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Jerry Kane
Public Information Officer | jerry.kane@nebraska.gov
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Dove Hunting Season Just Around Corner
LINCOLN – Dove hunting season begins soon and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has some reminders for those hunters, as well as recommendations for areas to hunt.
Doves may be hunted statewide. The season is Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, with daily bag and possession limits of 15 and 45, respectively. Bag limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared doves in aggregate. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
Nebraska residents 16 years and older and all nonresidents are required to have a valid Nebraska small game hunting permit, habitat stamp and Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. HIP numbers are free and can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-877-634-8687, by registering at OutdoorNebraska.gov/hip or in person at any Game and Parks office. A federal migratory bird hunting stamp (duck stamp) is not required to hunt doves. Shotgun plugs are also required, restricting it to no more than three shells.
Dove hunters who find a leg band on a dove should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at 1-800-327-BAND or report it at reportband.gov. In addition, randomly selected hunters will be asked to save one wing from each dove during the first week of the season and mail the wings postage-free to the USFWS.
Sunflower, millet and wheat, which generally provide good dove-hunting opportunities, have been planted at several wildlife management areas across the state. Game and Parks recommends hunters scout areas before they hunt. To view a list of these areas, see the 2016 Dove Hunting Fact Sheet at: OutdoorNebraska.gov/SmallGameSpecies.
“Dove hunting is a great way to get back into the fall hunting season,” says Acting Wildlife Division Administrator Karie Decker. “Dust off the decoys, fine-tune the dog training and get some practice shots in before Sept. 1. It’s shaping up to be another good year for bird hunting.”
Other WMAs throughout the state can provide good dove hunting opportunities, depending on local conditions. Contact the nearest Game and Parks office for area-specific information.
Public hunting lands and lands open to public hunting through the Open Fields and Waters program can be found in the Nebraska Public Access Atlas, available where hunting permits are sold or online at OutdoorNebraska.gov/WheretoHunt.
Eurasian collared-doves also may be harvested between Oct. 31 and Aug.31, 2017, with bag and possession limits of 15 and 45, respectively.
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Identifying Species Crucial During Teal Season
LINCOLN – Nebraska’s teal hunting season in the northern part of the state remains on an experimental basis this year. Continuation of that part of the state’s teal season in future years depends on hunters’ ability to distinguish teal from other duck species.
During this experimental period, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is evaluating the rate at which nontarget species are shot at or taken in the northern part of the state. If the rate is considered unacceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nebraska will lose its teal season in that part of the state, and most likely, never get it back. Those who take or attempt to take ducks other than teal could incur both state and federal fines.
Only blue- and green-winged and cinnamon teal are legal to take during the September teal season, which is Sept. 3 – 11 in the High Plains Zone and Sept. 3 – 18 in the Low Plains Zone.
Beginning in 2014, Game and Parks was granted an extension – under “experimental” status – to open the entire state for the September teal season.
“Take your time and identify your ducks before you take a shot,” said Game and Parks Waterfowl Program Manager Mark Vrtiska. “Take the extra second or two to let the birds get closer or swing the decoys one more time. Most times, on that extra swing, you get a clear picture of the distinguishing slate-blue wing patches on blue-wings or the iridescence green on green-wings.”
Vrtiska said teal typically come in low and in compact flights, compared to larger ducks, which come in slower and higher. “Watch for the occasional shoveler, which is slightly bigger and has a distinctive bill size and shape,” he said. “If you’re new to teal season, or not confident, hunt with a group of experienced individuals. More eyes are better.”
For more information on teal hunting in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.org or read the 2016 Waterfowl Guide, available online and wherever hunting permits are sold.
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Telecheck Available for Archery Deer Hunters Sept. 1
LINCOLN – Nebraska’s archery deer season opens Sept. 1 and hunters are reminded that they must check their harvested deer via Telecheck.
The electronic checking service known as Telecheck will be available by both phone service at 844-279-4564 or online at OutdoorNebraska.gov/Telecheck starting Sept. 1.
Telecheck allows hunters to check deer or antelope 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All deer harvested outside the November firearm season and all antelope harvested outside the November firearm season must be checked via Telecheck.
Having permit and harvest information ready will help speed up the check-in process. When completing Telecheck, the following information will be required of the hunter: species, permit number, permit name/unit, county of kill, area of kill (public or private land), deer or antelope management unit, date of kill, sex and age of animal (adult or fawn), and antler width. Management unit maps and additional information are on the Telecheck website. Write the seal number and security code on the permit after completing Telecheck.
Antelope archers, muzzleloaders and late season hunters must also use Telecheck and will be asked if their animal’s longest horn is more or less than 9½ inches. To determine the length, measure from the base around the outside curve to the horn tip.
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Hunting on SRAs Begins Sept. 6
LINCOLN – Waterfowl hunters on state recreation areas (SRA) are reminded they may not shoot teal until Sept. 6, three days following the opening of the early teal season.
The early teal season begins Sept. 3. SRA regulations prohibit any hunting until the Tuesday following Labor Day, which is Sept. 6.
Regulations state the portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day through the end of the spring turkey hunting season, unless restricted. A park entry permit is required for vehicles entering the SRAs. Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of any public use facility or activity area, including picnic areas, campgrounds, private cabins, concession areas, boat ramps, and parking lots. Other open seasons will also be affected by this regulation.
The early teal season is Sept. 3 – 18 in the Low Plains Zone and Sept. 3 – 11 in the High Plains Zone.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.org or check the 2016 Hunting Guide for SRAs that allow hunting.
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Nebraska Game and Parks Urges Safety While Boating
LINCOLN – Even though summer is winding down, Nebraskans still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a fun day of boating. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers several reminders to help boaters have a safe day on the water.
Wear a Life Jacket – Children under age 13 and anybody on a personal watercraft are required by law to wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. People being towed by a boat on skis, a tube, or other similar device also must wear a life jacket.
Avoid Alcohol – Boat operators can become impaired with less alcohol than motor vehicle drivers due to heat and dehydration. Boating Under the Influence is a criminal violation and is enforced actively in Nebraska.
Have All Required Safety Equipment – This will help boaters be prepared if an emergency occurs. Life jackets, throw cushions, fire extinguishers and bailing devices are required on most boats. For a list of what is required on a boat, check out the 2016 Boating Guide at BoatSafeNebraska.org.
Be Wary of Surroundings – The best boat operators constantly are looking around for other boats, personal watercraft, swimmers, stumps and other hazards. Speeds in excess of 5 mph are prohibited if within 30 yards of any other vessel, swimming area or dock.
Take a Boating Safety Course – Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1985 who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska must have successfully completed the Nebraska boating safety course. Visit BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of classes.
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