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Flora & Fauna

Nebraska bighorn sheep receive new monitoring devices

Bighorn sheep capture

CHADRON, Neb. – More than 50 bighorn sheep are carrying new equipment to help the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission track and aid their populations, some of which are struggling in areas of the state. A crew of about 50 people, consisting of Commission staff and volunteers, equipped the sheep with monitoring devices after a helicopter capture crew caught them at five locations in the Panhandle this weekend. The crew set up its mobile staging station at four locations along …

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Post Season Fun

Who says there isn’t anything to do in the off-season? Of course you can work on tree-stands, buy some gear and explore new ground.  What about placing some trail cameras out to see what you can catch on film or video while you’re sitting in the office? Trail cameras can be a prized possession and useful tool for hunters. They keep track of deer, turkey and other critters that roam your hunting grounds throughout the seasons. I found a few …

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Sampling of deer results in 203 positives for CWD

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LINCOLN, Neb. – The presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer has been detected for the first time in the southwestern Nebraska counties of Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Frontier and Franklin, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Commission conducted a CWD sampling operation in its Northwest and Southwest District deer check stations during the 2017 November firearm deer season. There were 203 positives from 1,807 deer sampled primarily in the Frenchman, Platte, Republican, Pine Ridge, Upper Platte …

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Bald eagle nest numbers surpass 200 in 2017

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LINCOLN, Neb. – In 2017, a record 209 active bald eagle nests were estimated in Nebraska by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Bald eagles were on federal and state endangered species lists as late as 2007 and 2008, respectively. In a little more than quarter century the species has gone from a nonexistent breeding species in the state to one that is relatively numerous, according to Joel Jorgensen, Nebraska Game and Parks’ nongame bird program manager. In the early …

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WILD About Mammals educator workshop Feb. 15 in Hastings

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LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators seeking ways to incorporate mammals into their curriculum are encouraged to attend a free workshop Feb. 15 in Hastings. Participants in the WILD About Mammals workshop will explore different topics that meet Nebraska standards regarding mammals. The workshop will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. the Hastings Museum, 1330 N. Burlington Ave. Topics will include food chains/food webs, adaptations and characteristics, habitats, anatomy, life cycles, etc. Contact Monica Macoubrie at monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information or …

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Tax check-off benefits wildlife, habitat conservation

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LINCOLN, Neb. – Tax season provides a unique opportunity for Nebraskans to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation. The Nebraska state income tax form allows individuals to donate all or a part of their tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund, which is used to maintain adequate habitat and healthy populations of wildlife across the state, particularly those that are rare, endangered or threatened. Tax refund donations have helped many species over the years including river otters, monarch butterflies, swift …

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Game and Parks seeks information on Scotts Bluff County wanton waste case

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on illegally dumped waterfowl southwest of Melbeta in Scotts Bluff County. It is believed that the carcasses of 52 Canada geese and 33 ducks were thrown into a waterway southwest of Melbeta late last week. The violation was reported to Game and Parks law enforcement over the weekend. There was no attempt to salvage any of the meat on any of the birds. Anyone who intentionally abandons an …

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Panhandle reports increased deer harvest

Mule Deer in the Pine Ridge

CHADRON, Neb. – Nebraska’s deer seasons wrapped up in mid-January and preliminary numbers show the harvest was up in the Panhandle. Through all seasons, hunters checked in 8,072 deer in the region compared to 7,815 the previous year — a 3.3 percent increase.  The Panhandle’s overall number of harvested deer consists of 4,717 mule deer and 3,355 whitetails. Three of the four westernmost units in the state – Pine Ridge, Plains and Sandhills — reported more deer harvested this fall …

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Is It Time To Begin Looking For Shed Deer Antlers?

Is it too early to go out and try to find shed deer antlers on my hunting lands? After all, there is snow cover and snow drifts in places. On the other hand, I am hearing rumors of bucks dropping their antlers earlier than normal on the Great Plains. So, when should someone venture to their deer woods and fields in search of those prized shed antlers? Beginning in late December and continuing through April, white-tailed and mule deer shed their antlers for regrowth purposes …

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Big Game Society to auction elk tag April 12

LINCOLN, Neb. – A bull elk tag will be auctioned off by the Nebraska Big Game Society (NBGS) on Thursday, April 12 in Lincoln. The event will be held at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place. Those who wish to bid but cannot attend may call in their bids for free. Call-in bidders must first notify the NBGS by 5 p.m. on April 5 at 402-430-9191 or via email at NBGS11@gmail.com. Only residents are eligible for the tag, …

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