Hunting

LINCOLN – Nebraska duck hunters will find good news in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent 2016 waterfowl population status report. The report shows mallard numbers are near record highs and the estimated green-winged teal population is the highest since estimates began in 1955. The estimated mallard population this year is 51 percent above the long-term (1955-2015) average, while the green-wing teal numbers are 104 percent higher than the long-term average. Other dabbling duck species varied in abundances from …

Team USA did outstanding at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games. More specifically, Americans competing in shooting sport events were on fire! It is also interesting to note how many of our Olympic shooting sports leaders came to the sport with a hunting background.  In fact, for several Olympians, hunting is absolutely part of who they are! The very first Gold Medal awarded this Olympics was won by 19 year old, Virginia native, Ginny Thrasher in the 10-meter air rifle …

LINCOLN – Pheasant and quail abundance in Nebraska this year is higher than the five-year average over most of the state, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Upland Game Hunting Outlook. Survey results indicate conditions for upland birds are better than in recent years. The outlook is based on spring and summer upland game surveys, and conditions reported by biologists. Regional weather events that could impact populations are considered. The weather this past winter was generally mild. Most …

LINCOLN – Summer is winding down, and that means it’s time to gear up for fall hunting. Nebraska’s archery season for deer, and small game seasons for rabbits, doves, snipe, rail and grouse open Sept. 1. Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Wendy Horine says hunters should prepare for upcoming seasons by checking to see they have the proper equipment and ensure it is in good working condition. “Match the proper ammunition to your firearm and make sure guns are clean and …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in September: Aug. 26-Sept. 5 – Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island Sept. 1 – Hunting seasons open for cottontail, jackrabbit, dove, snipe, grouse, rail, raccoon and opossum Sept. 1 – Archery, Season Choice, River Antlerless Private Lane Only, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Youth, and Landowner deer hunting seasons open Sept. 1 – Niobrara-Verdigre High School Cross Country Invitational, …

LINCOLN – Hunters may begin donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program Sept. 1 at 18 processor locations around the state. Three additional processors will accept deer for the program starting Nov. 12. Hunters pay no processing costs for deer accepted by processors for this donation-driven program. The HHH program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need and is funded solely by tax-deductible contributions. Hunters should first talk with processors but may keep antlers, head and cape …

LINCOLN – Recent Hunter Education graduates have an opportunity to learn more about hunting and shooting this fall through two mentored hunting programs. A joint effort of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever, these programs allow participants to take their new-found skills into the field, paired up with adult mentors. The programs are: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Youth Mentored Hunt Program – This program, coordinated by Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever chapters around …

LINCOLN – August is a great time to obtain Hunter Education certification in Nebraska. With hunting seasons are on the horizon, courses are forming and filling up. There are two main options to secure a Nebraska firearm or bowhunter education certificate: • Attend a traditional classroom course. These typically are broken up into several short sessions over a few days. Students attend all of the sessions and complete a written exam at the end. • Complete online course work. Participants …

LINCOLN – Hunters may begin purchasing fall turkey permits Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Permits will be available at OutdoorNebraska.org and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permitting offices. A fall turkey permit is valid statewide and allows a hunter to harvest two turkeys of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment. Each hunter may have up to two permits. There is no minimum age requirement for youth. The fall turkey season is Sept. 15 – Jan. 31, …

LINCOLN – Hunters of migratory birds are reminded of their requirement to register for the Harvest Information Program (HIP). Registration began Aug. 1. HIP registration is required of residents age 16 and older and all nonresidents who plan to hunt migratory game birds in Nebraska between Aug. 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017. These birds are doves, ducks, geese, snipe, rail, coots and woodcock. Among those who must register in Nebraska are hunters registered in another state and holders of …