Francis McLaughlin On HIs Way To A Grand Slam With A Merriam's Gobbler

I would like to thank the Nebraska Hunting Company for his help in getting me a Merriam's turkey.  Scott is totally committed to getting you a turkey.  He is focused on hunting and will put you on birds.  For me this is the third leg of a Grand slam, now only needing the Osceola.  Another group hunting while I was in Nebraska completed 3 grand slams!  One needed a Merriam's, the other two needed a Merriam's and a Rio!

Thanks to Nebraska Hunting Company for my Merriam's and awesome hunting memories.  Thanks to Marilyn and Walt for the hospitality and wonderful accommodations at Uncle Buck's Lodge.

Frank McLaughlin
4/23/2013

Nebraska Trophy Whitetails - Trophy Whitetail Deer Outfitters

Deer Hunting Seasons

Nebraska Trophy Whitetails and Mule Deer Hunting



Trophy Deer Hunts 402-304-1192

Archery Sept. 15 - Dec. 31
Mule Deer Conservation Area Sept. 15 - Dec 31
November Firearm Nov. 10 - 18
Nonresident Statewide Buck Nov. 10 - 18
Resident Restricted Statewide Buck Nov. 10 - 18
Muzzleloader Dec. 1 - 31
Season Choice and River Antlerless Sept. 15 - Jan. 18, 2013
Youth and Landowner Sept. 15 - Jan. 18, 2013
Statewide Whitetail Buck Sept. 15 - Dec. 31
DeSoto Muzzleloader Oct. 20 - 21, Dec. 8 - 9






Trophy Deer Hunts - 402-304-1192

Legal Methods of Take:
Firearm- 22 caliber or larger with minimum of 900 ft lbs. energy at 100 yds. and 357 magnum rifles and 45 colt rifles, and shotguns 20 gauge or larger with single projectile and handguns with minimum of 400 ft lbs at 50 yds.

Muzzleloader Permits -45 caliber or larger with single projectile.
Archery Permits - Arrows must have sharpened points with a minimum of 9/16 cutting radius.

Spear - Handthrown/Atlatl

Shooting Hours:
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset

Requirements:

Resident: Deer Permit Hunter Education	Nonresident: Deer Permit Hunter Education
Habitat Stamp - for all nonresidents and for residents 16 years or older

Whitetail Deer Hunting in Nebraska

© 2010 Scott Croner™ and
Nebraska Hunting Companyhunting deer in Nebraska, deer hunting Nebraska, trophy deer hunting Nebraska

Deer Hunting in Nebraska

with Nebraska Hunting Company

At the turn of the century, there were only about 50 deer in the entire state of Nebraska. Market hunting and an expanding population had taken their toll on the once plentiful whitetail deer and mule deer. Through the hard work and perseverance of the Nebraska Game department, today, the Nebraska deer herd stands at 300,000 to 350,000. The opportunity to take an excellent whitetail deer in Nebraska has never been better!


Nebraska Hunting Company and Outfitters, with its private concessions, has 120,000 private acres of premier hunting habitat. We also have access to 160,000 acres of public national forest and national grassland that are located less than 30 minutes from our headquarters in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

With such diverse and varied areas in our concessions to hunt in, you will find rough canyons, rolling plains, and pastures. There are forests, upland prairies, and creek and river bottoms filled with pasturage consisting of corn, alfalfa, winter wheat, clover, soybean, and other wildlife food plots. These live water bottoms are the drainages to and from rough canyons and draws that lead to meadows and pastureland that produce optimal habitat for game species. The topography, combined with wildlife friendly food plots, has created a haven for a multitude of deer and various species.

Nebraska is still a “sleeper” state. Because our habitat also contains field crops such as corn, wheat, oats, and milo, Nebraska deer typically grow larger and healthier than in many other areas, such as the southern states. They have a higher quality meat, and taste delicious due to their diet containing American grown grains. This diet aids in increasing the potential for their size and quality of antlers. We get big deer, with big bodies, and big antlers! But they don’t get the hunting pressure they do else where. Remember, when hunting big deer, the less pressure the better.

Last year NHC’s clients took X whitetails scoring between xxx and xxx. All of them where handsome trophies and all our clients were very satisfied with their experience. Our references are available for your inspection, and you will be pleased to know that many of our clients have become repeat customers over the years!

All resident and non-resident hunters regardless of age must possess the proper permit. All permits will need to be purchased before arrival as we cannot offer these on premises. Non-resident permits for all ages are $178.00 and a $13.00 habitat stamp is also required for all hunters regardless of age. Non-resident season choice permits are $55.00. Nonresident November firearm statewide buck permits are $443.50.

Check our Frequently Asked Question post to further answer and clarify those questions that arise as you plan a trophy deer hunt in Nebraska. And as always please e-mail us or call direct for more information and to book your hunt of a lifetime!

Best to you,
Scott Croner™
Nebraska Hunting Company
Phone: 402 304 1192
Email: scott@nebraskahunting.net

Spring Turkey Hunting Tips - Merriam's Turkey Hunting

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

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

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.

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.

 

Legal Methods of Take:

• 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

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

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.

Snow Goose Guides - Mound City, Missouri

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.