Hunting

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s upland bird harvest saw a big increase between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and hunter participation was up as well, according to results from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s annual hunter harvest survey. Pheasant harvest was up by 26 percent. During the 2015 season, 166,285 rooster pheasants were harvested, compared to 131,423 during the 2014 season. Quail harvest increased by 73 percent, with 91,472 quail harvested in 2015, compared to 52,947 birds in 2014. In addition, …

I try to keep my Friday blog posts a little light-hearted and once in awhile maybe even funny.  However, I realize my sense of humor is a little warped.  It always amazes me that sometimes even those casual, weekend blog posts draw negativity. Well this one will probably draw some “fire” too.  I likely will be accused of being old-fashioned and “out of touch” with modern technology. . . . My wife and I went for a walk the other …

LINCOLN – Nebraska residents may apply for a bighorn sheep lottery permit through Aug. 5. One lottery permit will be issued in 2016. Residents who will be at least 12 years of age by the opening day of the bighorn sheep season may apply. Residents may apply once per calendar year and may receive one permit per lifetime. The nonrefundable application fee is $25. Nonresidents are not eligible. Applications must be received in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Lincoln …

Lincoln — Deer hunters interested in hunting at Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area this year may apply for access permits until July 31. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will authorize 200 permits allowing deer hunters access to the area. To be eligible to apply for these permits, hunters must have at least one of the following valid deer permits: statewide archery, muzzleloader, youth or antlerless only season choice Wahoo. Gifford Point WMA is closed to the use of rimfire …

LINCOLN – Daniel Nelson, of Denton, and Jason Stephens, of North Platte, were drawn as lottery winners of two Super Tag multispecies big game permits. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission drew the names July 8. Cameron Sonnenfeld, of Ravenna, and William Ryden, of Julesburg, Colorado, were drawn as winners of the Combo multispecies big game permits. The Super Tag and Combo permits are valid in 2016 and 2017. The Super Tag bag limit is one elk, one antelope, one …

LINCOLN – Nebraska deer, antelope and elk permits will be available for purchase on a first-come basis beginning at 1 p.m. Central time on July 11. Residents, nonresidents and eligible landowners will be able to purchase remaining deer and antelope permits, and residents and eligible landowners will be able to purchase remaining elk permits. Permits may be purchased at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permitting offices, at OutdoorNebraska.org, or via mailed application form. For more information on big game hunting …

The “4th of July” is a huge holiday for my family.  Many of us would rate it as the best holiday of the year.  Why?  I do not know all the reasons, but most of all it is enjoying our time together.  Oh, there will be lots of good food, antics, and yes, you could say we like to blow stuff up, but really I believe it is because we do it all together! Have you ever stopped and wondered …

According to the calendar, summer officially begins on June 20th and the weather is heating up fast.  So instead of rifles, shotguns, bows, and wild game, most folks are probably thinking about baseball, swimming and barbecues.  But now is the time to start thinking about the various options available for completing hunter education so you are ready for this fall. In Nebraska, all hunters age 12 through 29 who hunt any game species with a firearm or airgun, must carry …

LINCOLN – Meat processors have until July 20 to apply for participation in the 2016 Hunters Helping the Hungry program, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. This program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need. The application form and program guidelines are available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/HHH. Scroll down to Participating Processors and then click on “apply.” The Commission will accept applications for participation in any of Nebraska’s 2016 deer hunting seasons. The Commission will contact eligible applicants by Aug. …

Those that know me know that handgun hunting is my passion.  I would rather use a handgun than any other method of take for small and big game.   I think this started from days when my Dad would take me to the farm for an afternoon of plinking with our 22 LR pistols. We would also watch old westerns movies that made me dream about riding the range with a six-gun on my hip! Those days had a huge …