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Tag: Deer Hunting

Lincoln Workshop Set on Deer Field Dressing

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Whitetail-Deer-BuckLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Game and Parks has scheduled a Lincoln workshop on field dressing and skinning to help hunters get ready for the firearms deer season, which opens Saturday.

The workshop is set to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St., Lincoln. The event is designed for new deer hunters or those with very limited experience.

Space is limited, and registration is required for the free workshop. Go online atwww.HuntSafeNebraska.com to register or for more information.

Nebraska Hunters Urged to Find Check Stations

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Mule DeerLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Game and Parks officials are urging hunters to find check stations before going out to find deer after the firearm hunting season opens on Saturday.

The commission says the list of check stations has changed since it was first printed.

During the firearm season, hunters must deliver their deer to check stations no later than 1 p.m. on Nov. 24, which is the day after the Nov. 23 season close.

An updated list of check stations is available online at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Follow These Steps to Tree Stand Safety

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Whitetail-Deer-BuckLINCOLN – A tree stand is a basic tool of many deer hunters. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to use the stands safely in order to have a memorable and successful hunt.

Most tree stand accidents are caused by carelessness and can be avoided by following these tips:

— Wear a full-body harness and attach yourself to the tree from the time you are on the ground before climbing into the stand, until you are back on the ground after climbing down.

— Use equipment that is in good condition. Follow the instructions provided with your tree stand. Check your equipment regularly. 

— 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 seated in your stand. 

— Use a haul line to raise and lower your equipment. Wait until you are in the stand and safely secured before loading a firearm or drawing an arrow from the quiver.

— Never use a homemade tree stand.

Two Deer Hunting Workshops Scheduled

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Whitetail-Deer-BuckLINCOLN – Prepare for the upcoming firearm deer seasons by attending one of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s two deer hunting workshops this month.

The free workshops will be held Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln and Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chalco Hills Natural Resources Center in Omaha.

Both workshops are open to anyone interested in deer hunting, regardless of skill level. Game and Parks specialists will discuss strategies, equipment, biology, techniques and other topics that should increase the success and enjoyment of a hunt.

Space is limited, so early registration is required. Register at HuntSafeNebraska.com. For more information, contact Aaron Hershberger at402-471-6144 or [email protected].

Special Deer Hunts at Mahoney SP, Platte River SP, Schramm Park SRA

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Whitetail-Deer-BuckLINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks (SP), as well as Schramm Park State Recreation Area (SRA).

Successful applicants will be issued a special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on certain dates, using specific equipment. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an orientation session in order to receive the access permit.

Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. If more applications are received than can be accommodated, a drawing will be held Nov. 5.

Hunters may obtain an application at OutdoorNebraska.org or by calling Mahoney SP at 402-944-2523, ext. 7122, Platte River SP at 402-234-2217, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium at 402-332-3901 or the Lincoln district Game and Parks office at 402-471-5597. Individual, mentor and buddy applications are available. 
Legal equipment at Mahoney and Platte River state parks are archery and muzzleloaders. The legal equipment at Schramm Park SRA is archery.

In addition to the appropriate deer permit and habitat stamp, hunters must have the access permit, as well as a park entry permit for each vehicle entering the park.

The following are the hunting opportunities, with park, legal equipment and dates:

Mahoney SP, Platte River SP – archery, Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11, Dec. 15-18

Mahoney SP, Platte River SP – muzzleloader, Jan. 5-8, Jan. 12-15

Schramm Park SRA – archery, Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11, Dec. 15-18, Jan. 5-8, Jan. 12-15

Successful applicants will be assigned a hunting period at a park, according to their preference, and they will be assigned to zones or tree stands. Hunting sites for the disabled hunters will be available at Mahoney SP.

Only antlerless deer will be allowed for harvest. Appropriate deer permits for archery hunters are: statewide archery, antlerless-only Season Choice Wahoo or statewide youth. Muzzleloader hunters must have either an antlerless-only Season Choice Wahoo or a statewide youth permit. Some permits are limited and may sell out prior to these park hunts.

Orientation sessions will be Nov. 25 at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium for archers andDec. 16 for muzzleloaders. Both begin at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Lincoln district office or the parks.

Archery Deer Season Opens Earlier in 2014

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Whitetail-Deer-BuckLINCOLN – Archery deer hunting season opens Sept. 1 in Nebraska.

The early opener was requested by archery hunters to allow hunting of deer when bucks are still in velvet. Opening day had been Sept. 15 for the past 35 years.

“For those who don’t mind hunting what could be warm days, with lots of leafy vegetation, this is a good time to be out in the woods, when hunter numbers can be expected to be low,” said Kit Hams, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s big game program manager.

The archery deer season runs through Dec. 31. Archery permits are valid statewide, with restrictions, and unlimited in number. The permit bag limit is one deer of any kind. To purchase permits or view the 2014 Big Game Guide, visit OutdoorNebraska.org.

New Pine Ridge Mule Deer Survey Improves Population Data

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Mule DeerLINCOLN – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission employees used a bird’s-eye view of the rugged high country of the Pine Ridge last month to obtain more accurate deer population data for northwestern Nebraska.

During five days in early February, Game and Parks staff members boarded a contracted helicopter and surveyed eight areas of the Pine Ridge Management Unit, which encompasses 429 square miles. The project marked first time Game and Parks has used a helicopter to survey mule deer. In all, staff members counted 862 mule deer – 68 bucks, 477 does and 317 fawns.

Todd Nordeen, northwestern district wildlife manager, said the survey’s findings will be valuable in setting hunting regulations and other management strategies for mule deer, a species that biologists suspect to be struggling in some areas because of disease and other challenges.

The aerial survey is expected to take place annually for at least five years, providing the agency with accurate population counts and helping identify growths or declines in herds.

In addition to mule deer, the 11 staff members counted 659 white-tailed deer, 96 elk and 11 bighorn sheep during the flights.

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