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 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 Game and Parks Commission

Nebraska --(AmmoLand.com)- Here in Nebraska, the hills are alive…..with the sound of turkeys!

And so are the valleys, fields, pastures and every place in between for that matter.

It’s spring in Nebraska and Tom Turkey is king of the outdoors!

In case visions of deer, pheasant and waterfowl are still on your mind, we thought we’d give you a quick list of 10 reasons why you should be hunting turkeys in Nebraska right now:

It's Time to Talk Turkey!

Strength in Numbers. Wants lots of opportunity to hunt? Then you want a place with lots of birds – and that place would be Nebraska! Our turkey population has absolutely exploded in recent years, with triple digit populations gains in almost every area of the state.

Location, Location, Location! Turkeys can be found all across the state, in every county and region. River drainage areas boast some of the highest density of turkeys, but the breakup of flocks and spring mating season mean that toms are on the move and looking for love.

The Season is Long. Archery season is already underway and the regular shotgun season opens April 17. Both run through May 31 (Memorial Day), so you have time to enjoy multiple hunting trips. Click here for details.

$5 Permits for Those 15 and Under. Got a budding hunter at home? Bring them along! Nebraska’s unique combination of no minimum age for turkey hunters and $5 youth turkey tags makes it easy to provide some great ‘first hunt’ opportunities for aspiring young hunters. To learn more, click here.

Getting a Permit is Easy. Permits are available online 24/7, are valid statewide, and you can have up to three of them. What could be simpler?

Archery or Shotgun – Your Choice. You can use either weapon to fill your permit, without having to specify it ahead of time.

Three Subspecies to Hunt. Nebraska is home to Merriam’s in the western Pine Ridge, Rio Grande in the southern sections of the state and the Eastern subspecies in the east and central regions. Three subspecies and three permits per hunter…..no coincidence there!

We Can Jumpstart Your Hunt. Our website is a great source of information on public hunting lands, places to stay, hunting regulations, outfitters or other information to plan your hunting trip.

The Odds Are Good. A record 22,000 turkeys were harvested last spring, with shotgun success rates of 68% and archery success rates of 48%, both among the highest in the nation.

The Fun Factor. Whether it’s calling in a big tom, seeing a youngster bag their first bird or watching the woods wake up in the morning, nothing beats being outdoors. Whatever you like most, you can experience it here.

So what are you waiting for? The gobbling has started! Get your gear, your favorite call and head for Nebraska. And those visions of deer, pheasant and waterfowl? Hold on to ‘em – fall will be here before you know it.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- A turkey hunting seminar is scheduled for April 14 at the Lincoln Izaak Walton League, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The 6 p.m. event is open to the first 100 registrants.

Before the seminar, participants may pattern their shotgun and tune up their turkey calls from 4:30-6 p.m. They should bring their shotgun, at least five rounds of their favorite turkey load and their favorite turkey call.

Turkey hunting season begins March 25 for archers and youth archers.

To register, contact Heather Weihe at heather.weihe@nebraska.gov.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Hunters under age 16 may take advantage of the new $5 youth turkey permits when the season opens March 25, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The season opens April 17 for shotgunners and April 10 for youth shotgunners. All spring turkey seasons close May 31.

In the past, youth hunters paid the same price as adults for a turkey permit. The new low-cost permits are designed to attract more youth to turkey hunting. The youth permits are for hunters under age 16 on the opening day of the youth archery season. All turkey hunters, except residents under age 16, require a Nebraska Habitat Stamp.

The 2010 permit prices, not including issuing fees, are: resident turkey, $23; resident youth turkey, $5; nonresident turkey, $90; and nonresident youth turkey, $5.

There is another permit change for 2010. In the past, spring hunters who wanted to hunt turkeys with a bow and shotgun had to purchase separate archery and shotguns permits. Those hunters now need just a single turkey permit, which allows taking turkeys with a bow in the archery season and a shotgun in the shotgun season.

Also new for 2010, restrictions on draw weight of archery equipment have been lifted.

A hunter still may have up to three spring turkey permits. The bag limit is one male or bearded female turkey per permit.

Permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb --(AmmoLand.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners on Friday adopted regulations designed to increase the harvest of antlerless white-tailed deer in 2010.

A record deer harvest was expected in 2009, but a late crop harvest, a cold winter with record snowfall and low interest in the October Antlerless season resulted in an antlerless white-tailed deer harvest that fell below objectives.

In 2009, 29,711 antlerless whitetails were harvested. The goal for this year is 42,000.

Commission deer management goals are to reduce white-tailed deer populations, especially in eastern Nebraska, and along the major river corridors, and to allow mule deer populations to increase in eastern and southwestern mule deer units.

