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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
FALL HUNTING 2013
the north platte telegraph
October has hunters excited for seasons the High Plains Unit. The dark goose season has begun in the North October is one of the Central Unit and runs greatest months. With through Jan. 17. The fall colors all around and Platte River Unit starts a slight chill in the air, it Oct. 28 and goes through also has hunters scramFeb. 9. bling about getting ready Hunters are reminded for hunting seasons. that shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise Duck and to sunset for waterfowl. goose seasons There are several Duck seasons in our changes to the waterfowl area have started or will season this year. Hunters start this month. The two are encouraged to take main duck hunting zones a look at the waterfowl in our area are zones 2 hunting guide for addiand 3. tional info and season Zone 2 hunting seasons changes. began Oct. 5 and run All the hunting guides through Dec. 17 in the for 2013-14 can be found Low Plains Unit with a at local sporting goods split season running Oct. stores, the Nebraska 5 through Dec. 17 and Game and Parks CommisJan. 5-26, 2014, for the sion offices or online at High Plains Unit. outdoornebraska.org. Zone 3 begins Oct. 23 Mobile apps are also and goes through Jan. 4 available and are great in the Low Plains Unit for smart phone users. with a split season Oct. These apps are user 23- Jan. 4 and Jan. 5-26 for friendly and hunters can By Julie Geiser For The North Platte Telegraph
look up any questions about hunting and do it directly from the field.
Antelope season The Antelope firearm season runs Oct. 12-27. The 2013 forecast for antelope populations is stable or decreasing in most units. Harvest is at a 28-year high with no significant winter mortality occurring, but drought likely will decrease fawn survival. New in 2013, the Dismal late antlerless season is closed while Box Butte West River late and Cheyenne late antlerless seasons have been established. The legal description of antelope is as follows: A buck is an antelope with horns longer than its ears. A doe/fawn is an antelope with no horns or with horns shorter
than its ears. It is legal to hunt big game 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes following sunset. Hunters are reminded that they may encounter turkey hunters while in the field during other seasons. All hunters need to be overly cautious when hunting, use common sense and know the target before pulling the trigger or loosing an arrow. Turkey hunters can be in the field until Jan 31, 2014. Turkey hunters are required to wear 400 square inches of hunter orange when hunting during the firearm deer season. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take any turkey perched in a tree before sunrise.
Sunrise/Sunset Another item hunters need to know is the sunrise/sunset schedule. A printed version is available at the North Platte NGPC office or find a sunrise/sunset schedule for North Platte online at outdoorneb raska.org, click hunting, waterfowl and sunrise/ sunset schedule. From there enter the city in question, a month and year. Most people will want to click the civil twighlight time; deer hunters will want to click on the moon phases and moonrise and moonset times and click on am/pm, then generate sunrise/ sunset calendar and print. Keep one of these in your hunting bag, coat and in your vehicle so you know the proper shooting times for each species you are hunting.
Sunrise/ Sunset North Platte OCTOBER Date Rise Set 1 7:39 7:25 2 7:40 7:24 3 7:41 7:22 4 7:42 7:20 5 7:43 7:19 6 7:44 7:17 7 7:45 7:15 8 7:46 7:14 9 7:47 7:12 10 7:48 7:10 11 7:50 7:09 12 7:51 7:07 13 7:52 7:06 14 7:53 7:04 15 7:54 7:03 16 7:55 7:01 17 7:56 7:00 18 7:57 6:58 19 7:58 6:57 20 7:59 6:55 21 8:01 6:54 22 8:02 6:52 23 8:03 6:51 24 8:04 6:49 25 8:05 6:48 26 8:06 6:47 27 8:08 6:45 28 8:09 6:44 29 8:10 6:43 30 8:11 6:41 31 8:12 6:40
Special deer hunts OK in Nebraska LINCOLN (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has opened antlerless deer hunting in three eastern Nebraska state park areas. The hunting will be allowed within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks, as well as Schramm Park State Recreation Area. Applicants will be issued a special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on designated dates in December and January. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an orientation session in order to receive the special access permit. Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. If more applications are received than can be accommodated, a drawing will be held Nov. 6. Applications are available at OutdoorNebraska.org.
