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. Pritchard Circulation: Lillian Meinecke JUNE, 1959 Vol. 37, No. 6 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 Orty Orr, fisheries (Lincoln) Bill Bailey, big game (Lincoln) Clarence Newton, land management (Lincoln) Dale Bree, land management (Lincoln) Malcolm D. Lindeman, operations (Lincoln) Frank Sleight, operations (Lincoln) Raymond Linder, upland game birds and small game (Fairmont) AREA MANAGERS Robert H. Hall, Omaha Keith Kreycik, Valentine Wade Ellis, Alliance LeRoy Bahensky, Palmer 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 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 LE 2-6225) Samuel Grasmick, law enforcement Don Hunt, operations 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, coturnix quail (Lincoln) Marvin Schwilling, grouse (Burwell) David Lyon, pheasants (Fairmont) James Norman, pheasants (Fairmont) John Sweet, waterfowl (Stuart) AREA CONSERVATION OFFICERS William J. Ahern, Box 1197, North Loup, phone 89 Robert Ator, Box 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, Box 221, Ponca, phone 56 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, ID 62686 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 992 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 Gail Woodside, Box 443, Stromsburg, Phone* 5821 NEBRASKA FARMER PRINTING CO., LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

IN THIS ISSUE:

DOWN THE NIOBRARA (Jim Tische) Page 3 PHEASANTS MARKING TIME (Pete Czura) Page 6 WEEKENDERS (Gene Hornbeck) Page 8 JOHNSON LAKE (Jim Tische) Page 12 HOW TO BUY "THE" RIFLE (Frank Foote) Page 14 CARP SCORING ...Page 17 SEARCHING EYES (Willetta Lueshen) Page 18 SPEAK UP Page 20 THE CATTY BLUE (Elmer Clark) Page 22 OUTDOOR ELSEWHERE Page 25 NOTES ON NEBRASKA FAUNA (Pete Czura) Page 27 PHOTO NEWS Page 28

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA of the Air

SUNDAY WOW, Omaha, (590 kc) 7:15 a.m. KXXX, Colby, Kan. (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, Ogallala (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.

Down the NIOBRARA

Via canoe, we traveled a highway to adventure that few had dared before by James Tische Associate Editor

ROARING and pitching water three to four feet in the air, Rocky Fiord falls presented an imposing sight as our canoe rounded a bend in the Niobrara River in north-central Nebraska. This was the climax of a two-day float, and a drenching at the trip's end had not been included in our agenda.

"Pull for the north shore and hit the sand bar," Gene Hornbeck, staff photographer and my canoeing partner, yelled from the stern. "We'll have to stick on the bar or we're going over, equipment and all."

The prospect of going over the falls wasn't a rosy one, for there's a four-foot drop from the boulder-strewn stream JUNE, 1959 3   above to the rocky rapids below. Water shoots over in two different channels, one on each side of the river. The south channel might be passable with an unloaded canoe but the north channel, now facing us, promised a sure ducking. Water cascades out about four feet and plunges down against huge underwater boulders, then sprays back high into the air. Boulders line the riverway below the fiord, which is noted for its fine catfishing.

Some 50 feet from the shore line was the sand bar we were shooting for. It was separated from shore by a shallow, slow-moving channel. We were in the swift main channel which was carrying us rapidly toward the brink of the falls.

My paddle dug into the Niobrara, taking a shallow scoop, and sprayed Gene with a shower of water. Both of us were struggling desperately in the fast water to reach the bar. Closer and closer we were swept toward the lip of Rocky Fiord and an out-of-season spring bath.

The canoe bumped the sand bar some 150 yards above the fiord, and Gene, who was wearing hip boots, got one leg over the side to hold the canoe. But the sand provided no footing and water gushed into his boot. We floated back into the current and nearer a rough ride.

"Really hit it this time and let's try to ride the nose up on the sand," Gene shouted, now showing signs of fatigue.

We cut to a 60° angle with the current and dug in, and really had the canoe skimming the water. Our boat hit the sand bar, swung sideway in the current, and started to edge off. It was now or never. I jumped to the sand bar and luckily hit solid footing, then instantly grabbed the prow of the canoe and pulled it up on the sand. The current now pushed the stern gently into the bar and the excitement was over.

This trip had started as a canoeing venture on the Snake River, deep in the Sand Hills of Cherry County. But an unseasonal six-inch snow had clogged the road to Snake River falls, where we planned to put in. So the Niobrara River near Valentine was picked as our alternate route.

Canoeing is a sport which is somewhat of a stranger to most people in Nebraska. It's a sport which staggered to a slow death over the entire country but is now coming back stronger than ever.

Nebraska has a number of rivers suitable for canoeing, especially in the spring of the year. There are several things, though, that a person should know before attempting a trip. First, the canoeing aspirant should learn something about the river. Question the local townsmen and then inspect the river. Any stream can be dangerous if you don't know the water.

Secondly, you should do some canoeing in slowmoving water to get the feel of your outfit. Stay out of the main channel until you can handle the canoe in fast water. I was a greenhorn on this trip and gave my sidekick several anxious moments.

The first few miles of the excursion should be devoted to studying the river. Does it run deep or shallow? How fast does it travel? Watch for rocks, snags, and low water. The Niobrara has its share of boulders and shallow spots. These boulders and snags show up as white riffles, running against the current. The boulder is usually two or three feet behind the riffle, so can be avoided.

With proper precautions, a canoe trip or float down some of Nebraska's meandering streams can be the most unforgettable days of your outdoor travels. It's a chance to really live it up on some uncrowded waterways. The streams you will find, can become highways to adventure.

Many people take a river trip for fishing. But there's more to it than catching fish. There's the lazy flowing sections of the stream, watching the shore line float by, and the thrill of shooting through an occasional rapid. And the camping out, with no one within miles to bother the peaceful quiet of the night. You'll sleep like a log with the gentle breeze and gurgling river playing a lullaby. Then there are the magnificent sunrises and sunsets for which Nebraska is so noted, and the many scenic views afforded on all rivers.

There are times when you can travel for hours, cut off from man and his ways. In our IV2 days on the Niobrara, we didn't see another person. Occasionally we heard a dog bark, saw a farm house in the background, or heard a tractor. Usually on one side of the river there were high bluffs, sealing us off from the outside world, and on the other side was a buffer of tall trees.

We put in the river at noon on Tuesday, April 21, near the power dam east of Valentine. The thermometer was running cold, even with the sun shining brightly. There's no discomfort greater than being cold, so we were dressed for the occasion. Gene came decked out in longjohns, wool shirt, sweater, cap, and wool jacket. I wore a pair of warm insulated longjohns, field boots, shirt, and sweater. Some of our garb was chucked during midday.

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA 4  

During the next day and a half, we were to cover an estimated 35 miles of river. Our 16-foot canoe was well loaded with equipment and cameras, so we never did push for speed. We estimated our supplies weighed in at 75 pounds.

Jack Morgan, Cherry County conservation officer, and Corky Thornton, Valentine sporting-goods dealer, helped put us in the river and then drove our car on to Rocky Fiord, where it would be waiting when we called it quits. We took it easy for the two miles or so as Gene explained the how-to's of handling a canoe in a running stream.

Our first day afloat will bring lasting memories. We worked slowly down stream with the current, soaking in all of nature's grand show ashore and on the river. This is deep canyon country and its beauty is breathtaking. In some places, on either side of the river, are high, sheer bluffs that reach far into the sky. On the south side are birch trees which for some reason are not found on the opposite side of the stream. Even among the cliffs, hanging to every possible foothold, are pines, birch, and cedars.