Among the deer regulations the board adopted at its regular meeting in Lincoln are:

• Expanding the October Antlerless season – The season is lengthened from three days to 10, and the hunting area is expanded. The hunting area includes land in the following Season Choice Areas: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 River, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. An unlimited number of permits, which allow the harvest of two antlerless whitetails each, will cost $10 for residents, $54 for nonresidents. Hunter orange no longer is required of archers during the October Antlerless season, but the requirement remains in place for firearm hunters.
• Earn-a-Buck – This tool, designed to increase doe harvest, requires hunters with Elkhorn and Wahoo unit November firearm permits to check in a doe before or at the same time as they check in a buck. The November firearm season will be extended two days for hunters in these units.
• Mule Deer Conservation Area – The area is comprised of the Buffalo, Frenchman, Republican, and Platte units. The only hunters who may harvest a mule deer buck are youth, landowners and those with the new Republican mule deer buck, Buffalo, Platte, or Frenchman permits. These permits allow harvest in archery, muzzleloader and November firearms seasons. Restricted statewide buck, archery and muzzleloader permits will not be valid for mule deer bucks in the Mule Deer Conservation Area.
• Establishing new Season Choice Areas – The following Season Choice Areas are established within existing areas: SCA 8 West, SCA 9 North, SCA 9 River, SCA 17 White River, SCA 24 River, and SCA 25 North. These are intended to allow for additional pressure on white-tailed deer in riparian areas and to allow for mule deer doe harvest where needed.
• Expanding January late antlerless season – The season is lengthened from 15 to 24 days and begins Dec. 26. Hunter orange is required for archers.
• Using bow with firearm permits – Archery equipment will be allowed as a legal weapon on firearm permits in November and January. Hunter orange is required.
• Establishing new Statewide Whitetail Buck permit – This permit will be unlimited in number and valid in archery, muzzleloader and November firearm seasons. The bag limit will be one whitetail buck and one antlerless whitetail. The permit price is $72.50 for residents, $521 for nonresidents.

More permits available – An additional 45,000 antlerless permits and bonus tags will be available statewide.

Regulation changes to antelope hunting include increasing the landowner quotas from 20 percent of general tags to 50 percent, making electronic checking available for archery and muzzleloader seasons, establishing a new Cherry Late firearm unit and a corresponding late doe season for that unit.

Regulation changes to elk hunting include increasing permit quotas in most units and expanding elk zones in many units to increase landowner eligibility.

Following are the 2010 big game season dates:

Deer

• Archery – Sept. 15-Nov. 12 and Nov. 22-Dec. 31
• Mule Deer Conservation Area – Sept. 15-Dec. 31
• October Antlerless (any weapon) – Oct. 2-11
• November Firearm – Nov. 13-21
• Earn-a-Buck November Firearm (Wahoo and Elkhorn units) – Nov. 13-23
• Muzzleloader – Dec. 1-31
• Season Choice (antlerless) – Sept. 15-Jan. 18, 2011 with bow; Dec. 1-31 with muzzleloader and Nov. 13-21 and Jan. 1-18, 2011 with firearm
• Youth and Landowner – Sept. 15-Dec. 31 with bow; Dec. 1-31 with muzzleloader; Nov. 13-21 with firearm; and Dec. 26-Jan. 18, 2011 (antlerless only) with bow or firearm
• DeSoto Muzzleloader – Oct. 16-17; Oct. 30-31; Dec. 11-12; and Jan. 8-9, 2011
• Boyer Chute – Oct. 23-24; Nov. 20-21 and Dec. 18-19

Antelope

• Archery – Aug. 20-Nov. 12 and Nov. 22-Dec. 31, but closed during firearm antelope season in all areas open to firearm antelope hunting
• Muzzleloader – Sept. 18-Oct. 3
• Firearm – Oct. 9-24
• Late Firearm (Cherry Late unit) – Oct. 9-Nov. 12

Elk

• Bull Permits – Sept. 25-Oct. 24
• Antlerless Permits – Sept. 25-Oct. 24 and Dec. 1-21
• Boyd Unit – Aug. 15-Nov. 12 and Nov. 22-Dec. 31

In other business, the board:

• – Adopted changes to underwater spearfishing regulations. The regulations give underwater spearfishers the same daily bag and possession limit on walleyes as hook-and-line anglers: four walleye over 15 inches, of which only one can be 22 inches or longer. This replaces regulations allowing the take of two fish greater than 15 inches, one of which had to be 22 inches or longer.
• – Approved regulations allowing the Commission to sell expired permits and stamps for no more than $25.
• – Adopted a resolution to expand the focus area of activities for the Focus on Pheasants plan in Nebraska. The plan is an effort of landowners and conservation partners to increase pheasant habitat and populations as well as hunter opportunities.
• – Approved a gift of the O. John Emerson Tract in Holt County from the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation. The land has been managed by the Commission as O. John Emerson Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
• – Approved the acquisition of 40 acres of land in York County for wildlife diversity and hunting and designated it as an addition to Kirkpatrick Basin WMA.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(AmmoLand.com)- Social media have transformed how the public receives information, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has embraced that transformation.

Thanks to social media, more people are interacting with the Commission electronically than ever before, and the agency is disseminating information to the public in more ways.

Users may find all Commission social media at its Web site, OutdoorNebraska.org. These include four blogs. The most recent to launch is “Afield and Afloat,” the NEBRASKAland Magazine blog that shares staff experiences in the great outdoors, reveals what goes into producing the magazine, including the occasional photo tip, and ideas on where to go and what to do outside.

The other blogs are:

• “Barbs and Backlashes“  Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager, shares his vast knowledge with fishing enthusiasts.
• “In the Wild with Greg Wagner” The Omaha metro office manager shares his knowledge of the outdoors and encourages people to get out into the wild.
• “Lock, Stock and Bedlam” Jeff Rawlinson and Aaron Hershberger of the Outdoor Education team give straight-forward, timely information on hunting, fishing, shooting skills, techniques, and tips.

The Commission also is taking advantage of Facebook and Twitter. The agency launched its Facebook and Twitter offerings in May 2009. The agency had 700 Facebook fans by October and 2,700 by March. More than 3,000 people were following the agency on Twitter as of March 1.

Web page users also will find that Commission has a YouTube channel, on which a variety of state park videos may be viewed. To keep up on the latest news, readers may subscribe to receive RSS feeds or e-mailed news releases.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Excellent deer hunting opportunities remain in Nebraska as the muzzleloader season arrives, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The season runs Dec. 1-31.

The recently completed firearm season proved that plenty of deer and large bucks are available. Those firearm hunters were hampered somewhat by the lagging corn harvest, but conditions are improving for December as that harvest continues.

A muzzleloader permit is valid statewide and has a bag limit of one deer of either sex and one antlerless white-tailed deer. The limit may be filled in any order.

“We encourage hunters to take antlerless female white-tailed deer,” said Kit Hams, big game program manager with the Commission. “The use of binoculars or scopes will help hunters avoid buck fawns, which often are more visible than adult does or doe fawns. By this time of year, the small antler ‘buttons’ are 1-2 inches in length and visible.”

There is an unlimited number of muzzleloader permits available again this year. Last year, 15,199 permits sold and 6,946 deer were taken.

Now that the firearm season has closed, hunters again have the option of checking deer electronically or at a check station. Hunters may check electronically by going to NEdeercheck.com or calling toll-free (800) 405-7700 at any time.

The Deer Exchange remains available, too. Donors and recipients of venison may register for free at ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/programs/deerexchange/.

Open Fields and Waters Program lands, popular with firearm hunters, are a good option for muzzleloader hunters. This program has more than 36,000 acres of private land available for public walk-in hunting access. Check the 2009 Nebraska Public Access Atlas for tracts in each county.

Permits may be purchased at Commission permitting offices and at OutdoorNebraska.org. A habitat stamp is required of all deer hunters, except residents age 15 or younger.

For more information on deer hunting, visit OutdoorNebraska.org or read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Gov. Dave Heineman intends to appoint Norris Marshall of Kearney to represent District IV on the Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners.

“I look forward to serving on the Commission and the opportunity to contribute to making our Commission one of the best of its kind in the U.S.,” Marshall said.

“Nebraska is a great state with a lot of resources to offer. Together with the rest of the commissioners and staff we can continue improving the quality of recreation opportunities.”

Marshall said he is a avid waterfowl hunter and a student of the Platte River and endangered species.

“Along with owning Marshall Engines, my wife, Lori, and I are engaged in cow/calf production and next June will host the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska on our property along the Platte River near Kearney.”

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Safety should be uppermost on the minds of hunters when the firearm deer season opens Nov. 14, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

A new regulation allows turkey hunting during that deer season. Like the deer hunters, however, those turkey hunters must wear hunter orange.

Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter has the following tips for safely handling firearms during the firearm deer season.

Hunting Tips:

• Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun.
• Control the direction of the muzzle at all times.
• Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Unload guns when not in use. Have the action open and the chamber empty, except when actually hunting. Transport guns in cases, or secure storage racks in vehicles. Handle a gun by the stock, not the barrel.
• Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.
• Never climb over or under a fence, into or out of a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.
• Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
• Store guns and ammunition under lock and key.

The safe use of tree stands also is crucial for a successful hunt.

“A recent survey revealed that nearly 40 percent of deer hunters will fall from their stand or tree some time in their life, and 70 percent of falls occur while hunters either are climbing or descending a tree or entering or leaving the stand,” Streeter said.

