Hunting

Up for a challenge? How about harvesting a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season. That’s the challenge of the Nebraska Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever. This year marks the fifth year of the challenge. Hunters who take all four of Nebraska’s primary upland gamebird species upload a photo of each harvested bird online and share information about their hunting experience. …

Eight elk were harvested during Nebraska’s first special elk depredation season. Five bulls and three cows were taken during the July 1-31 season on private land in specific parts of Lincoln, Perkins, Keith, Deuel and Garden counties. “I would call the season a success, with eight elk harvested in a month compared to our general elk season, when five or six elk typically are harvested in six months in this area,” said Alicia Hardin, wildlife administrator for the Nebraska Game …

We are in the “dog days” of summer. In fact, it was so hot in Nebraska the other day I saw a coyote chasing a rabbit and they both were walking! Just kidding. On the serious side of things, wildflowers are in bloom, ears of sweet corn are being harvested and elderberries will soon be ripe. The start of school is also just around the corner. Boating, swimming, tubing and fishing are being widely enjoyed now on the hot weekends. …

Hunters may begin purchasing 2022 Nebraska fall turkey permits at 1 p.m. Central time Aug. 8. A fall turkey permit is valid statewide and allows a hunter to harvest two turkeys of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment. Each hunter may have up to two permits. There is no minimum age requirement for youth hunters. The fall turkey season is Sept. 15, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023. Permits will be available at OutdoorNebraska.org and at Nebraska Game and …

This is an update to a news release sent July 13. Among the changes is a corrected date in the seventh paragraph. People interested in hunting deer at Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area this fall may apply for access permits Aug. 1-15. Two hundred of these permits will be issued to allow hunters access to the area. Applicants will need to purchase a valid deer permit and then provide their deer permit type and associated number on their application. The …

Duck hunters again must choose between two daily bag limits when they register for their Harvest Information Program number this year. Nebraska and South Dakota are entering the second year of a “two-tier” program for the regular duck season. Tier I is a traditional six-duck bag limit with species and sex restrictions. Tier II is a three-duck bag limit with no species or sex restrictions. HIP registration begins Aug. 1. When hunters go to register, they will be asked whether …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for a 2022 bighorn sheep lottery permit through Aug. 5. Only Nebraska residents are eligible. Apply at a Nebraska Game and Parks office or at outdoornebraska.org. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. The 2022 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 29 – Dec. 22. The permit will be drawn Aug. 31.

Outdoor activities are better with friends – including hunting. Noah Luedtke introduced his friend, Preston Cuddy, to turkey hunting last fall through the Take ’em Hunting challenge and gave him the start he needed. Now, Cuddy is keeping active in the field. On July 13, Luedtke, of Martell, accepted the Take ’em Hunting grand prize John Deere Gator utility vehicle, donated by AKRS Equipment, in a ceremony at the AKRS Crete store. Luedtke, 24, was selected randomly from more than …

People interested in hunting deer at Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area this fall may apply for access permits Aug. 1-15. Two hundred of these permits will be issued to allow hunters access to the area. The use of rimfire and centerfire rifles or handguns is prohibited at Gifford. Muzzleloaders are not allowed during the November firearm deer season. The Gifford permit allows access to take deer with archery equipment from Sept. 1, 2022, through Jan. 15, 2023, and with a …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is inviting the public to participate in its annual summer turkey survey July 1-Aug. 31. The survey provides useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and how many poults, or young turkeys, survive the summer brood-rearing period. These records and observations inform management decisions regarding wild turkeys, their population size and habitat needs. During July and August, survey participants are asked to record all turkeys they see. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/turkeybroodsurvey for instructions and …