|
Jerry Kane
Public Information Officer | jerry.kane@nebraska.gov
| 402.471.5008
Pheasant Hunting Opportunities Expected to Improve
LINCOLN – Nebraska pheasant hunting opportunities in 2015 should be better than last year, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Upland Game Hunting Outlook.
Mild winter conditions and timely spring rains have resulted in increases in pheasant abundance statewide. Spring rains also resulted in abundant cover, with Game and Parks staff reporting excellent habitat conditions across the state.
The outlook is based on spring and summer upland game surveys, and conditions reported by biologists. Regional weather events that could impact populations are considered.
Surveys indicated that pheasant abundance was higher in all regions of the state compared to 2014. The southwest and Panhandle regions should offer the best hunting opportunities this year, but better opportunities should be available statewide. With the lush vegetation comes an abundance of insects for chicks to eat. Reports from several regions indicate plentiful grasshoppers this year.
Quail abundance continued its ascent from lows resulting from the drought of 2012-2013 and the severe winter of 2009-2010. Surveys indicated increases in abundance compared to 2014 across almost all of the quail’s range. Habitat conditions were excellent for production and brood-rearing across the state. The southeast and south central parts of the state should offer the best opportunities this year, but there will be good opportunities throughout quail range.
Habitat conditions for grouse were excellent this year, particularly in the Sandhills, and surveys indicated increased abundance in most regions compared to 2014. Abundance was highest in the central part of the state.
Cottontail abundance appears to have increased significantly across the state, particularly in the southeast and central regions. Staff also report observing multitudes of young rabbits.
To view the full report, visit OutdoorNebraska.org, and then search for 2015 Upland Game Hunting Outlook.
-30-
September Outdoor Calendar
LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in September:
Sept. 1 – Hunting seasons open for cottontail, jackrabbit, dove, snipe, grouse, rail, raccoon and opossum
Sept. 1 – Archery, Season Choice, River Antlerless, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Youth, and Landowner deer hunting seasons open
Sept. 1, 15 – Ladies Day at the Range, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6:30-8 p.m., 402-471-5662
Sept. 3 – Niobrara/Verdigre High School Cross Country Invitational, Niobrara State Park (SP), Niobrara, 402-857-3373
Sept. 5 – Fish Fry and Fireworks, Indian Cave SP, Shubert, 5:30 p.m., 402-883-2575
Sept. 5 – Discover the Real Missouri River, Niobrara SP, Niobrara, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 402-857-3373
Sept. 5 – Buffalo cookout and cowboy poetry, Niobrara SP, Niobrara, 5 p.m., 402-857-3373
Sept. 5-6 – Living History for Washington County Heritage Festival, Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (SHP), Fort Calhoun, all day, 402-468-5611
Sept. 5-6 – Living History, Rock Creek Station SHP, Fairbury, 402-729-5777
Sept. 5-6 – Pioneer Longrifle Rendezvous, Indian Cave SP, Shubert, 402-883-2575
Sept. 5-7 – Living History, Fort Kearny SHP, Kearney, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 308-865-5305
Sept. 5-20 – Early teal hunting season in Low Plains Zone
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 – Saturday Steak Night, Platte River SP, Louisville, 402-234-2217
Sept. 6 – Sidewalk Chalk Art with Bird and Emerald Ash Borer Program, Niobrara SP, Niobrara, 10 a.m., 402-857-3373
Sept. 7 – Final day of Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island
Sept. 7 – Game and Parks’ district offices and service centers closed for Labor Day
Sept. 7-12 – American Paint Horse Association Trail Ride, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 308-665-2900
Sept. 12 – Feathered Friends, Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Gering, 9 a.m., 308-436-3777
Sept. 12 – Moonshell Storytelling Festival, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., 402-944-2523
Sept. 12 – Night Owl 5K Run/Walk, Niobrara SP, Niobrara, 7 p.m., 402-857-3373
Sept. 12-20 – Early teal hunting season in High Plains Zone
Sept. 15 – Fall turkey hunting season opens
Sept. 15 – Archery bull elk hunting season opens
Sept. 15 – Deadline for Kayak Kid Essay Competition, Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA), Trenton, 308-414-1524
Sept. 18 – Final day of participation in and postmark deadline for the Great Park Pursuit
Sept. 19 – Muzzleloader antelope hunting season opens
Sept. 19 – Living History, Rock Creek Station SHP, Fairbury, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 402-729-5777
Sept. 19 – Woodcock hunting season opens
Sept. 19 – Family Fishing Event, Ponca SP, Ponca, 9:15 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sept. 19-20 – Missouri River Outdoor Expo, Ponca SP, Ponca, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 402-755-2284
Sept. 20 – Family Fishing Event, Zoo Pond, Scottsbluff, 4-7 p.m.
Sept. 24 – Introduction to Trapping workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6-8 p.m., 402-471-6141
Sept. 25-26 – Competitive Horse Trail Riding, Indian Cave SP, Shubert, all day, 402-489-1502
Sept. 26 – Firearm bull elk hunting season opens
Sept. 26 – Public land antlerless elk hunting season opens
Sept. 26 – Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational, Pressey WMA, Oconto, 308-872-2348
Sept. 26-27 – Centennial Bass Club Tournament, Lake McConaughy SRA, Ogallala, 303-601-1723
Sept. 28 – Introduction to Trap, Skeet, 5-Stand and Sporting Clays, Fort Kearny Shooting Sports Range, Kearney, 12:30-5 p.m., 402-417-3779
Sept. 29-30 – Natural Legacy Conference, Kearney, 402-471-5708
Contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641 or visit OutdoorNebraska.org for more information. Visit HuntSafeNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of boating safety classes.
-30-
| 
