Nebraska Games &
Parks News
Archery Game Fish Season
Will Be July 1 - Dec. 31
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskas 2007 archery
game fish season will be July 1 - Dec. 31. Archers are allowed to
take game fish statewide, sunrise to sunset, except at the
following waters which are closed to game fish archers year-round:
Two Rivers, Louisville, Fort Kearny, Fremont, Mormon Island and
Windmill state recreation areas; Platte River and E.T. Mahoney
state parks and all trout streams.
Angell Urges Boater Caution
Over July 4th Weekend
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Boating
Law Administrator Herb Angell calls the Fourth of July weekend
“the nations most dangerous boating holiday,” and urges boaters to
use caution over the holiday weekend this year.
“Statistics compiled by the Boat Owners
Association of the United States indicate more Americans die in
boating accidents on the Fourth of July than on any other day of
the year. More than half of those deaths are alcohol-related," he
said.
“Life jackets are extremely important to
water safety,” Angell said. “They dont call them life jackets for
nothing. Those under 13 must wear life jackets when in a boat,
even if the boat isnt moving.”
Angell reminds boaters that drinking
alcohol or possessing an open alcohol container is prohibited in
all state park areas, including on or in the water. Nebraska law
makes it illegal to operate a motorboat while under the influence
of alcohol. The Commission urges boaters and passengers to refrain
from drinking alcohol on waterways. The safety of intoxicated
passengers is very much at risk, as there have been numerous
reports of intoxicated passengers falling overboard and drowning.
“Jet Skis, WaveRunners and so forth are
involved in 40 percent of accidents but they make up only about 11
percent of the boats out there. Skill levels, inattention, and
being unaware of the rules cause a lot of problems. And, people
should remember that no one under the age of 18 can operate a
motorboat unless they have successfully completed a Boater
Education Class,” he said.
The most common types of boating accidents
involve the boat capsizing, passengers falling overboard, and a
boat colliding with another boat or other type of watercraft.
“If people would remember just one boating
law, it would eliminate many boating accidents. They should
remember that when they are within 30 yards of another craft,
boat, jet ski or whatever, they cannot go more than 5 mph, which
means their speed should not generate any wake,” he said.
Other basic rules that can help boaters
avoid accidents include: know what the weather forecast is and
keep abreast of changing weather conditions while on the water;
treat your life jacket as if your life depends on it; keep a sharp
lookout for other vessels, swimmers and skiers; stay within the
capacity limits of your boat; and never let an intoxicated or
impaired person take the helm.
Start Lining Up Fall Hunting Spots Now
LINCOLN, Neb. – Its still
early in the year, but experienced hunters are already making
contacts with landowners and lining up their hunting spots for the
2007 fall hunting seasons.
The two keys to finding hunting
opportunities on private land are asking permission and
cultivating a good relationship with the landowner prior to
opening day. Most landowners say they allow hunting on posted land
if the hunter takes the time to ask permission.
In the past some landowners have been
reluctant to allow hunting access to their land because of
liability questions. But to help encourage landowners to make
their land and water available to sportsmen for recreational
activities, Nebraskas Recreation Liability Act (Article 10,
Chapter 37, Nebraska Game Laws) limits the landowners liability
toward people who may be injured while using that land for
recreational purposes.
The act says a landowner has no
responsibility to keep his premises in a safe condition for the
benefit of sportsmen unless he charges the sportsman for access.
If the landowner simply allows a sportsman to hunt, fish or use
his property for other recreation, he does not extend assurances
that the premises are safe for recreational purposes and he isnt
liable for any injury to the person or property of the sportsman.
However the landowner does have an
obligation, under the act, to guard or warn the sportsman against
a known dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on the
land. By the same token, the act also stipulates the person
entering onto the land or using the land for recreational purposes
must exercise due care while using the land for his activities. In
other words, the sportsman is responsible for his actions on
private land, even when he has permission to be there.
