Hunting

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s fall wild turkey season begins Sept. 15, giving hunters a chance to harvest two turkeys on a single permit. Turkey hunting can be combined with big game, upland game, waterfowl or fishing for a true Nebraska mixed bag adventure. Fall turkey permits are valid statewide, cost just $8 for youth age 15 and younger, and allow hunters the option of harvesting with either a bow or shotgun. Fall hunters can buy up to two turkey permits, …

I am one of you. I am among the thousands of you who hunt deer and turkey with archery equipment. I want you to join me once again in voluntarily participating Nebraska’s  Bowhunter Survey. Bowhunter survey? Hmmm … Another survey? Yes! So why should you, an archery deer hunter, consider maintaining a diary and counting free-ranging, wild deer and turkeys for us at Game and Parks? The answer: Because, like me, I know you passionately care about wildlife. Think about …

LINCOLN, Neb. – In 2019, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launched a tool to help landowners address deer populations on their property. To keep hunter information current for landowners, all hunters must register in the program annually. Hunters can register now for 2021. In 2022, the annual registration will begin Aug. 1. Hunters are limited to registering for five counties they are willing to hunt. Hunters also must list their city and state of residence. Game and Parks’ Antlerless …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is the mixed-bag capital of the Great Plains, and another fall of diverse upland bird hunting opportunities awaits hunters. According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2021-22 Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook, nesting conditions were favorable during May and early June but increasingly dry conditions during late summer may have affected brood survival and limited re-nesting opportunities in certain areas. Still, upland hunters willing to adapt to the changing conditions should find success this season. …

With September just a one more quick flip my on NEBRASKAland magazine calendar, it is time once again to reflect on the age old question of why hunting is so important. Yeah, I know hunting is important. But, why do you think hunting is important? Give it some more thought. Really think about the question: Why is hunting important? Why is hunting important to you, if you hunt? If you don’t hunt, why do you think hunting is important? Sure, hunting offers a multitude of benefits. Hunting is quiet …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wetland water conditions throughout much of the state are currently fairly poor, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, so hunters should be prepared to scout ahead of teal season. Some wetland pumping is planned ahead of the teal opener. The conditions recently were observed by biologists on the ground. To view the Aug. 25 report on wetland conditions and pumping plans, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/waterfowlchecklist, where updates will be posted regularly throughout the duck seasons. Waterfowl …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Passing Along the Heritage program mentored youth hunting sites may now be reserved. Lake Wanahoo, in Saunders County, has seven sites totaling 1,067 acres available for mentored youth hunting. In Buffalo, Cass, Cherry, Johnson and Lancaster counties, there are nearly 800 additional acres of PATH lands available across six sites. PATH is an online reservation-based program that provides Nebraska youth and their mentors access to hunt on private lands and selected public lands. Only youth under …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Starting this fall, a new Special Landowner Deer Season gives a qualifying landowner a three-day season on their own property preceding the regular firearm deer season. The $8 Special Landowner Deer Permit is valid only for the three-day season: Nov. 6-8, 2021. It is not valid for the November firearm season and it may not be used as a Limited Landowner Permit. A landowner may not apply for or purchase more than one Special Landowner Deer Permit …

LINCOLN, Neb. – You love it: being in the blind, setting up the spread, turning a flock, watching them cup, taking the shot and seeing a great retrieve. Duck hunting is time well spent. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Ducks Unlimited are proud to bring back the popular Nebraska Duck Slam, a challenge for duck hunters to take advantage of Nebraska’s great duck hunting opportunities. The Duck Slam challenges hunters to harvest a teal (blue-winged or green-winged) of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters again are challenged to go afield with family and friends this fall to complete the Nebraska Upland Slam by harvesting all four of Nebraska’s primary upland game bird species. The challenge of the Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever, is to harvest a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season. Successful hunters upload a photo of each harvested …