Nebraskaland

42 Nebraskaland • November 2024 Zone History For some time prior to 1971, duck hunters east of U.S. Highway 83 enjoyed a season that was a week longer than it was west of that line. In 1971, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the High Plains Mallard Management Unit, which roughly extended west from the 100th Meridian in states throughout the Central Flyway. The new High Plains Unit, however, received 23 additional hunting days, a decision based on research that had shown harvest and the number of hunters was lower in this portion of Nebraska and these other states. In 1981, the Low Plains Unit was divided into four zones with diff erent season dates based on early- or late-season hunting opportunities. The zones have been modifi ed since. Re-zoning Every five years, the USFWS allows changes to waterfowl zone boundaries. To take advantage of this, Nebraska hunters who obtained a Harvest Information Program number will receive a postcard in November directing them to the Nebraska Game and Parks website where they can offer their input on current zone boundaries. Hunters will print a zone map, mark any changes they desire and mail the form back. "Nebraska has a history of working with duck hunters on waterfowl zone boundaries," said John McKinney, waterfowl program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks, "and since this opportunity only arises every five years, it is important that we hear from hunters this November." During this initial round of input, only written comments will be accepted. Hunters are encouraged to suggest only small changes, as larger shifts could affect a greater number of hunters who may not agree with the change and result in no change being made. A letter in support of a boundary change with multiple signatures will not be accepted. A second round of input will be sought in January regarding any boundary changes that are being proposed. "Nebraska is an amazing state for waterfowl hunting," said McKinney, "and we want hunters to be engaged during this process." The boundaries approved by the Game and Parks Board of Commissioners next spring will be submitted to the USFWS for final approval. New zone boundaries will go into effect beginning in fall of 2026. Concurrently, Game and Parks will seek input and make season date recommendations based on harvest estimates, hunter participation and preference, and migration patterns and timing. These are important steps for hunters like Mills, who has journaled for years on success rates and the migration itself. "With waterfowl hunting being so weather dependent," Mills said, "it's difficult to predict what seasons should look like. Data from this survey is crucial in determining the most effective way to set zones that can increase the success for hunters." N A mallard retrieved by a Lab during an eastern Nebraska duck hunt. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND

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