It is a different story if the landowner
chooses to charge sportsmen to use his land. In this case, the act
in no way limits “any liability for injury in any case where the
owner of the land charges the persons or person who enter or go
onto the land.”
In essence, the act allows landowners to
give permission for people to use their land for recreational
purposes without being liable for accidents that may occur, and it
also puts the burden of responsibility on the shoulders of the
sportsman for his activities while using the land.
Even with all the provisions of the act,
which was enacted to help the sportsman, the sportsman must still
be aware of his responsibility to create and continue favorable
relationships with landowners. Sportsmen must remember they are
guests on the landowners property and act accordingly.
Sportsmen must police their own ranks to
cement sportsman/landowner relations. Each sportsman must refuse
to condone game law violations or unsafe hunting practices among
his hunting partners, friends, or acquaintances. He should
participate in educating young sportsmen in hunting and shooting
skills and respecting landowners rights and property. A single
thoughtless or careless act can easily destroy many years of
building by others. Insist on safe hunting practices, adherence to
all game laws and respect for landowners when you hunt or fish.
Cool Fish Quickly to Ensure
Quality Meat at the Table
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Fishing has been good in
Nebraska again this year and anglers should take the necessary
steps to properly care for the fish they catch to ensure quality
meat at the table.
Fish have a very delicate flavor which
deteriorates rapidly unless the angler takes the time to quickly
cool the fish immediately after it is caught. Often fish left too
long on a stringer on the floor of a boat or on a newspaper in the
trunk of a car will only end up in the trash when the angler
arrives home.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
offers these tips for keeping fish fresh and flavorful.
-- to preserve a fishs rich flavor and
ensure top quality meat, kill the fish immediately after it is
caught, put it on ice, then gut or fillet it when you are done
fishing for the day. The general rule is the more time that
elapses between catching and cooking, the more the flavor suffers.
-- trout are usually gutted and the gills
removed because these parts deteriorate rapidly. Catfish should be
skinned soon after they are killed and gutted, then placed on ice.
-- remove the unpleasant tasting skin of a
catfish before cooking.
-- remove the stronger-tasting,
dark-colored flesh along the fishs lateral line for more
consistent flavor.
-- the best way to freeze fish is in a
container, such as a milk carton, filled with water. Larger fish
can be glazed with ice, then wrapped in plastic food wrap and a
double layer of freezer paper.
-- even frozen fish deteriorate. Lean fish
can be kept frozen in good condition for about six months, but
fish with more fat begin tasting strong or oily in about half that
time. Fish are always best when eaten soon after being caught.
-- fresh fish have bright, clear eyes and
the gills are clean and bright red. If you press on the side of a
fresh fish, the flesh should return to its normal shape when you
release the pressure. The scales should be firmly attached, bright
and shiny.
– fish can be prepared by frying,
grilling, baking, boiling, broiling, drying, smoking, pickling or
as the main ingredient in stews, chowders and soups. The rule for
cooking fish is never, ever, overcook.
Six State Recreation Areas
Will Allow Visitors to Shoot Fireworks
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Visitors will be allowed
to shoot fireworks in designated areas at six Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission state recreation areas on Independence Day,
according to Jim Fuller, administrator of the Commissions Parks
Division.
Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA)
near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney, Fremont Lakes SRA near
Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee Lake SRA near Emerald
and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will allow people to shoot
fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on July 4 only.
“Signs at recreation areas will point the
way to fireworks sites, and their boundaries will be clearly
marked. The use of fireworks is limited to those areas and is
prohibited elsewhere or at other times,” Fuller said.
Only fireworks approved for sale in
Nebraska by the State Fire Marshal are permitted and people who
use fireworks are asked to clean up expended fireworks and deposit
them in appropriate containers. Visitors are also cautioned to use
extra care with fireworks due to extremely dry conditions and high
fire hazard. Water buckets will be made available at the six
designated sites.
