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/625084
14 NEBRASKAland • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 PHOTO BY ALLAN MORTENSEN Rooster Roundup By Julie Geiser Good pheasant and quail hunting in Nebraska shouldn't be a thing of the past. Knowing that quality habitat will mean increased numbers in pheasants, quail and other wildlife, Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioner Lynn Berggren is a strong proponent of grassland habitat improvements. This hunting season, Berggren and other commissioners have planned trips to experience firsthand the quality of hunting on Nebraska's public lands. Over November and December, they bagged several pheasants and quail and saw great numbers of birds on wildlife management areas (WMA) that have undergone habitat improvements. Hunts have taken place at Sherman Reservoir WMA near Loup City, the Ducks Unlimited Verona Wetlands Complex near Aurora, Davis Creek WMA near North Loup, on conservation reserve program property and Grove Lake WMA by Royal, and also Elk Point Bend WMA near Ponca. "We see a good number of birds," Berggren said. "The opportunity in Nebraska to hunt pheasants is not dead. It's out there." ■ PHOTO BY JENNY NGUYEN Bagging the Big One By Julie Geiser as told by Zac Brashears At 90 years old, Ivan Mortensen finally drew and filled the coveted landowner bull elk tag in the Box Elder Elk Management Unit. Mortensen had applied for an elk tag several times before finally drawing a tag this year. Only four bull tags are available to landowners owning 320 acres or leasing 640 in the Box Elder Unit, criteria that Ivan met for the month-long season running Sept. 26 through Oct. 25. Mortensen scouted and hunted multiple times throughout the season catching glimpses of a few elk; he had a couple close opportunities and several adventures with family members and close friends with elk hunting experience who tried to help him fill his tag. Ivan ventured out on his own in search of a nice bull on several occasions with no luck, which, as any elk hunter will tell you, happens quite frequently. Finally on Oct. 24 hopes of bagging a bull came to light. Accompanied by his grandson Quenton Mortensen; son, Allan Mortensen; and friends Marvin Hanes, Robert and Zac Brashears, the group set out into a crisp 28-degree morning with little wind. Everyone had a great feeling about this particular morning. Just as it was getting light enough to see Robert spotted a bull elk working a ridge toward the bottom of a canyon. Quickly formulating a game plan the hunters dropped into the bottom of the canyon to get in front of the bull to try and call him in. A cow decoy was placed in an opening of the canyon bottom and Zac Brashears started cow calling to lure the bull in for a shot. Several minutes passed with no response from the big bull, so Zac tried bugling to see if they could get a response. Sure enough, the bull had moved in close, bugling back at the hunters. Looking in the direction of the bugle, Zac caught movement of the bull's legs through the cedar trees. He whispered to Ivan to cock the hammer of his Browning Lever Action .30-06 so he would be ready for a shot when the bull walked out into the opening in front of them. After what seemed like an eternity, the bull started moving from behind the cedars toward the cow decoy. The bull stepped into view only 20 yards from Mortensen. Just as planned the big bull was in the clearing, giving Ivan the perfect shot with his open sights. Using a rifle with no scope worked perfectly in this situation; Mortensen squeezed the trigger and the bull ran back up the canyon through the cedars before finally dropping about 50 yards from the shot sight. After finding the downed elk, the celebrating began with congratulations, hugs, phone calls, photos and memories of a hunt that will last for several lifetimes for all that helped Ivan in this journey. Allan Mortensen said, "Dad has walked on cloud nine since this hunt. He would tell his story at the coffee shop to everyone that walked through the door, time and time again." Allen continued, "He even made elk stew for all the residents of the Senior Living Choice in Curtis. He was so ecstatic." ■ es of a en ing