He has the following tips for tree stands:

• Use a full-body harness when using a tree stand, including ascending, descending and occupying the stand.
• Only use equipment that is in good condition.
• Avoid hunting from heights above 15 feet.
• Maintain a short tether between yourself and the tree. Allow only enough slack for you to turn and shoot. The tether should be tight when you are seated on your stand.
• Use a haul line to raise and lower your equipment.
• Never use a homemade tree stand.
• Attach yourself to the tree starting when you are on the ground.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Many opportunities await Nebraska hunters as the opening of the November firearm deer season nears, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Large numbers of deer are in the field and plenty of permits remain available for this season. A new access program is available, opening thousands of acres to walk-in hunting. A popular program that allows deer meat to be distributed to those who want it is in its second year.

The upcoming firearm season runs Nov. 14-22. One major change affects deer hunters; a new regulation this year allows turkey hunting during that season. Like the deer hunters, those turkey hunters must wear hunter orange.

The following are key reminders concerning the season:

• Checking – Deer must be checked at manual check stations. Electronic checking is not available for the firearm season.
• Deer Exchange – Hunters may take advantage of this program and provide deer meat to anyone willing to accept it. Donors and recipients of meat may register for free at ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/programs/deerexchange/. They search a database for participants in their area, and then make contact by telephone to set up the transfer of meat.
• Open Fields and Waters Program – More than 36,000 acres of private land in the first year of this pilot program are available for public walk-in hunting access. Check the 2009 Public Access Atlas for tracts in each county.
• Remaining Permits – As of Nov. 4, the remaining firearm deer permits, by unit and quantity, are: Buffalo Whitetail, 511; Calamus East, 590; Calamus West, 899; Frenchman Whitetail, 806; Keya Paha, 1,331; Loup West, 576; Pine Ridge, 1,303; Plains, 731; Platte, 100; Platte Whitetail, 1,090; Sandhills, 1,092; and Upper Platte, 651.
• The list of remaining permits may be found at OutdoorNebraska.org. Click on Licenses and Fees, then Purchase a Permit, then Remaining Permits.
• Purchasing Permits – They may be purchased at Commission permitting offices and at OutdoorNebraska.org. A habitat stamp is required of all deer hunters, except residents age 15 or younger.

Game Law Violations – Call Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers toll-free at (800) 742-7627 to report game violations.

More Information – Visit OutdoorNebraska.org or read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- There has been a national trend of declining participation in hunting for years. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission took a step Thursday to attract more young big game hunters.

The Board of Commissioners approved youth deer, turkey and antelope permits that cost $5 each. The board held its regular meeting at Pheasant Bonanza, northwest of Tekamah.

The current prices for selected permits are, excluding agent fees: resident deer ($29), nonresident deer ($208), resident antelope ($29), nonresident antelope ($149.50), resident turkey ($23), and nonresident turkey ($90). All hunters, including youth, pay those prices. Now, youth under age 16 may purchase those permits for $5 each.

Other permits were created and fees amended by the board.

In an effort to raise funds that will do such things as acquire land, support public access programs and improve habitat, the board raised the cost of an annual Nebraska Habitat Stamp by $4 to $20. It also raised the annual Nebraska Aquatic Habitat Stamp by $2.50 to $10.

New permits that were created include nonresident paddlefish, nonresident combination hunt/fish permit, lifetime fur harvest, nonresident elk, and nonresident landowner elk.

The board also raised the cost of a lifetime habitat stamp by $80 to $400 and created agent fees of $1 (purchased through Commission) and $2 (purchased through an agent other than Commission) for most hunting, fishing and fur harvest permits.

Changes to the 2010 fishing and turkey hunting regulations also were approved.

Changes to turkey regulations include a spring turkey permit that may be used in either the shotgun or archery season. In the past, spring turkey hunters were required to purchase either a shotgun permit or archery permit to hunt with those respective weapons during designated seasons.

The board made the following changes to other wildlife regulations:

• Suspended the bighorn sheep harvest in 2010. A pneumonia outbreak has reduced the population of the Fort Robinson herd, where sheep are hunted.
• A limited landowner applicant may be a spouse or child of the owner or leaseholder of qualifying land or a sibling sharing ownership of the qualifying land. The spouse or child need not be residing in the same household of the owner or leaseholder.
• Added landowner bull elk to the list of permit applicants who receive preference points if denied a permit and who lose all preference points if granted a permit. It also removes language that states all preference points will be lost if a person does not apply at least once for five consecutive years.
• Removed all restrictions on draw weight and draw length of archery equipment used to take deer, antelope, turkey, elk, and bighorn sheep.
• Removed all restrictions on how long deer, antelope, turkey, elk, and bighorn sheep meat may be possessed.
• Added a regulation that archers hunting deer, antelope, elk, or bighorn sheep are not required to wear hunter orange during the firearm seasons for antelope, elk or bighorn sheep.
• Removed all restrictions on how long game birds or game animals may be possessed and added language that states that it is unlawful to possess more than a possession limit of game birds or game animals.

