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Whisler's
Hunting & Fishing Report

by Josh Whisler

 

Sponsored by 
Hogies Gun & Sport     and      Hunters Headquarters
in Auburn, Nebraska
Click HERE
JULY 2005

FISHING

The Missouri River has been up and down more times in the last month then I care to count. With the high water comes the “Trash”. Trash basically is the sticks, corn stocks, weeds, and grass that wash in the river or off its banks during a heavy rain. My kids and I have always thought that every tennis court in the state must be near a creek that floods during storms due to the large amount of tennis balls that we would find floating after a gully washer. Them along with basketball courts, I know that at one time we had around 20 basketballs at home. The kids would have me pull along side with the boat and salvage the balls from the river while the other trash was flowing. It’s kind of funny, but if you can keep a line in during those times the fish are biting the best. It’s not the greatest fun to keep cleaning the grass off your line but more times than not the fish on the other end does it for you. So while the kids are looking for another ball, I’m catching fish.

                              Glenn Mellage                                                                                      Dave McConnaughey

The 2005 Old Man River Days Fishing Contest May 22nd seemed to bring the fishermen out. It was a sunny warm Sunday contest and the conditions made for a lot of good fishing. My wife and I judge the contest every year and this year like all others had it’s surprises. We weighed in over 150 pounds of fish. The bait of choice this day was night crawlers. And the 2005 Old Man River Days Fishing Contest Winners are: Dave McConnaughey with the most pounds of fish with 17 total pounds. Jeff Meyers with the biggest Carp at 9 pounds. And the Biggest Catfish went to Glen Mellage with a 5 pound Flathead cat. 

                                   Jamie Reeves                                                                                   Jeff Meyers

There were several other flatheads caught that day but none of any size. But to see some flatheads caught is always encouraging anyway. This means the flatheads will be hitting soon. Their run usually starts with the small one hitting early and the bigger ones coming on a few weeks later as the water warms up. June in my opinion is still the month for the flatheads. So get out there and hook into one, you won’t soon forget the experience of a Flathead pulling on your line. It’ like no other! Jamie Reeves proved that The Flatheads are starting to run with his 53 pound Flathead Catfish caught Memorial Day Weekend.

 HUNTING  

Deer Applications

Starting June 13th Residents who do not yet have their FIRST permit, including those who were unsuccessful in obtaining a permit in a Draw unit, can purchase their FIRST permit. Permits that remain in Draw units are available at this time. This also  SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1includes Statewide Archery, Statewide Muzzleloader and Statewide Youth. 

Starting June 27th Nonresidents & residents who do not yet have their permit, can purchase their permit, in any unit subject to availability, including statewide archery and muzzleloader. Purchase online or by mail through the Lincoln office. Contact the Nebraska Game & Parks web page today at http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/guide/hguide.html. 

A change from last year that is worth noting is our area for Season Choice Area is once again Area #21. You have to denote this on the application when applying. Season Choice allows you to bag two antlerless deer during the 2005 Deer Seasons (archery, regular rifle, muzzleloader, & late rifle seasons). This allows you to bag two does when you have the time – you choose the season. Also your 2005 Habitat Stamp is good for the Late Rifle Season (January 2006).

 The river will eventually settle out providing some good cool fishing opportunities. And if you want to hunt deer this fall it’s time to get moving on getting an application in before it’s too late. Summer is here and the time is right for some good outdoor activities. You need to get out there and give it a try. You won’t be sorry. 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.”

 

Last Months article

June 2005

Fishing

The Missouri River has opened up some very good fishing opportunities this last month. The recent rains have raised the river to flood stages that have not been seen in some time. This high water time brings lots of opportunities for fishermen to not only catch fish but to catch a variety of fish. Not only Channel cats and larger Blue cats, but also what has been keeping the fisherman coming back are the carp swarming during the higher water levels. Carp like to pillage the riverbanks, not normally submerged with water, for insects and worms that were caught by the sudden rise in the river level. You can visually see them working these areas looking for food. Carp are also notorious for spawning (laying and fertilizing eggs) in the shallower waters when the river suddenly raises. This works to the Fisherman’s advantage by allowing them to see where the fish are gathering. All that needs to be done at that point is laying the bait in the area and wait for the bite. Then the fight is on to get him to the bank. Carp have been known to pull the fishing rod right out of your hand. Many locals will spear carp in the high water times by simply wading into the areas that the carp are working and gigging them. These fish are taken for harvest and many times it’s fish fry time with the large amount of fish taken in this manner. The Bait of choice is still night crawlers, with fair action on dough & stink baits. And the live baits are coming on with moderate action. So with that said, you should shake it up a little with several different baits and hit the riverbank because they’re biting.


This month’s fishing picture is Joe Studebaker from Peru with a German Carp.


Hunting

Spring Turkey Seasons are nearing their end. Once again the hunting was slow starting and seems to be coming on right at the end of the seasons. There are plenty of turkeys in the area which I have explained before this is not always good. The spring season only allows you one male turkey and if you can’t call them away from the hens you’re in trouble. The cooler weather seemed to set the breeding season back a little. The early season they could be worked fairly easily but it was warm (>70 degrees). Then came three weeks of 40 and 50 degree temps that set them back to the point that they wouldn’t gobble in the morning or the evening – don’t get me wrong they were there but just weren’t aroused enough to come to a call. That and I think all the gullible ones were killed in the warmer early season. The ones that are left are pretty shifty and have their eyes and ears open – not much gets by them. So staying still and controlling your calling is the key. I’ve been told by several local residents & farmers “Those Turkeys are all over, haven’t you got yours yet?” Well sometimes that’s easier said than done. To the average person a 20-pound tom turkey looks pretty easy to kill waltzing around the roadside or field. But it’s harder than it looks because you are hunting them with a shotgun or a bow & arrow. That means you have to have them within 25 yards of you to kill them. Their feathers act as armor for both techniques. With a bow & arrow you aim for the vitals (heart & lungs) and with a shotgun you aim strictly for the head. But one wrong noise or move and they are out of shooting range right now. Basically, that’s where the rubber meets the road “get them close, stay still, & let them have it!”


This month’s hunting picture is myself with a 19 pound Tom with a 10 inch beard and a nice mess of Morel Mushrooms.

Deer Permit Reminder:

Starting June 13th Residents who do not yet have their FIRST permit, including those who were unsuccessful in obtaining a permit in a Draw unit, can purchase their FIRST permit. Permits that remain in Draw units are available at this time. This also includes Statewide Archery, Statewide Muzzleloader and Statewide Youth.

Starting June 27th Nonresidents & residents who do not yet have their permit, can purchase their permit, in any unit subject to availability, including statewide archery and muzzleloader. Purchase online or by mail through the Lincoln office. Contact the Nebraska Game & Parks web page today at http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/guide/hguide.html.

That does it for me this month. The exciting thing about fishing The River is you never really know what you’re going to catch. You really should give it a try while the fish are biting regularly. You won’t be sorry. 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.”

 

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