Fishing       

The Missouri River is low and cold. With ice patties swirling about, you wonder how the fish manage to make it during this time of year. I know their bodies slow down with the temperature drop but you have the think ‘how can anything live in such a cold slushy environment’. The eagles are pretty present along the river right now also. So if you feel like taking a hike or need a little fresh air, check the riverbanks out. With the frigid weather we have had recently, ponds will soon become available for some pan fish fishing. The thing about Nebraska is – if you want to ice fish you had better keep an eye on the weather and the ice thickness because we never know if a warm front is going to come though and undo all the ice freeze. I usually wait till there’s at least 6 inches of ice on before wondering about the local ponds looking for winter pan fish. We’ve had some real cold weather (below 0 degrees) the last couple weeks with over cast days. That should have petty well set the ice up as long as the sun doesn’t undo what the cold temperatures manage to freeze up. I’m going to give it a try soon – I’ll let you know how it works out.

The river picture this month is of the frigid low river in January. Even Looks Cold!!

Hunting

The snow made hunting a little more interesting in the past month. Many hunting seasons will be drawing to an end on January 31^st. That only leaves rabbit season open until the 28^th of February. The snow couldn’t have come at a better time for rabbit hunting this year. I had seen what I had thought was a lot of rabbits this winter while deer hunting.  But with the new snow you really get to see just how many rabbits are out there. And believe me there are plenty. Like many of the locals, I use a 22 rifle and head shoot them so they don’t do much moving after initial contact. That way they don’t make it to a hole, brush pile, or other tight hiding place prior to you getting a hold of them. “I don’t shoot them to let them get away.”  In this way it’s a good clean kill and there is no tracking involved. Also if they run off that’s a pretty good indication you missed and I missed my share of them too. Imagine that, after all the head shot target is about the size of a quarter. Limits on rabbits are 7 bag (a day), 28 possession (in the freezer).

This month’s picture is myself with five rabbits taken in about 2 hours of hunting on a cold snowy morning.

That’s it for me this month.  The Winter is finally here but Spring is just around the corner with a lot of fishing and hunt opportunities that go with it. Soon it will be time to send in for a Spring Turkey Permit and then you’ll agree spring was worth the wait. For now I’ll just enjoy the winter and the hunting & fishing it brings. Remember I’m not an expert but I have my share of luck. I wonder if the experts are having any luck today?  So until next time “Happy Hunting & Fishing.”