50 Nebraskaland • March 2019
Zachary Welch of Ainsworth is the latest hunter to
complete the Nebraska Game and Park's resident-only super
tag, which allows for one elk, one antelope, one deer and two
turkeys. The permit is awarded to one hunter annually by
lottery and is valid for two years.
Welch, a 21-year-old student at the University of Nebraska-
Kearney, successfully hunted all fi ve animals within four
months by archery. He harvested a bull elk south of Wellfl eet,
a white-tailed buck and two turkeys on his home range in
Keya Paha County, and a male antelope in Brown County.
Welch has been bowhunting since the 6th grade, guided by
his grandfather and father. He has hunted deer, turkeys and
antelope extensively, but coming in, Welch felt the chances
of fi lling the super tag would be diffi cult with a bow.
"I worked so hard to prepare for the elk hunt, which has
been at the top of my bucket list," Welch said. "I had the elk
within 10 yards and was at full drawn twice, but I couldn't get
a shot. I fi nally ranged him in at 51 yards."
"Completing the super tag – I can't put into words what it
means to me. I put in so many hours, literally thousands of
practice shots throughout the summer and fall. To have it all
come together and pay off , to shoot an animal I've dreamed
of hunting in my own state, and to experience it with my dad
and friends, it means the world to me."
Welch is grateful to all the landowners, wildlife biologists,
and friends who made his success possible.
For more information on the super tag, visit
Outdoornebraska.org/supertag.
SUPER TAG
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
MIXED BAG
PHOTO
COURTSY
OF
HARLIN
WELCH
HANNAH
SULLIVAN,
WALLACE,
CLASS
OF
2018.
PHOTO
BY
RYAN
BAKER
Ryan Baker, a photographer from Imperial,
contacted us to share an observation that
somewhat surprised him, and pleasantly surprised
us: Baker said most high school seniors he
photographs want "hunting" photos. Especially
the girls.
With the decline in hunting participation
throughout the U.S., it's good to know that youths
across Nebraska not only have an interest in the
shooting sports, but also want to fl aunt them.
Do you know such a senior, or were you
one decades ago, posing with your shotgun
and trap-shooting vest, or your favorite deer
rifl e? Send us your hunting, shooting or even
fi shing-themed senior photo by March 22 to
jeff .kurrus@nebraska.gov, along with their name,
class and school, and we will publish our own
yearbook in the May 2019 issue of Nebraskaland.
SEND YOUR SENIOR OUTDOOR PHOTOS
By Eric Fowler
