OUTDOOR Nebraska

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY NEBRASKA GAME, FORESTATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Editor: Dick H. Schaffer Associate editors: "Pete Czura, Jim Tische Photographer-writer: Gene Hornbeck Artist: Claremont G. Priichard Circulation: Lillian Meinecke MAY, 1959 Vol. 37, No. 5 25 cents per copy $1.75 for one year $3 for two years Send subscriptions to: OUTDOOR NEBRASKA, State Capitol Lincoln 9 NEBRASKA GAME COMMISSION Leon A. Sprague, Red Cloud, chairman Don F. Robertson, North Platte, vice chairman George Pinkerton, Beatrice DIRECTOR M. O. Steen DIVISION CHIEFS Eugene H. Baker, engineering and operations Glen R. Foster, fisheries Lloyd P. Vance, game Dick H. Schaffer, information and education Jack D. Strain, land management and parks FEDERAL AID CO-ORDINATOR Phil Agee (Lincoln) PROJECT AND ASSISTANT PROJECT LEADERS Frank Sleight, operations Robert H. Hall, Omaha Keith Kreycik, Valentine Wade Ellis, Alliance LeRoy Bahensky, Palmer Orty Orr, fisheries (Lincoln) Bill Bailey, big game (Lincoln) Clarence Newton, land management (Lincoln) Dale Bree, land management (Lincoln) Malcolm D. Lindeman, operations (Lincoln) (Lincoln) Harvey Miller, waterfowl (Bassett) Raymond Linder, upland game birds and small game (Fairmont) AREA MANAGERS Melvin Grim, Medicine Creek, Enders, Swanson (McCook) Ralph Craig, McConaughy Reservoir (Ogallala) Carl E. Gettmann, Lewis and -Clark Lake (Bloomfield) Richard Wolkow, Cowles Lake (Omaha) Harold Edwards, Plattsmouth Waterfowl Management Area (Plattsmouth) Richard Spady, Sacramento Wildlife Development Project (Wilcox) DISTRICT SUPERVISORS DISTRICT I (Alliance, phone 412) L. J. Cunningham, law enforcement Lem Hewitt, operations John Mathisen, game Harvey Suetsugu, big game Keith Donoho, fisheries Robert L. Schick,' land management DISTRICT II (Bassett, phone 334) John Harpham, law enforcement Delmer Dorsey, operations Jack Walstrom, game Bruce McCarraher, fisheries Gerald Chaffin, land management DISTRICT III (Norfolk, phone 2875) Robert Benson, law enforcement Lewis Klein, operations H. O. Compton, big game George Kidd, fisheries Jim Hubert, land management. DISTRICT IV (North Platte, phone 4425-26) Samuel Grasmick, law enforcement Don Hunt, operations Oliver Scarvie, game Robert Thomas, fisheries Chester McClain, land management DISTRICT V (Lincoln, phone 5-2951) Bernard Patton, law enforcement Robert Reynolds, operations George Schildman, game Delvin M. Whiteley, land management. Earl Kendle, Fisheries RESEARCH BIOLOGISTS Karl E. Menzel, eoturnix quail (Lincoln) Marvin Schwilling, grouse (Burwell) David Lyon, pheasants (Fairmont) AREA CONSERVATION OFFICERS William J. Ahern, Box 1197, North Loup, phone 89 Robert Ator, Bdx 66, Sutton, phone 4921 Cecil Avey, 519 4th Street, Crawford, phone 228 William F.-Bonsall, Box 305, Alma, phone 154 H. Lee Bowers, Benkelman, phone 49R Dale Bruha, 1026 Elmer Avenue, York, phone 1635 Loron Bunney, Box 675, Ogallala, phone 247 Robert Downing, Box 343, Fremont, phone PA 1-4792 Lowell I. Fleming, Box 269, Lyons, phone Mutual 7-2383 Richard Furley, Madison Raymond Frandsen, P. O. 373, Humboldt, phone 5711 John D. Green, 720 West Avon Road, Lincoln, Phone 8-1165 (SPECIAL OFFICER—PILOT) Ed Greving, 316 South 31st, Kearney, phone 7-2777 H. Burman Guyer, 1212 N. Washington, Lexington, phone Fairview 4-3208 Larry Iverson, Box 201, Hartington, phone 429 Norbert J. Kampsnider, 106 East 18th, Box 1, Grand Island, phone DUpont 2-7006 Jim McCole, Box 268, Gering, phone 837 L Jack Morgan, Box 603, Valentine, phone 504 Roy E. Owen, Box 288, Crete, phone 446 Paul C. Phillippe, Syracuse, phone 166W Fred Salak, Box 152, Mullen, phone KI 6-6291 Herman O. Schmidt, Jr., 1011 East Fourth, McCook, phone 992W Harry A. Spall, 820 Clay Street, O'Neill, phone 637 Joe Ulrich, Box 492, Bridgeport, phone 100 Bruce Wiebe, P.O. Box 383, Hastings, phone 2-8317 Lyman Wilkinson, R. R. 3, Humphrey, phone 2663 Don J. Wolverton, Walgren Lake, Hay Springs, phone ME 8-5220 V. B. Woodgate, P. O. Box 72, Petersburg Gail Woodside, Box 443, Stromsburg, Phone 5821 NEBRASKA FARMER PRINTING CO., LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

IN THIS ISSUE:

TROUT MADNESS (Jim Tische) Page 3 BEST BAITS ARE FREE (Orty Orr) Page 6 RAVENNA Page 8 LET'S TALK TURKEY (Bill Bailey) Page 10 SAGA OF SHOT (Franke Foote) Page 12 READING THE CLOUDS (Jim Tische) Page 16 WATER RESCUE Page 19 WHAT'S THE RIGHT PRICE? (Pete Czura) Page 20 SPEAK UP Page 22 TRIALS OF HECTOR BEAVER Page 23 WHAT SIZE HOOK TO USE Page 24 OUTDOOR ELSEWHERE Page 25 NOTES ON NEBRASKA FAUNA (Keith Donoho) Page 26 PHOTO NEWS Page 28

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA of the Air

SUNDAY WOW, Omaha, (590 kc) 7:15 a.m. KXXX, Colby, Kas. (790 kc) 8:15 a.m. KBRL, McCook (1300 kc) 10:00 a.m. KMMJ, Grand Isl. (750 kc) 10:15 a.m. KODY, N. Platte (1240 kc) 10:45 a.m. KOGA, Ooallala (830 kc) 12:45 p.m. KCNI, Broken Bow (1280 kc) 1:15 p.m. K-HUB, Fremont (1340 kc) 4:45 p.m. KFOR, Lincoln (1240 kc) 12:45 p.m. KLMS, Lincoln (1480 kc) 7:15 a.m. MONDAY KSID, Sidney (1340 kc) 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY KJSK, Columbus (900 kc) 1:30 p.m. THURSDAY KCOW, Alliance (1400 kc) 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY KLMS, Lincoln (1480 kc) 5:15 p.m. SATURDAY KOLT, Scottsb'ff (1320 kc) 12:45 p.m. KCSR, Chadron (1450 kc) 1:30 p.m. KWBE, Beatrice (1450 kc) 5:00 p.m. KHAS, Hastings (1230 kc) 5:45 p.m. KBRX, O'Neill (1350 kc) 5:30 p.m. KRVN, Lexington 11:45 a.m.

TROUT MADNESS (Eastern Variety)

by Jim Tische Associate Editor The die-hard trouter would hardly recognize it, but the locals love it and wouldn't miss it for a bet

THIS was a different kind of trout fishing. I was standing among a dozen fishermen who were elbow-to-elbow, trying for the newly stocked trout in lake No. 5 at the Fremont Recreation Grounds. Here were people who dislike being jostled in elevators or a department-store sale but who will go to great pains and expense to crowd in hipdeep water to try for seven trout.

The words "trout fishing" to most people conjure up a wonderful picture of cool, clear streams and gently, rippling rapids. A trout fisherman is a special breed of angler, the "high society" of the fishing world. He believes MAY, 1959 3   this cold-water species is unequalled for gameness, wariness, and sporting quality.

But early -each spring a special kind of trout-fishing clan congregates. The die-hard trouter would hardly recognize this type of angling as trout fishing.

The Nebraska Game Commission has maintained four put-and-take trout lakes in eastern Nebraska, where catch-able-sized trout were released two or three times each spring. In 1960, only Cowles Lake will feature put-and-take trout fishing.

To these lakes flocked the special trout clan. Most of the fish are caught within two or three days. While expensive, the fish furnish enjoyment to eastern anglers who can not travel to western Nebraska for stream trout.

State lakes at Fremont, Louisville, and Alexandria were stocked in March and April. The lake at Victoria State Park also receives trout during the spring.

The fish were placed in the lake Wednesday night, April 1, and I didn't enter the festivities at Lake No. 5 until noon the next day. Near the north end on the wst side of the lake, there's a point which extends into the water. After the fish have scattered in the lake, the waters off this point appear to be the hot spot. This month's cover shows this area as it appeared most of the day.

I found a hole in the line and elbowed my way in. I learned in a hurry that this was no place to work your bait. The fish were hitting slowly, so it was a matter of spinning out the bait and waiting patiently.

I flipped a spinner and worm out into the water and started to retrieve slowly. A gentle nudge followed and I tried to set the hook. But I was too eager and took the bait right out of the trout's mouth.

"You have to wait these fish out," the fisherman to my left commented. "They seem to be sucking the bait, like a bullhead."

The strike of these yearling trout, not yet used to the new water, was like the gentle tap-tap-tap of a bullhead. Don't take him until he starts to run.

