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/831879
38 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2017 38 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2017 to our waters" and touted as the "poor man's fish of the future" for the food it would provide. By the time the Game and Fish Commission was formed in 1901, efforts were already being made to eradicate the fish, which muddies our waters, work that continues today. Hatcheries were later established at Valentine, Rock Creek near Parks, Benkleman, Crawford, North Platte, Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal, and Calamus Reservoir. All but two, Benkleman and Crawford, remain in operation. 1881 – Song birds were protected and another law made it illegal to kill birds with anything other than a shoulder mounted gun. 1896 – It became illegal to hunt another man's land without permission. 1901 – The first fishing regulations in the state were passed. Trout season ran June through October with an 8-inch minimum, and daily bag limits on fish were set at 25. Seasons were added for bass and other species throughout the years. With the exception of paddlefish seasons on the Missouri River, fishing has been open year-round for all species since 1946. 1901 – Deer and pronghorn hunting seasons ran from August 15 to November 15, even though it was estimated there were only 50 deer and 100 pronghorns in the state, and waterfowl hunting season ran from September 1 to April 15. 1901 – In the same act that created the Commission, for the first time in Nebraska history, the legislature placed restrictions on the taking of fish and game and provided funding for four full-time employees. In addition, 88 "special deputy wardens" served without compensation to "report status of fish and game, and violations" in their areas. In later years, the special wardens were paid half of any fines imposed as a result of their work. 1901 – Nebraskans hunting or fishing outside of the county in which they resided were required to buy a $1 permit. In 1911 "female persons" and boys under the age of 18 when fishing, and boys under the age of 18 when hunting with a parent or guardian, were exempted from a license. In 1921, all persons over age 16 were required to have a license, regardless of where they lived, hunted or fished. 1905 – For the first time, state statutes prohibited the taking of fish in any public water, except the Missouri River, by means other than hook and line. 1905 – Pheasants were stocked by private individuals and were protected, as were all species of native squirrels. The Commission purchased its first breeding stock of pheasants in 1911. 1905 – Wolves, coyotes, foxes, wild cats, skunks and rabbits could be killed at any time of the year. Daily bag limits allowed 10 geese, 50 ducks and 50 "other birds." 1907 – The legislature provided full protection for deer, elk, pronghorn and beaver, closing the season on all. The first issue of Outdoor Nebraska, the precursor to NEBRASKAland Magazine, was published in 1926. Like this 1927 issue, above, it was 16 pages plus the cover. The Th fi fi t rst issue f of O t Outdoor Judge Charles Mathews, seated, claimed his homestead next to spring-fed Victoria Creek. He built two log buildings in 1873, one for his home, which would later become Custer County's first post office, and the other a store, and bottled and sold the spring water. In 1923, Victoria Springs was added to the state park system, and the buildings still stand today at the SRA near Merna. NGPC LIBRARY ARCHIVES NGPC LIBRARY ARCHIVES