The board also:

• Entered into an agreement with the Platte River Basin Environments (PRBE) to provide public access and conservation management on two tracts of land in the Wildcat Hills. The Carter Canyon Ranch Tract (7,870 acres) and the Montz Point Tract (1,430 acres) are owned by PRBE.
• Amended a lease with the Bureau of Reclamation to include a mitigation tract in Webster County in which the Commission will provide public access and conservation management. The 475-acre tract will be designated as Guide Rock Diversion Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
• Acquired a 13.31-acre tract of land at U.S. Highway 77 and Bluff Road in Lancaster County. It will be used to consolidate Commission operations and maintenance staff and replace sites that are being leased.
• Acquired a 156-acre tract of land in Stanton County that will be an extension of Wood Duck WMA.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Plenty of deer hunting permits remain unsold for the 2009 season, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

By taking advantage of the permits, deer hunters have a chance to provide food for the table, thin herds where crop damage is a problem, mentor a young hunter, and introduce hunting to a novice.

A record harvest of antlerless whitetails is expected this year as more than 90,000 antlerless whitetail bonus tags have been made available.

As of Oct. 23, the remaining deer permits, by unit and quantity, are:

Firearm Units – Buffalo whitetail, 898; Calamus East, 834; Calamus West, 1,138; Frenchman whitetail, 965; Keya Paha, 1,550; Loup East, 307; Loup West, 962; Pine Ridge, 1,713; Plains, 987; Platte, 511; Platte whitetail, 1,109; Sandhills, 1,421; and Upper Platte, 827.

Season Choice – Area 1, 1,676; Area 2, 1,473; Area 3, 350; Area 4, 268; Area 5, 422; Area 6, 230; Area 8, 296; Area 9, 237; Area 11, 325; Area 12, 768; Area 17, 431; Area 18, 1,041; Area 19, 635; Area 20, 3,102; Area 21, 5,479; Area 22, 457; Area 23, 289; Area 24, 207; and Area 25, 265.

The list of remaining permits may be found at OutdoorNebraska.org. Click on Licenses and Fees, then Purchase a Permit, then Remaining Permits.

Permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org or Commission permitting offices around the state. For more information, read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Nebraska waterfowl hunters have another type of nontoxic shot available to them, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved, effective immediately, the use of tungsten-iron-polymer shot for hunting waterfowl and coots.

It is unlawful to use or possess shotgun shells loaded with or containing shot other than nontoxic shot while hunting, taking or attempting to take waterfowl in Nebraska.

Nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting on federal waterfowl production areas and national wildlife refuges and, as posted, on some state wildlife management areas.

The following is a list of legal nontoxic shot:

• bismuth-tin
• steel
• iron-tungsten
• iron-tungsten-nickel
• tungsten-bronze
• tungsten-iron-copper-nickel
• tungsten-matrix
• tungsten-polymer
• tungsten-tin-iron
• tungsten-tin-bismuth
• tungsten-tin-iron-nickel,
• tungsten-iron-polymer

Research has shown that ingested spent lead, or toxic, shot caused significant numbers of migratory bird deaths. Lead shot was banned nationwide in 1991 for use in hunting waterfowl and coots.

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)- Hunters in the area of Lake McConaughy had an excellent opening day of the duck season on Oct. 10, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

According to conservation officer reports, hunting pressure was heavy around McConaughy and nearby Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and most checked hunters got their limit of birds.

Among the birds checked by officers in the Panhandle and western Sandhills were mallards, pintails, redheads, scaup, wood ducks, gadwall, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and shovelers.

Southwest duck hunters had decent success, especially at Sacramento-Wilcox WMA and along the Platte River from North Platte to Sarben. A variety of ducks were harvested, including teal, mallards, scaup, and wigeon.

In south-central Nebraska, the opener was productive in areas where hunters found water, which was difficult to come by.

Conservation officers reported checking one to four birds per hunter. Most of those birds were teal, but there were good numbers of gadwall, as well as some wood ducks, mallards and a ring-necked drake.

While the number of hunters in the region was down, prospects should improve as some basins will have water pumped into them and more birds arrive.

The success rate was good to excellent in the southeast, with many hunters taking their limit Saturday. Hunting pressure was lower Sunday and hunters had fair to good success.

Saunders and Lancaster counties were busy, with at least 20 vehicles parked at Jack Sinn Memorial WMA. Memphis WMA was among the other lakes that had good numbers of hunters. Most of the birds in the bag were teal, gadwall and wood ducks, with a few pintail and wigeon also bagged.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)-New elk hunting statutes will impact Panhandle landowners who want to be included in hunting zones in 2010. Those zones qualify landowners for limited numbers of elk permits.

“The ability to qualify for landowner elk hunting permits is different than landowner permits for other Nebraska big game,” said Todd Nordeen, Panhandle district wildlife manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

“It is important that landowner elk permits are available to those landowners impacted the most by elk use on their property,” Nordeen said. “While the total numbers of elk hunting permits for the Panhandle have increased, the demand for landowner permits has increased significantly in recent years as well.”

Landowners seeking inclusion in a zone for 2010 should do so by Dec. 31. The deadline for landowner bull elk applications will be in mid-May.

Elk hunting zones are established to identify private property that has elk usage, elk depredation and supports consistent elk habitat and numbers. The zones are much smaller than the elk hunting units used when hunters apply for elk permits. The entire Panhandle is located within elk management units, including the Hat Creek, Ash Creek, Bordeaux, and North Platte River units.

Interested landowners that have significant elk usage and can meet other requirements will be considered for acceptance into the zone.

The following are some of the changes in landowner requirements for 2010 as a result of the passage of LB 105 by the Legislature:

• – To qualify for a limited permit, a resident landowner must own 320 acres, lease 640 acres or own or lease any combination of 640 acres.
• – A limited landowner antlerless-only permit may be issued to a nonresident, or immediate family members, who own or lease 1,280 acres.
• – To qualify for a limited permit, one must be a landowner, leaseholder or member of the immediate family of landowner or leaseholder, including siblings who share ownership. A qualifying child no longer is required to live in the same household as the landowner or leaseholder.
• – The number of limited permits issued annually for each farm or ranch may not exceed the total number of acres divided by 320.
• – The Commission will begin issuing preference points in 2010 to landowners who are unsuccessful in drawing a landowner bull permit in 2010.

For more information on Panhandle elk zone landowner requirements and eligibility, contact the Alliance district office of the Commission at (308) 763-2940 or the Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area at (308) 665-2924.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)-Mariah Kenney of Beemer posted a score of 37X40 to win the annual Pressey High School Silhouette Championship on Saturday at Pressey Wildlife Management Area south of Broken Bow.

“We enjoyed great weather, great scores and a wonderful group of young shooters, families, coaches, and spectators,” said Jeff Rawlinson, assistant administrator for the Information and Education Division of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Metallic silhouette shooters compete in the 40-round .22 rimfire match. Competitors shoot at metal targets from 66 yards to 109 yards, firing 10 rounds each at four ranges. Shooters may use a .22 rimfire sporter with iron sights, a scope-sighted rimfire or a .22 rimfire target rifle.

“All shooters have been through the Nebraska Hunter Education course, and the events put on by Match Director Matt Haumont of Broken Bow and volunteers and coaches is a tribute to the responsibility and sportsmanship of the young boys and girls,” Rawlinson said. “The shooting sports offer fun, excitement and challenge to all who participate.”

The results are:

Individuals

• State Champion – Mariah Kenney, Beemer, 37X40.
• High Boy – 1. Collin Moser, Pawnee City, 35X40; 2. Johnson Winemiller, Sterling, 34X40; 3. Tony Hipke, O’Neill, 34X40.
• High Girl – 1. Alyssa Wolken, Beatrice, 34X40; 2. Rachael Schoenrock, Cortland, 30X40; 3. Grace Moore, Inman, 29X40.
• Class B – 1. Garrett Tooker, David City, 33X40; 2. Bryce Hermsmeier, DeWitt, 30X40; 3. Cody Dierking, Broken Bow, 29X30.
• Unclassified – 1. Andy Buhr, Adams, 31X40; 2. Austin Russell, Broken Bow, 25X40; 3. Andrew Simpson, Wayne, 24X40.
• Novice – 1. Jonathan Jones, Eddyville, 19X40; 2. Parker Jones, Odell, 18X40; 3. Falicia Shepards, Mason City, 17X40.
• Heavy Scope – 1. Alex Ferguson, Ansley, 29X40; 2. Tyler Hipke, O’Neill, 28X40; 3. Kevin Hartley, 27X40.
• Light Scope – 1. Lacey Clarke, Berwyn, 28X40; 2. Cody Lorenz, O’Neill, 27X40; 3. Carson Badgley, Oconto, 27X40.
• Heavy Iron – 1. Tyler Parthemer, Beatrice, 22X40; 2. Jacob Kramer, Litchfield, 15X40.
• Light Iron – 1. Tawny Nekuda, Wisner, 27X40; 2. Tyler Krivohlavek, Seward, 25X40; 3. Levi Clarke, Berwyn, 22X40;
• Senior – 1. Joseph Knobbe, West Point, 27X40; 2. Jason Pike, Beatrice, 27X40; 3. (tie) Brandon Maloy, Seward, 25X40; Alex Striern, West Point, 25X40.
• Junior – 1. Colten Mack, Broken Bow, 19X40; 2. Trevor Maloy, Seward, 18X40; 3. Jared Schlueter, Milford, 18X40 (tie broken by shoot-off).

