attempts to get pictures of the two whooping cranes. But not until he sent a companion around to the opposite side while he worked his way toward a weedy fence row was he successful in getting the picture. Wild whooping cranes are very cautious, making it an almost impossibility to get anywhere near them.

    6 Outdoor Nebraska

Another warden, H. B. Guyer, has had his share of experience with the whooping crane. Prior to 1950, his only observation of whoopers was on April 5, 1942, when he saw three of the birds in the Platte river, three miles east of the Lexington bridge.

According to Guyer, that particular area had been a favorite sandhill crane roost for years and is still used each year by thousands of the sandhill variety. On April 29, 1950, Guyer received a report that a whooping crane had been located southeast of Overton. The following day Guyer patrolled the area on both sides but was unable to locate the bird.

On May 4, 1950, Mr. Audrey Labert, who lives southeast of Overton on the south side of the Platte river, told Guyer that he had seen four whooping cranes. Guyer then patrolled the river and on his way back spotted a lone whooper in a hay field about three-fourths of a mile south of the river.

Guyer received a call from Bertrand on May 20 that a whooper had been sighted in that area. He found the crane on a shallow lagoon north of Bertrand. The bird stayed in that vicinity about a month.

S. E. "Pappy" Ling, superintendent of the Norfolk game farm, recalls his childhood days when he saw flock after flock of the whooping cranes in their circling flight going north and south.

In 1932, Ling watched a flock of 12 whoopers in the hay flats on the east side of the big lagoon between Harvard and Inland. They were in the spring flight heading north and apparently stopped for rest and water. After they took to the air, Ling followed them to the Platte river east of Grand Island where they settled down with a group of sandhill cranes.

Ling noticed from several observations that as the whooping cranes headed for the Platte river to feed, they usually flew alongside some sandhill cranes but later separated and fed by themselves. They returned without the sandhill cranes. He said the whoopers are shy and very difficult to approach. The pheasant farm superintendent investigated many reports of whooping crane flights in the Platte river area but invariably found them to be pelicans. He said there can be no mistake in identifying the whooping crane when it whoops or walks. The whooping cranes appear to be walking on stilts. Ling has heard them in flight when they were too high to see but was confident they were whooping cranes because of their distinctive cry.

John P. Kennedy, a member of the Gothenburg Rod and Gun club, closely observed the whooping crane "Pete" when it was in captivity on the game refuge near Gothenburg. He also saw whooping cranes many times while a youth. Kennedy found that the whoopers would always locate a large buffalo grass pasture where they had unobstructed vision of all directions.

According to Kennedy, the whoopers would turn over all cattle droppings from the previous winter, presumably finding insect life. While studying the whooping crane in captivity, Kennedy discovered that it was very fond of decaying matter such as dead fish and snakes.

During his youth the largest flight Kennedy ever saw consisted of about 50 whoopers. The last whooper Kennedy saw was in November of '47 when he observed three whooping cranes down the Platte river.

The Nebraska Game Commission is anxious to cooperate with the National Audubon Society and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in their struggle to protect the whooping crane from extinction. The cooperation of individuals is also needed. Anyone seeing a whooper in Nebraska is urged to contact the local district warden or write to the Game Commission office in Lincoln.

Outdoor Nebraska 7

Whooping Cranes Fight Extinction

Note the pictures of the whooping crane and of other white birds with which it may be confused.

THE WHOOPING CRANE

Stands over four feet tali.

Has a wing-spread of seven feet.

Fiies with neck and legs out straight.

Has a white plumage EXCEPT for black tips on wings.

Has black legs and yellow bill. Has a bare red crown. Usually nests in big marshes.

Illustrations by W. J. Breckenridge

Have you seen any ? Where ? When ?

The Nebraska Game Commission is anxious to aid the National Audubon Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in their attempt to save this magnificent bird. If you have seen any, send (1) the NUMBERS of individuals seen, (2) the EXACT LOCALITIES where seen, and (3) the DATES when seen to either the Nebraska Game Commission office in the State House, Lincoln, or to O. S. Pettingill, Jr., Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. Your cooperation is greatly desired.

8 Outdoor Nebraska

CONSERVATION CAMP BIG SUCCESS

Game Commission Staff Participates In 4-Day Gathering

For a period of four days in mid-August, approximately 100 4-H Club members from all sections of Nebraska gathered in Seward to take part in the 16th annual Conservation Camp. This year's session, like all of its 15 predecessors, strove to educate the youth of America in the philosophy and methods of conservation by means of demonstration and actual participation.

The Nebraska Game Commission cooperated with the Agricultural College Extension Service, U.S. Soil Conservation Service and several conservation-minded friends in staging the camp. Many of the trips of the 4-H club members were financed in whole or part by Charles L. Horn of Minneapolis, Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben of Omaha and the Sears Roebuck Foundation of Kansas City, Mo.

Specialists from all divisions of the Game Commission were present to give detailed accounts of their respective activities. After each lecture was completed the 4-H Club members were invited to ask any questions pertaining to the particular subject discussed. One 14-year-old youngster from western Nebraska commented upon the conclusion of the camp, "I never before realized what little I knew."

One of the most interesting talks was made by Glen Foster, supervisor of   Outdoor Nebraska 9 state fisheries, who, with the help of live specimens, gave tips on fish identification. Immediately following his discussion, the teen-aged group hiked to a nearby pond and a fishing contest. Only one hour earlier the Commission stocked the contest water with bullheads. Two minutes after the contest began the first fish was caught. Others followed in rapid succession.

Carrying a lot of interest to the youngsters was the talk and identification of ducks and geese by Warden Lee Jensen. Mounted specimens were used in Biologist Levi Mohler's lecture on upland game. Aquatic Biologist Dr. "Walter Kiener acquainted the group with the essentials and necessity of proper pond and lake management.

William Cunningham, supervisor of law enforcement, demonstrated the methods used in the activities of his department. Warden Roy Owens, one of the top trapshooters in the state, elaborated on gun safety and followed up with a shooting demonstration. The 4-H Club members then had the opportunity to have target practice.

Legal Counsel Carl Peterson, a proficient fly caster, demonstrated the technique of that specialty while James Ager, project leader of PittmanRobertson, led the group on a conservation tour.

Paul Gilbert, executive secretary of the Commission, conducted a radio quiz program. Part of the program was recorded and heard over the radio on the following weekend.

A scenic slide tour of Nebraska constituted part of one night's program while movies occupied the attention on the following night.

Bill Smith and Maurine Biegert, both of the Agricultural Extension Service, did an admirable job directing   the activities throughout the four-day session. Renowned poet Badger Clark read a number of his poems during interludes of the camp.

All was not work. Every afternoon and evening before lights out, the group had a free choice of recreation— swimming, volleyball, horseshoes, group singing or square dancing.

The educational work of the Commission did not cease upon the conclusion of the Conservation Camp. The Commission assists with conservation workshops in teacher training institutions throughout the state. Exhibits were scheduled for many county fairs in addition to the state fair.

Through news releases distributed weekly to all of the newspapers and radio stations in the state, sportsmen are told about all Commission activities. Paul Gilbert, in his weekly radio program aired over 14 stations, presents a more personal report to the people.

"Outdoor Nebraska," the Commission's quarterly magazine, gives detailed fishing and hunting stories of informative value. Other publications, such as the "Outdoor Nebraska" map, State Park pamphlet and SportsmanFarmer brochure are distributed.

Proposed action of the Izaak Walton league of Nebraska has received Game Commission endorsement. The Ikes are reportedly trying to sponsor a bill at the next state legislature for the formation of the office of Director of Conservation Education. The purpose of this office would be to incorporate the much needed conservation programs in the curriculum of secondary schools throughout Nebraska.

To give groups more personal reports on any phase of the Game Commission's activities or proposed programs, members of the department frequent all parts of the state giving talks. Another service provided by the Commission is the showing of movies. Presently the Comimssion has four movies in its film library, all available without charge to organizations in the state.

  Outdoor Nebraska 11

It is true that the major objective of the Game Commission is to provide sportsmen of the state with the best fishing and hunting humanly possible. However, without conservation and. cooperation between the sportsmen, farmer and Game Commission, our game will dwindle and properties will be closed. This the Commission is trying to avoid in its new educational program designed to educate all in preserving what we have, appreciating what we possess and assuring sportsmen of tomorrow good hunting and fishing as we today are fortunate to experience.

Any Rabbit Trouble? Not for This Fellow

Have you had any trouble with rabbits damaging the bark of young tree seedlings?

Emil P. Romfeldt of Denton did. He tried numerous different methods to remedy this problem but without success. That was until he killed a rabbit and while enraged, tossed the carcas accidentally against a tree. The blood gushed all over the bark.

A few days later, much to his surprise, he discovered that the blood soaked tree hadn't been bothered by rabbits while the others in the vicinity showed recent damage. He. then went to the nearest hatchery and obtained some blood with which he washed the barks of the seedlings. Since that time, the rabbit nuisance has disappeared and the trees have shown remarkable growth.

Deer Become Savage

Male deer—like elk, moose and caribou—sometimes become as savage as whelp-robbed tigers during the season immediately following the perfect development of antlers. The neck of the bucks swell far beyond the natural size, the eyepits distend and the bucks go stalking about with ears laid back and nostrils expanded, fairly spoiling for a fight.

12 Outdoor Nebraska

Outdoor Nebraska Quiz

You are invited to try your skill in answering these pictorial questions. Count one point for each question answered correctly. A score of eight is excellent' six is good; five is fair; and four or below is poor. For answers see page 46

Outdoor Nebraska 13

Pheasant Outlook Bright

Larger Limit; Later Season; Longer Hours

One of the brightest pheasant seasons in recent years is in prospect this fall as Nebraska's quarter of a million hunters take to the field.

Numerous factors play roles in the optimistic pheasant outlook. The overall picture for the state as a whole is encouraging as a decided increase in pheasant population has been observed over either 1948 or 1949. The heaviest concentration of Nebraska's king bird can be found south of the Platte river.

Only those areas hard hit by both the March blizzard and the blizzard of '48 '49 generally lack sufficient birds to harvest. Several eastern counties also lack a sizable population. Scattered throughout the state are some areas where the pheasant population is too great. Likewise, there are some areas where the pheasant is all but nonexistent.

During the latter part of August, after hearing reports from the supervisor of game, upland game biologists, conservation officers, representatives of wildlife clubs, rural mail carriers and wildlife reporters, the Nebraska Game Commissioners were so enthused with the overall picture that a 23-day pheasant season was granted for this year beginning on Oct. 28 and ending on Nov. 19. The population boost was felt so significant that a larger bag limit was granted. Hunters this fall can take a big limit of four cock pheasants.

The extended length of the season and its later closing date on the fall calendar, in addition to the larger bag limit, is expected to attract the greatest number of pheasant hunters in recent years. With the longer and later season it is hoped that the cover which was unusually heavy last year will be down enough to permit easier hunting this fall. The extent of the prevailing cover will be dependent upon the date of and the amount of frost and freezing weather.

During the past fall, spring and this fall, areas most severely hit by the blizzard were restocked with pheasants from the Game Commission's productive game farm at Norfolk. Under the very capable supervision of S. E. "Pappy" Ling, some 12,000 pheasants were raised and released at 14 weeks of age. In addition 1,000 breeder hens were released in the blizzard-hit area during June of this year following collection of their eggs which were necessary for this year's operation of the State game farm.

All booster units which cooperated last year again received a like number of young pheasants this summer to raise and release during the fall months. The birds released by the booster units are supplemented by a similar number raised at the game farm.

The assistance of the booster units weighs heavily in the restocking of needy areas. Their cooperation accelerates the restocking program as the facilities of the game farm are limited and consequently only a limited number could be raised. The booster units receive the young birds at about four weeks of age and raise them until they're between 14 and 16 weeks of age. They are released in the vicinity of the unit.

Every pheasant raised at the game farm or booster unit is released as breeding stock, not as immediate game for hunters. It is hoped that by placing breeding stock in areas where the pheasant was all but eliminated that the population will build up to the point where it will again be great enough to provide reasonable hunting.

This year's booster units were located at Page, O'Neill, Dix, Emmett, Bassett,   14 Outdoor Nebraska Wood Lake, Chadron, Alliance, Bushnell, Kimball, Sidney, Ogallala, Ainsworth and North Platte.

During the past year the Game division of the Commission, directed by Lloyd P. Vance, supervised a new method in the raising of pheasants on an experimental basis. Whereas it was general procedure to keep pheasants in confinement until 14 weeks of age, the Game Commission experimented with releasing the birds when they were approximately three weeks old.

One day after the eggs were hatched at the Blair hatchery, 100 day-old birds were flown to the Warner farm at McGrew. The birds were then immediately placed in a brooder house and held there until three weeks old. At that time—the end of the shortened brooding period—the birds were released in an alfalfa field, free to make their own way.

They stayed in the immediate area for a few days. After this period it was found that the young pheasants were extremely wild, being almost impossible to approach. Only one dead bird was found after the release date. In making conclusions from this three-week experimental project, it can be said that the young birds were much wilder than usual and apparently became more self dependent quicker than birds released at an older age.

Whether or not this brief confinement program can replace the longer 14-week program remains to be seen. This experiment will have to be practiced several times before its practicability and success can be ascertained. But if, after this series of experiments is completed, the loss of birds continues to be but a minor problem, the three-week program will be used extensively and may modify activities at the game farm. With a much shorter period of confinement, it would be possible to raise a far greater number of pheasants each year.

In addition to these advantages, the three-week program has other assets. It is much cheaper to manage and requires less labor. Practically any person can raise the pheasants with only a few instructions. Mrs. Warner of McGrew, who this year successfully raised the pheasants in the brief period, had never previously raised anything whatsoever in the poultry line. She was amazed by the simple manner in which the pheasants could be raised with proper equipment and facilities.

The speed by which future blizzardstruck areas can be restocked with pheasants and made available to hunting rests on the success of the experimental three-week program.

The order of upland game birds consists of quail, partridges, grouse, ptarmigan, turkeys and pheasants.

Outdoor Nebraska 15

True and Distorted

A complimentary five-year subscription to "Outdoor Nebraska" was awarded to Mr. J. A. Bauer of Lincoln for his two contributions to this issue's "True and Distorted" column.

Anyone can enter the "story tellin' contest." All that is needed is a true or distorted story about hunting or fishing with some humorous aspect or spectacular feat contained therein. For those stories printed, the writer will receive a five-year subscription to "Outdoor Nebraska." Entries may be sent to The Editor, "Outdoor Nebraska," Game Commission, State House, Lincoln.

Mr. Bauer's first yarn may prove helpful to this year's group of deer hunters. He writes: "Yes siree, for farshootin', give me an old-time muzzel loadin' gun. It shore carries a long ways. It was back in 1888 when I went a huntin' to git me a deer. Thar was a lot of 'em and they was faster 'n greased lightnin'.

"Never seen sech runnin'. This deer come outen a thicket lickity split and he was by me afore I could raise my gun to shoot. When I did, thet deer was 'bout a quarter mile from me. Shucks! First thing I knowed, it was plumb out a site. 'Bout a year later, I happened to be down 'round Cape Horn a huntin' and heered a noise in the bush, and out come a deer a runnin' like all get out.

"Seems like I seen it afore. Sure 'nuff! It was the same deer I done shot at back heer and it was jest run down to skin and bones. And right back of it was the ball I hed loaded thet gun with, wore down to the size of a mustard seed. Yes sirree! Them muzzel loaders sure could shoot far."

Mr. Bauer has a 'goin fishin' tale, too. About this trip he writes: "Yes sirree, fish'n thet day was so good ah got plumb tuckered out pullin' 'em in: Whilst settin' thar gettin' mah breth back, ah figgered outen a way to make it a mite easyer. So ah tuk off fer town to see the hoss dok. 'Doc,' ah sez, 'lemme hev about a dozen of them big capsools you give to the hosses.' The doc give them to me and ah traips back to whar I left mah fishen stuff.

"After ah gits back ah started a'gitten me a mess of grasshoppers and put two or three hoppers in each capsool. Climbin' into the boat ah pulls out into the lake, drops one of them capsools in the lake and twant long afore a big cat cum outen the water like ez if he ben shot outen a gun. Ah gets him on the fly with mah landin' net and then ah drops in the rest of them capsools. And how them fish started to cum; pretty nigh wore mahself out ketchen 'em. You see, when the fish seed them hoppers natural like, they swallowed the capsools; then the capsools melt in the fishes' innards and them hoppers git to kicken so hard that they kicked them fish right outen the water."

16 Outdoor Nebraska

Deer Data Reveals Much

By Levi L. Mohler Upland Game Biologist

"A hundred and eighty pounds? Are you sure those scales are right? I'd have sworn he weighed at least three-fifty, but maybe that's because I had such a hard job getting him to the car." Statements like that at the deer checking stations in northwest Nebraska were common during the 1949 season, and not without reason. For it's no secret, among deer hunters that moving the dressed-out game back to the nearest road brings a fellow face to face with what is usually work for a real he-man.

While there is always a lot of interest in deer weights, the checking station setup last deer season also brought to light a good bit of other information about Nebraska deer. Over nine hundred deer were brought to the stations' which Game Commission personnel operated at Gering, Bridgeport, Harrison, Crawford, Chadron and Rushville.

WHY CHECKING STATIONS?

There are several reasons why the men at the checking stations gave the bagged game such a thorough goingover during both the 1945 and 1949 hunts. In the first place, putting the metal seal on the deer gave the hunter official recognition of his possession of legal game. Besides that, the Game Commission wanted to learn how Nebraska deer compared to those from other states in weight, size, condition, etc. Furthermore, complete records from a well-organized deer hunt give quite a clear picture as to the proportion of deer of various ages in the wild herd, a point of real importance when future management, including hunting, is being planned.

Factual information piled up fast during the early days of both of Nebraska's recent seasons. After organizing the records, from the checking station measurements and interviews, a backward look at 1949 will no doubt carry some information of interest to big game enthusiasts as they approach the 1950 deer quest.

DEER INTO 89 COUNTIES

Hunting permits last year went to residents of 91 different counties. And deer went back home with the hunters from 89 counties. About 61 percent of those who held permits were successful in bagging bucks, which ranks pretty high compared to success figures from some other deer states.

Nebraska nimrods hunting Nebraska National Forest in 1945 scored even higher, about 78 percent took deer, but all deer were legal game in that hunt whereas only bucks could be taken in 1949. Incidentally, the killing of female deer is the only practical way to control a herd which is exceeding the deer carrying capacity of its range, and in many important deer states the killing of does is now permitted either as a   Outdoor Nebraska 17 general hunting practice or in areas needing special control. In some states, including neighbor Colorado, hunters are also permitted to take two deer.

ON THE SCALES

Most hunters rough-dress their deer before taking them out, hence weights mentioned are usually "hog-dressed" weights, which are usually roughly three-fourths of the animal's live weight. Opening day in 1949 wasn't very far along before the 1945 record of 196 1/2 pounds was broken. Remember, that is hog-dressed weight— 196 1/2 means that the deer would have been well up towards 250 pounds on the jump. (Bucks are larger and heavier than does. The heaviest mule deer doe bagged in 1945 tipped the scales at 122 pounds.)

Twenty-six bucks above 200 pounds were checked in 1949, and six were above 215. Heaviest hog-dressed weight recorded was 223 1/2 pounds, but the largest deer of the entire hunt, weighed at Bridgeport before dressing scaled 322, which would have put it in the neighborhood of 240 pounds dressed. And as Groucho Marx might say, "That's a pretty fancy neighborhood!" Of course, a hunter's chances of bagging a 200-pounder aren't too strong. Most of the deer brought home will likely be between 120 and 180.

A buck probably reaches his peak weight and carries the best rack at somewhere between five and nine years of age. Older bucks are likely to show some of the imperfections which accompany old age, which in deer include poorly formed antlers.

WHAT ARE BIG ANTLER?

Speaking of antlers brings us to one of the most interesting parts of a deer. Shed each winter, and grown anew during the spring and summer, antlers have long been prized as trophies among big game hunters.

Some of the deer taken in the first two hunts were real "timberheads." When an area is opened the first time, these big trophy heads are well represented in the kill. In country open to hunting year after year a buck's chances of living to a ripe old age are smaller, and hence big racks aren't so   18 Outdoor Nebraska common. And those that have survived several hunting seasons probably learn some special tricks that help them outwit the red-jacketed gunners.

