Tips From A Turkey Guide
1) Don’t get too close. Set up a couple hundred yards from a gobbling turkey so you don’t risk spooking him.
2) Don’t call much. Use soft yelps and clucks to let the bird know where you are and then quit calling. If the bird gobbles then answer him with some soft yelps, purrs and clucks and go silent again.
3) Be ready. Have your shotgun shouldered and pointed in the direction of the last gobble. Once the bird is in sight you need to have your head down on the gun, safety off and be pointed in the right direction. Any movement at this point on your part is suspect to getting you busted by the bird’s amazing eyesight.
4) Let the turkey find you. If the tom is heading in your direction don’t call. Let him come find you.
5) Be Patient. Don’t be in a hurry to get up if your bird doesn’t gobble. Wait him out. If he ends up gobbling away from you and doesn’t come back after 40 minutes to an hour, pickup and move.
6) Listen. When you move to a new spot in the morning, listen for 5 to 10 minutes before calling. Many times if a hot bird is in the area he’ll gobble and you can pinpoint his location without announcing your presence.
If you’d like to gain an education in turkey hunting, then I highly recommend you spend three days with Terry Knight or any of the guides at Lifetime Hunts. For more information or to book your next hunt, visit www.merriamsturkey.com or call (402) 304-1192
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Nebraska Waterfowl - Duck Seasons 2012
Watefowl Outfitters and Guides
Top Gun Hunt Club
Nebraska Hunting Company
Snow Goose Guides
Season Dates:
Zone 1: Oct. 13 – Dec. 25
Zone 2 (Low Plains): Oct. 6 – Dec. 18
Zone 2 (High Plains): Oct. 6 – Dec. 18 and Jan. 2-23, 2013
Zone 3 (Low Plains): Oct. 20 – Jan. 1, 2013
Zone 3 (High Plains): Oct. 20 – Jan. 1, 2013, and Jan. 2-23, 2013
Zone 4: Oct. 6 – Dec. 18
Top Gun Hunt Club
Nebraska Hunting Company
Snow Goose Guides
Season Dates:
Zone 1: Oct. 13 – Dec. 25
Zone 2 (Low Plains): Oct. 6 – Dec. 18
Zone 2 (High Plains): Oct. 6 – Dec. 18 and Jan. 2-23, 2013
Zone 3 (Low Plains): Oct. 20 – Jan. 1, 2013
Zone 3 (High Plains): Oct. 20 – Jan. 1, 2013, and Jan. 2-23, 2013
Zone 4: Oct. 6 – Dec. 18
Daily Bag/Possession Limits: Six ducks. May include no more than five mallards (of
which no more than two can be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails and
one canvasback. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
which no more than two can be hens), three wood ducks, two redheads, two pintails and
one canvasback. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
Merganser Bag/Possession Limits: The daily bag for mergansers is five, which may
include no more than two hooded mergansers. Mergansers do not count toward the daily
bag and possession limits for other ducks. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
Coot Daily Bag/Possesion Limit: The daily bag for coots is 15. The possession limit is
twice the daily bag limit.
- Shotgun (10 gauge or smaller. All shotguns must be plugged. The combined capacity of the chamber and magazine is no more than three shells)
- Bow and Arrow
- Electronic calls are prohibited.
Shooting Hours:
30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
Requirements:
| Resident: | Nonresident: |
| Hunt Permit | Hunt Permit |
| Habitat Stamp | Habitat Stamp |
| Hunter Education | Hunter Education |
| Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp | Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp |
| Federal Migratory Bird Stamp | Federal Migratory Bird Stamp |
| HIP Registration | HIP Registration |
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Snow Goose: Early Spring Waterfowl
Snow Goose Hunting in Late Winter and Early Spring
WHITE OUT: Atlantic Flyway population studies indicate that between the mid 1960s and now, snow goose numbers grew from an estimated 50,000 to more than one million. Officials predict that by the middle of the next decade, roughly two million snowies might compete for limited space, doubling in current size. (Delta Waterfowl media photo)
By Steve Hickoff
The so-called regular waterfowl seasons may be over, but don’t put your gear away just yet. Clean it, for sure, but keep it ready to roll . . .
In the heavily human-populated Atlantic Flyway where I write this — and elsewhere around the United States — it’s not just humankind competing for space. Snow goose numbers are at all-time highs, migration time depending.
That’s good news for hunters. In late-winter and early-spring you can jumpstart your waterfowl season, extending it into spring turkey time.
Snow goose numbers exceed available food and habitat in many areas. As a result, federal and state wildlife management organizations now offer expanded seasons for these waterfowl in many locations. By conservation order, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has specifically mandated this effort to control growing numbers.
Though they’re hunted elsewhere, eight states in the Atlantic Flyway were open last year under the “conservation order” for late-winter and early-spring snow goose hunting. These included North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware to the south, and New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont to the north. Check your current regulations as changes may appear there.
More geese? Waterfowl hunters couldn’t be happier. So how do you hunt them?
First check to see if your state offers a late-winter or early-spring season. Many do.
Once licenses, permits and stamps are secured, assess your waterfowling gear. You may need to amp up your decoy holdings with snow goose fakes. Shells and full-body options are widely available for this growing sport.
As with real estate, location is everything. Scout for these so-called “light geese” in agricultural haunts. Gain permission from landowners to hunt these spots. Be there before dawn the next morning to set your spread of dekes.
Huddled in a layout blind, snow goose calls on a lanyard around your neck, non-toxic loads chambered in your shotgun, you’re ready to roll.
Some other tips to hunting these light geese include:
Your effort to find them might begin where they roost, and include locating a nearby field where they feed and/or might forage. Study them for a pattern of use. They’ll often move and feed early in the day and later in the afternoon, loafing elsewhere during midday. Sometimes too they just move on.
Study maps, drive and glass fields, and seek landowner permission at all costs, explaining what you’ll be doing and even why. Set your spread at midday for later afternoon hunts. If it feels right, get back there the next morning too. Don’t pressure a spot; then again, hunt it while it’s hot and even just a little warm.
As camouflage goes, wear white if snow covers the ground, or standard options if you’re in a layout blind or using natural cover. Blend in, no matter what. Snowies feel the pressure, and adjust accordingly. If possible, hide all unnatural evidence, including your truck, trailer and four-wheeler. Make it look real.
Spreads should consist of as many snow goose decoys as possible. Full body snows, shell fakes, and silhouettes should round off your presentation. It’s not unusual for a hardcore snow goose hunter to place several hundred to even 1,000 or more decoys out in a field, and even use wing flags to impart movement to the spread.
WHITE OUT: Atlantic Flyway population studies indicate that between the mid 1960s and now, snow goose numbers grew from an estimated 50,000 to more than one million. Officials predict that by the middle of the next decade, roughly two million snowies might compete for limited space, doubling in current size. (Delta Waterfowl media photo)
By Steve Hickoff
The so-called regular waterfowl seasons may be over, but don’t put your gear away just yet. Clean it, for sure, but keep it ready to roll . . .
In the heavily human-populated Atlantic Flyway where I write this — and elsewhere around the United States — it’s not just humankind competing for space. Snow goose numbers are at all-time highs, migration time depending.
That’s good news for hunters. In late-winter and early-spring you can jumpstart your waterfowl season, extending it into spring turkey time.
Snow goose numbers exceed available food and habitat in many areas. As a result, federal and state wildlife management organizations now offer expanded seasons for these waterfowl in many locations. By conservation order, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has specifically mandated this effort to control growing numbers.
Though they’re hunted elsewhere, eight states in the Atlantic Flyway were open last year under the “conservation order” for late-winter and early-spring snow goose hunting. These included North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware to the south, and New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont to the north. Check your current regulations as changes may appear there.
More geese? Waterfowl hunters couldn’t be happier. So how do you hunt them?
First check to see if your state offers a late-winter or early-spring season. Many do.
Once licenses, permits and stamps are secured, assess your waterfowling gear. You may need to amp up your decoy holdings with snow goose fakes. Shells and full-body options are widely available for this growing sport.
As with real estate, location is everything. Scout for these so-called “light geese” in agricultural haunts. Gain permission from landowners to hunt these spots. Be there before dawn the next morning to set your spread of dekes.
Huddled in a layout blind, snow goose calls on a lanyard around your neck, non-toxic loads chambered in your shotgun, you’re ready to roll.
Some other tips to hunting these light geese include:
Your effort to find them might begin where they roost, and include locating a nearby field where they feed and/or might forage. Study them for a pattern of use. They’ll often move and feed early in the day and later in the afternoon, loafing elsewhere during midday. Sometimes too they just move on.
Study maps, drive and glass fields, and seek landowner permission at all costs, explaining what you’ll be doing and even why. Set your spread at midday for later afternoon hunts. If it feels right, get back there the next morning too. Don’t pressure a spot; then again, hunt it while it’s hot and even just a little warm.
As camouflage goes, wear white if snow covers the ground, or standard options if you’re in a layout blind or using natural cover. Blend in, no matter what. Snowies feel the pressure, and adjust accordingly. If possible, hide all unnatural evidence, including your truck, trailer and four-wheeler. Make it look real.
Spreads should consist of as many snow goose decoys as possible. Full body snows, shell fakes, and silhouettes should round off your presentation. It’s not unusual for a hardcore snow goose hunter to place several hundred to even 1,000 or more decoys out in a field, and even use wing flags to impart movement to the spread.
Snow Goose Guides - Mound City, Missouri
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Nebraska's Outdoor Activities for February
LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and activities in February:
Feb. 1 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Holdrege
Feb. 1 – District IV Waterfowl Meeting, North Platte
Feb. 2 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Gothenburg
Feb. 3 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Burwell
Feb. 3 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Sumner
Feb. 3, 5, 10, 12 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island
Feb. 4 – Dark goose hunting season closes in Niobrara Unit
Feb. 5-6 – White-fronted goose hunting season
Feb. 5-6 – Bow hunter education class, Crawford
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 – Firearm hunter education class, Hay Springs
Feb. 6, 13 – Bow hunter education class, Wilber
Feb. 8 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, St. Paul
Feb. 8 – Boater education home study review and test, Grand Island
Feb. 8, 10, 12 – Firearm hunter education class, Ceresco
Feb. 9 – Dark goose hunting season closes in Platte River and Panhandle units
Feb. 9 – Statewide light goose hunting season closes
Feb. 9 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, McCook
Feb. 9 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Geneva
Feb. 10 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Greeley
Feb. 10 – Light Goose Conservation Action begins
Feb. 10-14 – Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Feb. 11-12 – Firearm hunter education class, Beatrice
Feb. 12, 15, 17 – Bow hunter education class, Ceresco
Feb. 15 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Niobrara State Park
Feb. 15 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Ravenna
Feb. 15, 17, 22, 24 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island
Feb. 17 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Denton
Feb. 17, 19, 24, 26 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island
Feb. 18-20 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Ice-Fishing Workshop, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Feb. 19 – Boater education class, Omaha
Feb. 19-20 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Snowshoeing Trip, Platte River State Park
Feb. 23 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, David City
Feb. 23 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, West Point
Feb. 24 – Boater education home study review and test, Grand Island
Feb. 27 – Cowboy Poetry and Music Jam, Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch State Historical Park
Feb. 28 – Hunting and trapping seasons close for bobcat, raccoon, Virginia opossum, long-tailed weasel, mink, red fox, gray fox, and badger
Feb. 28 – Hunting seasons close for cottontail and jackrabbit
For more details, visit OutdoorNebraska.org and click on the Calendar link, or go to: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/education.asp.
