Chadron Record - Go Do! Fall 2014

Journal of Outdoor Recreation in the northern Panhandle

Go, Do! Fall 2014

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Fall 2014

From the Editor: Northwest Nebraska offers unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. When spring and summer arrive, our residents and visitors are blessed with the chance to view a multitude of wildlife, take to the trail by bike, by foot, on horseback or to find motorized trails to enjoy by ATV. Summer is a memory and fall and winter are upon us now, but the outdoors still offer plenty of enjoyment. Add cross country skiing or snowmobiling to that list of activities, as well as several opportunities for fall hunting and there are no boundaries to outdoor recreation in northwest Nebraska. This guide provides a snapshot of the opportunities out there for you to enjoy, so ...

Go, Do!

The Chadron Record

Enjoy fall fishing, then winterize that boat ❖ By Julie Pfister

Record ad manager It’s happening! There was a hint of a freeze and the leaves on the trees are starting to turn just a bit golden. Fall fishing is going great with the night temps falling. But it will be short lived and you will be hustling to put your boat and boat motor away for the winter. You want to make sure that when you start it up in the spring there will no problems so taking the time now in the fall to maintain and winterize will guarantee you to have no trouble in the spring.

It’s all about maintenance! If you take care of your engine and it will take care of you.

Proper Supplies and Tools Start by gathering the supplies that you will need to maintain and winterize you boat; here is a list of some items you will need. Begin with the mainte-

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Fishing season isn’t over yet. Enjoy fall fishing before winterizing your boat.

nance. Lower unit lube and seals for screws, engine oil and filter (if it is a 4 stroke only) stabilizer for the fuel, inline fuel filter and screw in fuel filter (only on newer models). If you have a two stroke engine you will need fogging oil for the cylinders too. Gather up the tools you need too. You will

need a pan for drained oil and a large screw driver, an oil filter wrench and a wrench to fit the prop nut on the gear case and you will need a grease gun.

Getting Started Begin at the bottom and work up on the engine. Open the vent and drain screw on the lower unit and drain the lube into the pan. Take off the little seals on the screws and replace with new original equipment seals and refill the case with new lower unit lube.

Take off the prop to inspect for fishing line around the prop shaft. If it has line you will need to inspect the prop shaft seal that you will see on the shaft to insure that it is not leaking lower unit lube. If it is leaking consult a technician about replacing. This is an important step as if the seal looks damaged you will get water in the gear case and that means it will freeze in winter temps and cause breakage of

Please see Winterize, Page 3

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Fall 2014

Go, Do - Page 3

Winterize the case of rusting of the bearings in the case. Once you have verified no damage to seals replace the prop at a 50 foot pound torque you can consult your owner’s manual for your horsepower’s correct torque.

Now you are ready to work with maintenance on the power head. Add some fuel stabilizer to your fuel and use the storage mixture that you will read on the bottle.

Find the inline fuel filter and replace it with a new one. On two cycle engines you will need to start the engine at this point in a trash can or barrel of water and warm it up.

This also moves the fuel conditioner up into the carburetors to stop the fuel from varnishing or water from forming in the carburetors. After a few minutes of running at idol spray fogging oil through the carburetors butterfly valves, spray until the engine dies. What you have just done is lubricate the inside of the crank case to stop all beads of moisture from forming on the walls and rusting.

If you are running a direct injected engine like a Mercury Optimax you will add the fuel conditioner and then run the engine but do not spray fogging oil. This engine is

from page 1

Fall fishing at Box Butte Reservoir is a great way to enjoy the outdoors as the summer fades. But be sure to winterize your boat when the fall fishing season is done.

now protected by the conditioner. Find the spin on fuel filter and replace it. We always date it by scratching the date onto the filter.

This helps you remember when you serviced your engine last. The newer engines also have a vapor separator on them. Find this vapor separator and drain the fuel out of it by finding the screw at the bottom of the

separator. There is also a paper filter that will need to be replaced in the vapor separator. It has a castle looking top and you remove it with a screw driver laying in the groves of the top. . Once you are done with these steps grease all the joints and zerks that are on the engine to prevent corrosion of the metals and lubricate the linkages.

The Boat You are now done with the engine and can bet it will be ready in the spring when you are ready to go out fishing the first time.

You will also need to winterize the boat by draining the live wells and blowing RV Antifreeze through the live well plumbing.

This will stop the water from freezing and breaking in the lines and the pumps. Make sure there is no water in the bilge area too.

Check the trailer hubs for water in the bearings or burnt grease from running to hot. If good re-grease with Extreme High Heat Grease. If you have a bad bearing or water in your bearings have a technician fix for you.

Other Tips Just a few other tips and you are done with your rig. Check the winch strap for

wear as you don’t want it to break while on the road or winching the boat up onto the trailer. Replace if any wear is showing.

Then check the tie downs for the trailer check again for wear as this is what keeps your boat tight to the trailer and it is not road worthy if it is at all loose. Check the tongue jack and clean the dirt and bad grease off of the shaft. Grease the gears in the jack and run it up and down a few times.

