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 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 Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The public is invited to attend the free Nebraska Outdoor Expo on May 15 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The fourth annual expo, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., is designed to meet the needs of anyone interested in outdoor lifestyles, regardless of age or experience, through a variety of hands-on activities, demonstrations and interactive displays.

New attractions in 2010 include nationally known hunting experts, hands-on bow fishing, youth Discovery Zone, and a Marketplace showcasing outdoor-related vendors and exhibitors.

Visit http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/outdoorsexpo/ for more information. A park entry permit is required for the event.

Possible Record Nebraska Buck - Pic: NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Richardson County, Nebraska --(AmmoLand.com)- Practically every deer hunter walking into Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium this week wants to see the picture.

They’ve already heard about the buck through online hunting forums, text messages or word-of-mouth. They know it was checked in at the aquarium.

So far, no one has been disappointed, said Tony

Korth, aquarium director at Schramm Park near Gretna.

“Everybody’s saying ‘state record’ right now,” Korth said Wednesday. “It’s hard to say.”

The 38-point whitetail generating the buzz was shot Saturday by a 24-year-old Texan hunting on private land in Richardson County. On Wednesday, Wes O’Brien told the Journal Star his trophy has received a preliminary score of 281.

The rack’s official score won’t be determined for 60 days. During the so-called drying period, antlers will shrink a little.

So it remains to be seen if the O’Brien buck will top a famous set of antlers from a deer killed 47 years ago in Hall County by bowhunter Del Austin of Hastings. Commonly called “Old Mossy Horns,” the Austin buck scored 279 7/8 , ranking it not only first in Nebraska, but a world record for a whitetail taken by archery.

“I don’t care if he doesn’t get any records. He’s amazing to me,” O’Brien said of his deer.

Read full story….

Hat Tip: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Nebraska pheasant hunters should look forward to a good season of wing shooting in 2009 when the opener arrives Oct. 31.

Wildlife surveys in the spring and summer have indicated a statewide increase in pheasant abundance compared to 2008, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. A generally mild winter, then a warm spring, provided favorable conditions for the over-winter survival and subsequent pheasant production.

Hunters should note that lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)-Management Access Program (MAP) have changed, especially in northeast Nebraska. Because of that, hunters are advised to scout areas to ensure they still will be available to hunt. They also should review the 2009 Nebraska Public Access Atlas, which includes CRP-MAP lands, as well as the new Open Fields and Waters program, and other public hunting lands.

According to the April and July Rural Mail Carrier Surveys, regional pheasant numbers were highest in the Southwest, Northeast and Panhandle pheasant regions. The population in the Southwest was particularly good, and Commission staff believes hunting should be good in most areas of the Southwest.

In the Northeast region, frequent observations of broods have been made in areas with permanent grasslands, such as CRP land.

Increased rainfall in the Panhandle had improved habitat conditions throughout the region, but there is more access for hunting in the northern Panhandle.

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, 2010. Only rooster pheasants may be taken. The daily bag limit is three birds and the possession limit is 12.

All pheasant 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 $16.

The youth pheasant season is Oct. 24-25, with a bag limit of two and possession limit of four. Hunters in this season must be less than 16 years of age. Birds taken during the youth season do not count against the youth’s possession limit during the regular season.

A mentoring opportunity exists in the youth season for adults who want to teach youths how to hunt safely and responsibly. Adults accompanying youth hunters may not shoot pheasants during a youth season hunt.

All hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private land.

Permits and stamps may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Nebraskans are reminded to think safety first when hunting doves this fall.

Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has suggestions for a safe and successful hunt:

– Wear hunter orange to and from your favorite stand and hang some hunter orange around the site to let others know your location.

– Each year someone is injured when a hunter fires at a low-flying dove and strikes another hunter hiding on the other side of the field. Know your target and what is beyond it.

– Watch the muzzle and never point it at anyone.

– Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

– Stay calm and take your time to set up shots. You never will hit a dove if you rush the shot. Use an open choke and let the doves get as close as possible to make good, planned shots. The best shot size for this is 7½ or smaller.

– Bring water to drink and avoid dehydration.

– Use a folding stool to sit on to reduce exposure to insects, such as spiders, chiggers and ticks. Use an insect repellent with DEET. This will make you more comfortable and increase your ability to sit still for long periods of time. Doves key off movement, so keep movement, such as fending off insects, to a minimum.

Dove season opens Sept. 1. Hunting permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Dove hunters, except Nebraska residents under age 16, require a free Harvest Information Program number. Visit nehip.com or call toll-free (877) 634-8687 to obtain one. A Nebraska waterfowl stamp is not required. Shotguns must be restricted to hold no more than three shells.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting requests for special grouse permits. These permits are free and required for anyone who hunts grouse east of U.S. Highway 81 this fall.

The hunting season is Sept. 12 – Dec. 31. A Nebraska hunting permit is required of anyone who hunts grouse in the state.

There are 400 of the special permits available for hunting east of U.S. 81. The permits are limited to one per hunter and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To request a special permit, call the Commission 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 should include name, address and 2009 hunting permit number or Lifetime Hunting Permit number. Residents ages 12 to 15 must submit Hunter Education certification number. Those not required to purchase a hunting permit must provide documentation of such exemption.

Hunting permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Nebraska – -(AmmoLand.com)- Mild temperatures make it an excellent time to take advantage of Nebraska’s exciting, affordable outdoor recreation.

It’s June – one of the best times to enjoy the Nebraska outdoors!

The weather is warm, but not hot; the fishing is plentiful; the parks are lush and green; and a multitude of opportunities for fun and adventure present themselves.

Whether you want to get away from it all for an evening, a day, a weekend, or longer, Nebraska offers a wide range of locations and outdoor pursuits that appeal to everyone.  Best of all – Nebraska has consistently been noted as one of the least expensive places to visit in the U.S.  (AAA 2008 Vacation Costs Survey.)

Relax on the water or in the shade at our scenic state parks.  Teach the kids, grandkids or spouse how to fish in our lakes.  Learn about history and the natural world in our state historical parks, fish hatcheries or visitor centers.  Or just watch the world – and the wildlife – go by from your cabin, tent or RV.

Even dedicated hunters can make use of the summer to scout possible locations to visit in the fall.  (Or, you could just relax and enjoy yourself!)

Best of all, to help make planning your next Nebraska getaway even easier, we have a wealth of information and resources on our website:

• Take video tours of our park areas across the state.
• Find your nearest fishing hole and view fish stocking reports.
• Learn about canoe trails and find outfitters.
• Check out our calendar of events (click on the Outdoor Calendar and a specific day for information).
• Get season dates for upcoming hunting seasons.
• Make camping, cabin and lodging reservations.
• Purchase fishing, park and hunting permits.

Visit our website, do some research and start planning your next outdoor Nebraska adventure today.  Nebraska’s popular attractions and hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered!