LINCOLN — Excellent deer hunting opportunities remain in Nebraska as the muzzleloader season arrives, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The season runs Tuesday through Dec. 31.
The recently completed firearm season proved that plenty of deer and large bucks are available. Those firearm hunters were hampered somewhat by the lagging corn harvest, but conditions are improving for December as that harvest continues.
A muzzleloader permit is valid statewide and has a bag limit of one deer of either sex and one antlerless white-tailed deer. The limit may be filled in any order.
“We encourage hunters to take antlerless female white-tailed deer,” said Kit Hams, big game program manager with the commission. “The use of binoculars or scopes will help hunters avoid buck fawns, which often are more visible than adult does or doe fawns. By this time of year, the small antler ‘buttons' are 1-2 inches in length and visible.”
There is an unlimited number of muzzleloader permits available again this year. Last year, 15,199 permits were sold and 6,946 deer were taken.
Now that the firearm season has closed, hunters again have the option of checking deer electronically or at a check station. Hunters may check electronically by going to www.nedeercheck.com or calling toll-free 800-405-7700 at any time.
The Deer Exchange remains available, too. Donors and recipients of venison may register for free at www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/programs/deerexchange.
Open Fields and Waters Program lands, popular with firearm hunters, are a good option for muzzleloader hunters. This program has more than 36,000 acres of private land available for public walk-in hunting access. Check the 2009 Nebraska Public Access Atlas for tracts in each county.
Permits may be purchased at Commission permitting offices and at outdoornebraska.org. A habitat stamp is required of all deer hunters, except residents age 15 or younger.
For more information on deer hunting, visit outdoornebraska.org or read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.
Conservation officers investigate complaints
Conservation officers for the Nebraska Game and Parks received many complaints during the final weekend of the rifle deer season. The complaints included hunting without permission, shooting from the road, spotlighting, and shooting and dumping deer.
Officers also investigated a number of incidents. In the northwest region, a bull elk was shot and left in a field northwest of Fort Robinson State Park.
Another hunter in the Pine Ridge reported tracking a deer he had shot until he found it being attacked by a mountain lion. The hunter dispatched the deer, scaring off the cat. The hunter left to retrieve field-dressing equipment and returned to find that the deer had been partially consumed and covered by debris.
There was a report of a wounded bighorn sheep on Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area. The sheep was located alive, but officers could not get close enough to determine if the sheep was shot or injured fighting another sheep.
In the southwest region, an 18-year-old hunter turned himself in to an officer after shooting an elk he had mistaken for a deer. Also, one officer in the region received 38 reports of sick deer.
An officer in the south-central region made a case against five Alabama residents who were renting a home and had permits in their names using Nebraska addresses. The officer confiscated 11 resident permits for deer, turkey and small game. He also seized three deer, including one trophy, and the leg of an alleged doe.
Also, a 17-year-old boy reportedly was shot accidentally in the leg and hand by a hunting companion.
CALENDAR
TUESDAY
• The following hunting seasons open: muzzleloader deer, bighorn sheep and antlerless elk (second half).
THURSDAY
• District V deer meeting, Stromsburg, Viking Center, 118 E. 3rd St., 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
• Fort Robinson State Park (SP) Historical Christmas Dinner, 6 p.m., tickets sold out, park entry permit required, 308-665-2900.
SUNDAY, DEC. 6
• Christmas at the Bowring meal and entertainment, Bowring Ranch State Historical Park (SHP), 5 p.m., reservations required, park entry permit required, 308-684-3428.
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