Our first river encounter with wildlife was enough to make a person's heart pound excitedly. As we turned a small bend, we glided up behind two mule deer on the water's edge. They never made any attempt to move but watched, probably with wonderment, to see who had invaded their sanctuary.

We were to see many more deer before the trip was over, including 11 in one herd. When we camped that evening, we silently watched deer come down a game trail to water. Four mules in one group, and this was closely followed by three whitetails.

Once, when gliding around a bend, we surprised a raccoon playing on the river's edge. He scampered into the trees when he caught sight of us.

We only hit one trouble spot the first day. It was a small rock ledge which caused a miniature falls. The river spread out and gently dropped (continued on page 20)

JUNE, 1959 5

PHEASANTS MARKING TIME

With bumper crop of pheasants in view, game farm goes on stand-by basis. But we hold ace up sleeve by Pete Czura Associate Editor

LAST summer when M. O. Steen, Game Commission director, spoke to the Prairig Bowmen Club of Lincoln, he predicted that the 1958 pheasant season would find birds "exploring all over". He hit the nail right on the head, for the pheasant kill soared over the million mark for the first time in recent years.

Part of this remarkable comeback is due to the pheasant farm in Norfolk, which helped the wild bird gain a foothold in our state when things were rough. These gamefarm birds assumed important proportions, particularly when mother nature went on one of her perverse weather sprees in the spring and destroyed thousands of young birds. That's when the game farm's stocking program came in mighty handy.

Last month this writer visited the farm and visited with Orden E. Allen, the superintendent of this operation.

"Under normal operating conditions," he reported, "the game farm produces about 25,000 young pheasants annually. This year, however, the Game Commission decided to reduce the program to what might be called an insurance plan and our production will yield only about 10,000 birds."

Asked what he meant by insurance plan, he explained: "It's simply this: in view of the fact that our pheasant population in the wild is so abundant, there is no need to assist the birds in holding the population line. But in case of some natural calamity, we would at least have a few thousand birds to place in areas where they had been hit the hardest. So this year, all booster units will be discontinued with one or two exceptions."

The game farm has been in constant operation since 1937. From then through 1949, approximately 130,000 gamefarm birds were released in 84 counties. And during the past nine years, 177,877 birds were raised and stocked.

The maintenance of such a game farm requires keeping the birds in clean and healthy surroundings. There are 190 breeding pens, 12 x 12, containing seven hens and one cock to each pen. Pens are moved frequently by a specially built rig which two men can carry, onto freshly planted alfalfa which becomes a part of the birds' daily diet along with grit and grain. To put it simply, this system is called "preventative sanitation".

"Peak egg production," according to Lloyd Vance, game-division chief, "is reached around mid-May when the hens produce a daily output of about 1,100 eggs."

When I visited Norfolk, production was around 750 eggs daily.

The eggs are collected twice a day, placed in special crates, and stored in a cool basement prior to taking them to a private hatchery at Blair. While in the basement, the eggs are turned once a day to keep the egg yolk centered. Once at the hatchery, the eggs are hatched in 23 days and the young birds are taken immediately to the game farm where they are placed in brooders that are heated electrically.

There is not a single bird on the game farm over one-year old, and all breeders are released as soon as a sufficient amount of eggs have been collected. This is usually in June. The breeding stock of hens and cocks is tested twice a year for the pullorum disease, bacillary white diarrhea. This is done in a simple manner by pricking a 6 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   vein underneath the bird's wing and obtaining a single drop of blood. This blood is placed upon a pre-heated piece of glass which contains a drop of strained antigen. If the blood sample coagulates, then the bird is infected. However, if there is no reaction, the bird is pullorum-free.

These tests are necessary to maintain the best, most-healthy stock available on the game farm which in turn will produce hardy birds for next year's breeding program. Adult birds carrying this disease can be easily detected by the tests, and are destroyed at once.

Several years ago the game farm embarked on an unusual and ambitious experiment to be able to better determine what sex ratio was best in producing fertile eggs. Varying amounts of hens were placed in pens with one cock: 1 to 5; 1 to 10; 1 to 15; 1 to 20, and 1 to 25. After the records were checked, the results of this experiment indicated that one cock can serve 25 hens with excellent fertility.

Don't let this 1 to 25 figure mislead you into thinking that birds in the wild can duplicate this feat. Availability of hens is the greatest reproducing factor in the wild. And a little known fact is added to the above statistics which may interest you. It is not necessary to have many matings to produce a single clutch of eggs. One mating between the cock and hen will suffice.

The battle to keep the birds alive by keeping them disease-clean is not the only battle fought by the men at the game farm. A continual struggle to combat such deadly predators as cats, raccoons, and rats is waged all the time. And during the winter, when the young birds are in huge open pens—without top screen covering for protection the great-horned owl becomes the most damaging and severe predator of all.

"This year," Vance said, "is the first year in many in which most counties capable of supporting a pheasant population have adequate breeding numbers. Until this changes, our game farm will remain on a stand-by basis, ready to help in case of an emergency."

Nebraska is blessed with one important factor which contributes greatly to our tremendous pheasant population. In fact, Steen believes that the key word to this bumper crop is environment. With lots of cover, plenty of food, and a good shake from the weatherman this summer, we'll have birds "exploding all over" again this fall. Some of those birds you'll be trying to bag could be from the game farm.

THE END. MAY, 1959 7

WEEKENDERS

A weekly vacation! They said it couldn't be done. Here's how the author sees it by Gene Hornbeck Photographer-Writer

IF you are like most people, the summer months bring pleasant thoughts of travel and vacation fun. Memories of last year's outing are so vivid that you begin kindling plans for this year's trip. But then your enthusiasm wanes, for there's a fly in the ointment—vacation times comes but once a year and passes ever so quickly. Before you know it the '59 trip will be a memory.

But it needn't be so. There are more vacation trips available for the asking, though in smaller doses. All you have to do is to take advantage of those lost weekends. Convert them into pleasurable days of seeing, fishing, and playing Nebraska. And you can do it, regardless of where you live in the state, providing you have automobile transportation. Do the bulk of your driving after work Friday, have your fun on Saturday and Sunday morning, then swing for home Sunday afternoon.

The first question to pop up in your mind is where can a person drive on a weekend in Nebraska and still have time to have any fun? And what is there to see and do when you get there?

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA  

You're in for the surprise of your life, for a multitude of scenic, historic, fishing, and play spots unfold within a four-hour drive of most towns and cities in the state. How much you make of your lost weekends is entirely up to you. The potential is there.

To help your weekend timetable we've worked out a map encompassing some of the state's "must see" spots, using four cities, because of their geographic location, as starting points. A 200-mile radius is shown from each of these cities and represents approximately four hours of driving time. You can draw a similar radius from your home town and see the vista of attractions awaiting you.

Let's assume, for the purposes of this story, that you live in Lincoln and finish work on Friday at 5 p.m. Where can you go and what can you see over the weekend?

First it is suggested that you inform the lady of the house if this is to be a family affair so that she will have everything ready to go. Better yet, do as much packing and preparatory work as possible Thursday night so that you are ready to leave immediately after you get off work.

There are a number of factors that will influence what you can do on these weekenders, the primary ones being how you intend to eat and sleep. If you plan going to an area only for fishing, a tent or house trailer serves very well as you will have enough time to cook your meals and do camp chores. If it is to be a family camping and fishing trip, you might want to use commercial accommodations that first night because of your late arrival in the area. But then if the family is game, you might still want to set up camp, regardless of the late hour.

If your trip is to be a sightseeing tour, commercial accommodations will fit the bill best, for they'll allow more time to see more places. Setting up camp and preparing meals are time consuming.

