There’s Still Time to Go Pheasant and Quail Hunting

Upland bird hunters will be happy to know Nebraskas pheasant and quail hunting season will be open through Jan. 31, which means there is still time to spend a couple of weekends out pheasant and quail hunting. Experienced hunters will tell you that the late season is often the very best time to hunt. That’s because hunting conditions are good, crops have been harvested, much of the heavy cover has been knocked down. Hunters and dogs perform much better than when it was hot and dry, permission to hunt on private property is easier to obtain than earlier in the season, there are few hunters in the field and still enough birds to make an enjoyable hunt ..... somebody stop me when I get to the bad part. It’s no wonder that many serious pheasant and quail hunters, those experts who have hunted upland birds for years and have a real passion for the activity, hunt through the last day of the season. They do this even though the birds have become more edgy, more elusive and more difficult to hunt, but by moving slowly, quietly, and deliberately they still put birds in their bag. The most successful hunters avoid slamming truck doors and tailgates, shouting instructions to each other, and yelling at their dogs. Instead, they hunt quietly, move through the fields slowly and deliberately They know excessive noise drives late-season pheasants out of the field even before the hunt begins. The tag-end of the season is the perfect time for one or two hunters and a close-working dog to hunt small patches of cover. The idea is to approach the cover quietly, following along as the dog works its way through the field in random fashion. Hunting into the wind is another good way to reduce the noise made by walking through the cover which makes it easier to get within shotgun range before the birds flush. Experienced late-season hunters would rather eat quiche for dinner every night for a week than miss a morning in the field after an over night snowfall. When it snows birds often congregate in low areas of thick cover seeking protection from the cold and wind. A little snow also provides a chance for the hunter to track birds and learn where they concentrate when it’s cold. If you are hesitant to go pheasant and quail hunting because you don’t know where you can hunt, here are a few suggestions that will help you find a good spot to hunt. If you know a landowner who owns property you’d like to hunt, simply ask him for permission to hunt there. But, don’t assume that because you know the landowner it’s OK to hunt there, the law says you must have permission to hunt on private land whether it is posted or not. If you don’t know any landowners and don’t like asking strangers for permission to hunt on their property, consider hunting Conservation Reserve Program-Management Access Program (CRP-MAP) lands or public hunting areas. Nebraska’s CRP-MAP is a hunting access program in which landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) are paid for allowing public walk-in only access for hunting and trapping. The program opens some 180,000 acres of privately owned CRP land across the state to public hunting. The land is plainly marked so hunters and trappers can easily identify it. Each CRP-MAP tract is shown on maps in the 2008 CRP-Management Access Program Atlas, available free at commission offices and at permit agents across the state. This information is also available on the Commission’s Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org. There are also about 800,000 acres of public hunting land on some 300 state and federal areas scattered across Nebraska. Included in those areas are 215 commission-owned and managed wildlife management areas and about half of them hold pheasants. Hunting is allowed in season on all state wildlife management areas and federal waterfowl production areas unless otherwise posted. Special regulations apply on federal refuges and on national forest lands. A complete listing of all of Nebraska’s public hunting areas is included in the 2008 Nebraska Guide to Hunting and Public Lands, available free from any Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office or any of 900 permit agents across the state. The same information is also available on the Commission’s Web site. Some local areas are better than others, but generally, if you are willing to get out and walk the fields, and concentrate on spots where there is good habitat, you will probably be rewarded with some shooting opportunities and maybe a bird or two. The hunter who expects to park his truck, walk thirty yards across a picked field and come back with a limit of roosters or bobwhites will probably be disappointed.

