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/963498
APRIL 2018 • NEBRASKAland 19 NEBRASKAland Visitor Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Kelly Mercer of Stanton, Nebraska, who found the head louse on page 14. Readers are encouraged to contact NEBRASKAland within 10 days after this issue's publication with the correct page number and name of this issue's "Visitor" – a critter found in Nebraska. We will then gather the correct entries and draw one to win a NEBRASKAland mug. To enter each month, write: NEBRASKAland Visitor 2200 North 33rd Street Lincoln, NE 68503 Or e-mail: Tim.Reigert@Nebraska. gov with "Visitor" in the subject line of the message. HINT: This issue's visitor is not on page 16, 19, 22, 23, or 42-43. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are very small insects, tan to gray or white in color, and approximately 1 ⁄10 inch in length. They are ectoparasites, feeding on human blood, though fortunately are not known to transmit disease between hosts. While they are wingless and cannot fly, they are able to quickly crawl and have large claws to grasp hairs. Female lice attach individual eggs to a shaft of hair, usually near the scalp. These small eggs, called nits, are white when first laid, turning tan as they age. Nymphs hatch from the eggs and will molt three times before reaching adulthood. Infestations most commonly result from head-to- head contact, though sharing of hats and brushes can also spread lice. Over-the-counter treatments and the use of a nit brush can be used to eliminate lice once an infestation occurs. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Mount a Turkey Tail By Jarrod Spilger One of the joys of harvesting a mature gobbler, besides the thrill of the hunt and the delicious meal that follows, is the opportunity to obtain a trophy tail fan and beard mount. Follow these simple steps to create your own mount that will be a treasured memento for many years. First, cut off the tail fan slightly below the tail bone and the beard from the breast. It's better to have too many feathers initially than not enough, as you can always trim excess feathers, but you can't add them back on. Then, cut out the tail bone so the fan lays flat during the drying process. With a knife, cut and scrape away all meat and fat from the tail's base, making sure to remove the oil gland. Trim the beard's base, too. Leave enough material, though, so the tail feathers and beard fibers remain attached. With a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, dab the base of the tail and beard to dry out any remaining fat and kill bacteria. Let dry overnight. Next, liberally apply Borax to the tail fan base and stretch out the fan, front side down, on newspapers. I use three or four full shotgun shell boxes to hold the fan in place. Also, stick the beard base into a separate small pile of Borax. The Borax will dry out any remaining flesh or oil. Let the stretched out fan set for several months in a cool, dry place indoors where pets and bugs can't get to it. Finally, mount the tail. You can use a prefabricated mounting kit for a professional look, or simply tie the tail onto a piece of cardboard with the beard hanging below it using flexible wire. Cover exposed wire with tape to protect walls, and punch a hole into the top of the cardboard to hang this economical display from a nail. ■ PHOTOS BY JARROD SPILGER nfestation occurs. Special thanks to Julie Van Mete State Entomologist, Nebrask Clean the base of the tail and beard with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Apply Borax to the tail fan base to dry out any remaining flesh or oil. The tail can be mounted onto a piece of cardboard with the beard handing below it using flexible wire. N V L the Ke Ne he R NE thi co thi in co s nity to mount. te your d memento y below the tail st. It's better to