A combination sightseeing tour, fishing, and camping weekend can be handled well by planning the trip in advance. Set up camp in a state-owned or managed recreation area within a short driving distance of two or three scenic or historic spots you wish to visit.

For an example, if you were in the Lincoln radius and were camping at Crystal Lake Recreation Grounds at Ayr, you could go north 10 miles to Hastings and delight in the attractions at the House of Yesterday during midday. The morning and evening hours would be free for fishing and recreation at the camping area. Or you can drive west to Minden in less than an hour for a tour of Pioneer Village, returning in early afternoon to prepare your evening meal on the campfire.

Many state recreation areas are within an easy fourhour drive from any point in Nebraska. For example, Gavins Point Reservoir, one of our best fishing areas, is within the 200-mile radius of Lincoln. So are Harlan, Johnson, Midway, and Gallagher Canyon reservoirs and recreation grounds. Ponca State Park which has camping, fishing, and swimming, is only 147 miles from the Capital City.

Perhaps some central Nebraska residents have never seen some of the sights the larger eastern cities have to offer. If you wish to camp within easy driving distance of Lincoln or Omaha, there are recreation grounds beckoning. The Blue River area near Milford is just a short spurt from Lincoln. The Fremont and Memphis Lake recreation grounds serve both major cities.

National attractions such as the State Capitol, Morrill Hall, and Nebraska Historical Society in Lincoln are well worth the weekenders' time. Omaha offers, among a host of other things, Boys Town, Joslyn Memorial Art Museum, and the different meat-packing companies.

North Platte area residents are fortunate in the fact that they have within their 200-mile radius a wealth of JUNE, 1959 9   scenic and recreational areas. All of the major reservoirs, the fabulous Sand Hills lakes, and most of the major rivers of the state are within their area. Spots like the Halsey Forest, Fort Niobrara, the original Pony Express station at Gothenburg, and Fort McPherson south of Maxwell are reached in four hours of driving or less, par driving time for the weekenders.

Out in the scenic panhandle, centering around Scottsbluff, places to camp, fish, and see abound. The Scotts Bluff National Monument, Wildcat Hills Recreation Grounds, and Fort Robinson State Park are a few of the better-known areas. Superb fishing for bass and panfish can be had at Smith Lake Recreation Grounds in Sheridan County, a three-hour drive from Scottsbluff. This is to name only a minute part of the recreational fun available to area residents.

To see what could be accomplished on a "weekender" sightseeing tour from Lincoln, my wife Laura, daughter, Peggy, 7, and son Paul, 3, selected a housetrailer. Chaplin Trailer Sales in Lincoln, outfitted us with a 15-foot sportsman trailer that is designed to sleep four people. Bottle gas is used for cooking and lighting.

With car and trailer loaded, and children excited, my wife picked me up at work at 5 sharp, and we were on our way. First stop was Beatrice, where we visited the Homestead National Monument. Then we swung west On Highway 3 toward our destination of Harlan Reservoir. Jefferson County Recreation Grounds was just a few miles out of the way.

We arrived at Harlan about 10:30 and spent the night on the area reserved for trailers. The next morning we visited with Everett and Rae Cramer at their near-by Patterson Harbor concession. The kids enjoyed a ride in Everett's big inboard.

This area offers a variety of recreation for the sports-minded tourist. Boating and fishing are the primary interests, but there are other attractions to lure the travelers. One "must see" feature is the imposing dam.

From Harlan we swung north on Highway 383 to Holdrege, then west on 23 to Johnson Reservoir for a brief stop. From Johnson we toured north across the Platte River to Lexington and then back east to the Cottonmill Lake Recreation Grounds, northwest of Kearney. Whenever we felt the urge to stretch our legs, we stopped.

From Cottonmill we drove south and east of Kearney to Fort Kearny State Park where we had lunch. After lunch we stopped in Minden for a tour of the Pioneer Village. Some of the things that attracted the various members of our family were the China collection, old-time baby buggies, the country school, and the collection of cars and guns. Threeyear-old Paul was most pleased with the machinery that could be put in motion by pushing a button.

We spent the night near Ayr at the scenic Crystal Lake Recreation grounds. Sunday morning we loafed until noon and then visited the House of Yesterday in Hastings. This fine historic display combines a touch of yesterday with numerous wildlife habitat groups that are of interest to the entire family. The museum has the world's largest known mounted collection of the nearly extinct whooping cranes.

Our next stop was Stolley State Park at Grand Island. Ira Glasser, park superintendent, was feeding the deer. Our two sprouts got a chance to help, which to them was one of the highlights of the trip. This park is recognized for its flowers, trees, and scenic picnic areas as as well as its deer herd.

Leaving Grand Island via Highway 30, we made our last stop at the Hord Lake Recreation Grounds, southeast of Central City. Mom prepared the evening meal while dad and the kids tried a little fishing. After supper we turned south on Highway 14 to Highway 2 and then back to Lincoln, arriving there about 9 p.m.

As a family we enjoyed a pleasant weekend and took in many of the sights we never dreamed possible in so short a time. Our speedometer showed a travel of about 600 miles and our wallet an expenditure of only $30.

The Cornhusker state covers a lot of ground. But no matter where your adobe is in Nebraska, there is a multitude of places to see and things to do. So first chance you get, turn those lost weekends into happy days.

THE END

10 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

JUNE, 1959

JOHNSON LAKE

by James Tische Associate Editor Like a powerful magnet, this fun spot attracts thousands annually

JOHNSON Reservoir, on the Dawson-Gosper counties border, has long been a favorite recreation center for the residents of central Nebraska. And each year finds more and more Nebraskans and tourists from other states taking advantage of this pleasant mecca.

The Nebraska Game Commission maintains two recreation grounds at Johnson. An estimated 196,100 visitors utilized the facilities last year. The only state areas to draw a greater attendance in 1958 were Gavins Point, Fremont, Maloney, and Swanson.

Johnson is part of Nebraska's "Chain O'Lakes" which were built and are controlled by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. Lakes in the chain are used to store water for power and irrigation. Located along these lakes are nine state recreation areas.

This chain starts with a diversion dam on the Platte River, just below the confluence of the North and South Platte rivers, five miles east of North Platte. Water is diverted into a 76-miles-long supply canal. As the canal works its way south and east from the dam, it goes through territory crossed by a number of canyons. Twenty-six dams were constructed across the mouths of these canyons, forming the reservoirs of which Johnson is the largest and last. The dams range from 192 to 8,750 feet in length, with a combined length of 4.49 miles.

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation project was started in 1934 and completed in 1941. Johnson Lake's dam was closed and the lake started to fill in December 1940. The dam is V-k miles long, including the dike fill.

This lake has a surface area of 2,800 acres and a shore line of 18 miles. The maximum depth of the water is approximately 45 feet. Operation of the lake in its relationship to the district's irrigation and hydro-power facilities results in a varying water level of three to five feet.

The lake's 50,000 acre-feet capacity is sufficient to protect the water needs of the two power plants below it and the needs of the irrigation system for about a month, should something happen to the supply canal above it.

One of the power plants has two 9,000-kilowatt generators while the second plant has a single 18,000-kilowatt generator. Johnson Lake is 285 feet above the Platte River level, allowing a drop of 113 feet through Johnson No. 1 and 145 through Johnson No. 2 power plants.

The irrigation system of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District serves over 1,500 water users, irrigating in excess of 116,271 acres in the so-called Tri-County area of Gosper, Phelps, and Kearney.

Johnson is not only the largest of the canyon lakes but also has the most cabins and recreational development. Cabins surround much of its shore line.

