Fort Report: Deer, Ducks, and Pheasants

 

Last fall, I had the chance to hunt along a stretch of the North Platte River in western Nebraska. The pre-dawn temperature was near zero and the sky a bit overcast, but there was no wind. The decoys were set in the frigid water around the point of a sandy island. The blind on the bank stood about 30 yards away. As we approached the 30 minute mark before dawn, I anxiously checked to make sure we were in range of permitted hunting time. A moment later it began—the thrill of seeing the first duck to our right on a flight path within range.  

 

I had never hunted duck before, and I found it exhilarating. Since I was new to the sport, I asked my friend for some quick pointers. He said, “Start from behind, follow the duck, get in front of it—then shoot.” I had brought my old 12 gauge shotgun that I’ve had since my teenage years. When my turn came, a duck flew in pretty close, almost parallel to the front of the blind. As I started from behind and began to swing the gun, doing my best to follow his advice, he whispered, “Shoot… shoot…SHOOT.” I took my time, but I hit the target just as it was about out of range. 

 

For many Nebraskans, hunting season is the best time of year. The chance to connect with the land, see the beauty of nature, and forget about the daily pressures gives the season added meaning. One of our great Nebraska values is stewardship of the land. The gentleman who owned the property was a true sportsman. Portions of his land were open for hunting, but others were purposely off limits, giving the waterfowl population a chance to rest and creating a true refuge for all wildlife. 

 

According to the most recent information from Nebraska Game and Parks, local waterfowl population is currently at good to excellent levels. This did not happen by accident—it’s the effort of numerous citizen-led organizations, public policies, and Mother Nature. An abundance of rain this spring also improved pheasant populations and habitats after the dry conditions of the past two years. Our deer population continues to rebuild and this year’s harvest is projected to be 45,000. Even more encouraging is that the age of bucks continues to be high.  

 

Enhancing hunting and other outdoor opportunities requires the right balance between harvesting and caring for the land. Creative thinking is necessary for conserving the appropriate space for hunting and related wildlife activities. At the governmental level, Nebraska Game and Parks and Natural Resource Districts play an important a role in stewardship. The State Wildlife Grants Program provides federal grant funds for developing and implementing programs that benefit wildlife and their habitats, placing priority on projects that encourage conservation. Numerous private organizations and government agencies focus on enhancing wildlife corridors and protected areas. The Wildcat Hills area in western Nebraska is a great example of public-private partnerships that demonstrate how conservation strategies can elevate the value of protecting land while using it for recreation and agriculture. 

 

A veteran struggling with a serious medical issue was seeking my office’s help on a matter. He described the condition to me. But I had to chuckle when he told me he’s scheduling a procedure—right after deer season!