Commission to consider 2018 waterfowl hunting recommendations

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider 2018 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 16 meeting in Columbus.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m. on the lower level of Pinnacle Bank, 210 E. 23rd St.

A public hearing is scheduled at the meeting for the waterfowl recommendations. The recommendation for white-fronted goose season proposes a change from a 74-day season to an 88-day season and from a three-bird daily bag limit to two. Most other waterfowl season recommendations include only calendar date adjustments.

The recommendations are:

Early Teal – Low Plains: Sept. 1-16; High Plains: Sept. 1-9; Daily bag limit: six; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Youth Waterfowl – Zone 1: Oct. 6-7; Zone 2: Sept. 29-30; Zone 3: Oct. 20-21; Zone 4: Sept. 29-30; Daily bag and possession limits same as regular duck season

Duck and Coot – Zone 1: Oct. 13-Dec. 25; Zone 2: Oct. 6-Dec. 18 and Jan. 7-27; Zone 3: Oct. 25-Jan. 6 and Jan. 7-27; Zone 4: Oct. 6-Dec. 18; Daily bag limit: six (with restrictions); Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Dark Goose – East Unit: Oct. 29-Feb. 10; Niobrara Unit: Oct. 29-Feb. 10; North Central Unit: Oct. 6-Jan. 18; Panhandle Unit: Oct. 29-Feb. 10; Platte River Unit: Oct. 29-Feb. 10; Daily bag limit: five; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

White-fronted Goose – Statewide: Oct. 6-Dec. 9 and Jan. 19-Feb. 10; Daily bag limit: two; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Light Goose Regular Season – Statewide: Oct. 6-Dec. 26 and Jan. 19-Feb. 10; Daily bag limit: 50; Possession limit: none

Light Goose Conservation Order – East Zone: Feb. 11-April 15; West Zone: Feb. 11-April 5; Rainwater Basin Zone: Feb. 11-April 5; Daily bag and possession limits: none

Crow – Statewide: Oct. 15-Dec. 15 and Jan. 13-March 14

Falconry – Zone 1: Feb. 25-March 10; Zone 2: Low Plains: Feb. 25-March 10; High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone; Zone 3: Low Plains: Feb. 25-March 10; High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone; Zone 4: Feb. 25-March 10

In addition, the commissioners will consider for approval the 2018-2022 Focus on the Future strategic plan. The plan outlines the core values, guiding principles, goals, strategies, strategic directions and desired outcomes for the agency in the next five years.

The commissioners also will consider designating a 155-acre gift of land in Richardson County as the Thomas C. Matter Wildlife Management Area.

Big game, fisheries and environmental reports also are on the agenda. A complete agenda is available at outdoornebraska.gov/commissioners.