NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/644631
16 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2016 Nebraska History News By Jeff Kurrus Nebraska History Magazine's flagship publication, published four times yearly, provides an in-depth look at some of the most important aspects and events in this state's history. To offer even more Nebraska history, NEBRASKAland Magazine has been publishing "A Brief History" feature, on page 10 of this issue, since July, 2013. Yet there is even more history to be had, as current subscribers of Nebraska History Magazine also receive Nebraska History News with their yearly subscriptions. News gives a preview of upcoming Nebraska History content, news of upcoming historical events and quick-hitting history pieces. Recent articles have focused on Henry Fonda, the 13th Amendment and World War II. Readers can access all of the issues of Nebraska History News, dating back to December, 1997, by visiting the link below. ■ ing nt y 1st Graders and Box Turtles Dear NEBRASKAland readers, After listening to wildlife educator Monica Macoubrie teach our class about box turtles, we found the following facts interesting. We hope you do too. Sincerely, Mrs. Secora's 1st Grade Class, Whitetail Creek Elementary • Box turtles do not have teeth. They have a beak-like mouth. • There are red dots on the boy turtles to impress girl turtles. • All Nebraska turtles, including box turtles, are cold-blooded vertebrates. • The box turtle's shell is made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails. • An adult box turtle has few predators. They would include foxes, coyotes and raccoons. • When laying eggs, mommy box turtles can lay 4 to 5 eggs in a season. And the eggs are kind of squishy. • Box turtles have sharp claws to dig and defend themselves. • Boy box turtles have red eyes. Girls have brown or green. ■ A Look Back By Jeff Kurrus Anytime one takes a look back into the pages of NEBRASKAland or its predecessor, Outdoor Nebraska, one is sure to see how much has changed ... and stayed the same. In the March, 1959, issue of Outdoor Nebraska, writer Pete Czura chronicled a bunny hunt that featured two archers, a rifleman and a pistol hunter during a time when rabbit hunting was open year-round. Also featured was Gene Hornbeck's story, "Cow Trail Icing," about fishing at Flowing Well Lake in Cherry County, a lake that still exists but is private, and "Trail of the Big Cat," an article about a bobcat hunt near Harrison. Not unlike outdoor articles of today, the "ABCs of Dog Care" was also shared with readers, as was cooking tips on smoking fish and meat. Lastly, a natural history piece on sandhill cranes taught readers about these majestic birds: "One of the most spectacular sights in Nebraka wildlife occurs each spring ..." the article starts, a reminder and hope that some things in nature never change. ■ PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG See more Nebraska history, including publications dating back to December of 1997. S i b