By: Jerry Kane, Public Information Officer
Motorists urged to use caution to avoid collisions with deer
Deer are more active this time of the fall. Crops are being harvested and deer breeding season is in full swing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has suggestions to help drivers avoid deer-vehicle accidents and lessen the risk of injury or vehicle damage.
- During the breeding season, bucks become more active searching for does. Bucks are bolder, less wary and more susceptible to collisions with vehicles. Deer movement peaks each day near dawn and dusk.
- Anticipate the possibility of a deer on the road and plan how to avoid a collision. Be prepared to stop suddenly but braking too sharply or swerving may cause you to lose control and roll your vehicle.
- Wear your seat belt.
- When driving near shelterbelts, woodlots or creeks, especially during evening or early morning, slow down and watch for deer. Keep your headlights on bright if there is no approaching traffic.
- When you spot a deer, assume there will be others in the same area.
- Deer often seem to be disoriented or confused by headlights. Some react by freezing in the light, some dart into the path of the vehicle and others bolt away. Honk your horn and flash your headlights to frighten deer away. If there is other traffic on the road, activate your emergency flashers and tap your brakes to alert other drivers to the potential danger.
- Many places where deer-vehicle collisions occur are posted with deer crossing signs.
- If a deer is struck, the driver may take possession of the deer, then must contact the Game and Parks within 24 hours and have 48 hours to receive a salvage tag from a conservative officer or designee. See list of conservative officers at OutdoorNebraska.gov/ConservationOfficers.
Keep it safe this upland bird season
Nebraska’s pheasant, quail and partridge seasons are quickly approaching. The youth season is Oct. 22-23, and the general season opens Oct. 29.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds upland hunters to keep the following safety tips top of mind when they hit the fields this fall:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, and never assume it isn’t.
- Always point the muzzle of your shotgun in a safe direction, away from people, structures, vehicles, roadways and any direction that could cause injury or damage if fired.
- Be sure to identify your target, what’s beyond it, and what’s in front of it. Don’t swing your muzzle on game outside of your safe zone of fire.
- Keep your finger outside the trigger guard and safety on until you are ready to fire.
- Plan your hunt and hunt your plan; put a game plan together with your group before your hunt. Remind everyone to keep their shots in a safe zone of fire. Know where your hunting group and others are at all times during your hunt.
- Never cross a fence, ditch, waterway or other obstacles with a loaded shotgun. Be sure to unload your shotgun, action open, and safety on before handing it to someone else over a fence.
- Be sure you, your group and dogs are wearing hunter orange on your head, chest and back. Hunter orange has reduced hunting incidents by 80% since the 1970s and helps you and other hunters identify unsafe shooting scenarios in the field.
Hunters ages 12-29 are reminded that they must carry proof of successful completion of a hunter education course while hunting. Proof can be in the form of a valid permit containing the hunter’s hunter education number, or a hunter education card or certificate issued by another state.
Those ages 12-29 who have not completed a hunter education course may purchase a $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate that provides novice hunters an opportunity to receive instruction with an experienced hunter before completing a hunter education course.
For more information on hunter education requirements and exemptions, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org.
To learn more about hunting in Nebraska, or to purchase a permit, go to outdoornebraska.gov.
Mountain lion lottery application period is Nov. 7 – Dec. 14
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Nov. 7 – Dec. 14, 2022, for the 2023 hunting season.
Permits are available only to Nebraska residents, who may have one permit per calendar year. The bag limit for each permit is one mountain lion of either sex.
The 2023 Season 1 in the Pine Ridge Unit will be Jan. 2-Feb. 28. Before Feb. 28, the season will close immediately if either the annual harvest limit of four mountain lions or sublimit of two female mountain lions is reached. There will be 200 permits issued, and hunting with dogs will not be allowed during Season 1.
If the harvest limit is not reached in Season 1, an Auxiliary Season will be held March 11-31. The season will close immediately if either the harvest limit or sublimit is reached before March 31. Unsuccessful Season 1 hunters may apply to convert their permit to an Auxiliary Season permit. There will be one permit issued for each mountain lion remaining in the harvest limit. Hunting with dogs will be allowed if an Auxiliary Season is held.
Applications will be accepted from 1 p.m. Central time Nov. 7 through 5 p.m. (11:59 p.m. if applying online) Dec. 14. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org to apply online or download an application at OutdoorNebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting. A $15 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted with each application.
A harvest will allow the mountain lion population to remain resilient and healthy, while halting growth or moderately reducing the population size. This will maintain the population density in the Pine Ridge at a similar level to that of other states that allow mountain lion hunting.
To read more mountain lion hunting regulations, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting.