what's doing in NEBRASKAland

by J. Greg Smith Put on your hoedown duds and head for a summer full of Old West fun

HOLD ON to your Stetsons. NEBRASKAland is set for the biggest summer-long blowout yet. From June to September, the "where the West begins" state puts on its hoedown duds, with cowboys and Indians, beauty queens and pioneers, bucking broncs and thoroughbreds parading across the scene.

Jam-packed into the four months are 75 days of rodeo, 145 days of horse racing, and 48 days of powwows and pageants. Add fairs, carnivals, and small-town jubilees and you've got the makings of a big 3   Wild West spectacle that's hard to beat in any league.

what's doing in NEBRASKAland continued

Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok, Russia's Grand Duke Alexis, Custer, and all the rest of NEBRASKAland's famed characters will be on hand to greet the dudes. Their modern counterparts will participate in a flurry of pageants and rodeo and powwow doings that will convince the visitor he's seeing history in the making all over again.

Take the Fort McPherson Centennial Celebration. This Cecil B. DeMille-type production sports a cast of a thousand costumed characters. They'll transform North Platte's big rodeo grounds into famed Fort McPherson as it was 100 years ago.

The $20,000 extravaganza will feature such key events as the Grand Duke Alexis hunt, deadly Indian campaigns, Buffalo Bill's famed horse race, Pony Express days, and a host of other exciting scenes. The July 18 to 20 pageant boasts an original score, professional performers, and the help of every Nebraskan in the Fort McPherson area.

Two things that never change—except that they get bigger and better than ever—are NEBRASKAland's rodeos and Indian powwows. Here's where rodeo began, thanks to Bill Cody, and Nebraskans are keeping the tradition that started at his Old Glory Blowout in North Platte in 1882 alive in a variety of shows the summer-round.

The really big ones—Burwell, Omaha, North Platte, and Sidney—host the best cowboys in the business. Doling out thousands of dollars in prize money for the winners in the key bone-jarring events, they draw record crowds to each of their shows.

Burwell, Nebraska's Big Rodeo, enjoys national fame among the cowboy clan. The August 8-10 shindig is one of. the major shows on the circuit. Here world champions in each event gather: Dean Oliver, the West's best steer and calf roper; Guy Weeks, Benny Reynolds, and Casey Tibbs of bronc-busting fame; Freckles Brown and Nebraska's own Del Chartier top tamers of those deadly Brahma bulls; and Jim Bynum, Harley May, and Tom Nesmith, 4 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   leaders in the steer wrestling showdown. All will be looking for a chunk of the $9,000 prize money.

Big purses and big names will also be featured at North Platte. The rodeo is a climax to the week-long Buffalo Bill Blowout, a Wild West carnival featuring gala parades led by one of Bill Cody's clan, quick-draw contests, carnival, and a lot of other fun doings. The 81st annual session runs August 13-18.

World-champion ropers will be going for whopping purses at matched steer-roping contests in Imperial, Hyannis, and Bartlett. Here all of the skill of years of practice out on the range are brought into play. Roping is the classical event of rodeo, and contestants put up big entry fees to compete.

Prime shows that you'll want to take in include Potter, June 1 and 2; Alliance, every Sunday evening throughout the summer; Ogallala's State High School JUNE, 1963 5   Rodeo, June 2; O'Neill, June 14-16; and the big Little Britches shindig in Chadron June 28, 29. Here the best kid cowboys in the state compete for the championship.

what's doing in NEBRASKAland continued

July is a big month with Long Pine, Crawford, and Sutherland kicking things off on the Fourth. Tekamah follows up July 19-21. The big Imperial roping showdown will be held on the 21st, and Ashland wraps things up July 26, 27.

Burwell and North Platte head the rodeo list in August with the big four-day Ogallala Round-Up 6   running right on their heels. As befits Nebraska's cowboy capital, the Ogallala show is the state's largest amateur rodeo. Each night from August 17-20 the action will be hot and heavy. A big rodeo parade is slated for Sunday to add to the fun.

Other prime August shows include: Loup City, 3-5; Haigler, 11; Benkelman, 11, 12; Hastings, 12-14; Chambers, 12-15; Crofton, 14,15; Sidney, 14-17; Ord, 19-21; and Wahoo, 21-24. September sees Omaha's whopping nine-day Ak-Sar-Ben showdown. Running from the 20-28, the big indoor show offers $15,000 to the winning hands.

Drawing equal attention are the powwows at Macy and Winnebago. Here the age-old rituals of war, hunt, and harvest are repeated as hundreds of colorfully garbed Omahas, Winnebagos, and Sioux keep in step with the throbbing tom-toms.

The Omaha's powwow runs from August 7-11. Comfortable grandstands plus souvenir and concession stands are located in a natural wooded bowl that has been used by the tribe for generations. Visiting tribes come from miles around and pitch their tepees around the dancing grounds.

No sooner is the Omaha whoop-em-up done than the Winnebago stomp session gets under way. Running August 15-18, the powwow features the colorful costumes of the woodland tribe. NEBRASKAland visitors will also want to take in the Sioux dancers at Ogallala. They put on a continuous show throughout the summer at Sioux Indian Village. And there are still more dances. Boys from the Kearney Training School don war paint and buckskin finery every other Sunday throughout the summer and put on an impressive show.

Foot stomping isn't limited to the Indians. The National Fiddlers Contest at Brownville will draw 7   the best of the hoedown clan in a one-day extravaganza. The ancient river town the 20th century passed by will come alive with music and will host large crowds of visitors.

what's doing in NEBRASEAland continued

Alliance, celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, will have more than its share of dancing and fun doings throughout the summer. Square dancers from a four-state area converged on the panhandle town to get the big year-round jubilee celebration under way in late April. From now throughout the rest of the summer, things will be popping with big-name entertainers like the Mills Brothers and Harmonicats on hand to treat the crowds. Every Sunday throughout the season cowboys will be rodeoing at the Alliance fair grounds and such added attractions as horse racing, sports car races, golf tournaments, and parades will make 1963 a big year.

What began as a Diamond Jubilee in Fairbury two years ago has mushroomed into a gala Old West pageant drawing huge crowds. On August 20 Wild Bill Hickok will take on the McCanless clan again, the bloody showdown at Rock Creek Station recreated in a roar of gunfire. Covered wagons and Mormon handcarts will wheel by in a series of pageants in the "Echoes of the Oregon Trail" epic.

Gering also keeps NEBRASKAland's pioneer heritage alive at its annual Oregon Trail Days, July 18, 19. Wagons roll again in the shadows of famed Scotts Bluff National Monument as they did over 100 years ago. Nor does the pageantry end here. Sidney's colorful Fort Sidney Days, August 14-17, relives the Wild West era of the old fort with parades, carnival, pioneer contests, and a big rodeo.

Nothing on the fun agenda can match the thrill of thoroughbreds pounding for the finish line during 8 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   145 days of horse racing. Racing got in full swing with the Grand Island meet April 4 to May 8. Right on its heels and running full blast is Ak-Sar-Ben, featuring bangtails from some of the finest stables in the nation. Nebraska's biggest one continues through July 4.

After the July 4 closing at Ak-Sar-Ben, the thoroughbreds move on to Columbus for the gala July 6 opening. Racing continues there until July 25. Two days later the Lincoln meet gets under way and runs through August 15. Madison follows up August 17-28; then Mitchell, August 31 to September 7; Alliance, September 10-14; and South Sioux City, September 19 to October 19.

The state's most beautiful gals will be on parade when Fremont hosts this year's Miss Nebraska pageant June 13-15. After three suspense-filled days of swim suit, formal, and talent competition, NEBRASKAland's representative to the Miss America pageant will be named.

Wrapping up the fun-packed summer season in traditional style is the bigger and better than ever State Fair at Lincoln, August 31 to September 5. Hundreds of displays, blue-ribbon livestock, glittering shows, and giant midway will be jammed into the big fair grounds.

As you can see, NEBRASKAland's busting at the seams with Wild West doings. Put on your hoedown duds and join the fun parade.

THE END 9

Robin Hood FISHERMEN

Marvin Tye Long, liberal season gives archers a chance for novel, exciting sport

NOTHING'S MORE tempting to the archer's eye than hundreds of carp thrashing through shallow water on their way to spawn. With their backs half out of the water, they present a perfect target and plenty of fast action to the Robin Hood turned fisherman.

Once a school is spotted the shooting spree begins. At the arrow's impact the water explodes as the big fish digs for deep water. The bowman has to be quick or he'll lose his rig. Grabbing the fishing line humming out from the reel on his bow, he's in for a fight before he can haul his catch back to 10 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   shore. The action gets so hot that the successful archer will have a pile of fighters in no time.

Thanks to long seasons and a creel of both game and rough fish, bow fishing is booming here. Though carp are probably the No. 1 target, the successful archer can bring home such prized species as bass, northerns, and bluegill, as well as gar, suckers, and buffalo. The long season runs from April 1 to September 1 with only some state-managed lakes and trout streams closed.

I got in on the hot action recently when I joined Ron and Jerry Craig of Fairbury at a small mill dam on the Blue River. Located in Fairbury, the dam teemed with suckers moving upstream to spawn. Once we had spotted a clear area over some light-colored rocks, we were ready for business.

From our vantage point the 12-inch suckers stood out against the rock background. But seeing them was only half the battle. Our targets would flash into view and be gone again in less time than it takes to tell about it. With no chance for deliberate aiming, we had to draw and release almost in one motion. At the same brief moment we had to determine the proper lead and allow for water refraction. This called for some real sharp shooting.

What had looked like easy sport to me soon became something else as I fired a half-dozen shots without connecting. With each shot, however, I was getting more used to the refraction problem, and by the time I got my first sucker, the whole process of aiming and shooting was becoming automatic.

My first scoring arrow rammed right through a 12-incher's innards. Once it was creeled, I was eager for more. There were plenty of targets, but I ended up with only three fish. It wasn't that I was such a poor shot. The rocks were raising havoc with the JUNE, 1963 11   metal points on my limited supply of arrows and I had to give up just when I felt I had it made.

Robin Hood FISHERMEN continued

After this outing, I resolved to take along plenty of points and use only glass shafts, especially when bowfishing over rocks. On our trip, Jerry tried some old wooden field arrows, making barbs by driving nails through the shaft behind the points. The woods broke easily, and because of their light weight, the arrows would not penetrate deeply enough to impale the fish.

Bow fishing is an excellent way to learn the fundamentals of bow hunting. Game is plentiful and no one worries about a missed shot. There's always another fish around the next bend. The tyro bowman doesn't need to buy expensive gear. Most shots are at short range and a light bow will drive an arrow through the largest carp. Reel, line, and an arrow can be purchased for less than five dollars. A good beginner's bow costs about $20.

Most tyros can do very well at close range in calm water. Aiming at submerged fish is the most difficult thing to learn. Refraction, the bending of light rays as they hit the water, makes the fish appear to be closer to the surface than he actually is. The angle of refraction varies in proportion to the fish's depth. If you aim the proper distance below the fish, he's in the bag. Ability to judge refraction comes with practice.

Hunting bows are ideal for fishing. Once rigged with a low-price commercial reel, the archer is in business. The reel is usually spotted above the bow handle and allows line to peel off at the shot in the same manner as an open-faced spinning reel does. Some archers make reels by using old line spools, chunks of wood, and even tin cans. Then the line is stripped in by hand. At least 50-pound-test is recommended, not only to handle heavy fish, but to pull the arrow out of a muddy bottom or snag-infested stream.

The reel should be taped or tied to the bow. Unless a heavy coat of wax is applied first, the tape may peel off the bow's finish. Ron and Jerry use furniture wax. My bow is coated with a commercial bow wax before each trip.

Don't use arrows rigged with feathers, since they'll soon be destroyed in this rough sport. Instead, install water-resistant rubber or plastic vanes. Considering my experience with the rocks, you'll want to have plenty of points. Points used resemble field or target designs with barbs that hold the fish after it is hit. Some of these are retractable while others screw off tl\e shaft so that the arrow can be pulled through without removing the line. Line is passed through a hole near the nock and tied in another near the point. This helps to stabilize the shaft on its flight.

Stripping in line by hand is an excellent and sporting way to land small and medium size fish. For monster gars and catfish other methods may be used. The line can be attached directly to a fishing rod and the angler can play the catch after the hit is made. Plastic jugs can be used as floats with the line tied to them. After pulling this weight around for a while, the largest fish can be landed easily.

Get yourself a bow reel and get in on the hot action. The first time you latch on to a monster carp or gar you'll enjoy the kind of exciting sport that will make you want to go after more of the finny targets. Nebraska's waters teem with targets, waters that are waiting for the Robin Hood fisherman.

THE END OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

World Champion KID COWBOY

Meet Nebraska's Steve Schqmp.Hes in a sport that knows no weaklings

WHEN OTHER toddlers were getting their kicks from a spring-rigged hobby horse, Steve Sehomp was riding the real thing. Trading booties for boots, he was ready to rodeo the first time he climbed aboard a range-hardened cayuse on his dad's Mirage Flats spread south of Hay Springs. Now, at tne ripe old age of 13, he's a world-champion cowboy.

Steve isrf't in the big time yet. But according to top hands who know the makings of a real competitor when they see one, Steve has the makings of another Casey Tibbs. Right now, his sfomping ground is the Little Britches rodeo circuit v^bere last year he racked up 1,258% points in seven rodeos tS becojne the association's junior division world champion all-around cowboy.

Winning the all-around is probably the greatest thing that has ever happened in Steve's young life. He was against the West's best kid cowboys at4he 1962 Little Britches finals in Littleton, Colorado.

With only an 80-point spread between "^fm and the No. 2 man, Steve figured he would have to go JUNE, 1963 13   for broke. He did just that, taking four firsts in quick order, three of them in succession. With the steer riding event his, he tamed a bronc to cop the bareback honors. But even before he was out of the chutes the P.A. system was calling him for the pole-bending event. Without taking time to remove spurs or chaps, he climbed aboard his horse, "Stormy," and walked away with the crown.

KID COWBOY continued

The Little Britches circuit is the training ground for young cowboys like Steve who dream of one day making the big time. Steve has been competing in Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, and Kansas association shows since 1961. He's done so well, in fact, that his trophies have squeezed the family out of the den. Last summer Steve brought home four hand-tooled leather saddles, 18 silver-and-gold belt buckles, 18 trophies, an assortment of bridles, ropes, and saddle blankets, and a radio. Stormy is probably the most duded up horse in the West, what with all the fancy rigging Steve's won.

Though pleased as punch with his record, Steve's a little awed by all of the attention he's getting. Folks back East heard about his winning ways and lined him up for an appearance on the TV show, "To Tell the Truth". New York's concrete jungle was a far cry from the wide open spaces of Mirage Flats, but Steve managed.

On the flight back, the boy met the pilot who said he would never have enough nerve to ride a bronc. Looking at the ground thousands of feet 14 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   below, Steve said, "I've got a lot more nerve to get on a bronc than in one of these areoplanes."

The Schomps are mighty proud of their champion. Eldon, Steve's dad and a veteran rodeo hand, has passed on all he knows about cowboying. He's quick to praise and just as quick to lower the boom if Steve tries any Fancy Dan stuff in the demanding sport. And what Eldon can't show him, Woodrow Respects Nothing can. The Sioux Indian has plenty of savvy when it comes to taming mavericks.

Even Steve's mom gets in on the act. At first she wanted no part of the game. Mrs. Schomp would leave the stands when Steve's or brother Ben's events were called, afraid that she would see her boys hurt. Last year the kids told her they would do better if she was on hand rooting, so she stayed.

Brother Ben is no rank amateur himself at the Little Britches game. He came in fourth in the all-around competition at Littleton and folks around Mirage Flats are counting on his bringing home Steve's vacated junior crown when the champ moves up to the senior class this season.

Eldon credits the boys' ability to a good sense of balance developed from riding bareback most of their lives. Both are clingy as cats when it comes to riding steers and broncs and it's no wonder. They're horseback every time they get the chance. The boys ride the four miles to county school except in the worst of weather. To keep in shape, Steve breaks the neighbor's stock during the off-season. This brings in extra cash to pay expenses on the circuit.

Such work paid off during the 1961 and '62 seasons when Steve tamed some of the toughest critters on the circuit. A maverick with the unlikely name of "Tom Thumb" gave him fits in his first year of competition, but even this bone-jarring ride could not compare to the tricks "Mexican Joe" pulled on him at the Custer, South Dakota, rodeo. Steve stuck him the required eight seconds, though, showing his stuff when the chips were down.

Steve, Ben, and Eldon travel the circuit together, carrying their horses in the family pickup and trailer. Once at the grounds, they set up house-keeping in a tent. Eldon does the cooking while his two charges handle K.P. chores.

It would be hard to say which of the three is the most anxious for the 1963 Little Britches season to start. Steve will be competing in the senior division and will be going against some mighty salty hands. Weighing only 91 pounds with his boots on, the wiry five-footer will have to go some if he's going to repeat his 1962 record. He's too light for the bulldogging event, but hopes that his riding and roping savvy will bring him to the champion's circle.

You'll want to see Steve in action at the Nebraska State Little Britches Rodeo in Chadron June 28 and 29. Tickets for the big event are on sale by Little Britches representatives at Crawford, Whitney, Hay Springs, Harrison, Rushville, Gordon, Merriman, Valentine, Alliance, Hemingford, and Chadron.

All events at the Chadron showdown will carry first, second, and third-place trophies. Obviously, there are no cash prizes for the amateurs and that's O.K. with the contestants. A hand-tooled saddle and a gleaming trophy mean a lot more at this stage of the game. North Platte, where rodeo began, will also stage a Little Britches show, June 1 and 2. It goes under the tag of the Buffalo Bill Junior Rodeo.

Bill Cody would be mighty proud of Steve. If his "Wild West" was still going, chances are he would make the Mirage Flats kid a part of the show. No wonder. Steve's a real competitor, a champion all the way—a world champion to boot.

THE END JUNE, 1963 15

DAY OF THE DOG

by Bob Morris Man's best friend ever since time began, canines have helped shape world's history  

FOUR SNARLING animals stalk their winded prey, their white teeth flashing in the last bold rays of a wilderness sun. Crouched around their cornered foe, they keep him at bay in the sheltered glen as first one, then another, darts in to nip at the antlered critter's vitals. None, however, can make the kill, stymied by the crushing sweep of a huge rack and the blinding thrusts of deadly hooves.

Lying low on a small overhang, the hunter has seen it all. He envies the animals' speed and cunning in the chase, the way each paced himself in running the prey until the big animal could go no farther. The man knew he could never accomplish such a feat. Watching them, however, he realized that he had in his two hands the ability to kill where they could only snap and snarl and wait.

Grabbing two huge boulders, the hunter jumps into the fray. The first stone only dazes the big animal, but the sharp point of the second crushes killingly into the skull. His family will eat venison tonight.

And eat they do, filling their bellies while the four predators skulk beyond the flames of the cave. The hunter throws them bones and scraps and they accept the meager reward. Too dimwitted to fully understand what has happened, the hunter dozes off, unaware that a new era has begun—a time when man depends not on himself for food, but utilizes a lower creature's cunning to bring home game.

The hunter's collaborators were the dawn-age ancestors of today's dogs. Maybe they were jackals, perhaps wolves, no one knows for sure. The mystery of their beginning is lost in the mists of evolution, the root of today's breeds still a question mark to modern-day researchers.

After that first hunt the tie between man and dog becomes stronger. Centuries pass and the hunter has developed spear and bow and arrow to aid him in his quest for food. Dogs still play an important part in the hunt. Even with improved weapons this later Stone Age man still has to get close to his prey before bringing it down. After the hunt the spoils are still divided. But these creatures are still in their wild state, living their life apart from humans.

Then one day a small girl wanders from the cave. She stumbles on a small ball of fur, perhaps the sole survivor of a litter carried off by a saber-toothed tiger. The girl picks the pup up, cuddling the small animal as she carries him back to the cave to care for him.

When her father returns he is angry and is going to dispose of the pup. But his daughter's tears melt all anger away and the ball of fur stays. The pup grows from a wooly plaything to a full-grown tame animal. Instead of seeking out the half-wild dogs to help him in his hunt, the father now has a tame one that he can depend on when he needs him most. Others, seeing the hunter's success, begin raising dogs of their own.

More centuries pass. Man is more civilized. He has horses and cattle and his home is more permanent. Somewhere along the way he has learned the art of selective dog breeding and many different varieties come into being to meet (continued on page 33)

 

the BEST IN CAMPING

Wherever you go, these prime spots offer tops in recreation facilities

LET YOURSELF go camping in NEBRASKAland. Head for the rolling hills, fun-filled reservoirs, and historic Old West sites that make an overnight stop or lengthy vacation a trip to remember.

Prime fishing, hot dogs and pop, a fire burning down to glowing embers, a lazy day under towering pines or on a sandy beach—these are the joys of camping. Nebraska's camping areas offer all this and more. Scattered from one end of the state to the other, the top 20 sites are a part of an 81-area park system. Picnic tables, fireplaces with wood, running water, playgrounds, and sanitary facilities are the rule at each of the top 20 and most of the others as well.

The state's vast reservoir system offers top-notch fun for the outdoor family. Lewis and Clark Lake, five miles south of Yankton, South Dakota, is a 37-mile-long impoundment with 33,000 acres of water enjoyment. Nine camping areas along the south shore are available. Five, South Shore, Weigand Boat Basin, Bloomfield, Miller Creek, and Santee, have modern facilities. The others, Training Dike, Cottonwood, Tailwaters, and Niobrara, are not fully developed. Boat-launching sites are located at South   Shore, Weigand, and Santee. Each of the nine can be reached by all-weather roads.

A whopping 37,000 acres of land-and-water fun is on tap at Lake McConaughy. Eight miles north of Ogallala, Big Mac offers prime fishing, boating, water skiing, and camping. There are no state-managed camping facilities on the lake proper, but outdoor families can pitch their tents at a number of natural spots. Those preferring a developed area will use facilities at Lake Ogallala, just below Big Mac's earthen dam. Boat rental and launching sites are available on McConaughy proper as well as a number of rental cabins, motels, and restaurants.

Farther down the Platte is Lake Maloney. The 1,600-acre reservoir, seven miles south of North Platte, offers relaxation for city-weary travelers at the two camping areas, each having a concession stand. Sandy beaches make boat launching easy.

the BEST IN CAMPING continued

Another vital link in the reservoir system is Johnson Lake, south of Lexington. Eighteen miles of shore line and 2,800 acres of water make it one of the largest. Two developed recreational grounds provide plenty of room and facilities for outdoor fun.

The Republican River drainage system has five outstanding lakes in its complex, each with plenty of play and stay facilities. Enders, eight miles south-east of Imperial, boasts two camping and picnic areas and a concrete boat-launching site. Swanson Lake promises easy living for lazy summer days. Three miles west of Trenton, it has two camping spots and a concession stand that are sure to please.

Next along the line is brand new Red Willow Reservoir, located a few miles north of McCook. The impoundment has 35 miles of shore line ready for exploring in addition to three camping areas.

Medicine Creek is a sprawling chunk of water couched in the hills north of Cambridge. Three 20 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   fully developed camping areas provide comfortable living. Three boat ramps, a restaurant, and boat rentals are available on the southwest shore. Harlan County Reservoir at Alma has five camping spots in addition to two trailer parks with electricity, sewer outlets, gas, and water. Swimming, boating, and fishing are in abundance.

The rugged northwest has three spots where families can enjoy the Old West setting. Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford is a 100-acre playground smack dab in the middle of cowboy and Indian country. Sixteen modern rental rooms in the lodge and 12 cabin units in the former officers' quarters are available in addition to a fully equipped camping area. The campsite features electrical hookups for trailers. Two museums, trout fishing, and horseback riding give plenty of diversion for visitors.

Close by is Chadron State Park where guests can enjoy an afternoon's picnic or have a two-week rest in one of the 16 modern rental cabins. A brand-new swimming pool and bath house are featured along with trail riding, fishing, and a camping area big enough to handle the largest group of campers. The matchless beauty of the buttes make camping out an experience for the family to long remember.

In the heart of the Oregon Trail country are two small but important areas, Bridgeport and Lake Minatare. Just as weary pioneers found them welcome resting places so, too, do modern travelers. Bridgeport Recreation Area is located a short distance from the town from which it was named. Lake Minatare is five miles north and six east of Scottsbluff. Camping, swimming, and picnic facilities are available at both.

At the other end of the state, Two Rivers Recreation Area is one of the busiest spots on the Nebraska camping map. Six lakes stocked with game fish including a put-and-take trout pond, picnic grounds, supervised swimming, and camping make it a mecca for thousands of eager outdoorsmen. A reasonable fee is charged for water, electricity, and sewage hookups at the trailer park.

A few miles south of State Highway 50 is Louisville Lakes Recreation Area. Its four lakes and JUNE, 1963 21   frontage on the Platte River make it a favorite for fish-minded travelers. Camping, picnic and playground facilities come in for heavy use. Another top spot is Fremont Recreation Area west of Fremont on U.S. Highway 30. Twenty-one lakes are included in the 700-acre tract. Two concession stands are there for the convenience of campers and picnickers. Fishing, boating, and swimming help to round out this scenic area's quiet beauty.

BEST IN CAMPING continued 22 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA  

Ponca State Park lies along the bluffs of the Missouri River. Five hundred acres of timbered hills and ravines make it a perfect retreat from civilization. There are 10 double-unit housekeeping cabins in addition to two spacious camping grounds. Hiking, exploring, fishing, and newly-opened trail rides are also popular.

Once a curve on the Elkhorn River, Dead Timber Recreation Area is now an out-of-the-way oxbow giving unhurried enjoyment. The large and beautiful area is 25 miles north of Fremont on U.S. Highway 275 near Scribner. Alexandria Lakes Recreation Area fills an important need in southeast Nebraska's recreational needs. Located three miles east and one south of Alexandria, it has three manmade lakes to add to its beauty. Pretty Crystal Lake Recreation Area near Ayr has camping, picnic and playground facilities. The Little Blue River and a 30-acre lake add to its charm.

YOU NEED A VACATION SEE THE U.S. A.

The site of a pioneer fort used to fight off marauding Indians is Stolley Recreation Area in Grand Island. Two of the settlement's original buildings still stand in the camping area. The aura of yesterday fills this quiet spot where families now enjoy shaded beauty. Another spot with a rich pioneer history is Victoria Springs Park, seven miles east of Anselmo in the heart of the Sand Hills. The site of a fizzled-out health resort, it now plays host to picnic and camping visitors. There is a boat rental by the lake.

Niobrara State Park, located at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers, has excellent facilities, including 15 rental cabins and a modern swimming pool. A nine-hole golf course, boat rentals, and a concession stand combine with the fishing and camping to make it a fine area. Atkinson Recreation Area at Atkinson is a 50-acre hideaway with picnic and camping grounds and a lake for fishing.

Stretching out in the sea of grass in the Sand Hills are two man-made oases that draw visitors like a magnet. The Bessey Division of the Nebraska National Forest, located near Halsey, covers 90,444 acres, while the Niobrara Division, 19 miles south of Nenzel, contains 115,638. A 12-unit campground and vacation trailer park, swimming pool, and picnic grounds are available at the Bessey Division. There are no provisions for camping at the Niobrara Division, although picnic groups are invited.

Load up your rig and take off for a summer of fun exploring the scenic and historic wonders of NEBRASKAland. They are among the best you'll find anywhere.

THE END JUNE, 1963

BIRDS FOR TOMORROW

by Tim Renken Geared to future hunting needs is the experimental work underway at "Sac"

STRANGE IMPORTS from faraway places will soon call a small piece of Nebraska real estate home. If the Turkish chukar and the Argentine tinamou like what they see at the Sacramento Wildlife Area southeast of Holdrege, they may set down roots here on a permanent basis, adding their names to the state's impressive list of game birds.

Whether either species will take is pure conjecture at this point. Actually both are only the first of several varieties that will be brought to "Sac's" sparkling new game farm for experimentation. The new facilities were built for the sole purpose of testing exotic species. Nebraska long ago outgrew the era of raising birds to be stocked before the gun.

Soon the plant will echo with the squawks, cackles, and crowings of the two imports. Others, a few with characteristics perhaps too strange to describe, may follow. Whether or not the state's sportsmen will ever reap benefits from the program is not certain, for the odds against making such a find as the pheasant or, more recently, the Merriam's turkey are great.

Finding new species for a given area isn't new with the Game Commission. Game agencies and groups have been doing it all around the country for generations. Sometimes such transplants have been successful, and the animal has thrived in its new location. More often the relocations failed because the species in question was not adapted to the new environment.

The history of game introductions is filled with deliberate or accidental stockings of non-native 24 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   species which caused no end of trouble. One classic example is the transplanting of two-dozen European rabbits in Australia in 1859 bv well-meaning residents. The rabbits met no predators worthy of their mettle and the population exploded to ravish the countryside.

Any species considered for introduction must be desirable from every point of view, not just for hunting. The chances of finding a game bird that has only desirable traits and can thrive in Nebraska are slim.

Most attempts, even though carefully conducted, will fail, according to Game Commission Director M. O. Steen. History bears him out. Only three exotics—pheasants, Hungarian partridge, and chukar partridge—have been successfully introduced into this country out of more than 100 attempts. A few are still in an undecided stage. Steen is careful to point out that even though the odds are high against a successful transplant, one real success makes up for all of the failures. This is the case of the pheasant, Nebraska's and the nation's No. 1 game bird.

Experimental releases will not be made blindly. The selection of the prospective species will be done on the most scientific basis possible. Such things as climate, latitude, soil types, food habits, predator impact, and many other factors are determined in advance before a bird is picked for experimental work at Sacramento.

It is this scientific approach which netted the Game Commission its recent prize package, the Merriam's turkey. From a planting of 28 wild birds in the panhandle in 1958, turkeys increased to an estimated population of 3,000 in 1962. So fast did the birds reproduce, in fact, that the Game Commission declared an open season on turkey in 1962, the first Nebraska wild turkey season in this century.

This type of success, according to Steen, is phenomenal, and can not be expected in other introductions. "We had a precedent to go on in the case of the Merriam's turkey," he said, "since the birds had been successfully introduced into Wyoming and South Dakota. We have to start from scratch with these other species, however. Even if we determine in advance that all conditions are favorable for a certain species, there is still no certainty that it will prosper or even survive."

A major goal is finding a bird or birds that will prosper in the Sand Hills. The 20,000 square-mile area is devoted entirely to grazing and has a stable grassland environment. The scaled quail has already been introduced, but to date results are not encouraging. Another prospect is the tinamou. Two strains of this bird from the grasslands of southern Argentina are being considered. Both thrive in the grasslands of their native range, despite heavy grazing pressure and unregulated hunting.

Chukars are already at Sacramento. These fleet little birds will be tested in the grassland breaks of the panhandle. Technicians doubt that they are adapted to the Sand Hills, however.

The experimental work with new species at Sacramento will not be exciting. It will be painstaking, tedious, and often unrewarding. But it is vitally necessary in today's scheme of things. Environment changes as fast as crops, tillage practices, and land-use changes. It is not the same today as a quarter-century ago; it will not be the same 25 years hence. Nebraska must be scientific, flexible, and progressive in game management. Sacramento is an example of such a far-reaching program.

THE END JUNE, 1963 25

RATTLER ROUNDUP

by Carl Kugler This kind of game is just like checkers —look before you move or it's curtains Our Reader Writes

IT LOOKED harmless enough lying there in the dust, a rattler's head and a section of his body less than four inches long. I was going to grab the section barehanded and flip it into an old hole but something made me hesitate. I touched it with my spear, and the "dead" critter snapped his fangs into the shaft, sending a yellow stream of venom flowing down to the ground.

The thought of how close I had come to taking a deadly dose made me shiver. Even with a severed head, the rattler's eyes looked as alert as they had before. This snake had been taken with spear and rifle, one of hundreds that had fallen to this strange combination of weapons since my friends and I began a full-scale war on the critters more than 35 years ago. This was one of my closest calls, but it wasn't the first snake to give me the shakes.

My brother, Fred, and I run a blacksmith shop in the Platte Valley town of Lexington. We hunt ducks, geese, quail, and pheasants in season. But it's the rattlers that really get us excited. Sometimes OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   they can be found in great numbers in the prairie-dog towns that dot the sandy hills on either side of the valley. Fall offers the best hunting. Then the rattlers come in by the dozens and soak up sun outside the dog holes for two or three weeks before hibernating.

This part of Nebraska is ranch country, and most stockmen welcome us with open arms. None cotton to the idea of losing a choice steer to snake bite, and figure that each snake we take lessens the possibility that their animals will be hit.

My first taste of a rattler's ferocity came when I was 19. My dad and I were working on a road-building crew for Dawson County when we spotted two rattlers lying in a ditch. Dad tried to cut off one's head with a 3%-foot spade, but the snake struck back within inches of his hand. Before dad could move his hand, the rattler struck again. Shaken up a bit, he moved back at a safer distance and killed the snakes by throwing the spade at them.

Bill Stumphler, a local rancher, introduced us to the sport of rattler hunting 37 years ago. Bill, an expert rifleman, kept in shape by potting prairie dogs and rattlers, and invited Frank and me out to give it a try. Though the shooting was great sport, some would slip down one of the open holes.

Our friend, Orlo Hall, solved this problem for us by coming up with the idea of using spears. We found that we could walk right up to a sunning rattler and stick him before he became alarmed. Once impaled, the snake could not get away. Our first spears were frog gigs on the end of a bamboo pole. Now we use welding rods placed in a five-foot metal pole. The barbless points allow us to spear one snake, kill it, flip it off, and use the spear on another.

The blacksmith shop became a favorite for displaying our catch. The limp bodies hanging from wires outside attracted visitors from all around the county. Interest in the sport began to grow, and soon there were dozens of hunters probing the hills for rattlers.

One of my most harrowing experiences occurred when I was out with Pete Miller, a new convert to the sport. Pete proved to be a sharp-eyed hunter who could spot a rattler quickly in heavy cover. The grass in the spot we were hunting was very high and a strong wind made it difficult to hear. Suddenly I spotted a bull snake crawling between my legs. I started to move when Pete grabbed my arm.

Looking down, I saw a rattler coiled and ready to strike almost at my feet. It scared me so bad that I shot first, then speared it. One more step would have had me snake bit, 20 miles from a doctor. After that, we began wearing hip waders on our hunts.

Even now I get cold chills when hunting rattlers in an abandoned dog town where the grass is high. In the spring, the snakes turn a greenish color that blends with the grass and makes them even more difficult to see. They seem to be meaner at this time, too. We walk slowly through the heavy growth with our spears extended near the ground to decoy the snakes. Before we started wearing waders, this decoying stunt probably saved our lives many times.

I have teased many snakes into striking the spear. Some have even struck the bottom of my booted foot when I held it close to them. Many years ago before we started hunting rattlers an early riser from hibernation chased Fred and me all around a road construction site.

The snake was crawling up a bank near our tractor. I ran over, mounted the machine, and swatted the rattler's rear end with a small spade. Its head rose nearly straight up and flashed down within inches of my face. The strike scared me so bad that I dropped the spade and ran. That snake charged right after me, its head raised several inches off the ground. Fred hit it with a wrench and the maddened reptile took after him. The rattler's tail was buzzing and it kept hissing like a hot tea kettle. Finally we managed to kill it by throwing bits of iron from the grader box. Each time the snake was hit, he would charge the man who threw the iron.

OUTDOOR Nebraska proudly presents the stories of its readers themselves. Here is the opportunity so many have requested—a chance to tell their own outdoor tales. Hunting trips, the "big fish that got away", unforgettable characters, outdoor impression II have a place here. If you have a story to tell, Jot it down and send it to Editor, OUTDOOR Nebraska, State Capitol, Lincoln 9. Send photographs, too, if any are available.

When we first started hunting, rattlers were abundant in the hills around here. Now much of their habitat has been destroyed. The ranchers had the prairie dogs killed off because they felt the holes ruined pastureland and were leg-breaking cattle traps. The old dens are gradually being filled with silt that washes in after each rain or snowfall.

The snakes have moved on looking for new homes. If they had headed (continued on page 29)

JUNE, 1963 27

WHERE TO GO IN NEBRASKAland

COLLINS Resort "Midwest's Vacation Wonderland" On beautiful Johnson Lake Enjoy a wonderful vacation at Collins Johnson Lake Resort. —Lake-front cabins, both modern and semi-modern—Fishing—Boat and motors—Free boat ramp—Cafe. For reservations, call State 5-2298, or write to Elwood, Nebraska. Paved Highway 283, Elwood, Nebr. FRONTIER RESORT LAKE MALONEY on U.S. Highway 83 South of North Platte Cabins-Boats-Motors-Cafe Write for reservations Route 4, North Platte, Nebr. 28 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

RATTLER ROUNDUP

(continued from page 27)

for the brush, everything would be fine. But they may be finding things to their liking nearer the ranch houses. At least that's what Wayne Jenkins believes.

Two years ago Wayne's two-year-old son, Jimmy, ran into the house crying. The mark on the lad's leg looked like a bee sting, but Wayne knew better. He walked outside and spotted a four-foot rattler. Losing no time, he rushed his young son to the hospital at Calloway. His condition was critical, and only one dose of antivenin serum was available. The safety patrol rushed serum in, saving the boy's life.

Over the years, we have taken hundreds of rattlers from six to nearly 45 inches. The average size is 24 to 32 inches. Art Anderson, president of Keith County Historical Society, found the "granddaddy" of Nebraska rattlesnakes near Keystone. Anderson usually catches snakes with a stick,then loads them in the car alive. Once in he holds the rattler with one hand and steers with the other. The 54-inch monster was a bit too powerful for this treatment, so Anderson killed it.

The largest any of our gang has taken is 10 inches short of Anderson's record. I am convinced that somewhere in the hills a larger snake is waiting. The prospect of meeting that old devil this year makes my mouth water.

THE END IN OMAHA You are cordially invited to visit Union Pacific's HISTORICAL MUSEUM

LOCATED only a few steps off the lobby on the first floor of U.P.'s 12-story headquarters building on the corner of 15th and Dodge, in downtown Omaha, Nebr. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

YOURS for the investment of a short visit is a flavorful taste of the old West and the human history of the first transcontinental railroad.

DISPLAYS ... a collection of Lincolniana in honor of President Lincoln, who created Union Pacific by signing the Enabling Act in 1862; equipment related to the railroad, Indians and pioneers of the period; and a wall of glass encased panels containing documents and photos.

GRIM MEMENTOS ... of the lawlessness that followed the opening of the new territory are here in the form of knives, guns and other objects of western pioneer lore.

Chaperoned youth groups are welcome ... by appointment. For details write Mrs. Irene A. Keeffe, Museum Director, Union Pacific Railroad, 1416 Dodge St., Omaha 2, Nebraska. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD JUNE, 1963 29

WHERE TO RODEO NEBRASKAland

EIGHT MORE PAGES ARE ON THE WAY IN THE BIGGER, BETTER THAN EVER OUTDOOR Nebraska beginning with the JULY issue 30 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

SPEAK UP

Carp Catchers

"Could you please tell me the most productive baits for catfish and carp? I enjoy OUTDOOR Nebraska very much and read it from cover to cover every month. I also get a kick out of the cartoons and find the How To's very interesting."—Michael Homan, Omaha.

Minnows, nightcrawlers, and blood and stink baits of various kinds are generally found to be the best for catfish. Carp are most often caught on various dough-ball mixtures and corn. Technique is of utmost importance in catching these two species.—Editor.

Is It Blue or White?

"I have been a reader of OUTDOOR Nebraska for several years and find it one of the finest sportsman's magazines. I have read about white catfish and wonder why it isn't stocked in Nebraska. I would also like to know the difference between this species and other catfish."—Darrel Beckmann, Syracuse.

The white catfish is common in southern reaches of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The habitat is generally not similar to that found in Nebraska. It must be supposed that for these reasons the white catfish will never inhabit the Missouri as far upriver as Nebraska. It is smaller than other catfish and has a slower growth rate. I assume you are not confusing the white catfish with the blue that is found in Nebraska.—Editor.

Welcome Hot Foot

"Here is a tip I'm passing along to the hard-water fishermen. It came from an oldtime duck hunter and really works. To keep your feet warm in snow, on the ice, or anywhere else, grease them thoroughly with a petroleum jelly product, slip on a pair of thin cotton or silk socks, then put on a pair of wool socks. Your feet will stay warm regardless of the weather. It may be a little messy but better than cold feet and maybe pneumonia."—R. E. Clark, Bennet.

Family of Shooters

"As an old fellow I was wondering if members of any family equalled or outdid mine which follows in recent deer seasons. Bruce and Bryce Abel, my 17 year-old twin grandsons each bagged a mule-deer buck, one a three-pointer and the other a two-pointer. A brother-in-law of the Abel boys got a two-point buck so we have a lot of venison. All three deer were taken less than a mile from my ranch buildings. Twenty deer are on alfalfa here and are real tame."—V. L. Hanson, Harrison.

I am sure few families can boast of this feat. I would be interested in hearing from other families who had good success during the past seasons.—Editor.

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PENNSYLVANIA . . . There are days when a person would be better off to stay in bed, at least as far as one Armstrong County farmer is concerned. It seems that a deer got tangled up in his electric fence, ultimately breaking it and setting fire to the hillside and almost the barn. While the farmer was fighting the fire, his cows went through the break in the fence to a neighboring cornfield, ruining between $150 and $200 worth of corn.

Please Feed the Fish

MASSACHUSETTS . . . Contrary to popular belief there are still a few things a nickel will buy. One vending machine installed at a trout hatchery dispenses trout pellets at a nickel a fistful. The machine was installed on an experimental basis and has proved so popular that 11 of the machines will be put into operation in the near future. Each resembles the traditional gum-ball dispenser.

Perserverence Gets Bass

MISSOURI. . . Mrs. Carol Wollenberg, St. Louis, literally took to the air to land a seven-pound bass. On a fishing trip to Table Rock Lake she latched on to a lunker that dove for the bottom and wound the line around some underbrush. After trying to dislodge the bass, Mrs. Wollenberg climbed into a tree that was over the water while her husband, Leonard, took off looking for a scuba diver. Mrs. Wollenberg kept a tight line on the perplexed bass until her husband and the diver arrived after dark. The diver dived in and untangled the line and the intrepid woman angler finally landed her quarry.

32 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA

DAY OF THE DOG

(continued from page 17)

man's needs. There are flocks to tend, carts to pull, homes to guard, and equally important, companionship to give. Other animals can do any one of these better, but only the dog can do all.

Hunting becomes secondary, for though man still fills his stomach with wild meat, herds of cattle are better. They can be kept close to the home and killed at leisure and moved from place to place as man journeys to far places.

But there is still room for dogs. Hunting becomes a sport, the exclusive domain of kings and emperors and hunts are held on a grand scale. Bas reliefs from Egyptian tombs show fleet greyhounds running down game. The greyhound, afghan hound, and saluki all trace their lineage back to around 4,000 B. C. in Egypt where they were dogs of royalty. They were used to hunt leopards, gazelle, and hares. Far to the north the Norwegian elkhound, bred true to type since Viking days, was used on big-game such as elk, boar, and bear.

Not all dogs were hunters, however. The tiny Japanese spaniel, another royal dog, was kept in cages similar to birds. The Pekingese was known in China as the "sleeve dog" as it was often carried in the huge sleeves of robes.

As man widened his horizons of travel, dogs were moved on from one continent to another. The mastiff dates back to 3,000 B. C. in Egypt. Around 500 B. C. he was introduced to Britain by Phoenician traders. When the Romans invaded Britain in 55 B. C. they found the Britons used this massive dog in warfare as well as for hunting. The Mexican hairless is believed to have originated in China and brought to Mexico through the Bering Straits and Alaska. The Chesapeake Bay retriever is said to be a cross between a pair of Newfoundlands saved from a wrecked ship and local duck dogs.

Other breeds started cropping up. The English, Gordon, and Irish setters were results of crosses between hounds and other dogs in Britain and France. The big Labrador retriever came about from a cross between an English setter and the cumbersome Labrador.

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Man still depends on dogs t find game, a staggering variety of breeds each specializing in the taking of pheasant, quail, deer, waterfowl, mountain lion, bear, or raccoon. For each kind of hunting there is a number of species suited for his need. In addition, the list of dogs for guarding, stock tending, or just a furry plaything has grown until today there are 115 different breeds registered with the American Kennel Club and nearly as many other varieties not recognized by the AKC.

Dogs and man have come a long way from the day when they first joined together to bring down their prey. Whether his ancestors were jackals or wolves doesn't seem important when you've got your hunting buddy by your side. You know you can count on him, no matter what the need.

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notes on Nebraska fauna

SAGE GROUSE

THE FIRST DISCOVERY of the sage grouse by white men is credited to members of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Originally this largest member of the grouse family was found wherever sagebrush was plentiful. Since early times the range has decreased considerably, so that the bird now occupies only about half of his former range.

Sage grouse, or sage hens, or sage chickens, are found today in parts of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The revised check list of Nebraska Birds (1958) summarizes the status of sage grouse in Nebraska: "A rare resident of extreme northwestern Nebraska, possibly extirpated."

Verified records of these birds in Nebraska are extremely limited. The only recent report, supplemented by photographs, was in the northwestern corner of Sioux County near the South Dakota and Wyoming state lines in January, 1961.

The common name of sage grouse is derived from his primary habitat—about 70 per cent of the occupied range is the sagebrush-grass prairie type. The scientific name, Cenlrocercus urophasianus, means 34 OUTDOOR NEBRASKA   spiny-tailed pheasant. He is a member of the family Tetraonidae, which includes grouse, spruce partridges, and ptarmigans.

A rare visitor to Nebraska, this bird struts across the plains each spring to attract a mate by Karl Menzel Assistant Project Leader, Game

Sage grouse are large birds, 21 to 30 inches long, and weigh from 3 to 7 pounds, with adult cocks about twice the size of hens. The general coloration is grayish-brown with a prominently dark belly and long tapering tail feathers. Adult males sport loose rolls of skin on their fore neck which function as air sacs or pouches, covered with short, stiff, white feathers.

Breast feathers are white, with a black tip, and the abdomen is black in appearance. The back sides are black, marked with bars and spots of white, gray, tan, and brown. Wings are primarily grayish-brown, with the under surface white.

The adult female is similar to the male. She is more drab in appearance, however, and does not have air pouches nor the specialized white feathers on the neck.

With the advent of spring, sage grouse congregate at strutting grounds to attract a mate. The males put on a spectacular performance, their antics one of nature's most unique displays.

Spreading his tail in a semicircular pattern, the big bird holds his head high to partially inflate the air sacs, and carries the wings low to the ground. He then inhales air in gulps to completely fill the sacs, and makes a short run forward. Quick beating of the wings causes an audible swishing sound.

A resonant sound is produced by the sudden contraction of the neck muscles which traps air in the distended portion of the esophagus. This causes the membranes of the bare areas to vibrate. The sound created resembles that made by dropping a rock into a well and is audible for one to three miles on a calm morning.

The strutting grounds are commonly in exposed areas, and vary in size from a few hundred square feet to several acres. The number of cocks on a single ground may vary from a few to several hundred.

Mating occurs on the strutting grounds after which females retire to nest well before the strutting season is over. Most nesting is done close to low sagebrush plants, where vegitation covers about half the ground surface. The usual clutch of eggs is 7 or 8, with fewer in second clutches where the first nest has been destroyed. Incubation takes about 25 days, and hatching is from mid-May to early June. As with other grouse, no more than one brood is raised per year.

The main brood habitat is sagebrush range combined with water, although birds can go many days without free water. Chicks stay with the hen until they are about eight weeks old, and by early September are independent of the mother.

No other game bird obtains so much of his food from so few sources. The young eat mostly insects for a few weeks after birth, but by the time they are a month old their diet is about the same as adults. Nearly three-fourths of the annual intake consists of leaves and flowers of sagebrush, with big sage the most common.

In spring other greens are added to the menu, primarily legumes, weeds, and grasses. Sagebrush comprises about half of the diet during the summer with animal food constituting about 10 per cent. Toward the end of the summer and through the fall the amount of sagebrush increases. The big grouse is the only native game-bird in sagebrush habitat.

Mammals pose the greatest threat to the sage grouse, though magpies and ravens take some eggs, and chicks or adults may be taken by hawks, owls, and golden eagles. Ground squirrels, badgers, and coyotes may commonly prey on young or adults.

But of all his enemies, the most destructive is man. Through change and misuse of the range, the big grouse's habitat has been considerably reduced. In 1937, the preservation of sage grouse appeared doubtful. At present the outlook is bright, and this spectacular game bird appears to have an assured future. Hunting is presently allowed in several states, and provides good sport where numbers are sufficiently abundant.

Suitable habitat in Nebraska is very limited, so our place in the range must remain extremely minor. Though he will never be hunted here, the sage grouse is a part of the wildlife scene.

THE END JUNE, 1963 35

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