NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/573001
OCTOBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 59 honored to represent southwestern Nebraska for 10 years as a Commissioner for the Nebraska Game and Parks. Boundless opportunities are available on public and private lands. Properties enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program have more than once put game in the bag. Public waters offer outstanding fishing and waterfowl hunting. When a particular species is targeted, you must always be prepared to take advantage of other species you may encounter. The only thing left to decide is which species might be your favorite. With pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, turkey, doves, cottontail, squirrel, white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, walleye, crappie, catfish, bass, wiper, muskie, perch, drum, bullhead, bluegill, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, beaver, fox, and mink, among others to choose from – the issue is which one? You just never know what the next pocket, canyon or cove may hold. Luckily, for those taking advantage of the Mixed Bag Capital, there is no need to choose. The Mixed Bag Capital is a special and exciting place that is near and dear to the heart of many and should be experienced by everyone. ■ 2015 HUNTING SEASON DATES BIG GAME Fall Turkey .............. Sept. 15-Jan. 31 Pronghorn Archery .....................Aug. 20-Dec. 31 Muzzleloader............Sept. 19-Oct. 4 October Firearm .............. Oct. 10-25 Late Doe/Fawn ......... Nov. 1-Jan. 31 Elk Archery Bull .......... Sept. 15-Oct. 25 Firearm Bull ........... Sept. 26-Oct. 25 Private Land Antlerless .............. Aug. 15-Oct. 25, Dec. 1-31 Public Land Antlerless .............Sept. 26-Oct. 25, Dec. 1-31 Bighorn Sheep ................... Dec. 1-22 Deer Archery ...................... Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Statewide Whitetail Buck .................................... Sept. 1-Dec. 31 Mule Deer Conservation Area ....................... Nov. 14-22, Dec. 1-31 Muzzleloader .................... Dec. 1-31 November Firearm ........ Nov. 14-22 Restricted Statewide Buck ............................................ Nov. 14-22 Youth ......................... Sept. 1-Jan. 15 Landowner .............. Sept. 1-Jan. 15 Season Choice ......... Sept. 1-Jan. 15 River Antlerless ...... Sept. 1-Jan. 15 Gifford Point WMA ................Sept. 1- Jan. 15 DeSoto Oct. Muzzleloader ............................................. Oct. 24-25 DeSoto Dec. Muzzleloader ............................................ Dec. 19-20 Boyer Chute NWR ......... Dec. 12-20 SMALL GAME Pheasant, Quail, Partridge ........................................Oct. 31-Jan. 31 Youth Pheasant, Quail, Partridge* ................................................ Oct. 24-25 Grouse* ....................... Sept. 1-Jan. 31 Cottontail, Jackrabbit ....................................... Sept. 1-Feb. 29 Squirrel......................... Aug. 1-Jan. 31 Dove .............................Sept. 1-Oct. 30 Eurasian Collared-Dove ................................................Year-round Snipe ........................... Sept. 1-Dec. 16 Virginia, Sora Rail ..... Sept. 1-Nov. 9 Woodcock ................. Sept. 19-Nov. 2 FURBEARERS Raccoon, Virginia Opossum .....................................Sept. 1-Oct. 31 Muskrat, Beaver ..................................Nov. 1-March 31 Bobcat ..........................Dec. 1-Feb. 29 Raccoon, Virginia Opossum, Long- tailed Weasel, Mink, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Badger Nov. 1-Feb. 29 Striped Skunk ...................Year-round WATERFOWL Dark Goose East, Panhandle, Niobrara & Platte River ................ Oct. 28-Feb. 9 North Central ............. Oct. 3-Jan. 15 Light Goose Statewide ...................Oct. 3-Dec. 28, Jan. 23-Feb. 9 Light Goose Conservation Order Rainwater Basin ... Feb. 10-April 5 East Zone..............Feb. 10-April 15 West Zone ............. Feb. 10-April 5 White-fronted Goose Statewide ..................... Oct. 3-Dec. 4, Jan. 30-Feb. 9 Early Teal Low Plains .........................Sept. 5-20 High Plains ..................... Sept. 12-20 Duck Zone 1 ...................... Oct. 10-Dec. 22 Zone 2 Low Plains ............... Oct. 3-Dec. 15 High Plains ...... Oct. 3-Dec. 15 and Jan. 6-27 Zone 3 Low Plains ................ Oct. 24-Jan. 5 High Plains ....... Oct. 24-Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 -27 Zone 4 ......................... Oct. 3-Dec. 15 Coot Zone 1 ...................... Oct. 10-Dec. 22 Zone 2 Low Plains ............... Oct. 3-Dec. 15 High Plains ...... Oct. 3-Dec. 15 and Jan. 6-27 Zone 3 Low Plains ................ Oct. 24-Jan. 5 High Plains ....... Oct. 24-Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 -27 Zone 4 ......................... Oct. 3-Dec. 15 Youth Zone 1 ..................................... Oct. 3-4 Zone 2 .............................. Sept. 26-27 Zone 3 ................................ Oct. 17-18 Zone 4 .............................. Sept. 26-27 Crow Statewide ...................Oct. 1-Nov. 15, Jan. 20-April 6 Special Public Health Hazard Order ........................Nov. 16-Jan. 19 OCTOBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 59 *Special regulations at some hunting sites. See the 2015 Hunting Guide for more details. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a complete list with regulations, methods, etc. Please see all of the 2015 hunting guides for more details.