Feb. 1 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Holdrege
Feb. 1 – District IV Waterfowl Meeting, North Platte
Feb. 2 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Gothenburg
Feb. 3 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Burwell
Feb. 3 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Sumner
Feb. 3, 5, 10, 12 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island
Feb. 4 – Dark goose hunting season closes in Niobrara Unit
Feb. 5-6 – White-fronted goose hunting season
Feb. 5-6 – Bow hunter education class, Crawford
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 – Firearm hunter education class, Hay Springs
Feb. 6, 13 – Bow hunter education class, Wilber
Feb. 8 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, St. Paul
Feb. 8 – Boater education home study review and test, Grand Island
Feb. 8, 10, 12 – Firearm hunter education class, Ceresco
Feb. 9 – Dark goose hunting season closes in Platte River and Panhandle units
Feb. 9 – Statewide light goose hunting season closes
Feb. 9 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, McCook
Feb. 9 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Geneva
Feb. 10 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Greeley
Feb. 10 – Light Goose Conservation Action begins
Feb. 10-14 – Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Feb. 11-12 – Firearm hunter education class, Beatrice
Feb. 12, 15, 17 – Bow hunter education class, Ceresco
Feb. 15 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Niobrara State Park
Feb. 15 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Ravenna
Feb. 15, 17, 22, 24 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island
Feb. 17 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, Denton
Feb. 17, 19, 24, 26 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island
Feb. 18-20 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Ice-Fishing Workshop, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Feb. 19 – Boater education class, Omaha
Feb. 19-20 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Snowshoeing Trip, Platte River State Park
Feb. 23 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, David City
Feb. 23 – Prescribed Burn Training Workshop, West Point
Feb. 24 – Boater education home study review and test, Grand Island
Feb. 27 – Cowboy Poetry and Music Jam, Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch State Historical Park
Feb. 28 – Hunting and trapping seasons close for bobcat, raccoon, Virginia opossum, long-tailed weasel, mink, red fox, gray fox, and badger
Feb. 28 – Hunting seasons close for cottontail and jackrabbit
For more details, visit OutdoorNebraska.org and click on the Calendar link, or go to: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/education.asp.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Nebraska Extends Grouse Season, Focus on Pheasant
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners on Friday voted to expand the grouse-hunting season starting in 2011.
This year’s grouse season will be Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012. Regulations previously called for the season to open on the Saturday nearest Sept. 15.
By making the change, Game and Parks is providing more hunting opportunity for a lightly hunted species and is aligning the dove and grouse season openers on a common date.
The board also approved a revised Focus on Pheasants plan. The plan seeks to create new focus areas and incentive programs to promote habitat improvements and to work with biologists to maximize effectiveness of habitat program delivery within those areas. Also, the plan hopes to continue researching the amount of habitat needed to establish and maintain a huntable pheasant population, and it will try to secure more pheasant habitat through U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs.
Commissioners also approved the funding of $254,383.60 for eight grants through the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program, which addresses the needs of declining fish and wildlife populations. Game and Parks allocates part of its annual SWG funding, distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to other conservation entities on a competitive basis, with awardees required to provide a one-to-one match. The awarded projects must be deemed a priority in assisting Game and Parks in implementing the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan.
This year’s grouse season will be Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012. Regulations previously called for the season to open on the Saturday nearest Sept. 15.
By making the change, Game and Parks is providing more hunting opportunity for a lightly hunted species and is aligning the dove and grouse season openers on a common date.
The board also approved a revised Focus on Pheasants plan. The plan seeks to create new focus areas and incentive programs to promote habitat improvements and to work with biologists to maximize effectiveness of habitat program delivery within those areas. Also, the plan hopes to continue researching the amount of habitat needed to establish and maintain a huntable pheasant population, and it will try to secure more pheasant habitat through U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs.
Commissioners also approved the funding of $254,383.60 for eight grants through the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program, which addresses the needs of declining fish and wildlife populations. Game and Parks allocates part of its annual SWG funding, distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to other conservation entities on a competitive basis, with awardees required to provide a one-to-one match. The awarded projects must be deemed a priority in assisting Game and Parks in implementing the Nebraska Natural Legacy Plan.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Activities
© 2011 Scott Croner and
Nebraska Hunting Company™
LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and activities in January:
Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day Buffet, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Jan. 2 – Duck hunting season closes in Low Plains Late Unit
Jan. 2 – First segment of light goose hunting season closes
Jan. 8-9 – DeSoto muzzleloader deer hunting season
Jan. 10 – Spring turkey hunting permits available for purchase beginning at 1 p.m. Central Time
Jan. 10 – Youth fishing instructor training, Alliance
Jan. 12 – Duck hunting season closes in High Plains Unit
Jan. 12 – Venison sausage-making workshop, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium
Jan. 13 – Youth fishing instructor training, Fullerton
Jan. 14 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman scuba workshop, Lincoln
Jan. 16 – First segment of dark goose hunting season closes in Platte River and Panhandle units
Jan. 18 – Season Choice, landowner and youth deer hunting seasons close
Jan. 19 – Special crow hunting season closes
Jan. 20 – Regular crow hunting season opens
Jan. 21 – Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners meeting, Lincoln
Jan. 21 – Dark goose hunting season closes in North Central Unit
Jan. 21-23 – River City Hunting and Fishing Expo, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jan. 21-23 – Beyond Becoming and Outdoors-Woman small game hunt, Keith County
Jan. 22 – Second segment of light goose hunting season opens
Jan. 22 – Second segment of dark goose hunting season opens in Platte River and Panhandle units
Jan. 22 – Youth fishing instructor training, Denton
Jan. 26 – Dark goose hunting season closes in East Unit
Jan. 28-30 – Pheasant Fest trade show, Qwest Center, Omaha
Jan. 31 – Squirrel hunting season closes
Jan. 31 – Grouse hunting season closes
Jan. 31 – Pheasant, quail and partridge seasons close
For more information, contact Game and Parks at (402) 471-0641 or visit OutdoorNebraska.org.
Best to you,
Scott Croner
Nebraska Hunting Company
Nebraska Hunting Company™
LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and activities in January:
Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day Buffet, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Jan. 2 – Duck hunting season closes in Low Plains Late Unit
Jan. 2 – First segment of light goose hunting season closes
Jan. 8-9 – DeSoto muzzleloader deer hunting season
Jan. 10 – Spring turkey hunting permits available for purchase beginning at 1 p.m. Central Time
Jan. 10 – Youth fishing instructor training, Alliance
Jan. 12 – Duck hunting season closes in High Plains Unit
Jan. 12 – Venison sausage-making workshop, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium
Jan. 13 – Youth fishing instructor training, Fullerton
Jan. 14 – Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman scuba workshop, Lincoln
Jan. 16 – First segment of dark goose hunting season closes in Platte River and Panhandle units
Jan. 18 – Season Choice, landowner and youth deer hunting seasons close
Jan. 19 – Special crow hunting season closes
Jan. 20 – Regular crow hunting season opens
Jan. 21 – Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners meeting, Lincoln
Jan. 21 – Dark goose hunting season closes in North Central Unit
Jan. 21-23 – River City Hunting and Fishing Expo, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jan. 21-23 – Beyond Becoming and Outdoors-Woman small game hunt, Keith County
Jan. 22 – Second segment of light goose hunting season opens
Jan. 22 – Second segment of dark goose hunting season opens in Platte River and Panhandle units
Jan. 22 – Youth fishing instructor training, Denton
Jan. 26 – Dark goose hunting season closes in East Unit
Jan. 28-30 – Pheasant Fest trade show, Qwest Center, Omaha
Jan. 31 – Squirrel hunting season closes
Jan. 31 – Grouse hunting season closes
Jan. 31 – Pheasant, quail and partridge seasons close
For more information, contact Game and Parks at (402) 471-0641 or visit OutdoorNebraska.org.
Best to you,
Scott Croner
Nebraska Hunting Company
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Ellis Scores On A Big 8 With Scott Croner And The Nebraska Hunting Company
After going Merriam's turkey hunting with Scott Croner in May and tagging out I knew I had to go on a deer hunt with him when the opportunity came up. I booked my deer hunt for muzzleloader season the second week in December. After talking to Scott several times on the phone before I arrived I was very excited about what he was telling me he had been seeing. I arrived in Nebraska City mid afternoon and was greeted by Scott. He took me to a spot on the edge of a soybean field and said he had been seeing a 140-150 class buck in the area along with some 130 class bucks. Two hours later I caught a glimpse of a big buck walking a ridge across from me. I grunted and he turned and walked right towards me. I guess buck fever set in because I made a bad shot and hit him in the gut. Scott and I blood trailed him for a little while that evening but decided to back out when we ran out of blood and lost light. The next morning I was happy to see Scott had two other people with him to help us find the deer. It took us about an hour and we found him the biggest buck I've ever taken a 144" 8-pointer. I've hunted with 6 different outfitters in my life and Scott Croner is the best I have hunted with. I already have a deer hunt booked for next deer season and plan on booking many more.
Ellis, Villa Rica, Georgia
Ellis, Villa Rica, Georgia
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