Generally speaking, a buck's antlers are heavier, longer, and wider spread each successive year until he reaches his prime. Hence, several different antler measurements are needed in order to compare one head with another in all respects.

A heavy set of antlers will measure five inches or more in circumference at the base, just above the rough part called the burr. Antler spread is measured at the widest point, using the outside dimension. Anything above 30 inches is considered quite special. Tops in the 1945 hunt was 32ys; in the 1949 hunt several exceeded that, with a 37 V2 inch spread checked at Crawford rating as the biggest spread yet measured in Nebraska.

Antler length-—Nebraska measurements are inside length from hairline to longest point—commonly runs from 20 to 25 inches on good heads. Twenty-six and one-half inches was the longest recorded in 1945 and in 1949 there were a few that exceeded that.

One of the things shown by checking the two first hunts is that the western deer on the whole were bigger and heavier deer than those on the Nebraska National Forest. The forest hunt was planned to reduce the population in an area where natural deer food plants were showing heavy use; the lower deer weights there probably reflect the effect of the overall food situation upon the deer herd itself. The forest deer of course had no access to agricultural crops, while the western deer hunted in '49 took corn, wheat and other crops in addition to the usual wild plants. However, when stomach contents of deer from the 1949 hunt were examined it was found that such things as buckbrush, pine, and other wild plants made up a larger part of the food taken than did agricultural crops.

FOUR POINTS ON A SIDE

Mature mule deer bucks often have four points on each antler, but .extra points are quite common. Two- small points on each side are quite typical in yearlings; some two-year-olds have two, three, or four points on a side, but three-year-olds and older deer generally have four on a side. Anything above that might be called extra decoration and this varies a lot in individuals.

OTHER HUNTERS AND DEER SEEN

Most of those who were after deer in 1949 used two or three days of hunting time while in 1945 the average was slightly under two days. In 1949 hunters usually saw four or five other hunters in the hills during their hunt, and most of them saw more deer than hunters, according to individual records which accumulated at the checking stations. Other hunters were seen more frequently in 1945 because ' the . area was relatively small, yet most of them reported seeing several deer during their hunt.

GUNS AND BULLET WEIGHTS

About two-thirds of those hunting in 1945 used 30-30's, 30-06's, 30-40 Krags, or 250-3000. In 1949 the same guns were still popular, although about 20 others were used by various hunters. Final compilations weren't yet complete when this was written, but it appears that over three-fourths of the 1949 hunters used shells carrying bullets of from 150 to 180 grains in weight.

Hunters' estimates of their killing shots indicate that in both hunts the average shot was somewhere in excess of 100 yards.

HUNTING HOURS

Deer hunters like to be out at opening time, and apparently it pays off. At any rate more hunters bagged their bucks in the early morning hours than at any other time. Late afternoon ran a close second, but many rifle-toters

(Continued on Page 44)

Outdoor Nebraska 19

The Missing Picture

Following are characteristics of a bird found in Nebraska. How many of these characteristics must you read before you can identify the missing picture. The name and picture of the bird can be found on page 29.

1. This bird, when an adult, is about 33 inches in length. 'The adults: during summer are glossy greenish-black; the feathers of the back and wings are coppery-gray with narrow distinct black edges and black-shafted; there are two curly black crests on the head; the throat sac and lores are orange; the bill dusky; the feet black; the iris green and the eyelids blue.

2. This bird nests both on the ground and in the trees; The nest is constructed of twigs and weeds.

3. This bird usually lays from two to four eggs. They are bluish-green with white chalky incrustation.

4. The young of these birds, when first hatched, are naked and look like little, animated, greasy rubber bags. In a few days they assume, a thick growth of black down.

5. This bird lives in big colonies, some trees having as many as 38 nests.

6. The bird is a wonderful diver and secures its prey while on submarine excursions.

7. The Japanese have for centuries found a species of this bird a valuable asset in their extensive fishing operations.

8. This bird is considered an enemy by most fishermen. It feeds, however, not primarily on game fish, but instead on rough fish of small size. It also acts as a natural control by feeding on an overpopulated species of fish and prevents the spread of disease by eating dead fish.

9. For several years there has been a heavy concentration of these birds, particularly at McConaughy reservoir where they roost in trees surrounded by water.

10. This bird is also called a Crow Duck, Shag, Water-Turkey, Lawyer

20 Outdoor Nebraska

Outdoor Nebraska 21

Common Misunderstanding Of Game Laws Clarified

BY BILL CUNNINGHAM Supervisor of Law Enforcement

Each year the Nebraska hunting seasons produce volumes of mail to the Game Commission offices seeking information on various laws and regulations. In studying these inquiries it is readily evident that there are some laws which cause the majority of these questions.

We find misunderstanding, lack of information and most often, ill-advice and misinterpretation rendered by other people after reading such letters. For example, many of these letters will begin with the statement, "We have read the law and think it means so and so, but a fellow in the hardware store said we were wrong and would be arrested if we did it that way."

The following discussion deals with some of the laws which apparently cause the greatest concern with the hunting public.

Many letters inquired as to what may be shot with a .22 caliber rifle because they have been told that Joe's brother was arrested for using a rifle in hunting. Actually, Joe's brother was arrested for shooting game birds with a 'rifle which is illegal in most states including Nebraska. Game animals such as squirrels and rabbits may be shot with a rifle, but game birds of all kinds must be hunted and shot with shotguns smaller than 10 gauge and plugged to a maximum capacity of three shells in the magazine and chamber (as illustrated by figure No. 5 on opposite page).

In connection with the loaded gun law, many people seem to have been misinformed as to the status of a public highway as it applies in several laws pertinent to hunting. For example, it is illegal to have or carry a loaded shotgun (figure Nos. 1, 2 & 3) in or on any kind of vehicle on a public highway and it is illegal to shoot any bird or animal protected by law from a public highway. This apparently brings up the question, "What is a public highway and isn't it all right if I get out of the car before shooting?" According to a recent interpretation of the Attorney General's office, "The public highway, so far as it pertains to the shooting of birds or animals, is that right of way constituting a public road, and between the fences and boundaries of private property (figure No. 6).

"This includes both the main traveled portions of the highway and the ditches and shoulders in connection therewith." It is apparent therefore that an individual hunter must leave the roadway and hunt and shoot his game in the fields proper. The above very distinctly brings out the fact that it is necessary for the Nebraska hunter to secure the permission of the landowner to hunt in his fields rather than driving along the road waiting for a chance to jump out of the car and shoot from the road.

Many times arguments arise concerning the authority of Deputy State Wardens in connection with their enforcement procedure, especially in respect to securing evidence and the holding and confiscating of illegal devices. We receive many letters and questions in this respect, most of them occasioned by the spreading of misinformation by individuals carrying a grudge because of some previous conviction of a law violation.

One of the best examples of this problem is the man who writes to our office in this manner: "I have been told that I should never let a warden have my gun for inspection and that even if I have violated the law, the officer has no right to take my gun as evidence. I have also been told that if I have violated   22 Outdoor Nebraska a law and lay my gun on the ground the officer cannot legally pick it up and take it. I would like to have the truth in the above matter."

The answers to this man's questions are very well covered by statutory law and by the Attorney General's opinion. A recent opinion is to this effect: Under Section 37-610, R.S. 1943, the officer who discovers an illegal device, or who discovers a legal or proper device being used illegally, shall determine whether or not to confiscate the same. Before destroying such property as a nuisance the officer should make certain to preserve sufficient evidence as to the illegality of the device so that he may successfully defend any action for trespass. The officer is authorized to pick up and retain the questionable device or take the same to the county attorney or other prosecuting officer to be used as- evidence in the trial if a complaint is filed.

When guns or other legal devices are taken by state officers it is for the purpose of evidence in court to establish whether such device was used illegally or not. If the court reaches a verdict of "guilty" or a "guilty plea" is entered with the court, it is established that the device was used illegally and the laws of the state provide for forfeiture of the device. If a "not guilty" verdict is rendered, the legal device is returned to its owner. All devices which are illegal to possess or use are automatically confiscated, such as seines or fish traps or illegally taken game or fish.

Deputy State Wardens or Conservation Officers are by statutory law, officers of the state with the powers of sheriffs, authorized to make arrests and serve all writs and processes, civil and criminal, when they have reason to believe a violation has been committed.

Game laws are the expressed opinion of the public through its legislature. The duty pf enforcing these laws has been assigned to the Game, Forestation and Parks Commission. To fulfill this duty the Commission seeks the cooperation and support of all sportsmen and citizens of the state. The Game Commission is supported by permit fees paid in by the sportsmen of the state and has no other sources of income for game and fish work. Enforcement efficiency can be increased by reducing violations of the State game laws by assisting the Commission in apprehending the minority' group who refuse to .obey the laws and thereby steal from the sportSrmen in general.

State Wardens are not in office to interfere with the sporting recreation of the public but to see that the natural heritage of our people is wisely managed on a fair basis for everyone. It is their desire to cooperate and help the hunter and fisherman to the utmost. The hunting public can help in this program by being completely familiar with the game laws and when in doubt, ask your warden or write direct to the Game Commission, State House, Lincoln. This Department belongs to you; use it and cooperate with it for the hunting and fishing future in our State.

REGULATIONS AVAILABLE

■ All sportsmen desiring regulations can obtain same by contacting their district game warden, county clerk's office, permit dealer or by writing to the Game Commission office in Lincoln.

Presently these mentioned sources have available for free distribution printed copies of the 1950 hunting regulations, 1950-51 trapping regulations, 1950 boating regulations, 1950 game statute books and 1950 fishing regulations.

Other publications, though not pertaining to game laws, are available to the public without cost. They are the State Park Brochure, SportsmanFarmer Cooperation pamphlet and "Outdoor Nebraska" map. The brochure can be obtained at either of the seven State Parks—Ft. Kearny, Chadron, Ponca, Victoria Springs, Niobrara, Stolley and Arbor Lodge or at the Lincoln office of the Game Commission. The pamphlet and map can be received from the Lincoln office.

Work is now in progress on the Arbor Lodge souvenir booklet. It is expected to be completed by January 1, 1951. The cost of the booklet has not as yet been determined.

Outdoor Nebraska 23

Never carry a loaded shotgun in the car.

Always unload your gun when crossing fences.

