Nebraska Firearms Owners Association - Victims Protection Act

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- As I write this I have just finished preparing my testimony for the hearing on LB 804, scheduled for this afternoon. I am about to leave for the Capital. Before I do I wanted to get some important information to you.

What many have referred to as Castle Doctrine has been a priority of ours for the past few years. With LB 804, we have a shot this year. But we need Nebraskans to act. I need your help. Do you use Facebook? Share the ProtectVictimsNow.org website. Tell your friends about this important legislation. Please forward this note to your family and friends. Talk about this issue with your neighbors.

The 2012 Legislative session is in full swing. New Bills have been introduced and some of them have already been placed on the hearing schedules. This year we are only getting 7 days notice for hearing schedules. It was 10 or 11 days last year. Since this is a short session year things are moving fast

We tried something new this year for voting on the issues. In the past all voting occurred on our website, or the forum. This year we sent a link to the survey out with a newsletter in order to get wider exposure to the membership. If you haven’t voted, you still can. The link to the survey is here. Please take a moment and let us know what position you’d like the NFOA to take on these important pieces of legislation.

Priority Bill Needs Your Help
The NFOA has spent the last 3 years tirelessly working with the Legislature to pass a Victims Protection Act in Nebraska, which some have called the Castle Doctrine. In past years, we’ve been blocked by the stubborn resistance from several liberal senators on the Judiciary Committee who choose to protect criminals over victims. But this year will be different. This year, we have a new bill introduced: LB 804, and we see this bill making it out of the Judiciary Committee, to the floor for a general vote, and ultimately passing.

Our approach this year is much more aggressive. As an NFOA member, you know that we’ve launched ProtectVictimsNow.org, a website dedicated to educating Nebraska voters on the Victim Protection Act. But we need to reach Nebraskans who haven’t joined the NFOA yet. We need them to call and write their senators, just like you have been doing. So to reach them, we have prepared a radio ad ready to air on stations throughout Nebraska to call those Nebraskans to action and join you and I in working to get the Victims Protection Act passed.

The challenge is that airing radio ads costs money. And as a non-profit organization, the NFOA must raise those funds through donations. As a non-profit organization, we have worked out a greatly reduced rate of just under $5000 to air over 100 Victims Protection Act radio ads throughout the State that will reach over 70,000 Nebraska voters. That’s a lot of money, but we have well over 5000 NFOA members and if every single one of us chipped in, as little as $1, we can mobilize well over 10 times our NFOA membership and push this bill beyond the few obstructive senators in Judiciary Committee and to the Unicameral floor, where we know there is enough support for the Victim Protection Act to pass.

Do you want to be secure in knowing that your home is your castle? Do you want to have the piece of mind knowing that if you ever have to legally defend yourself or your family that the violent criminal (or his family) won’t be able to hire an ambulance-chasing lawyer to sue you for your life savings? Then please consider donating to the ProtectVictimsNow.org operation. Together we can get LB804 passed and have a Victims Protection Act in Nebraska this year!

Member voting
The position we take to the Legislature and lobby for is what you our members tell use to take. Take the legislative survey here.

To participate in discussions of these bills please join us in the forums.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- A mountain lion unintentionally caught in a foothold trap in Dawes County was tranquilized and released by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Jan. 27.

The mountain lion, a female kitten weighing approximately 50 pounds, appeared to be in good health. After the release, the kitten followed tracks of an adult mountain lion and another kitten that biologists believe were the mother and a sibling.

The trap had been legally set and the trapper called Game and Parks immediately upon discovering the mountain lion, as required by Game and Parks policy.

High pelt prices for bobcats and an increased effort to trap them may have contributed to the recent incidental captures of mountain lions in Dawes County, according to Sam Wilson, Game and Parks’ carnivore program manager.

“The trapper did the right thing by calling,” Wilson said. “In situations like this, where a mountain lion has not entered a town or come into conflict with people, we may attempt to release it if it can be done safely and the mountain lion is not injured.”

Game and Parks requests fur harvesters immediately contact the agency if a mountain lion incidentally is trapped. Anyone with trail-camera photographs or other evidence of mountain lions should contact the agency at 402-471-0641.

Open Letter to NFOA & Nebraskans Seeking Support for Prosecutorial Carry

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- President Allen and Members of the NFOA Board:

My name is Matthew Mellor, and I am a Deputy County Attorney for Seward County, Nebraska. I am writing to you to request that the NFOA lend its support to LB 802 in this current legislative session.

I proposed the language that would later become LB 802, and I am thankful to Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh for agreeing to introduce it as one of his bills. In general, LB 802 would allow prosecutors in Nebraska to carry a concealed handgun in places where such action is currently prohibited. LB 802 limits a prosecutor’s carrying in such “gun-free zones” to the fulfillment of his or her responsibilities of employment. In short, this bill would allow prosecutors to protect themselves while working to put criminals behind bars. As a prosecutor, I know that people in this line of work are sometimes the subject of very serious threats, and among other things, this bill is intended to address those threats.

I have been following the discussion of LB 802 on the NFOA’s online forum, and as I expected, there is some resistance to the bill because it is creating an exception for a specific group of people. I understand the “if I can’t carry in those places, why should someone else be able to” line of thinking, but I don’t subscribe to it. Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that everyone has the right to defend themselves, regardless of where they may be. The type of building they happen to be in shouldn’t matter. I do, however, know that the legislative process isn’t that clear-cut.

I am familiar with the legislative process, and there is a bit of logic to bills such as LB 802. While the ultimate goal for me and probably the NFOA, as well, would be for Constitutional Carry to become a reality in Nebraska, I know that changes to the law don’t come all at once. It took years and years of activity in the Legislature before Sen. Combs was finally able to get the Concealed Handgun Permit Act (CHPA) passed back in 2006, and it’s going to take a significant amount of time before we get to Constitutional Carry in this state.

LB 802, while being an immediate benefit to prosecutors, would also serve as a benefit to the greater concealed carry community, as one poster on the forum rightly noted. This bill is an opportunity to get the proverbial foot in the door that may one day lead to Constitutional Carry, or at least a more relaxed permit system. Sen. Lautenbaugh likely agreed to carry this bill because he thought it would not be that difficult to make an exception for prosecutors based on the nature of their work, as long as such exception was limited to their employment.

It is my position that LB 802 is merely a first step toward a more relaxed permit system, or even Constitutional Carry. Logic would hold that once more and more exceptions to the current CHPA are enacted, there will be fewer restrictions and we may get to see Constitutional Carry in Nebraska. LB 802 and bills that will be introduced in the future slowly erode the restrictions of the CHPA, and will be a benefit to all concealed handgun permit holders.

I appreciate your consideration of LB 802, and again, I ask for the NFOA to support this important legislation.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Well it’s that time again and the Legislative session is in full swing.

Since this is a short session and things are moving so fast, I am going to break the announcement of Legislative Bills into two groups to send out for your information.

This week we will be letting you know about bills introduced during the first five days of session, and the balance should be coming next week.

We are also going to try something new this year. In order to get your view on the position your NFOA should take on the bills, we have a survey linked.

Please take a moment and let us know what position you’d like the NFOA to take on these important pieces of legislation.

Introduced Legislation

• LB785, Christensen, Authorize possession of firearms as prescribed
  Allows persons with a Concealed Carry Permit to have their firearm in their car on the property of their employer. Further, it creates a civil penalty for employers who fire an employee for legally having a firearm in their vehicle on company property. It also provides liability protections for an employer who has an employee with a firearm stored in their vehicle on company property.
  
• LB796, Avery, Adopt the Outdoor Outfitters and Guides Registration Act
  Creates a registration for Outfitters and Guides with a licensing fee of $100 and requires liability insurance.
  
• LB802, Lautenbaugh, Authorize carrying of concealed handguns by certain authorities within the scope of their employment
  Allows District Attorneys, County Attorneys, the Attorney General, their assistants, and investigators with a Concealed Carry Permit to carry in places that other Concealed Carry Permit holders cannot; when doing so for work purposes. The individual is responsible for the costs of their Concealed Carry Permit and training.
  
• LB804, Lautenbaugh, Change provisions relating to justification for use of force
  Sets presumption that someone who forcibly enters your home or vehicle is there to do you bodily harm, and places protections from civil liabilities in cases of self defense.
  
• LB807, Lautenbaugh, Change Concealed Handgun Permit Act application provisions
  Clarifies that only individuals who have been criminally convicted of a drug- or firearm-related crime would be disqualified from receiving a Nebraska concealed carry permit. Hearing is scheduled for January 19th.
  
• LB919, Schilz, Change court fees, sheriff’s fees, and handgun certificate fees
  Among other fee changes, it raises the cost of a Handgun Purchase Certificate to $10.00, an increase of $5.00. From testimony in the past the average cost to the Sheriffs Dept. for doing this runs between $12 and $15 depending upon the county.
  
• LB920, McGill, Change harassment protection order and domestic abuse protection order provisions
  Makes it so persons under a protective order cannot purchase firearms, also removes automatic hearing for a protective order.
  
• LB928, Louden, Provide for mountain lion hunting permits
  Allows the Nebraska Game and Parks Department to set a hunting season for mountain lions and provide for hunting permits.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer has appeared for the first time in Buffalo, Custer and Holt counties, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

There were 1,565 lymph node samples collected from deer taken during the 2011 November firearm deer season, with 26 samples testing positive for CWD.

In addition, samples were taken from 37 culled deer that showed clinical symptoms for CWD, with one male mule deer from Garden County testing positive.

Those symptoms include a rough, emaciated appearance and a lack of fear of humans.

There were a record 51 positives from 3,645 samples in Nebraska in 2010. However, the surveillance effort was reduced in 2011 due to a lack of funds. The 2011 effort focused on central Nebraska, the leading edge of the disease as it spreads from west to east.

