Mixed Bag Capital of the World
I am old enough to remember “back in the day” when NEBRASKAland magazine used to have little advertisements in the magazine that bragged about Nebraska being the “Mixed Bag Capital of the World”. That was mostly a reference to our diverse upland game hunting opportunities, but I believe it is still true and still describes the hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities we have in Nebraska. In addition, we have relatively long open seasons for a number of game species and of course our fishing “season” is open all the time.
To prove my point, let me share some pictures of the recent success experienced by one Nebraska hunter. . . . Justin is a friend of many of us here in my office and a couple weeks ago he sent us some pictures. He had drawn a Nebraska elk tag and was successful in harvesting a cow elk.
That elk was taken in the morning which left plenty of time for some additional turkey and upland bird hunting later in the day. By late afternoon they barely had enough room in their pickup to haul all the game!
Justin mentioned that was all accomplished in time to sit back and enjoy a big win by the Huskers on the football field that evening and on the volleyball court the next day. Is this a great state or what?
I had to kid Justin a little bit and tell him I would have been much more impressed with his success if he had managed to catch a couple of brook trout that same day! Ha.
I fully realize that the drought and especially lack of habitat has had significant impacts on our pheasant population and pheasant hunting throughout the state. I am also fully aware that the drought and EHD outbreak ( http://www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/EHD.asp ) is having an impact on our whitetail deer herd and deer hunting opportunities this fall. I have hunted, fished and trapped long enough to know there are always some disappointments. On the other hand, I think we sometimes take for granted the outstanding outdoor, hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities we have in our great state–The Mixed Bag Capital of the World!
Congratulations Justin, and thanks for letting me share your pictures and story!
