Waterfowl Hunters Should See Good Opportunities

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NGPC news release, 8/29/08:

LINCOLN, Neb. – Waterfowl hunters should see plenty of good opportunities to bag ducks and geese this fall. Many areas of the state have improved conditions due to a wet spring. As always, weather will have an impact on the later seasons.

Early waterfowl hunting begins with the early teal Low Plains unit Sept. 6-21, and the early Canada goose season Sept. 6-14. The early teal High Plains unit is open Sept. 13-21.

Here’s a regional forecast for the early teal season:

South-central – Teal hunters should find ample water and good numbers of blue-winged teal. With so many places holding water, expect the birds to be spread out and more challenging to hunt. Hunters should return to areas that in the past were dry, because they may be holding water this year.

Hunters should find a good amount of water at the following public hunting areas: Ayr Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Glenvil Basin Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), eastern part of Massie WPA, eastern half of Hansen WPA, Kirkpatrick Basin North WMA, Harvard Marsh WPA, County Line Marsh WPA, Redhead WMA, Rauscher WPA, Deep Well WMA, Gadwall WMA, and North Lake Basin WMA.

Southeast – Good water conditions should provide adequate habitat. The best bet for hunters might be the following Rainwater Basin areas: Freeman Lakes WPA, Shypolk WMA, North Lake Basin WMA, Straight Water WMA, and Tamora Basin WPA.

Other options are Jack Sinn Memorial WMA, Osage WMA, Pawnee Prairie WMA, and Twin Oaks WMA.

Southwest – There should be good opportunities to hunt, with good water conditions and plenty of teal. August precipitation has been above normal. Hunters may want to try the upper end of Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, as well as private wetlands in Perkins, Hayes, and Keith counties.

Southern Panhandle – Prospects are good as conditions are favorable. The area has received more rain than last year and vegetation growth is good. Hunters may want to try Chet and Jane Fliesbach/Faucas Springs WMA, Kiowa WMA, Oliver Reservoir SRA, and along the North Platte River.

Here’s a forecast for the early Canada goose season:

The designated area for the early Canada goose season includes a portion of southeast Nebraska, including Omaha and Lincoln. Goose production was good this year.

Scouting helps hunters identify the patterns of these resident birds, which may change their patterns according to crop practices.

Some Canada geese have been seen using local lakes and watersheds in many parts of southeast Nebraska. They also are using wheat stubble, cut silage and over-grazed pastures. Sod farms may be another site to find feeding and/or loafing birds. The Missouri River has provided some early Canada goose hunting in the past.

Hunters are reminded of the following:

Get permission to hunt on private land;

Sign the federal duck stamp across the face and attach it to their hunt permit;

Be courteous; arrive at the hunting spot well before shooting hours to avoid disturbing other hunters;

Check waders before leaving the house;

Obtain a Harvest Information Program number; only residents under age 16 are exempt;

Be sure of your target species, especially when hunting teal; check the 2008 Nebraska Early Teal brochure for identification information; and
Only use nontoxic shot.

Rains that recharge basins will be key to the later waterfowl seasons.

Nebraska has an average breeding population of ducks this year and has had below average production. Water conditions overall are better than the past few years. The best weather scenario would be a cold front in mid-October that pushes ducks south out of the Dakotas.

Nebraska’s estimated duck harvest in 2007, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was 207,500, up from 168,800 in 2006. The goose harvest was 71,500, compared to 69,300 the year before.

For more information, check out the 2008 Nebraska Waterfowl Seasons brochure, and to buy permits, go to OutdoorNebraska.org.

2008 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons

The 2008 Nebraska waterfowl seasons, with bag and possession limits, are:

Early Teal – Low Plains, Sept. 6-21; High Plains, Sept. 13-21; daily bag limit: four; possession limit: eight;

Early Canada Geese – Designated zone, Sept. 6-14; daily bag limit: five; possession limit: 10;

Youth – Statewide, Sept. 27-28; daily bag and possession limit same as regular duck season;

Ducks and Coots – Low Plains Early, Oct. 11-Dec. 21 and Dec. 27-28; Low Plains Late, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-Jan. 4; High Plains, Oct. 11-Jan. 14; daily bag limit in all areas determined by conventional system, possession limit twice the daily bag;

Pintail and Canvasback – Low Plains Early and High Plains, Oct. 11-Nov. 18; Low Plains Late, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-Nov. 30;

Dark Geese – East Unit, Oct. 25-Jan. 28; North Central Unit, Oct. 11-Jan. 23; Platte River Unit, Oct. 25-Feb. 6; Panhandle Unit, Nov. 8-Feb. 6; Niobrara Unit: Oct. 25-Feb. 6; daily bag limit in all units three geese; possession limit twice the daily bag;

White-Fronted Geese – Statewide, Oct. 11-Dec. 21; daily bag limit: two; possession limit: four;

Light Geese Regular Season -- Statewide, Oct. 11-Jan. 11 and Jan. 26-Feb. 6; daily bag limit: 20; no possession limit;

Light Geese Conservation Action – Zones 1, 2 and 3, Feb. 7-April 12; no bag or possession limits;

Crows – Statewide, Oct. 1-Nov. 15 and Jan. 20-April 6; Special Public Health Hazard Order, Nov. 16-Jan. 19;

Falconry – Low Plains, Sept. 1-30 and concurrent with all duck season dates within Low Plains Early and Low Plains Late zones; High Plains, concurrent