December NEBRASKAland Features Entertaining Outdoor Activities

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NGPC news release, 11/17/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. – The December issue of NEBRASKAland Magazine has something for everyone, from ice climbing on the Niobrara National Scenic River to ice-fishing several of Nebraska’s reservoirs, from a history of the state’s goose hunting to Christmas at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (SHP).

Nebraska isn’t known as a dream destination among climbers of mountains or even big rocks, but there is a little-known seasonal opportunity for ice climbing on private land along the Niobrara River near Smith Falls State Park. In “Three Days on Ice,” Michael Forsberg describes his experiences during the first-annual Niobrara Ice Jam in January of 2008 and describes how other climbers may participate in the 2009 event.

When Associate Editor Jeff Kurrus’ mother-in-law visited from Philadelphia last winter, the first thing he did was take her on a tour of Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. After seeing the park’s Peter Kiewit Lodge, the modern cabins, the wide variety of recreational opportunities, the many species of wildlife that live in the park and surrounding area, and climbing the observation tower overlooking the Platte River, she proclaimed the park “really grand” and returned to the park the following summer to enjoy it with her grandkids. Read about her introduction to the park in Kurrus’ “Mother-in-Law Mahoney.”

Nebraska’s Canada goose hunting success fluctuated during the first half of the 20th century, although the North Platte River Valley remained the state’s premier goose hunting location. Senior Editor Jon Farrar tells us why in “Nebraska Goose Hunting – The Early Years.”
If you have ash trees on your property or are just interested in trees, you should make it a point to read the article ”EAB: The Green Plague,” by Regional Editor Rocky Hoffmann. The emerald ash borer is a highly invasive insect that has killed thousands of ash trees in the upper Midwest and is now heading closer to Nebraska.

In “A Cody Christmas,” Hoffmann describes how Buffalo Bill Cody’s home at Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP in North Platte is decorated each year for the holiday season. This year Scout’s Ranch will be open to the public Dec. 19-22.

Brothers Scott and Monte Mares have been fishing together their entire lives, and their dad has been with them every step of the way. In the story “The Next Hole,” with text by Kurrus and photos by Forsberg, you will learn how deep-seated family traditions can be.

There are also some recipes for Swedish potato sausage; an article about the growing acceptance among deer hunters of the necessity of shooting does; a quick glimpse at Maskenthine Lake near Norfolk; this month’s portraits from the past, outdoor news and information from across the state, and readers comments.

NEBRASKAland Magazine is published 10 times a year by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and is available at Commission offices and newsstands across the state or by subscription from the Commission. Subscribe by calling 1-800-NEB-LAND (632- 5263) or going online to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - NEBRASKAland Magazine.