Game and Parks confirmed CWD in the state’s deer population in 2000. CWD is a disease that can affect deer and elk and always is fatal to the affected animal. Humans have never been known to contract CWD.

Nebraska Harlan County Lake Area Benefits from Focus on Pheasants Initiative

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- In response to declining pheasant populations statewide, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Harlan County Lake and Pheasants Forever have been working to reverse the trend through the Focus on Pheasants habitat improvement initiative.

The Focus on Pheasants initiative was designed in 2003 to restore high-quality pheasant habitat that benefits hunters. The program also educates landowners and other stakeholders about pheasant habitat needs.

Harlan County Lake property managed by the Corps was included in the program because of its potential for intensive pheasant management based on the size of the area, its high use by pheasant hunters and its history of good pheasant populations.

The lack of high-quality habitat, such as diverse nesting and brood rearing cover, is one of the factors limiting pheasants, quail and other grassland birds. Management activities such as prescribed burning, grassland disking, chemical treatment, grassland interseeding and tree removal are used to address those factors. These practices increase the quality and diversity of grassland plants and benefit many wildlife species.

While an area may be seen as unusable to wildlife due to haying, disking or prescribed burning, this disturbance is temporary. The benefits from resulting increase in diversity will last for many years. By rotating disturbances on a multiyear schedule, resource managers assure that the environment provides the optimal mix of cover types to enhance habitat quality, which should result in an increase of grassland bird populations.

Contact Focus on Pheasants Coordinator Jake Holt at 402-471-5413 to learn more about the program and to learn how landowners can implement these practices.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director Rex Amack today announced his intent to retire in April 2012, at the end of his current term.

Amack’s 24 years at the helm of the 475-employee agency distinguishes him as the longest-serving director in Game and Parks history.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity afforded me by the Commission to serve the citizens of this wonderful state,” Amack said. “It is hard to imagine a more rewarding and meaningful career. After nearly 45 years of service to the Commission, it is time to give another their opportunity of a lifetime.”

Amack thanked Commissioners for instilling in him their trust and lending him their support and friendship. “I also want to acknowledge and thank those who I have been blessed to work shoulder to shoulder with each day. Our employees are results-oriented professionals who work hard to meet the Commission’s mission of stewardship of the state’s fish, wildlife, park and outdoor recreation resources. It has been an extraordinary honor,” he said.

A native of Red Cloud, Neb., Amack began his career with the Commission as a University of Nebraska intern in June 1967 working in the Information and Education department. Upon graduation with a bachelor of arts degree in May 1968, he joined the Commission as a full-time employee in the same department. In collaboration with the Nebraska Educational Television Network, Amack helped develop the Commission’s Outdoor Nebraska television program, which he hosted for several years.

In 1975, Amack was promoted to chief of the Information and Education Division. His responsibilities included overseeing NEBRASKAland Magazine and all Commission publications and broadcast information programs. He made youth education programs a high priority and developed the “Know Nebraska Tours” travel program. In 1980, then Commission Director Gene Mahoney promoted Amack to assistant director for administration. Following Mahoney’s retirement in 1988, the Commissioners appointed Amack to a six-year term as director of the Commission. He was reappointed to successive six-year terms in 1994, 2000 and 2006.

Amack said the development of Eugene T. Mahoney State Park was a significant achievement during his tenure. “Mahoney State Park was the largest capitol development project the Commission has ever undertaken. Gene led the charge with the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation and together they raised the money to build the park. We all pulled together to develop, dedicate and open the park 36 months after Gene’s retirement. The park was dedicated in May 1991.”

Amack also pointed to the development of the Calamus Reservoir Fish Hatchery, the Commission’s second largest capitol development project ever. The hatchery was completed and dedicated in September 1991.

Amack said other Commission achievements that stand out during his tenure as director include:

• –Bighorn sheep project
• – Ongoing elk hunting opportunities
• – Strong wild turkey and deer populations
• – $5 youth turkey and deer permits
• – Development of Smith Falls State Park on the Niobrara River
• – Fish and wildlife instream flow rights on portions of the Platte River
• –Development of Internet permit and information services
• – Ponca State Park makeover
• – Cornhusker Trap Shoot
• – Open Fields and Waters hunting and fishing access program
• –Recruitment, Development and Retention Program for youth
• –Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program

Amack also has been immersed in conservation and parkland issues on regional and national platforms. He has twice served as president of the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and has served as president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Amack is currently president-elect of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Regarding his retirement plans, Amack said, “The first thing I plan to do is plant a tree at my home that will stand as a constant reminder to stay involved and contribute when and where I can to wildlife conservation, wild spaces and parklands. Growing up on a farm on the banks of the Republican River near Red Cloud, my father taught me that we have a responsibility to care for our land, water, wildlife and all other natural resources for future generations. That was his legacy, and I hope it is mine.”

Second Amendment Foundation

BELLEVUE, WA --(Ammoland.com)- A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement by the City of Omaha, NE of an ordinance that prohibits legal non-citizens from registering handguns in the city, in a case brought by the Second Amendment Foundation, the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association and Armando Pliego Gonzalez.

The order was granted by U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon while the court considers whether the registration ban for legal immigrants is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

“We’re delighted with the judge’s order,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb. “Mr. Pliego has been a legal permanent resident since 2008, and he jumped through all of the legal hoops to legally purchase a handgun to protect his family after his home was invaded and robbed in 2010.”

As it turns out, he noted, the city is currently reviewing its ordinance with an eye on amending it to allow legal immigrants to register handguns. According to the Omaha World Herald, the proposed changes have the support of Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes, who was named as a defendant in the lawsuit, along with Mayor Jim Suttle and the city.

“We are encouraged at these developments,” Gottlieb stated. “We had a similar experience with a state law in Washington that was changed following a SAF legal action. We will oppose such discriminatory laws and regulations wherever we find them.

“Pliego Gonzalez and his wife are both legal permanent residents, and good members of the community,” he noted. “The couple has four children. It is simply wrong when a local regulation stands in the way of someone’s exercise of a constitutionally-protected, fundamental civil right, especially when the safety of his family is at stake.”

Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Bernie Glaser of Lincoln, and David Sigale of Glen Ellyn, IL.

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. In addition to the landmark McDonald v. Chicago Supreme Court Case, SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; New Orleans; Chicago and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and numerous amicus briefs holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Seven people were cited for game law violations in a joint effort by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) to catch spotlighters in the St. Paul area over the weekend.

An NSP airplane using heat-detecting equipment discovered individuals in three vehicles and guided five Game and Parks conservation officers on the ground from 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18 until 12:30 a.m. Nov. 19.

All seven individuals were ticketed for hunting with the aid of an artificial light. Two of those also were cited for no fur harvest permits, one for failure to tag his traps, and one for liquidated damages on a raccoon.

More than $2,000 in fines was assessed, in addition to liquidated damages of $25 for the raccoon.

Jerry Pecha, a Game and Parks law enforcement supervisor, said the project was carried out during the November firearm deer season to increase the possibility of catching deer spotlighters in response to many complaints in the area.

A similar project is planned for the future, Pecha said.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- A 15-year-old deer hunter from Wayne killed a mountain lion near Creighton in northeast Nebraska on Nov. 12, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The boy, hunting a shelterbelt in Knox County, spotted the mountain lion 10 feet away before shooting and killing it.

The mountain lion was a young male, which has been typical of mountain lions found in Nebraska outside of the Panhandle, according to Sam Wilson, furbearer and carnivore program manager with Game and Parks. The carcass was turned over to Game and Parks, as required by law.

It was the 52nd confirmed mountain lion sighting in Nebraska outside the Pine Ridge population since 1991.

Mountain lions are protected year-round in Nebraska but may be killed if threatening people or attacking livestock. No charges will be filed, as evidence indicated self-defense.

“Game and Parks is interested in documenting observations or game camera photographs of mountain lions,” Wilson said. “Please report any observations to your nearest Game and Parks office or call 402-471-0641.”

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)-  Do you want to see a change in Omaha’s Gun Registration?

Then it is now time to ask you to take action to help with our efforts in Omaha. Earlier, I gave you a breakdown of the problems in these proposed Ordinance changes, and now I’m asking you to stand up to help stop this stupidity.

The City Council released the meeting agenda for Tuesday October 18th, and the public hearing for this bill is scheduled. The Council meeting begins at 2:00 PM and we are asking all NFOA members and firearm rights supporters, who can make the time, to be there.

Even if you do not wish to speak, your presence lets the Council know you support the NFOA position. The gun registration bill is the 61st item on the agenda and it will take a little time before they get to us, so if you can’t make it promptly at 2:00 PM, then come when you can. In all likelihood, it will take a good hour or more before they get to our hearing.

If you cannot make it to the hearing, but still want to have your voice heard, then please take the time to send a brief, polite email to the City Council. If you live in a particular councilpersons district, then include your address in your email to make sure they know they are representing you. It is more difficult for politicians to ignore a letter from a constituent who has the power to remove them from office on next Election Day.

Here is the contact page for the City Council: http://www.cityofomaha.org/citycouncil/council-members .

Unfortunately they do not publish their email addresses, so you must contact them through their online form.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- A funny thing happened on the way to the courtroom, the City of Omaha blinked. They have proposed a major revision to their firearms ordinance which is available for download here. If you take the time to read this proposal you will see if falls way short of their stated goals and then creates several new legal issues for them.

We need as many members and readers as possible to attend the Omaha City Council hearing on October 18th to show that this proposal fails to protect lawful firearms owners rights.

Let’s break this down, section by section, to review the problems in this proposal to better understand these failings.

In section one the proposal adds the language: “the owner, possessor or transporter holds a valid permit issued by the State of NE.” This statement fails the City’s stated purpose. Language in the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Act already recognizes permits issued by other states; Omaha’s proposed language fails to do so. Moreover, this added text is unnecessary because four years ago the City voted to allow persons in compliance with State law to carry in the City.

Section two continues the problem from section one by using the same language to allow persons with a Concealed Carry Permit to avoid registration. Again this issue has been preempted by the State and the city is in error.

In section three we find that, contrary to claims by some City Council members, this new proposal is not relaxing any current laws. In fact, another proposed change actually doubles the amount of time a person would not be allowed to register a concealable firearm if they previously had a violation of Omaha’s firearm ordinances. Additionally, the proposal goes well beyond State and Federal law and adds more misdemeanors to the City’s list that would disqualify people from being able to register firearms. Another change in the proposal raises the “Omaha Gun Tax” by 50%.

Also in section three appears to be an attempt to dismiss the current Federal lawsuit against the City. The City’s firearm registration ordinance prohibits certain people from registering firearms. The current proposal removes the ordinance’s existing line, “Is not a citizen of the United States,” and replaces it with “Is an alien not lawfully admitted under a non-immigrant visa (illegal alien).” If this seems hard to read, that’s because it contains a double negative. The courts will handle this statement the same way your 5th grade English teacher would: by removing the negatives. So then it will read, “Is an alien lawfully admitted under an immigrant visa (illegal alien).” Due to poor grammar, this revision still prohibits legal resident aliens from registering firearms and fails to address the issue in the current lawsuit when read as it is actually written.

Section four adds Voluntary Registration for those with Concealed Carry permits to register their firearms for free. This creates a violation in equal protection since not everyone would be able to qualify for this exemption from paying the “tax.”

If this proposal was a serious attempt to reconcile differences between City, State, and Federal law, then the City should have started with their definition of a “Concealable Firearm.” In Omaha, the definition is “a firearm having a barrel less than 18 inches in length.” The rest of the State and the Nation definitines that as a firearm having a barrel less than 16 inches and designed to be operated with one hand. This simple difference in definition places many commonly owned 16-inch barrel rifles in Omaha into the category of a “Concealable Firearm.” Even though the Omaha Police Department does not register these rifles, a resident in possession of one of these common target or sporting rifles could be charged in violation of Omaha’s registration requirements.

Unaddressed also is the unenforced requirement to get a permit from the Chief of Police to purchase a concealable firearm, where the rules for issuing such permit no longer exists; the State has taken over that responsibility and assigned that duty to the County Sheriff. Technically, no one may purchase a concealable firearm in Omaha since they cannot get a permission slip from the Chief of Police.

As you can see the problems with this proposal are as long or longer than the proposal itself and the NFOA needs your assistance in keeping this proposal from passing as written and introduced. If you can attend the hearing please do so., Please share this information and invitation to attend the public hearing with all your hunting and shooting buddies.

The more people there the louder our voice will be.

Regards,

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Andreas Allen, President of the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA), discusses the proposed changes to Omaha’s Firearms Ordinances.

Last Tuesday the Omaha City Council proposed an ordinance change brought forth by the Omaha Police Department (OPD) and the Mayor’s office.

The City claims they have been working on this proposal for five months and that it has nothing to do with the recent lawsuit the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) has filed in partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation and Armando Pliego Gonzalez concerning legal resident aliens.

After reading this proposal, however, it’s apparent that it was put together hastily and was done very poorly. Not only did the City try to change the current rule prohibiting legal resident aliens from handgun registration, the new proposal also offers numerous restrictive changes to Omaha’s firearm registration ordinance.

According to a letter dated September 30, 2011, OPD and the Mayor’s office claim the purpose of this proposal is “to make the City ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws.” Yet, in two separate sections the proposal adds the language: “the owner, possessor or transporter holds a valid permit issued by the State of NE.” This statement fails the City’s stated purpose.

Language in the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Act already recognizes permits issued by other states; Omaha’s proposed language fails to do so. Moreover, this added text is unnecessary because four years ago the City voted to allow persons in compliance with State law to carry in the City.

‎Contrary to claims by some City Council members, this new proposal is not relaxing any current laws. In fact, another proposed change actually doubles the amount of time a person would not be allowed to register a concealable firearm if they previously had a violation of Omaha’s firearm registration ordinance. Additionally, the proposal goes well beyond State and Federal law and adds more misdemeanors to the City’s list that would disqualify people from being able to register firearms.

Another change in the proposal, also out of line with State and Federal laws, raises the “Omaha Gun Tax” by 50%.

The next problem with the proposal is the attempt to dismiss the current Federal lawsuit against the City. The City’s firearm registration ordinance prohibits certain people from registering firearms. The current proposal removes the ordinance’s existing line, “Is not a citizen of the United States,” and proposes in its place, “Is an alien not lawfully admitted under a non-immigrant visa (illegal alien).” If this seems hard to read, that’s because it contains a double negative. The courts will handle this statement the same way your 5th grade English teacher would: by removing the negatives. So then it will read, “Is an alien lawfully admitted under an immigrant visa (illegal alien).”

Due to poor grammar, this revision still prohibits legal resident aliens from registering firearms and fails to address the issue in the current lawsuit when read as it is actually written.

If this proposal was a serious attempt to reconcile differences in City, State, and Federal law, then the City should have started with their definition of a “Concealable Firearm.” In Omaha, the definition is “a firearm having a barrel less than 18 inches in length.” In the rest of the State and the Nation, the definition is a firearm having a barrel less than 16 inches and designed to be operated with one hand.

This simple difference in definition places many commonly owned 16-inch barrel rifles in Omaha into the category of a “Concealable Firearm.” Even though the Omaha Police Department does not register these rifles, a resident in possession of one of these common target or sporting rifles could be charged in violation of Omaha’s registration requirements.

There are changes needed in Omaha’s firearm registration ordinance, especially with respect to the current lawsuit regarding legal resident aliens, but the City’s current proposal does not accomplish this or their stated purpose. If the City of Omaha decides they truly want “to make the City ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws,” then the NFOA is willing to assist the City in fixing the inconsistencies in Omaha’s firearms ordinances.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association is the largest firearms rights organization in the state of Nebraska, and membership is free for all Nebraskans concerned with their right to keep and bear arms; simply sign-up at www.nebraskafirearms.org/join. We are local firearms owners who have a personal interest in protecting firearms owners’ rights in Nebraska.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Contacts:

Andreas (Andy) Allen
President NFOA
P.O. BOX 419
Syracuse, Nebraska 68446
(402)321-5520

Omaha's Proposed Firearms Changes Fall Short of State & Federal Gun Laws

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Andreas Allen, President of the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA), welcomes the chance to address the issues that Omaha has with its firearms laws; however, the City’s proposal falls short of their stated goal of “making the Omaha Ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws”.

Other than addressing the current lawsuit on legal resident aliens, the only inconsistency to State and Federal laws the City has attempted to reconcile in this proposal is creating a registration exemption for the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act.

Consequently, in 2009 the Nebraska Legislature had already declared Omaha’s registration null and void for Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit holders.

If this was a serious attempt to reconcile City, State, and Federal law, then the City should have started with their definition of a “Concealable Firearm.” Unlike Omaha’s definition of “a firearm having a barrel less than 18 inches in length,” the rest of the State and Nation define a “Concealable Firearm” to have a barrel less that 16 inches and be designed to be operated with one hand. This simple definition difference in Omaha places many common 16-inch barrel rifles into the category of a “Concealable Firearm,” and even though the Omaha Police Department does not register these rifles, a resident in possession of one of these common target or sporting rifles could be found in violation of Omaha’s registration requirements.

There is also no mention of removing the obsolete requirement for a written permit from the Chief of Police to purchase a “Concealable Firearm,” even though the process for receiving such a permit has long been removed from the City’s ordinances.

“Any well thought out attempt to correct Omaha’s firearms ordinances should start with removing these unenforced portions of the law. The City’s proposal falls short of their stated goal and the only real effect it would have is creating a fifty percent increase in what many Omaha Police Officers and firearms owners call the ‘Omaha Gun Tax,’”said NFOA President Andy Allen.

“Should the City decide they truly want to ‘make the Omaha Ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws’, then the NFOA is willing to assist the City in fixing the inconsistencies in Omaha’s firearms ordinances.”

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association is the largest firearms rights organization in the state of Nebraska, and membership is free for all Nebraskans concerned with their right to keep and bear arms; simply sign-up at www.nebraskafirearms.org/join. We are local firearms owners who have a personal interest in protecting firearms owners’ rights in Nebraska.

Mission
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Remaining Permits On Sale July 11. Bighorn and Super Tag Lotteries Now Open. Landowner Elk permits Are Included in Draw Application Period.

The calendar says May, and your hand may be holding a fishing pole, but it’s time for some advance thinking about your fall hunting activities.

Nebraska residents may currently apply for: one deer permit in any draw unit (Republican Whitetail, Republican Mule Deer and Desoto December Muzzleloader season units), one elk permit, and one buck or either-sex antelope permit in available units. (One application is allowed per person per species.)

Landowners interested in elk permits should contact their district Nebraska Game and Parks office for application forms at this time.

In addition, two big game lotteries are presently underway for Nebraska hunters: a Bighorn Sheep Lottery and a Super Tag Lottery. Both lotteries are open to Nebraska residents only, have a $25 application fee and can be entered online.

The winner of the bighorn sheep lottery will receive a historic hunt for a bighorn ram in the rugged Pine Ridge, with four nights lodging and guide service provided by Nebraska Game and Parks. The recipient of the Super Tag lottery wins a permit with a bag limit of one elk, one antelope, one deer and two turkeys. This permit is valid during 2011 and 2012, meaning the winner has two years for fill it. Once-in-a-lifetime bull elk permit holders are eligible to participate in this lottery.

Both resident and nonresident hunters will want to mark July 11 on their calendars; it’s the day when all remaining permits go on sale. A complete list of opening dates and application periods can be found on our website, and our 2011 Big Game Guide will be posted there as soon as it becomes available.

Hunters in search of big game animals will find that Nebraska’s populations and hunting opportunities are about the best they have ever been in modern times. Record numbers of deer and turkey exist throughout the state, and even our elk population is thriving. Permits for deer and turkey are easy to obtain, and our $5 youth permits make hunting affordable for aspiring young hunters.

According the staff biologists, the 20-year trend of increasing numbers of older bucks should continue in 2011. Data from 2010 indicates that 75% of harvested whitetail bucks and 83% of harvest mule deer bucks were age 2 or older.

Thousands of acres of private land have also been opened up for hunting through our Open Fields and Waters program, which provides incentives to landowners in return for opening up areas of good habitat to public hunting and fishing use. These lands will be included in the 2011 Public Access Atlas, which is generally available in August each year.

So as you are reeling in that largemouth or casting for walleye, be thinking about all the great ways you can extend your adventures in the Nebraska outdoors. We are here to help you with that, so visit our website for frequent updates or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. And as always – we’ll See You Out There!

Click here to buy your permits online.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

DONIPHAN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Sophomore Aaron Lafler of Lincoln Pius shot a perfect 100 to take the individual crown in the 16-yard targets of the senior high division at the 42nd Cornhusker Trapshoot on Friday.

Lafler, 15, accomplished his feat despite gusting winds that came and went. He said timing was everything.

“I just got lucky,” he said. “I’ve shot 100 straight before. This really isn’t as abnormal as you think, but these aren’t the greatest conditions, either. You’ve got to shoot quicker.”

Jacqueline Baude of Papillion-LaVista South won the girls’ individual title, but she and fellow seniors Melissa Harnack, Taylor Holzer, Marisa Braddock won their fourth straight girls’ team title.

Baude said her 96X100 in the 16s was a byproduct of teamwork. “We’ve always had a mentality of team first,” she said. “We just keep plugging along.”

It’s a good thing. The Lady Titans No. 1 team that also included freshman Bailey Kustka needed to plug along. “We didn’t get off to the best start but closed out really well,” Baude said. “We missed the first two or three birds out, then started to get used to the wind. We did a lot better in the second 50 (rocks) than the first 50.”

The team finished with a 432X500.

The Cornhusker Trapshoot, held at the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA) home grounds, concluded this past Saturday with senior high handicap competition and the presentation of the Cornhusker Cup to the overall winner.

There are 1,216 shooters competing in the senior high division.

The Cornhusker Trapshoot is hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the NTA.

Friday’s results in the 16-yard competition are:

• Top 10 Individuals – 1. Aaron Lafler, Lincoln Pius, 100X100; 2. Cody Newlun, Hastings 4-H, 97X100; 3. Caleb Goedeken, Thayer Central, 97X100; 4. Mitch Cassels, Omaha Creighton Prep, 96X100; 5. Matthew Fero, Grand Island, 96X100; 6. Tyler Merry, Norris, 96X100; 7. Logan Ritz, Stanton 4-H, 96X100; 8. Grant Rogers, Wilber-Clatonia 4-H, 96X100; 9. James Vasko, Omaha Creighton Prep, 96X100; 10. Nick Yardley, Gordon-Rushville, 96X100.
• Top Three Girls – 1. Jacqueline Baude, Papillion-LaVista South, 96X100; 2. Becky Wessel, Stanton 4-H, 95X100; 3. Mavis Morgan, Lincoln Southwest, 95X100.
• Top Three 4-H Teams – 1. Republican Valley No. 1 (Eli VanBoening, Shane Kohmetsher, Trenton Jordening, Blake Brumbaugh, Kelly Faimon), 448X500; 2. Karp and Krow No. 1, 440X500; 3. Red Cloud No. 1, 434X500.
• Top Three Girls Teams – 1. Papillion-LaVista Lady Titans No. 1 (Melissa Harnack, Taylor Holzer, Bailey Kustka, Marisa Braddock, Jacqueline Baude), 432X500; 2. Lincoln Southwest Pink, 430X500; 3. Omaha Marian Blue, 400X500.
• Top Six Teams – 1. Omaha Creighton Prep Blue (Mitch Cassels, Ryan Glow, James Vasko, Nick Zuerlin, Mark Stockdale), 460X500; 2. Lincoln Southwest Gold, 457X500; 3. Norris No. 1, 454X500; 4. Papillion-LaVista Titan No. 1, 452X500; 5. Papillion-LaVista Titan No. 2, 450X500; 6. Crete Red, 450X500.

Jim Carlisle Memorial Second Generation Individual (traveling trophy) – Aaron Lafler, Lincoln Pius

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

DONIPHAN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Cory Sorahan of Grand Island had a painful introduction to shooting sports. On the other hand, she was just a fourth-grader and the shotgun she shot packed a wallop.

From that experience at Walnut Junior High’s outdoor field day, Sorahan took to shooting sports, despite her first impression. “I was done; it hurt so badly,” she said of her first experience. “But I knew it wouldn’t be like that all the time.”

“She told me she wanted to shoot those orange things,” said her aunt, Michelle Sorahan, with whom Cory lives. “I said ‘You mean blue rocks?’ She said, ‘No, they are orange.’ “

Now the 15-year-old sophomore is a veteran in her fifth season competing at the 42nd Cornhusker Trapshoot. On Friday she shot an 87X100 at 16-yard targets during competition in the senior high division.

Her squad on Friday included four boys. She is used to competing with boys.

“She irritates the boys,” said Jack Wiese, a Ducks Unlimited member from Grand Island and the person who taught Sorahan how to shoot.

Wiese taught Sorahan how to shoot with the discipline he learned as a decorated member of the U.S. Marine Corps. “She has natural talent,” he said. “She doesn’t have any bad habits. She just doesn’t miss.”

Sorahan didn’t miss much last year when she finished second in the 20-21 yard individual handicap division at the Cornhusker Trapshoot.

On that night back in the fourth grade, Sorahan won in a drawing a membership into the Ducks Unlimited Green Wings program for youth shooters. That’s when Wiese took her under his wing.

Sorahan didn’t care that there were few girls her age shooting. “It’s something a lot of girls didn’t do at the time, so it was something, like the boys, I could do,” she said.

“It’s not about winning; it’s about shooting against people and making them think they have to be better than you.”

Sorahan has a lifetime of trapshooting to look forward to now.

“That’s another reason that I like to shoot trap,” she said. “You can’t play basketball your whole life, but you can shoot your whole life.”

And at least two more Cornhusker Trapshoots.

“Boys and girls of all ages are taking up shooting sports as a hobby,” Shoot Director Terry Brentzel said. “It is getting easier to do that, too, because there are so many opportunities available to get started. There are hunter education courses, live-fire programs, school programs, and mentored hunts available, as well as a number of excellent shooting ranges.”

Contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for more information on learning how to shoot.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

DONIPHAN, Neb. –-(Ammoland.com)- Cody Newlun of Hastings 4-H won a shootout to capture the Cornhusker Cup on Saturday at the 42st Annual Cornhusker Trapshoot.

Newlun, who shot 89X100 to win the 24-25 Yard handicap, finished with a 186X200 two-day score to tie Republican Valley 4-H’s Blake Brumbaugh and head to a shootout. Nick Yardley of Gordon-Rushville was three points back in third place.

Jacqueline Baude of Papillion-LaVista South was the high overall girl with a 179X200. She shot an 83X100 Saturday for second place in the girls’ handicap. She also helped her team win the high overall girls team crown. Melissa Harnack, Taylor Holzer, Bailey Kustka, and Marisa Braddock helped the Lady Titans shoot an 806X1,000 to win their fourth straight crown.

Omaha Creighton Prep Blue (Mitch Cassels, Ryan Glow, James Vasko, Nick Zuerlein, Mark Stockdale) and Republican Valley 4-H (Eli Van Boening, Shane Kohmetscher, Trenton Jordening, Brumbaugh, Kelly Faimon) won the high overall team and high overall 4-H team titles, respectively.

The high score of the day Saturday in the handicap was a 94X100 by Travis Agee of Lincoln Pius.

There were 1,216 shooters competing in the senior high division Friday and Saturday at the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA). The event is hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the NTA.

Results from Saturday are:

Overall

• Top Three Individuals – 1. Cody Newlun, Hastings 4-H, 186X200; 2. Blake Brumbaugh, Republican Valley 4-H, 186X200; 3. Nick Yardley, Gordon-Rushville, 183X200.
• Top Teams – 1. Omaha Creighton Prep Blue (Mitch Cassels, Ryan Glow, James Vasko, Nick Zuerlein, Mark Stockdale), 872X1,000; 2. Omaha Creighton Prep White, 859X1,000; 3. Papillion-LaVista South No. 1, 843X1,000; 4. Grand Island Northwest A, 841X1,000; 5. Lincoln Pius No. 1, 838X1,000; 6. Gordon-Rushville No. 1, 833X1,000.
• Top Three Girls – 1. Jacqueline Baude, Papillion-LaVista South, 179X200; 2. Racheal Houk, Sidney, 173X200; 3. Erin Drozda, Lincoln Pius, 171X200.
• Top Three Girls Teams – 1. Papillion-LaVista South No. 1 (Melissa Harnack, Taylor Holzer, Bailey Kustka, Marisa Braddock, Jacqueline Baude), 806X1,000; 2. Omaha Marian Blue, 782X1,000; 3. Lincoln Southwest Pink, 764X1,000.
• Top Three 4-H Teams – 1. Republican Valley 4-H (Eli Van Boening, Shane Kohmetscher, Trenton, Jordening, Blake Brumbaugh, Kelly Faimon), 867X1,000; 2. Karp and Krow 4-H No. 1, 823X1,000; 3. Hastings 4-H No. 1, 812X1,000.

Handicap

• Top Three Girls – 1. Racheal Houk, Sidney, 86X100; 2. Jacqueline Baude, Papillion-LaVista South, 83X100; 3. Kelsey Genoways, Omaha Marian, 83X100.
• Top Three Individuals – 1. Travis Agee, Lincoln Pius, 94X100; 2. Cody Stout, Platte Valley, Colo., 92X100; 3. Blake Brumbaugh, Republican Valley 4-H, 92X100.
• Top Teams – 1. Arlington No. 1 (Colton Wehmeyer, Harry Horner, Hunter Edwards, Zach Stoner, Tyrel Hernes), 416X500; 2. Omaha Creighton Prep Blue, 412X500; 4. Gordon-Rushville No. 1, 404X500; 5. Omaha Creighton Prep White, 401X500; 6. Crete Blue, 400X500.
• Top Three 4-H Teams – 1. Republican Valley 4-H No. 1 (Eli Van Boening, Shane Kohmetsher, Trenton Jordening, Blake Brumbaugh, Kelly Faimon), 419X500; 2. Republican Valley 4-H No. 3, 398X500; 3. Wilber-Clatonia 4-H No. 1, 393X500.
• Top Three Girls High School Teams – 1. Omaha Marian Blue (Alexa Baumer, Haylee Frisbie, Natasha Mason, Brianna Rakes, Kelsey Genoways), 382X500; 2. Papillion-LaVista South No. 1, 374X500; 3. Papillion-LaVista South No. 2, 357X500.

Yardage Winners

• Top Three 18-19 Yards – 1. Brandon Gamble, Bellevue West, 91X100; 2. Tyrel Hernes, Arlington, 90X100; 3. Ian Tuttle, Papillion-LaVista, 90X100.
• Top Three 20-21 Yards – 1. Clay Keller, Falls City, 91X100; 2. Mason Petrzilka, Oak Creek 4-H, 90X100; 3. Daniel Liess, Rock Port, Mo., 88X100.
• Top Three 22-23 Yards – 1. Austin Svoboda, Karp and Krow 4-H, 89X100; 2. Adam Panowicz, Centura, 88X100; 3. John Henry Theisen, Omaha Creighton Prep, 87X100.
• Top Three 24-25 Yards – 1. Cody Newlun, Hastings 4-H, 89X100; 2. Nick Yardley, Gordon-Rushville, 87X100; 3. James Vasko, Omaha Creighton Prep, 87X100.

Ava Arlt of Kearney Catholic shatters a target into three pieces during the junior high competition Thursday at the 42nd Cornhusker Trapshoot in Doniphan.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

DONIPHAN, Neb. –-(Ammoland.com)- Wade Knott of Louisville was crowned the junior high school champion Thursday at the 42nd Cornhusker Trapshoot at the Nebraska Trapshooting Association home grounds, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Knott won with a score of 95X100 on 16-yard targets.

The Adams No. 1 team of Hunter Hoatson, Dylan Siemers, Tylan Thompson, Drew Bailey, and Shane Mauch won the junior high team title with a score of 422X500.

Thursday’s action included 692 junior high competitors.

The trapshoot continues today with 255 senior high school squads shooting 100 16-yard targets today and 100 handicap targets Saturday. The overall individual winner will be awarded the Cornhusker Cup on Saturday.

The junior high results are:

• Top 10 Individuals – 1. Wade Knott, Louisville, 95X100; 2. Braden Snell, Gibbon, 94X100; 3. Lee Holden, Wilber-Clatonia 4-H, 92X100; 4. Jeremiah Keith, Maxwell, 92X100; 5. Tyler Kocian, Oak Creek 4-H, 91X100; 6. Carson Dettman, Merrick County 4-H, 91X100; 7. Ethan Rupprecht, Diller-Odell, 91X100; 8. Wyatt Schiermeyer, Fillmore Central, 91X100; 9. Jacob Frerichs, Franklin 4-H, 91X100; 10. Ryan Winkler, Crete, 91X100.
• Top Three Individual Girls – 1. Kelsie Harlan, Beatrice, 91X100; 2. Holley Pribyl, Dorchester, 86X100; 3. Anna Vasko, St. Columbkille, 85X100.
• Top Three 4-H Teams – 1. Republican Valley 4-H No. 2 (Dakota Lovett, Kevin Williams, Jacob Van Boening, Skylar Brumbaugh, and Matt Schwab), 413X500; 2. Karp and Krow 4-H No. 1, 409X500; 3. Republican Valley 4-H No. 3, 402X500.
• Top Three Girls Teams – 1. Burwell (Meranda Worden, Cella Packard, Hailey Kelly, Sadey Mitchell, and Ali Stout), 329X500; 2. Scott Middle School Pink, 319X500; 3. LaVista, 281X500.
• Top Six Teams – 1. Adams No. 1 (Hunter Hoatson, Dylan Siemers, Tylan Thompson, Drew Bailey, and Shane Mauch), 422X500; 2. Louisville No. 1, 410X100; 3. Crete No. 1, 405X500; 4. Scott Middle School Gold, 397X500; 5. Waverly No. 1, 395X500; 6. Fillmore Central No. 2, 395X500.

Nebraska Cornhusker Trapshoot Is April 28-30

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Shooting sports continue to grow in Nebraska. There is no better evidence than the Cornhusker Trapshoot, where a record of more than 1,900 shooters is expected for the April 28-30 event.
NGPC

The 42nd annual trapshoot will be held on the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA) in Doniphan, 3 miles south of Interstate 80 exit 312 on U.S. Highway 281. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the NTA are hosts.

Junior and senior high school trapshooters from Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, and South Dakota are expected to be among the competitors, with the overall champion winning the Cornhusker Cup. Zach Bryant of Lincoln Southwest High School shot a 196×200 to win the Cornhusker Cup in 2010, when a record 1,811 shooters participated.

Competition will take place in team and individual divisions. Junior high students will shoot on April 28 and high school students the following two days.

The Cornhusker Trapshoot began in 1970 with only two squads. The shoot now attracts more than 300 squads each year.

“It is like a prairie fire on the plains,” Shoot Director Terry Brentzel said of the increasing popularity of shooting sports in Nebraska. “It’s catching on so much, we have kids from the Missouri River to Scottsbluff competing. Creighton Prep has close to 100 kids shooting. Grand Island Northwest didn’t even have a team a few years ago and now had 75 kids.”

Safety is always the No. 1 concern. All competitors must be certified in hunter education. There are plenty of volunteers on hand to make sure the event runs smoothly and safely.

“Sport shooting is one of the safest sports available to children,” said Brentzel, a Game and Parks conservation officer from Doniphan. “It also is a sport that doesn’t favor one gender. Like boys, girls can be excellent shooters.”

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Turkey hunters gave it their best shot when the shotgun season opened April 16. Results were mixed, though, as the season opened on the heels of a spring storm that brought snow, rain and muddy and impassable roads across much of the state.

While access to hunting grounds was difficult to reach in much of the state, the weather improved once the season started.

Hunting pressure and success varied overall, according to reports by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers. In many cases, turkeys were not coming to the call, and they still were in groups. Few problems and no accidents were reported.

With plenty of turkeys available, hunters will have many opportunities to bag their limit this season. Hunters, including archers and youth, may hunt turkeys through May 31.

The following is a district summary of reports by officers:

• Southwest – Officers in the eastern portion of the district reported observing fewer hunters than in past openers. Many of the hunters who braved the sloppy roads were rewarded with a turkey. One officer checked 19 hunters with 11 turkeys. Most of the hunters were on or near Pressey Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Custer County. Those hunters represented seven states. Medicine Creek WMA in Frontier County had several hunters on the second day but limited success. Hunting pressure was fair and harvest slow throughout the rest of the district.
• Northeast – Much of the district had 4 to 6 inches of snow on the ground on opening morning. Good numbers of turkeys were observed, but they were inactive until temperatures rose in the afternoon. Hunting pressure was light in the areas of Niobrara, Santee and Verdigre. Nonresident hunters from Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Mississippi were checked. Hunters had better success on the second day.
• Northwest – Officers reported normal hunting pressure and fair success. Hunters saw plenty of birds. One officer checked 15 hunters – all nonresidents – on Clear Creek WMA on the opening day. Many nonresident hunters also were reported in the Pine Ridge.
• Southeast – There were few reports from this district but one noted few hunters in the field along the Platte River in Saunders, Douglas and Sarpy counties on April 17.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- It is the shotgunners’ turn to take to the woods when the spring shotgun turkey hunting season opens April 16. Hunters are expected to harvest good numbers of turkeys from the state’s ample population.

Archers have been hunting since March 25 and youth shotgunners since April 9. All spring turkey seasons close May 31.

Permits are $24 for Nebraska residents, $91 for nonresidents, and $6 for youth. They may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

A spring turkey permit is valid statewide and allows the harvest of turkeys with archery equipment during the archery season or with a shotgun during the shotgun season. Legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset and the bag limit is one male or bearded female turkey per permit. No hunter may have more than three spring turkey permits in a calendar year.

Youth permits are for those under the age of 16.

“The $6 youth permit is an affordable way to introduce children to a lifelong enjoyment of the sport and of the outdoors,” said Jeff Lusk, Game and Parks upland game program manager. “It was extremely popular in 2010, and we hope to see its popularity continue to grow.”

Another good season of turkey hunting is expected. In 2010, 24,182 turkeys were harvested during the spring, including 2,912 by youth. There were 30,693 spring turkey permits sold last year, as well as 6,210 youth permits. Youth permit sales had increased 124 percent from the year before.

The overall success rate for spring turkey hunters harvesting at least one turkey was 66.8 percent last year. The rate was 69.3 percent for regular permit holders and 46.9 for youth.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Where does the time go? We had our Lobby Day almost 2 weeks ago and this is the first chance I’ve had to send out a much needed update.

First I do need to thank the 40 members who came to the legislature and visited with their Senators. From what I have been told our visit was well received and Senators hope we can have an even larger number of people participate next year.

Please share this article with you friends and hunting/shooting buddies, the more people we have letting our Senators know how they feel about this legislation the higher the chance that our position will prevail.

LB 298 – Victim Protection Act
LB 298 the Victim Protection Act, is still tied up in the Judiciary Committee. Senator Mark Christensen was going to make this his priority bill but since the committee failed to take action on it he was forced to choose another bill (LB 648). There has been allot of work put into trying to get the committee to accept an amended version, but so far they have not been accommodating so far. But we did have 4 Senators that have signed on as Co-Sponsors of LB 298. So please send a note thanking the following Senators for signing on as Co-Sponsors of LB298, be sure to include Senator Mark Christensen for initially introducing and sponsoring LB298.

• Co-Sponsor Sen. Colby Coash ccoash@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Tony Fulton tfulton@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Dave Bloomfield dbloomfield@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh slautenbaugh@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Tyson Larson tlarson@leg.ne.gov
• Sponsor Sen. Mark Christensen mchristensen@leg.ne.gov

Anyway, now is the time to keep up the pressure on the Judiciary Committee. Be sure to email or call the other FIVE Senators below on the Judiciary Committee, urging their vote and support for LB298. We want LB298 moved to General File for discussion on the floor of the legislature “this session.”

Senators Coash, Lautenbaugh and Larson are “THREE” indicated below Co-Sponsors already on the Judiciary Committee. So we know we have at least three committee votes.

Judiciary Committee Members

• Sen. Brad Ashford, Chairperson bashford@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Colby Coash
• Sen. Brenda Council bcouncil@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Burke Harr bharr@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Tyson Larson
• Sen. Steve Lathrop slathrop@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh
• Sen. Amanda McGill amcgill@leg.ne.gov

Of course don’t forget to contact your Senator to get them to support LB 298 and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor, the more support shown for this bill the better chance we have of getting it out of the committee. If you need the contact information for your Senator you can find it here: www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php

Other Legislation we are tracking

• LR 40 CA The constitutional amendment to protect Hunting and Fishing has been placed on General file and made the Natural Resources Committee priority bill.
• LB442 the Outdoor Guide and License bill that we oppose has been indefinitely postponed by the Natural Resources Committee.
• LB 549 Introduced by Senator Brenda Council is still in committee and has been made the priority bill of Senator Chris Langemeier, this bill which the NFOA supports creates the Nebraska Youth Conservation Program which will get at risk youth involved with helping at our state parks. Any attempt to introduce our youth to the outdoors is something that can only be positive.
• LB697 that changes some hunting and fishing licensing rules, the NFOA is neutral on this bill, is out of committee with an amendment from the committee and referred to the floor of the legislature for debate.
• LB 41 which also makes some changes to hunting licensing rules the NFOA supports and it has also move to the second round of debate.
• LB 618 to allow off duty police to carry at schools has moved forward.
• LB 512 dealing with mental health records has moved to General File.
• LB 138 dealing with the 180 day waiting period to get a CCW sounds like it will move forward but the Judiciary Committee has been slow moving on things going forward
• LB 88 / LB 518 There is work ongoing to develop a bill that the Judiciary Committee will move forward. There is an offer on the table to reduce the sign size to 5×7 but require the mandatory placement, and some discussions on various changes to the punishment of a violation of the posting, the largest making it a non gun offense that does not cost you your CCW permit.
• LB 565 Senator Brad Ashford’s bill that places storage requirements on firearms, and creates the crime of “improper storage of a firearms” has it’s hear on March 17th

Then the problem bill LB 229 which strips 77 million from the Nebraska Environmental Trust over the next 11 years has also moved to the floor, and has been made the priority bill for Senator Tyson Larson from District 40. The NFOA has joined with the Nebraska Council of Sportsmen’s Clubs to strongly oppose this bill, it strip about 50% of the budget from the fund and gives that money over to a fund controlled by the Department of Natural Resources. This puts this money at the direct disposal of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and he can use it without public input and without review of the proposed uses, unlike how these funds are used by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Regards,

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

Ducks Unlimited

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Ducks Unlimited will host a special guest at the Nebraska state convention this weekend. U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (NE) is scheduled to attend and speak at the Saturday evening banquet.

“Sen. Nelson is a lifelong hunter who has been an asset to conservation in Nebraska and the nation,” DU Manager of Conservation Programs Steve Donovan said. “Sen. Nelson is a crucial advocate for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conservation activities, wetland protection programs in the Farm Bill, and for the North Americans Wetlands Conservation Act. We are honored to have the senator speak at our state convention.”

Nelson is a member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, which was formed to advance and protect the interests of sportsmen across the country. The Sportsmen’s Caucus provides a network of political leaders and allies of the outdoors that can quickly take action when conservation or hunting or fishing rights are threatened. Nelson was chairman of the group from 2009 -2010.

Nelson, who has been a member of DU for seven years, has won both the domestic Grand Slam and international World Slam for wild turkeys and has hunted on a safari in Africa.

About:
Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. Visit www.ducks.org

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE --(Ammoland.com)- This is a reminder that, thanks to the assistance of the staff of Senator Lautenbaugh, we have a room to meet up and to organize in the capital.

Through out the morning several Senators and our Attorney General Jon Bruning will be stopping in to say hello.

At the capital, we will present a summary of the firearms-related bills being discussed in the Legislature. We can also assist you in finding who your Senator is and where their office is located.

Then you can stop by to introduce yourself and to let them know how you feel about the bills currently being worked on by our elected officials.

In order for this event to be successful we need your participation, so please come out to see us next Monday, and bring a friend or family member if you can!

Room information:

• Date: Monday February 28th, 2011
• Time: From 9:00 to 11:00
• Room 1113 Nebraska State Capital, Lincoln, NE

This is a very busy year for us in the Nebraska Legislature.  Most years we see a half dozen bills dealing with firearms issues and another half dozen that deal with our enjoyment of the outdoors.  This year, however, there are 12 bills and legislative resolutions that deal directly with firearms and another 25 that deal with the outdoors or other related issues.

The NFOA has been focusing our involvement on 24 of the bills that have been proposed.  A complete listing of the bills can be found in the members only section of the forum and we will soon have a bill breakdown available for download that we will also be distributing at the Lobby Day on February 28th.

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners on Friday voted to expand the grouse-hunting season starting in 2011.

This year’s grouse season will be Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012. Regulations previously called for the season to open on the Saturday nearest Sept. 15.

By making the change, Game and Parks is providing more hunting opportunity for a lightly hunted species and is aligning the dove and grouse season openers on a common date.

The board also approved a revised Focus on Pheasants plan. The plan seeks to create new focus areas and incentive programs to promote habitat improvements and to work with biologists to maximize effectiveness of habitat program delivery within those areas.

Also, the plan hopes to continue researching the amount of habitat needed to establish and maintain a huntable pheasant population, and it will try to secure more pheasant habitat through U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs.

Commissioners also approved the funding of $254,383.60 for eight grants through the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program, which addresses the needs of declining fish and wildlife populations. Game and Parks allocates part of its annual SWG funding, distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to other conservation entities on a competitive basis, with awardees required to provide a one-to-one match. The awarded projects must be deemed a priority in assisting Game and Parks in implementing the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan.

In other action, the board approved:

• Six grant applications for $658,350 in federal funding from the 2011 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) apportionment. The funds will be used by Game and Parks to administer the RTP and for educational projects, for trail signage by the City of Wayne, trail construction by the City of Deshler, Game and Parks’ renovation of the Cowboy Trail near Norfolk, and renovation of the Bison Trail by the City of Lincoln.
• Rankings of two 2011 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant applications totaling $90,000. Final approval would come from the National Park Service. Projects include a park renovation by the City of Bellevue and a swimming pool renovation by the Village of Hildreth.
• An easement to the Rural Healthcare Network of Nebraska at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area for designing and building a fiber optic network that will connect several hospitals and healthcare clinics and provide technology and capabilities to the hospitals and residents of rural Nebraska.
• Changes to the policy and procedures of the Nebraska Hunter and Bow Hunter Education programs.
• The relocation of 100 black-tailed prairie dogs from Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge to Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary in Rock County.
• Elected Mick Jensen, Chairman; Ron Stave, Vice Chairman; and Norris Marshall, 2nd Vice Chairman.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Eight hunting-related incidents were reported to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 2010, including one that resulted in a death.

Of the incidents, two involved the discharge of a rifle, two involved the discharge of a shotgun, two involved the discharge of a muzzleloader, and one each involved the discharge of a handgun and a fall from an elevated stand.

Injuries were self-inflicted in five incidents and caused by someone else in three.

In four incidents, the cause was careless handling of a firearm and in one each the cause was victim covered by shooter swinging on game, victim in line of fire, dropped firearm, and fall from an elevated stand.

“All of these incidents were preventable,” said Mike Streeter, Nebraska hunter education coordinator.

In the fatal incident last October in Washington County, the 14-year-old shooter was following the 38-year-old victim down a trail. The shooter was carrying a loaded, capped, cocked muzzleloader as he crossed a log. The muzzleloader discharged into the victim’s back.