Commissioners to Meet Jan. 16 in Lincoln

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners will consider recommendations to amend some wildlife and fishing regulations during their meeting in Lincoln on Jan. 16. They also will address other issues at their 8 a.m. meeting in the Commission’s Lincoln headquarters. The following public hearings are on the agenda: 8:30 a.m. – There will be a hearing to amend fishing regulations. Those are in regard to commercial put-and-take fisheries; nonresident fish dealers and exportation, importation and possession; commercial fishing; aquaculture; bait collecting and dealers; and special fishing permits for residents who are severely physically or developmentally disabled and who require assistance in angling. 8:45 a.m. – There will be a hearing to consider amending wildlife regulations. Those are in regard to personal quotas for big game permits, allowable weapons, legal possession of meat, wildlife damage control program, and fur harvesting. 9 a.m. -- There will be a hearing to consider amending wildlife regulations regarding governing administration and use of property. Also on the agenda are: a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider amendments to administration regulations regarding setting lottery application fees for a season choice statewide buck permit and a combination antelope, deer, elk and turkey permit; a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to amend some boating regulations; a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider amendments to wildlife regulations regarding antelope, deer and elk; a recommendation to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider amendments to wildlife regulations regarding endangered and threatened species; a recommendation regarding approval of funding for the 2009 Land and Water Conservation Fund apportionment; a recommendation regarding approval of funding for the 2009 Recreational Trails Program grant applications; a recommendation regarding acquisition of an 888-acre tract of wildlife land located in Scotts Bluff County; a recommendation regarding revisions to the Hunter/Bowhunter Education Program policy manual; and an update on the status of the Commission’s hunter and angler RDR (recruitment, development and retention) activities.

Permits Available for 2009 Spring Turkey Hunting

Permits for the 2009 spring turkey hunting seasons now may be purchased, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Hunters will have more opportunity to use them, too. The seasons have been extended by a combined 10 days. The 2009 hunting seasons are: archery and youth archery, March 25-May 31; youth shotgun, April 11-May 31; and shotgun, April 18-May 31. Spring turkey hunting permits, which are valid statewide, may be purchased through May 31. Each hunter may purchase up to three permits for the spring seasons. The three-permit limit may be any combination of shotgun and archery tags. Resident permits are $24 and nonresident permits $91. Permits may be purchased online at OutdoorNebraska.org. The bag limit is one male or bearded female turkey per permit. There is no minimum age requirement for hunting turkeys. Those hunters under the age of 12, when hunting with a shotgun permit, must be accompanied by a person 19 years of age or older who has a valid Nebraska hunting permit. According to a spring 2008 rural mail carriers’ survey, the state’s turkey population has increased 500 percent since 2002. The turkey population and extended seasons provide a good opportunity for all hunters, including youth and first-time hunters. Hunters in Nebraska harvested a record 19,896 turkeys last spring.

12 Hunting-Related Incidents Reported in Nebraska During 2008

There were 12 hunting-related incidents in Nebraska during 2008, including one fatal incident, according to Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter. The fatal incident occurred Nov. 20 in Platte County, when a 50-year-old man died after falling from a tree stand while hunting deer. He was found dead at the base of the tree. “Hunting incidents that result in injury or death are extremely rare in Nebraska,” Streeter said. “It is common that the injury rate per 1,000 hunters is lower than .01 percent. The average number of persons who participate in hunting in Nebraska is around 170,000 each year, and the last 10-year average of incidents where a hunter was injured of killed is around 12 per year.” Streeter said the incidents occurred because one or more participants did not follow safety rules. Three of the incidents occurred when the victim was out of sight of the shooter. Two of the incidents were due to the shooter not paying attention to what was beyond the target. The other seven hunting-related incidents last year each were caused by different unsafe practices. They were discharging a firearm in or on a vehicle; failure to identify the target; removing or placing a loaded firearm into a vehicle; a ricochet; shooter stumbled and fell; failure to use fall arrest system; and dog knocked firearm off rest. Streeter said: “All of these incidents were preventable if the simple rules of safety had been followed.” The shooters in the incidents included five age 10-19, one age 20-29, one age 40- 49, two age 50-59, one over 60 years, and the age of another was unknown. There was one victim age 10-19, two age 30-39, two age 40-49, three age 50-59, one over 60 years and the age of one other victim was unknown. Streeter said through the years the most common cause of a hunting incident in Nebraska has been the shooter swinging on game and not paying attention to what is behind their target when the gun is fired, resulting in hitting a hunting companion with shot from a shotgun. “The age of the person firing the firearm is three times as likely to be in the age group 10 through 19 as any other age group, he said. “Hunting safely is everyones responsibility and Nebraska hunters do an excellent job of hunting safely each year,” Streeter said. “Safe hunting is no accident. You are responsible for safety while afield. Follow the rules of safe hunting and enjoy the great outdoors and hunting opportunities in Nebraska.” For more on Hunter Education, go to the Commissions Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Click on Hunting, then pull down on the Hunting Programs menu and click on Hunter Education.

Hunting Tip of the Week

Remember when you're aiming at a flying pheasant, always remember to aim a little bit ahead of the pheasant. Think of it as a quarterback throwing to his wide reciever while the reciever is running. You don't want to throw the the ball directly at the reciever while he is running or else it will end up behind him. If you throw it in front of him while he is running the ball will go directly to him. You get what I'm saying. Make sure you know what is beyond your target and if you're hunting with some buddies, where they are before you shoot. You should also know where your zone starts and ends. And keep in mind the number one rule of gun safety: muzzle control. Happy hunting!

Mandatory Boating Education Classes Set for 14- to 17-Year-Olds

Classes are now forming for 14- to 17-year-olds who must successfully complete a boating safety course before operating a boat or personal watercraft in the state. Here are the latest additions to the growing list of Boating Education classes scheduled across the state. For information regarding classes, contact your local Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office or check on the Boating page at www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Additional information will be posted as it is received, so check back often to learn about new classes forming in your area. Newly scheduled classes include: Norfolk -- March 17 and 19, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Nebraska Game and Parks, 2201 N. 13th St., to register contact Nebraska Game and Parks, (402) 370-3374. No registration fee. Norfolk -- April 28 and 30, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Nebraska Game & Parks, 2201 N. 13th St., to register contact Nebraska Game and Parks, (402) 370-3374. No registration fee.

Suggestions for Catching Fish Through the Ice

If you are looking forward to going ice fishing this year but are uncertain about where to find fish at the lake, what baits to use for certain species and how to use them, here are some suggestions that might help your chances of success. Generally speaking, in winter fish congregate at various depths in the warmer, deeper water. They often can be found along drop-offs, or over some type of deep-water structure or habitat. Anglers use a variety of tools to make holes in the ice, including a common garden spade, an ice spud, or a hand or power auger. Regardless of what is used to make hole, no ice fishing hole may exceed 10 inches in diameter on any area under jurisdiction of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. This is to ensure that no one steps or falls through a large hole in the ice that has been either partially refrozen, or hidden from view by a thin glaze of ice or blowing snow. There is a lot of talk about what kind of rod is best for ice fishing, but it all comes down to being just a matter of choice. Many ice fishermen use a regular summer fishing rod for ice fishing, while others use short jigging rods or a series of tip-ups that send up flags when a fish take the bait. One advantage of ice fishing is that the equipment need not be sophisticated and no expensive reel is required because no casting is involved. Effective ice fishing baits include wax worms, meal worms, colored Euro-larvae (maggots), mousees, small minnows (be sure to check your Nebraska Fishing Guide to determine whether the Commission allows the use of live baitfish on the area you are fishing). Popular lures include teardrops, slab spoons, soft-bodied jigs, hard-bodied jigs, jigging spoons, and ice flies. Here are some suggestions for finding and catching a limit of your favorite fish: Bluegill – Fish in the daytime in flooded trees and brush 5- to 15-feet deep. Jig- poles with 4-pound-test line or less and No. 8 or smaller hooks are ideal tackle. Best baits include teardrop/wax worm combinations, mousees and meal worms fished near the bottom or suspended in cover. Occasionally jig the bait to attract attention. Small, brightly-colored ice flies jigged slowly in the same areas can also be productive. Crappie – Fish night (best) or day near the face of the dam or in flooded trees in 10 to 25 feet of water. Jig-poles with 4- to 6-pound test line and No. 4 or 6 hooks are standard. Small and medium-size minnows are the most consistently successful baits, but occasionally teardrop/wax worm combinations suspended or fished near the bottom are productive, as are small jigging spoons. Yellow Perch – Fish during the day. Rig a jig-pole with 4-pound test line and a No. 6 hook or teardrop baited with a waxworm, a perch eye, a minnow, or a belly strip and fish it near the bottom of a deep-water drop-off. Northern Pike – Set tip-ups out along a drop-off or a weed line in 5 to 15 feet of water and rig the tip-ups with 20-pound test line, a 1 to 3 foot long steel leader and a No. 1 or 2 short-shanked single hook or a No. 1 or 1/0 treble hook. Jigging a live chub or bluegill, a chunk of red meat, smelt, or a dead minnow (in lakes where fishing live bait is prohibited) within a foot of the bottom or within 3 feet below the ice is often an excellent tactic. Walleye – Set a series of tip-ups along a 10 to 25 foot deep drop-off during the night (best) or day. Use 10 to 20 pound-test line baited with a live chub or a large minnow near the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fish during the day, morning and evening best. A medium or large minnow or a teardrop/waxworm combination suspended near the bottom or jigged near submerged cover will often produce strikes. Use a jig-pole or tip-up rigged with 6-pound-test line or heavier. Before going fishing, be sure to pick up a copy of the free current Nebraska Fishing Guide for regulations pertaining to ice fishing. The guide also has a complete listing of all public fishing waters in the state, their locations, what species are found there and special regulations that apply at each area. The guide can be found on the Commission’s Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org, or is available at all Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offices and at any of the more than 800 permit vendors across the state.

Three Beyond BOW Mentored Deer Hunts Scheduled in January

Nebraska’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have scheduled three Beyond BOW mentored deer hunts that will take place during the January Anterless Deer season for outdoors-women who are looking to learn more about Nebraska’s deer and how to successfully hunt them, according to Outdoor Education Specialist Aaron Hershberger. There will be a hunt in Saline County, Jan. 9-11. A small block of rooms will be available at the Budget Host Inn in Geneva, cost is $50 for both Friday and Saturday night (two per room) and individual rooms for $50 per night may be available. Participants are responsible for their meals, some group meals may be planned. There is a hunt in southeast Nebraska, Jan. 9-11. A small block of rooms will be available at Deluxe Inn in Nebraska City, cost is $55 for both Friday and Saturday night (two per room) and individual rooms may be available. Participants are responsible for their meals, some group meals may be planned. There is also a hunt in the Kearney area, Jan. 2-4. A small block of rooms will be available at the Kearney Holiday Inn Express, cost is $70 for both Friday and Saturday night (two per room) and individual rooms for $70 per night may be available. Participants are responsible for their meals, some group meals may be planned. Hershberger said participants are required to have the appropriate permits and stamps, proof of Hunter Education Certification, safe firearm handing skills, some firearm experience and spirit of outdoor adventure. They also need a sighted-in rifle, muzzleloader or shotgun, ammunition and other necessary shooting items, warm (hunting) clothes, blaze orange hat and vest or coat, a knife for field dressing deer, transportation for deer if you are successful and plans for its processing. “These are mentored hunts and participants are expected to take part in all aspects of the experiences and opportunities that may present themselves,” Hershberger said. “If you are interested, or need more information, contact me at (402) 471-6144, immediately as space is extremely limited in all mentored hunts.”

Hunting Tip of the Week

If the buck you're watching suddenly starts stomping his feet and bobbing his head as he looks in your direction, don't move. Although he's looking for something that has spooked him in the general vicinity, he may not know your exact location. Wait until the animal looks away before making any movement. You may still have the opportunity to take the animal once he settles down

Meeting on Mountain Lions Set for Jan. 7

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will present information on the current status of mountain lions in Nebraska at a 7 p.m. meeting in Beatrice on Jan. 7, 2009. The public is invited. The meeting, which also will include the Commission’s protocols regarding mountain lions and a question-and-answer session, will be held at the Beatrice Public Library. For information on mountain lions in Nebraska, go online to the Commission’s Web page on cougars: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/mountainlion.asp.

Spurgin, Fisher Appointed to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Board

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman recently appointed Mark Spurgin of Ogallala and Rex Fisher of Omaha to the Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners. Spurgin will replace outgoing Commissioner George Hall of Bridgeport and will represent the Commission’s seventh district. Fisher was appointed to the At-Large Commissioner position created in the previous legislative session. Spurgin is a native Nebraskan and University of Nebraska graduate who farms and feeds cattle near Ogallala. He said he enjoyed bullhead fishing with his mother when he was young, but he is now primarily a waterfowl hunter. Spurgin said “I think every person in the state is touched by the Game and Parks Commission and its impact in enhancing economic development in communities.” As a commissioner, Spurgin says he is interested in helping promote Nebraska’s hunting, fishing, boating and parks areas. He also wants to work toward increasing hunting access. “I can see the decline in the number of hunters and I know hunting opportunity isn’t what it should be,” he said. Fisher, an avid hunter and angler, is the president of Qwest Corporation. He also owns a farm near Lynch. “It’s a privilege to serve on the Commission board,” he said. “Game and Parks is one of the most important tourism and economic development assets we have. Stewardship of the state parks, wildlife and natural resources is a serious responsibility.” The Norfolk native moved to Omaha as a child and is a University of Nebraska graduate. Fisher, who likes to hunt deer, waterfowl and pheasants, said he believes his rural and urban background, as well as his frequent business travels and people he’s met around the state, should serve him well on the board. Commission Director Rex Amack said, “We welcome Mark and Rex to the board of commissioners and look forward to working with them in managing Nebraska’s wildlife and parkland resources.”

Venison Stew

Now that you have bagged a deer, it's time to start eating it. I will on occasion add different recipes that I have tried. This venison stew is very good. Especially when it's cold out. Now if your family is like my family, you get to eat all the deer that you bag because nobody in my family will eat it. So I spice my recipes up a little bit with some hot peppers or cayenne pepper and so on. This recipe, I added some hot pepper flakes to give it a little bite. I also added some potatoes with it. It was delicious. INGREDIENTS 3 stalks celery, diced 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 pounds venison stew meat salt and pepper to taste dried oregano to taste dried basil to taste 1 cup tomato sauce 1/2 cup dry red wine 1/2 cup water DIRECTIONS Place the celery, onion, garlic, and parsley in the bottom of a slow cooker. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown the venison well in two batches, and add to the slow cooker. Season to taste with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Pour in the tomato sauce, red wine, and water. Cook on Low for 7 to 10 hours.

How to make a knife with an antler.

I have always wondered how they make knifes out of antlers. I did a little research and found this method. If anyone has different methods please share them.

The pithy core of an antler tine can be softened and allowed to reharden to form a tight bond to the knife tang. The procedure is simple, but the time from beginning to end is long. If you're patient, you'll be pleasantly satisfied with the results. Start by taking an antler tine that will fit the size of your knife blade. Submerge the antler into a bucket of creek or rain water. Now begins the waiting period. Soak the antler until the pithy core softens. I had to leave my antler in rain water for about a month before I could begin to mount the blade. Test the pithy core every now and then by pushing your fingernail into the core. If the pithy core indents from the pressure, then the antler tine is ready for the next step. A word of advise: It's best to soak the antler longer than necessary to be sure the pithy core has softened throughout the antler. When the core is ready, you may notice an odor coming from the antler. Submerged in water for so long, bacteria has begun to work on the antler. The antler is still good. The smell may be unpleasant for some. If it bothers you, work outdoors or in a ventilated area. Drying out the antler after you've completed your work will get rid of the odor. Next, cut the tang of the blade with a hack saw into a wedge shape to help facilitate the insertion of the antler tine. Also, cut the length of the tang to fit into the pithy area (see the "words of advise" section below concerning the pithy area and the tang).Tape the blade and point with enough duck tape to keep from accidentally cutting yourself on the sharp blade. Clamp the blade in a steel vise with the tang sticking up. The clamp should come all the way up to the blade, just before the tang begins. This will keep from bending or breaking your knife during the insertion process. Also it would help to place a soft material, like cloth, between the clamps and knife, to keep the blade from getting scratched. Wear leather gloves for added protection. The vise will keep the blade steady for the next step. Position the antler tine over the tip of the tang and push the antler into the tang. Use your body weight as leverage and gently push the antler into the tang. With a bit of elbow grease and patience you'll eventually push the antler tine all the way down to the hilt of the blade. Occasionally check the vise to see that the blade is not moving or loose. Take your time and do a good job. More words of advise:1. Be aware that the end of the antler tine is solid and does not contain any pith. You must compensate for that portion of your tine. The pithy section will start to narrow as it gets close to the solid portion of the tine. Do you have enough width and length of the pithy area to accommodate your tang? 2. Do not restart the procedure after you have started by pulling the tang out of the antler for whatever reason (example: the blade is going in crooked). The pithy core is not like rubber. The hole will not close up after you pull out the tang. Starting over will only widen the hole and will give you a loose bond. Think about what you are going to do ahead of time so you won't make a mistake during the procedure.3. Once you have worked the antler onto the tang, be careful in easing the final part of the antler down the tang. You don't want to bend the tang from side to side, causing the tang to break. After you've inserted the tang, let the antler tine dry out completely until the odor disappears. The bond is just as good as using epoxy. It's natural and strong. Another alternative to soaking the antler for a long period of time, is to boil the antler in water. As the antler is boiling, check the pithy core every now and then to see if it has softened. When it's ready, remove the antler and continue with the mounting process. Is boiling better than the soaking method? I haven't done any comparison tests with a boiled antler and a soaked antler, but my guess is that boiling the antler too long will tend to make the antler brittle. If you just boil the antler until the core has immediately softened, it will make a good knife handle. It's just a matter of how patient you are with this project.

