May 2026 • Nebraskaland 31
WHAT TO DO IN MAY
One Last Gobble
May | Statewide
By this point in the turkey season,
birds are wary. They've seen every
decoy set-up and heard every call
possible. To counter these educated
birds, try a different tactic by going
decoy-less and hunting midday. Or
bring a friend, split up and simulate a
hen and tom calling back and forth to
each other, emulating an adversary for
a last-minute tom still trying to mate.
T h e s a m e ta c t i c s t h a t wo r ke d a
month before may not work now. Be
ready to adapt.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
Herp Hike
May | Crete
On May 16, 10 a.m. to noon, join
Ne b ra s ka o u td o o r e d u c a to rs fo r a
guided hike near Crete to search for
reptiles and amphibians. The hikes
will reveal the many herps nearby.
W h i l e t h e re w i l l b e n o c o l l e c t i o n
o f a n i m a l s, t h e r e w i l l b e p l e n t y
o f o p p o r t u n i t i e s fo r p h o to g ra p hy.
Registration is required for this event
at tinyurl.com/herphike. Exact event
location will be emailed to registered
p a r t i c i p a n t s. We a r h i k i n g c l o t h e s
and be prepared to uncover a stone
o r t wo i n s e a rc h o f t h e s e a l w ays
fascinating animals.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
Morels in May
May | Statewide
Take to the hills! That's the cry
of morel mushroom hunters in May.
Hilly, wooded areas above rivers and
their tributaries are often productive
for gathering morel mushrooms now.
A reliable indicator is lilacs nearing
bloom. The key is to slow down and
look carefully for morels in moist,
loamy soil amid vegetation near dead
and dying hardwood trees such as
cottonwood, elm, ash and apple. Focus
on south-facing slopes in early May and
north-facing slopes later in the month.
Search for morels just after a soaking
rain and when daytime temperatures
have been consistently at or above 68
degrees Fahrenheit.
BY GREG WAGNER, PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY,
NEBRASKALAND
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