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: https://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/377644
Platte Rivers Habitat: Flowing water, some backwater areas, sandbars. When to hunt: November-January. Primary species encountered: Mallards, other dabbling ducks, Canada geese. Equipment needed: Decoys may need heavier anchors to deal with flowing water. Extra consideration of the retrieval of shot waterfowl is needed given flowing waters. Public hunting areas: Few. Comments: There actually are three Platte Rivers – the North, South and the main Platte – all of which can provide some excellent waterfowl hunting. Most areas along the Platte have been leased and public access is limited. Water flows can vary both annually, as well as daily, and may be somewhat treacherous during icy conditions. The rivers probably have the highest densities of hunters, and waterfowl see a lot of other decoy spreads. Making your spread different from others and proper concealment may help in decoying birds. River Systems (e.g., Missouri, Loup) Habitat: Flowing water, some backwater areas, sandbars. When to hunt: Variable, depending on river, typically October-January. Primary species encountered: Mallards, other dabbling ducks, Canada geese. Equipment needed: Decoys may need heavier anchors to deal with flowing water. For the Missouri River, including Lewis and Clark Lake, at least a 16 foot john or other boat is necessary. Public hunting areas: Few, mostly on Loups and Missouri rivers. Comments: Other river systems primarily include the Missouri, Loups, Republican, Niobrara, Cedar and the Calamus. Others may be the Elkhorn, Little and Big Blues, Nemahas and Dismal. The vast majority of land along river systems is privately owned – including that under the water, so permission is required. Hunting variable and typically more late season, although hunting wood ducks and other dabbling ducks is possible. River systems in Nebraska can offer excellent waterfowl hunting when conditions are right and offer lower pressure on most compared to the Platte rivers. NEBRASKAland Magazine • Waterfowl Hunting Nebraska Clint Sejkora of Burchard and Grant Brueggemann of Peru hunt a pumped wetland at Langdon Bend Wildlife Management Area near Nemaha. PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER