IN THIS ISSUE: IN THIS ISSUE: TWO FEET FOR CRAPPIE (Dick Schaffer) 3 TO FEED OR NOT TO FEED (Ken Johnson) 6 HOUR OF DECISION (M. O. Steen) 9 WAYS OF THE BASS (Gene Hornbeck) 20 OUTDOOR ELSEWHERE 22 SPEAK UP 25 NOTES ON NEBRASKA FAUNA (Jim Tische) 26 TIME FOR WORMS 28

OUTDOOR NEBRASKA of the Air

SUNDAY KMAS, Sioux City, Iowa 9:00 a.m. 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. KCNL 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. KNCY, Nebr. City (1600 kc) 5:00 p.m. WJAG, Norfolk (780 kc) 8.15 a.m. MONDAY KSID, Sidney (1340 kc) 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY KJSK, Columbus (900 kc) 1:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY KTNC. Falls City 6:45 p.m. THURSDAY KCOW, Alliance (1400 kc) 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY KIMB, Kimball 7:45 a.m. KLMS, Lincoln (1480 kc) 5:15 p.m. SATURDAY KCSR, Chadron (1450 kc) 1:30 p.m. KHAS, Hastings (1230 kc) 6:15 p.m. KBRX, O'Neill (1350 kc) 5:30 p.m. KRVN, Lexington 11:45 a.m.

Set your dial each week for first-hand news on fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.

A FEW FEET FOR CRAPPIE

by Dick Schaffer Outing was a dud and all I had was a sad waterlogged minnow. Then I moved over a few steps

WITH MY health apparently in mind, Pete suggested I try fishing from the rocks below the dam, so I "wouldn't have to get into the water." I had been slowed with a springtime cold for three days and had just begun to come out of it.

"Don't want you to get worse now," the ex-Gary, Indiana newspaperman consoled. "But you wouldn't mind if I went on down to the fast water, would you?"

What choice did I have? He had his spinning outfit in hand, waders on feet, and had already sloshed into the cool, rushing waters before he'd finished his question. Call it what you want, but to me it was a sheer stroke of fisherman's luck that I was relegated to shore, for within five minutes I hit into what was the hungriest crappie on this side of the Mason-Dixon line. And the frolic continued until I called it quits with a full creel of 50.

This jaunt to Enders Reservoir, eight miles southeast of Imperial, was my first to this booming impoundment in the Frenchman Creek Valley. Not so, though, for Pete Czura, one of my side-kicks on the JUNE, 1960 3   magazine. He had been in Imperial two weeks earlier for an Extension Club meeting and had dropped out to the lake for an hour. Possibly he "cased" the lake then and decided on the fast water below the stilling basin.

A FEW FEET FOR CRAPPIE continued

The whole show, though, got under way about 10 hours earlier that Wednesday in early May. Time was 7:05 a.m., and the sky was a bit on the wet side, engulfing everything with rain as I drove three miles to Pete's home in the northeast part of Lincoln. Wasting no time, we loaded his gear. For this I was prepared, having learned that when Pete goes along, he travels heavy. I didn't have a truck but had the next thing to it, a station wagon.

As invariably happens, I had forgotten something, my ice chest. We were optimistic enough to drive back to my house to get it. Finally on the road, and hugging Highway 6, we peered through busy windshield wipers for 80 miles to Harvard. From there and on into Hastings the clouds parted and the sun shown. But the rains came again a few miles out of town and continued until McCook. An occasional drop greeted us the rest of the day.

The splattering rain, working wipers, and poor visibility that had started at Lincoln didn't keep Pete and me from our "look-see" game. We alternated driving, and while one was behind the wheel, the other spotted birds. You would be surprised at the number of birds you see when you actually look for them. This isn't recommended, though, for persons driving alone. By the time we reached Hastings our tally showed 61 pheasants. It went to 83 as we approached Enders, a commendable number considering the visibility and the wet conditions which kept the birds sitting tight.

Once we spotted what appeared to be a pheasant standing atop a railroad track. Both of us need glasses, for when we came close enough we saw the bird was a mallard drake. Later, though, we actually saw a rooster pheasant on a track. Our spottings also included hawks, sparrows, robins, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, crows, pintails, magpies, pigeons, mourning doves, meadowlarks, and too many others that neither Pete nor I could identify.

Our "look-see" game made traveling time pass much faster, and before you could count 83 pheasants, we were at Enders, a small three or four-store town a few minutes' drive from the big lake. We found local Conservation Officer H. Lee Bowers lunching in Wayne Hoskin's cafe. Wayne proved to be the friendliest and most helpful fellow going. An ardent fisherman and goose hunter, he also dabbles at bronc busting. We were to see more of Wayne that evening.

Loaded with frisky two-inch minnows, Lee led us over to the dam and on down to the stilling basin. Two fishermen worked from the rocks and another two from the breast-deep water out in the main channel.

"Here's where you should score," the affable officer said. "Six feet of water poured over the overflow gates earlier this spring, and with it came lots of fish—walleye, crappie, the works."

Pete and I lost little time breaking out our gear. Both of us had spin-cast reels with light-action rods. Pete's was a five-footer, mine, a 5%. This is when my thoughful cohort came up with that "fish from the rocks" routine. He took off for the fast water. My line was six-pound-test monofilament, and on the end I attached a pre-tied leader with a No. 6 barbed hook. Two split shot gave it all the weight needed to take the hook far enough under water.

The clouds were still heavy and the air chilly, so I sauntered back to the car and put on a sweat shirt. Over this went a light jacket. When you're fishing and the fish aren't striking, there's no place colder than a lake. On the other hand, when fish are hitting, you couldn't be warmer.

Back on the rocks again, along the east side of the stilling basin, I put on a minnow, my hook going just below the dorsal fin and behind the stomach. I cast out about 35 feet and began retrieving slowly. This I did three times before I noticed Lee was just

4 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA  

"Aren't you going to give it a try, too?': I asked.

"No, go ahead," he answered. "I'll have time later, so just have fun."

I eventually learned that Lee hadn't even wet a line yet this spring. Matter of fact, neither had I until then. A little later, though, Lee made a few casts and had two strikes, only to lose the crappie while lifting them out of the water.

A couple of more casts produced nothing except a rebaiting on my part. The casting and retrieving routine worked my minnow loose. While I was exercising to no avail, a warmly dressed fisherman to my right about 30 feet was busily pulling in crappie on a spinner.

About that time Charlie Einspahr, a long-time acquaintance and Imperial druggist, also Nebraska Council of Sportsmen's Clubs president, showed atop the bank.

"Wish we would have known you were coming," he shouted down.

"We didn't know ourselves until last evening," I countered. "But we're here now and hope to see if your fishing is as good as everyone's said it is."

After another two casts, he suggested I move to the other side of the guy with the filling creel. This I did, and it's amazing how much difference a few feet make. I'd just cast out and begun the slow retrieve when my rod arced modestly- A continued tug, release, and pull followed, and I had my first crappie. The little fellow was no battler but neither was he a dud.

Charlie's face beamed as I rocked the black crappie. He beamed even more when my second and third casts produced schoolmates for my first. My fourth and fifth casts were voids, but I scored again on Nos. 6 and 7.

About that time another voice called down, "Hi, Dick."

I looked up the rock wall to a heavily-built gentleman in a winter-type car coat. After a few seconds I recognized him to be George Rishling of Crete, an officer with the Game Commission a few years ago. He had been in Imperial on business. That finished, he was looking for action.

"Think a fly rod will work?"

"Can't see why not," was my answer. He also wanted to know how I was hooking my minnows. I told him that I started out hooking them under the dorsal fin, but since moving to the new spot had put the hook through the mouth and up and out through the head.

Assured that there was plenty of room for him to my right, he whipped his fly rod together and joined the melee. His first try scored, too, and the three of us—George to my right, the fellow to my left, and I—proceeded to rock fish with almost monotonous regularity. Our catch included both white and black crappie, with the latter predominating.

Charlie was taking in all the action, delighted at our success. He had (continued on page 24)

JUNE, 1960 5

TO FEED or NOT TO FEED

by Ken Johnson District Game Supervisor Which do you want? Wary birds or coddled game?

THE MAN'S query was only one of dozens received at Game Commission offices during the snow-besieged days of early March. "What is going to be done about our starving pheasants and quail?" he, and many like him, asked.

Landowners and sportsmen living in the regions hardest hit by the heavy snowfall were becoming concerned about the food situation for both pheasants and quail and felt that a feeding program should be initiated. The interest of these individuals was commendable—a sincere desire to help these prized game birds through a critical period.

Last winter's feeding crisis is long past. Many birds have since been spotted in the wild, busy with nesting activities, prompting one to wonder if the well-meant feeding program, small as it was, helped bring them through the winter.

Considering all factors, feeding had little effect on either pheasants or quail. The gaudy ringneck is well adapted to living off the land and can take the* capricious whims of Nebraska's winters. The pheasant is native to Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China. The winter winds that sweep across the vast plains of these areas have produced a rugged individual. There are no handouts—if the pheasant survives he does it on his own.

The main reason for pheasant losses during severe winter blizzards is due to suffocation, not starvation. Snow and ice from wind-driven snow form over the bird's head and nostrils and result in death from suffocation. Under these conditions, regardless of feed availability, many pheasants perish. Fortunately, there were very few storms of blizzard intensity this past winter. The snow settled in the general area where it fell. Only moderate drifting occurred in most of the state. Undoubtedly, if there had been a genuine "northwester" near the end of March, many pheasants would have been lost. And a pheasant feeding program would not have averted such a loss.

Ringnecks do need more food during extremely cold weather. They must feed more often to maintain body heat and vitality. However, studies have shown that birds can survive for as long as 16 days without food—depending upon temperature and the intensity of the cold weather—before starving. Pheasants were collected during the past winter to determine if they were finding enough food. In practically all cases, those collected in all types of habitat were found to have food in their crops and adequate amounts of body fat.

Costs of a large-scale feeding program are prohibitive. Studies have shown that 3V2 ounces of feed per pheasant is the normal daily intake during the winter. A conservative estimate of the winter pheasant population in Nebraska is 5 million birds. More than 18,000 bushels of corn per day would be needed to feed them. The cost—$17,325 per day. This does not include distributing costs. If all of the money derived from hunting-license sales were poured into this operation, that portion of the Nebraska Game Commission which operates on revenue from hunting licenses would be bankrupt in less than a month. No one suggested that the Game Commission attempt to feed all the birds, but this example serves to illustrate the expense involved in any large-scale feeding operation.

Temporary artificial feeding of pheasants can serve a purpose, but only if pheasant body weights are down, and it appears that they would be unable to weather extreme temperatures or a prolonged winter blizzard. With this in mind, the Game Commission did launch a limited feeding program on March 9, since two or three weeks of severe winter weather were probable in the hardest hit areas. It was thought that these birds could be brought through the remainder of the winter with the vitality required for healthy breeders. Normally, however, feeding is neither necessary nor practical.

For supplemental feeding to be effective, the feed must be distributed back from the highways near protective cover. Because of the difficulty in carrying grain through drifted snow, it is usually placed out near the roadways. Grain scattered along the highways attracts pheasants to the shoulders of the roads, and many birds are hit by cars. Such birds wind up well fed, but very dead.

Feeding tends to concentrate pheasants more than in normal winter flocking. Concentrated birds OUTDOOR NEBRASKA JUNE, 1960 7   on supplemental feed seem to become less wary than those foraging for themselves. Such birds are more vulnerable to predation. Predators soon learn that these flocks are the source of an easy meal and center their activity around these areas. Under this situation, feeding is actually detrimental. This does not imply that a predator-control program should be used to keep down the losses, but merely illustrates one of the complexities encountered when the natural scheme is altered.

TO FEED OR NOT TO FEED continued

A more adequate harvest of cock pheasants during last year's hunting season might have been beneficial during the past winter. If this sounds contradictory, stop and think about it for a minute. The more birds there are during the winter, the more food and cover required. Surplus cocks contribute nothing to the next year's population, yet they are taking food and cover that could better be used by the hen pheasants. Although extremely handsome, the cock pheasant is not very gallant. He will seek out the best food and cover, many times at the expense of the female bird.

The pheasant has a high reproductive potential. Each hen is capable of raising a large number of young. Because of this factor, they can bounce back rapidly from catastrophies such as heavy winter losses. A look at the past clarifies this point. Following the heavy pheasant losses during the severe 1948-49 blizzards, the population quickly recovered with peak numbers recorded during the summer of 1952. Even the high pheasant numbers reached last year in Nebraska were below those of '52.

Strong evidence indicates that even with the adverse weather of the past winter, the pheasant population suffered nothing more than normal winter losses. Basic pheasant life-history information is being gathered from a research study in south-central Nebraska. Counts were conducted on this area to determine the pheasant population going into the winter. kLate checks on the area were made I during the last of March. This provided information on the overwintering population, and the extent of winter losses. These counts I showed clearly that the winter losses were slight. The numbers left after the winter snows were more than adequate for good reproduction.

It isn't the shortage of food that presents a problem for the ringneck during the winter months; rather, it is the lack of suitable cover. Birds that are able to find good cover will not be subjected to the direct effects of winter wind and snow. This cover may be supplied by reeds and cattails growing in marsh and slough bottoms, weed patches, small grain stubble, tree plantings, and draws grown up to woody cover. Birds that had access to such areas this past winter are the ones that you see strutting about in the fields and on the hillsides this spring.

Land that is idled by the Conservation Reserve of the Soil Bank program is going a long way to provide much-needed nesting cover for pheasants. As more land is placed in the Conservation Reserve, more acres will become available for pheasant use.

Nebraska is on the northwest fringe of the bobwhite range. As is characteristic of all fringe areas, violent fluctuations in population can be expected. These changes may be brought about by several factors, of which weather at all seasons is the chief cause.

In most years, the spring bobwhite population is determined by production of the previous year. In other words, winter weather has little effect on th£ numbers of breeding birds. The winter of 1959-60 was not a normal year, and a good portion of the bobwhites were lost. However, spring surveys by rural-mail carriers indicate that state-wide populations are as good, or better, than the average of the last 10 years.

Exceptional populations were recorded in 1958 and 1959, and of greater magnitude than can be expected to be maintained. In 1959, the breeding population reached the highest level for which there are records; the resulting reproduction was the lowest, per hen, for which there are records. There were too many quail in the breeding population; or, rather than too many, there could have been as great a fall population with about 30 per cent less spring birds.

There were not enough quail taken last fall, in spite of liberal seasons and (continued on page 23)

8 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

HOUR OF DECISION

by M.O. Steen Game Commission Director Nebraska, with a breath-taking potential, faces a new era. Have we the vision to see, the faith to believe, and the courage to do?

THERE IS no place like Nebraska." So says the song, and it is true in some respects, especially in the field of outdoor recreation and tourist trade. But Nebraska is unusual only in the recreational potential it possesses, rather than in the facilities thus far developed.

Inadequate facilities are not peculiar to Nebraska; they are found throughout the United States. In the burgeoning East, recreation areas are at a premium, with no state prepared to meet the growing demand. In 1918, for example, national parks had a total visitation of 50,000 people. In 1958, just 40 years later the year's total mushroomed to 60 million.

BONUS IN A BOOMING OUTDOORS

Participation of the American people in outdoor recreation has developed far more rapidly than facilities. This is true in tourism as well as in other fields. Travelers must select a camping site by early afternoon to beat the plague of "Sorry, Full Camp" signs. Our national parks and forests, state parks, and related facilities all have more customers than they can handle during the height of the tourist season.

What will be needed by the year 2000? The National Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission says 4 times as many city parks, 16 times as many state and regional parks, and 40 times as many national park facilities as now exist.

A major reason for this tremendous increase in present and anticipated recreational need is the phenomenal growth of the American population. Each morning 8,000 new Americans sit down to breakfast; each month 2 cities like Lincoln are added to the population; each year, we add 3 states like Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. In the next 25 years, as many people as now live in 600 cities like Lincoln or 75 states like Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming will be added.

This tremendous increase in population is accompanied by increasing income and a shrinking work week. Higher living standards and greater leisure, as well as an irrupting population are social factors that must be reckoned with.

Twenty-five years hence—and this is really not a long time, merely a period when today's youngsters grow up to assume the responsibilities of citizenship—80 million new Americans will seek food, shelter, and recreation; 40 million new automobiles will crowd our highways. Outdoor recreation and related tourist trade is a major industry today, but—to put it tritely—"You ain't seen nothin' yet!"

This present and pending need for recreational outlets is a major social problem in the life of the nation. The truth is that there cannot be a healthy society under the conditions faced by civilization unless adequate recreational outlets are provided for the people. Americans use the outdoors as a principal source of recreation, and there is no healthier recreation for mind or body than can be fouhd in the great outdoors. The situation can best be summed up in these words: "It is far better and cheaper for the American people to build and maintain playgrounds than penitentiaries."

But as Laurance S. Rockefeller, head of the O.R.R.R. Commission points out, outdoor recreation is something more than a social factor and need. It 10 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   also has great economic significance. It has been estimated that the American people spend 40 billion dollars a 'year for recreation. In other words, the recreation bill is as big as the cost of national defense, and much bigger than many of the industries we consider economically essential.

In Michigan, for example, the tourist trade grosses $650 million a year. In Georgia, the cash income from tourism is greater than that realized from the cotton crop. The state of Florida spends $1,000,000 a year advertising for tourist trade. In addition, many municipalities in that state spend substantial sums for tourist promotion. The city of Miami Beach budgets $425,000 a year for this purpose, and with good reason. More than half of the total economy of that city depends on tourist trade. Florida attracts 11% million visitors annually, and enjoys a tourist trade that grosses $1 1/2 billion a year.

The citrus fruit and cattle industries are major sources of revenue in Florida, yet the fishing industry in that state grosses as much as the two industries combined. Incidentally, the American people spend twice as much for sport fishing in this nation as they do for dental services, medical services, and hospitalization insurance combined.

In Nebraska, outdoor recreation and tourist trade have reached a gross volume of approximately $75 million a year. In Iowa, it is $125 million; in South Dakota, $170 million; in Wyoming, $150 million; in Colorado, $300 million; in Kansas, $120 million. In Missouri, outdoor recreation and tourist trade grossed $500 million in 1959. Nebraska lags far behind any and all of its neighboring states.

The state does not, however, lack for potential. Nebraska is astride the crossroads of the nation. Interstate Highway 80 will lead directly to and through our state. This highway, and "feeder roads", begin at the extreme northeastern part of the United States at Augusta, Maine, and comes on down through Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and on westward through Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland to Chicago. Another segment comes from Boston through Albany, Rochester, Buffalo and down to Cleveland. This much of the great system has already been constructed.

Beginning where this system ends at Chicago, and coming westward to Nebraska, Interstate 80 is under construction. It will continue on through our state to the vicinity of Big Springs, where one branch will be built westward to Cheyenne, and another southwestward to Denver.

When completed, and this Interstate is added to the super highways already constructed east of Chicago, this total road system will be the best, the fastest, the shortest, and most direct route available between the populous East and the vacationland JUNE, 1960 11   West. There will be other Interstates, of course, but the road system described is important to Nebraska, because it will be the principal transcontinental highway for a large part of our population. Approximately one half of the American people live in the immediate vicinity of this system of super highways east of Omaha. As much tourist travel will originate on it and feeder roads as on all other roads combined.

When this Interstate is completed by 1975, or thereabouts, some 50 per cent of all American tourists will become Nebraska's potential customers. If the state develops the necessary attractions and facilities, they will come our way and tarry with us. Nebraska is the first western state on this route—the first state which has ample space and adequate potential to provide for their outdoor needs. Nebraska has the best business location of all—in essence, you and I control all four corners of Main Street and Broadway.

CONTROL MAIN STREET'S 4 CORNERS

The Great Plains and Rocky Mountain region is the only big area in the nation which still has adequate acreage and low-cost land for major expansion of outdoor recreation facilities.

The American people tour in privately-owned motor vehicles. More than 80 per cent travel by automobile, the balance by air, train, and bus. At the present time, they are spending approximately $16 billion a year traveling and vacationing in America. The National Association of Travel Organizations estimates that this expenditure willgrow to $30 billion by 1970. My studies of the state's tourist-trade potential lead to the conclusion that, if a vigorous program is carried out during the next 15 years, Nebraska can develop a recreation and tourist trade industry that will gross at least $500,000,000 a year. Missouri has already 12 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   reached this level. One-half billion dollars is only 1/60 of the national gross of 1970—it is not expected that the Interstate will be completed until 1975.

Water is all-important to outdoor recreation. It has been said that more recreation can be concentrated on one acre of water than on 1,000 acres of land. Water recreation takes many forms and includes all members of the family. Each can fish, swim, sail, motorboat, water ski, and picnic; in short, they can enjoy all forms of water recreation.

Nebraska has extensive water acreage in more than 3,000 natural lakes and in its many large impoundments. However, Nebraska also has great potential for further impoundment and increased water acreage. One of these potentials is the Platte River Valley along the Interstate, particularly that portion which lies between Grand Island and Big Springs.

Interstate 80 will be built on the bottom lands alongside the Platte River. Fill for the construction of the grade must be secured from the adjoining right of way. The soil types or material found in the valley are generally ideal for pumping, and ground water is present near the surface. In short, conditions could hardly be more favorable for the development of recreational water as a product of the highway construction. In most locations, pumping the grade is feasible, and the cost should be less than by other means. Sand and gravel are abundant, and ground water lies near the surface throughout the Platte River Valley.

An excavation in depth results in a lake with clean, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. It is both practical and economical to combine pumping with the usual mechanical means in the construction of this part of the Interstate.

Engineering data on soil types, ground-water levels, and the quantities of fill needed at any given location are readily available. It is a simple engineering matter to design the size, shape, depth, slope of the beach, and other features of excavations so as to create lakes ideally suited to recreational requirements. The lakes can be pumped accordingly. In short, it is quite possible and practical to design and build model water layouts for recreational use.

There are 15 intersections on the Interstate between Grand Island and North Platte. Interchanges will be constructed at these sites. These intersections are preferred locations for development purposes. In the first place, important routes cross the Interstate at these spots, hence wayside development would serve the needs of two highways rather than one. Secondly, the interchanges are the only places where traffic can leave or enter the Interstate. Finally, these are the locations which call for the greatest quantities of fill for highway purposes, and hence the largest excavations or lakes will be created.

A "NATURAL" FOR RECREATION

Pumping to build a grade is used extensively on the Gulf Coast, along the Atlantic seaboard, and in other places where favorable conditions exist. Not only is this an economical means of moving fill under these conditions, it often is the only method that is practical.

Pumping also results in very tight compaction. The engineer who wants the tightest fill he can get under a structure will surge or pump the material into place. The conditions and soil types existing in the Platte River Valley, and the structural needs of the Interstate are highly favorable for this method of construction.

Consider the intersection at Grand Island as an example of what could be developed. The Interstate runs east to west, and will be crossed by new U.S. Highway 281, west of Grand Island. The area north of the Interstate and east of U.S. 281 is an ideal location for park development. It is protected on the south and west by major highway grades, and extensive excavation will not interfere with nor jeopardize these highways. Westbound Interstate traffic will view this park, and hence will be attracted to it before arriving at the interchange. More than a million yards of fill will be required at this particular location, hence the potential is high for the creation of recreational waters.

Approximately one half of all the people in Nebraska live within 100 miles of this point. More traffic will originate on the super highways east of Omaha which lead to this location than on all other major transcontinental routes combined.

This particular intersection is cited merely to illustrate the potential that exists throughout the OUTDOOR NEBRASKA 14   Platte River Valley along the Interstate. There will be at least 23 interchanges between Grand Island and Big Springs. In fact, the possibilities are breathtaking, and especially so when one recalls that planned lakes can be built without increasing the cost of highway construction.

But this is not the only water or water possibility in the Platte River Valley. There is a great chain of reservoirs along the Platte. Some are already constructed, and some to be constructed. The Tri-County system of reservoirs is already in place on the south side of the river with its eastern terminal near Lexington. Beginning shortly below Lexing-ton, on the north side of the river, the Mid-State system is proposed, and there is little doubt that this project will eventually be constructed.

By 1975, the Platte River Valley will have a 200-mile system of great lakes beginning at Lake McConaughy and ending near Grand Island. This system will have 50 reservoirs with a total surface water area of approximately 65,000 acres. In short, the recreational potential of this great system of lakes, together with the potential for wayside areas and parks, and for western Americana and related activities, present possibilities that are unequaled on any part of this great transcontinental highway.

In addition to all this, there is outstanding potential for beautification of all areas which may be developed in this valley. The bottom lands will grow whatever can survive a Nebraska winter. Ground water is near the surface everywhere, and trees, once established, are secure forever from drouth. Clean, sandy beaches, crystal clear water, JUNE, 1960 15   and landscaped grounds are easily developed. The Platte River Valley is the greatest natural potential on Interstate 80.

AN UNLIMITED TOURIST POTENTIAL

Not only is this valley an unexcelled potential for development, it is also one of the great natural highways of the world. It has been traveled by the American people since the birth of this nation, and it will be traveled in much greater measure in the future. The valley has been, and will be, the major transcontinental route between the people and the places they wish to go. Today, Nebraska is at the crossroads of the nation, just as it was in pioneer times—an advantage the state will enjoy forever. This is a strategic location unequaled anywhere in the nation—the first western state on America's principal transcontinental highway.

In the Platte Valley there is additional potential in historic sites and their development. Western history is of especial interest to Americans, and indeed to all the world. When you turn on your television set, the odds are that the first show you will see is a western. The American people are greatly interested in the Old West and its history, and Nebraska has a world of western history.

Much of the history of the Old West either happened in Nebraska or flowed through it. The Platte River Valley was the pioneer's thoroughfare. The Overland Trail followed the valley's easy grade. The Pony Express, which took off from St. Joseph, Missouri, did not go directly west and south to Sacramento; it traveled north through the Blue River Valley, then west up the Platte River Valley. Mormons passed here on their westward trek.

The greatest wagon road this world has ever seen, the Oregon Trail, traveled this way. The ruts of the road can still be found in many places across Nebraska.

This great water-level route with easy passes in the mountains was the main artery of travel. The valley is loaded with historic sites, events, and western Americana. Fort Kearny, which will be restored, was a major station. Scout's Rest Ranch, the home of Buffalo Bill, is located here. So is Ash Hollow, Windlass Hill, and numerous other historyrich places.

In the 25 years between 1840 and 1865, approximately two and one-half million Americans traveled this valley by wagon train, making the Platte area one of the great historic areas of this nation, an area which reeks with western Americana. All in all, the valley has as great potential for development which will attract and hold the tourist as any segment on this transcontinental highway—the road system on which will originate as much traffic as on all other transcontinental highways combined.

Because of its location on the Interstate, and its outstanding potential in recreational development, parks, historic sites, and early Americana, the Platte River Valley is the key location in Nebraska, but it is by no means the only potential the state possesses.

Consider some of the many other possibilities that exist in Nebraska. In the east, there is the Missouri River, which is rapidly becoming one of the playgrounds of the state, and which will be intensively developed in the future. In southeastern Nebraska, there are many historic points, and urgent need for a major state park. In the area surrounding Lincoln, there is proposed the Salt-Wahoo project which will create several thousand acres of receationally valuable water.

In Lincoln proper, there is Morrill Hall, possessor of the world's largest mammoth; the State Capitol, considered among the 10 finest examples of architecture; and the Historical Society Museum, loaded with mementos of the Old West.

The great Sand Hills country is a unique and distinctive area, bigger than nine of the states in 16 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   this nation. The Old West still lives there, and men ride, rope, and brand today, just as they did decades ago. The Sand Hills has high potential for wildlife, and large-scale restoration measures are under way. Vistas are unlimited. Snake Falls, Smith Falls, and Long Pine Creek Canyon are only a few of the many that can be enjoyed. Picturesque and beautiful, many are almost unknown, even among Nebraskans.

As is the case of the breath-taking Sand Hills country, many of the most beautiful spots in the Pine Ridge can be reached only by saddle horse or jeep. Only a few, such as Pants Butte, are accessible over all-weather roads. Toad Stool Park, a striking and unique Bad Lands formation, for example, is at the end of a road which discourages any visitor. Yet this Bad Lands area is federally owned and available for development as a stellar tourist attraction.

Fort Robinson, famous old landmark in the Pine Ridge country, has tremendous potential. One of the features of the Fort is horseback riding through the beautiful countryside, a recreation that appeals greatly to the tourist. Hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking opportunities are other prime features.

To the south are the rugged Wildcat Hills and historic old Mitchell Pass. Chimney Rock, part of this range, was a great landmark in pioneer times.

Typical of things that can be done by private enterprise is Pioneer Village at Minden, Nebraska. This outstanding development is rated today among the first 20 attractions in this nation.

To the south, throughout the great Republican River Valley, are more reservoirs, and more western Americana. To the east, through southern Nebraska, is the famous Blue River country with like potential. In truth, the Platte River Valley is a key area, but only that, and is supplemented by almost unlimited potential across the length and breadth of this great state. This is true in every field of outdoor recreation and tourist trade, from fishing to western Americana. Nebraska has as much potential as anystate and as little development as any state.

Consider the economy and major industries of the state. As everyone knows, agriculture is the principal industry, and livestock is the major segment of Nebraska's agricultural economy. Related industries depend primarily on agriculture. Even transportation is tied in closely with the state's principal industry. Manufacturing, on the other hand, while largely self-sufficient, is of minor significance in the* economic life of Nebraska, as are the defense industry and governmental activities.

At the present time, outdoor recreation and tourist trade are second from the bottom of the economic pile; they can be made second from the top. Opportunity to do so exists and is abundantly adequate, but this potential is virgin, undeveloped, and largely unknown.

If Nebraskans are to capitalize on this potential, they must get under way, and soon. Opportunity is beating our door down today, but will soon travel on. Moreover, an adequate effort must be a substantial effort; half-measures will not suffice.

JUNE, 1960   AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE

The principal, and just about the only need, is that of adequate financing. We have the desire and the know-how to do this job, but not the money, and we can't pick it off the money tree.

The 1959 session of the Legislature approved the park bill, a fine organic law which provides authorization for a comprehensive development program. However, the mill levy needed primarily for development was cut back to a level that provides but little more than a replacement of funds previously available for maintenance. The Game Commission has recommended a mill levy of .35 to the 1960 Interim Committee on Outdoor Recreation, and the Department will seek its approval in the 1961 session of the Legislature. This is a rock-bottom estimate; anything less will not do the job.

No one likes taxes, but most people are willing to pay them if the money is used for purposes they believe worthwhile. In this case, therefore, it is important that we consider: (1) the cost to the taxpayer, (2) the nature of the expenditure, and (3) results of that expenditure.

What will the program cost the taxpayer? An increase in the mill levy from the present .13 to .35 mill will cost Nebraskans approximately 50 cents per capita per year. Since we do not pay taxes on a per capita basis in this state, it is desirable to enlarge on the subject of taxpayer cost, especially additional cost.

In a community where the total levy is around 70 mills, the added cost will be approximately 31 cents for each $100 in taxes now being paid. In other words, the taxpayer will pay $100.31 where he is now paying $100. If the mill levy is only .35 mill in the area where the taxpayer lives, then the increased cost will be approximately 63 cents for each $100 in taxes now being paid.

The nature of this expenditure is most important. This is not really an expenditure, but an investment that can be made by Nebraskans in their own social and economic welfare. This investment will pay big dividends, so big, in fact that Nebraskans can not afford to pass up this opportunity.

This investment will result in a big new industry in Nebraska, a stabilizing industry with certain and controllable profit. If Nebraskans will make this investment, if everyone does the things he should do, an outdoor recreation and tourist trade can be developed by 1975 which will gross at least one-half billion dollars a year.

Take a good look at the graph on economics. You will see that agriculture is the state's one big industry, and that the agricultural gross is great. However, it is only the gross that is big; the profit is small, The truth is that Nebraskans grow agricultural products on which they can not set a price. Farmers are hard put to operate on any basis which will insure an adequate margin of profit or, indeed, any profit at all. No relief is in sight within the foreseeable future.

In the recreational industry, the price can be set, and those who enjoy the state's recreational facilities and advantages will pay the price that is set. This industry will provide certain and substantial profit to the people through a safe and stable and assured income. It will benefit all Nebraskans, directly or indirectly. It will provide incentive for other industries to develop, particularly manufacturing 18 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   industries which can be more easily attracted to Nebraska if there are outstanding recreational facilities and a more stable economy. Last but not least, it will enable the state to hold great numbers of native-born Nebraskans that now go elsewhere to live.

"There is no place like Nebraska," so says the song. Is this to be just a song or will every Nebraskan make it a living, vital, and enduring reality?

For 70 years, population growth and economic gain in Nebraska has moved at a snail's pace. Agricultural austerity has been and still is its lot—Nebraskans are a people with big gross and little profit. The state has now reached a critical point in its history. You and I have the opportunity in this next decade to move forward in social and economic growth and life at a pace unequaled in more than half a century. It is an opportunity that cannot be set aside for a better day—the better day will come only through everyone's efforts.

This virgin land was developed by the pioneers in the face of much adversity. They had vision to see, faith to believe, and courage to do. You and I face a new and different frontier. This is our hour of decision. Have we the vision to see, the faith to believe, and the courage to do?

THE END

State Can Accept Land

The Nebraska Game, Forestation, and Parks Commission under law 81-805 "with the consent of the Governor, is authorized to take, receive, and hold, either in the name of the state or in trust for the state, exempt from taxation, any grant or devise of lands and any gift or bequest of money or other personal property made in furtherance of the purposes and contemplated by this section, - - - - -."

Where major gifts are involved, the Game Comission will consider the establishment of approvable memorials of a nature desired by the donor. Inquiries should be directed to Nebraska Outdoors, Unlimited, Game Commission, State Capitol, Lincoln 9.

Tax payers may deduct such gifts equal to 20 per cent of adjusted gross income. Where property is given, the amount of the gift is considered to be the fair present market value regardless of the original cost to the donor. Articles donated are deductible at appraised value.

JUNE, 1960 19

WAYS OF THE BASS

by Gene Hornbeck Looking for bass? Try these methods and waters most likely to pack your creel with fish and day with thrills

FISHERMEN CAN do battle with "Old Bucket Mouth", the largemouth bass, in practically every corner of the state. He is the most widely distributed major game fish in Nebraska.

If it wasn't for the largemouth and his insatiable appetite, many dyed-in-the-wool plug and spin fishermen would hang up their waders for all time, to say nothing of the fly-rod fans who flail the waters with their bass-bugging outfits.

Name your weapon and your way of fishing, and it can be geared to catching the 10-limit, 10-possession of largemouth. Plugs, spoons, and spinners will all take fish, as will surface lures, pork rind, rubber night crawlers, streamer flies, and jigs. Bait fishermen catch bass just as easy as plug enthusiasts. Minnows are tops along with worms, frogs, and crayfish, and it takes just the right combination to entice him from his lair. It is not the particular lure that takes the fish, but the way that it can be presented.

Fish slowly and usually deep in the early spring. Bass are lethargic critters at this time. Deep-running plugs, spoons, and jigs all work well. The flyrod fan goes to weighted bucktails and streamers. Bait fishermen will find spring angling particularly successful, as it's tailor-made for their type of fishing.

When the spawning season gets under way, usually about the first of June, the largemouth begin to frequent the shallows. The fisherman must change his tactics to be successful. Shallow running plugs, spinner-bucktail combinations, and weedless spoons will pay off.

By the time bass complete their homemaking duties, the waters have warmed to the point where the fish may leave the shallows during the midday hours. They'll return at dusk and remain in the shallows until the sun hits the water in the morning. It is during this season that the surface lures in casting, spinning, and fly-rod sizes really shine.

Daytime fishing during the summer months can be productive if the angler seeks bass lounging areas. These will usually be found near heavy cover in a depth that has comfortable temperatures and sufficient oxygen.

Largemouth tend to school-when in deep water, especially those running up to two pounds. If you take one fish, work the area well.

Environment has a direct bearing on how and where bass are caught. Take the Sand Hill lakes. They are usually a mass of weeds, providing the fish with more than enough protection. It's still 20 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   true, however, that they will follow the seasonal pattern of finding comfortable water temperatures (60° to 70c F.); so the angler should fish deeper areas during the summer, working the shallows during the twilight hours.

Angling is at its peak in spring and early summer. There are a number of reasons why this is true. First, the fish become more active as the water warms. Actually, a more important point is that the fish have a better chance to see the bait or lure because of lack of weed cover. Competition for the minnows and other food, in small supply at this season, also is another reason for fishing success.

Almost any tackle can be geared to bass fishing, but there are some that are better for certain lakes and streams. To hook the fish and land him in heavy weed cover, the angler should use tackle heavy enough to do some real bull work. A medium-action casting outfit with 12 to 18-pound-test line will get results. A medium to heavy-action spinning rod with 10-pound-test line will also do a good job. The fly fan will find a 10 to 15-pound-test leader a must if he is to land fish under these conditions. Lighter tackle can be used on those waters that have plenty of room to play fish.

MAP KEY I. Weeping Wafer; 2. Carter Lake; 3. Pier Lake; 4. Alexandria Lakes; 5. Booth Sand Pits; 6. Hord Lake; 7. Sand Pits Clarks; 8. Verdon Lake; 9. Burchard Lake; 10. Memphis Lake; II. Pawnee Lake; 12. Gavins Point Reservoir; 13. Grove Lake; 14. ODonnel; 15. Pibel Lake; 16. Ericson Lake; 17. Harlan Reservoir; 18. Medicine Reservoir; 19. Swanson Reservoir; 20. Enders Reservoir; 21. Midway Reservoir; 22. Wellfleet Lake; 23-24. Tri-County Chain; 25. Lake McConaughy; 26. University Lake; 27. Hoffman Lake; 28. Whitney Reservoir; 29. Farm Ponds, Sioux-Dawes Counties; 30. Smith Lake; 31. Frye Lake; 32. Rat and Beaver Lakes; 33. Medicine Lake; 34. Schoolhouse Lake; 35. Shell Lake; 36. Cottonwood Lake; 37. Gay Lake; 38. Willow Lake; 39. Long Lake.

Lures are legion that will catch these fighters, and each fisherman has his favorites. It's a good idea to have different types of lures to cover the varied conditions encountered. Generally speaking, there are three types—the floaters, such as the plunkers, propeller types, and bass bugs; sinking-type plugs and flies; and spoons and spinners. Pork-rind lures and molded-rubber imitations may be included in your tackle box. One of the most productive bass lures is the weedless spoon with pork rind because it can be fished slowly through the heavy cover of many good bass lakes in the Sand Hills.

What about fishing for smallmouth black bass? There is also a 10-limit, 10-possession on this smaller cousin. It has a very limited range in the state with a stronghold in Lake McConaughy. Also, there is a small population in Grove Lake. Habits of the smallmouth will varv from that of his big-mouth cousin. He prefers gravel and rock bottoms, and is seldom taken in numbers on surface lures. Crayfish prove the best bait when fished deep along the dam's rocky fill at McConaughy. Deep running spoons, plugs, and weighted streamers are good producers in the artificials.

Largemouth hot spots are more common. Southeastern Nebraska has many worthy waters. The city lake at Weeping Water, Carter Lake at Omaha, Pier Lake at Grand Island, and Alexandria state lakes (West and North) offer fair sport. Merrick County has the Booth sand pits at Central City and Hord Lake just south of the city. The sand pits in the Clarks area are also known bass spots. Many farm ponds and sand pits throughout the east are good. Check with local fishermen for waters that are producing. Verdon Lake in Richardson County, Burchard Lake in Pawnee, Memphis Lake in Saunders, and Pawnee Lake in Webster are well worth your time.

Gavins Point Reservoir in the northeast has productive bassing in the Santee area, as does Grove, O'Donnel, Pibel and Ericson lakes. Beaver Creek in Boone County and Cedar River in Wheeler County are good spots.

Reservoirs in the south and southwest such as Harlan, Medicine, Swansons, Enders, and Midway offer top fishing. Wellfleet Lake south of North Platte is good. Many of the supply canals in the Tri-County chain produce catches, with a concentration of fish being found below the check dams early in the year.

Bass fishing in the panhandle ranges from fair to excellent. University (continued on page 23)

Outdoor Elsewhere

Just Another Fish Story

NEW MEXICO . . . Some fish just never stop growing, even after they come out of water. It all started with a walleye caught in a gill net in Conchas Lake. The fish was 29 inches long and weighed 9!4 pounds. The story went around the lake, and lost nothing in the retelling. In short order the fish "grew" to 25 pounds, then 30. And the story's still going.

One For The Road

PENNSYLVANIA . . . It's well known that deer are fond of apples, but one poor buck overindulged, and, of all places, in the back yard of a Pennsylvania game protector's headquarters. After feasting, he began to stagger as the apples fermented within. Even a nap didn't sober the drunk. But before staggering away from the outdoor bistro, he paused long enough to have "one for the road".

Expensive Gate Lock

CALIFORNIA ... A too-tempting gate lock cost $250 for a trigger-happy hunter in California last hunting season. The La Mesa paint contractor learned too late that the Fish and Game code protects property owners from damages caused by hunters. He paid a $250 fine after he pleaded guilty to shooting the lock off a San Diego farmer's gate.

Market Hunters K.O.'d

WASHINGTON, D. C. . . . One of the biggest rings of illicit market hunters in history was broken by special agents of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state enforcement officers last year, when 94 persons were arrested in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan for the illegal sale of migratory waterfowl. An estimated half million ducks annually had been slain and marketed by three groups, operating near Prairie du Chien, Wise, Quincy and Beardston, 111., and the St. Clair flats in Michigan. It required two years of painstaking investigations to obtain the evidence and to round up all concerned with the market hunting ring which federal authorities estimated cleared several million dollars during its operation.

Engine Missing? Check Raccoon

NORTH DAKOTA . . . One morning recently a Mandan lady started her car and headed for work. When the car's engine developed a miss, she left the auto to be serviced. When the mechanic opened the hood to check the faulty engine he found an angry raccoon perched on the engine block. Apparently he had crawled up under the car during the night. Unnerved by the running engine, the coon retaliated by pulling the spark plug connections loose.

"Bounties Are Bunk"

WASHINGTON, D. C. . . . A new leaflet, "Bounties Are Bunk", pointing out the failures of bounty systems currently being used in 33 states, is available from the National Wildlife Federation. Dr. Roger Latham, noted wildlife author, outdoor editor of the Pittsburgh PRESS, and the pamphlet's author, contends that bounty systems are continued in most states because of tradition rather than the result of factual evidence of benefits received. He says in the light of present-day economics, bounty payments do not contribute much to the welfare of many individuals; predator populations actually are increasing in many areas despite bounties; and states with bounty systems have no greater game populations than those without. "It has been proved over and over again that game supplies can be increased greatly by habitat improvement without any accompanying predator control efforts." Single copies are free from the National Wildlife Federation, 1412 16th St., N.W., Washington 6, D.C.

Rare Albino Porcupine

WYOMING . . . One of nature's odd creations, an albino porcupine, was captured recently by a Saratoga man while checking beaver traps in the Jack Creek area. A true albino, the half-grown porcupine has pink eyes, snow-white quills, and white hair.

That's the Way It Works

MISSOURI . . . How's this for beginner's luck? Bill Murray of Springfield bought his nine-year-old son a dime-store rod and reel, and took him fishing at Bull Shoals, "just to keep him quiet." He tied a fancy lure on the boy's line and left him to play while he went off to do some serious fishing. Sure enough, the boy caught an eight-pound bass while dangling the lure in the water. What did the father get? Why nothing, of course. Fathers always end up with the short end of the stick.

It Doesn't Add Up

SOUTH CAROLINA . . . The population of the United States increased 20 per cent between 1948 and 1958. During this period the number of hunting licenses sold increased 29 per cent, and fishing licenses 38 per cent. Outboard motors in use increased 130 per cent, and participants in recreational boating 160 per cent. Meanwhile attendance at major-league baseball decreased 16 per cent and at minor-league baseball 231 per cent. And the sports pages still devote 100 times as much space to baseball as they do to hunting, fishing, and boating.

Conscience Wins—Tardily

PENNSYLVANIA ... A 65-year-old man is finally at peace with his conscience. The feeling that he had an obligation to right a wrong drove tne man to tell all to Game Protector J. M. Haverstick. In 1930 he killed a cock ring-necked pheasant in closed season. Peace-of-mind cost him damages.

Grounded By Fog

NEW HAMPSHIRE ... A large number of southbound geese last fall descended on the town of Pittsburgh in this state's North County. Conservation Officer Fred Scott speculated that the flock had been started on its migratory flight by a cold wave. Striking dense fog over Pittsburgh, the geese evidently decided to make a landing and "wait it out." The birds landed in the village and made themselves at home, walking the streets and lawns, and obligingly posing for pictures.

22 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

 

To Feed Or Not To Feed

(continued from page 17)

bag limits. Winter took a large toll. During extreme winters it can be expected that a significant portion of the quail will be lost. Many of these losses are due to birds being buried under the snow, and supplemental feeding would not prevent them. The percentage of losses due to starvation is small. Feeding may be helpful in saving a few coveys, but the assistance which it can render over all is minor.

Since quail move only in a small radius, food must be placed in the covey headquarters. During periods of extended cold or inclement weather, there is very little movement. Promiscuous scattering of grain or ear corn along roadsides or from a plane is largely wasted.

One sportsman's group placed out food in a number of locations during the period of deep snow. A week later, only one food station had been utilized. Based on members' field observations, the club discontinued the program.

Some good may be done by placing food in the primary covey range. However, in one instance grain was dropped from a helicopter within 10 yards of a covey. One day later the covey had not stirred to utilize the food.

Feeding by individual landowners, who know the exact covey locations, can be helpful. However, it must be continued throughout the critical period, as the quail will become dependent upon the easily available food supply.

Good cover is also the key to quail survival. In marginal range where cover is scarce, a snowfall like that experienced last winter takes its greatest toll. Since much of the state's quail range is marginal, violent population fluctuations must be expected in the future.

One of the qualities that hunters respect in wild game is its ability to get by without artificiality. In fact, it is the wariest game birds that are often the most prized during fall hunting season. The Nebraska ringneck is very self reliant under normal conditions, and we should not try to alter this characteristic with artificial feeding.

THE END

Way of the Bass

(continued from page 21)

and Hoffman lakes along with many gravel pits along the Platte River are good. Whitney Reservoir in the Crawford-Chadron area provides plenty of action at times. A host of farm ponds in the Sioux-Dawes County area are actually overrun with bass. No one knows the exact number of ponds that have fish. It is estimated that at least one quarter of the nearly 1,000 ponds have good bass populations.

The Sand Hills boasts some of the best bass waters in the state. Smith Lake, a state recreation area, is one of Nebraska's elite. Frye Lake is good, as are Rat, Beaver, Medicine, Schoolhouse, Shell, Cottonwood at Merriman, Gay, Willow, and Long.

Sand pits and sloughs along the Loup, Dismal, and Elkhorn rivers offer a lot of fishing for those who will first spend the time to learn bass hangouts. Many private lakes, their angling secrets known only by the local anglers, can be added to the list of Sand Hill hot spots.

The largemouth bass is perhaps Nebraska's most important sport fish. He takes to a variety of waters and is caught on a wider variety of baits and lures than all other fish. He feeds with abandon all summer. And in the winter, he still comes back for more. In my book, the largemouth rules as the king of Nebraska fish.

THE END TARGET ARCHERS . . . FIELD TARGET SHOOTERS . . . BOWHUNTERS! "TAM" The Archers7 Magazine is the only publication in its field which covers ALL phases of Archery on a national and international basis. Issued monthly, $2.50 per year ,300 for single copy in U.S. and Canada, 350 abroad. Send 200 for sample copy to: THE ARCHERS' MAGAZINE P.O. Box 832, Norristown, Pa. JUNE, 1960 23

A Few Feet for Crappie

(continued from page 5)

enjoyed similar luck a week earlier, but from a different place. His party was high atop the west wall of the spillway and had lowered their lines some 100 feet or so into the stilling basin. Minnows did the trick.

"Where are you staying tonight?" Charlie asked. When he learned that we were undecided, he offered his cabin that fronted on the west side of the reservoir. "There's everything there that you need— blankets, food, and more fishing tackle."

What sold us, though, was his mention of putting out lines at night for big channel catfish.

"Get yourself some big minnows and you might wind up with a big cat."

I caught a few more crappie, then drove along with Charlie and Lee to the cabin so that we would have no problem finding it at dark. Upon returning to the stilling basin, I immediately got back into the motion of casting and retrieving crappie. Charlie and Lee soon departed.

Pete was always in view. Once his rod did a dipsy-do but soon a distraught Pete reeled in an empty lure. Maybe he would get another big strike.

My neighbor to the left counted 50 crappie and departed happily. I was halfway there and going strong. George, to my right, passed me in total catch while I was at the cabin. When he hit 33, he said he had to clean everything he caught so was calling it quits.

The crappie banged away for about five minutes, then quit for a short spell. This was the pattern all afternoon. Once I scored on five consecutive casts. During this spree I caught three crappie on the same minnow—the first one with the minnow intact, the second with the minnow battered, and the third with the minnow headless. Apparently the crappie weren't too fussy about what they struck.

The strikes were pretty much stereotyped. On the retrieve, they would hit and pull, and then try to hold their own against the pull of the line. Once the fish on the other end of my line sped first this way and then that. Almost surfacing once, I saw what I thought looked like a largemouth bass. My hopes, though, dissipated in short order as I worked the fish ashore and found an 18-inch carp.

Why the carp took a minnow I don't know; carp are generally vegetarians and feed on the bottom. When I lifted the line to glare at the fish, the hook snapped and the fish fell onto the rocks. I was holding the line and the upper shank while the carp still had the other end of the hook in its mouth.

Putting on a new leader and hook, I went back into business. My tally kept mounting, even though I lost four that fell free when almost ashore and three that slithered out of my hands and into the crevices between the rock rip rap.

This was too easy, I said to myself, so decided to make it a bit more challenging. I removed the hook and in its place tied a triangular-shaped spinner with a red plastic piece on the triple-gang hook. Two casts and two strikes, but no fish. Apparently the fish were striking short, so I added a No. 6 hook. The next strike and I had a crappie. But a few more casts and I was out of business, so I went back to the original setup and finished out my 50 limit.

Pete, meanwhile, joined me and decided to try for crappie. He hadn't been alongside five minutes before a fisherman, working the spot that he had vacated after about two hours, tied on to a big walleye and landed him. We learned later that the big glasseye went 6V2 pounds.

"I knew there were some killers in there," Pete said. He contented himself with taking seven crappie before we headed for Enders and dinner.

While, replenishing our stomachs, Wayne Hoskins pointed to some of the pictures on the cafe walls, proof of the prowess of Enders fishing. He also showed us some of the goose decoys he'd fashioned out of tire tubes and canvas.

Fifty-seven fish made for lots of cleaning, and who were we to say no to Wayne when he offered to help us. We just field-dressed them, put them into the chest and covered with ice.

Pete and I found our way over to Charlie's cabin and immediately set out our cat lines. We had picked up some minnows from Wayne that stretched five to six inches. We were after big game. The big reservoir was slapping with waves so we added a heavy weight to each line and cast. Next morning, though, our minnows were still on the hooks and the catfish were still at large.

The rains had returned and we were doused while loading the station wagon. We had planned to move over to Swanson that day but-had to be content with a rain check. But we would be back. We had enough fish and some pleasant memories. Who could ask for anything more?

THE END

SPEAK UP

What Hawks Doing?

"Many years ago, while out on the open prairie in Pierce County, I saw five hawks high above me. They were flying in generally concentric circles but at different elevations. Suddenly I saw the highest hawk drop an object which was caught in its descent by one of the lower hawks. The latter then circled upward above the rest and dropped the object which was again caught by one of the lower hawks. This performance was repeated for several minutes after which the hawk last in possession slowly descended, carrying the object in his talons. He landed in a ravine. As I approached, he appeared to be eating a bird which he carried away as I came closer. A few feathers left behind appeared to be those of a meadowlark.

At the time I was too inexperienced to identify these hawks. I have never again seen anything like it nor have I met any naturalist who had seen a similar performance. Were these birds merely in a playful mood or was it one or a pair of old hawks teaching their young to catch their prey in flight? What species might they have been?"

Your experience is truly one-in-a-lifetime, and I can find nothing similar to it in the literature examined. The hawks apparently are of the soaring type, and may have been the common red-tail, the rough-leg, the redshoulder, or Swainson's. There's a chance, too, they were marsh hawks, who seem to love tumbling and playing in the air and whose aerial courtships are feats of almost unbelievable flying. Eagle pairs, too, have been reported to toss food between them in much the manner you described. You should report these antics to the Audubon Society, 1130 5th Ave., New York 28, N.Y.—Editor.

Soft Sell for Outdoorsman

"My compliments on the April issue. The photo selection, layout, general content, and writing styles were all excellent. By virtue of Nebraska's geographical location, the same things of interest there, outdoorwise, are of interest throughout the Midwest. This means you accomplish a double purpose with the magazine. Your material has a wide reader interest beyond state borders, yet a soft-sell impact on the outdoorsman."—Don Miller, president, Outdoor Writers of Ohio, Elyria, Ohio.

Skunk Spoofs Toms

"Just read the April article on spotted skunks and thought I would add a few personal observations. Since no cows are milked here, I mix up a dried-milk product for the cats every evening during the winter. Someone unloaded a couple mamma cats here so there were about six around the dish this winter. One evening I noted the cats sitting back from the dish respectfully while a spotted skunk finished the meal. Next evening soon after the dish made its "clink" on the cement and the door slammed, the cats circled the dish and began lapping. However, almost at once they backed off as the small skunk approached. As he came he stood on his front legs, spread his hind legs out, and broadened his tail. His frontal appearance now was about the size of a dog. He turned this way and that while walking up to the step and, without altering position, jumped to the porch with all the cats scurrying to a safe position. On one occasion when a big stray cat was here, I noticed the skunk added a bit of "perfume" while putting on his big walk. It was not a deep odor but just a hint of what might follow if room was not forthcoming immediately."—Flora Sandoz, Ellsworth.

Snake Story Too Fantastic

"I have heard a fantastic story I would like to pass on. A young lady water skiing in Lake Manawa at Council Bluffs, la., fell in and swallowed, according to the story, a water moccasin snake egg. She became ill and very thin. Tests showed the egg had hatched and she had a snake in her stomach. They were afraid to do anything about it for fear it would bite her. This story was told for the truth. Do water moccasins lay eggs, or do they bear young? And are there any of these snakes in this territory?" —W. O. Shadd, Omaha.

This is, indeed, a rare one; whoever concocted this tale was an expert. You're right in doubting him—water moccasins and all water snakes give birth to living young. And Ditmars, the recognized herpetologist, says "the only poisonous water snake occurring in North America is restricted to the southeasterly portion and does not extend north of about the boundary of North Carolina in the East, and slightly farther northward up the Mississippi Valley region." I know of no reports of water moccasins, also called cottonmouths, in the Missouri River system.

Furthermore, human gastric juices could attend to any reptile egg, which is surrounded by a tough membrane, not a shell like a chicken egg. It would pass through the system anyway, not lingering around to hatch, when the tender snakelet would surely be devoured by the stomach juices. So this fellow was wrong on all counts.—Editor.

Notes on Nebraska Fauna

SHORT-TAILED SHREW

by Jim Tische

FEW EVER see the short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda, even though he is one of the most common mammals in eastern North America. This small fellow, who ranges from southeastern Canada south to southern Florida and west to Oklahoma and Manitoba, is a real undercover operator, displaying the most secretive habits^ The shrew is abundant in eastern Nebraska and as far west as Garden County.

Many people probably have caught a glimpse of a shrew but did not recognize him as such. What they saw was a scurrying little blur as he whisked through the grass in a ceaseless search for food. He may have looked like a mouse. He is not a mouse but an insectivore related to the common mole.

The smallest of the North American mmals, the shrew is also the fiercest, considering his size. As ferocious as a small tiger, he does not hesitate to leap upon a creature that may be twice his weight. Victor H. Cahalane, author of "Mammals of North America", states that almost anything smaller than a weasel that crawls, runs, or flies is tempting to this assassin.

A shrew is generally gray in color and you would have to put two of them on a scale to register an ounce. Darker in the winter, the tiny mite shows no sexual difference in coloration. He has a pointed head with a flexible, sensitive snout projecting over and beyond the mouth. The body is cylindrical with short, slender legs, and five clawed toes on each foot.

The shrew is an extremely nervous animal and spends most of his time searching for food. This creature has a high rate of respiration, 140 times a minute at rest as compared to 15 for man. Because 26 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   of a high basal metabolism (food burning), 130 as compared to 78 for man, he is a slave to his appetite. Sleep is a matter of an hour here and an hour there, and the little animal does not snooze soundly. He wakes frequently to change positions and clean himself before taking another short nap.

Since the shrew is nervous, energetic, and pugnacious, every movement is quick and jerky. The mighty midget seeks out food by smell or by blundering onto it. He will lift his muzzle, sniff, make a short dash forward, dart to one side or another, and whiz off through the grass. Then suddenly he will leap upon his prey, capturing another meal.

Animal food makes up the greater part of the shrew's diet. He dines on insects of all kinds plus earthworms, snails, slugs, spiders, salamanders, snakes, birds, mice, and other shrews. Also, he will eat roots, nuts, fruits, and berries. An interesting aspect of his life is the hoarding of land snails for food. These are collected and stored in the tunnel system. The snails are moved to ground surface as the outside air cools and back into the cooler tunnels as the temperature warms. This keeps them inactive.

Most victims do not have a chance as the diminutive slayer poisons them with a quick snap of his jaws. Certain salivary glands contain venom similar to that secreted by a cobra. This poison slows the prey's heart action and breathing, and may cause disintegration of muscles. Then, the undersized giant tears the victims limb from limb, devouring skin, bones, and all. The glands of one adult shrew contain enough poison to kill 200 mice. A naturalist bitten by a little fellow reported an instant burning sensation which was followed by shooting pains in the arm. He had considerable discomfort for more than a week.

When not searching for his meals, he is fighting with other shrews. The feints and passes of the animal in a fight are almost too swift to follow. A veteran of many battles is likely to be minus a tail or toe and sport a badly scarred hide.

This fighter is well adapted for living underground. He is an accomplished digger, the tunnels serving as a shelter and hunting grounds. The shrew digs with the front feet and kicks the dirt to the top with the hind feet or pushes it out with his nose. In loose soil he can burrow at a foot-a-minute. The female builds a globe-shaped nest in the tunnel which is usually spotted under a rock, log, or stump.

The only animal a shrew can get along with is his mate. The breeding season extends from early spring until late fall, and adult females will have 2 to 3 litters annually. The gestation period is 21 or 22 days. Litters may be from 3 to 10, usually 6 or 7. The combined weight of the litter is less than that of a quarter. Tiny, pink, and wrinkled, the young are %-inch long and weigh 1/100 ounce, and are about the size of a honey bee.

Feeding the hungry youngsters takes up most of the mother's time. The male offers no help. At one week the newcomers double in size. Teeth appear several days later. Within a month they are weaned, the female unceremoniously booting them out of the nursery since they have become competitors for food.

A young shrew becomes a successful hunter and wise to the ways of the world in a hurry. He will search out and gulp down crickets, ants, beetles, moths, grasshoppers, slugs, and centipedes.

But he has enemies. Snakes, weasels, foxes, bobcats, hawks and owls take their toll, but only a few hunters like the great-horned owl, weasel, and hawks will eat such an unsavory morsel. The scent glands gives the shrew a disagreeable, musky odor. These are on the flanks and are always active in males. The female's are inactive only during the breeding season. The rank odor serves as a sign of ownership and the occupant's sex.

Surprisingly, the shrew is fastidious about his appearance, finding time in his hunting schedule for systematic grooming. He will clean his face with his hind feet, then wash the fur with his tongue, and comb it with the toes. Droppings are deposited in a corner of the unused portion of the tunnel.

Cahalane sums up the tiny character in these words: "Every shrew leads a fast life and a short one. It has no time to hibernate! Propagating 2 or 3 families of 3 to 10 offspring a season, it has finished its mission in life at the age of 14 to 16 months. It has lived and eaten too hastily and too much. Rather frequently it is found dead without any mark of violence, dead of old age—at 16 months!"

THE END JUNE, I960 27

TIME FOR WORMS

Lawns and flower beds are filled with fishworms but the average angler may have trouble getting them. With this simple shocker, the fisherman can drive the worms to the surface without disturbing the greenery. Just make sure the current is turned off when handling the shocking rods. For safety, the rods should not be set closer together than 24 inches.