Never shoot into something moving in the brush. Know first what you are shooting before you shoot.

Never mix alcohol and gun powder.

Never shoot a rifle when the shot will carry beyond your field of vision.

Never carry shells of different gauge guns in your pocket at the same time.

Never hunt near cattle or horses.

Treat all cuts and scratches with antiseptic at once. Treat any blisters with care. They are easily infected.

Be alert for other hunters coming from opposite directions.

Always unload your gun whenever you pause for rest or smoke. Never lay it down loaded. And don't be afraid to check unloaded guns often, just to be sure.

Outdoor Briefs

The whitetail deer is the most widely known and hunted big game in North America. There are almost four and one-quarter million whitetail deer in the United States.

The mule deer can run as fast as 35 miles per hour for a fraction of a mile at least. Its jumping gait perhaps makes it short-winded for in a run of one-half mile in open country it will be panting heavily.

A newborn opossum is not as large as a bee and must spend a long period in the sanctuary afforded by the maternal pouch of its mother.

An adult porcupine weighing. 12 pounds will bear a 1-pound baby, which is actually larger than a newborn black bear.

IT PAYS TO KNOW Deer Are Browsers

THEY FEED PRINCIPALLY UPON TWIG-TIPS BUDS, LEAVES AND FRUITS OF TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES,AND NON-GRASSY HERB

 

26 Outdoor Nebraska

Buck and Minnie ... Marsh Residents

By Henry Sather Fur Investigations Biologist

It was during the latter part of March, 1949 when I first contacted Buck and Minnie at Rice Lake in the Sandhill section of the State. Rice Lake is located about 30 miles south of Valentine. As a couple, Buck and Minnie could not be considered attractive by human standards; however, I can well imagine that other muskrats did not find the buck teeth, thick fur, and webbed hind feet unattractive.

Before going on with our story about Buck and Minnie I would like to tell you a little more about Rice Lake. To me it is not just a body of water with bulrushes, leopard frogs, mallards, turtles, spiders, insects, and numerous other plants and animals. To me it is a community in which muskrats are the most important individuals. They are to this aquatic community what people are to a city. Buck and Minnie are just an average family of muskrats in this community.

In March when I met Buck and his spouse they were living in a large house constructed principally of bulrushes. Some of their neighbors had houses built of cattails, submerged aquatic plants, or other types of aquatic vegetation. Inasmuch as each house was constructed from materials most readily available, it was quite apparent that muskrats were either unable to or did not choose to transport building materials for even short distances. Not all of the muskrats in this community lived in houses constructed of vegetation. Some of them made their homes in burrow systems in the banks.

Muskrat communities, like human communities, vary in some respects. However, the general picture is about as described in this story. The story is based upon two years of detailed field studies in Rice lake in Cherry county.

It could easily be seen that this was a season of great activity for Buck anti Minnie. They were both busy repairing their home that had lost much of its

  Outdoor Nebraska 27 support with the melting of the ice, and Buck was especially busy trying to keep transient muskrats—yes, they have tramps too—off of what he considered family property. Sometimes these trespassers were neighbors that had strayed too far from home and sometimes they were imigrants from other lakes. Since all sections of the lake which were suitable for muskrats had already been claimed, the imigrants were given a cold welcome by all of the families in the community. Naturally Buck and his neighbors did not have courts to punish trespassers; they depended on their teeth and fighting ability to enforce their edict against strangers near their homes. Everyone who owns a dog of some fighting ability knows that their dog is almost unbeatable when he is near home. The same thing was true of Buck and his neighbors—the imigrants took the beatings and either died of their wounds or were picked up by predators that frequented the shores in search of such victims.

Shortly after becoming acquainted with Buck and Minnie, I could see definite signs that preparations were being made for a family. A great deal of repair work had been done on the house and it was in excellent condition. Inside of the house one of the two beds was being lined with large amounts of fine plant fibers. Evidently this material was going to be a nest for the expected family. The signs did not lie because two days later there were six very young muskrats in the nest. These six red, hairless, and blind youngsters had probably been born within the past twenty-four hours. They were about as big as a person's thumb and weighed a little less than an ounce. People who like little boys would consider Buck and his little woman lucky because four of the youngsters were males and two of them females.

I did not visit Minnie and her "old man" again until about two weeks later. Experience had taught me that muskrat families do not particularly appreciate much outside interference when .they have to take care of their youngsters. Several times mothers that had become annoyed with my prying methods moved their young from their nests. Sometimes they merely moved them to another bed in the same house, but more often moved them into another house in the near vicinity.

At two weeks of age, Buck and Minnie's kids were getting a little hard to handle. Their eyes were beginning- to open and they could dive and swim fairly well. The minute their house was disturbed, they dove down the plunge holes and would either reappear in the plunge holes or come up outside of the house. By this time they were fully furred and were beginning to look like muskrats. They had grown very rapidly because now they weighed about four   28 Outdoor Nebraska times as much as they did when first seen.

Buck and Minnie's family was hale and hardy; but the same was not true of some of the neighboring families. One group of youngsters had some type of skin disease that was causing them to lose the hair from their ears and about the face. At first this did not appear to be anything too serious, but it soon became evident that they were gradually losing weight and becoming progressively weaker. When last seen they were in such a weakened condition that there is little doubt that they soon died.

Other families had lost all or some of their youngsters from one cause or another. In one instance there was no doubt that an entire family of young ones had been destroyed by an older one of their own kind. Cannibalism like this is not too common, but cases do occur especially under crowded conditions. Another family was destroyed by a mink that happened to be passing through the community. He was hungry enough to take a chance at getting the youngsters despite the dangers of being slashed by the razor sharp teeth of the parents. There is some indication that a few young muskrats living in bank dens may have been preyed upon by badgers and coyotes.

As mentioned before Buck and Minnie's youngsters became a little bolder when their eyes opened. They began to spend more time outside of the house. When they were about three weeks old, they started nibbling on the succulent bases of cattail, bur-reed, and bulrush plants. They were now pretty much able to look out for themselves.

Something must have happened at the home lodge when the youngsters were about four weeks old, because I could no longer And them there. Their parents were still around, because the house was in excellent repair and the beds were being used. It was not long before we found that the youngsters were no longer living in their old home place, but were living in a dilapidated old house in the near vicinity. It actually appeared as though Buck and Minnie had chased them away from home and refused to let them return. Most of the other families in the community behaved in the same way, but there were some parents that left the home lodge to the youngsters and moved into a new area in the near vicinity and built up a new house.

Shortly after the youngsters were chased from their home- Buck and Minnie's house again had nesting material lining one of the beds.- Evidently they were making preparations for another family. Now it became clear why Minnie was so anxious to have her older young located in a different home. It was not long before the home was again blessed. This time there were three males and three females. The early history of this litter was essentially the same as that of the first litter. Amazing as it might seem Minnie and Buck did not stop here— before the summer was over they had raised another litter. At final count Minnie had given birth to eleven males and eight females. She had done very well   Outdoor Nebraska 29 considering the fact that seventeen youngsters was the average famliy size in the community. Some of her neighbors raised the same number of litters as Minnie, some but one litter, and some two litters.

During the months of September and October, there was sign indicating that Minnie and Buck and their family were making preparations for the winter. When the lake froze over they would no longer be able to sit on their open-air dining platforms to eat their meals. They were building dining rooms with roofs. These new buildings looked like the large dwelling houses but were smaller and enclosed only a small platform on which to sit and eat lunch. They could enter these dining rooms from under the ice. Two dining rooms were built and located in areas where the most and best food was available. Of course they were located rather close to the home lodge and on property belonging to Minnie and Buck.

The trapper started working on Rice Lake in January. The many hazards of life in the wild had whittled Buck and Minnie's family of youngsters down to six. Three of the remaining youngsters were males and three of them females. They had certainly grown up. They now weighed about two pounds. This was only a half a pound less than the weight of their parents. Their fur was now thick, dark brown, and almost prime. If the trapper failed to catch them before the latter part of February, their pelts would be almost completely prime and bring top prices.

This is not the end of the story; it is just the end of the year. Minnie and Buck's offspring that managed to get through the trapping season are still a part of the Rice Lake community. We still keep in contact with them. It is interesting and important for us to know how they react to changes in their community.

23 DISTRICTS

The state of Nebraska is divided into 23 districts, each of which is presided in by one district warden. The present district headquarters are found at Ainsworth, Norfolk, Benkelman, Fairfield, Ogallala, Neligh, Bridgeport, Hay Springs, Grand Island, O'Neill, Lexington, North Platte, Cody, Sargent, Crete, Lincoln, McCook, Minden, Columbus, Hartington, Gering, Fremont and Omaha.

Dam To Back Up Water

The primary reason the beaver builds a dam is to back up water in a stream and thus insure sufficient depth to prevent solid freezing, so that the animals may reach the all-important food supply on the pond bottom.

30 Outdoor Nebraska

1950 Nebraska Trapping Regulations 1950

SPECIES OPEN SEASON (Both dates inclusive) , OPEN AREA Muskrat Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Zone 1 (See A) Muskrat Nov. 15-Jan. 15 Zone 2 (See^B) Mink Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Zone 1 (See A) Mink Nov. 15-Jan. 15 Zone 2 (See B) Raccoon Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Entire State Opossum Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Entire State Skunk Entire State Badger Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Entire State Civet Cat Nov. 15-Mar. 15 Entire State

NOTES:

A—Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Dawes, Garden, Garfield, Grant, Holt, Hooker, Keya Paha, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, Thomas and Wheeler counties except Federal and State sanctuaries and refuges and State-owned lakes.

B—Adams, Antelope, Boone, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Chase, Cheyenne, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dawson, Deuel, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Fillmore, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gage, Gosper, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Keith, Kimball, Knox, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Sherman, Stanton, Thayer, Thurston, Valley, Washington, Wayne, Webster and York counties except Federal and State Sanctuaries and Refuges and Stateowned lakes.

NOTES: Where the entire state is open, this does not include federal and state sanctuaries and refuges.

1. No wood duck may be taken in Nebraska. Mergansers or fish ducks are not included in the bag limits for ducks. Twenty-five may be taken in one day. There is no possession limit on these.

2. The daily bag and possession limit of five geese may include two Canada geese and its sub species or two white-fronted geese or one Canada type goose and one white-fronted goose, but may not include more than two of these in any combination.