My second try fared slightly better. I let my bait stay on the bottom and soon felt the gentle tap-tap. Five minutes after entering the line, and on my second bid, I had my first trout. He skipped and jumped a bit, landing in the net of Dave Anderson of 3001 Seward, Omaha, who was to my right. The fishing quarters on the point are close and anything can happen.

'Hole-in-one," I laughed.

'That's the easy way to land a fish," Anderson said.

Some of the trout pulled in along the line were putting up commendable fights but others came in gently.

Half an hour of fishing netted three trout, then I quit for lunch. An hour later, I was back and busy at it again. I picked up four more trout in the next half hour, three in a span of 10 minutes.

My limit of seven and time to start home. As I left, my thoughts traveled back to the start of this traditional gathering the day before. As usual, the addicts of this particular type of spring madness were on hand early and ready to do battle. They knew the early birds get the trout. As soon as the trout are planted, lines go in and limits come out fast and easy.

On Wednesday afternoon, I had stood on the banks of Lake No. 5 in the company of Conservation Officers Bob Downing of Fremont and Lowell Fleming of Lyons. We took in the ritual of this small pool which was overrun with about 250 persons, waiting for the first fish to hit the water. This was mid-week, so the crowd was somewhat smaller than in previous years when trout were stocked on a Friday night.

Some early birds had come to spend the night. One group had a portable electric plant, run by a gas engine, 4 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   set up to light their section of the lake. Campfires sprung up around the lake and chilled trout-seekers huddled around them.

"These people started to arrive early Wednesday morning," Bob told me. "By noon, they were here in droves, waiting for the stocking trucks."

More cars and people were arriving all the time. Bob's doorbell and telephone were red-hot and always the same question, "When are the trout going to arrive?"

It was 9:30 p.m. when the first truck arrived, carrying 1,200 silvery beauties for the artificial-lure pond, No. 1. The truck drew cars and anglers like a giant-sized magnet. The sound of its oxygen tank equipment became a Pied Piper song, luring the crowd to the east lake. In every tank there were some spawners, up to 24 inches long. Sight of these tackle bushers made the eyes of some anglers shine like candles in the dark.

Adolph Petersen of 1622 So. 56th, Omaha, who volunteered to help Downing carry the tubs of fish from the truck to the water, summed up the feeling of the crowd with "Boy, they sure brought a bunch of dandies this year."

The word then passed that the second truck was at Lake No. 5. Another wild scramble, as this is the "meat and gravy" lake for most of the people who want to catch fish. All kinds of bait can be used here.

This time 4,080 trout were gently dropped into the water. Every time a tub of fish spilled its fish into the water, a dozen hooks dropped into the wakes of the scurrying fish. Held off feed for a day and transported 350 miles, they were ready to bite because the anglers knew what the fish were fed at the Rock Creek Hatchery. Liver and beef melt made the fish easy targets. Salmon eggs and worms, too, paid dividends.

Men and women of all ages and types were competing for the trout. They were using all types of equipment cane poles, spinning rods, fly rods, and casting outfits. Many were using bobbers to signal a strike. Most sat with calm patience, as they knew their limit would be fast in coming. The hungry fish took much of the element of chance out of the sport.

Half an hour after the trout were stocked, anglers began to leave the lake with their limits. Harold Gettman of North Bend was one of the first to fill. He had six trout between 7 and 11 inches and one that hit approximately two pounds. The lunker was one of the hatchery spawners that had filled its usefulness.

Officers Downing and Fleming stayed up all night to make creel checks and aid anglers. They reported fishing was good then, too, with people arriving and leaving constantly. Most of those leaving had limit catches.

Starting Wednesday morning, the reports on fishing success was varied. In some places it was good, but 10 feet down the shoreline it was terrible. Some anglers filled limits in an hour while some had only one or two fish to show for three and four hours of work. But all had one thing in common—they were having fun.

At lake No. 1, the situation was a little different. The fish didn't pay much attention to the tantalizing wiggle of a lure. No more than 10 anglers were at the lake. I spent half an hour at daybreak testing my luck. Three different lures brought me nothing except several gentle strikes.

Ben Franklin of 2501 No. 16th, Omaha, had the golden touch. Fishing near a pile of logs in the water, Franklin took out his limit in less than an hour, using a super-dooper spinning lure. When Franklin moved out of his spot, a waiting angler promptly moved in. When I left the lake later, the new angler had not landed a fish.

Later in the day, I counted 28 anglers at No. 1 while there were more than 200 at the other lake.

Fishing is an ailment from which anglers suffer each year. So next year at approximately the same time, these people will be back at the state lakes to follow this ritual and fanfare of the "put and take" trout. It's known as fishing fever, and direct relief only comes by actually trying one's hand.

THE END MAY, 1959 5

BEST BAITS ARE FREE

Nature keeps a huge vault of ready-made lures. Use them for best fishing returns by Orty Orr Fisheries Project Leader

MANY times we've seen a calendar picture of a small, barefoot boy in faded bib overalls and a picture of health. In one hand, draped over his shoulder, he carries a cane pole—equipped with a cotton string, a cork bobber, and a long-shanked hook; in the other hand he holds a string of fine bass. He is nonchalantly sauntering past a man who is attired in a natty fisherman garb and possessing an awesome array of fishing gadgets. On his stringer there is a lonely bass.

This picture illustrates vividly that there is nothing so fine for catching fish as natural bait, if you use it properly. To be effective such bait should be allowed to move, drift, sink, or swim naturally, unhampered by heavy sinkers.

Here are some suggestions about different kinds of bait, and where they may be found.

Frogs make an excellent bait and they are especially effective for bank-line fishing. Catfish find frogs a tasty item, as do largemouth bass.

One of the most widely distributed species is the leopard frog, Rana Pipiens. This species ranges over most of North America and may be found in areas where water is present. The leopard frogs are numerous in early summer when transformation takes place. The larvae or tadpole period is relatively short, usually about three months.

The northern cricket frog, Acris creptan, is prevalent throughout the state. This species is small but can be easily caught and makes excellent bait for light tackle. The cricket frogs are usually heard on early spring evenings, and their chirping indicates that spring is near.

Students of amphibians believe that the rhythm chorus of Cricket frogs suggests a "call order". These frogs emit notes of different keys. Each frog always sings the same key and calls are started by a frog having the lowest note. Members of each trio may be widely separated in chorus but the trio remains the same, at least for an evening.

Anglers hook the frog through the skin of the back and allow the frog to move about, thus attracting the fish.

The tiger salamander (Ambystoma ligrinum) is found in Nebraska wherever suitable habitat exists.

Water areas such as ponds, temporary pools, sloughs, water tanks, etc., are habitat for these creatures. The tiger salamander lays eggs in March and April in small clusters attached to any debris in the water. Eggs are small gelatinous masses and hatch in about two weeks. The larval form is used by fishermen as bait, and they can be easily seined. Larvae usually transform into the adult condition during the late summer. In some cases the larvae continue to grow and reproduce without transforming.

Salamanders may live to be a dozen years old. The salamander larvae are desirable as a bait for channel catfish and bass. The skin and flesh is somewhat tender and consequently easily pulled off the hook by fish that strike. When using this natural bait it's better to hook the salamander through the lips rather than the tail. Although salamanders are relatively large they are weak swimmers and best results will be achieved by using small sinkers; not more than a couple of split shot.

Like the earthworm and grasshoppers, crayfish are widely used for bait. These animals are solitary livers, and hide by day under stones, and in crevices. Crayfish have been used successfully as bait for such species as drum, catfish, and smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Young crayfish are most desired as bait since they grow rapidly and are plentiful. This is not to imply that fish will not take the adults. They live approximately three years and become numerous where there are few natural enemies. New ponds, irrigation or drainage ditches, and pools in small streams are all choice places to look for crayfish.

Stone flies are found near rapid streams and wavewashed rocky shores of lakes. These insects are called stone flies because the immature forms (naiads) can be found clinging to the under side of stones. The naiads may be captured by quickly picking up the stone and turning it over. Full grown naiads can be used as bait for pan fish, trout, and other species that inhabit well aerated waters. At best, stone-fly naiads are relatively small and when they are used for bait on small hooks no larger than No. 7's and as small as No. 12 or 14 they can provide lots of action.

The body of a young stone fly is depressed. The antennea are long and slender as are the cerci (a pair of appendages on the last segment of the abdomen). These naiads 6 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   can move rapidly as they catch and feed upon other aquatic insects inluding their own kind.

May flies are soft-bodied aquatic insects. The adults (imago) do not feed and therefore are short-lived. The adults of many species leave the water, molt twice, mate, lay their eggs, and die in the course of one evening. Both the imago and the naiad may be used for bait although both forms are fragile, delicate, and small. In most cases the young are somewhat better for bait because they are generally sturdier of body. The young spend from one to three years on the bottom of lakes and streams where they feed upon vegetable matter. Naiads can be captured by dipping up bottom debris.

There is some misunderstanding about the hellgrammite or dobson fly; however, it is the larvae of the larger wellknown, horned Corydalus that fishermen prize as bait. The larvae live under stones in stream beds and are most abundant where the water is swift. They feed upon the naiads of stone flies, May flies and other insects. When the larvae are about two years and 11 months old, they prepare to transform into adults.

Hellgrammites are active and difficult to capture. The integument of the larvae is very tough and will stay on the hook very well. Quite often more than one fish can be taken with a hellgrammite.

White grubs or grub worms are used for bait by many fishermen. These untidy appearing larvae are the young of insects known as June bugs or, more correctly, May beetles. The larvae live a few inches below the ground surface and feed upon plant roots. They are commonly found near rich organic matter, such as old manure piles.

These larvae are shy creatures and are found under stones or rubbish. They are not used often as bait by fishermen; however, when bait is scarce and fish are biting, a quick search will usually produce one of the many forms. In general, most of the ground beetle larvae are relatively small and can stay on a small hook.

