Commission Approves 2008 Waterfowl, Crow, Falconry Seasons

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LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners approved 2008 waterfowl, crow and falconry season dates and regulations Friday at a meeting in the Heritage Center at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice.

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.

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. For the early seasons, there are good numbers of teal and Canada geese and good water conditions in many parts of the state.

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 of four; possession limit of eight

Early Canada Geese – Designated zone, Sept. 6-14; daily bag limit of five; possession limit of 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 with all duck season dates within the High Plains zone.

In other action, the Commissioners:

– authorized the issuance of one lottery bighorn sheep permit and one auction permit for the 2009 bighorn hunting season and the nonrefundable lottery permit application fee for 2009 will be $25;

– voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider increases in permit fees for deer, turkey, elk, antelope and lifetime permits; and, establishment of a $5 non-refundable application fee for antelope permits; and, an electronic issue fee of $1 for annual and duplicate park permits, effective with 2009 permits;

– voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider amending fishing regulations and bait collecting and dealer regulations;

– voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to establish 2009 seasons and regulations for spring and fall turkey hunting;

– voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider authorizing shared revenue auction permits for big game;

– voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider removal of the bald eagle from the list of threatened species;

– voted to hold a public hearing at the next meeting to consider allowing limited hunting opportunities at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park;

-- established regulations for the administration of an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate; the exemption certificates will be sold starting Sept. 2.

– approved an updated Avian Influenza Surveillance and Response plan, which calls for sampling 800 birds in Nebraska this fall and winter, primarily mallards, blue-winged teal and other puddle ducks. The plan also details sampling methods that can be used and what the agency’s response would be to a positive test in the state, Central Flyway, or North America. Despite extensive testing, no evidence of the highly-pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been detected in North America. There have been positive tests in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

– approved an annual review of game animals that may be hunted, open hunting periods, areas open for hunting and other special restrictions or limitations at Chadron State Park (SP), Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Platte River SP, Smith Falls SP, Indian Cave SP, Niobrara SP and Ponca SP;

– voted to approve a staff recommendation to amend state park regulations to allow the installation and use of seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area during the 2008/2009 waterfowl hunting seasons for ducks, light geese and dark geese due to continuing drought conditions;

– the 2008 mountain (bighorn) sheep lottery permit was drawn and the winner was David Janssen of Hastings.

Conservation Officer Sean McKeehan of Ashland was presented the Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. McKeehan, an officer since 2002, has had advanced training in boating accident investigation.

Platte River State Park Superintendent Roger Sykes was presented an award recognizing his 40 years of service with the Commission.

The Commissioners will meet next Oct. 30 in Alliance.

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