The state's two recreation grounds, providing 50 acres of playground, afford facilities for picnicking and camping in addition to scenic grandeur. Considerable development has been done on the state's recreational facilities. All of 12 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   the cottonwood, elm, and conifer trees providing shade for the campers and picnickers were planted.

This fine area can be reached from any section of the state in four or five hours of driving time. Johnson Lake is located seven miles southwest of the town of Lexington which is on Highway 30. From Lexington a person goes south on Highway 283 and then turns off on a county road which is marked by a state recreation sign.

One of the recreation areas is located on the east side near the dam. The other area is on the south side near the inlet. There are ample fireplaces, picnic benches, water, and sanitary facilities. Playground equipment is available for the children. Also, there is a concession stand on the grounds.

Camp sites here are not unusually large but are among the nicest in the state because of the sanitary facilities, shade and isolation from a busy highway or road.

Swimming is popular on hot summer days, although no beaches have been developed. The east recreation grounds has a natural, sloping sand beach. There is also a small beach at the inlet area. Swimming is permitted but is not supervised. The heavy crowds hit during the fishing and summer picnicking seasons.

This lake is well adapted to all kinds of outdoor recreation and has become one of Nebraska's most popular areas. Wildlife and fish abound in the lake and area. For a time Johnson was the crappie hot spot in the state. The fish population now includes white bass, catfish, walleyes, and perch. Catfishing is excellent near the inlet.

The chain of lakes also furnishes some fine waterfowl shooting every fall. These lakes are stopping-over places for ducks on their southward journey.

Both power and sail boating are extremely popular at this resort. Boats can be put in easily from the sandy beaches. It is also possible to rent boats.

The area near Johnson Lake and along the chain of lakes is rich in pioneer history. A person going into this area will find many interesting historical exhibits and museums in the area. Going to Johnson, a person will cross the old Oregon Trail on the south bank of the Platte River. Troops from Fort McPherson were involved in a number of actions against Indians including the attack along the Platte River beginning with the Plum Creek Massacre on August 6, 1864. The early-day outpost of Plum Creek is now the City of Lexington.

With the approach of summer and with all recreation facilities in first-class order, this lake can provide you with many enjoyable moments in the next few months.

THE END

HOW TO BUY "THE" RIFLE

by Frank Foote

THERE was a time in Nebraska when a hunter's arsenal used to be complete if he owned a good shotgun and a .22. Today the gun rack of the all-around sportsman is incomplete if it doesn't hold one or more center-fire rifles.

There are some good reasons for this change. We've had 10 consecutive years of deer hunting, and some good antelope seasons. Varment hunting and target shooting are gaining more gunners yearly.

Many rifle owners are as touchy about their favorite guns as they are about' their pet baseball team. Tell a friend that his sweet-looking .30/30 isn't the thing for those long shots at antelope or prairie dogs and you may be looking for another friend. Suggest that your buddy doesn't really need that super-super Magnum for shooting whitetails in northern Nebraska, and there goes that hunting partner.

The Nebraska Game Commission continually receives inquiries about selection of a gun. At the risk of stirring up some arguments, OUTDOOR NEBRASKA offers a few suggestions. Keep in mind that these hints are necessarily non-specific, as no two hunting situations are alike.

Before you go to a gun shop or even pick up a catalog, know what you're planning to shoot. If you're interested only in varment shooting, the field is immediately narrowed to one of the popular center-fire .22's, or possibly one of the 6 mm. calibers. As accuracy is vital in successful varment shooting, the bolt-action is a virtual must, as are telescopic sights. Popular chamberings in this field are the .222 Remington, the .220 Swift, and in 6 mm. size, the .243 Winchester and .244 Remington. Recoil in any of these calibers is slight, and all are flat-shooting, high-speed, 14 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   high-intensity loadings. Long-range accuracy is about in the order listed, with the 6 mm. types having the definite edge because of better bullet weight and wind-bucking characteristics.

The .243 and .244 also get the nod from some quarters as being the long-awaited dual-purpose rifle because of their excellent capabilities for both varments and deer and antelope at long range.

Light recoil is another positive factor. With the arrival of these 6 mm. calibers on the market, some enthusiasts threw their old rifles into the river. But even the wildesteyed disciple of the .240 faith is silent when asked about bush-bucking ability. The light, fast bullets used in these calibers simply do not hold up. While most Nebraska deer are shot in the open, it would be well to seek a caliber with more authority if there's a chance that your deer may have to be shot through a thin screen of brush.

Should your interest be in a rifle definitely in the deer class, yet still mild in recoil, one of the .25's may be of interest. These include the .250/3000 Savage in the leveraction model and the .257 Roberts in bolt-action. Both are entirely satisfactory and time proven. Varments and deer loadings are available.

Should you be in the rifle market and your enthusiasm be ahead of your finances, don't despair. That war trophy Jap could be your answer. Contrary to rumor and prejudice, most Jap rifles are entirely safe with the right ammunition, and many are accurate. Good factory-loaded ammunition is now widely available. Have a trusted gunsmith who knows Japs check it over before you buy one. Tests have shown that good Jap actions are among the strongest ever made. Either the 6.5 or the .31 is entirely adequate for anything one might shoot in Nebraska.

Another sleeper in rifle calibers is the little 7 mm. Although no longer available in new domestic-made rifles, imports of high-grade European sporting rifles and wide sales of foreign surplus military weapons will keep this caliber alive for some time. There is a wide range of bullet weights available in factory loadings.

An all-round gun may be second-best for much of your game. Here is the scoop on matching caliber to target

An uneasy truce exists between advocates of the .270 Winchester and the .30/06. Frankly, a deer hit well with either caliber won't know the difference. In factory loadings the .270 has the edge in flatness of trajectory and lessened recoil, while the .30/06 has a slight lead in muzzle energy and availability of different weight bullets. Both calibers are used successfully on animals that are far harder to drop than the deer and pronghorns that make up Nebraska's big game. Hand loaders find that they can step up their .30/06 loadings proportionately more than the already hot .270 loadings. Both are used for varment hunting in the less-settled areas where noise is not a factor. The .280 Remington and .308 Winchester are also similar.

Most folks know that the .30/06 has been the standard military cartridge of the country for over 50 years. The "06" stands for 1906, the year of adoption. Probably more research and study has gone into the development and production of this cartridge than into any other ever developed in America. Ammunition is available everywhere, and the cartridge has adequate power for any game found in the Western hemisphere. The economy-minded rifle buyer would do well to consider the millions of used surplus .30/06 military rifles that are in private hands and on the market.

What the .30/06 Springfield is to America the .303 S.M.L.E. is to England and the Commonwealth nations. While the various models of the short-magazine Lee-Enfield are neither slim, trim, smooth, or lovely, the basic fact remains that if in good condition they are safe, accurate, and almost as powerful as the .30/40. Thousands are being imported at reasonable prices to the United States as the British Commonwealth converts its infantry weapons to semi-automatics firing the 7.62 N.A.T.O. cartridge. Ammunition is widely available.

No discussion of calibers could be complete without mention of the .30/30. This second-oldest American smokeless-powder cartridge probably has taken more deer in the U. S. than all other cartridges combined. This is in spite of the fact that the .30/30 is not a high-velocity, flat-trajectory, super-powerful round. Ammunition is available at every crossroads store. Hunters who try to stretch ranges on the .30/30 will probably have long faces, but for most deer hunting it is adequate, even in a prairie state like Nebraska where most venison is taken at under 100 yards.

The type of action, too, is important in selecting a rifle. In strength, bolt actions probably have the lead, although recent developments in firearms design have produced pump, lever-action, and semiautomatic rifles with adequate strength for the higher-pressured cartridges. Semiautomatics have the edge in speed of the second shot, with lever-action and pump guns a close second, and the bolt action a poor third. Generally, relative speed of the second shot is emphasized far out of proportion, and correct placing of the first shot is the important factor. In order to ease recovery of brass, reloaders almost universally prefer the bolt-action, as do serious bench-resters and target shooters. What type of action is best for you is a matter of personal preference and trial and error.

Beginners tend to be "overgunned". The constant quest for more and more power in rifles has led many hunters to believe that the only good rifle possesses extreme velocity and energy figures and consequently a heavy recoil. Too much recoil means flinching and misses, and all the JUNE, 1959 15   power in the world is in vain when the bullet doesn't strike the target. A good rule to follow is to adopt as your regular rifle one with a little less recoil than you think you can stand.

Any suggestion that reasonably powered rifles may be sometimes preferable to the extra-powered Magnums will certainly bring adverse comments from some Magnum fans. Any rifle with adequate power is a good rifle if you can shoot it well, and the Magnums certainly have their place for long range and for heavy game.

The main object in shooting a rifle is to place the bullet where you wish to put it. Even in Nebraska you can drive several hundred miles, hunt for several days, and still just have one good chance at your target. So, make the first shot count. This means practice. Nebraska is fairly well supplied with National Rifle Association affiliated rifle clubs, which provide their members with a safe place to shoot and when needed, competent instruction.

The Game Commission has a regulation requiring that a rifle used for deer and antelope hunting possess at least 900 foot pounds energy at 100 yards. This regulation has stood the test of time. A list showing some of the acceptable calibers follows:

REPRESENTATIVE LEGAL CALIBERS AND LOADS FOR BIG GAME HUNTING IN NEBRASKA Bullet Caliber Weight (grains) .243 Winchester 100 .244 Remington 90 .250 Savage 100 .257 Roberts 117 6.5 mm. Mannlicher-Schoenauer 160 6.5 mm. Jap 140 .270 Winchester 130 .280 Remington 150 7. mm. Mauser 175 .30/30 Winchester 170 .30 Remington 170 .308 Winchester 150 .30/06 150 .300 H. & H. Magnum 180 .30/40 Krag 180 .300 Savage 150 .303 Savage 180 .303 British 215 7.62 mm. Russian 150 7.7 mm. Jap 150 8 mm. Mauser 170 8 mm. Label 170 .32 Remington Automatic 170 .32 Winchester Special 170 .33 Winchester 200 .348 Winchester 200 .35 Winchester 250 .35 Remington 200 .358 Winchester 200 .375 H. & H. Magnum 270 .401 Winchester Automatic 200 .405 Winchester 300 .45/70 Government 405 The foil-wing calibers and loads are legal but not recommended. In the hands of an expert they may be satisfactory. .220 Swift 48 3490 1300 .22 Savage High Power 70 2480 955 .25 Remington Automatic 117 2020 1060 .25/35 Winchester 117 1950 985 .32/40 High Velocity 165 1650 1000 .351 Winchester Self-Loading 180 1560 975 Velocity at Energy at 100 yards, 100 yards, feet per foot second pounds 2790 1730 2850 1630 2500 1390 2280 1350 1950 1350 2450 (est.) 1860 (est.) 2850 2340 2700 2440 2170 1830 1890 1350 1890 1350 2570 2200 2670 2370 2670 2850 2250 2020 2390 1900 1810 1310 1900 1720 2570 2205 2420 (est.) 1950 (est.) 2140 1730 2260 1930 1900 1325 1920 1390 1870 1555 2140 2030 1910 2025 1830 1490 2210 2160 2460 3620 1750 1360 1940 2510 1160 1210 16 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

CARP SCORING... 8 easy steps

JUNE, 1959 17

SEARCHING EYES

by Willetta Lueshen

COMMON in Nebraska is a group of cars stopped along a lonely country road with binoculars protruding from every window. The searching eyes are not looking for flying saucers or satellites but rather for one of the great wonders of nature, birds.

Many Nebraskans participate in this great outdoor activity. It is not uncommon to see an excited group gathering for a bird foray in the wee hours of a Sunday morning when everyone else is sound asleep.

Generally the attire is somewhat shabby. Some have a favorite garment to wear. It may be a battered felt hat that has been worn for the last 15 years. Or it may be a pair of comfortable boots which have weathered thorns and poison ivy, mud and snow for many years. Most certainly it is no Fifth Avenue Easter parade.

Members of the expedition carry binoculars or scope, or both, and a well-used bird book. Some carry a camera and perhaps telephoto equipment. And if it is a trip that will last several hours, a supply of sandwiches is in order.

An organized group usually has a captain who has planned the trip. He chooses the route, picking infrequently traveled roads where wildlife is less apt to be disturbed. Many stops are made to identify a hawk on a wire or a sparrow in a bush. But most of the morning is spent walking through a wooded area, or along the shores of a lake or stream. During the entire journey a complete list of the birds seen is recorded.

Many discussions arise as to the identity of the species observed. Usually there will be a few in each group who have sufficient experience to distinguish the different birds. Sometimes the song alone is clue enough for those with keen hearing to identify the species, for each bird has its own song. A special flight pattern, a wag of the tail, or the habitat in which it is found often will be enough to tell the experienced observer the bird's identity.

Many people, both scientists and amateurs, enjoy studying bird life. Few states have a greater number of bird species to observe than does Nebraska, for in the state the western and eastern species meet. The great variety of habitat, from grassland to forests, is an attraction for many birds. Each year many people from other states come here to study bird life. About 500 Nebraskans are active members of organized bird clubs in all corners of the state. Thousands more have a casual interest in bird study.

Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Hastings, North Platte, Chadron, and Plattsmouth all have bird clubs. The largest organization in the state is the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union with more than 200 members. Organized in 1899, it is one of the oldest bird-study clubs in the United States. No other group has contributed more to ornithological science in Nebraska than N.O.U. The most important information is published in a quarterly magazine, "Nebraska Bird Review", which is sent to most of the 49 states and to many foreign countries.

Nebraska Ornithologists' Union holds a two-day convention each year in May. The first day is devoted to talks and films about birds. On the second day, a well-planned field trip is held to survey the birds of the area. The 1959 18 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   convention was held May 16-17 at Yankton, South Dakota in conjunction with the South Dakota Ornithologists' Union.

No intensified effort had been made previously to study bird life in the Lewis and Clark Lake area since the construction of Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River. The change of habitat has undoubtedly brought about changes in wildlife in the area, and it was the aim of the May convention to study these changes.

Several one-day meetings are also held each year in various parts of the state. Some of these are field trips; others are for scientific reports and films. All are open to the public.

Probably one of the greatest needs of Americans today is more hobbies, particularly constructive ones in which all of the family may participate. Those who are already ornithologists, or more commonly known as bird watchers, can never say enough in favor of their recreation. It can be enjoyed by young and old, handicapped and athletes, rich and poor. No one can be deprived of the privilege of watching the birds. It is all free. Here in Nebraska is one of the greatest sources of this great wealth of nature. Let's hope that more and more people take advantage of the opportunity available in their own back yard.

The need for educational hobbies grows as the work week shortens. One of the greatest pleasures of the hobby is the possibility that the amateur may contribute some scientific facts yet unknown, for most certainly there is still much to be learned about birds.

THE END

SPEAK UP

Send your questions to "Speak Up/' OUTDOOR NEBRASKA, Stale Capitol, Lincoln 9, Nebraska Skin Diving and Fishing

What are the regulations concerning skin diving and fishing in Nebraska? Skin diving is gaining in popularity in this state and we believe laws should be set up to govern this situation."—Mrs. Walter Carlyle, Grand Island.

Presently there are no prohibitions against skin diving and fishing, provided no spear guns are used. Hand fishing under water, too, is out. The lawful ways to take fish in Nebraska are by hooks and line in season, by spearing for rough fish in season, by bowand-arrow in season, and by snagging in season.—Editor.

You Lose Bet

"1. Is it necessary to own a permit to pick up any fur-bearing animal off the highway, after it had been struck by another auto? 2. I made a bet that in order to hunt coons with dogs you must own a trapping permit. Do I win?—H. J. Arends, Blue Hill.

If you pick up any fur-bearing animals you must have a trapping permit. As to your second question, you are right in saying that you need a trapping permit to hunt as you described. A hunting permit allows you to do the same thing. In other words, either permit will do the job. For further particulars see Speak Up in May OUTDOOR NEBRASKA and refer to sections 37-101, 204, and 513 of the Nebraska Game Laws—Editor.

79/7 Was The Year

"I have two questions regarding permits. Was 1911 the first year we had to have hunting and fishing permits in the county in which we were residents? And is a permit required to hunt jack rabbits?"—W. L. Golden, Hastings.

You hit the nail on the head with the 1911 figure. Prior to that time, state residents could hunt or fish in the county of their residence without a permit. No to your second question. Jack rabbits are not game animals and no permit is needed to take them.—Editor.

Lab or Chesapeake?

"Which dog, Labrador or Chesapeake Bay, is the best for icy-cold water retrieving?—Roger Morris, Gering.

Dogs are like cars. You might like a four-door sedan and someone else admires a sports coupe. It simply boils down to making a personal choice. Both dogs are marvelous retrievers and make excellent companions at home or afield. However, the Lab has been forging ahead in popularity, probably because of its many fieldtrials wins.—Editor.

CRAMER'S BOAT DOCKS Located on Patterson Harbor Road No. 3, south of Harlan County dam Rental boats, bait, cafe, cement boat ramps for private boat owners, fuel mixtures, and transit dock space.

DOWN THE NIOBRARA

(Continued from page 5)

over the falls, giving us very little water to float the canoe. We grounded in several places before getting over the ledge into deeper water.

Near evening we started to look for a likely spot to camp. The place picked was a beauty. It was a small meadow and at one end had a small stream flowing into the river. We camped in the corner at the mouth of the creek.

Our first job was to borrow a bed of hay from a near-by haystack to put under the floor of our mountain tent. It was cold and we wanted some insulation against the ground. The temperature that first night dipped to 23°.

20 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA  

After gathering wood we started the campfire. The day on the river had built up a king-sized appetite. Six-foot, one-inch Gene stashes plenty of food away even at home, so you can imagine the food we needed. The coffee over the open fire was a delightful aroma and the stew was even better.

We explored a couple of canyons and then relived the day's activities at the campfire. It wasn't long after that we were in our down-lined sleeping bags and lost to the world. A heavy coat of frost formed on our tent and our water bag froze solid.

The next morning when we crawled out of our warm sleeping bags, we had an early visitor. A mink was playing in the water on the far side of the river, but made a fast exit when we appeared. A quick fire, followed by coffee, bacon and eggs, and we soon forgot the chill.

Breaking camp, we wrapped our gear in the tarp, lashed it in the canoe, and were on our way again. We ran into a few more obstacles than the first day and the current seemed to run faster. We elected to walk our canoe through one set of rapids. These were probably navigable without a heavy load and would be a good challenge for anyone in a lightly loaded craft. We roped through the rapids and continued our trip downriver.

Our next rough spot was Rocky Fiord, just southwest of Norden, and the end of our trip. Below the fiord, the river spreads out.

For anyone planning a canoe trip on the Niobrara, spring is probably the best time as the water level is up. Later in the summer some of the shallow spots could cause trouble. The river will run in deep, rock-cut channels and then spread out to a foot or two of water over sandy bottoms.

Make a list of things you need and check them off. Early in the year, warm clothes are needed, including an extra change or two in a plastic bag in case you get dunked. Food, cooking utensils, waterproof match case, tent, sleeping bag, and hatchet are other essentials. Also some sun-tan oil as my sun-burned nose is proof enough.

Canoeing is fun, and Nebraska has its share of wild, unspoiled country for the outdoorsman to challenge. It all adds up to a lot of recreation with a minimum of expense. THE END

JUNE, 1959 21

THE CATTY BLUE

Day in, day out, this stream pays handsome dividends for a Crete "loner" with a system by Elmer Clark

FOR 16 straight years I hadn't missed a day of wetting a line for some kind of fish. But then along came World War II and a tour of duty in the Armed Forces that took me away from my beloved Blue River and its horde of catfish. Now I've got another string started, with six straight years going, and the way things look I just might beat that old record.

Growing up in Crete, I learned to enjoy the bountiful wildlife that nature has provided. Year-round I spend 22 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   most of my free time outdoors. Summer finds me concentrating on my own system of landing lunker catfish, and the fall of the year will have me afield in pursuit of quail, pheasants, and rabbits.

Right now I am the maintenance man at a local grain company. My workday begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Thirty minutes after quitting time, you can find me setting out lines for the whiskered denizens of the deep.

If you hear people in this town call me "a loner", they're right. I generally fish alone. There's one exception, though; my family sometimes tags along when I go catfishing in the Blue. Fact is, they enjoy fishing almost as much as I do. Maxine, who would rather have you call her "Mickey", is my fun-loving wife. She loves the sport. And our children probably have more fishing lore stashed inside them than most old-timers. Richard, a typical boy who loves baseball and the outdoors, has the fishing bug worse than me, if that's possible.

Maxine, our daughter, is a southpaw angler. She was having a rough time on this trip I'm about to tell you about. At a pond east of Crete, where my family was busy catching sunfish for bait, Maxine was a bundle of complaints. Finally, after she could take the jeering of her brother Richard no longer, she cut loose with a scathing "How many did you catch yesterday?" Nary a reply, for she had caught most of the family's supply. In 17 minutes this trip out, my clan had nearly 40 sunfish, and all were taken on worms. The sunfish averaged about three inches in size.

Right here, I'd like to tell how I stumbled onto this bait pond. A few years back, while hunting pheasants in the vicinity, I noticed this pond nestled in a valley. The next year, when some of my favorite bait spots began to fold up, I remembered this pond and tried it. I struck it rich, pulling out 22 sunfish in less than 10 minutes. I've been coming back here ever since.

As for fishing equipment, we simply cut off a small tree branch, put on a five-pound-test line with a No. 10 hook, and slip a wriggling worm over the barb. No sooner do we drop the worm into the water, then the bobber, made from a twig, begins to twitch. When that happens, we pull the hook out with a swift jerk and ploop! Out comes a frisky sunfish.

With the sunfish splashing about in the minnow bucket, we drove west of Crete to Maple Grove, our catfish rendezvous. This spot on the Blue is a favorite of local anglers. The time now was about five bells.

Mickey, a talented fisherwoman in her own right, believes that fishing is an ideal way of keeping the family together. She has often said that, "If more parents would follow our example, I am sure there would be less juvenile delinquency."

Our son Richard is my No. 1 backer. He boasts that I'm the best catfisherman in all Nebraska. I don't argue with him, for if I can't catch fish, no one can. Take the JUNE, 1959 23   past three days, for instance; I caught a 21-pound yellow, a 16-pound blue, and a 6-pound channel.

For a long time, people have been asking me to tell them my secrets. Actually, I have none to tell. My technique is simple. First, I use only live bait to bag my cats. Bait like chicken entrails, used by many cat fishermen, is something I won't touch. It makes me angry to see a stinking mess of entrails rotting on the bank. The people leaving these behind shoud be arrested for "litterbugging".

Live bait, including sunfish, bullheads, frogs, carp, and young sparrows, has brought me my best success. Of course, fish used as bait must be caught legally; not seined. I get my birds by robbing nests at the grain mill, where I work. The officials are glad to have me do this as the nests cause electrical shorts when built on or near the power lines.

Many fishermen believe that dead fish make good bait. That's not true in my book. I usually impale my bait by the tail with a No. 5 hook. This gives them a chance to move about naturally and present a tempting morsel. When catfish take my bait, they grab the hook, too, and then they're mine.

I use a chalk line for catfishing and set out the legal limit of five hooks per line. Best producing areas are deep holes, near brush piles, around big logs, along rapids, and sometimes near the washed-out dam on the Blue River in Crete.

Each evening, around 5, I set my lines along the areas I described. During the working week, I limit myself to three lines. More would require too much of my time. On weekends, though, my entire family sets out the works 12 lines containing 60 hooks, the legal limit. Each morning around 5:30, before I go to work, I check the lines put out the night before. A ripple of excitement rips up my back every time I near my lines, wondering if some lunker has fallen for my offering.

My most memorable catfishing events occurred in 1939 and 1947. That 1939 deal is a sad one. You see, I caught a 73-pound catfish on bullhead bait. This far exceeded the recognized. Nebraska record. Through an oversight, and I blame no one but myself, my catch was never properly recorded with the Game Commission. Unofficially, though, I lay claim to the record. (Editors note: the state record yellow catfish weighs 56 pounds, 8 ounces and was caught in 1958. For additional information on how to make a proper claim for a record catch, see page 20 of OUTDOOR NEBRASKA, April 1959 issue).

The other experience, though, more than made up for my early blunder. I was using an 8-inch bullhead for bait on one of my set lines, when a 14-pound yellow gulped the bullhead. Along came a 43-pound yellow that hit that 14-pounder like an express train. The big boy's feasting on the smaller cat ended abruptly when the gill horns prevented any further eating ideas. But he was hooked for good. He stayed that way, with the head of the small cat lodged in his mouth, till I came along. I got both fish for a total weight catch of 57 pounds.

Tonight was no different than the hundreds of other nights we fish here. Doors flew open before the car stopped rolling. Maxine grabbed the oars, while Richard toted the minnow pail. I gave them the same warning I've uttered a hundred times: "Watch that electric fence". And with the children leading, Mickey and I followed to the river where we park our boat, a 12-foot wooden job.

That Mickey, is the best partner I can have in a boat. While I check the lines, she rows the boat and does a darn good job of it. We stowed our gear in the boat and then set out. Once we got settled, I pointed to a washed-out bank. Mickey knew what I meant. She rowed easily and swiftly. As we headed for the spot, I hauled out about 50 feet of new line and set my hooks about 5 feet apart.

Then, where an old tree's roots were sticking out of a deep bank, I fastened our first line here. Anchoring the line this way eliminates the need of rods. As Mickey rowed away from the bank, I played out the line slowly, and placed a live bait on each hook. When we reached the end of the set line, I tied a part of a cement block to the end of the line, for an anchor, and dropped it silently to the river's bottom. Our first line was out.

Next we headed for brush pile about 200 yards downstream. A few minutes later another line was out for some unsuspecting cat. We shifted our scene of operations by heading upstream, and checked the lines I'd set out the night before. With the river's depth fluctuating, as it has lately, I didn't think we'd find cats on our lines this trip. But I was fooled, for we found two nice cats on our lines. They'd total about 10 pounds.

It was close to six now. One more line and we'd be done. The kids set out the last line, else they'd lose interest in the sport.

For years I have taken many 30 to 50-pound cats from this the Blue. To me it's a river filled with adventure and excitement. And the gentle laps of its waters brushing the shore will always lure me back here no matter where I am. Other fishermen may have taken bigger cats, though I doubt this. But I'll tell you one thing: I wouldn't trade any of mine for theirs.

THE END 24 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

Outdoor Elsewhere

Squatter's Rights

SOUTH DAKOTA ... A fight over squatter's rights jumped right out of the television westerns into a South Dakota pasture this spring. A buck deer pre-empted farmer Sam Fisher's pasture near Wessington last winter. Being the lone inhabitant over the snowy months he naturally got to feeling pretty possessive about the area. According to onlookers the buck was "extremely reluctant" to let Fisher put his cattle in the pasture this spring. The bad-tempered fellow attempted to drive the cattle out of the pasture until he was scared off.

* * * $300 Rut

MISSOURI . . . Some people never give up trying. Conservation Agent John Knott recognized a familiar face on a commercial fisherman arrested one day for violation of regulations. Knott had assisted in this fellow's arrest five times in the last 11 months. Knott estimated that these attempts to skip the law had cost about $300 plus court costs and 15 days in jail. That's a mighty expensive habit.

* * * Speed Rascals

CONNECTICUT . . . Have you ever gone out and fired the better part of a box of shotgun shells at game birds with no results, then wonder if the shells really had shot in them? If so, you probably weren't leading them far enough. Most shotgunners realize game birds fly pretty fast, but here are some figures from the Remington Arms Company which may help to "zero in" on birds the next time out. They are computed from the findings of a number of researchers. They may not be exactly correct, but they constitute the best information available on the subject. Dove and plover, 34 miles per hour; quail, prairie chicken, ruffed grouse, jacksnipe, mallard, black duck, spoonbill, pintail, wood duck, widgeon, and gadwall, 41 m.p.h.; swan 45 m.p.h.; Canada goose and brant, 48 m.p.h.; green-wing teal, 79 m.p.h.; redhead, 82 m.p.h.; blue-wing teal, 89 m.p.h., and canvasback, 94 m.p.h.

* * * He Couldn't Learn

FLORIDA . . . Apparently a fish doesn't become smarter with age. Three years after he was ignobly tagged and weighed a sailfish again fell for the bait. In that time he had gained seven inches in length and had more than doubled his weight. He had also picked up a number of free riders in the form of goose barnacles and marine moss.

* * * Shock for Fish Shockers

LOUISIANA . . . Six men were given jail sentences recently for possession or use of electric fish-shocking machines as results of a drive being made on fish shockers by law-enforcement agents of Louisiana. The men were sentenced up to 90 days in parish jails.

* * * "Homing" Fish

WISCONSIN . . . The fisherman's usual concept of a fish "home" is simply the whole lake or stream. Biologists find, however, that the homes for many species of fish are much more localized. The hole, weed bed, or bar is probably a sharper definition of home. Research at the University of Wisconsin on displaced green sunfish in a small pond revealed that 85 to 95 per cent of the fish returned to the corner from which they had originated. In most cases, this was done with the precision of a homing pigeon. Largemouth bass also tend to have a home to which they returned 68 to 73 per cent of the time. Anglers should take notice. If you had a strike at a certain location once, better check that fish home again.

Spry at 63

WISCONSIN ... A carp in a stock watering tank on Glen Wire's farm outlived several generations of the Wire family. Placed there in 1895 the carp died recently at the ripe old age of 63 years. In that time he grew from six to 17.1 inches. His recipe for a happy long life—no hooks, no lures, and an occasional visit from a thirsty cow for companionship. Although biologists cannot verify his age, it appears that the carp might have remained in good health because of cold well water maintained at a fairly constant temperature throughout the seasons.

* * * Odd Bedfellows

PENNSYLVANIA . . . Crow hunter Gene Coleman came upon a pretty picture that made him forget all about the feathered pests for a while. Investigating a movement in the woods in Lackawanna County, he spotted a small deer and a very small mongrel dog who were evidently the best of friends. At the approach of the interloper, the pup took fright and scooted between the deer's legs to hide. As if to tell him that he would protect him, the deer playfully butted the dog with its head and shoved him away from danger. As Gene came closer the two ran off together. How the two struck up their unusual friendship would be interesting to know. Perhaps they weren't old enough to have had deer and doggy schooling in the arts of hunted and hunter.

JUNE, 1959 25

Notes on Nebraska Fauna

CORMORANT

by Pete Czura, Associate Editor In full nuptial attire, cormorant is ugly, fearsome bird. Also known as black-goose and lawyer, this bird has no peer as fish getter. It congregates in communal fish drives. McConaughy is one of major stopping-off points

ABOUT the only fisherman in the state who thinks nothing of exceeding the catch limits of all species of fish is the double-crested cormorant. The scientific name is Phalacrocorax auritus auritus.

Among the bird's common names are shag, lawyer, water turkey, and black goose. Wearing a greenish-black coat of brilliant plumage, he stretches out a a 33-inch length.

Thousands of cormorants pour into Nebraska's McConaughy Reservoir and the Lewis and Clark Lake each fall, to band in a communal fishing spree. At the same time, on other lakes in the Sand Hills, they inaugurate their famed fishing drives. Smith Lake, in Sheridan County, plays host to several hundred cormorants each year. And though not abundant, a few stragglers may be seen in the spring at Memphis, Murdock, and Capitol Beach lakes, on the Platte, and along the Missouri River.

Cormorants breed along a vast stretch of the North American continent. Their breeding grounds extend from central Saskatchewan, southern Keewatin, northeastern Quebec and Newfoundland, south to northern Utah, South Dakota, Nebraska, southern Minnesota, and Penobscot Bay, Maine. They winter in North Carolina, and infrequently in Bermuda, with a few hardy individuals as far north as Long Island, New York.

The bird's native habitat was originally along ocean shores and large lakes. But with the growth of towns and cities, and the development of industrial and resort areas, the cormorant was forced to move inland. Like other waterfowl, it migrates in the spring and fall, and it is during migration that it is most abundant in Nebraska.

An adult double-crested cormorant in full nuptial attire, viewed at close range, is an uncanny and rather fearsome object. The eyes, small and wicked-looking, are set close to the base of the bill and are surrounded by wrinkled skin. The entire inside of the mouth is a uniform brilliant blue. Certainly the cormorant's sense of beauty tends toward the bizarre. He is a large greenish black bird with a yellow-orange face and gular pouch. His bill, designed for slippery prey, is long, narrow, and sharply hooked on the end.

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Though protected in Nebraska, cormorants may be taken in other states. They are sometimes confused by neophyte outdoorsmen as loons or geese. Once Tennessee conservation officers made a routine check of a hunter's bag. Proudly the man hauled out his fat "goose" and asked the officer to take his picture with it. They didn't have the heart to tell him his goose was a cormorant.

Had this sportsman tried to cook and eat his prize, he would have discovered quickly that it was unfit for human consumption. Leather would have been soft, compared to the cormorant. For that reason many anglers use the flesh for trotline bait. After remaining in the water for some time, it ripens and becomes soft, perfect for attracting catfish.

Experienced hunters rarely mistake cormorant for other birds, A simple way to recognize them is to note their long tail and wingbeat, which is faster than that of geese. They move through the Heavens in an orderly array, holding their necks slightly above the horizontal. This is in contrast to the neck of the loon which droops.

Nests are built almost anywhere. On the ground, they're made of twigs and weeds. Sometimes they are found nesting on ledges of sea islands, where they build their nests of fresh seaweed and kelp. Occasionally they nest alone but more often they band together forming colony-style dwellings on one tree.

The cormorant eggs are pale bluish-white overlaid with a chalky coating and about 2Vz inches long. There are usually three to five eggs in each clutch. When hatched, cormorants are naked, sooty-black, and reptile-like in appearance. They are soon covered, however, with a thick black down. When the nests are on the ground, the young take to the water faster and become expert divers before they are able to fly. When in tree-tops, they clamber out onto the neighboring bare limbs and sit in rows, waiting for the old birds to return with food.

A cormorant usually makes no sound except when disturbed from the water or from its limb perch. Whirling upward he will utter a harsh, discordant "squawkkk."

Nearly any large bird seen perched in an upright position on rocks, buoys, or tree limbs is probably a cormorant. When swimming, the bird is low in the water like a loon, but holds his neck more erect and snake-like. The bill points upward at an angle.

When irregular ranks of cormorants congregate on the water, covering many acres, a drive is ready to commence.

Black wings flail water into a lacy froth as every bird exerts his noisiest best to frighten and confuse the fish they seek. As the gap between fish and bird is closed, a graceful, leaping flip of the snake-like head takes the cormorant under water in pursuit. The dive itself is noiseless and the chase relentless.

The cormorant's underwater movements seem languid, but rough fish and minnows are easily and swiftly undertaken. The dives seldom last more than 40 seconds. The quivering meals are brought to the surface for swallowing, often crosswise in the birds' bills. Then the cormorant deftly tosses the fish into the air, catching it headfirst to avoid spines and fins, and gulps it in one greedy motion.

During the communal fish drive, some birds fall behind front-line action. When this occurs, they lumber awkwardly from the water, and with feet kicking they fly back to the head of the drive. They never dive from the air. The constant movement of laggard birds from the rear of a drive to the front is a continual, rolling-over process similar to that of a caterpillar tractor tread.

Dives become shorter as shallower water is gained. Finally the pursued fish makes one last, desperate effort to escape. A wild melee of darting fish and diving cormorants follows. Then silence reigns as the birds depart to band again for another drive elsewhere.

At times they gorge so extensively it is necessary to either regurgitate part of the fish, or to swim to their perch since they are too laden to fly. Once there, the birds stretch, preen, with the dignity of an old gentleman.

The mating ceremony is a scene never forgotten, with the female taking the initiative. The amorous one approaches boldly with neck upraised to its fullest extent, sometimes with beak wide open. Then she grips the tail feathers of the male transversely, wagging them up and down by shaking her head. If this is accomplished without rebuff, the female proudly elevates her body, and with uplifted tail, raises her head and neck directly upward and backward until it almost touches the back. Then she bursts into a series of slow, gargle-like croaks, thrusting her head forward sharply with each expression of joy.

The cormorant usually begins his life in a rookery. McConaughy Reservoir and Smith lake have such rookeries, and both are visited by many tourists and students of bird life.. The discordant cries of these birds can be heard long before they can be seen. In April, it is the noisy bickering of the parents selecting a nest site in the dead cottonwood trees; in May and June, it is the hunger cries of the young that disclose the rookery's location.

Juveniles spend about six weeks in the nest. They feed by thrusting their heads into the gular pouch of the parents and extracting the animal food it contains. Both young and parents are highly excitable, and will disgorge their food if bothered.

Market fishermen have complained bitterly of the inroads these birds make on the food fishes of the sea. A recent investigation by the Canadian Government proved beyond a doubt, though, that the destruction wrought by cormorants in the Gulf of St. Lawrence was completely overrated.

This fall, try watching the cavorting antics of these birds at one of the spots they congregate. Perhaps you will hear the cutting whistle of crisp fall air through black, cocked wings wheeling waterward from hundreds of feet above. You'll see the collapse of first one wing and then another as cormorants tumble and sideslip to lose altitude more quickly. You'll thrill at the ease they execute their gliding rushes, as they plane toward the water. Then watch the fun as these birds put on one of nature's zaniest shows, in a fishing spree that can't be duplicated.

THE END JUNE, 1959 27

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