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the north platte telegraph
FALL HUNTING 2013
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
D3
Flood will likely impact fall hunting River habitat has changed, along with land surrounding some bird blinds, tree stands By Rick Windham For The North Platte Telegraph
Hunters with a blind or hunting ground along the South Platte River likely realize how the recent flood has changed things — quite a bit. Lots of river bottom got inundated with floodwaters and there is still standing water in some locations. What many hunters may not have thought about is that wildlife in the river bottom had to move to get away from the water. Their natural instinct told them to go to higher ground. Most made it without any problems, some didn’t. There were a few deer that didn’t make it out. I’ve found the carcasses. Most did get out OK but getting across roadways was another story. The interstate between Gothenburg and Lexington had many deer casualties as deer tried to cross the road to escape rising water. n
As the flood was coming down the river, I was checking with hunting buddies upstream to get an idea of what we might expect here. One bowhunting friend emailed me as the flood crest passed between Brule and Ogallala. He estimated 6 feet of water under his treestand. There was no way he was going to get out and arrow a deer. Other hunters have said their deer stands were damaged or simply disappeared. One
hunter said the entire tree where his stand was hanging is gone. The rushing water cut the bank and the river changed its course enough to wash away his hunting spot. There are other stories about a couple of ladder stands that were damaged when debris in the water collected around the ladders and the pressure of the water bent and twisted the ladders. Some repair work will be needed in these spots to make the stands safe again. Hunters are encouraged to check duck or goose blinds on the South Platte River. Several blinds were either washed away or severely damaged and will need rebuilt before they are ready to host hunters again. There is still time before the ducks get here. Turkeys were also imRick Windham / For The North Platte Telegraph pacted by the flood. When floodwaters from early September storms in Colorado reached Nebraska in mid-September, the South It is true that they Platte River flooded from the state line to North Platte. Water continued to rise in the Platte River into central Neroost in trees above the braska, pushing wildlife of all kinds from their homes. floodwaters, but they generally leave the area. The floodwater covchance of this is highly skinning it out. It was develop an illness if will move and dilute any ered their food sources unlikely. also recommended to exposed. toxins that may exist in and it will be a while The uptake of toxins wash down the skinned This report has led to the environment. Mother before these areas are by animals is generally deer before butchering. questions on whether Nature has an amazing high and dry with food Sounds like good advice. a long-term proposition. deer and turkey taken ability to heal herself. sources growing again. They must be exposed to The same precautions from the river bottom I’m not going to worry The turkeys won’t return this year would be safe the toxin for long perican extend to turkeys. about where I hunt this until they have both food to eat. ods to absorb enough Follow the same suggesfall or if the game I take and roost sites available. to cause problems with Those who take normal tions and wild turkey is safe to eat. There were reports of humans consumption. care of their game in the should be fine to put on My bigger concern has floodwaters bringing Keep in mind that the the table. field as they would any been whether displaced huge amounts of toxins flood event is short term. animals will return to Another question is other year are going to and pollen. One report There really isn’t whether there could be be fine. their pre-flood haunts. even said that enough enough time/duration an uptake of toxins by One expert suggests The good news is that toxins/pollutants were for this type of a potendeer or turkey through deer hunters wash down I am already seeing deer tial hazard to develop. what they ate. Could in the water to make the carcass of any deer and turkey returning to and make sure its hide is contaminated food sourc- Floodwaters will recede, the river bottom environit 10 to 15 times more then rains and wind es taint the meat? The ment. likely that a person could clean of mud and debris
Keep up on what’s happening in the outdoor world with weekly columns by Rick Windham and Julie Geiser in Friday’s issue of
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FALL HUNTING 2013
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
the north platte telegraph
Fishing isn’t over yet — the best is yet to come By Julie Geiser For The North Platte Telegraph
With fall in the air, many people are putting away their rods and reels and are gearing up for the many types of hunting that have already started. What many anglers are forgetting is that fall is one of the best times of the year to fish. During the fall the heat isn’t a problem and the bugs aren’t half bad either, which makes fishing much more enjoyable. The best part is that the fish are in a feeding frenzy this time of year to get fattened up for the winter months. Much like humans, fish must undergo warm water temperatures in the summer, cooler water in the fall, freezing cold temperatures during the winter and then back to warming water in the spring. They also must be able to survive the changing water temperatures. Many species of fish increase the amount of food they consume during the fall. Like a hibernating bear, this prepares the fish for the winter months when they may not be as active and feed as often. During the fall, many fish will be in the best shape of the year as they pile on the fat and reach their maximum yearly weight. This does mean more action for anglers but keep in mind you will still have to compete with the abun-
dance of baitfish that live in Nebraska’s waters. Start fall fishing using the same basic areas that were fished during the summer months but move into slightly shallower water where predator fish can often be found ambushing schools of shad between the surface and mid-depths of water. Looking for concentrated areas of baitfish in reservoirs will lead anglers in the right direction to catch more fish this fall. Look for shad and other baitfish along points, humps or islands and ridges along channels of the lake or reservoir. Follow the gulls or other birds that may be fishing in the area. They will lead you to the baitfish as well. Fish in shallow water, back waters and bays, then slowly move to deeper water or the main body of the reservoir as fall progresses, and try to follow the prey fish. Many species of game fish will be feeding heavily on their prey. Wipers, white bass and walleye will typically move toward deeper water as the water temperatures cool. Fall presentations will consist of lures and baits that match the baitfish. Imitating the size, shape and color of baitfish is a good place to start. Begin with lures and baits that can easily be used in the shallows for early fall fishing then progress to those made for deep water
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Nightcrawlers with a split-shot placed several inches above the hook is another tried and true method of bank fishing. And then there is the salmon eggs and PowerBait, either of which works at different times when placed on a hook and cast out into the canal. Most anglers cast across the canal letting the bait drift with the current. Others walk downstream as the bait bounces along the bottom. When a bite is felt, set the hook when the trout starts to move with the bait. Using light tackle with 4- to 6-pound test line and a sensitive light action rod will allow anglers to feel Julie Geiser / For The North Platte Telegraph more bites. Top that off This young angler is doing some early fall fishing at the Sutherland Reservoir inlet. with small hooks and just Fall is a good time for anglers because many fish species look for big meals so they enough weight on the line to cast and let the bait sink are prepared for winter. to the bottom to get more action than heavy tackle. a cold-water species and a line of canals and small fishing as the water cools Just in case the trout they are very active and lakes flowing downstream don’t like the gob of worm, more in late fall. easier to catch in the fall. that offer great bank fishRemember that the salmon eggs or PowerBait, The Rock Creek Hatching for trout. predator fish are looking throw in a couple of small ery has just stocked sevThe chilly waters that for a good meal and will spinner baits and feathereral waters with trout for run from the Keystone Di- weight jigs to be prepared be selecting larger prey the hooking. Barnett Park version Dam to the Paxton for whatever the fish may for their fall menu. Going in McCook has 1,000 trout, Siphon hold exceptional bigger for fall fishing is be hungry for on a given Harlan County Stilling trout water. It’s a stretch of day. probably better. water where anglers have As the water gets colder, Basin in Republican City Nebraska has many was stocked with 1,200, ample area to cover in many baitfish will die off. secret hot spots for trout search of trout. This is an opportunity for and Elm Creek at Red fishing that can be utiThere are different anglers to present a “dying Cloud also received 1,000 lized all year. These great trout all at 9.1-inches long. presentations to use when trout fishing streams fish” lure or presentation Nebraska has many wa- canal fishing. The most to capitalize on predator are tucked away in the fish that may be looking ters that support cold-wapopular of these is bouncbeautiful Sandhills of for an easy meal. ter fish year-round. Lake ing bait along the bottom. Nebraska. Anglers can McConaughy, which feeds Be sure to scout water catch rainbow, brown and Trout fishing into Lake Ogallala, offers levels as the canal may be brook trout at Verdigre Trout fishing is also many trout fishing possidrained during different Creek, Long Pine Creek good in the fall. Trout are and Ninemile Creek. bilities. After that, there is times of the year.
Wildlife grants available Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Tourism Commission are requesting proposals that will enhance watchable wildlife and nature-based experi-
ences in Nebraska. Potential projects include viewing-site development, events and plan development. Proposals are due Nov. 25. Visit WatchWildlifeNe. org or contact Kristal Stoner at kristal.stoner@nebraska.gov for more information.
the north platte telegraph
FALL HUNTING 2013
Turkeys gone wild in Maine State expands rules for hunters
wildlife restoration project ever, wild turkeys are eating crops, ruining gardens, crashing into cars and motorcycles and even smashing PORTLAND, Maine (AP) through suburban windows. — Once nearly wiped out of The unprecedented popuexistence, turkeys are run- lation spike prompted Maine ning wild. to expand its turkey-hunting Buoyed by what’s been rules, creating a bounty for called the most successful bird hunters. The fall turkey
Special youth hunts set for Oct. 19&20 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN — Youth ages 15 and younger are encouraged to participate in special youth pheasant hunts at nine wildlife management areas across Nebraska during the Oct. 19-20 statewide youth pheasant, quail and partridge season. Rooster pheasants will be released at all designated sites before the hunt season. The special hunts are open to the public, and the number of participants is not limited. No registration or special permit is required but special regulations will be in effect and posted. The special youth hunt WMAs are Pressey (Custer County); Sherman Reservoir (Sherman County); Oak Valley (Madison County); Branched Oak (Lancaster County); Twin Oaks (Johnson County); Hickory Ridge (Johnson County); Wilkinson (Platte County); Peru Bottoms (Nemaha County) and Yankee Hill (Lancaster County). This is the third year of the special hunt, which is intended to increase youth participation in upland game hunting.
hunting season began Oct. 3. Nonexistent in Maine 26 years ago, the turkey population has increased to an estimated 60,000 birds. The growth in Maine mirrors what’s been happening across North America, with the numbers climbing from about 1 million to 7 million birds in the past 30 years.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
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A trio of turkeys takes to the air to avoid an oncoming motorist in Freeport, Maine. The state’s wild turkey population has grown to unprecedented levels since restoration efforts began in the 1990s, creating a bounty for bird hunters, but a nuisance for farmers, apple growers and gardeners. The Associated Press
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
FALL HUNTING 2013
the north platte telegraph
What am I going to do with all this meat now? Outdoorsman shares hunting season recipes
Grilled Fruit This is something quite different and a welcome diversion for most wild game feeds or camp meals. Any kind of fruit can be used but peaches and pears are the favorites. The Treches chili powder is available in many stores that have a Mexican food section. The Walmart in North Platte doesn’t carry it, but the store in Lexington does.
By Rick Windham For The North Platte Telegraph
Sometime during the hunting season, every hunter looks in his or her freezer and asks, “What am I going to do with all this?” Here are a few suggestions. These are camp-proven favorites, passing the test with the hunting buddies. These recipes meet the basic criteria for camp cooking — quick, simple, easy and good.
Directions: Fire up the grill and place fruit halves on the hot grill to sear and lock in the juices. Don’t overcook and dry out the fruit. Sprinkle on chili powder and flip fruit half, sear and sprinkle again with chili powder. As an option, add shredded cheddar cheese to the pears.
Courtesy photo
Fried Venison Loins
Directions: Cut the tenderloins into ½-inch There will be no leftovers with this steaks. Pound the meat with a simple recipe that will be a camp tenderizing hammer until the steak favorite. Have lots of venison on hand is about ¼-inch thick. This will just because everyone will want more. The secret is the Zesta crackers and about double the surface area of the steak. the butter-flavored oil it’s cooked in. Mix all seasonings together in a shaker. Melt Crisco in a deep frying Ingredients: pan. Crush crackers to fine crumbs. 3 pounds of venison tenderloin Whip eggs in a large bowl. Roll the 2 sticks of butter-flavored Crisco steak in flour and dip in the eggs. 2 cups of flour Roll the dipped steak in the cracker 2 cups of milk crumbs. 6 eggs Lay each steak into the frying 1 box of Zesta salted cracker (other pan and cook for about a minute on brands will not cook the same way) each side. Remove from the frying 1 tablespoon of salt pan and liberally shake on the sea1 tablespoon of black pepper soning. Let the steaks dry on paper 1 tablespoon of garlic salt 1 tablespoon of onion salt towels.
Mich. expects sucessful deer hunting season LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Deer hunters in Michigan are expected to see a successful season in the field this year, according to a new report from the state Department of Natural Resources. The DNR’s report on the 2013 season said some areas may see lower numbers of deer, but overall, the DNR said the
Ingredients: Several large cans of halved fruit (peaches and pears work great) Bottle of Treches chili powder
change is expected to be minimal. Hunting in parts of the state has been affected in the past by epizootic hemorrhagic disease, an insect-spread deer disease. That’s expected to be the case again this season, although the only outbreak reported recently has been in Muskegon County.