Larvae of the click beetles, commonly called wire worms, can also be found near the ground surface where they feed on roots of plants.

These insects are related and belong to a large order which includes some of the common and widely known insects.These is no finer bait for western Nebraska trout.

Crickets and roaches, at times, make good bluegill bait —especially medium-sized crickets. Fly fishermen who have the skill to use these insects as bait, find them productive for pan fish.

Many immature as well as mature insect forms that are available make good bait. The corn-ear worm is available in summer and makes a good bait for pan fish and bullheads. A good bait for fall and winter bluegill fishing, are the cut worms that plague our gardens, and the winter larvae, such as the "stalk borer", which may be found in stalks of weeds and corn stalks.

Little need be said about the value of the lowly worm to anglers. There is probably no finer fish bait than this wiry creature. They are numerous in soil which contains humus and abundant moisture, and very scarce in poor, acid, sandy or dry soil. Where worms are plentiful their "castings" will be found on the ground surface, giving a clue of where to dig. When soil is moist and temperature moderate, each worm lies by day in the upper part of its burrow, anterior end uppermost, with the entrance plugged by bits of debris. After dark the worm pushes it anterior end out over the ground surface to forage and mate. The worms will withdraw quickly when light is flashed on them; however, they tolerate red light. Anglers who are skilled with fly-fishing equipment are highly successful at taking pan fish when using hooks baited with worms.

There is much personal satisfaction to be gained in possessing a smidgin of know-how about some of the creatures of our outdoors. In the final analysis nature will provide abundantly for those who bother to learn her ways, and use her products for their enjoyment and fishing pleasure.

THE END Popular bails are: cricket (1), roach (2), May fly (3), hellgrammite (4), crayfish (5), beetle larvae (6), grub (7), dragon-fly nymph (8), grasshopper (9), stone fly (10) MAY, 1959

RAVENNA

Tiny but resplendent with rare beauty, this hideaway offers variety of sport

ARE YOU looking for a small, pleasant spot endowed with great natural beauty? If so, you should enjoy Jim. the Ravenna Recreation Grounds, a playground with an Italian name. The near-by town of Ravenna was named after a city in Italy. Many of the older streets have Italian names, such as Genoa and Milan. Grand Avenue, the main street, was formerly called Appian Way.

The recreation ground is tucked away among the hills and valleys of the South Loup River, one mile east of town. The fun spot is easy to reach by using Highway No. 2 out of Grand Island. A state recreation sign, one mile east of Ravenna, marks a turnoff on No. 2 to the area. The grounds can also be reached by going into town and then turning east on a county road.

This South Loup River area was a favorite stomping grounds of early Indian tribes. In and near Ravenna, Indian pottery and stone implements have been found indicating that the immediate vicinity was an Indian village and burying grounds. The area was probably used by a branch of the Pawnee tribe known as the Pawnee Loup.

The state-owned facility covers 80.66 acres, 30 of which are water. This area was established in 1931 when the Game Commission purchased 78.03 acres. An additional 2.63 acres were purchased in 1949, bringing the area to its present size.

Ravenna and other recreation grounds and state parks are featured in the "In Nebraska" brochure, available free from: Nebraska Game Commission, State Capitol, Lincoln 9. 8 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

An old channel of the river, meandering through the entire area, forms the water area. The old river bed was dredged out and a dam constructed to raise the water level. A number of springs feed the pond.

The lake is long and narrow, with most of its shoreline wooded. Some of the tract has been left in a wilderness state, adding to the rustic beauty of the grounds. American elms, cottonwoods, and willows dot the landscape.

This fun spot offers two main picnic areas. One is located on a long grassy terrace or bench, comfortably shaded in summer by majestic American elms. An added extra here is a fine view of the sprawling lake.

The tract then drops down into a slight valley and the second picnic grounds. This tranquil expanse borders on the lake shore. Both picnic areas are well equipped with tables, fireplaces, water pumps, and sanitary facilities.

Across the lake on the west side are some scattered picnic benches and fireplaces. Additional facilities will be added to the grounds from time to time. A four-place swing and tetter-totter are scheduled to be installed this spring.

This recreation mecca provides individuals or family groups a delightfully secluded place to camp. Since the area is heavily wooded, the camping areas are cozy and sheltered in windy weather.

For the students of beauty and scenery, this Buffalo County hideaway has much to offer. Trees arch gracefully over the roadways, forming a canopy in many places. These tree-lined drives are on both sides of the lake, and a road completely encircles the water.

In the spring and summer, the picturesque area has a blanket of woodsy green. The playground takes on a variety of reds and yellows as the colors change in autumn. Ice formations and the frosty white of snow take over in winter. The winding lake is a favorite spot for ice-skating enthusiasts.

Wildlife is varied. Providing a melody along the trails and picnic grounds are the many chattering song birds of the woodlands. Anyone with an ear for music and appreciation of plant life can have a field day here. Also, a visitor may be thrilled by the sight of deer occasionally seen wandering near the picnic grounds.

Popularity of the recreation grounds is reflected in the attendance figures. As more people discover this mecca, its popularity will grow even more.

Coming into the area at the north entrance and turning left, a visitor drives along the water's edge on a county road. This drive leads to the main picnic grounds on the east side. A turn to the right carries across a dam and into the tree-lined drives on the west side. Continuing along the west side, the road crosses another dam leading to the lower picnic grounds.

The lake has been stocked periodically by the Game Commission. It is now listed as a "put-and-take" bullhead pond. On occasion, some nice bass are taken.

At the present time though, the lake is overrun with goldfish, so game fish are not being stocked. Once the goldfish have been eliminated, the spring waters should be able to support a fine population of fish.

Row boats can be used and the long, narrow, quiet channel should be attractive to the boater. Motor boats are not permitted.

The fall season finds waterfowl trading in and out of the area. As on all recreation grounds, permanent blinds are not allowed but a hunter can use portable equipment.

To the folks who love and seek the great outdoors, Ravenna Recreation Grounds is a natural. Don't pass it by.

THE END MAY, 1959 9

LET'S TALK TURKEY

by Bill Bailey Big-Game Project Leader

RESIDENTS and hunters in the Pine Ridge may in the future observe one of the greatest game birds on this continent—the wild turkey, generally conceded to be the most wary of all North American game birds. If so, this will provide another example of co-operation between states in the management of our wildlife resources.

During the past winter, 28 wild-trapped Merriam's turkeys were obtained from the Wyoming and South Dakota game and fish departments. Twenty birds were planted in the Cottonwood Creek area, northwest of Crawford. The others were transplanted in Deadhorse Canyon, southwest of Chadron.

All of the birds were taken by using a projected net trap, a standard technique for trapping waterfowl. Some of the stock was trapped by Nebraska Game Commission field personnel in South Dakota. Representatives of the other departments, though, accounted for most of the birds.

Is the wild turkey native to Nebraska? Yes, but not the Merriam's. There are several subspecies, each having evolved under different environmental conditions, and each ecologically adapted to certain types of habitat.

The original range of the Merriam's wild turkey was in the southern portion of the Rocky Mountains, extending from central Colorado to the boundary of Mexico. Living within the coniferous forests, the birds were closely associated with ponderosa pine, one of their favorite trees for roosting.

Numerous accounts of the eastern wild turkey occurred in Nebraska during the periods of early explorations and settlement. Lewis and Clark found the bird relatively abundant along the Missouri River. Early settlers observed wild turkeys along many of the stream systems in eastern Nebraska.

It is difficult to determine just how far west the range of the eastern wild turkey extended. However, one investigator believes the range may have extended into Colorado along the South Platte River but did not occur in what is now called the panhandle of Nebraska. Another worker in South Dakota believes they may have occurred as far west as Martin, So. Dak. All evidence indicates that wild turkeys did not occur in the panhandle.

The idea of establishing wild-turkey populations in Nebraska is not new. Releases of the eastern wild turkey 10 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   were made in years past by the Game Commission and various other individuals or groups.

The Nebraska Game Commission's first attempts to re-establish the eastern wild turkey occurred in the late 1920's and early 30's. Release records are far from complete. However, it is known that 211 pairs were released in Cherry, Dawes, Merrick, Sheridan, Scotts Bluff, Washington, and Wheeler counties.- It appears fairly certain that these birds had been hand reared prior to release.

These plants were obvious failures. It is not known if the birds reproduced, how long populations persisted, or what the behavior of the birds was after release.

In addition to Game Commission stockings, there have been numerous plants by individuals and groups. Here again it appears that most of the birds stocked were the eastern subspecies and were obtained from commercial game farms. Many undoubtedly were mixed with domestic strains to facilitate handling under game-farm conditions. Some of the birds were obtained from game farms in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Texas, and Cuba.

The history of some of these releases follows that experienced in other areas. Some appeared to be successful for a short time, but eventually the small established populations dwindled and then disappeared. Some undoubtedly did not develop the wild traits so necessary for the birds to survive and prosper in the wild.

The results of some releases is now evident, indicating partial success. Plants made in Lincoln County along the Platte River are reported to number 75 to 100 birds. Another release in Sheridan County is said to have increased to about 100 birds. Another sizeable flock has been established in Hooker County along the Dismal River. Most of these birds have been observed by Game Commission personnel, and reports indicate that the behavior is not typical of a truly wild bird. Only time will tell whether these releases will be successful and whether the desirable wild traits will be developed through natural selection. Experiences thus far indicate the odds are against complete success.

From the experiences of neighboring states, it appears that Nebraska has a much better chance to establish the Merriam's by using wild-trapped planting stock. Employing technique of trapping and transplanting, this subspecies has been successfully introduced and established in South Dakota and Wyoming, outside its original range. By using wild-trapped stock for a nucleus flock, the inherent wild traits necessary for an acceptable game bird and for survival in the wild will be insured.

In South Dakota the Merriam's wild turkey is well established in the Black Hills, an area quite similar to the Pine Ridge.

An inspection tour by George Wrakestraw, a Wyoming biologist working with turkeys, indicated that Nebraska's Pine Ridge is comparable to some of the better turkey range in Wyoming. It is an area well interspersed with ponderosa pine, grasslands, and croplands. It has abundant free water, and the crop residues and most abundance of native plants should insure a good food supply.

The Pine Ridge release area has another desirable characteristic. Population densities are low and human disturbance should be at a minimum.

Studies of food habits within the present release range indicate that it is widely adapted. Commonly used foods are the fruits of chokecherry, buckbrush, skunkbush, and wild rose. The turkey also utilizes the seeds of ponderosa pine, various weeds and grasses, and cultivated grains. All of the food sources abound in the Pine Ridge.

From all the evidence uncovered, it appears that the Game Commission has a better than average chance to establish a population of Merriam's in the Pine Ridge and other comparable areas of the state.

What are our general plans for management if the transplants are successful? There are several other areas that appear to be capable of supporting a limited population. If the Game Commission is successful in establishing nucleus flocks in the Pine Ridge, then a trapping and transplanting program will be initiated in Nebraska. Birds will be trapped and planted in other areas of the Pine Ridge to accelerate utilization of all the range in that region. They will also be planted in other favorable areas of the state.

How many years will it be before you can pit your hunting skill against the elusiveness and wariness of wild turkeys in Nebraska? Only time will tell. The state now has the nucleus breeding flock, and the range appears to be well suited to support populations of the Merriam's wild turkey. With a little luck and good protection of the small breeding population, Nebraska will be off to a good start. The rest will be up to the birds and various elements of the environment.—THE END.

MAY, 1959 11

12 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

SAGA of SHOT

The small, round pellets that are business-end of shell in favorite shotgun have intriguing history by Frank Foote

SHOT is for the birds—be they crows in March, doves in September, mallards in November, or clay birds the year round. Let's take a good look at these little pellets and the guns that fire them.

Today a shotgun is a shotgun and a rifle a rifle, and never the twain shall meet. Two hundred years ago, almost any smooth-bore musket would do a fair job if charged with bird shot. The differences between a "fowling piece," as our ancestors called them, and a musket were negligible. The New England militia at Bunker Hill used "fowlers" and muskets indiscriminately, doing great damage with both.

Shot in those years was made the hard way. The "swan shot" of the day, usually about .200 inches in diameter, was cast in gang molds, but smaller sizes involved cutting sheet lead into small cubes and rolling between two boards to round the corners. Think of the problems the man of the house would have had trying to talk his family into helping him cut lead and roll shot enough for trapshooting.

People had more important things to do than rolling lead cubes into shot. In 1769, an Englishman named William Watts solved the problem by pouring molten lead through a uniform sieve from a lofty height into water below, and thus the shot tower was born. Screen sizes and dropping distances varied the size of the shot produced. Though swan shot and buckshot continued to be cast, the MAY, 1959 13   lead cutters and rubbers hung up their knives and blocks. The shot tower allowed our ancestors to spend more time hunting and less making shot.

The new soft "drop shot," as it was often called, solved most of the problems. But one remaining problem was the so-called "balling" of a shot charge. On occasions all or part of the shot charge would stick together, patterns would be ruined, and the clusters of shot, having a larger mass, would travel a greater distance than usual. The solution to this dangerous situation was chilled shot metal hardened by alloying with tin or antimony. The term "chilled" had nothing to do with the tower process of dropping hot metal into cold water, but is merely one of those old misnomers that hang on over the years.

Most of today's shot is of hardened "chilled" variety; however, some particular shotgunners insist on rather expensive copper-plated shot.

Shot towers have been replaced by either swaging machines or the modern adaptation of the shot tower. Shotmakers found that a short "tower," using a varying updraft of forced air, accomplished the same results as a fall of 50 to 200 feet in the old towers.

Not all shot dropped or swaged is perfect, but its grading for size and shape is a simple process. Roundness is checked by rolling shot down an incline. Perfect shot picks up enough momentum to jump the discard trap at the bottom, but the culls land in the trap and return to the melting pots. Size is checked by running the shot through a series of accurately made screens.

Over the years shotgunners have demanded more range, higher velocity, better patterns, and more killing powers. This is quite a demand to make on round shot, which is the world's worst ballistic design. No practical change has yet been offered.

Experiments with round shot flattened on two sides, and shot made in the shape of cylinders or teardrops, offered some advantages but proved impractical for one reason or another. The solution so far has been to increase the amount of shot, the velocity at which it is fired, and to improve pattern through various choking devices. Checking today's shotgun shells against those of 30 years ago shows the direction of this trend. In actual shot capacity, some of today's 12 gauge shells equal the 10 gauge shells of yesteryear, and the modern 20 and 16 gauge shells equal the light 12 gauge loads.

This business of gauge, though very simple, baffles many. Except for the little .410, shotguns are named by the ancient gauge system. The gauge or caliber was determined according to the number of round lead balls, bore size, contained in one pound. Thus a 16 gauge gun has 16 bore-size balls to the pound and a 20 gauge weapon used balls that ran 20 to the pound.

The following table should be of interest.

Diameter in Diameter in thousandths of thousandths of Gauge or bore an inch Gauge or bore an inch 8 .835 20 .615 10 .775 24 .579 12 .729 28 .550 14 .693 32 .526 16 .662 .410 .410

Chokes in shotguns came into use during the 1870's. The inventor was Fred Kimball, an American. While choke or a slight restriction of the muzzle is only a small matter in terms of measurement, it makes a big difference in pattern. Most hunters agree that the perfect pattern is one that places 90 per cent of the shot in a 30-inch circle, within reasonable range. However, it takes different degrees of choke to achieve this pattern at varying ranges. With a little luck, improved-cylinder bore can give you this pattern at 20 to 25 yards, while a full-choke is necessary to obtain this at 40 yards plus. Just a few thousandths of an inch makes the difference.

Official standards for shotgun muzzle diameter.

Cylinder Full-choke Modified-choke bore 12 gauge 700 .718 .729 16 gauge .633 .651 .662 20 gauge .586 .604 .615

To enable a shooter to use the same gun for short-range quail in the morning and pass-shooting ducks in the afternoon, the adjustable choke device was developed. These reasonably priced adjustable chokes are fitted onto the end of single-barreled shotguns and enable the shooter to select the desired choke at the twist of a wrist.

Patterning a shotgun may be a chore, but it will certainly pay off in knowing what the gun will and will not do. Such factors as high or low-base shells, different shot sizes, and even the brand of shells used can make a big difference in your shooting.

To pattern that shotgun, paste together some large sheets of papers; 50 inches square is not too large. Make a mark in the center. Using the same brand of* shell with the same shot size, shoot several targets at measured distances. With a 15-inch string and a crayon, strike off a 14 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   30-inch diameter circle where the pattern appears to be the heaviest. Count the holes and figure the number of shot in the loads you've fired by using the information in the next table. With this you can then figure the percentage of the charge that you are putting in a 30-inch circle, and determine, after several trials, if your shotgun is shooting high, low, left, right, or dead on.

Here's an example. A 1 1/4 -ounce load of No. 1 1/2 shot would contain approximately 338 times 1.25 or 423 individual shot. If at 40 yards, 343 shot were in the 30-inch circle of greatest pattern concentration, you would then have 423 divided into 343 or an 81 per cent pattern at 40 yards.

One thing patterning on paper won't show is the third dimension of the pattern or, in other words, the length of the shot string. If your gun patterns well on paper but yet you are not hitting consistently dead on, the problem may be a strung-out shot string. The solution is to try a different brand of shells or perhaps install an adjustable-choke device. No two shotguns are alike and working for the best combination of degree of choke and the right load can lead to some real satisfaction.

Arguments have been loud and long over the controversial subject of what size of shot is best to use. Nothing printed here would be likely to change a gunner's mind on the subject, but I would guess that too many beginners use the larger sizes in situations were smaller shot would probably kill more birds.

Thirty years ago an astounding number of various shotgun loads were on the market. As there are three main variables in shotgun load within a given gauge size, the total number of various individual loadings was amazing. By varying the powder equivalent loading, amount of shot, and shot size just between the six major gauges, it is easy to see how the manufacturers could have been making several thousand different loads. The extra cost of warehousing, stocking, manufacturing, and accounting for this many loads prompted the ammunition industry to eliminate many of the less-popular loadings and standardize production on others. While many fine loads are no longer availabale on a tailor-made basis, the decision to standardize loadings was an absolute necessity to keep prices within reason.

People often wonder where the numbers that indicate shot size came from, and what they mean in diameter and comparative size. The following table should prove of interest.

American Number American Number Standard per Standard per Numbers Diameter ounce Numbers Diameter ounce Fine dust r No. 7 .10 inches 291 (unscreened] .03 inches No. 6 ,11 inches 218 Dust .04 inches 4565 No. 5 .12 inches 168 No. 12 .05 inches 2326 No. 4 .13 inches 132 No. 11 .06 inches 1346 No. 3 .14 inches 106 No. 10 .07 inches 848 No. 2 .15 inches 86 No. 91/2 .075 inches 688 No. 1 .16 inches 71 No. 9 .08 inches 568 No. B .17 inches 59 No. 81/2 .085 inches 560 Air Rifle .175 inches 55 No. 8 .09 inches 399 No. BB .18 inches 50 No. 71/2 .095 inches 338 No. BBB .19 inches 42

The same information on buck shot may also be of interest.

