OCTOBER 2015 • NEBRASKAland 17
By Justin Haag
Rejoice, pheasant hunters. The Game and Parks
Commission's annual Upland Game Hunting Outlook
indicates Nebraska's abundance of upland game is on
the rise.
Surveys and staff reports indicate that pheasant
populations are up in all areas of the state compared to
last year, with the southwestern and Panhandle regions
expected to provide the best hunting opportunities.
Relatively mild winter conditions and timely moisture
triggered gains in bird health and habitat. Not only have
birds had more cover this year, but lush conditions also
have brought about an abundance of insects for them to eat.
Pheasants aren't the only game species thriving from the
improved conditions. Numbers are up for sharp-tailed grouse,
quail and cottontails, as they, too, have rebounded from
challenges posed by drought and severe winter weather
between 2009 and 2013.
Details may be found in the full report, which may be
found by searching "2015 Upland Game Hunting Outlook" at
OutdoorNebraska.org.
PHOTO
BY
JENNY
NGUYEN
Hitler's
Impact on the
Great Plains
Examined
By Jeff Kurrus
In the 2015 winter edition of Great
Plains Quarterly, author Larkin Powell
writes that even though Hitler never
managed to bomb America, his war
with the United States and the world
made a lasting and
surprising impact on
Nebraska wildlife.
The article serves
as a reminder of
the many historical
factors that continue
to shape habitat
today. More
information can be
found at
Unl.edu/plains. ■
n
s
e
Send Us Your Trail Cam Photos!
Damon Shada captured a photo of these white-tailed deer on
private land north of Ainsworth.
Please submit your trail camera photos by e-mail to:
nebtrailcam@gmail.com. Also include any information that will
help explain your photo.
Pheasant and Quail
Increasing Statewide