Redneck Duck a l’Orange Fall means waterfowling in Nebraska. This recipe is a consistent favorite. It is one of the easiest recipes for ducks, and the preferred duck is teal. This recipe has a blend of flavors that is something special on the dinner table. It uses a crock pot, so it may not be possible in a blind but it is worth trying. Ingredients: 6 teal ducks 1 large can orange juice concentrate 1 large can of Mandarin oranges 1 pound of sliced, dried apples 1 cup teriyaki sauce 4 cups rice
Directions: Skin and dress the ducks for cooking. Place ducks in a crock pot, butt up. Add teriyaki sauce and orange juice concentrate to the crock pot. Fill body cavities with orange and apple slices and fill with water until ducks are covered. Place on high heat and cook until meat begins to fall apart (about four hours). Remove ducks from crock pot and set aside. Add rice to the mixture/liquid in the crock pot. While rice is cooking, de-bone the ducks so all that remains is duck meat. When rice is cooked, place on a large serving dish and top with meat to serve. This recipe will feed 6-8 people.
Indiana studying ruling that throws out deer farm ban INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is studying a southern Indiana judge’s ruling throwing out the state’s ban on enclosed deer hunting farms, a spokesman said earlier this month. Harrison Circuit Judge John Evans ruled the Indiana Department of Natural Resources didn’t have the authority to ban the deer farms when its former director, Kyle Hupfer, issued an emergency order
doing so in 2005. Evans’ ruling followed a summary judgment in a separate case in Owen County last year that supported the DNR ban, spokesman Phil Bloom said. “There have now been two court cases in this matter with different conclusions by two judges,” Bloom said. “The DNR is obviously disappointed in the Harrison County judge’s decision and currently is in process of evaluating that ruling.”
In the latest ruling, Evans issued a permanent injunction prohibiting enforcement of the DNR order. A preliminary injunction had barred it while the case was pending. Rodney Bruce, owner of the Whitetail Bluff deer farm near Corydon and one of the operators who sued the DNR, said the ruling “is like taking the handcuffs off” because it will allow him to compete with similar operations in other states. Bruce said he believed the decision would allow the industry to grow as it has in many other states. “There were only four [deer farms] active in the state until yesterday,” Bruce said. “With this ruling, others can open now.” Opponents label the preserves “canned hunting” and contend it’s cruel to animals, giving hunters a free shot at deer that don’t have room to roam and may be mistreated. Bruce said he hopes to work with the DNR in crafting regulations that would ensure appropriate standards. Bruce and other deer farmers complain the DNR initially gave them approval to operate before reversing itself and issuing a regulation banning the preserves. The Indiana House twice passed bills to allow the preserves operate, but the proposals met firm opposition from state Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and never got a Senate hearing.
Look for Telegraph news and sports stories online at nptelegraph. com
the north platte telegraph
FALL HUNTING 2013
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
D7
An innovative way to attract more birds By Rick Windham For The North Platte Telegraph
What waterfowl hunter wouldn’t want to get more ducks or geese into range? There is a new product on the market that may do the trick. It is known as the WindWhacker decoy system. Don Rohrke is the inventor of the WindWhacker decoy system and as with many inventions, it was born out of necessity. “Can you imagine the frustration that comes with being hearing impaired and unable to call ducks? Well, that’s me. I’m an old man and a lifetime duck hunter. I can’t hear anymore and as a result can’t call,” Rohrke said. “It really sucks when you are surrounded by other blinds that are pulling the birds away from you. “So, I made myself a mechanical spinning wing. Bingo, it worked. The only problem was that it was
heavy and hard to transport, required batteries and it failed. Even under good hunting conditions, electricity and water don’t mix. “I looked at a lot of different options, but there was no product on the market that was effective, light weight, easy to use, transportable and easy to assemble in the field,” Rohrke said. “These were the problems I thought needed to be solved and that’s how the WindWhacker came to be.” Rohrke also talks about buying into a hunting club and using his decoys. After just one season, the other members of the hunting club were upset at the number of birds Rohrke was pulling into his blind, even though the other hunters were using calls and many battery-operated swing-wing decoys. They did not want the landowner to renew his lease. That is pretty good
proof that the decoy system works. n
I will admit, when I pulled the decoy system out of its shipping box, I was a bit confused. I thought I was getting duck decoys and it looked nothing like I thought it should. It had two metal blades painted black on one side and white on the other. These blades were suspended from a pair of wire arms that stuck out in a “T” configuration from the top of a skinny carbon fiber pole. It didn’t look anything like a duck. It looked more like an antenna of some kind. I was a bit skeptical, but I gave it a try anyway … and it worked. The blades suspended from the arms began spinning instantly even though it was only a slight breeze. It was easy to see why it would work. The spinning blades looked like the flutter of wings. I set out the
WindWhackers — two of the double-bladed sets — and drove off to a point about three-quarters of a mile away. Even with the unaided eye, I could pick up the flash and motion of the WindWhackers. It reminded me of what you see as a duck gets ready to land, that last few feet before touchdown. A duck looks like it is back-peddling as it drops and slows down. This is what I think the WindWhacker mimics. Another plus for this decoy system is that it takes up very little space and weighs only a couple pounds. A couple of static duck decoys weighs more than the WindWhacker. The decoy system will
cost about $30 for a single blade decoy or $50 for the twin blade system. Check out the company’s website at windwhacker. com and be sure to watch the videos. Maybe the best testimonial comes from Sean Mann, a world champion duck and goose caller. “WindWhackers are simply amazing tools,” Mann said. “They are lightweight, space-saving, use no batteries and are amazingly effective. I won’t go snow goose or duck hunting without my WindWhackers. I can carry 10 WindWhacker rigs in less space than two motorized decoys. And WindWhackers are legal everywhere.”
Courtesy photo
Rick Windham holds the WindWhacker. Invented by Don Rohrke, the device is a mechanical decoy system that mimics the wing movement of landing birds.
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FALL HUNTING 2013
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
the north platte telegraph
Pheasant, quail hunting outlook better than last year By Julie Geiser For The North Platte Telegraph
The Nebraska pheasant and quail seasons open Saturday, Oct. 26, and hunters are wondering what the hunting outlook will be for the ringneck and quail seasons. “The drought last year hit the pheasant populations pretty hard, and the spring pheasant counts this year were down as much as 60 percent from 2012,” said TJ Walker, wildlife biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. While the drought’s impacts continued into the nesting season this year, delaying nesting activity and limiting insect popula-
Courtesy photo
tions, which account for up to 95 percent of a pheasant chick’s diet. Recent field observations are leading biologists to be fairly optimistic. NGPC biologists found that adult bird numbers are low but there seems to have been
good production late this summer, and there may be a 10 percent to 15 percent increase in the pheasant population from last year with a much higher proportion of young birds compared to 2012, which should result in better opportunity for hunters. This season will still not compare to the 2010 and 2011 hunting seasons but will be better than last year. Hunters are encouraged to do some scouting prior to opening day, as some CRP has been grazed or hayed again this year. Favorite fields from previous years could be partially or entirely hayed off. To avoid opening morning surprises, get out there and look around a bit.
Southwest Nebraska continues to be the best area in the state for bird numbers and availability of public access sites. These areas will be drawing hunters in from other portions of the state and other states as well. Hitchcock County is still tough to beat for pheasant and quail hunting, but Hayes, Perkins and Chase counties all have good bird numbers and abundant public access sites. Hunters are reminded to not overlook wheat and
milo stubble, as hunters did surprisingly well last year in these fields, though the wheat stubble is pretty sparse in some areas. The 2013 Public Access Atlases are available at the NGPC offices and local sporting goods stores. These books are great for locating all the public access areas, however, the wheat and milo stubble program provided some additional public areas to hunt on after the atlas was printed. Hunters can pull up the
access maps on the NGPC website and print them. Hunters wanting more information on the upland game forecast or wishing to get the 2013 Public Access Atlas should look at the hunting portion of the NGPC webpage at outdoornebraska.org or contact the nearest NGPC office. As always, hunters should respect private landowners and their property rights and ask for permission before hunting or fishing on private land.
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