Teams

• Overall – 1. Homestead 4-H No. 1 (Bryce Hermsmeier, Jason Pike, Rachael Schoenrock, Alyssa Wolken), 121X160.
• 4-H Team – 1. Holt County 4-H Top Guns (Tony Hipke, Tyler Hipke, Cody Lorenz, Grace Moore), 118X160; 2. Cuming County Sharpshooters A (Mariah Kenney, Tawny Nekuda, Aaron Spenner, Alex Striern), 114X160; 3. Homestead 4-H No. 2 (Andy Buhr, Kylie Garvey, Collin Moser, Tyler Parthemer), 96X160.
• Open Team – 1. Krayton Conell, Brock Maloy, Cody Shears, Garrett Tooker, 76X160; 2. Hayley Anderson, Joseph Knobbe, Ricky Magner, Aubrey Schultz, 68X160; 3. Chris Bird, Braden Garwood, Alex Hausmann, Kyle Lorenz, 54X160.
• School Team – 1. Broken Bow Public School (Lacey Clarke, Laine Clarke, Levi Clarke, Cody Dierking), 103X160; 2. Litchfield No. 1 (Hope Downer, Michael Heapy, Breanna LeFever, Joe Thomas), 82X160; 3. Broken Bow High School (Travis Connely, Jonathan Jones, Zane Smith, Colton Williams), 69X160.

About:
The event was sponsored by the Commission, with the support of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, Hornady Manufacturing and Pony Express Ramrodders of Gothenburg.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Get ready turkey hunters; it is going to be a long season. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wants to remind those hunters used to an October opening that the fall season begins Sept. 15.

From Sept. 15-Dec. 31, holders of fall turkey hunting permits may pursue gobblers using either shotgun or archery equipment. Also, there is no need to suspend the hunt in November. They may hunt turkeys during the November firearm deer season, although they must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange on their head, chest and back during the November firearm deer season.

The longer season and hunting in November are the two biggest changes to fall turkey hunting in 2009.

No longer are there separate archery and shotgun fall seasons, with permits required for each respective weapon. Hunters only need to purchase a fall turkey hunting permit, then may harvest turkeys with either equipment.

In 2008, 11,335 fall turkey permits were sold and 8,775 birds were taken. Those numbers are expected to increase dramatically this year due to the large population of birds and the liberalized season.

“Fall turkey population numbers should be outstanding,” according to Kit Hams, big game program manager for the Commission.

“We have a record adult population and good spring weather resulted in big increases in the Summer Rural Mail Carrier Survey,” he said. “The summer survey results were up 40 percent from 2008 and up 230 percent from 2002. The Panhandle and central Nebraska regions increased the most, but all regions showed an increase in turkey numbers. In general, the number of birds should be the best we’ve ever seen in most areas.”

Fall turkey permits allow the harvest of two birds of either sex and are valid statewide. Nebraska turkey permits costs $24 for residents, $91 for nonresidents, and up to two fall permits per hunter can be purchased online or at any Commission office. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

For more information about turkey hunting regulations in Nebraska, go to OutdoorNebraska.org or pick up a copy of the 2009 Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting Seasons pamphlet, available at Commission offices and permit vendors across the state.

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 public is invited to participate in bird banding Sept. 12 at Chadron State Park (SP).

A free open house will be held from 7-11 a.m. at the park’s Sawmill Shelter. Participants will have the chance to join wildlife biologists and researchers in capturing, banding, recording, and releasing several species of woodland and prairie birds. They should bring appropriate hiking gear and binoculars.

The event is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, with funding provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

For more information, contact Amanda Filipi, education coordinator with Nebraska Prairie Partners, at (308) 220-0052 or amanda.filipi@rmbo.org.

Chadron SP is 6 miles south of Chadron on U.S. Highway 385. A park entry permit is required for all vehicles and will be available at the park office.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Spring and summer wildlife surveys indicate a statewide increase in pheasant abundance compared to 2008, according to a report by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The April Rural Mail Carrier Survey showed a 24-percent increase in the statewide population from 2008, and the July Rural Mail Carrier Survey was up 8 percent.

A generally mild winter, then a warm spring, provided favorable conditions for the over-winter survival and subsequent pheasant production.

The following is from the 2009 upland game hunting forecast:

Pheasant – 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 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. CRP-Management Access Program (MAP) availability has changed, so hunters in the region should scout areas to ensure they still will be available.

