Hunting

LINCOLN – Squirrel hunting is fun, challenging and a great introductory hunt for youth or novices. Taking a new hunter on a squirrel hunt in the woods can serve as a prelude to the pursuit of other game, as the skills and strategies learned can be used on other types of hunts. It also may develop a novice’s sense of stewardship of natural resources and appreciation for conservation. “Another reason squirrel hunting is a great activity for kids is the …

Deer season is open!  Since September 1, archers are have been taking to the field.  So some review on tree stand safety is a good thing. According to the groups Treestand Manufacturers Association and Tree Stand Safety Awareness, falls from tree stands account for 36% of all hunting accidents nationally and are the number one cause of serious injury and death during deer hunting season in the US. ALWAYS use a fall arrest system rated for your personal weight.  Ropes …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s opening day of dove hunting season on Sept. 1 kicked off with many satisfied hunters afield. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s southeast district had plenty of hunters, especially on public ground. “There were bunches of hunters participating in the dove opener,” said Pat Molini, southeast district wildlife manager. “It used to be that an opener on a weekday had fewer dove hunters, but that has changed.” Molini said hunter success across his district varied from good …

LINCOLN – Hunters may enter a lottery to gain deer hunting access to Platte River Recreation Access (PRRA) lands in the central Platte River Valley, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Fifty-six hunters will be chosen from a random drawing in early October and allowed to hunt deer on designated PRRA lands Nov. 16-20. Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted by mail or in person at the Game and Parks service center in Kearney from …

LINCOLN – The conditions of wetlands across the state is varied, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. On Sept. 1, Game and Parks released a report on the status of Rainwater Basin wetlands, as well as pumping plans. While conditions were good in some areas, they were dry in others. “Conditions are generally good throughout much of the Sandhills and along the Platte River,” said Ted LaGrange, wetland program manager for the Commission. “However, the wetland water conditions …

Each September, I get a subtle first-hand reminder of the influence of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s communications efforts. About 15 or 20 years ago, a how-to story inspired me to construct dove decoys out of plywood, metal hooks and a little paint. I’m not sure who wrote or delivered the narrative, but I’m certain it came from the Commission – NEBRASKAland Magazine or something else. Nobody is going to mistake my work for a Michelangelo or Rembrandt, but …

Each year on September 1, around sunrise, it happens.  My ego as a hunter and wing-shooter is assaulted by a gray-streak that was a mourning dove. Generally, I stand in open-jaw, amazement with three empty shotgun hulls laying around me as the winged-speedster is off to another location. But every once in a awhile something truly magical happens as I reload and the dove – for reasons still unknown to science –  circles back around, just a little closer, and …

About 56.7 million people — 19 percent of the population — have a disability, according to the the latest U.S. Census done in 2010. It revealed that nearly one in every five people in the United States, has a disability that significantly limits one or more major life activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, thinking, and so forth. Furthermore, the population of the United States is aging. By the year 2030, 110 million people will be older than 55. …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s archery deer season opens Sept. 1 and hunters are reminded that they must check their harvested deer via Telecheck. The electronic checking service known as Telecheck will be available by both phone service at 844-279-4564 or online at OutdoorNebraska.gov/Telecheck starting Sept. 1. Telecheck allows hunters to check deer or antelope 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All deer harvested outside the November firearm season and all antelope harvested outside the October firearm season must be …

LINCOLN – Waterfowl hunters on state recreation areas (SRA) are reminded they may not shoot teal until Sept. 6, three days following the opening of the early teal season. The early teal season begins Sept. 3. SRA regulations prohibit any hunting until the Tuesday following Labor Day, which is Sept. 6. Regulations state the portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day through the end of the spring turkey hunting season, unless restricted. …