3. This consists of Brown, Cherry, Keya Paha and Rock counties and Sheridan county south of the Niobrara river.

4. The following counties or parts thereof are opened to pheasant hunting: Adams, Boone, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Chase, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dawson, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Fillmore, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gage, Gosper, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Knox (East of State highway No. 13 to the Intersection with State highway No. 12 and thence east of a line due north from the Intersection of State Highway No. 13 and No. 12 to the thread of the channel of the Missouri river), Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Merrick, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Seward, Sherman, Sioux (South of a line parallel to and onehalf mile north of the Interstate Canal), Stanton, Thayer, Thurston, Valley, Washington, Wayne, Webster, York, except for Federal and State Sanctuaries and Refuges. All other counties are closed.

5. This consists of Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson and Thayer counties except Federal and State Sanctuaries and Refuges.

6. This consists of Dawes, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux counties and Sheridan county north of the Niobrara river. Closed to hunting in this area is the Wildcat Hills Big Game Reserve in Scotts Bluff county, Chadron State Park in Dawes county and Federal Refuge areas in all open areas.

  1950 Nebraska Hunting Regulations 1950 SPECIES OPEN SEASON (Both dates inclusive) OPEN AREA DAILY BAG LIMIT POSSESSION LIMIT SHOOTING HOURS Doves Sept. 1-Oct. 1 Entire State 10 10 > One half hour before sunrise to sunset. Ducks (See No. 1) Oct. 20-Dec. 3 Entire State Geese (See No. 2) Oct. 20-Dec. 3 Entire State 10 One-half hour before sunrise to one hour before sunset except on opening day when hour of commencement shall be 12 o'clock noon. Same as above. Coot Oct. 20-Dec. 3 Entire State 10 10 Same as above. Grouse Nov. 10-Nov. 12 Restricted Area (See No. 3) 2 2 One-half hour before sunrise to one hour before sunset. Pheasant Oct. 28-Nov. 19 Restricted Area (See No. 4) 4 4 Same as above. Quail Nov. 10-Nov. 26 Restricted Area (See No. 5) 5 5 Sunrise to sunset. Rabbits Oct. 1-Jan. 31 Entire State 5 5 Same as above. Squirrels Oct. 1-Dec. 31 Entire State 5 5 Same as above. Deer (special permit) Dec. 4-Dec. 17 Restricted Area (See No. 6) 1 fork antlered male 1 One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Raccoon Jan. 1-Dec. 31 Entire State None None All hours. Opossum Jan. 1-Dec. 31 Entire State None None All hours.

32 Outdoor Nebraska

WATERFOWL PRODUCTION DOWN... In Western Sandhills

One of several major factors limiting waterfowl production—drouth conditions—weighed heavily in the decreased production observed the past summer in the western sandhills area of Nebraska. In the eastern section of the vast sandhills area, however, a production increase was noted as there was a constantly better supply of water and water areas.

It appears that a good percent of all ducks shot in the forepart of the season each year in Nebraska are waterfowl which either nested or were raised in the state or adjacent areas during the summer months. This is believed to be the case as there is a marked buildup of waterfowl population in early August. It remains to be seen whether or not the increase in the east will offset the decrease in the west during the early days of the 45-day hunt.

The overall picture of waterfowl production in Nebraska fails to fit into the Central Flyway ' picture which shows an increase for the general area. The Flyway increase was found so significant that a larger bag and possession limit was granted states in that flyway. Nebraska is a Central Flyway state.

According to a memorandum prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Central Flyway is the only flyway to show an increase over the previous year. The Atlantic Flyway displayed no significant trend up or down while the Mississippi Flyway showed a decrease as the observed results on breeding grounds supplying that area were not favorable. A more liberal shooting season was awarded the Pacific Flyway by federal officials to adjust hunting pressure to the available supply of ducks.

John Wampole, Game Commission waterfowl biologist, has been conducting duck production studies in the sandhills area during recent years, including 1950. He said that according to his findings, waterfowl production in that area went up enormously in 1949 over that of 1948 but dropped off during the 1950 season mainly because   Outdoor Nebraska 33 of dryness in the western sandhills area.

Wampole found that there was a big fluctuation of numbers of breeding pairs and lone ducks per square mile in the western sandhills which was one of the dryest sections of the state in 1950. There was little fluctuation, however, in the eastern sandhills and this apparently was the result of a generally better supply of water and greater number of small water areas than in the west.

There was a considerable drying up of temporary water areas in the west. As a result, waterfowl production was hampered. Though most ducks nest some distance from water, they still need ponds and lakes as a part of their natural habitat. "Without these natural surroundings young ducks are easy prey of predators.

It was noticeable, according to Wampole's studies, that apparently more breeding stock was required to produce a brood or a young duck in the eastern area than was necessary in the western area. The two apparent reasons for this are: (1) Better water conditions in the eastern sandhills probably held more transient birds, actually non-breeding or non-nesting individuals; and (2) It's possible in the observations that some of the breeding stock were miscalled when actually they were non-breeders.

Regardless of the success of local duck shooting early this fall, it can be expected that duck shooting should be as good as last year or improved when flights begin winging their way across the state. Advance reports indicate improved hunting in the Central Flyway and this should become a reality unless something unforeseen occurs. The peak of the flight usually reaches Nebraska about Armistice Day each year with lesser flights both preceding and following that time. The weather, along with the available food supply, are the determining factors in the time of the flights of some species. Other waterfowl apparently migrate at the same time, year after year, regardless of the weather. They appear to be flying by the calendar.

In addition to drouth conditions which interfere with waterfowl production, other factors can be classified as hindrances. These are predation, disease, drainage, and destruction of nesting habitats. Often combinations of any of these factors work together while in other instances but one of these factors is prevalent.

Ducks may be found on most any body of water and most usually on water containing natural aquatic or animal feed or where feed is readily available on adjacent areas. Typical duck habitats are potholes, sloughs, irrigation ditches, lakes, reservoirs and rivers. In the spring migration some ducks find a suitable site and choose to remain there rather than continuing north to more distant nesting grounds.

In dry spells, such as the western sandhills area had the misfortune of experiencing this summer, potholes and similar bodies of water begin drying up and the ducks are forced to move. In many instances the ducks are accompanied by broods. Regardless of the distance involved in traveling from the dried up area to other water areas the young are easy prey of predators because of their inability to fly and protect themselves. A great number of ducks are lost during this forced evacuation.

During the nesting period predators such as the bullsnake and occasionally the skunk and badger take their toll of eggs and young as do mowing operations on the hay flats adjacent to or near the water areas. By either driving off the hen or waiting until she leaves in quest of feed, the predator can move in on the nest and destroy the eggs unmolested.

Ducks are susceptible to disease, particularly botulism. Whereas pheasants are in loose family groups and rarely mass in groups of great size, except in

(Continued on Page 44)

34 Outdoor Nebraska

Decoy Placement Depends On Duck Species Sought

Autumn with its crisp weather and dipping temperatures, dwindling days and lengthening nights, frost-tempered leaves and thinning cover, has but one eventful meaning to thousands of Nebraskans, frecklenoses and oldtimers , alike. To them the fall of the year means Hunting with a capital H.

It means the time of the year when they cast a fond glance at the gun case, remove the oft-used gun; the time of the year when they retrieve the battered red ear-flapped cap and the fieldscarred boots which they'll wear in their annual pursuit of pheasants and ducks.

With bright seasons in prospect for both the upland game bird " and the migratory waterfowl, these hunters count the seemingly slow passing days until the seasons get underway. During this interval they recall past years—the bag and near bag limits, the spectacular shot that felled a duck, the way the dog flushed the birds in the dense cover and the appealing smell of the roasted pheasant.

They recall, too, the hits and misses of the past seasons. The hits are a fond recollection. The misses, however, are boresome to remember. Possibly the shots were taken at too long a range or perhaps the bird was led too far. Whatever was the cause, they assure themselves that fewer mistakes will be made this year.

If you're accurate with a gun, find enough birds and shoot and leadat the proper time and distance, you'll usually succeed in taking game birds home for dinner. But there are many hunters unfamiliar with all of the "must do's" of successful hunting. Roy Owen, deputy game warden, has had years of experience in trap and field shooting and has offered tips which have made him the shooting success he is today. Possibly, one of these tips might be the missing link preventing your successful hunt.

For those hunters who use decoys, Roy has a few helpful suggestions. He said that the setting of decoys or blocks 'for good duck shooting depends upon the species of ducks sought. "If you're seeking mallard shooting during the migration period," he said, "the blocks should be set 50 yards upwind from the blind. The mallard always drifts downwind and makes its circle coming into the decoys. The best shooting range occurs when the mallard is midway between the blind and the decoys or blocks. This gives the hunter an advantage as the mallard climbs upward against the wind."

"As to the shooting of such diving ducks as bluebill, blackjack, eanvasbaek and redhead, the arrangement of the decoys can be entirely different," he added. "While hunting these species, place the blocks from 25-35 yards in front of you and on the upwind side. These ducks fly at a terrific rate of speed and will come in over the decoys whether they intend to light or not. Because of their speed which carries them out of range in quick order, a 30 or 35 yard shot will be needed."

Roy mentioned in hunting widgeon, gadwall, teal and shoveler that the decoys should be placed in the same position as for the diving ducks, but at 40 yards instead of the 25-35 yard range. He added that if these ducks decoy at all, they'll be a good shot as they climb into the wind like the mallard.

Personally, Roy recommends Nos. 5 and 6 shot for decoy shooting. "But if you start with a No. 6 or whatever you choose, stay with that load all thru the hunting season," he cautioned. "There is a difference in the speed of each size of shot. When you learn the lead of one shot, regardless of what size it is, stay with it because you're familiar with what kind of lead to give and you'll center the bird more by staying with that load."

"Remember this," Roy stressed, "don't be afraid to allow your bird on the wing sufficient lead. About 70 percent of all wing shooters have a habit of stopping their gun when they pull their trigger and the result is that the shot goes   Outdoor Nebraska 35 where the duck was instead of where it is. The secret of wing shooting is to start your gun behind the bird, follow thru past him and keep the gun in motion until after the gun is discharged. You'll find that the results will be much better and the clean kills much higher."

"Remember your shot string at 35 to 40 yards is about six feet long and if you've got lead enough, you're going to catch the bird somewhere along the line," he said. "But if you're behind him, the beginning of the six foot shot string won't pay dividends. On a climbing shot up against the wind, bring your gun from below the bird and up over him. As you're passing the top of its head, let him have it. Doing this, there'll be pheasants or ducks on the table the following day."

In Roy's opinion, the choke doesn't mean much if the aim isn't correct. "With an untrue aim," he said, "you won't hit the bird if you have a pattern as big as a wagon wheel."

He has a few suggestions in fence-row shooting of pheasants. "The best time of the day for this kind of shooting is from 10 o'clock in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. For the best shooting, have one or two men on each side of the fence at about 10 or 12 corn rows apart or equivalent distance. The birds are usually resting at this time of the day and will be on the side of the fence opposite the direction of the wind," he said.

"If you're walking a fence row out and the wind is high from the north, walk on the north side of the fence row and you'll approach the pheasants before they either hear or see you," Roy said. "The pheasant will usually jump into the wind and drift- with it. giving you a closeup shot which you shouldn't have too much trouble in connecting.

"Sargo or kalo patches are ideal cover for the birds. These should be hunted out in groups of from four to six hunters. Place two men at the end of the field. But be careful in shooting the flushed birds as you approach the end of the field if you value your friends. You'll be surprised at the number of birds running out of the field from 150 to 200 yards ahead of you.

"Outdoor Nebraska" Gift Subscription Please send your quarterly magazine "Outdoor Nebraska" to the person or persons listed on the reverse side of this coupon. I understand that you will notify these persons that they will receive the magazine as a Christmas gift from me. The envelope will be marked, "Do Not Open Before Xmas." My name is: p. My address:. Subscription rates: 50c per year; $1.00 for two years; $2.00 for five years. "Outdoor Nebraska" appears Jan., April, July and Oct. 1

"I have seen hunters walk thru a field —six and eight of them abreast—and only flush one or two birds. They swore   36 Outdoor Nebraska that there weren't any birds in the country. But actually they probably drove 30 or 40 pheasants out ahead of them but didn't see them.

"The pheasant won't flush if he can get away with running. Only when it's the last way out will the pheasant flush and fly. Too many hunters walk a field out too fast. Take your time and pause occasionally for a minute or so. You'll be surprised at the number of old pheasants who, sitting nearby, get uneasy when you stand there and take off."

As to the best size of gun to use, Roy suggests the 12 or 16 gauge and advises hunters to buy guns which fit them in game shooting without hugging or cheeking the gun stock too hard. "When you throw the gun to your shoulder," he said, "the rib and sight should be right in line with your eye without having to cheek your stock."

"In wing shooting," Roy added, "your gun stock shouldn't be too long because it must be at a length at which you can handily throw it on your shoulder at the same position each instance with no waste of time.

"Don't be in too big a hurry shooting upland game birds. Most of these are killed from 25-35 yards. The speed of the bird carries it from 10-15 yards beyond the place where it was hit. As you step it off to the place where the bird is picked up, the distance is about 40 or 50 yards and you think you connected on a long shot. Actually, the bird was killed at only about 35 yards."

The saying that "practice makes perfect" is adhered to faithfully by Roy. He suggests an inexpensive way for hunters to improve their accuracy before the seasons get underway.

"A hand trap is a very useful device. Working as a pair, have one of the fellows walking at the side throwing bluerocks or targets at all angles for the gunner. A nice routine to practice is having the fellow with the trap walk behind the other, tossing the handtrap over his head or to the right or left of him without letting the gunner know the time the trap is released. Then you can walk a half circle around the gunner at about 50 yards distance, throwing targets over him which is good practice in the incoming or overhead shot and at various angles both to the right and left side of him."

Roy's last reminder is that hunters respect the rights of other hunters while in the field and, especially, the rights of the land owner upon whose land the hunting is taking place.

Roy, during his lifetime experience at wing and trap shooting, has won several championships and trophies in both handicap and 16 yard.shooting. He offers his suggestions for what they are worth. Thru them he found success. He hopes they will aid the inexperienced nimrod in achieving the successful hunt.

Even though hunting has taken the spotlight in Nebraska's outdoor program, numerous anglers will continue to fish during the fall and winter months. With the exception of trout, all species of fish found in the state can be angled for in the open waters. The trout season began on April 1 and ends on Oct. 31.

SEND TO: SEND TO: SEND TO: (Name) Length of subscription: 1 year (Address) 2 years 5 years (Cheek one) (Name) Length of subscription: 1 year (Address) 2 years 5 years (Checkone) (Name) Length of subscription: 1 year (Address) 2 years 5 years (Check one) ENCLOSED FIND $ for above subscriptions.

Outdoor Nebraska 37

SPEC AND BOBBIE . . . Kindred Souls Of The Soil

This shall be but a tale of two kindred souls of the soil, youthful in their thinking, perhaps, but indicative of a mental adolescence from which most of us have been far too many times removed with a proportionate decadence in our understanding.

The two little characters of whom I would speak are but an incongruous pair, symbolic of the hundreds of tousle-headed, freckle-nosed kids who during the summer months find satiation of inherent outdoor drives. Spec and Bobbie are their names, if you would know them more intimately; both are children of the soil, cradled in that Utopian simplicity which paints a nostalgic picture of a barefoot lad, stretched lazily, but expectantly, beside a pond, feet dirty but happy and the tattered straw of Pop's discard framing a sandy fringe of curls along with a wrinkled nose accentuated with freckles and a busy mouth, nibbling unknowingly on a wisp of prairie hay.

Indeed, it was Spec they called him, a lazy, carefree Spec, who dreamed of everything, but concentrated on nothing, as he gazed in hypnotic lassitude at a battered cork which stood a silent sentinel to the many knotted pieces of greasy string tied securely to a crooked but efficient willow pole.

Spec's eyes drifted aimlessly about the panorama that stretched before him; from the over-grazed pasture behind him, along the naked fence that encompassed the eroding canyon pond and pasture and to the cattle themselves which wandered from the barren pasture to the pond, stirring the pockmarked mud of the same silt-laden water in which Spec fished.

Spec absently-mindedly closed one eye as he unconsciously checked the military-like precision of the corn rows as they marched over the adjacent hills. The pond itself was all too quiet, no grouchy frog or busy muskrat found the barren shores suitable for domesticity and Spec felt keenly the loneliness of the sterile pond; but no answer arose from Spec's philosophizing as to why or how such things might have come to be. Since no friendly creature of the wild challenged Spec's imagination, his thoughts drifted off to a mental appraisal of Miss Larkin and the "Darned old readin', writin' and 'rithmetic" that she droned over day after day after day. .

Spec's mental disdain was suddenly interrupted by the slamming of a car door down the road somewhere. Curiosity lighted Spec's eyes with a new interest as he scanned the approaching stranger but, kid-like, his assumed nonchalance did not permit him any obvious acknowledgement of the intruder. The visitor paused, muttered, "It's just a damn kid," and returned to his car which disappeared, none too quickly to suit Spec. "Just that snoopy ole Game Warden around again, tryin' to find somethin'," Spec muttered to himself. Spec's contemplation of the Game Warden and all cops in general was interrupted by an urgent call from the barn. The last glimpse of Spec is a tearful one, as he trudges down the hill on the other side of the farm, lugging the leftover waste tractor oil, to be dumped into Clear Creek below the farm, according to Pop's orders.

Bobbie, on the other hand, lived on a farm far removed from the scene of Spec and his recent difficulties. Actually, he looked about the same but there was an eagerness, a knowing alertness which had not existed in our   38 Outdoor Nebraska friend Spec. Where Spec had gazed in unconscious dejection at the decadent scene around him, Bobbie gazed about him in apparent exuberance. His eyes ran proudly along the dense hedgerow fence that he and Dad had planted a few years ago and his youthful heart paused to listen with him as a friendly quail called questioningly for a mate from the hedge beyond. Bobbie was proud of those quail because Jim, the local Conservation Officer, had given them to Bobbie, personally, after he had planted that three-acre plot the way the biologists from Jim's department had shown him.

Bobbie's head swayed rhythmically as he unconsciously let one eye follow the graceful contours of the planted corn across from the pond where he fished. A big, freckled smile crept over his face as he remembered what Miss Jensen had told them about such contouring, making water walk instead of run along the corn rows. In fact, Miss Jensen was more fun and school was a heck of a lot better since she had gone to that summer school Conservation Work Shop, or whatever it was that the University and the Game Department had put on the summer before. "Readin', writin' and 'rithmetic" was not half so bad now. Why gosh, only yesterday, instead of multiplication they spent the period figgerin' out how many boxcars it would take to haul back to the State all the top soil that had been carried to the Gulf of Mexico by their own angry water. Gee, even art was fun now because they had quit drawing those silly old designs and were making pictures of all the new animals that had taken up headquarters on the new farm pond since Dad had fenced the cattle out three years ago. Even Dad had changed his ideas on the local school board, "It's "about time those schools in the city taught our teachers something practical that the kids go for, instead of nothing but courses on how to teach."

Gosh, Miss Jensen is swell though. If it hadn't been for her and Jim, the Conservation Officer, Bobbie never would have won the State Conservation prize for farm planning for wildlife. That was really fun. All the kids from all over drew up maps of their Dads' farms, and then another one of how it should be developed as a real home for birds and things. The prize was a free trip for about fifty kids around the State in a big bus with some swell Game Department fellows. who told all about the State and pointed out a heck of a lot of things none of the kids even knew in their State. Fact is, Dad's fencing his cattle   Outdoor Nebraska 38 away from the pond so cattails and moss could grow around the shoreline was a result of what Bobbie learned on that trip. Dad didn't want to do it either, until Bobbie talked him into it. Yep, the trip was real fun! Bobbie didn't like givin' a report on what he saw over the State but it was worth it, and the kids learned considerable from the report, Miss Jensen said.

Bobbie's mind was no keener than his eyes when he spotted Warden Jim's patrol car a mile down the road, but Bobbie's exuberance was suddenly transferred from the Conservation Officer to the pond by a he-man tug on his willow pole, which was all but bent double. The battle was long and furious but the small bass had to ultimately yield to Bobbie's whims. After checking size, according to Jim's suggestion, Bobbie did something that would amaze even the experienced angler. With a broken blade of an antiquated, but so very precious knife, the stomach of the bass was slit open with one deft cut. Bobbie studied the contents carefully and then ran eagerly through the ankle deep grass of the pasture to the big, smiling man in uniform who was approaching from the road.

Officer Jim glowed with satisfaction as Bobbie explained excitedly that, sure enough, the bass that wouldn't grow up before was now feeding on the bluegills that Jim's department had stocked there to even up the food supply. Here was real proof that, "The runty ole bass were really going to grow up big."

Bobbie's excitement knew no bounds when informed by Jim that, because of the fine records Bobbie had kept on the numbers of young quail he had counted each week along the hedgerows, he had been chosen as one of the kids to go to the five-day 4-H Club Conservation Camp, sponsored by the Game Department and the 4-H Club. Bobbie's tongue skipped syllables as he explained to the all-knowing Jim that" at Camp they would learn how to trap and pelt fur animals, and how to shoot a rifle and shotgun,, and how to handle them safely, and how to make new wildlife plantings for better homes for wildlife, and, gosh, just everything.

Bobbie paused for an instant, while his breath caught up with him, and then very secretively gave Jim the. car number of the no good guy that took a pot-shot at their quail. Jim said Bobbie was a regular Junior G-Man when it came to violations on game. However, the Officer quickly changed the subject, for he realized that Bobbie remembered   40 Outdoor Nebraska all too well that his Dad used to shoot birds the year around until Bobbie became so enthusiastic about conservation and the importance of game laws. In fact, Bobbie's Father had often said that he would much rather face a district judge on a robbery charge than to face his own little Bobbie after shooting a quail or a pheasant. However, Bobbie was proud of his Father's present conservation attitudes and Mother, of course, reveled in the new found understanding between Father and Son.

Bobbie was, just explaining to Jim how the fish pond was much clearer since Dad planted the waterway from the hills with grass, when Dad, himself, broke up the discussion as he rode down the lane on horseback to greet Jim and to remind Bobbie that he hadn't burned the waste oil sludge from the tractor yet.

Bobbie always liked to listen to Jim and his Dad talk because they always talked about things that eventually made everything better on the farm for all of his little friends. At the moment they were talking about school though, and the new course of study that Miss Jensen had received from the National Foundation for Conservation Education. Seemed like a lot of big words, but Jim was sayin' it was so wonderful to have conservation education procedures the same all over the country by the use of coordinated workbooks and reference materials furnished by the Foundation.

Bobbie's thoughts, which had been eloping with his imagination, were interrupted when Jim offered to replace the old "No Hunting" signs around the farm with a new set of "Hunting by Permission, See the Farmer" signs. Dad was a little leery of the city hunter until Jim told him the Game Department was presenting a series of programs in the city to make the city hunter appreciate the farmer's problems and, thereby, make the hunter a friend of the farmer, so Dad decided to give it a try.

Well, Jim had to be on his way, so Bobbie scampered off to do his chores. As Jim watched him dart into the big, red barn he couldn't help but think of the last few words that Bobbie's father said as he left to follow Bobbie to the barn.

"Yes, Jim," he had said, "That kid of mine, in fact, all the kids around here, are just bubblin' with enthusiasm since you and his teacher started learnin' 'em the outdoor way. You know, funny thing is, all us old timers have had to sort of follow along with you and the teacher and Harry, the County Agent, and Dan, the Soil Conservation man, cause when a feller's kid gets on him, well, you just naturally weaken sooner or later. I'll be darned if the old farm isn't producin' better than it ever did and huntin' and fishin' is much better. Well, got to be gettin', Jim. Don't forget, this is the night you are showing those animal pictures at the farm meeting."

Jim stood silently watching the farmer as he rode back to the barn. As he watched, a lump came in his throat. He looked from the green fields, with their protective hedges, past the quiet little farm pond, to the white simplicity of the school house beyond. No crown of glory could have been any greater than the feeling, deep within, that together, and only together, WE have done it. A feeling of spiritual awe engulfed him as he realized that, as tomorrows become yesterdays and Bobbies become men, so a new era of conservation understanding will become but a natural habit through the activities of a few courageous crusaders today.

Spec or Bobbie, which shall it be. The Game Administrator can guide the hand of fate materially, providing that he is willing to assume the role of a motivating and directive influence at the start. Then, when the proper educational agencies assume their true responsibilities and leadership, he will retire without glory to the ranks, where

(Continued on Page 44)

Outdoor Nebraska 41

Know Your Warden

C. W. "Bud" Shaffer, deputy game warden of District No. 15—Platte, Nance, Merrick, Hamilton and Polk counties—has been an ardent fisherman and hunter since youth. He landed his first fish—a minnow-sized bullhead at five years of age and dropped his first mallard when eight. Bud is a firm believer of conservation and practices it continually.

Bud got his start in law enforcement twenty-four years ago. He served the Game Commission as a special warden from 1926-1936. From 1926-30, he also was deputy state sheriff. In 1937, he was appointed as a regular deputy game warden, a position he has held since that date. He first served the Fremont-Omaha area and later moved to Columbus, the district he still holds.

Bud said that most people he has had to arrest realized their mistakes immediately and offered no argument. But, he added, there are always a few who won't give in. Saying this, he recalled an experience in 1939 when he and Bert Lashmatt, a former warden, were apprehending a hoop net operator near Waterloo. Bud and Bert were shot at in close range by a .22 caliber rifle. Luckily, neither Bud nor Bert were hit. The gun toter was less fortunate. He served a short term in prison.

Several years back, Bud and Roy Owens, warden of the Crete district, were working the Platte river, looking for fish traps. About noon that day, the boat hit a submerged log and upset. Both Bud and Roy were knocked unconscious. They recovered consciousness in sufficient time to swim thru the deep and swirling water to reach shore. Roy was the less fortunate of the two. He had two broken ribs.

Prior to the hunting season a number of years back, Bud found 22 pheasants in a cold storage locker. About half of the birds were only half grown. The owner of the locker was fined $554 for illegal possession of the birds. On a shakedown during the season, Bud apprehended two hunters having 17 hen pheasants in their possession. At that time, as is true now, hen pheasants were not legal game. The birds were confiscated and presented to the Lutheran home in Fremont. Later, the head of the home called Bud and told him the pheasants had no shot in them whatsoever. Instead, they had been clubbed to death.

Then there was the year when two Pontiac, Mich., hunters approached Bud and asked him where they could hunt pheasants. But told them and they succeeded in   42 Outdoor Nebraska Fetting their bag limits. On Christmas day, Bud received a package from Michigan. It was a present in appreciation for his service to them.

Bud is particularly interested in young frecklenoses. Every year, on at least three or four occasions, he gets a bunch of youngsters together and either takes them to the favorite fishing hole or to the best hunting grounds. He'd rather see them get their game than succeed himself.

He is very active in educational work, participating in 4-H club and Izaak Walton club meetings. He also takes part in Camp Sheldon, an annual gathering of church clubs and girls and boy scouts. Bud is a permanent fixture at the many fishing contests held in his district each year.

Bud's district has its share of fishing and hunting resources. His better fishing waters are the Monroe power canal and Loup river. Duck and geese hunting along the Platte river is good. The best hunting in his district is for pheasants.

Bud was born in Columbus on March 23, 1906 and graduated from Kramer high in 1923. He is married and has one child, Clifford, Jr., age 19. He is a better than average trapshooter, taking runnerup honors in many shoots throughout the state.

His motto is: "Let's have our fun, but don't forget about the frecklenoses who will want to experience the same thrills many years from now."

Diversity of Game Birds, Animals Inhabit Nebraska

Nebraska sportsmen take great pride in the wildlife of their state. Justly proud they can be, too, for their state is home to a big diversity of game birds and animals. In all probability, the state's greatest claims to hunting prominence are its pheasant and waterfowl seasons which year after year provide good harvest for its many sportsmen.

Still adding more prestige to Nebraska's already lofty wildlife rating is the knowledge that the state is inhabited by such divergent game as the mule deer and bob-white quail. The mule deer is now typical of a high plains and mountainous area while the quail is found most abundant in the southeast portions of the United States. As Nebraska spreads more than 400 miles in width from east to west, the state reaches into both of these regions and consequently has both mule deer and quail as inhabitants.

The mule species isn't the only deer found in Nebraska. The eastern portion of the state is spotted with whitetail deer, though in lesser numbers. The mule deer is most numerous in the northwestern part of the state where open lands and rough lands make up the topography. On occasions deer have been seen in all counties of the state. Prior to 1945, there was never a regulated open season on deer since game regulations went into effect many years back.

In the early days of settlement in Nebraska, the central part of the state served as ideal habitat for elk. The elk population was high and the hunting good. But with unregulated hunting, the elk—like many other big game animals—dwindled in numbers. With the exception of two herds, one on the Wild Cat Hills Big Game Refuge near Gering, and the other on the Ft. Niobrara Big Game Refuge near Valentine, elk are all but non-existant in the state. Occasionally an elk escapes from the refuge and is seen in other parts of Nebraska.

Unlike elk, antelope can be found in more counties of the state, particularly in the panhandle. They are not confined, but instead are free to roam as they see fit. Deer, as you might remember, increased from but a small number to the extent where they became numerous enough to provide three hunting seasons in a period of six years.

Long ago buffalo served as important game. Nebraska was ideal buffalo country and had huge numbers inhabiting its vast area. Like most other game animals and birds, though, the buffalo was all but eliminated by uncontrolled hunting. Today, a herd of about 180 of these big animals is in confinement on the Niobrara Wildlife   Outdoor Nebraska 43 Refuge at Valentine. There are only two or three other refuges in the United States having buffalo herds of comparable size. The refuge is maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Nebraska has bobcats, but not in great numbers. The bobcat likes rocky country for its home. Nebraska's bobcat concentration is found chiefly in the northcentral and northwestern parts of the state. They are unprotected and occasionally are taken by trappers.

In the rabbit family, the cottontail is the most numerous in Nebraska and has been the most plentiful for the cast several years, Ten years back the jackrabbit was the most abundant in the state, being almost as numerous as flies. The jacks began succumbing in numbers in the early 40's and only now are beginning to reappear in larger numbers. It still can't be said, however, that jacks are numerous. Rabbits appear to have their ups and downs during a cycle period of about 10 years during which time they hit both their numerical maximum and minimum.

