Duane Westerholt dedication on Cowboy Trail set for Nov. 6
 The public is invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the Duane Westerholt Memorial Kiosk Dedication on the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail west of Norfolk on Nov. 6. The event honoring Westerholt’s contribution to the trail will take place at 11 a.m. at the kiosk located at a trail bridge over the Elkhorn River 3 miles west of TaHaZouka Park.
An avid outdoorsman, Westerholt enjoyed birding, sailing, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, travel and helping others learn about nature and the outdoors. Westerholt, during a 40-year career with the Commission, oversaw the Cowboy Trail and obtained resources for its development from Norfolk to Valentine. He also oversaw Nebraska’s water trails and worked to create canoeing maps. Visit the NEBRASKAland blog for directions and event details.
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Work begins on new Nemaha County reservoir
Duck Creek #12, located in Nemaha County 3.5 W, 1 N of Peru, is scheduled to be built 2015-2016. Work on the dam is expected to be completed by Dec. 1. Most of the recreation facilities will be installed in 2016 after the dam has been completed. This will include access roads, tent camping facilities, RV pads, restrooms, picnic tables, etc.
Read more about the progress of the reservoir in NEBRASKAland.
Prospects look good for upland game hunting
 Upland game hunters
across Nebraska will have improved prospects during this year’s pheasant
season, which opens Oct. 31. Pheasant numbers are 55 percent higher
than last year.
Mild
weather has been kind to Nebraska’s pheasants. Abundant rainfall
produced a healthy amount of vegetation which created many insects
pheasants to consume.
The
season runs through Jan. 31, 2016. The entire state is open to pheasant
hunting, although no hunting is allowed on state refuges and
sanctuaries. The southeast and south
central parts of the state should offer the best opportunities this
year for quail hunting and the southwest and panhandle portion of the state offers the best opportunities for pheasant hunting. Read the full release here.
To view the full report, visit the 2015 Upland Game Hunting Outlook. Hunters can find public hunting sites as well as private sites open to public walk-in hunting in the Nebraska Public Access Atlas.
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Fort Atkinson candlelight tour set for Nov. 7
 Fort Atkinson's annual candlelight tour will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7. This first-person dramatization will take you through the Fort at night by candlelight. Each stop along the way will reveal another part of the evening’s plot, which is based on actual events.
Tickets are limited and MUST be reserved in advance. Visit the Outdoor Calendar for more information on ticket prices, times, and event details.
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Cornucopia of Crafts coming to Mahoney State Park
Mahoney State Park in Ashland will host an event to showcase handmade crafts, food, jewelry, metal art, yard art, pottery and more. The Cornucopia of Crafts will be held at the Peter Kiewit Lodge on Nov. 14 and 15. Visit the Outdoor Calendar for more detailed information.
Hunting “Pheas” (Fez) in Huskerville
 With the number of pheasants much improved this year where there is
suitable habitat, it is time to dust off that old blaze orange upland game
hunting vest to take to the field once again for a classic ring-necked rooster
hunt. Pheasant hunting
tips can also be found in the NEBRASKAland Magazine’s 2015 November Issue.
Among all the other pursuits that fill the season, pheasant hunting is
one of fall’s finest pastimes. Walking the autumn countryside in Nebraska with
hunting companions and a good dog is pure enjoyment. Read more on Greg
Wagner’s blog.
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Infamous parasitic hitchhikers snag a ride on paddlefish
Just in time for Halloween, Daryl Bauer, Nebraska Game and Parks fisheries outreach program manager, offers information about Nebraska’s “scariest” fish, lampreys. These Nebraska-natives often attach themselves to paddlefish, which can be a shock to many anglers.
Read more as Daryl explains the life cycle of lampreys, identification techniques, and their role in the aquatic ecosystem.
 $5 Fridays at the Outdoor Education Center
The Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln boasts state-of-the-art outdoor and indoor archery ranges as well an indoor firearm range. Along with the many events and daily deals offered at the center, the recreation center offers $5 Fridays, which covers regular fees. Check out the website for waivers, directions and event details.
Hunter education is available online
The Nebraska Hunter Education course prepares participants to be safe, responsible, knowledgeable and involved in and out of the hunting field.
Anyone under the age of 30 who hunts in Nebraska must first successfully complete a hunter education course. Those age 16 and older can complete the course entirely online, though a traditional classroom course remains available. Learn more about Nebraska's hunter education requirements, access the online course, or view a schedule of upcoming classroom courses on our website.
Featured photo from NEBRASKAland Magazine:
Fort Robinson State Park in the fall.
Julie Geiser/NEBRASKAland Magazine
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