Hunting

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters are reminded that state recreation areas (SRA) are closed to hunting until Sept. 4. Several hunting seasons will be open during the Labor Day weekend. Archery deer, teal, dove, grouse and other small game seasons will be open Sept. 1. SRA regulations prohibit any hunting until the Tuesday following Labor Day. This year that date is Sept. 4. Regulations state the portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska upland hunters have more great opportunities – and one new challenge – awaiting them this fall. Pheasant harvest opportunities this fall should be as good, or better, than typical over the last five years in the Panhandle, Southwest and Sandhills regions, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2018 Upland Game Hunting Outlook. Abundances of pheasants were higher than the five-year averages in the Panhandle, Southwest and Sandhills regions, according to the July Rural Mail …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Sept. 4-28 for the 2019 hunting season. Hunting will be allowed only in the Pine Ridge Unit of northwestern Nebraska, which has an established population that can sustain a harvest. Hunters may apply for a permit in either of two subunits: the South Subunit (south of U.S. Hwy. 20) or the North Subunit (north of U.S. Hwy. 20). A person may not submit …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Estimated duck breeding populations are strong, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent 2018 waterfowl population status report. Although the numbers are down from 2017, the report shows abundance of most duck species above their long-term averages (1955-2017). In general, habitat conditions during the 2018 Waterfowl Breeding and Population Habitat Survey were slightly poorer relative to 2017, with a few exceptions. Habitat quality generally declined across the survey area compared to last year, except for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Dove season starts Sept. 1, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to get out and scout locations to increase their chance of success. “During the fall, doves are either preparing for migration or actively migrating south, so they are primarily focused on high energy food,” said Jeff Lusk, Game and Parks’ upland game program manager. “Areas that have abundant food resources, such as sunflower fields planted on certain wildlife management areas (WMA), are ideal …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunting and shooting sports provide thousands of Nebraskans with safe, fun quality recreation with family and friends each year. A new video and website highlight the important role hunting plays in the traditions of many Nebraskans. The video may be viewed at TakeUsHunting.org. The website also offers resources for those who wish to try hunting or shooting sports, as well as to experienced hunters who are interested in mentoring someone less experienced. The video was produced in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The PATH program mentored youth hunting sites at Lake Wanahoo now may be reserved. Lake Wanahoo, in Saunders County, has seven separate units totaling 1,067 acres available for mentored youth hunting. To locate and reserve a site, and obtain a permission slip, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/PATH/ using the Internet Explorer browser. A mentor must possess a permission slip at all times of the youth hunt. Mentors may enroll for PATH up to five times annually. PATH (Passing Along the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Challenge yourself to harvest four upland bird species and complete a Nebraska Upland Slam. The Nebraska Upland Slam encourages hunters to try to take a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken and northern bobwhite in the state. The Slam is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever. “Hunters have long known Nebraska to be an upland bird hunter’s paradise, the mixed bag capital,” said Game and Parks Director Jim …

Hunter Angler Gardener Cook blogger Hank Shaw will visit Nebraska on this latest book tour. By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Award-winning Hunter Angler Gardener Cook blogger Hank Shaw will visit the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln to talk about wild game on Oct. 4, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The seminar will show hunters how to get more out of their wild game and fish through new cooking tips and techniques, with a focus on upland birds. Shaw will …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Small game, particularly squirrel, is a great way to introduce youth or novices to hunting. Skills, equipment and licensing are more basic than other types of hunting. “A hand-me-down .22 rifle or smaller gauge shotgun and almost any hardwood stand of trees can offer a successful endeavor for a new hunter,” Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunter Education Coordinator Jackson Ellis said. Squirrel season – Aug. 1 through Jan. 31, 2019 – is the first of Nebraska’s …