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Jerry Kane
Public Information Officer | jerry.kane@nebraska.gov
| 402.471.5008
Bald eagles break nest record again in 2016
LINCOLN, Neb. – In 2016, a record 159 active bald eagle nests were documented in Nebraska by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and its partners. It was the third consecutive year the number of nests has broken the previous year’s record.
Bald eagles were on federal and state endangered species lists as late as 2007 and 2008, respectively. The species has gone from a nonexistent breeding species in the state to one that is relatively numerous in less than a quarter century, according to Joel Jorgensen, Game and Parks’ nongame bird program manager.
In the early 1980s, when federal recovery plans were written to save populations in the lower 48 states, the recovery goal for Nebraska was set at 10 breeding pairs. In 1991, Nebraska recorded its first active and successful bald eagle nest in approximately a century. In 2007, the number of nests had grown to 54 active nests. Less than a decade later in 2016, the number of known active nests increased to 159.
The 2016 total exceeds 2015’s record of 118 active nests and represents a notable 35 percent increase from the previous year.
“We’ve grown accustomed to bald eagle nests number breaking records year in and year out, but the spike in numbers in 2016 was a big surprise,” Jorgensen said.
Some of the increase is likely attributable to increased survey effort, but the numbers also reflect real increases in the state’s breeding numbers.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/baldeagle for more information on bald eagles in Nebraska.
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Tax check-off benefits wildlife, habitat conservation
LINCOLN, Neb. – Tax season provides Nebraskans a unique opportunity to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation.
Line 42 on 2016 state income tax Form 1040N allows individuals to donate all or a part of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, which focuses on saving Nebraska’s wildlife and wild places.
“The check-off is one of the principal sources of state funding used to conserve more than 95 percent of fish and wildlife species that are considered nongame,” said Kristal Stoner, wildlife diversity program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
The tax check-off is an important funding source for implementation of Nebraska’s Natural Legacy Project. This plan was developed to conserve wildlife before they become rare and costlier to protect.
For taxpayers not entitled to a state tax refund, contributions can be made via NebraskaWildlifeFund.org or by mail to: The Wildlife Conservation Fund, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.
For more information on the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, visit nebraskawildlifefund.org.
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Commission seeks information on illegal shooting of deer in Polk County
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking for information regarding the illegal shooting and wanton waste of two deer a few miles northeast of Osceola in Polk County.
In the early morning of Dec. 27, 2016, a landowner reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that he had heard five gunshots near his rural residence. The landowner observed a vehicle – possibly a silver pickup – leaving the area. An adult doe was found dead in a bean field 80 yards from the house, and a young buck was found injured 20 yards from the house. Both deer had been shot. The buck was dispatched by the officer.
Several other deer have been shot and left lay in the area in the past few months.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska Game and Parks are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information about this case should call Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers at 1-800-742-7627 or conservation officer Rich Berggren at 402-619-1355. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward.
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