Hunting incidents resulting in injury or death are rare in Nebraska. The injury rate per 1,000 hunters commonly is lower than .01 percent. Nebraska has about 170,000 hunters each year, and, over the past 10 years, there have been nearly 12 incidents a year. There were 12 incidents, including two fatalities, in 2009.

“Hunting safety is a concern for everyone and Nebraska hunters do an excellent job of ensuring safety each year,” Streeter said. “Safe hunting is no accident. Follow the rules of safe hunting and enjoy the great outdoors in Nebraska.”

For a list of available hunter education classes in Nebraska or to view a full report on the Nebraska 2010 Hunting Incident Report, visit huntsafenebraska.org.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Waterfowl hunters are invited to give their input on possible boundary changes to duck zones and goose units, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Hunters have two options for giving input: attend one of several public meetings around the state or download a survey from www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting.asp.

“It’s an opportunity to gather some input and see if there are changes out there that guys want to see made,” said Mark Vrtiska, Game and Parks waterfowl program manager.

“If you don’t want a change, that’s just as important as if you do want a change, so I need to have that input as well.”

In accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rules, boundary changes may be made every five years. Any changes would be in effect for the 2011-2012 waterfowl hunting seasons.

The following is a list of the public meetings, all starting at 7 p.m.:

• Jan. 10 – Lincoln, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St.
• Jan. 11 – Omaha, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District office, 8901 St. 154th St.
• Jan. 12 – Auburn, Nemaha County Fairgrounds 4-H building, 816 I St.
• Jan. 13 – Columbus, Izaak Walton League, 3521 9th St. South
• Jan. 17 – Alma, Johnson Community Center, 509 Main St.
• Jan. 18 – Bridgeport, Prairie Winds Center, 428 N. Main St.
• Jan. 24 – Valentine, Niobrara Lodge, 803 E. U.S. Highway 20
• Jan. 25 – O’Neill, Cubby’s Godfather’s Pizza Express, 204 E. U.S. Highway 20
• Jan. 26 – Albion, Cornerstone Bank, 240 S. 3rd St.
• Jan. 27 – Ponca, Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26E
• Jan. 31 – Kearney, Mitzi’s Pavilion at Yanney Heritage Park, 2020 W. 11th St.
• Feb. 1 – North Platte, North Platte Police Department, 715 S. Jeffers.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- James N. Douglas has been named deputy director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by Director Rex Amack. Douglas has served the agency as administrator of the Wildlife Division since 1994.

“Jim Douglas has demonstrated outstanding skills in planning, administration, personnel management, and budgeting,” Amack said.

“He has broad-based experiences and proven abilities to effectively interact with the Board of Commissioners, staff, governmental entities, and conservation partners in working to meet the Commission’s mission.”

Amack said Douglas’ appointment to the newly created position is effective immediately.

“I look forward to working with Director Amack, our commissioners, staff, and partners to meet the many complex challenges that face our agency in managing Nebraska’s wildlife and parkland resources,” said Douglas, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology and a Master of Arts in Management.

Douglas has served the agency in various capacities since beginning with Game and Parks’ Fisheries Division in 1974.

Deer Hunting Now Better than the Good Ol' Days

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Nebraska’s November firearm deer harvest set a record this fall, rising 18 percent over last year, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The 2010 November firearm deer harvest was 63,300, compared to 53,767 in 2009. Most of the increase is from antlerless white-tailed deer harvest, as 21,000 bonus antlerless white-tailed deer tags were added this year.

Good weather benefited hunters and farmers as the corn harvest was nearly complete at the start of the November firearm season, compared to 2009 when more than half of the crop was still in the field at the start of the season.

The following are harvest figures for each region of the state, with the percentage increase from 2009:

• Panhandle (District I) – 6,580, 9 percent
• north-central (District II) – 11,885, 13 percent
• northeast (District III) – 13,791, 32 percent
• southwest (District IV) – 7,042, 20 percent
• southeast (District V) – 13,709, 11 percent
• south-central (District VI) – 10,325, 13 percent

“This is a good step toward our goal of a 25-percent reduction in the deer herd in eastern Nebraska over the next 3 years,” said Kit Hams, big game program manager for Game and Parks.

“The use of Earn-a-Buck rules on Elkhorn and Wahoo permits and the October firearm antlerless season (3,000 deer harvested) in 2010 have both been successful in increasing doe harvest.”

Earn-a-Buck rules required hunters to check in an antlerless deer before or at the same time they checked a buck.

Assuming normal harvest rates during archery, muzzleloader and January antlerless seasons, hunters should harvest about 90,000 deer in Nebraska for the 2010 seasons, compared to the previous record of 80,400 in 2008 and 78,000 last year.

Nebraska has enjoyed excellent deer hunting the past three years, with record harvest numbers and record deer. A state record nontypical white-tailed deer was taken last year in Richardson County. A potential state record typical white-tailed deer was harvested this November north of Seward.

Nebraska Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 30

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(Ammoland.com)- Pheasant hunting season opens across the state on Oct. 30, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Pheasant abundance appears to be high in southwest Nebraska, according to Game and Parks’ 2010 Upland Game Hunting Outlook. Combined with public access, this region should offer excellent pheasant hunting opportunities. The outlook is based on surveys and input from biologists and staff.

According to the outlook, the abundance of pheasants in Nebraska this year is highest in the southwest, followed by the Sandhills, central, northeast, Panhandle, and southeast regions. Overall, the abundance statewide is slightly lower than in 2009.

Pheasant season is an excellent opportunity for experienced hunters to introduce the activity to a person who never has hunted or reintroduce it to someone who has not hunted in many years.

The pheasant season ends Jan. 31, 2011. Only rooster pheasants may be taken. The daily bag limit is three birds and the possession limit is 12.

The quail and partridge seasons also are Oct. 30-Jan. 31.

All upland bird hunters, except for residents under age 16, are required to have a Nebraska hunting license and a habitat stamp. An annual permit costs $14 for residents and $81 for nonresidents. The annual habitat stamp is $20.

Hunters should review the 2010 Nebraska Public Access Atlas, which includes Conservation Reserve Program-Management Access Program lands, as well as Open Fields and Waters program lands, and other public hunting lands.

Permits and stamps may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Good news for Nebraska grouse hunters this fall. The hunting season for this upland game species will be a month longer than in past years.

Grouse hunting season opens in Nebraska on Sept. 18 and runs through Jan. 31, 2011. This aligns the season with the close of pheasant and quail seasons and allows more opportunities for late-season mixed bag hunting of all three species.

Grouse may be hunted statewide, but a free special permit is required for hunting east of U.S. Highway 81 (east zone).

Approximately 90 special permits remain for hunting in the east zone. They are limited to one per hunter and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To request a special permit, call Game and Parks at (402) 471-5597, visit the Lincoln headquarters, or send a postcard to: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Attn: Grouse Permits, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503.

The postcard must include the following: name, address, date of birth, telephone number, and 2010 hunting permit number or lifetime hunting permit number. Residents ages 12 to 15 must submit a hunter education number. Those not required to purchase a hunting permit must provide documentation of such exemption.

The daily bag and possession limits in the east zone are three birds. The daily bag and possession limits west of U.S. 81 (west zone) are three and 12, respectively.

A Nebraska hunting permit and habitat stamp are required of all grouse hunters in the state, except residents younger than 16 years.

Nebraska hunting permits and stamps may be purchased at Game and Parks offices and OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Fall Turkey Season Opens Sept. 15

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Fall turkey season opens Sept. 15 across Nebraska, and hunters of all ages have the opportunity to pursue the abundant gobblers.

Getting new hunters into the field could be even easier this year, however, as reduced-price permits are available for youth.

Fall turkey permits are $24 for residents, $91 for nonresidents and $6 for youth younger than 16 years (residents and nonresidents), including issuing fee. The reduced-price youth permits were a big success during the spring turkey season, when youth permit sales more than doubled from the previous spring.

Adult and youth hunters may shoot turkeys through Dec. 31 with either archery equipment or shotgun. A fall turkey or youth fall turkey permit allows the take of two turkeys with either archery equipment or shotgun. Permits are unlimited in number, but no hunter may have more than two fall turkey permits.

The bag limit is two turkeys per permit.

Turkey hunters are required to wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange on their head, chest and back when hunting during the November firearm deer season, which is Nov. 13-21.

Nebraska Fall Turkey Season Guide

Permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Deer Exchange Available Again in 2010

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- Hunters again will be able to provide deer meat to anyone willing to accept it, thanks to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission program.

Nebraska has an ample deer population, as well as many hunting opportunities. The Deer Exchange is designed to accommodate the additional harvest of deer. Hunters who have filled their freezers may still bag a deer and have somewhere to take the meat.

Deer Exchange participants may register by visiting OutdoorNebraska.org, and then selecting Hunting, Programs, and then the Deer Exchange Program link.

Here is how the free program, which runs through March 1, 2011, works: Donors and recipients of deer meat register, search a database for participants in their area, and then make contact by telephone to set up the transfer of deer meat. Deer meat may not be sold.

The recipient may accept field dressed deer, skinned and boned deer, or wrapped and frozen deer meat. The donor is responsible for properly field dressing and checking the deer before transfer.

Game and Parks is not responsible for the quality of the meat or failure of the donor or recipient to follow through with the transfer. The agency provides the necessary transfer cards online.

Other benefits of the program include:

• Venison is a good source of protein in a diet.
• The interaction increases communication between hunters and nonhunters.
• Opportunities exist to recruit new hunters.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is using a new online tool designed to increase hunter access to land where landowners seek more antlerless deer hunters.

The Antlerless Deer Hunter Program allows hunters to register online and landowners to scan the database for hunters in their area, then contact them by telephone or e-mail.

This program is available at OutdoorNebraska.org. Click on Hunting, Programs and then Antlerless Deer Hunter Program to access it, or go directly to http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/programs.asp.

“We hear from many hunters who have difficulty finding land to hunt,” said Kit Hams, big game program manager with Game and Parks.

“We also hear from landowners who say hunters only want to shoot bucks or they do not feel comfortable telling hunters to shoot does. This program has the potential to address both problems with a mutually beneficial solution.”

Hunters provide the following when they register: name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, counties and months in which they are willing to hunt, preferred weapons, and the number of deer they want to harvest.

Landowners search the database by county and can see the hunters’ first name, contact information and hunting preferences (county, month, weapon).

“With 136 days of deer seasons and 250,000 permits and bonus tags that allow antlerless deer harvest, we have more than enough days and permits to control deer herds,” Hams said. “This is one more tool to help.”

Nebraska Dove Hunting Season Begins Sept. 1

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(Ammoland.com)- Dove hunting season begins soon, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reminders for hunters of these migratory birds.

• Hunting Season – Doves may be hunted statewide. The season is Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, with daily bag and possession limits of 15 and 30, respectively. Bag limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared doves in aggregate. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

Game and Parks’ board of commissioners will consider at its Aug. 31 meeting a proposal to extend the hunting season of Eurasian collared doves to year-round.

• Requirements – Nebraska residents 16 years and older and all nonresidents are required to have a 2010 Nebraska hunting permit, a habitat stamp and a 2010 Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. Register at nehip.com or call toll-free (877) NEHUNTS. A federal migratory bird stamp is not required.
• Banding – Hunters who find a band on a dove should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banding office toll-free at (800) 327-BAND or report it at reportband.gov.
• Wing study – Some hunters will be asked to save a wing from each dove during the first week of the season and mail the wings postage-free to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters using public areas also may be asked to provide dove wings on-site as part of the monitoring effort. Data from the wings will be used to estimate annual productivity of the dove population.
• Scouting – Hunters should get out into the field and scout many potential hunting sites.

Jeff Lusk, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, says sunflower, millet and wheat fields have been planted at several wildlife management areas (WMA) across the state. Planting and weather conditions may have reduced seed production in some plots.

Go to http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/guides/upland_game/Dove/pdf/2010%20Mourning%20Dove%20Hunting%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf to view the 2010 Mourning Dove Hunting Fact Sheet. The sheet includes a list of wildlife management areas that should provide good hunting opportunities.

Permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE, –-(AmmoLand.com)- Saturday September 11th, 2010 Host: Grand Island Rifle Club 4692 W. Old Potash Hwy Grand Island, Nebraska

Agenda

• 10am- Setup. If you want to help out with preparation for the meeting , I can sure use some help
• 11am- Social hour commences after the flag is raised.
• Opening – US Flag raising. We have a Cub Scout pack conducting the flag raising for us.
• Noon – Catered meal by Whitefoot Market. Choice of 2 meats, with two sides and drinks .

$10 per person – Preregistration is required. Caterer needs a head count before Sept 1st Sign up on the forum http://www.nebraskafirepower.com/forum/index.php or by sending a check to: NFOA Meeting Preregistration PO box 419 Syracuse NE 68446

• 1pm- Member meeting. Discussion of the upcoming election for NFOA board of directors. Information on how to vote. Nominations for NFOA Board from the floor. Discussion of strategies for 2011 Legislative session.
• 2pm- US Flag retirement ceremony in honor of the lives lost on September 11th 2001. Conducted by Cub Scout pack 375 from Elkhorn, NE.

Please bring your retired US flags to the event for proper disposal. If you are like me, I have been flying the colors 24/7 – 365 since 9/11, and I have a large number of flags that require a dignified retirement. I included this to honor the fallen of the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001.

After the flag retirement is completed, any remaining flags will be properly retired by NFOA members of the American Legion.

• 3pm- Close . We will have ranges available for shooting rifle, pistol and shotgun. Events TBA. NRA certified range officers will be present. Bring your guns and ammo. Due to firearms being present, no alcohol will be allowed at this event.

Come enjoy the company, honor the sacrifices of 9/11 and Take a stand with the NFOA.

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

Cabelas.com

SIDNEY, Neb. --(Ammoland.com)- World’s Foremost Bank, a subsidiary of Cabela’s Incorporated (NYSE: CAB) and the issuer of Cabela’s CLUB Visa credit card, presented today a $30,000 donation to the Sidney New Neighborhood Initiative, a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the City of Sidney that helps fund the development of affordable single-family housing.

Homes built in the development are available to qualified buyers at prices tens of thousands of dollars below their value, thanks to incentives from the State of Nebraska, Mesner Development and the Sidney Economic Development Fund. Additional discounts, in the form of down payment assistance grants, are also available to buyers based on financial need. The World’s Foremost Bank donation will be applied toward the income-based assistance.

“This generous donation from World’s Foremost Bank will make it possible for valuable members of Sidney’s workforce to qualify for affordable housing,” said Gary Person, Sidney city manager. “It will also allow the city to use project-designated funds to further the development in other ways, like cultivating green space.”

Ralph Castner, Cabela’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, presented a check to Gary Person and Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Megan McGown during an event held in the new neighborhood on Dailey Drive in the Cottonwood subdivision on the eastern edge of Sidney.

The Cheyenne County Chamber also played a significant role in the city’s grant application process, which ultimately led to Sidney being selected, as one of only three such communities in the state, to receive assistance from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Community Development Block Grant to fund the development. The first phase of the development will include 24 single-family units, both homes and townhomes, each featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplace, a basement, a spacious backyard and a two-car garage.

“As Cabela’s continues to grow, we want to see our hometown community grow with us,” Castner said. “World’s Foremost Bank is fortunate to be in the position to give back to the City of Sidney and we’re happy this donation will directly benefit the town’s hardworking people.”

For more information about the Sidney New Neighborhood Initiative, visit www.cityofsidney.org.

About Cabela’s Incorporated
Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter. Through Cabela’s growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela’s also issues the Cabela’s CLUB Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela’s stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAB.”

Open House At The Ducks Unlimited Youth Tract

Ducks Unlimited

CLAY CENTER, NE --(Ammoland.com)- July 12, 2010 – Ducks Unlimited is hosting a free, weekend-long family-oriented event at the Verona Youth Tract in Clay County, NE, that will feature fun, food and learning about the outdoors.

This event is a great chance for youth, their parents and family members to experience ATV rides in the wetlands, target practice with BB guns and exploring the “duck soup” that features all the bugs that live in wetlands and ducks find delectable. “Big Red,” a huge wetlands tractor, will be on display and will give attendees rides.

DU staff will be serving food and cold drinks at the event. There will be many educational opportunities at the two-day event with DU biologists and engineers on-hand to speak about the importance of wetlands and wild places for people and wildlife alike.

When: Saturday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to sundown; Sunday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: From Clay Center, drive three miles east on Highway 41, then go two miles north on County Road Q, then travel ¾ mile east on County Road 315.

From the north, take I-80 to Exit 332, go south on Highway 14 for 16 miles, cross Highway 6, continue two miles south, turn east on County Road 315 for ¾ mile.

If you have questions please contact -

• Steve Donovan: 308-383-8075
• Dianne Kelly: 308-384-2788

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres, thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Nebraska --(AmmoLand.com)- It’s a big game hunter’s second favorite time of year – the time when big game permits go on sale.

Hunters can get an early start on making their fall plans and begin daydreaming about cool, crisp November mornings just as the steamy hot weather of summer hits its stride.

Right now big game hunting in Nebraska is the best it’s ever been.  The state has record populations of deer, turkey and even elk.  Deer and turkey permits are easy to get, and with $5 youth permits for both species available, aspiring young hunters can become part of the trips afield.

Those hunters hoping to harvest something to hang on their wall will be pleased by the fact that the average age of our bucks has increased in recent years, with 30% of the bucks taken in 2009 being age 3 or older.

A new October 2-11 antlerless firearm season has also been added for 60% of the state, with $10 permits for residents and $55 permits for nonresidents. The January firearm antlerless season has also been extended for 9 days.

Archers will be happy to note the minimum draw weight for bows has been removed, and archery equipment can now be used to fill firearm permits.

Another extra perk to deer hunting in Nebraska is the fact that a majority of our deer permits include an antlerless bonus tags. Statewide archery and muzzleloader permits, as well as many firearm units and most season choice units, offer a bonus tag. Enjoy the hunting, but don’t need the extra meat? Our Deer Exchange program is available to help share the venison.

2010 antelope permits are still available to both residents and nonresidents. A limited number of resident landowner elk permits remain as well.

So start making plans and lining up your permits today.  We encourage you to become familiar with the changes noted in the 2010 Big Game Guide, including the new Earn-A-Buck units (Elkhorn and Wahoo Firearm) and the Mule Deer Conservation area.  Click here to purchase your permits

Super Tag Lottery (Nebraska residents only) Also new in 2010 is a Super Tag Lottery that is open to Nebraska residents. The tag includes one permit for elk, antelope and deer, and two permits for turkey (Spring or Fall seasons).

Once-in-a-lifetime bull elk permit holders are eligible to participate in this lottery.

The application period for this tag is open now through July 7, with an application fee of $25. (One entry per person.) The winner will be drawn at the July meeting of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and will have two years (2010 and 2011) to fill the permits.

Click here to enter the Super Tag Lottery in the Big Game Permits section of the permitting system. (After creating your profile, select the “Multi-Species” button. Scroll to find the 2010 Nebraska Resident-Super Tag Lottery-Multi Species option; click the green check-mark button in the “Select” box on the far right-hand side.)