Now you are done. You have successfully maintained and winterized you boat, trailer and boat motor. Keep in mind this is for all outboard engines and if you have a stern drive or inboard engine have a technician do the maintenance and winterize for you. This will keep you running trouble free every spring if you start maintaining and winterizing in the fall. Keep up the routine and see how it benefits you.

Note that all the instructions are in your engine’s owner’s manual too. This manual gives you all the specifications and oil types needed for your engine. Read and follow the directions for the best results. Happy fishing!

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Fall 2014

The Chadron Record

Enjoy winter outdoors ice fishing the northern Panhandle ❖ By Neb. Game and Parks

lose some of the walleyes they hook because they normally choose light line and hooks, and few crappie fishermen carry the gaff needed to land a big walleye.

Walleyes usually insist on the liveliest of baits, with chubs and large minnows being their favorites. Occasionally, walleyes will also hit a jigged spoon with a minnow or belly strip attached. Among Nebraska waters yielding walleye through the ice are the Salt Valley lakes, Whitney Lake and Merritt Reservoir.

Ice Fishing for Walleye A good-sized walleye is considered the ultimate prize by most Nebraska anglers.

They are among the most elusive of Nebraska fish any time of the year, and outwitting one in the winter is a real accomplishment. The walleye is almost universally acclaimed as the most palatable fish in these parts, particularly when caught through the ice.

Walleye fishing techniques vary but are similar to northern pike fishing. A walleye might be found a bit deeper, perhaps down to 25 feet, and it prefers bait on or near the bottom. In many ways, the habits and habitats of walleye and northern pike are similar, and many walleyes are taken by pleasantly surprised pike fishermen.

Since they also feed at night, walleyes also cause some excitement among crappie anglers. However, crappie fishermen often

Ice Fishing for Perch In large, western Nebraska reservoirs and the natural Sandhills lakes in northcentral Nebraska, the yellow perch is the king of the panfish, much as the bluegill and crappie rule eastern Nebraska waters.

Perch stay in the depths of the reservoirs, often in 20 to 50 feet of water. They hug the bottom, run in schools and are strictly daytime feeders. They are also daytime feeders in the natural Sandhills lakes, but depth is not a factor in those shallow waters.

There are many effective ice-fishing baits

for perch. One day, a plain hook and minnow might work best, while the next might require a teardrop and waxworm.

Sometimes a small, flashy spoon tipped with a grubworm or a strip of belly meat and skin from an already-subdued fish secured to a Russian spoon or teardrop might be the ticket.

One old standby bait — the perch eye — should be included in every serious perch fisherman’s arsenal. An eyeball plucked from a recently caught and dispatched perch can be used in place of a minnow or worm, often with better results. The eyeball is effective on a plain hook, teardrop or spoon, and once the first perch is iced, a supply of bait is assured.

Ice Fishing for Northern Pike The northern pike is probably the best suited to ice fishing of all Nebraska gamefish. Northerns feed often and aggressively, giving fishermen a good chance of hooking one. They grow large, with 10- to 15pounders common in some lakes, and they make fine eating.

Northern pike are fairly well distributed across the state, but most Nebraska pike fishing occurs in Sandhills lakes and Box Butte Reservoir. Sherman, Swanson and Elwood reservoirs and Alkali Lake, where fewer but bigger fish are taken, are also popular.

Most fishermen use a fairly large hook, such as a No. 1 or No. 2 short-shanked single hook or a No. 1 or No. 1/0 treble hook attached to a steel leader one to three feet long. The steel leader keeps the northern’s formidable teeth from cutting the line.

Tip-ups are the nearly unanimous choice among pike fishermen, although their rigs vary. Fishermen usually fill their spools with heavy braided line in the 20- to 50-poundtest range just in case they tie into one of the lunkers they dream about.

The best bait is a lively chub or large shiner hooked beneath the dorsal fin or a bluegill of about four inches. In some Sandhills waters where live bait is prohibited, a piece of red meat, a dead minnow or a

Please see Ice Fishing, Page 5

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Fall 2014

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Ice Fishing

from page 1

piece of smelt is used.

Most pike fishermen have the best success by keeping their bait about one foot off the bottom. On occasion, pike prowl just beneath the ice, and it is a good idea to set one or two lines to hold the bait about three feet below the ice. If the deep rigs have been unproductive all day, give the shallow setting a try on all tip-ups.

When a novice sees the flag on a tip-up spring up, the natural first reaction is to run to the hole and haul back on the line as quickly as possible. However, experience has taught veteran anglers that that is a sure way to lose a fish.

When a pike first grabs a bait, it swims off with it a short distance. At that point the fish doesn’t always have the bait completely in its mouth and any attempt to set the hook may jerk it free. When the fish begins its second run, set the hook with a firm jerk.

Ice Fishing for Bass Few anglers set out to catch largemouth bass, but many bass are caught incidentally, during the pursuit of other species. Bass live in the same waters and lurk in the same kinds of habitat as bluegill and crappie, and they often take teardrop-waxworm rigs or minnows set to entice other fish.

Ice fishing for bass requires only slight refining of some panfishing tactics; primarily switching to a heavier line, stronger hooks and larger bait. Otherwise, the time, place and techniques of winter bassing are about the same as they are for bluegill. Minnows might be tried if big teardrops and waxworms don’t produce.

Bass prowl water from five to 20 feet deep, and they prefer flooded trees and brush with a dropoff to deeper water nearby. They seem to be most active in the morning and evening, but can be taken any

time. Farm ponds, sandpits, NRD lakes, the Salt Valley lakes, Merritt Reservoir and Valentine Refuge lakes are some of the best Nebraska waters for winter bass fishing.

Finding Crappie Another fish that is popular with winter anglers is the crappie. In some years and in some places crappie are more numerous and more in demand than bluegill. Abundant, fairly easy to catch, and fine table fare; they are popular with winter anglers.

Crappie stay in schools, so once they are located it’s fairly easy to catch enough for a good fish fry. Concentration points for crappie include the rock faces of dams and flooded timber along inundated creek channels and draws.

Because crappie tend to school, ice fishermen also concentrate in those spots. On good crappie waters such as the Salt Valley lakes near Lincoln large numbers of anglers gather and by nightfall the crappie hotspots look like small towns on Saturday night.

Often hundreds of gas lanterns dot the ice

while fishermen tend their lines among sleds and shelters or visit with their neighbors.

The crappie’s noctumal habits appeal to many fishermen allowing them several hours of good sport after work.

Though darkness seems to trigger the fastest and most consistent crappie activity good catches are also common during the day.

Schools of crappie often stay suspended at specific depths and an angler must not only try different locations but also different depths at each location.

Generally crappie are found in 10 to 25 feet of water. Once located, crappie are fairly easy to catch. A jig-pole with four-poundtest, monofilament line; a No. 4 or No. 6 light wire hook; a small split-shot for weight a foot or so above the hook; and a bobber that barely supports the rig and bait or a spring bobber are all that is needed.

For times when the fish are finicky, veteran anglers have a few tricks to stimulate feeding. Nearly all jig their minnows now and then although sometimes the jigging is rather gentle. Some anglers clip part of the minnow’s tail fin to increase its activity, while others hook the minnow below the backbone through the fleshy area behind the body cavity so that it hangs upside down.

The minnow must then swim constantly to remain upright, and the extra action provided by the active minnow is more likely to attract a crappie’s attention. Some fishermen also sift crumbled egg- shells into the hole, hoping that the flash of the falling white flakes might resemble a school of minnows and attract hungry crappie.

Ice Fishing for Blue Gill Probably the most sought-after and most frequently taken fish in the winter, bluegill seem made for ice fishing. They’re easily caught, and they make a tasty platterful when the fishing’s done. Bluegill are widely distributed across the state, living in farm ponds, sandpits, and most other small and

Please see Ice Fishing, Page 6

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Ice Fishing

Fall 2014 from page 1

medium-size lakes and impoundments.

Another point in the bluegill’s favor is the civilized schedule it keeps.

There is no need for a pre-dawn arrival at the lake, nor is it necessary to brave frigid temperatures and inconvenience at night. Bluegill usually begin feeding an hour or two after sunrise and consistently bite best at midday.

There is sometimes a feeding spree at dusk, but it’s over soon enough to allow the fisherman to pack his gear and get off the lake before dark.

The guiding principle of winter bluegill fishing is “think small.” The bluegill’s food preferences, its dainty winter appetite and its rather small mouth all dictate the use of small baits and hooks. In Nebraska, the most popular lure is a teardrop on a No. 8 or No. 10 hook and a grub, such as a waxworm or mouse.

Bluegill often nibble or peck at a bait or just pick it up without moving off, so it is difficult to detect them or know when to set the hook. Thus, a tiny bobber that barely supports the bait or a flimsy wire “spring bobber” attached to the rod is useful. Monofilament line in the two- to four-poundtest range is appropriate.

Bluegill usually stay near the lake bottom in five to 15 feet of water unless they are in brush or other submerged cover. Then they might be found suspended somewhere between the bottom and the ice.

When no cover is present the angler should experiment with various teardrop colors before deciding to move. In cover, try varying the depth at which you fish. In either case, though, it’s best to abandon a spot if it doesn’t pay off in 15 minutes or so.

Sometimes bluegill will slam a teardrop-and-waxwork rig as it hangs motionless beneath the bobber, but at other times they demand a bit of action before they bite. Often a series of short, gentle twitches of the rod tip will be all it takes to turn a spot that at first looks like a dud into a real producer.

Ice Fishing Safety ❖ By Neb. Game and Parks

Despite all the precautions that anglers take, a few go through the ice each year and all ice anglers should know something about rescue techniques and first aid for hypothermia.

Drowning is one immediate danger, but usually the victims are able to keep their heads above water by clinging to the edge of the broken ice or to floating gear. Most fatalities are caused by hypothermia, a rapid, drastic lowering of body temperature which causes loss of the use of limbs, disorientation, unconsciousness and, finally, heart failure.

Victims have only a few minutes to extract themselves from the water before their hands become too stiff to use. use. Then they must depend on rescue by others. Survival time in the water varies from about 20 minutes to as much as 90 minutes. If the victim is large and wearing a lot of clothing, and if he remains still, keeps his head and neck out of the water and draws his knees and arms into his chest, he will minimize heat loss and lengthen survival time. A thin person, or one who struggles, will succumb to hypothermia more

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quickly.

Some anglers carry spikes in easy-to-reach pockets or on strings attached to the sleeves of their coats. Dug into the slick, wet ice at the edge of a hole, they can help a victim crawl out of the water. In an emergency you can also get a grip on the ice with a pocket knife, a gaff or the ice cleats from your boots. Once out of the water, crawl or roll back along your path to safe ice.

If you see someone go through the ice, be extremely careful attempting a rescue. You don’t want to end up in the water, too. Reach for the victim with your ice auger, fishing poles or anything of adequate length that lets you remain out of danger. Remove your belt or other clothing and fashion a rope to reach the victim. If more people are available to help, form a human chain to reach the person in trouble.

When the victim is removed from the water, it is imperative that first aid begin as soon as possible. Until the victim is removed from the cold environment, body temperature will continue to drop as the vital organs cool, adjusting to the colder surrounding tissue.

Generally, in mild cases of hypothermia first aid

Please see Ice Fishing Safety, Page 7

The Chadron Record

Fall 2014

Go, Do - Page 7

Snowmobile areas lend fun to winter months ❖ By Neb. Game and Parks

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission does not allow most OHV use at areas owned or operated by the Commission. There are some exceptions to this. Snowmobiling is allowed at the areas below under certain conditions.

ATVs and snowmobiles are allowed on frozen (8 inches thick) lake surfaces at the following areas in northwest Nebraska: > Box Butte SRA > Walgren Lake SRA If riding at a Commission area, the snowmobile must be registered and must have a valid park entry permit affixed to the vehicle.

Registering Your Snowmobile It is required that a snowmobile be registered if the vehicle is used outside of land owned or leased by the operator of the vehicle. Find more information on registering a snowmobile.

Instead of staying cooped up during the long winter months, take to the snowmobile on private land - with permission, of course, or on public trails that allow such activities. Contact the Nebraska Game and Parks or the U.S. Forest Service for more information.

Ice Fishing Safety procedures consist of shelter, dry clothing and, only if victim is conscious and alert, hot liquids. Under no circumstances should the victim be given alcoholic beverages which diminish shivering, thus reducing heat production. Alcohol also causes dilation of surface blood vessels, causing more heat loss.

Do not rub the victim’s skin. A condition called after-drop is at least a potential problem in all cases of hypothermia. Afterdrop is the continued decline of core body temperature even after rescue as the relatively warm core continues to lose heat to the cold outer body tissue.

The risk of after-drop is increased by premature exercise or warming of the extremities. The physiological result of a sudden influx of cold blood may cause the core temperature to drop to a level that could be fatal, even after a successful rescue. Insulate the victim’s trunk, head and neck from additional heat loss and transport them to a medical facility as soon as possible.

from page 1

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Treating Mild Hypothermia >Generally, procedures consist of shelter, dry clothing and, only if victim is conscious and alert, hot liquids. >Under no circumstances should the victim be given alcoholic beverages which diminish shivering, thus reducing heat production. Alcohol also causes dilation of surface blood vessels, causing more heat loss. >Do not rub the victim’s skin.

Fortunately, rescue and first aid are very seldom necessary. However, since the sport is constantly attracting newcomers and since even veterans are subject to occasional human error, it’s best that anglers be prepared for any unexpected situation and learn emergency measures even though they may never have to apply them.

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Page 8 - Go, Do

Fall 2014

The Chadron Record

Game and Parks, UNL to survey hunters about public land use in Nebraska This fall the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Nebraska will begin a threeyear survey of hunters who use public lands in Nebraska.

Beginning Sept. 1, hunters at wildlife management areas or private lands enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program may be approached by UNL researchers or Game and Park staff, who will ask a series of questions about their hunting experiences.

Game and Parks will use insights gained from the surveys to improve opportunities and access on existing public hunting lands, as well as to help guide future land purchases. Hunters’ participation in the survey is

voluntary, but they are encouraged to share their experiences and opinions.

“Hunters are important conservation partners, and we want to ensure that they have ample hunting opportunities in Nebraska,” said Karie Decker, assistant wildlife division administrator for Game and Parks. “Learning more about how hunters use and perceive public lands is a critical component of making sure our hunters have quality places to hunt.”

The research is funded by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Restoration Grant administered by Game and Parks. More information on the project is available at FishHunt.unl.edu.

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Fall 2014

Chadron Area Calendar of Events 2014 September 25-26 Sandoz Conference at the Mari Sandoz Center.

28 History in Action Day, Dawes County Historical Museum 1-5pm.

Saturdays Farmers Market 8am-12pm at the Dawes County Courthouse Lawn. Sponsored by the Chadron Chamber of Commerce October 2-5 CSC Theatre presents “Big River” at CSC’s Memorial Hall 4 CSC Homecoming 4 Annual Camp Norwesca BBQ, 10am-7pm 11-26 Antelope firearm season in Nebraska 12 “The Dust Bowl” exhibit opens at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center through December 13th 18 Double Q Country Radio’s Outdoor Expo at CSC Student Center 18 4-H Achievement Banquet 6pm at the Dawes County Fair Grounds Event Center 18 Feast of the Hunter’s Moon 6pm, at the Museum of the Fur Trade.

19 Parade of Tables at Chadron Arts Center, 12pm 26 Miss Chadron/Miss Northwest Scholarship Pageant 2pm in the Chadron High School Auditorium 31 Moonlight Madness Halloween Event, 4:00 – 7:00pm Downtown Chadron.

Saturdays Farmers Market 8am-12pm at the Dawes County Courthouse Lawn. Sponsored by the Chadron Chamber of Commerce November 3 Tickets Go On Sale for the Fort Robinson Christmas Dinner 8 Pine Bough Bazaar Craft Show. Assumption Arena 11 Mallets & Ivory Concert, CSC Memorial Hall 15-25 Opening Day of Deer Firearm Season 21 Festival of Trees begins at the Dawes County Court House.

23 Fort Robinson Longhorn and Buffalo Sale, Crawford Livestock Market.

December 6 Hometown Holidays Santa Photos from 10am - Noon at the Chamber Office 6 Fort Robinson State Park Historical Christmas Dinner. (tickets required) 13 Hometown Holidays Santa Photos from 10am - Noon at the Chamber Office 20 Hometown Holidays Santa Photos from 10am - Noon at the Chamber Office 23 Festival of Trees ends at the Dawes County Court House For more information contact the Chadron Chamber at 308-432-4401

This Game and Parks map depicts all motorized facilities in the state ran by its agency.

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The Chadron Record

Hunting Season Dates Turkey, fall youth, archery and shotgun – Sept. 15-Jan. 31 Deer, archery – Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Deer, November firearm – Nov. 15-23 Deer, muzzleloader – Dec. 1-31 Elk, bull archery – Sept. 15-Oct. 26 Elk, bull firearm – Sept. 27-Oct. 26 Elk, cow, private land – Aug. 15-Oct. 26 Elk, cow, public land – Sept. 27-Oct. 26, Dec. 1-31 Antelope, archery – Aug. 20-Dec. 31 Antelope, muzzleloader – Sept. 20-Oct. 5 Antelope, firearm – Oct. 11-26 Squirrel - Aug. 1-Jan. 31 Cottontail and jackrabbit -Sept. 1-Feb. 28

Archery deer hunters have two additional weeks to bag their harvest, as the season opened Sept.

1, instead of the traditional Sept. 15.

Grouse – Sept. 1-Jan. 31 Pheasant, quail and partridge – Oct. 25-Jan. 31

Fort Robinson State Park 3 miles west of Crawford, Neb. on Hwy 20

2014

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Sept 25 Voecks/Meade trail ride Oct 3-5 Women’s Wellness Weekend CSC Nov 3 Tickets go on sale annual Historical Christmas dinner Nov 15 Opening day - deer season Nov 23 Longhorn & Buffalo Sale Dec 6 20th Annual Historical Christmas Dinner

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Archery deer season open Archery deer hunting season in Nebraska is longer this year. The season opened Sept.

1, giving archery hunters two additional weeks.

The early opener was requested by archery hunters to allow hunting of deer when bucks are still in velvet. Opening day had been Sept. 15 for the past 35 years.

“For those who don’t mind hunting what could be warm days, with lots of leafy vegetation, this is a good time to be out in the

woods, when hunter numbers can be expected to be low,” said Kit Hams, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s big game program manager.

The archery deer season runs through Dec. 31. Archery permits are valid statewide, with restrictions, and unlimited in number.

The permit bag limit is one deer of any kind.

To purchase permits or view the 2014 Big Game Guide, visit OutdoorNebraska.org.

The Chadron Record

Fall 2014

Go, Do - Page 11

After hunt’s success, properly field dress game ❖ By Neb. Game and Parks

Properly field-dressing game is the most important part of a successful hunting trip.

Deer and antelope make fine table fare if the animal is well cared for. The flavor of the meat depends on how quickly and carefully the meat is field dressed. Far too many animals are wasted or provide poor-quality eating because some fail to follow simple, common-sense rules of good meat handling.

Field Dressing Equipment A few simple tools are necessary to properly field dress an animal. Tools include a sharp knife and sharpening equipment, a small saw for splitting the sternum and pelvis, a light rope or nylon cord for dragging, disposable vinyl or latex gloves, a cloth for cleanup, and a plastic bag for the liver and heart.

After the Kill It is important to field dress the animal

The

immediately after the kill. Remove heavy hunting coats and roll up shirts sleeves so they won’t be bloodied in the process. A pair of disposable vinyl or latex gloves will reduce the chance of passing infectious diseases and makes hand cleaning easier. Some hunters advocate bleeding the animal by sticking it with a knife just above the breastbone, but most hunters believe that is unnecessary and should be avoided, especially if the head and shoulders are to be mounted.

Legal Requirements The signed and properly punched permit must remain with the deer carcass. Follow tagging instructions on the permit. The head must remained unskinned and attached to the carcass until it has been checked through an official check station and a seal has been affixed. The carcass, except for the head, may be skinned before checking the deer. To make transporting the carcass out of a difficult area more convenient, the hind one-half of the animal may be separated from the front half, but the head must remain on the front half and evidence of

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Properly field-dressing game is the most important part of a successful hunting trip. Deer and antelope make fine table fare if the animal is well cared for. The flavor of the meat depends on how quickly and carefully the meat is field dressed.

sex must remain on the hind half. Any deer, antelope or elk left in the custody of someone other than the hunter must be tagged with the information found on a “Game and Fish Custody Tag.” The metal checkstation seal must remain on the carcass or with boned meat while being transported to the processor or the hunter’s dwelling.

Field Dressing Removal of scent glands is not considered necessary, but is done with care by many hunters. Careless removal of the glands can taint the meat if the knife is not thoroughly cleaned afterward. Place the carcass on its back with the rump lower than the shoulders and spread the hind legs.

Make a cut along the center-line of the belly from breastbone to the base of the tail.

First cut the hide, then cut carefully through the belly muscle. Avoid cutting into the paunch and intestines by holding them away from the knife with your free hand while guiding the knife with the other. Unless the head is to be mounted, it is advisable to cut through the sternum and extend the cut up the neck to the chin to allow removal of as much of the windpipe as possible. The windpipe sours rapidly and is a leading cause of tainted meat.

Cutting with the direction of the hair (from throat to tail) will greatly reduce the amount of hair spreading to the meat. With a small, sharp knife, cut around the anus and draw it into the body cavity so it comes free

with the complete intestines. Or, simply break the pelvic bone and pull the innards downward past the spread legs, then go back and cut around the anus last to free it from the hide. A small saw makes cutting the sternum and pelvic bone much easier. Avoid cutting or breaking the bladder. Loosen and roll out the stomach and intestines. Save the liver. Splitting the pelvic bone helps hasten cooling.

Next, cut around the edge of the diaphragm, which separates the chest and stomach cavities, and split the breastbone.

Then, reach forward to cut the windpipe and esophagus ahead of the lungs, which allows removal of the heart from the chest cavity. Save the heart. Drain excess blood from the body cavity by turning the body belly-down or hanging the animal head-up.

A clean cloth can be used to clean hands. If you puncture the entrails with a bullet or your knife, wipe the body cavity clean or rinse it with water and wipe with a cloth.

Part of the satisfaction of the hunt comes with making a clean kill and properly field dressing the animal. Veteran hunters may have their own variation in field dressing an animal, but the important points are to remove the internal organs immediately after the kill without contaminating the body cavity with dirt, hair or contents of the digestive tract and to drain all excess blood from the body cavity. Trim all parts damaged

Please see Field Dressing, Page 12

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Field Dressing

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by a gunshot. If the weather is warm or the animal is to be left in the field for a day or more, it may be skinned (except for the head) and washed clean of dirt and hair. It should be placed in a shroud sack or wrapped with a porous cloth to cool (cheesecloth is ideal). Make sure the cloth is porous enough to allow air circulation but firmly woven enough to protect the carcass from insects and dirt. Adequate cooling may take six hours or more, depending on weather conditions.

the meat to a processor to make jerky or sausage. Whichever method you choose the same basic methods should be followed.

Keep the carcass clean, dry and cool. Bone out the meat from the deer. Do not cut through the spinal column or brain with meat processing equipment. If your deer is being tested for CWD, store the meat until test results are available. If your deer is found to have CWD, dispose of the meat at a licensed landfill.

The Trip Home After the animal is checked and sealed, the head may be removed and the animal quartered for easy handling. Hunters should avoid transporting dead animals on the hood or top of vehicles. It is better to transport the animal out of sight or out of the sun in the trunk, inside the vehicle or in a covered truck box or trailer. This will help keep the animal cooler and cleaner. Warm meat spoils quickly. For early-season deer shot when temperatures are above 50 degrees, use bags of ice to cool the carcass.

Commercial Processor or Do It Yourself Many hunters use a commercial processor.

They prefer the convenience and the ability

Deer are abundant in northwest Nebraska, making for perfect wildlife photography subjects and providing hunters with opportunities to fill their freezers for the winter.

to make specialties such as sausage, jerky and deer sticks. Others prefer to process their deer at home. Some get together with

friends and process several deer at once.

Some hunters use both methods by skinning and boning their deer and taking some of

Home Processing Equipment: A sharp boning knife or fishfillet knife with a 6-8 inch flexible blade makes butchering much easier. Keep sharpening tools handy. A dull hunting knife makes butchering a miserable job. At a minimum you will also need a cutting board and plastic bags or freezer wrap. Disposable latex or vinyl gloves are useful for keeping your hands clean.

Cleaning: Knives should be cleaned frequently with hot soapy water. Work areas can be kept bacteria free by cleaning with a 50/50 solution of water and bleach followed by a clear-water rinse.

Please see Field Dressing, Page 13

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Big Game Check Stations Chadron – Big Bat’s Shell, 1250 W Highway 20, 308-432-4504 Crawford – Crossroads Mini Mart, 1120 7th Street, 308-665-2000 Harrison – Harrison Utilities Shop, 130 E Highway 20, 308-665-5159; 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. or call for appointment Rushville – Bosselman Pump and Pantry, 220 W Highway 20, 308-327-2461

Field Dressing Cooling and Aging the Meat: The carcass should be hung by the head in a cool, dry, shady place for a minimum of 24 hours. In hot weather, use ice to cool the carcass and butcher as soon as possible. Some hunters believe that aging the carcass at the proper temperature yields better-flavored, more tender meat. Successful aging requires the carcass to be clean and kept at a temperature of 34-36 degrees. This requires a walk in cooler or a refrigerator. Most hunters skip the aging process and butcher the deer after it has cooled with excellent results.

Skinning: Hang the deer by the head or neck. Avoid cutting through the hide to the hair. Avoid cutting through the skin over the tarsal glands. Avoid contaminating meat, hands and knives with dirt and dried urine found on the lower legs of rutting bucks. Begin by cutting through the skin around the neck, close to the head. Cut outward with the knife so you do not cut through the hair. It is best to remove as much of the hide as possible by pulling.

Use the knife only in tight spots. Some hunters use a weight, winch or vehicle to pull most of the hide from the carcass.

Insert a ball or rock in a fold in the neck skin and attach to a rope (it is best not to use this technique if the deer has been shot in the neck). Lower legs should be cut off at the knee joints. Wash the carcass with cold water and allow it to dry. Remove any hair that remains.

Boning: Remove the hind quarters, inner tenderloins, loins, front quarters and neck meat from the carcass while it is hanging (neck should be last). Place them in an ice chest. Move inside to your cutting area.

Remove excess fat, gristle, tendons and lymph glands from the meat. Separate meat

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into muscle groups. The best steaks come from the hindquarters, back straps and tenderloins. The rib meat - even the meat between the ribs can be used unless the deer has been allowed to hang and become excessively dry - or loins cooked on the grill are superb. The front quarters and neck are most often used for stew, ground meat and sausage. Some hunters prefer to add ground beef or pork to give it extra fat and moisture. You can have a butcher shop grind and mix your meat also. Fat begins to break down once the meat is frozen and will give the meat an “off ” taste. It is usually best to remove most fat unless you cook the meat within a few months.

Wrapping and Storage: To avoid freezer burn, it is best to double wrap the meat in plastic or freezer paper, taking care to squeeze out all air pockets. Label the package with type of cut and year. If you harvest more than one deer, you might add a mark that allows you to identify the specific deer.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)Concerns There is no evidence that chronic wasting disease can be transmitted to humans or to animals other than deer and elk. As a precaution, it is a good idea to avoid contact with any wild animal that appears sick.

It is recommended that you not eat any sick deer, including those that have CWD. Prions, which cause CWD, are concentrated in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes of infected animals. It is recommended that you avoid sawing or cutting through any of these areas while processing your deer. You should bone your deer and keep your deer meat separate from the meat of other deer.

Antelope are a common sight in Sioux County, and are seen more and more frequently in Dawes County in recent years.

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Dove season opens in Nebraska The statewide dove hunting season opened in Nebraska on Sept. 1 and will run through Oct. 30.

The daily bag and possession limits are 15 and 45, respectively. Bag limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared doves in aggregate.

Nebraska residents 16 years and older and all nonresidents are required to have a valid Nebraska hunting permit, habitat stamp and Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. Register at nehip.com, OutdoorNebraska.org/HIP, at any

Fall 2014

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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission district office or by phone at 1-877NEHUNTS. Hunter education certification is required for some hunters.

Dove hunters who find a leg band on a dove should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banding office at 1-800-327BAND or report it at reportband.gov. In addition, randomly selected hunters will be asked to save one wing from each dove during the first week of the season and mail the wings postage-free to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Reminder of change to bowhunter education The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters that changes in Nebraska law now require them to be certified in bowhunter education if they hunt big game with a crossbow and are ages 12 through 29.

Hunters ages 12 and 29 who hunt deer, antelope, elk or bighorn sheep with bow and arrow or a crossbow must carry with them

proof of certification of a bowhunter education course.

In addition, hunters ages 12 through 29 who hunt anything with a firearm or air gun must carry with them proof of certification of a firearm hunter education course.

To find hunter and bowhunter education classes in Nebraska, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org.

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Outdoor exercise still a possibility when temps drop When colder weather sets in, some people abandon their outdoor fitness routines for the comfort of indoor gyms and home exercise equipment. However, walking in the winter and even jogging, when practical, are not limited to the warmer months of the year. Outdoor conditions can be a bit treacherous, so safety and common sense should always prevail.

Footwear While winter walking is a good way to warm up and get in a workout, it requires different footwear than regular walking shoes. The correct footwear will provide support, warmth and traction for traversing various conditions.

Start by choosing footwear that is warm.

Certain boots and booties will have a lining that improves heat retention. Wear warm socks and waterproof or water-resistant shoes. They will protect against wet, chilled feet if you come across slushy puddles along the way. Although wet feet might be merely an inconvenience other times of the year, in very cold temperatures, a cold and wet body can be susceptible to hypothermia and even frostbite.

Look for shoes that have a mid-height ankle. This height offers support and stability to the ankles when walking on uneven surfaces, such as snow-covered paths. Also, should your foot slip on slick pavement, a taller shoe will protect the ankle against sprains or fractures.

Additionally, choose a shoe or boot that has a thick but not too heavy sole for better traction on icy areas.

Wardrobe Layering is essential when exercising outdoors in cold weather. You want to

doorsun enables your body to produce vitamin D, which helps maintain healthy bones.

Spending time outdoors can stave off winter doldrums and cabin fever.

Exercise with a buddy, who can help you if you slip or fall on icy surfaces. Walking or running with a partner also is a great way to remain motivated.

If you feel very unstable walking on slippery roads and pathways, you may want to invest in winter cleats or crampons that can be attached to the underside of your shoes.

These devices offer superior traction.

Walking in the winter and even jogging, when practical, are not limited to the warmer months of the year.

ensure that you will be warm enough, but not too warm that you begin to sweat and run the risk of hypothermia later on. Dress so that you feel chilled when stepping outdoors, not toasty warm. As your body warms up with the exercise, it will reach a comfortable temperature.

A windbreaker is good for blocking chilly, winter winds. Choose a jacket that will move with your body and not impede walking stride or jogging ability. Tights or yoga pants that wick moisture away will insulate your legs, and a fleece vest can help keep your body’s core warm when it is particularly cold outside.

Don’t overlook gloves and a hat when

walking. These items will prevent heat from escaping through your extremities.

Safety Winter conditions may lead to snowblindness or reduced visibility for drivers. If you will be walking on roads, dress for visibility. Avoid colors that will blend in with snowy surroundings and opt for bright flashes of color that make you more visible, particularly at dawn, dusk and night.

Whenever possible, do your outdoor exercising when the sun is up. You’ll benefit from the mood-boosting properties of the sun and will have added warmth and visibility. Furthermore, spending time in the out-

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Off-roading If you want to pack in a more powerful winter workout, you can think about walking through the snow rather than around it.

According to fitness experts at Weight Watchers International, walking in packed snow increases the calories burned by 60 percent compared to walking on a paved road. Walking in soft snow triples the calories burned compared to walking at the same speed on a treadmill. In addition, the added resistance of the snow can firm and tone muscles.

Purchase snow shoes or cross-country skis and poles to facilitate walking in the snow. For those who want to forego structured exercise, simply having fun in the snow, by trekking up a mountain when sledding or having a snowball fight with the kids, is a great way to exercise outdoorsin the winter.

There is no need to pack away exercise clothing for the winter season. With the right equipment and know-how, winter lovers can still spend adequate time outdoors once the mercury drops.

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Fun family activities for fall Fall is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors. Beautiful fall foliage coupled with great weather compel many people to spend ample time outdoors before the arrival of harsh winter weather drives them back indoors. The following are a handful of actvities that are tailor-made for fall. * Raking leaves: While raking leaves might not jump out at you as a great way to spend a nice fall afternoon, families often find raking leaves together soon turns into a fun day in the yard. Build leaf piles and let the kids jump in, and then do it again.

When raking, encourage kids to collect some colorful leaves and set them aside.

Once the raking is done, you can then enjoy making some homemade crafts with the leaves you and your youngsters just collected. * Apple picking: Perhaps no activity is more synonymous with fall than apple picking. Many apple orchards encourage customers to come by and pick their own apples in the fall. Once your family and you

tomers to walk the grounds and visit the animals on the premises. * Hiking: Hiking is a fun activity that can be enjoyed nearly yearround, but it's especially enjoyable in the fall. That's because few things in nature are as captivating as a park or forest when the fall foliage is in full bloom. Early fall also boasts ideal temperatures for hiking, as the mercury likely won't rise enough or sink low enough to produce the kind of extreme temperatures that can compromise a hiker's afternoon. Instead, fall temperatures tend to be mild and comfortable, allowing hikers to fully enjoy their Pumpkin picking is a great activity come the fall, perfect for all ages.

have scoured the orchard for the perfect apples, relax with a cup of warm apple cider before returning home to make some homemade apple sauce and, of course, a delicious apple pie. * Hayride: Hayrides are another fall tradition, and many farms offer relaxing hayrides throughout fall. Younger children who may tire if asked to patrol an apple orchard for apples might find a hayride is more their speed. Some farms may even allow cus-

often beautiful surroundings. * Corn maze: Visiting a corn maze is another activity that many people instantly associate with fall. Some farmers transform their cornfields into corn mazes once the temperatures dip, and such mazes can be fun for adults and children alike. Though adolescents can often be trusted to find their way through corn mazes, younger kids should be accompanied by an adult. * Pumpkin picking: Much like apple picking is best in fall, so is pumpkin picking.

Rather than buying your Halloween pumpkin from the grocery store, where your options may be limited, go straight to the source and pick your future jack-o'-lantern from a nearby pumpkin patch, which will provide a much wider selection. Let your youngsters pick their own pumpkins and then spend the rest of the day carving them at home. And don't forget to save those seeds, which can be roasted over an open flame to make a delicious snack. TF139506

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