Jackrabbits are one of the principal sources of food for coyotes. Even though they aren't protected in the state, they shouldn't be indiscriminately slaughtered. Whenever a jack is killed in an area sparsely populated by rabbits, a meal is in effect taken away from a coyote. The coyote is then forced to feed on other game such as grouse, pheasants or cottontails.

Coyotes are found throughout the state. Raccoons and red fox are found chiefly in the eastern part of the state. Raccoons even live up in the marsh country in vegetation instead of the hollows of trees. The muskrat, the most important fur bearer in the state, is most numerous in the sandhills area.

This year marks the first time since 1928 that the grouse population- has been found sufficient enough to warrant an open season. The sharptails inhabit the sandhills and northwestern part of the state while the prairie chicken prefers the central and southwestern sections of Nebraska. These birds appear to operate according to a cycle of about 10 years duration. They hit the peak of the cycle for a two or three year period and then drop abruptly in numbers. It is believed that the grouse population is now at the peak.

Nebraska is annually accepted as one of the leading pheasant states in the U. S. This year's population has shown a marked increase over last year. It is believed that the ringnecked pheasant was first seen in Nebraska during the period 1900-1904. The first open season was held in 1927 in two counties. Several other species of pheasants were introduced in the state but all failed to be good field birds.

Many species of waterfowl frequent the state's attractive resting and nesting grounds. The sandhills area of Nebraska is a part of the prairie nesting grounds. No important nesting .ffrounHq are found south of the state. In addition to the sandhills region which provides good hunting, the Platte river area is also good duck territory.

Mourning doves, often called turtle doves, are found chiefly in the eastern two-thirds of the state. They are found in smaller concentrations throughout the state. Doves prefer areas blotted with trees. In the western section of Nebraska, doves are known to nest on the ground.

Nebraska bobwhites (quail) are seen throughout the state but primarily in the southeast where brush is abundant. The quail is not a prairie bird as are sharptail grouse and prairie chicken.

Hungarian partridges inhabit the northcentral part of Nebraska., The state also has a small population of Chukar partridges. There has never been an open season on either of these partridges since regulations were put   44 Outdoor Nebraska into effect. It is hoped that in some future date it will be possible to have a season on the Hungarian partridges. The very fact that the partridges continue to exist in the state is encouraging.

Presently there are no wild turkeys in the state. However, in early days, they were numerous in wooded areas along streams in the eastern part of Nebraska. Unregulated hunting killed many of them. Timber was chopped down, forcing many others to move. Blackhead disease took its toll of others.

Taking all species into consideration, it is safe to say the state of Nebraska has more than its share of game birds and animals. It is up to all of us to see that they are protected to the degree that they'll continue to remain here.

Waterfowl

—From Page 33

dislike a late afternoon kill because it often means getting the deer out after dark, and that can have complications which aren't always for the best.

HOW ABOUT 1950?

There will be fewer deer hunters in the field this year than last; the deer should be a bit wiser to the ways of the gunmen; and western hospitality stands ready for a repeat performance on the outstainding job shown in '49. All in all, it looks like another good season. But, as in the past, the success of the venture is largely up to the individual man with the gun. Here's wishing him careful hunting, safe hunting, and------success

27-Year-OId Gadwall

Many things of interest were learned from visitors attending the Game Commission's wildlife exhibit at the State Fair Grounds.

Of particular interest was the report from Frank McClellan of 1150 West 8th street in Fremont. McClellan said that the aged gadwall hen he raised for many years had died recently. It was 27 years of age when if died.

The ability of the squirrel to find its buried food isn't attributed to its memory, but instead to the marvelous delicacy of its smelling powers. Several naturalists have tested this sense of smell and conclude that this is the primary method of detecting their hidden stores.

Spec and Bobby

—From Page 46

he will continue to lend a cooperative and subtley directive hand.

Shall we ever remember the parable of Spec and Bobbie, and from their story realize that a few game administrators —bombarded with appeals and derisive complaints from game hungry sportsmen or controversial writers— may weaken and bathe temporarily in the false light of political or egoistic, personal prestige by consciously trying to build a tribute to themselves by satisfying such encompassing forces. Such a spectral memorial disintegrates in its own phantom glory, leaving the dust of nothingness behind.

Shall we further remember that no greater shrine will be long to weather the sands of time than the freckle-nosed boy, grown to manhood, steeped and molded in concepts and appreciation of the natural beauty of God's out-of-doors about him; a natural beauty saved forever and a human life, endowed so richly and so very fit to once again endow. No greater heritage can grace the brief allotted time of just another game administrator.

Deer Data

—From Page 18

winter, the ducks tend to congregate in huge flocks. Consequently disease is easily transferrable from one infested duck to others.

This year the season length is identical to that of 1949—45 days. The bag and possession limit is 5 and 10 as compared to 4 and 8 last year. Following is a comparison of season dates and bag and possession limits of. both ducks and geese for the period 1945-1950:

Duck Goose No. Bag & Bag & Dates Days Poss. Poss. 1945—Oct. 13-Dec. 31 80 10 &20 6 &12 1946—Oct. 26-Dec. 9 45 7 &14 4 &4 1947—Oct. 21-Nov. 24 35 4 &8 4 &4 1948—Oct. 15-Nov. 18 35 5 &10 4 &4 1949—Oct. 21-Dec. 4 45 4 &8 5&5 1950—Oct. 20-Dec. 3 45 5 &10 5 &5

For complete information regarding the duck and goose regulations or any of the other season dates, bag limits, etc., you can find the hunting and trapping regulations on page 31 of this magazine.

Outdoor Nebraska 45

Fall Stocking Program Starts

With the accent on hunting throughout most of Nebraska, State stocking crews are taking full advantage of the lull in fishing activities to stock waters in preparation for the 1951 angling season. The fall stocking program—largest planting carried out by the Game Commission during the entire year—got underway in early September and is expected to be completed in late October or early November.

Many lakes, reservoirs, rivers and farm ponds will be stocked with fish raised primarily at the State's productive hatcheries—Rock Creek, Benkelman, Gretna, North Platte and Valentine. Many farm ponds are being stocked on federal applications. The Game Commission has an agreement with the federal hatchery at Crawford whereby the State will receive thousands of trout raised at that hatchery in exchange for the Commission stocking farm ponds with warm water fish. Fish being stocked this fall consist of bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and bullheads.

Prior to September 1, more than one million fish of most species found in the state were stocked. Of this total, almost 300,000 were trout—rainbow, brown and brook. The majority of the trout were obtained from the federal hatchery while the remainder were received from the Rock Creek State hatchery.

One half million fish were either salvaged or transferred from over-stocked and drying waters. These were planted in underpopulated lakes and reservoirs. The remaining number—350,000—consisted of fish raised at the State hatcheries. In addition, some 22,000 pounds of carp were stocked in "carp only" lakes.

46 Outdoor Nebraska

Notes on Nebraska Fauna Beaver

This is the fourth of a series of articles on big game animals, fur bearers, game birds and game fish. Farm Manager Jack Strain prepared the article while Staff Artist C. G. Pritchard made the drawing. The Winter issue of "Outdoor Nebraska" will feature the cottontail rabbit.

Heavy trapping to satisfy the whims of fashion seriously depleted the beaver over much of his former range in the Plain and Mountain states during the 19th century. With the passing of the old fashioned "beaver" or "stovepipe" hats and the change of economy from hunter-trapper to agricultural endeavor, the beaver recovered remarkably. Today, enjoying nearly full protection of the game laws, he is again present in most Nebraska counties.

In spite of his numbers and popularity, the beaver is probably one of Nebraska's least observed fur bearers, largely due to his nocturnal habits. Years of pursuit for his valuable pelt have forced the beaver to confine most of his activities to the cover of darkness.

Beaver are apparently monogamous in the natural state, although there is some reason to believe that one of a pair may re-mate if the other comes to an untimely end. Beaver have few natural enemies in Nebraska. Flood and drouth take their toll, but man is by far the beavers' greatest enemy and competitor.

Breeding takes place in mid-winter and the young are brought forth sometime in May or June. Newly born beaver are perfectly formed miniatures of their parents, and litters total in number from one to eight with an average of three or four. Juveniles remain with the adults until their second year when they are forced out of the family territory. This accounts for the so-called beaver migrations in the spring when beaver, especially young males, may be found wandering about, occasionally through the streets of small towns. Whether this eviction is a natural curb to inbreeding or a result of sexual competition is not fully understood.

Beavers construct three types of housing: the well known, conical shaped lodge, often extending from four to six feet above the water line; the burrow or bank den, with its underwater entrances; and a combination of both.

Trees are cut by beaver for food and dam materials, the. bark and twigs being utilized for food while the woody parts and heavier branches go into dam construction. Dams are constructed on flowing streams to stabilize the water level and consequently preserve the winter food supply. Beaver usually start heavy cutting in August or September, dragging large quantities of leafy branches into selected areas of their ponds. Continual piling of material forces the soaked mass to the bottom forming what are commonly called feed beds. When the ponds ice over, the beavers have a continuous food supply.

Beaver dams are probably the most interesting phase of beaver activity. Dams are often only two or three feet high and are usually strategically placed ' so that the greatest depth of water can be impounded with the least effort. The writer has observed dams in Nebraska ranging from one which was 5V2 feet high and 21 feet in length to one which was just under 100 yards long and only a little over three feet high.

Beaver dams are of inestimable value as a means of flood control near the sources of streams, and in addition to this important service, ponds often double as excellent fishing holes. Even in agricultural areas the value of beaver dams should not be overlooked. Aside from the sport fishing potential, ponds often provide duck hunting facilities and a certain amount of subirrigation to surrounding crop lands.

During the 1947-48 seaspn, 3,673 beaver were legally taken by special permit in Nebraska. In a good year this would represent an income in excess of $100,000 to Nebraska farmers and trappers. Properly managed, the beaver adds materially to Nebraska's wildlife scene.

ANSWERS TO "OUTDOOR NEBRASKA" QUIZ

1.— (b) 1000; 2.—(b) sandhill crane; 3.— (b) bullsnake; i.—(c) chukar partridge; 5.—b) whooping crane; 6.— (b) Valentine; 7.—(a) Fort Kearny; 8.—(b) breeding stock; 9.—(b) 480.