October 2026 • Nebraskaland 41
A Tradition Worth Keeping
Pheasant hunting is not like sitting for deer on leased
property or, if a hunter is fortunate, walking family-owned
ground. And it's not dropping thousands of dollars to hunt a
trophy bull elk in another state. Upland hunting is something
anyone can do: all you need is a shotgun and a pair of boots.
"Upland bird hunting opens up the whole state to you
as far as opportunity goes. I can pursue prairie grouse,
pheasants and quail throughout different parts of the state
for five months out of the year," Laux said. "Fortunately,
there are still strongholds of habitat throughout Nebraska
and in nearby states that allow people to still have that
sense of exploration."
And while Laux no longer has time to scout and sit
in a deer stand every morning as a working father with
young children, upland hunting still fits in with his "crazy"
schedule. He can go walk a field at any time of day for a
couple of hours, plus the season is long.
Pheasant hunting is attainable, which makes it worth
preserving for bringing along the next generations of
hunters. It's a tradition that keeps people connected to
the land, and when people are connected to the land, it
gives them opportunities to become aware of conservation
concerns they would not have known otherwise.
On this 100th pheasant season, Pheasants Forever and
the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission look forward to a
future of securing conservation wins.
"Where can we find common ground to create habitat?"
Laux asked. "As the landscape evolves, we have opportunities
before us to find innovative ways to provide that habitat, to
create those benefits and to ensure the tradition continues."
N
A graphic commemorates the 100th Pheasant
Season. It is available as a sticker to all Upland
Slam participants.
SHERMAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
A pheasant flushes for Calandra McCool of
Omaha during a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
hunt in Bartlett. Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