American American Buck Shot Diameter Shot Buck Shot Diameter Shot No. 3 Buck .25 299 No. 0 Buck .32 144 No. 2 Buck .27 238 No. 00 Buck .34 128 No. 1 Buck .30 152 No. 000 Buck .36 112

So it is that the world's oldest and poorest ballistic shape-the rounded ball- is still the most popular bullet.

THE END MAY, 1959 15

READING The CLOUDS

by Jim Tische Associate Editor How's the weather? Will it shine, rain, or blow? Signs in the sky can tip you off to what's in the making

THERE is an old saying in Nebraska that if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it will change. It would be nice if this were true. Weather is everybody's concern, for it continually effects all of us. It is a factor in much of our agriculture, industrial, and. civic planning.

What kind of weather will we have today? What will it be tomorrow or the next day? Will it be safe to plan a picnic or a hunting or fishing trip? Weather is almost sure to be one of the first considerations.

When a person ventures into the outdoors, he needs some indication of the weather, not only for his dress but also in the interest of his safety. The radio can furnish the day's forecast; but what if the weather starts to change after a person is in the field.

Some types of weather-bureau forecasts are 95 per cent accurate. Storms are tracked and warnings are given. But it is still nice to know a little about the weather and not rely entirely on the newspaper or radio.

There are some weather signs which the most casual observer can learn to recognize. Weather is the condition of the atmosphere in terms of heat, pressure, wind, and moisture. "Signs in the sky" can tipoff the weather in store. Observations of cloud types and movements and wind force and direction are all indicators of weather.

Most weather lore comes from the people most concerned—farmers, hunters, and sailors. Many weather sayings have truth in them from wisdom accumulated as people gained experience, even before the reasons behind the facts were discovered.

Evening red and morning gray helps the traveler on his way; evening gray and morning red brings rain upon his head.

This saying is quite true. When the sun shines clear and reddens the western sky, there are no clouds for a long distance in that direction. The normally dusty atmosphere is transmitting the red rays of sunlight in larger measure than blue ones. Since most of our weather comes from west this indicates fair, dry weather. If the air is moist, the night is clear with little wind, and the upper air dry, the cooling by radiation will be so favored that it is likely to produce fog or water condenses on the cold dust particles. This gives the morning gray.

On the other hand, western skys banked with dark clouds will give the evening gray. When on the following morning the rising sun shines red through fogless, dry atmosphere, the dry weather is evident in the east and the wet conditions with heavy clouds are near at hand in the west.

Clouds are classified according to how they are formed. There are two basic types of lower clouds. The cumulus, which means piled up or accumulated, are formed by rising air currents. They are piled and puffy. The second type is the stratus. This type is formed when a layer of air is cooled below the saturation point without vertical movement. Stratus means sheetlike or layered and the clouds are in sheets or foglike layers.

Clouds are further classified by altitude into four families: high, middle, low, and towering. The bases of the latter may be as low as the typical low clouds, but the 16 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   tops may reach to or above 75,000 feet. High clouds, whose bases average about 20,000 feet above the earth, are cirrus, cirro-cumulus, and cirro-stratus. Middle clouds, whose bases average about 10,000 feet above the earth, are altostratus and alto-cumulus while the low clouds, with bases that range from near the earth's surface up to 6,500 feet, are stratus, nimbo-stratus, and strato-cumulus.

The cloud formations at high or middle altitudes are generally fair weather indicators. Some sprinkles may fall from these types but not enough to ruin the picnic. This does not hold true on all occasions.

Weather will generally remain fair when the wind blows gently from the southwest, and northwest. High, puffy fair-weather cumulus clouds will dot the summer sky in the afternoon. These clouds usually form by day in the rising warm air and disappear at night.

The cumulus is the best-known and probably the best liked of clouds because it is usually associated with pleasant weather. It is detached, clean-cut, having a flat base, bellowing with the illuminated portions snowy white, the shaded usually dark.

When the atmosphere is dry, the cumulus formations sail along serenely. In muggy weather, they are the nuclei of the towering thunderheads which are as menacing as they are beautiful.

Cool weather, frequently with a shower, will usually come with the shift of the wind to the north or northwest.

Also, the weather will generally remain fair if a morning fog breaks or burns off by noon, leaving a clear sky.

Low-altitude, puffy cumulus clouds which begin to develop vertically can be the forerunner of wet and nasty weather. The earlier these clouds develop in the day, the more likelihood of thundershowers later in the day. If the clouds do not begin to develop before noon, and particularly if there is little vertical development, thundershowers are not likely. Turreted alto-cumulus clouds in the morning are very likely to be followed by thundershowers the following afternoon or evening, as they indicate instability in the middle layers of air, which will be augmented later in the day as the heated surface air rises in the altitude. As the clouds pile up into cumulonimbus clouds, we recognize thunderheads. These clouds are associated with most summer showers and all thunderstorms. The clouds have strong upward air currents and are of great vertical extent.

Another sign of change is the cirrus clouds. These thin, wispy and feathery clouds are composed entirely of ice crystals. The cirrus clouds are frequently blown about in strands which are called "mares' tails". These clouds usually appear as the advance guard of a storm and usually blow far ahead of the general storm, giving 12 to 36 hours notice of rain.

Cirrus formations thicken and are followed by lower clouds before the storm. If the cirrus clouds are moving MAY, 1959 17   from the north it usually points to fair and warm weather.

Large halos or luminous circles, around the sun and moon are a sign of a weather change. The saying "a ring around the mean means rain" is true 40 to 80 per cent of the time, depending on the location, pressure, and direction the clouds are moving. If the barometer is falling and the wind from the northeast or southeast, a ring around the moon means rain in 18 to 48 hours, about 75 per cent of the time.

Rings are caused by cirro-stratus clouds. The formation is so thin it does not remove the shadow of objects on the ground when the sun is fairly high on the horizon. These thin sheets look like fine veils or torn, wind-blown patches of gauze. Because they are made of ice crystals, they produce large rings around the sun and moon and usually indicate approaching bad weather.

Wind direction is important because of the type of air it brings into an area. It has been mentioned that west, northwest, and north winds in the summer generally mean fair weather with a fall in temperature. An easterly or southwesterly wind, gaining in velocity with increasing clouds from the west, means rains and thunderstorms, The wind-carrying moisture scooped up from the Gulf of Mexico and mixes with cooler air from the north. This collision sets off the showers.

Clouds that are moving rapidly or "boiling up" indicate high winds aloft. This can set the stage for severe rain and wind storms and sometimes hail. One way to tell about wind activities is to look for pouches below the clouds. A smooth or uniform base on a cloud formation indicates stable weather conditions.

And then there is the dead calm before a storm. This is a warning to take cover before the storm strikes. Many times this calm precedes a storm and is a warning of severe conditions, often with strong, gusty winds and heavy rain.

The atmosphere can tipoff the kind of weather to be expected. High humidity is a good sign that something is going to happen, usually rain. Humidity will affect most people in several ways. You'll be dabbing at your forehead and complaining about the "close" or muggy weather. Also, the presence of moisture in the air cuts visibility. Clear air and ability to see for great distances is usually an indicator of dry, stable weather.

A good rule-of-thumb for the outdoorsman might come from the clouds. Cloud formations which are high and remain high usually indicate fair weather. Low cloud formations usually mean the wet and nasty conditions.

THE END

WATER RESCUE

SWIMMING and boating are among the nation's most popular sports and they can be fun for you, too, if you follow a few safety hints. During the warmer months, there is no greater satisfaction than to take the family and friends on an outing involving one or more phases of water recreation.

A top experience is to take a ride in a craft, be it a canoe, flat-bottom rowboat, or a real speed craft. Another sport enjoyed by most people is a refreshing swim and the fun of being in the water. These pleasant times with the family and friends build lasting memories. They tend to strengthen the family as a unit.

But not all is carefree fun. Man does not naturally belong in water as he does on land where he lives, walks, eats and sleeps. His whole physical make-up has been developed and is arranged for terrestrial living. Nevertheless he has found comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment in water sport experiences. But at the same time experience has taught man that in the water there are definite limits beyond which he cannot safely go.

Man has learned that to keep from drowning he has to learn to swim. Every person from the time he first enters the water should steadily acquire the knowledge and skill which will enable him to take care of himself under all except the most unusual conditions. As his acquatic skill increases, so should he parallel his development as a swimmer with certain definite safety skills which are wholly personal in nature, skills which will enable him to meet all emergencies.

Safety in bathing consists largely of knowing when, where, and how much to bathe. Skill for safety is made up of abilities to meet the common hazardous conditions which beset bathers from time to time.

Here are the rules for water safety and water rescue:

1. Before you swim get a doctor's okay. Know your physical limitations and remain safely within them, as swimming is vigorous exercise and works nearly all muscles of the body.

2. Know when, where, and how much you should swim.

3. Develop stamina for distance swims and learn how to relax and float.

4. Learn to recognize the hazards associated with water, such as current, waves, or even impurities that might represent a hidden threat.

5. Never swim alone; always have a buddy.

6. If your boat swamps, stay with it. Hang on for dear life; it should float and will save you if you are a long way from safety.

Remember that statistics indicate that about 75 per cent of the drownings occur within 50 feet of safety. Enroll in a life-saving and water-safety course and really be prepared. Then have fun.

THE END MAY, 1959 19

WHAT'S THE RIGHT PRICE?

Here's the scoop on buys on today's dog market. With an elastic price range, you'll find one to fit your wallet by Pete Czura Associate Editor

DID you say you'd like to own a sporting dog? And in the same breath say you can't afford one? Mister, that's the feeblest excuse of all. This business of buying a sporting dog is a bargain market that was 1,000 years old before the modern discount house was even a gleam in some peddler's eye.

How much does a sporting dog cost? If I said from nothing to $5000, could you find a more elastic price range?

Does this put you on your guard? Are you saying that a guy gets only what he pays for? As one who's been through the wringer, I can testify that this isn't so. Many dog owners unknowingly make good buys. On the other hand, there are some who fork over big money for a dog that doesn't pan out.

There's no denying an element of luck exists in every purchase. No one can measure the ability of a dog in advance, except by knowing how his ancestors performed afield. Even then there are uncertainties, for sons and daughters of champions have been flops.

When you've purchased a dog that suits you, at a price you can afford, credit yourself with the best bargain buy of your life. You bought the love and affection of the only single thing money can buy. Dogs are free from fluctuations. Once they love, they love unchangingly until their dying breath.

The following guide on prices may not be right down to the penny, but it should give you an idea of what to expect for your money. It's based on my own experiences in shopping for a sporting dog and should not be considered as gospel, as prices do fluctuate:

Free to $10 dogs

Surely you must have met the guy who has told you of the bargain he got for a "fiver" at the city dog pound? Such rare bargains border on miracles. If you look one of these dogs over, look him right in the mouth. Here you will find the chicken killers, runaways, barkers, and habitual biters. You may on occasion run across a mature dog without these faults, but he will present a training problem. Big gamble for small stakes.

$10 to $20 dogs—No papers

Undoubtedly you've run across dogs advertised on a weather-beaten shingle which read "Beegels," with the "B" printed backward. If you're interested, ask to see how the bitch performs before you buy one of her litter. Chances are you will find all the pups looking very poor because the breeder begrudges them proper care and food. Another big gamble for small stakes.

$25 to $50—The advertised "broke" dogs.

These will be the coonhounds, foxhounds, and rabbit hounds, offered at bargain prices. This is the mediumprice range, and you should be able to obtain a dog with a couple of hunting seasons already under his belt. Your best bet is to buy a dog near home, with the understanding that you take it on a trial basis. Fair gamble.

20 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   $50 to $100—Registered dogs

These dogs, with papers and most of their shots, will come from reputable kennels. Some setters and pointers can be obtained in this price range, but not pups from a long line of champions. The $100 should be a top outlay for the average outdoorsman, and besides, you still have to pay someone to train your dog. But if you train the pup yourself, it's a fairly inexpensive way of getting a topnotch product.

A fairly well-trained foxhound or coonhound, two or three years old, should be attainable in this price range. But see them run before you pay any money. For pointers, setters, and retrievers, this range is a good bet. For a foxhound? It's a gamble, but who ever heard of buying a foxhound without a gamble? Good bets found here.

$100 to $200—Straight cooners. Three to five years old.

These are dogs that, in any sort of going, can get a coon up, tree him, and sound off. You'll be wise to observe the performance of such a buy before you plunk down your dough. But test the dog in your own territory, not in his own backyard. Any coonhound is a gamble.

$200 to $400—Trained flushers.

For this kind of outlay a spaniel should hup on command, be steady to wing and shot, respond to hand or whistle signals, go where you want him to, and be a reliable retriever. If you can afford the freight, this is a good buy.

$300 to $500—Trained bird dogs.

For this money you should obtain a good-performing dog. Young pointers may not keep company with the champion big-time field-trial performers, but they should be ready for the average upland-game hunter. Your $500 should buy a retriever equipped for fast-moving company.

If you select a dog from any of the last two categories, your risk is negligible, outside of health. However, anyone who charges such prices should certainly stand back of his dogs. This is the ultimate in dog investments, and should bring you good returns from this gamble.

$500 to $5,000

There are some persons equipped with a big enough bank roll to make such a purchase. In this price group are performers who've covered themselves with glory. Their ancestors will be champions, and their bloodlines of an impeccable character. What you are actually buying is the record of that dog and the right to state proudly: "I own a champion." These are hard to find and harder yet to separate from their owners. A good example of such devotion involves Horace Lyttle, a famous dog writer. Offered $5,000 for his Irish setter, he declined.

A friend commented, "But Horace, that dog could die tomorrow and you'd be out that money."

"If he dies tomorrow," Horace replied, "he'll die my dog; not someone else's."

Here is a brief list of breeds you might consider selecting for your own type of hunting:

POINTING BREEDS

English pointer—this one is unquestionably the No. 1 choice of most sportsmen. Occasionally an individual of this breed will not pan out as you'd like him to. Good bet.

Brittany spaniel—lots of dog in small bundle. The only spaniel that points; very biddable and friendly, and excelent on grouse, quail, and pheasant. Here's a good bet for the lone hunter. Becoming increasingly popular.

Irish setter—here's your chance to get on the ground floor of a movement to restore this breed to its former pinnacles. Shy away from bench-show lines, as this breed was nearly wrecked as a hunter by bench breeders.

English setters—doesn't possess the endurance of the pointers but are excellent hunters. Possessing ideal dispositions, they make splendid companions afield and home. Very capable performers afield.

Weimaraner—beginning to make a fine showing despite adverse and ridiculous publicity about its ability. Very competent, deliberate worker, and good all-round breed.

Gordon setter—best bet for grouse. Not too popular in Nebraska but worthy of consideration.

Others: Hungarian vizsla, drahthaar, German wire-haired pointer, Swedish pointer, German short-hair pointer, wire-haired pointing Griffon. Not enough of these in Nebraska to make any comments about their merits.

RETRIEVERS

Chesapeake Bay—once a hell-bent-for-leather retriever, this breed is losing out to the Labradors. Still a good bet for waterfowlers.

Labradors—considered the ultimate of all retrievers. Wins most of the trials. Extremely competent worker, revels in rough-weather work, and is very biddable. He'll MAY, 1959 21   make you happy to have him in your blind when the ducks are flying.

Goldens—the Beau Brummel of this class. A stylish performer, he makes an ideal companion for children and is gaining popularity in Nebraska.

Others: Irish and American water spaniels along with flat-coated and curly-coated retrievers are too few in state to merit discussion.

HOUNDS

Walker—one of the descendents from the old American foxhound strain. Fine dog for coons; has a loud voice that can be heard a country mile. Excels in fox hunts. Very classy performer and in great demand.

Beagle—the No. 1 dog in the country. Outstanding rabbit dog; occasionally adept at helping hunter to bag wily pheasant. Field trials are tending to develop a dog that is a bit too fast for the average hunter.

Plot!—considered a big-game dog. Used on cougar, mountain lions, bobcats, and wild boars; some used for coon hunting. Good lone hunter.

Trigg—distant cousin to Walker; same characteristics but has a slightly heavier coat.

Basset—slow-moving, biddable, excellent for the deliberate rabbit hunter.

Black and tan—used primarily for coons. He has been a great success on fox. Dependable tree barker; however, his deep booming voice cannot carry as far as the shrillthroated hounds. Good lone hunter.

Redbone----a coon expert deluxe; used on fox sometimes. Like the black and tan, he works best by himself. Good tree barker.

Blueiick—rapidly becoming the top all-round hound. Performs well on fox, coon, and big game.

UPLAND GAME FLUSH DOGS

English springer spaniel—coming to the forefront as one of most popular of sporting dogs. Provides plenty of action; biddable and dandy retriever.

American cocker—formerly, a dependable waterfowl retriever. However, bench breeders have transformed him into a namby-pamby type. Beware of bench-show stock if you want to use him for hunting. Too small for rough duty afield.

English cocker—occasionally you run across one that is suitable for field work. On the whole, however, this breed has seen its day, due to indiscriminate breeding of bench breeders.

Sussex, clumber, and field spaniels—rarely seen afield. Even the bench breeder is not interested in these.

If you consider yourself a sharpie in bargaining heed this story. A breeder and buyer had finished haggling over the price of a pointer. The breeder shook the hand of the buyer, saying, "You'll never regret buying that dog. You just got the bargain of your life."

"I think I did," grinned the buyer. "I'd intended to give you $300. Since I paid $200, I saved myself a $100."

"Well, now, you haven't got anything on me," the breeder smiled slyly. "I darn near let you have him when you offered the first $50. My figure was 80, so I'm a $120 to the good."

THE END Wonder Bait . . . amazing action NIKIE In 3 weights and sizes. Write for catalog. Creek Chub Baits Dept. R, Garrett, Indiana In Canada: A. I. & W., Toronto

SPEAK UP

Send your questions to "Speak Up/' OUTDOOR NEBRASKA, Stale Capitol, Lincoln 9, Nebraska It's Right and Wrong

"In March's BUNNY HOP SHOWDOWN and February's HUNTING BLACK BANDITS you mention hunting with a pistol. Sometime ago I was told that it was illegal to hunt with a pistol or even carry one. Has the law been changed or is it being broken?— Dow Bitney, Neligh.

The game mentioned in both stories—crows, jack rabbits and cottontails —may be taken with a pistol. You were misinformed about it being illegal to use a pistol for hunting, unless you had planned to use it on protected game birds. Hunting the latter with a rifle, pistol, revolver, swivel gun, shotguns larger than 10 gauge, or an unplugged shotgun is a violation of the law. Regarding carrying a pistol, according o civil law, it is unlawful to carry a concealed weapon and you could be arrested for this.—Editor.

Bullfrog Snagging

"In the open season, is it illegal to snag bullfrogs with a hook and line? OUTDOOR NEBRASKA readers might be interested in trying a successful method I've used in catching plenty of bullfrogs. Out here we use very long bamboo poles, attaching a piece of bright red cloth to our treble hooks. This attracts the frog and causes him to strike our offering. Some of the frogs we caught weighed over a pound."—Mrs. Rudolf Lorenzen, Taylor.

The holder of a fishing permit is allowed to take bullfrogs by means of hand, hand net, gig, or hook and line. Your method is legal. In behalf of our readers we wish to thank you for the tip you passed along.—Editor.

Road-Hunting Jacks

"I am a new subscriber to your fine OUTDOOR NEBRASKA magazine which has provided me with much reading pleasure. However, I would like to know if it is unlawful to hunt varments, such as jack rabbits, from a car on a country road?"—Dennis Oeschlager, Hastings.

Since the jack rabbit is not on the protected game list, you don't need a permit to hunt them. Using a rifle you can shoot at jacks from your car on any country road. However, if you use a shotgun, it is unlawful to have or carry a shotgun in or on any vehicle on any public road unless such shotgun is unloaded.—Editor.

You Name It, We Got Them

"What game fish can be found around the Omaha area and where can they be caught?"—Craig Martinson, Omaha.

Just to name a few species, you can find these: crappie, bluegill, bass, bullhead, catfish, and trout. Lakes at Fremont and Louisville provide plenty of trout action av.d catfish can be taken along the mighty Missouri, Platte, and Elkhorn rivers. Good luck and save some for us.—Editor.

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TRIALS of HECTOR BEAVER

HISTORIANS say that valor lives in the strangest places. In fact, legend has it that valor can exist even in the hearts of wildlife, and this I would like to tell you about.

The family of Bucky and Brigette Beaver was an ordinary one, with one exception. And that was Hector, the eldest son, a wild, harum-scarum type of playboy who was habitually causing his parents no end of trouble.

For the past few months, the entire colony had toiled on the construction of a new dam—that is, everyone but Hector. As they worked through the nights, cutting down trees with their sharp chisel teeth, Hector played, frolicking down a slide and in general just whooping it up in the pond.

One night Hector's mother, Brigette, decided to stop the monkeyshines. "Bucky," she barked to her mate, "you're supposed to be the head of this family. Hector is a bad influence on his brothers and sisters. And if you don't make him toe the line, the others won't mind us either. You have to teach him to share responsibilities."

Bucky sighed, as his sharp teeth tore out a chunk of wood from the base of the tree. A mild-mannered old chap, he hated to be the one to admonish Hector. Too, he had a soft spot in his heart for the shenanigans that Hector pulled. But Brigette wouldn't let up and kept nagging that he do something.

In desperation Bucky wheeled away from his task and waddled toward the slide where Hector was playing. He grabbed Hector by the scuff of the neck and shook him angrily.

Hector squealed in pain and surprise, "Don't daddy, don't!"

"I've had enough of your playing," growled Bucky. "You get right out there and help build that dam! The world doesn't owe you a living; you've got to work for it. From now on you do your share or else!"

Meekly, Hector mumbled, "I'll try to help, but I'm not much good at working."

And Bucky, knowing that Brigette and the other children were watching, swatted Hector on the rump with his tail, saying, "Start on that big tree near the shore. But be careful. The way you cut down trees, they're liable to fall on one of us. Make sure it tumbles into the water."

Hector scampered off. "Huh," he snorted, "I'll show them. I'll cut that tree down in nothing flat. Then everybody will call me a champion."

Let's leave Hector for a moment and see what makes our beavers tick. According to authorities, he is acknowledged as one of nature's finest engineers. And our beavers, at one time, were larger than a black bear.

Today the beaver is the largest rodent in the world, except for the capybara of South America. He never attacks unless severely provoked or his life is in danger. Most of his building is done while the rest of the world sleeps. And a beaver's flat tail is not used as a trowel, but rather as a means of steering in the water and as an alarm signal, when slapped vigorously against the water or ground.

Little did Hector know that fate was shaping itself to install him in a hero's role. Like an angry buzz saw he ripped out chunks of the tree. Soon the ground around his feet was littered with chips and the huge tree began to sway and creak.

Bucky and Brigette had watched Hector tear into the trunk of the tree with a surgeon's skill, and then left to start on a tree closer to the water's edge. Hector's brothers and sisters were busy elsewhere bringing down willow saplings.

As the big tree gave out its final groan, it snapped with a rifle crack and plunged toward the water's edge. The noise of that falling giant echoed across the woods.

Bucky and Brigette and all the others had ducked into the water after the tree had crashed. But Hector remained near the stump, proudly surveying his work.

"Bucky," whispered Brigette, "call Hector into the pond where he'll be safe."

'Hector, boy!" called out Bucky, "Come here!"

Silence was the only reply Bucky got. "That Hector," he muttered, "he'll be the death of us yet."

The crash of Hector's tree had attracted the attention of a mortal enemy. Silently and swiftly, Bobby Bobcat headed toward him. A minute, then two slipped by as silence gripped the woods.

Brigette was saying, "It seems safe to go back to work. But I want you to scold Hector; he has to'learn to obey us.

Hector heard the sound of a twig snapping. He realized something evil was out there; possibly a menace to the colony. He hissed angrily, backing up against the tree stump.

Then he saw his arch enemy, the bobcat, coming at him out of the darkness. Swiftly he raised his flat tail and began flapping it furiously against the tree trunk.

Bucky and Brigette heard Hector's alarm. They suddenly wished that Hector, who had caused them so much grief, had come into the pond with them. Brigette remembered his antics had been the harmless ones of a playful lad. Actually, he hadn't been a bad boy.

"S-s-s-s-h," spat the bobcat, as he hurled himself at Hector. With one vicious swipe of his razor sharp claws he killed the beaver, but not before Hector slapped out one more danger signal, which stopped his family from leaving the sanctuary of their pond.

"I know something awful is happening to my Hector," sobbed Brigette, not daring to surface.

"Shush, Mother. Hector can take care of himself. Lucky he warned us in time. Let's hope he escaped from whoever was there."

But Hector didn't escape. He paid for his brave act with his life. Bravery finds a home in the strangest places. Who can say it did not lodge in the heart of Hector, who saved his family from the arch enemy?

THE END MAY, 1959 23

WHAT HOOK TO USE

ANYONE entering a tackle shop is struck by the large assortment of hooks for sale. Needless to say diversity of hooks which confronts an angler is confusing. The hooks come in many shapes, sizes, and variety of finishes. Some are fashioned out of thin wire and others thick. There are many types of eyes—turned down, turned up, ringed, and needle.

From this confusing array, how can a beginner choose the proper hook for the fish he wishes to catch?

Although any hook will take a fish if small enough to be taken in the mouth, there is a right and wrong size and style to use. Many anglers select their hooks to fit the fish they intend to catch. For the small-mouth bluegill, a fisherman will use a range of sizes from No. 8 to 12. On the other hand, a bass enthusiast knows his quarry can take a healthy mouthful so he uses hooks as large as 5/0. Looking at hook sizes from this point of view is fine, and the person using this system will take his share of fish.

There is one other method in choosing hooks. Your tackle is only as strong as the weakest link. This weakest link for spin and fly fishermen is the line, so there's little reason to use a large, heavy hook for strength on this light tackle.

Choose a hook to fit the bait you are using, the fish you intend to catch, and the tackle you are using.

Minnows are a good bait and furnish a fine example of choosing hooks. As with worms, the general idea is to pick a hook to fit the size of your bait minnows. Small minnows do best with hooks ranging from sizes 6 to 8. Larger minnows, with the exception of the over-sized suckers used for large northern pike, are best on a 1 to 4 hook. The big pike baits require hooks as large as 1/0 to 2/0.

Hooks are numbered from about No. 22 or 20 in plain digits to No. 1. A No. 22 would be an extremely small hook. After a No. 1, the manufacturer adds a zero and the sizes become 1/0, 2/0, and up to 16/0, which is huge. So the angler has a tremendous range to choose from.

THE END 24 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

OUTDOOR ELSEWHERE

End of The Line

TEXAS . . . One violator who was recently apprehended doesn't believe in doing things half way. The warden who arrested him did so after watching and following him for 30 minutes. In the first place, the man stopped his car in the road and shot a dove from a wire. Violation. The time was 9:30 a.m., another violation. He drove a few feet and did it again. Violation. He then tried to hide his car, and crawled over a fence into a posted game reserve—trespass violation. He was shooting at more doves when arrested—more violations. His auto shotgun was unplugged. Violation. And who would have ever thought he was from out of the county and didn't have a hunting license. He violated every law there is concerning doves except over limit, and admitted that he was a poor shot or he would have been guilty of that, too.

* * * Muskrats Gang Up

WISCONSIN . . . James Doherty, Oconomowoc, thought he had a private fishing shanty on Upper Nashatah Lake, but muskrats ran him out of it. As he unlocked his shanty, he found two muskrats that had come up through the hole in the ice. The animals had chewed up most of his fishing equipment. He managed to chase the muskrats back into the water and started to fish. A muskrat head appeared in the hole and Doherty tried to poke it down with his chisel. The animal came up and chased him out of the shanty. Looking back, he saw two muskrats standing guard in the doorway. That did it. Doherty moved his shanty to where he could fish in peace.

* * * Thai's Appreciation

MISSOURI . . . There are days when hunters should stay at home, the National Wildlife Federation observes. Nine rabbit hunters were working a Missouri River bottom area when their dog flushed a cottontail. All nine hunters fired at the rabbit. The bunny escaped but the dog was hit.

* * * Ruffled Grouse

PENNSYLVANIA . . . Deputy Don Conger, Promised Land, was driving home around midnight last winter when he saw something on the snow-covered road ahead. He stopped the car, took his flashlight, and investigated. The object that aroused his curiosity was a ruffed grouse, apparently injured. The deputy started to pick up the bird. Then, swoop! No grouse. Amongst fluttering grouse feathers a startled Conger realized that a great-horned owl had made off with the injured bird, literally from under his nose.

* * * Warning for Orchardists

PENNSYLVANIA . . . Two Commonwealth agencies have warned orchardists that careless use of a pesticide known as "Endrin" could cause widespread killings of fish. William Voigt, Jr., executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, said: "Endrin is one of the most powerful of known pesticides. Research has shown that a concentration in water as small as four parts per billion will kill fish. We are informed by competent research specialists that the killing component or components in Endrin do not break down and dissipate. The effects are progressive and cumulative. Therefore, unlike any other lethal-to-fish substances that disappear as a result of the normal body functions of a fish, Endrin is stable. . .

"Endrin is a contact poison, not something that animals must chew. . . . This is the time of the year when orchardists customarily spray for mice. It is also a time when it will be relatively easy for the poison to reach and pollute streams. Endrin is best applied before the ground freezes because it is less likely to result in excessive run-off. Unless the utmost care and caution are taken, fish in large numbers could be killed." Voigt said fish wardens have been instructed to visit as many orchardists as possible to advise them of the hazards.

Can You Top This?

MISSOURI . . . J. H. Marshall and two sons of Charleston were hunting on a sandbar near here when a flight of ducks swung over the pit. Marshall let fly with his 12 gauge. At first it looked like a clean miss, but when the ducks were about midstream, one veered out of formation and fell into the water. A bald eagle began circling over the fallen duck. Suddenly it plummeted down, grabbed the duck in its talons, and began making for the Illinois shore. There a flock of gulls caused the bird to change course and head back toward Missouri. For some unknown reason, as the eagle passed Marshall's pit, it dropped the duck. Marshall said that when he dressed the duck, an examination showed that one pellet had entered the duck's heart and its body showed marks of the eagle's talons.

* * * Buck Steals Rifle

LOUISIANA ... Some mighty strange things happen to hunters. Take the hunter last season who reported at a checking station to inquire about his missing .30/30 rifle. He said he had shot a 10-point buck with the .30/30 and thought the deer was dead. Beside himself with excitement, the hunter had propped the buck's head upright and hung the rifle on the antlers by the trigger guard. He then backed off with his camera to record his kill. At this point the dazed deer jumped to its feet and bounded off with the hunter's beautiful rack—and his rifle.

World's most famous Bass Lure! PIKIE... made in 21 different models For Fresh and Salt Water Fishing —Write for Catalog. Creek Chub Baits ,n Canada: Dept. R, Garrett, Indiana A. L. & W., Toronto MAY, 1959 25

Notes on Nebraska Fauna

BROOK TROUT

by Keith Donoho District I Fisheries Supervisor This tackle-busting fish inhabits swift-moving, cold, clear streams. He's less wary than his brethern and is considered gullible. Pollution is his "slow kiss of death"

THE "brookie", Salvelinus, fontinalis (Mitchell), is one of the most popular and widely known trout species. The brook trout possesses a raft of common names including eastern brook trout, speckled trout, square-tail, mountain trout, and red-spotted trout.

Regardless of what the brookie is called, he fills a definite spot in the life of all anglers, particularly those who diligently seek him for the action-packed thrills he can furnish.

The brook trout can be distinguished from his brethren by a streamlined and somewhat compressed body, which is about five times as long as it is deep. Fins are soft-rayed (without spines), paired in the ventrical region with the adipose fin well-developed. The caudal or tail fin is squarish or slightly forked.

Scales of the brook trout are extremely small, and technically, classified as cycloid in type.

The mouth is terminal. Well-developed teeth are found on the maxillary and premaxillary bones as well as on the head of the vomer (roof) bone inside the mouth.

Over-all coloring ranges from olive blue-gray or black on the back to white on the belly. Wormlike overmarkings (vermiculations) on the back distinguish this species from all others. Red spots with or without surrounding bluish rings are visible on the side of the body. Black and white stripes, along the fore edges of the lower body fins, are also distinguishing characteristics.

Color variations of brookies are due to age, sex, sexual development, food properties of the water, and general habitat.

Brook trout are inhabitants of swift-moving, cold, clear streams. They have been successfully introduced into ponds, sand pits, reservoirs, natural lakes, and where specific habitat requirements are met. Generally, they are found in streams less than one mile from springs, which are essential for keeping water cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And whenever the water temperature rises above 68° F, brook trout are in serious trouble.

Pollution for brookies is a slow "kiss of death". In polluted streams, brook-trout populations gradually decrease and even disappear if one or more of these factors are present: soil pollution, over-grazing, extensive timber removal, and soil disturbance by agricultural. Any of these conditions, or all of them combined will affect the water temperature and cause it to rise, killing off all trout. A forested watershed, on the other hand, along with lush 26 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   bank cover and many springs are the necessary ingredients of good trout water.

Usually, the brook trout spawns only in areas influenced by spring water and clear gravel beds. This appears to be a behavior adaptation to ensure the survival and development of eggs. The spawning period in Nebraska streams is about mid-December, depending on weather conditions. Nest sites are selected in gravel beds adjacent to inflowing spring water two inches to three feet in depth.

Upon selecting a site, the female hollows out a bowlshaped depression in the gravel. This is referred to as a redd and is 12 to 24 inches in diameter. After excavating the gravel the male and female hover over the redd, ejecting milt and eggs. The fertilized eggs are then covered by the female moving slightly upstream, sweeping gravel over the eggs until covered from 3 to 10 inches in depth. The redd and eggs are then left unprotected. The eggs will hatch in 50 to 125 days, depending on temperature. They hatch sooner when it is above 50° F.

In western Nebraska, the male "brookie" usually matures at the end of his first summer. Some of the males, in stunted populations, are as small as 3 1/2 inches at sexual maturity. Most females are sexually mature at the end of the second year; minimum length is around 4 1/2 inches. Egg production depends on size. The average female produces 300 to 400 eggs. The number, however, may vary from less than 100, in females of five inches in length, to 1,200 in females of 14 inches in length.

Young brook trout are usually under an inch long when beginning stream life. Under normal conditions they will grow three to six inches the first year and three inches each year after, depending upon the size of the stream and available food.

The diet consists of aquatic insects (especially in the nymph and larval stages), and land insects like crickets, grasshoppers, crustaceans, worms, molluscus, and fish. The smart angler who stalks these pugnacious rod-benders usually slits the stomach of the first one he catches to learn what they are dining on. This helps him select a type of lure resembling the food most prevalent in the trout's stomach, in order to land others in the same waters.

The brookie has been crossbred with brown trout to produce the infertile "tiger trout". This lack of fertility is due to the constricted areas in the ovaries and testes of the tiger trout; otherwise the cross strain is commendable for the hybrid vigor it possesses. The splake is a fertile cross between the brook and the lake trout. The fertile offspring appear to have a lower fecundity than either of the parent species, however.

The growth rate is based upon the amount of available food and aquatic habitat in which the brook trout exists. In small streams, fish of a five-year class may only attain the length of 10 inches, whereas in larger waters they may readier larger sizes. An example is the state record, 4-pound 8-ounce brookie taken from McConaughy Reservoir. Some attain lengths of 18 inches in two to three years in suitable waters.

Although seen in groups, especially in streams, brook trout are not a schooling species. They are less cautious than the brown trout and feed more freely in daylight hours, and range more widely from cover. They are gullible and can be caught more readily than a brown trout. For these reasons brook trout are more often stocked in streams demanding intensive "put-and-take" fishing.

Brook trout can be taken by many different methods. The "purist" using fly rods and flies generally enjoys the greatest successs. Fly casting, though, isnt too effective in Nebraska because of the small, brushy streams in which the brook trout exist; Monroe Creek, for example. The method most used in western streams is to carefully probe each likely hiding place with a worm or insect on a short piece of line, at the end of a light rod. The easy "catchability" and tasty flesh characteristics of this species puts it high on every angler's list. The flesh is firm and white or pink in color and furnishes a savory meal, when properly prepared.

The major problem encountered in brook-trout management is the destruction of its habitat. This has been done by removal of trees, intensive grazing of cattle along the stream bank, and detrimental agriculture practices in the watersheds. These factors bring about a change in the habitat by raising the water temperature, causing turbidity, and increasing the incidence of flood damage.

Habitat management to increase brook trout water should include the encouragement of good soil and water uses, proper forest management, fencing of stream side protective zones and the installation or rock fills, v-dams, and artificial under-cuts to improve in-stream living conditions.

Stocking streams with legal fish has been a traditional but expensive management measure. Where little or no natural reproduction occurs in streams with good habitat conditions, fingerling stocking has been tried and may prove to be an economical management tool.

In suitable sandpits along the Platte River, the use of toxicants to eradicate the existing warm-water fish populations and the subsequent stocking with brook trout has resulted in unprecedented angling. This last management measure will be a means of providing more brook trout for a growing number of fishermen.

THE END. Cabins Open May 15

Cabin facilities at Ft. Robinson, Chadron, Niobrara, Ponca, and Victoria Springs State Parks open May 15. Reservations should be sent to the respective park superintendents. The cabin season closes September 30.

The Arbor Lodge State Park mansion at Nebraska City, open since April 15, will welcome visitors through October 30.

Grounds at all state parks are open the year-round. Admission is free.

MAY, 1959 27

ANSWERS APRIL'S MATCH UP 1. (a) pointer; 2. (b) Irish setter; 3. (c) English setter; 4. (d) Brittany spaniel; 5. (e) cocker spaniel; 6. (f) German short-haired; 7. (g) American water spaniel; 8. (h) clumber; 9.(a) pointer; 10. (b) Irish setter; 11. (g) American water spaniel; 12. (h) clumber; 13. (f) German short-haired; 14. (e) cocker spaniel; 15. (d) Brittany spaniel; 16. (b) English setter. Postmaster: If undeliverable FOR ANY REASON, notify sender, staling reason, on FORM 3547, postage for which is guaranteed. FORWARDING POSTAGE GUARANTEED OUTDOOR NEBRASKA STATE HOUSE Lincoln, Nebraska