Hunting

Let’s discuss the constants, myths, and what you can do to advance your white-tailed deer hunting experience during the rut. Look online, or watch outdoor television, and you’re bound to see or hear someone talking about “the rut,” one of nature’s most intriguing rituals as bucks and does appear more and more across the landscape. When exactly the rut takes place and precisely how deer – particularly whitetails – behave then is a source of great debate. Millions of dollars …

Nebraska offers a unique variety of upland hunting opportunities. The ultimate challenge? Bringing home a mixed bag of birds. Can you do it? Only one way to find out. Starting this fall, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, introduced the Nebraska Upland Slam. The concept is simple: harvest four birds – northern bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, greater prairie-chicken and a sharp-tailed grouse – in Nebraska for an official certificate, pin, bragging rights and …

You have heard of and perhaps been participating in the Upland Slam challenge. Maybe you’re working on successfully completing your Trout Slam. But, have you ever done a woodland double? Woodland double? What’s the “woodland double?” It is harvesting a deer and a turkey in one hunting session, when legally possible. Oh yes, after checking regulations, you will find that it’s very doable in Nebraska. It’s an unofficial competition though, more of a personal test of skill and ability. And, guess what? …

UNL students can now rent hunting equipment on campus. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now offering hunting equipment rentals at its Outdoor Adventure Center to any registered student on campus. In addition to bike, hike, camping, climbing and paddling gear, student hunters can now rent pop-up blinds, layout blinds, turkey decoy or waterfowl decoy combinations from the university for a small fee: $3 per day or $6 per weekend (3 days). The equipment is available through a grant partnership between …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s nine-day firearm deer season opens Nov. 10, giving individuals an opportunity to share a hunt with family or friends. As of Nov. 5, deer permits remain in the following management units: Blue Southeast, Buffalo Whitetail, Calamus East, Calamus West, Keya Paha, Loup East, Loup West, Missouri, Plains, and Platte Whitetail. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also reminds hunters: — Cash donations to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program are encouraged so it can continue …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ten hunters have completed the Nebraska Upland Slam as of Oct. 30, conquering the challenge to harvest four species of upland game birds in the state. Those who have completed the Slam are: Patrick Breitkreutz, Ord; Mark Frickel, North Platte; Wayne Hahn, Aurora; Aaron Herring, Alma; Charles Krysl, McCook; John Laux, Alma; Ken Loth, Omaha; Glenn Obermeier, Aurora; Brad Snyder, Aurora; and Chris Varney, Ansley. The Nebraska Upland Slam concept is simple: Hunters must harvest a ring-necked …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans who want to donate or receive harvested deer can participate in the Deer Exchange. This program is designed to accommodate the additional harvest of deer. It brings together hunters who have a surplus of deer with recipients willing to accept the deer meat. The Deer Exchange, which is available annually from Sept. 1 through March 1, allows hunters and potential venison recipients to join a database and search for other participating parties in their area. Parties …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The November firearm deer season is one of the most anticipated times of the year for Nebraska hunters. Despite the many opportunities across the state to harvest a deer this season, hunter safety in the field remains critical. “Hunting remains one of the safest activities to participate in, but there are always a few key things to consider while afield,” said Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Jackson Ellis. — Always keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Women age 16 and up are invited to participate in mentored squirrel hunt and workshop Dec. 7-8 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. The event sponsored by the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program includes a workshop and rifle sight-in on the first day and a hunt on a nearby wildlife management area the next day. The fee is $30. Visit Outdoornebraska.gov/bow to register by the Dec. 1 deadline. Contact Julie Plugge for more …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters from around the country returned to rural Nebraska on Oct. 27-28 to partake in a coveted outdoor tradition – upland bird hunting during the 2018 season opener. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff contacted 1,040 hunters across the state while making bag checks. These hunters harvested 418 pheasants and 89 quail. An additional 781 hunters were encountered on pheasant-release sites on 13 wildlife management areas (WMAs). These hunters bagged 517 pheasants. More than 80 percent of …