The following is a website where you can get knife blades. http://www.ragweedforge.com/BladeCatalog.html

2008 Bighorn Sheep Lottery Permit Holder Takes Trophy Ram

David Janssen of rural Hastings, took a full-curl bighorn ram at Peterson Wildlife Management Area southwest of Fort Robinson State Park on Dec. 11 to fill his 2008 Nebraska bighorn lottery permit. David Janssen of Hastings took this bighorn ram Dec. 11 at Peterson Wildlife Management Area. Janssen took the ram with a high-powered rifle on the second day of the hunt. He was accompanied on the hunt by wildlife biologist Dean Studnicka of Crawford and Todd Nordeen, district wildlife manager in the Commission’s Alliance office. Biologists said the ram was approximately seven years old. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners authorized the issuance of one bighorn permit -- a lottery permit -- for the 2008 bighorn season. Janssen’s name was drawn from a barrel containing 1,357 bighorn permit applications at a Commission meeting in Beatrice on Aug. 29. “The lottery permit, which was made available only to Nebraska residents, is the first bighorn permit issued since the last bighorn hunt at Fort Robinson three years ago,” Nordeen said. “The bighorn hunt is an extremely rare opportunity to hunt for a trophy bighorn,” Janssen said. “But the real story of the hunt for me is the work everyone is doing to bring the bighorns back to their historical ranges, here in Nebraska and across North America.” Once native to parts of Nebraska, bighorn sheep were reintroduced in the Pine Ridge in 1981 and to the Wildcat Hills in 2001. Significant disease losses in the both areas during the winter of 2004-05 resulted in bighorn hunting season closure in 2006 and 2007. Funds raised by the sale of bighorn permits are used for the Nebraska bighorn sheep management program.

Paddlefish

I have wondered alot about this sport and to tell you the truth, it sounds like loads of fun. I have done a little research on the matter and decided to share the information with you.

Snagging of paddlefish and nongame fish is permitted in the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux river at Mile Marker 734, except for a closed area that extends downstream from Gavins Point Dam to a line that extends from the east end of the south cement wall of the discharge canal northwest to the east end of the north wall of the stilling basin. Paddlefish harvested by snagging may be possessed only on the Missouri River during the respective open season in the area designated as open for harvest. The snagging season runs only from October 1 through October 30. Legal hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. All snaggers must obtain and have in their possession an unfilled paddlefish tag in addition to a fishing license and Aquatic Habitat Stamp (if required) to be actively snagging. A paddlefish must be tagged immediately in the dorsal fin with the anglers tag upon addition to the creel. Any paddlefish tag that is locked prior to attachment, altered or modified shall be void and will not be replaced. Only one hook may be used when snagging, and the gap between the point of the hook to the shank may not exceed one-half inch. The daily bag and possession limits are equal to the total number of tags issued to an individual. A harvest quota will be managed by issuing a limited number of free paddlefish tags with a limit of not more than two tags per person.All paddlefish anglers are required to cast for and hook their own fish. All paddlefish between 35 and 45 inches long (measured along the center line of the fish, lying flat, including the entire eye to the natural fork of the tail), must be returned to the water immediately. The slot limit is designed to protect the majority of spawning-size fish. It is unlawful to use a gaff hook or other penetrating device while landing snagged paddlefish. Immediate cleaning of a snagged paddlefish is restricted to the removal of only the snout, anterior of the eye and the viscera. Final processing may only be completed once the angler has reached his residence or prior to consumption. Anglers should be prepared to transport a large paddlefish with only the snout removed, if they choose to harvest a fish more than 45 inches in length.

I've heard that paddlefish have the consistency of pork with very little fat. People that I have talked to say it is delicious served with melted butter and taste alot like lobster. Now I don't know if this is true, but would like to find out for myself.