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

The pheasant season opens Oct. 31. The youth season is Oct. 24-25. The daily bag is three roosters, and the possession limit is 12. Only rooster pheasants may be harvested.

Quail – Summer surveys indicated northern bobwhite abundance increased by 22 percent statewide from last year. Bobwhites benefited from the same favorable weather conditions as pheasants.

The April and July Rural Mail Carrier Surveys showed substantial increases from 2008 in quail abundance in the Southeast, North-central and East-central bobwhite management zones. A whistle count survey revealed increased numbers in the Southeast and North-central units compared to last year. Reports from biologists support survey results that show an above-average population in the Southeast.

The quail season opens Oct. 31. The youth season is Oct. 24-25. The daily bag limit is six and the possession limit is 24.

Grouse – Abundance of spring sharp-tailed grouse in the Sandhills was similar to 2008, but greater prairie chicken numbers were higher, based on the breeding ground survey. Prairie chicken abundance in the southeast was similar to last year, based on the same survey.

A limited number of special permits is available on a first-come, first-served basis for hunting grouse east of U.S. Highway 81. Contact the Lincoln office of the Commission at (402) 471-0641 for more information.

The grouse season opens Sept. 12. West of U.S. Highway 81, the daily bag limit is three grouse and the possession limit is 12. East of U.S. 81, the bag and possession limits are three birds with the special permit.

Cottontail – Abundance was generally lower compared to 2008, except for the central and southwest regions. The highest numbers observed in the Rural Mail Carrier Survey were in the central region, followed by southwest and southeast.

The cottontail season opens Sept. 1. The daily bag limit is seven and the possession limit is 28.

For the complete upland game forecast, including maps showing the pheasant and bobwhite management unit boundaries and lists of top counties in each region, contact the Commission office in Lincoln. It also is available at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting outdoor recreation and recreational trail grant applications for fiscal year 2010 funding for two programs.

The applications are for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

The LWCF is a federally funded grant program for projects that encourage outdoor recreation. Eligible projects include ball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, park acquisition and development, shelter houses, and related support facilities. The program provides reimbursable matching grants for up to 50 percent of the project costs.

Political subdivisions may download the application and policies online at ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/lwcf/lwcf.asp or contact Tim Montgomery at (402) 471-5424 or tim.montgomery@nebraska.gov.

The RTP is a grant program through the Federal Highway Administration that reimburses political subdivisions up to 80 percent of project costs for trail acquisition, development renovation and support facilities.

Applicants must have the financial means to undertake and maintain the project and all funding should be on hand. This funding source is for motorized and nonmotorized trail projects. Political subdivisions may download the new application and policies online at ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/grants/trailgrants.asp or contact Michelle Stryker at (402) 471-5425 or michelle.stryker@nebraska.gov.

Applications for both programs must be submitted to the Commission by Oct. 1, 2009.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Youths again will have a chance to win a half-price lifetime hunting or fishing permit via drawing this fall, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

They will have opportunities to enter the drawing at the following events: Nebraska State Fair, Lincoln, Aug. 28-Sept. 7; Husker Harvest Days, Grand Island, Sept. 15-17; and Missouri River Expo at Ponca State Park, Ponca, Sept. 19-20.

Nebraska youth ages 15 and under can be entered. If their name is drawn they will have the opportunity to purchase, at half-price, one of the following lifetime permits: fishing, hunting, combination fishing/hunting, habitat stamp, waterfowl stamp. Winners will be notified following a random drawing the week after the event. A youth may win only one half-price lifetime permit or stamp per drawing.

Additional drawings often are held at the local chapter banquets of conservation groups.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Sportsmen soon may purchase remaining 2009 big game hunting permits, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Residents and nonresidents may purchase “buy” unit deer permits and qualified residents may purchase any remaining landowner elk or antelope permits starting at 1 p.m. Central Time on June 8.

There is no need for hunters to rush to purchase permits, however, since none of the deer “buy” units sold out before July 8 last year. The three most popular deer “buy” units, the Elkhorn, Blue Northwest and Blue Southeast, sold out on July 8, Aug. 8 and Aug. 8, respectively.

Permits may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Drawings for antelope, elk and the two “draw” deer unit permits (Republican and DeSoto December Muzzleloader) have taken place and applicants are in the process of being notified of their success via e-mail. Successful applicants may print their permit at OutdoorNebraska.org. The only remaining permits from the draw process are a few landowner elk and landowner antelope permits.

Hunters are reminded to check out the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide prior to purchasing permits. The guide, available wherever permits are sold and at OutdoorNebraska.org, gives hunters all the information they will need to purchase permits, including season dates, unit maps, permits available, 2008 permit sell-out dates, and application forms.

About:
The mission of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is stewardship of the state’s fish, wildlife, park, and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources.