Destination: Big Red Flyway- Part I (Corrected Version)
Gunner, Brentzel's dog, during a teal retrieve
Recently, commissioners Lynn Berggren and Norris Marshall asked if NEBRASKAland would be interested in covering a set of articles about Nebraska’s waterfowl hunting opportunities. The parameters were simple: they would take place on land available to hunters throughout the state, in different seasons, with a variety of people on each hunt. So our editorial staff jumped at the chance to broadcast this state’s resources.
Berggren shoots at a pair of teal in Clay County
The first leg of this idea came to fruition this morning as Berggren, conservation officer Terry Brentzel, husband and wife Dave and Angela McDermott, and Lincoln Journal-Star reporter Joe Duggan teal hunted on Ducks Unlimited-owned ground known as the Verona Complex in Clay County. “The Verona Complex was provided by DU donor dollars,” said DU Manager of Conservation Programs in Nebraska Steve Donovan. “This land is an example of how DU is providing great wildlife habitat here in Nebraska and making it available for all Nebraskans for a variety of uses, including teal hunting.”
Dave and wife Angela McDermott
Donovan was more than right when he spoke about providing great wildlife habitat, but I just didn’t think this example would be so close to the parking lot. Used to hauling camera gear (and myself) across vast acreages of land when covering various hunts for the magazine, Terry put my mind at ease (and I have to admit, confused me a little bit) when he told us at our vehicles that if we happened to forget anything back at the truck, we could just go back and get it real quick.
That was my introduction to some of the state’s waterfowl opportunities: manageable walks and even more manageable hunts. So much so that dove stools and buckets were used for standard resting equipment, a smattering of decoys for our spread, including a Mo-jo dove decoy, and that’s about it. Well, also plenty of mosquito spray.
Decoys from the teal hunt
Despite only killing a couple of birds, probably due to an overnight hail storm that none of us were aware of until after the hunt, there was plenty of story-telling by all, including a number of law enforcement war stories from Brentzel, which always seem to pass the time better than just about anything (except a few good volleys).
“Should have been here yesterday,” Brentzel finished the morning, “birds were everywhere.”
Brentzel at daybreak
Yet if the following hunts, and the folks going on them, are anything like this morning, I’m not too concerned with yesterday. Today was just fine for me.
I would like to point out one correction to this story. This group of hunters was not hunting on public land. They were hunting on land owned and managed by Ducks Unlimited, a private conservation organization. The property is the Verona Complex, a 1,000 acre plus complex of wetlands and grasslands managed by DU and open to the public for certain recreational uses, including hunting during the fall hunting seasons. Also, Mr. Brentzel was correct – I know from first hand experience that limits of teal were shot on the property on both Saturday and Sunday. . . . .
What type of dog is that in the first picture?
I have absolutely no idea. Maybe someone who was there that day can help with this one.
Deutsch-Drahthaar, a versatile hunting dog
Thanks a lot, Terry. I’ve been asked repeatedly about that dog. What a beautiful hunting partner.
I also would like to point out a clarification to the story. The Verona complex was purchased not with “DU donor dollars” but with laundered gambling funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. It is interesting how eager Mr. Donovan and DU is to stake their claim of this land as their private property when the citizens of the state of Nebraska funded the purchase.
I absolutely agree. Mr. Donovan likes to keep that information out of th equation. Screwing the landowners and the tax payers is DU’s way!!!!
I simply cannot understand how the people of Du can deal with there Conscience. These clowns running the save a duck program would rather stab the farmer in the back , steal revenue from the all ready struggling tax payers , Neglect our children of there education, road repair Ect, Ect in there perpetual easements with taxpayers funds !! . All in the name of a organization purely looking to capitalize and steal from the taxpayer for there personal agendas , and weekend hunting preserve. All I have to say Mr. Donovan and Partners in crime is you are plainly some Pathetic , egotistical , poor excuses of Humanity !! Good Day
It is very simple, willing sellers, willing buyers, are you mad at the sellers too?
Jeff: Related to your story, I want to note that Ducks Unlimited allowed a number of their sites statewide to be included in the 2010 Public Access Atlas. This includes the Verona Complex noted in your story. Thanks. Scott
Thanks Scott. That’s good information to have. The 2010 Public Access Atlas can be found at outdoornebraska.org or free at most local outdoor retailers.