Nebraskaland

56 Nebraskaland • October 2022 MIXED BAG By the time October rolls around, archery season for deer and the upcoming upland bird seasons are at the top of my hunting mind. However, there are a few overlooked autumn hunts that can give hunters exactly what many of us want in the first place — plentiful game and solitude. Mourning Dove Many Nebraska hunters are convinced that all mourning doves migrate south at the first sign of cold weather, but this is simply not the case. From the window of our Nebraskaland offices in Lincoln, I see doves every winter — even through the coldest and harshest of storms. And since I grew up hunting doves in Tennessee in 20- to 30-degree temperatures during college, I'm always reminded of a simple rule: If you can find food, you can find doves. And that food can come in a variety of flavors. "We've shot dove over cut corn, milo, wheat — anything that seeds," said Nebraskaland contributor Larry Kurrus. "As long as there is some bare dirt on the ground. Dove like a clean plate when they eat." Where you see one, you'll often see many. Some of my most memorable dove hunts in Nebraska have come during the last two weeks of the season, long after everyone else has stopped hunting them. Squirrel The mass exodus of leaves from trees in eastern Nebraska occurs around Oct. 15 each year, coinciding with the season's first freeze. "This year could be different," said Nebraska Game and Parks horticulturist Steve Brey. "Because it's been so dry, trees may begin dropping leaves much earlier." Look for nut trees, including oaks and walnuts, and squirrels will eat osage orange balls as well. "As long as they're around, squirrels will continue eating acorns well into October," said Brey. As leaves begin to fall off trees, squirrels become easier to see and will move on warm, sunny afternoons after a cold overnight. Out of all the hunts I've been on, nothing has been more addictive than an October squirrel hunt, when the forest canopy slowly opens up and you can see through the woods forever. Teal Also known as an opening weekend activity, mild weather and low hunting pressure can hold birds in Nebraska well into October. "In years with warmer weather like this year," said Nebraskaland contributor and lifelong waterfowl hunter Todd Mills, "the opening day of October waterfowl can feel like the opening day of September teal those first couple of hours." Hunt these swift fliers the same in October as you did in September, but don't change your big duck decoys because of them. They'll decoy into just about anything. Also, in October, prepare to shoot more greenwings as the month progresses toward November. "As long as a big front doesn't push them out, you can find teal," Mills said. OFTEN-OVERLOOKED OCTOBER HUNTS By Jeff Kurrus Mourning dove in Sarpy County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND An eastern fox squirrel in a Cass County tree. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND Todd Mills' labrador retriever, Hope, fetches a green-winged teal while hunting in the Rainwater Basin. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND

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