Hunters urged to be cautious of fire hazards
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking all hunters, including those aiming to harvest pheasant and deer in November, to “act responsibly in the field and to do their part to prevent wildfires,” a recent release said.
As of early October, 27 percent of the state was still experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln drought monitor.
“Driving vehicles or parking on dry, tall grass is a primary threat,” the release stated. “Grass can ignite within seconds of contacting a hot surface, such as a vehicle’s exhaust/catalytic converter systems.”
As a result, hunters are urged to restrict driving to established roads and trails, avoid parking in tall vegetation, restrict their use of campfires, dispose cigarettes and flammable objects appropriately, ensure vehicles and equipment are well-maintained, make sure chains aren't dragging from the vehicle, check for debris under vehicles and carry a fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
Game and Parks open to customers on Veterans Day
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission customer service offices will be open on Veterans Day, Nov. 10.
The date is a day before the start of the nine-day firearm deer season.
With open offices, hunters can purchase deer permits at Game and Parks headquarters in Lincoln, district locations in Norfolk, North Platte and Alliance, service centers in Omaha, Kearney and Bassett, and the Schramm Education Center south of Gretna. Doors will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a Game and Parks release.
Hunters may also purchase permits online at outdoornebraska.gov.
Nonresident big game permit fees to increase
Nebraska Game and Parks approved fee increases to several nonresident big game permits during its Oct. 13 meeting at Fort Robinson State Park.
New 2024 fees include $332 for deer, $747 for statewide whitetail buck, $992 for statewide buck, $792 for restricted statewide buck, $92 for season choice antlerless only and special antlerless only, $166 for landowner deer, $232 for antelope, $116 for landowner antelope, $140 for turkey and $70 for landowner turkey.
“The new fees will help offset the lost revenue from reducing the quota of nonresident deer, antelope and turkey permits,” a Game and Parks release read. “Money from the fees will be deposited into the Game Cash Fund, which supports the wildlife and fisheries divisions and their research, conservation and management efforts.”
Commission introduces special antlerless hunting opportunities
Three state park areas along the lower Platte River will host new special antlerless deer hunting opportunities this fall.
Nebraska Game and Parks is offering chances to hunt within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks, and the Schramm Park State Recreation Area. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. today.
“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,” a recent release stated. “Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an orientation session before receiving the access permit.”
Last-minute applications can be accessed online at outdoornebraska.gov or by calling Mahoney (402-944-2523, ext. 7122), Platte River State Park (402-234-2217), the Schramm Education Center (402-332-3901) or the Southeast District Game and Parks office (402-471-5431).
A drawing is set for Nov. 3 if more applications are received than can be accommodated.
— Staff reports
