_{Ready for the shows? Getting to be the crazy busy fun time of the year that much is true! River city Hunting and Fishing RV and Boat Show Expo is coming to the Mid America Center and we will be on Location for Your Ultimate Outdoor Show. Next Saturday.}

On this weeks show, we talk to both Jason Schendt from the Nebraska Big Buck Classic and Tom Hamiltion with the River City Show about their upcoming events and the countdown to the Nebraska Safari Club show is underway.

Also it's the time of the year when hunting and fishing rules get brought up at the state level. Make sure you're informed! We will do what we can to help spread the news from Lincoln and Des Moines.

Public Informational Waterfowl Meetings Scheduled

LINCOLN, Neb. – A series of public informational waterfowl zone meetings are scheduled across the state in coming weeks, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Issues include potential changes to the state's duck zone and season split configuration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011 changed some criteria for duck zones.

The meeting schedule is:

Jan. 9 – Columbus, Izaak Walton League Lodge, 3521 195th St. South, 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 – Omaha, Scheels classroom, 17202 Davenport St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 11 – Lincoln, Hunter Education Office conference room, 4817 N. 56th St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 – Ponca, Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26E, 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 – Valentine, Niobrara Lodge, 803 E. U.S. Highway 20, 6 p.m.

Jan. 17 – Kearney, Yanney Park, ERC Building, 2005 1st Ave., 6 p.m.

Jan. 23 – McCook, Red Willow Fairgrounds, Community Building, W. 5th and O St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 – Gering Civic Center, Chimney Rock meeting room, 1050 M St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 25 – Ogallala, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center, 1475 Neb. Highway 61N, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 – North Platte, Holiday Inn Express, 300 Holiday Frontage Road, 7 p.m.

"Potentially, this new criteria would allow us to zone in the High Plains area of Nebraska for the first time," said Mark Vrtiska, Game and Parks waterfowl program manager. "These meetings primarily are for letting duck hunters know what the advantages and disadvantages of the new zoning would be, as well as determine any new zone boundary."

 _{No sooner do Iowa’s shotgun season deer hunters hang up their gear, the late muzzleloader hunters head into the woods.}

_{About 32,000 late season muzzleloader hunters don’t have to compete with the crowds of shotgun season, but they do face the prospect of colder weather and more snow during their December 19-January 10 season.}

_{“With fewer hunters, the deer calm down. They key into food sources again; especially in colder weather,” outlines Tom Litchfield, deer research biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. “Hunters can have real good success setting up ‘on stand’ to monitor feeding areas or trails leading to and from them.”}

_{For many with a muzzleloader, that means being obscure and in place before dawn or well ahead of sunset; as nocturnal whitetails travel between bedding areas and food sources. Most muzzleloaders have better range than a slug-firing shotgun. However, the downside is the single shot afforded. That is where stealth and location become prime considerations for the cold-weather crowd; who usually hunt alone…and who must tag the deer they shoot, rather than working with multiple hunters with ‘party' tags to step in.}

_{Late season muzzleloader hunters harvested 9,465 deer last year; 36 percent of them antlered bucks. The prospect of patterning a nice buck, intent on regaining body weight after the rut, is one of the attractions of the late season.}

_{Plenty of antlerless tags are still available in northeastern and most southern Iowa counties. Unlike in past years, though, most of them are at or very close to target deer population levels.}

_{“If hunting where deer numbers are noticeably lower--and the landowner feels numbers are down--hunters should be a little more judicious; backing off a bit on harvest of does,” suggests Litchfield. “However, if you hunt in an area with lots of deer yet, then you might still continue harvesting does, as you have the last two or three years.”}

Informational Deer Meetings Scheduled Statewide

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters and landowners are invited to attend a public informational meeting to discuss deer issues, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Meetings are scheduled in each Game and Parks district.

Game and Parks biologists will explain and take questions on a number of topics, including deer management, deer damage and depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases. Antelope and elk issues also may be discussed. Each meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The meeting schedule:

Dec. 7 – Cambridge, Community Building, 722 Patterson St.

Dec. 8 – Broken Bow, Mid-Plains Community College, 2520 S. E St.

Dec. 12 – Bassett, Game and Parks office, 524 Panzer St.

Dec. 12 – Omaha, Scheels classroom No. 1, 17202 Davenport St.

Dec. 13 – Fairbury, Elks Lodge, 525 G St.

Dec. 13 – Chadron, Chadron State College, Student Center, Scottsbluff Room

Dec. 15 – Bridgeport, Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 Main St.

Dec. 15 – Columbus, Izaak Walton League, S. U.S. Hwy. 30 and 81, quarter-mile west

Preliminary Data Shows Record November Deer Harvest

LINCOLN, Neb. – The state saw a record November deer harvest in 2011, according to preliminary data from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The harvest of 64,548 deer was an increase of 865 from last year.

The harvest total comprises deer taken Nov. 12-22 with firearm, archery and Season Choice permits.

Harvest in Game and Parks' northwest district was down by 429 deer compared to 2010. The southwest harvest was up by 830, the southeast harvest was up by 141 and the northeast harvest was up by 553. There were 230 deer that were checked by conservation officers – not at check stations – and not assigned to a district.

The 2010 total harvest of 63,683 also was a record.

Harvest information by species, sex, age and unit will be available near the end of the year.

SO.. do you feel that?? The heat.. of August.. and Early September.. is gone.. At least for a while.. The first cold front of the season is here..

I think I am ready for it..

Yea, okay. I am. I have been planning out dates to be in the field. Making sure my gear is done. Fondling guns.. I mean, really. Is there anything better than fondling guns??

Been booking lots of dates for personal appearances for GREAT conservation banquets for the winter season. I really enjoy doing them. I can’t do all of the requests but its great to be around so many wonderful supporters of the outdoors.

The latest on the schedule is the Hastings NE chapter of Ducks Unlimited. I am headed out there Nov 3 to speak and see some old friends.

A few weeks ago, I had the inventor to Wicked Tree Gear on the show and he sent me a saw to test out. I have. And I can say I am very happy with this. It’s worth the 40 bucks for it and I am going to buy one for my hunting brother. You want to find out on how to order one, email me I will put you in contact with him.

Last weekend we visited with two GREAT waterfowlers, Randy Christensen, who whether he likes it or not, became my expo facto South Dakota guy. Plus Todd Mills with Nebraska Duck Callers talked Teal and the upcoming Cabela’s Waterfowl Weekend. Todd is going to turn me back into duck hunting. I think it’s his quest! I just need to find more time.

Here is a blurb from Cabela’s

Cabela’s will be hosting a Waterfowl classic September 17^th and 18^th to help assist hunters in preparing for their trips. The store is located just off of I-80 & Giles Road in LaVista, Nebraska. Cabela’s will feature great deals on product in the store as well as seminars where Cabela’s guests can get great free advice from celebrity pro-staffers Chad Belding from Banded calls, Troy Bailey with Avery Outdoors, and Jimmy Wren with Zink Avian-X Decoys and Calls and many more on the following topics:

• 10am   Similarities and Differences of Field and River Hunting.
• 11am   Hunting with Final Approach
• 12pm   Late Season Honkers
• 1pm     The Science of Goose Hunting
• 2pm     Similarities and Differences of Field and River Hunting
• 3pm     Duck Calling and Decoy Tactics for the Marsh
• 4pm     Goose Tactics, Decoys and Gear

Saturday’s events in addition to the seminars will feature several youth events. Youth will have the opportunity to build their own duck call in addition to learning how to call with help from a local Ducks Unlimited chapter and Buck Gardner Calls. There will be other great activities as well all stemming around waterfowl hunting fundamentals. All youth events will run from 10am – 4pm Saturday.

Sunday Cabela’s in cooperation with Duck Callers Association of Nebraska will host the World Sanctioned Nebraska State Duck Calling Championship and the World Sanctioned Cornhusker Regional Duck Calling Championship. Registration starts at 8:30 am and the first contest starts at 9:00am.

For more information visit www.cabelas.com/lavista or call 402-861-4800..

Sept 10th Show. 

August 27th Show 

I have mentioned this.. and I am pretty sure I am not alone..

Something about August Mornings... Yea we still have flood crap to deal with.. To me the end is NOT in site

And hot days..

But the heat feels different.

The mornings feel different.

There is a heavy dew.. the Turkeys are moving around.

The fawns are getting braver.

The bucks racks are cleaning up.

Maybe it's a primonal wiring in our genetics that tells us to prepare

The season of the hunt is soon to be at hand.

I went from full on Summer mode, to preparing for the hunt

Over the course of a weekend. Last week on the show long time guest

Todd Pringnutz of White Knuckle Productions joined me to discuss the upcoming season and

His new product, Wicked Tree Gear. IF Todd can't get your soul stirred up about hunting, seek

Professional Medical Help.

August 20th Show

For just over a year Chili Dawgs Foods of Fire have been a part of my show.. And I take great pride in watching the success of my sponsors. I feel it's important for supporters of the outdoors to prosper together. 

You may have heard about their new spice rubs.. they are GREAT, I have been playing with them lately and here is the latest concoction I have worked up. 

Take skinless chicken breasts and pat dry. 

Rub with GOOD olive oil. 

Sprinkle on Chili Dawgs Green Chili and Chipotle rub on both sides and grill on an medium hot grill. 

Once the chicken breasts are done (simple test.. juice runs clear) spread one side Chili Dawgs Mangenero turrn off grill BUT LEAVE CHICKEN ON with lid shut for a couple of minutes.

Serve this on a bed of fried rice or grilled potatoes...

You will enjoy the GREAT Sweet before the HEAT.

Find Chili Dawgs all over the place and start

at Chili Dawgs 

Due to unsafe conditions on the flooding Missouri River, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission closed the 2011 archery paddlefish season that was previously set to begin July 9 and run for 30 days. Game and Parks took the action during a special teleconference June 17 at agency headquarters in Lincoln.

Game and Parks will return permit fees to all 275 successful applicants who were awarded a permit via a drawing held May 9. All preference points for the applicants will be restored to where they were following the end of the 2010 season.