2012 Big Game Guide - Nebraska Game and Parks

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OutdoorNebraska.org | 1

2012

Inoion o:Antelope

Bighorn Sheep

Deer

Elk

OdooNb.o

BIG

GAMEG

UID

E


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2 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

WelcOme BIg game HuNters

his is a great time to hunt big game in Nebraska. Hunters harvested record numbers oelk in 2011. he age o harvested whitetail and mule deer bucks has never been better.Antelope and elk populations continue to grow, with more permits available each year.Permit quantities have increased or elk and antelope in 2012. Nebraska has never hadbetter big game hunting opportunities. We hope to see you out there.

Kit HamsBig Game Program ManagerNebraska Game and Parks Commission

taBle Of cONteNts

Hunting SeaSonS 3

Permit and StamP FeeS 4

YoutH big game Hunting 8

anteloPe 10

bigHorn SHeeP 14

elk 15

deer 20

ConServation oFFiCerS 42

aBOut tHIs guIDehis publication is only a guide to these regulations and laws. o read the statesregulations and laws, visit the ollowing links:

Regulations:http://outdoornebraska.ne.org/admin/regulations/regulations.asp

Statutes:http://law.justia.com/nebraska/codes/s37index/s37index.html

Visit OutdoorNebraska.orgto: Buy permits Research and register or hunting

programs

Research hunting lands Make park reservations Read and post Outdoor Reports Read this and other guides

Any program that receives ederal unding rom the National Park Service, or the United States Fish and Wildlie Serviceprohibits unlawul discrimination on the basis o race, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disabilityor political aliation. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, acility,or service, should contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-0641, the Equal OpportunityCommission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-2024, Y/DD 402-471-4693; United States Fish Wildlie Service, Civil RightsCoordinator, 4401 N. Fairax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department o Interior,National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Code 0008, Washington, D.C. 20240-0001.

VIsIt us ONlINe


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Restrictions may apply. Check the sections on individual species for details.

SPECIES - SEASON DATES

Antelope - Archery Aug. 20 - Dec. 31

Antelope - Muzzleloader Sept. 15 - 30Antelope - October Firearm Oct. 13 - 28

Antelope - October Late Doe/Fawn Oct. 13 - Nov. 9

Antelope - November Late Doe/Fawn Nov. 1 - Jan. 31, 2013

Bighorn Sheep 2012 SEASON CLOSED

Deer - Archery Sept. 15 - Dec. 31

Deer - Mule Deer Conservation Area Sept. 15 - Dec 31

Deer - November Firearm Nov. 10 - 18

Deer - Nonresident Statewide Buck Nov. 10 - 18

Deer - Resident Restricted Statewide Buck Nov. 10 - 18

Deer - Muzzleloader Dec. 1 - 31

Deer - Season Choice and River Antlerless Sept. 15 - Jan. 18, 2013

Deer - Youth and Landowner Sept. 15 - Jan. 18, 2013

Deer - Statewide Whitetail Buck Sept. 15 - Dec. 31

Deer - DeSoto Muzzleloader Oct. 20 - 21, Dec. 8 - 9

Elk - Bull Sept. 29 - Oct. 28

Elk - Antlerless Sept. 29 - Oct. 28, Dec. 1 - 31

HUNTING SEASONS

BIG GAME PERMITS AND STAMPS

WHO MAY BUY A PERMIT All big game hunters in Nebraska are required to have a species-specic permit for

deer, antelope, elk, or mountain (bighorn) sheep.

Except for residents younger than age 16 and residents who hold veteran or 69 orolder senior permits, all big game hunters also are required to have a NebraskaHabitat Stamp.

A Nebraska hunt permit is not required for big game. A big game permit is valid only

for the species-specic season, weapon and unit or area for which it is issued and maynot be exchanged for another permit. Permits are not transferable or refundable.

MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT

e minimum age to hunt with a deer permit is 10 years. e minimum age is 12 forantelope, elk and bighorn sheep. Antelope youth archery hunters and deer archery,rearm and muzzleloader hunters younger than 16 years may purchase a youth permit.(See Youth Big Game Hunting on page 8.)


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PermIt aND stamP fees

DEER (Details on page 20)

PERMIT RESIDENT NONRESIDENT

Nonresident Statewide Buck Not Eligible $521

Resident Restricted Statewide Buck $73.50 Not Eligible

Statewide Whitetail Buck $73.50 $521

November Firearm $30 $209

Archery $30 $209

Muzzleloader $30 $209

Season Choice Antlerless Only $30 $55

Landowner $15.50 $105

Resident Youth Deer $6 Not Eligible

Nonresident Restricted Youth Deer Not Eligible $6

Youth Whitetail $6 $6

River Antlerless $11 $55

ANTELOPE (Details on page 10)


Firearm $35* $155.50* (doe/awnonly)

Archery $35* $155.50*

Muzzleloader $35* Not Eligible

Landowner $20.50* $74.75*

Youth Archery $11* $11*

ELK (Details on page 15)


Antlerless $159** Not Eligible

Bull $159** Not Eligible

Landowner $39.40** $458**

OTHER

PERMIT/STAMP RESIDENT NONRESIDENT

Bighorn Sheep Season Closed in 2012Super ag Lottery (see page 5) $25*** Not Eligible

Nebraska Habitat Stamp $20 $20

* Includes nonreundable $5 application ee** Includes nonreundable $8.50 application ee

*** Nonreundable application ee


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suPer tag lOtterY

his multispecies permit is valid in 2012 and 2013 or one elk o either sex, one antelopeo either sex, one deer o either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens maybe taken in the spring). he permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriateweapons. One permit is available. he application period is the third Monday in Aprilbeginning at 1 p.m. Central ime through the irst Friday in July.

NeBraska HaBItat stamP

Valid statewide and required o all hunters in Nebraska, except residents younger than 16years o age and residents who hold veteran or 69 or older senior permits. EXCEPION:Farmers and ranchers who hunt with a landowner permit on land they own or lease oragricultural purposes are exempt. One stamp is required or all hunting in a calendar year,but January deer hunters may use the previous years stamp.

WHeN tO BuY Or aPPlY fOr PermIts

All application/purchase periods begin at 1 p.m. Central ime. All applications must bereceived by Game and Parks by 5 p.m. Central ime or online by 11:59 p.m. Centralime on the inal day o the application period.

May 21 - June 1 Residents and nonresidents may apply or one deer permit in anyDraw unit (see page 7). Residents and eligible landowners may apply or one elk permitand or one buck or either-sex antelope permit in available units. One application

allowed per person per species.July 9 - Close of Season Residents, nonresidents and eligible landowners maypurchase remaining deer and antelope permits. Residents and eligible landowners maypurchase remaining elk permits.

HOW tO aPPlY fOr a PermIt

At OutdoorNebraska.orgduring the applicable periods.

Mail a completed application to Game and Parks, 2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE, 68503. In person at Game and Parks permitting oices.

HOW tO BuY a PermIt

You must provide:

A 2012 Big Game Application.

Full name, birth date, address and physical description

Last our (4) digits o Social Security number (Non-U.S. citizens are exempt.Call 402-471-5455).

Hunter or bow hunter education number, i required.

Payment: Credit or debit cards (VISA and MasterCard only), checks, and moneyorders are accepted as payment.

Email address (used to notiy successul applicants o permit drawings).


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lImIts ON PermIts (NONlaNDOWNers)

Deer No one may have more than two permits that allow the harvest o a buck.

Antelope No one may have more than one permit per year.

Elk No one may have more than one bull permit in a lietime, except a Super agpermit will be allowed. No more than one cow permit every ive years.

resIDeNcY QualIfIcatIONs

he requirements to qualiy as a Nebraska resident to buy a hunting license:

Reside in Nebraska continuously or 30 days or more beore making application ora permit and intend to become a resident o Nebraska.

Residents attending school in another state or stationed outside the state oNebraska as part o a military assignment that have maintained Nebraska as their

state o legal residency. Military personnel and ull-time students stationed or attending school in Nebraska

or a period o at least 30 days.

NOTE: A new resident should be prepared to provide documentation o residency(drivers license, voter registration, etc.) to an oicer when in possession o a residentpermit.

laNDOWNer PermIts

Residents and nonresidents: Eligible amily members may hunt together on the described land.

Eligible amily members are not required to live in the same household.

Residents: Owning or leasing 80 acres or more o land dedicated to agricultural production

may receive a limited landowner permit or antelope and deer.

Hunting activities are restricted to the land owned/operated by the owner anddescribed on the application.

Spouse or child o owner or leaseholder.

he maximum number o landowner permits allowed or one arm or ranch isdetermined by the size o the property in acres divided by 80. For example, a armo 240 acres could have a maximum o three landowner permits issued, but eachperson may hold no more than one landowner permit per species per year.

Nonresidents:

Owning 320 acres or more o land dedicated to agricultural production may receivea limited landowner permit or deer.

Only one permit will be issued per 320 acres.

Spouse or child o owner or siblings sharing ownership is eligible.


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8 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

NOtIfIcatION Of success

All applicants or permits in draw units will be notiied o the results o thedrawing.

Check your success at OutdoorNebraska.orgater the draw. Click on "Buy aPermit", then "Check Draw Results."

Persons will be notiied beore July 9 to give all applicants who do not receive theirpermit o choice time to obtain a permit in an unilled unit.

Do not call Game and Parks oices to inquire about your success.

PermIt sellOut Dates

Inormation on current permit availability may be ound at OutdoorNebraska.org.Click on "Buy a Permit," then "Remaining Permits." See deer sell-out dates or 2011 on

page 28.

PrefereNce

Applicants who did not receive a deer permit in a Draw unit in 2011 will be givenpreerence in the 2012 permit drawing.

YOutH BIg game HuNtINgaNtelOPe

Age Requirement: Youth age 12-15 may hunt with a youth antelope permit. Youth mayapply or a draw unit permit at age 11 provided they are age 12 by the start o theseason. Youth age 16 may hunt on youth antelope permits provided they were age 15when they apply and provided they were age 15 on Aug. 20 (start o the season) o thecalendar year.

Youth Permit Fee: $11, or residents and nonresidents.Youth Permit Limit: One per youth.

Youth Permit Type: Archery only. Youth ages 12-15 wishing to hunt antelope with airearm or muzzleloader must buy a general irearm or muzzleloader permit.

Area Open: Statewide.

Season: Aug. 20 Dec. 31.

elk aND BIgHOrN sHeeP

Age Requirement: Youth may apply at age 11 provided they were age 12 by the start othe season.

Permit Type: No youth permit authorized, but youth may hunt on general big game permits.


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Deer

Age Requirement: Youth age 10-15 may hunt with a youth deer permit. Youth mayapply or a draw unit permit at age 9 provided they are age 10 by the start o the season.Youth age 16 may hunt on youth deer permits provided they were age 15 when theyapply and provided they were age 15 on Sept. 15 (start o the season) o the calendaryear.

Youth Permit Fee: $6, or residents and nonresidents.

Youth Permit Limit: wo per youth, but only one may allow the harvest o a mule deer.

Youth Permit Types:

*Youth Whitetail - valid or one whitetail and one antlerless whitetail or residentsand nonresidents.

*Resident Youth Deer valid or any deer and one antlerless whitetail.

*Nonresident Restricted Youth Deer valid or any deer and one antlerlesswhitetail.

Area Open: Statewide, except the Nonresident Restricted Youth permit is not valid inthe Frenchman, Platte and Republican units.

Seasons: Youth Deer permits are valid in these seasons:

Archery: Sept. 15 Dec. 31

November Firearm: Nov. 10 - 18

Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 - 31

Late Firearm Antlerless: Dec. 26 Jan. 18, 2013 (antlerless only)

Habitat Stamp: Required o nonresident youth. See page 5.

Hunter Education: See page 40.

*A buck may not be taken in January and bucks taken Dec. 26-31 are archery and

muzzleloader only.


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aNtelOPe

2012 fOrecast

Antelope populations are doing well, and harvest is at a 25-year high. Buck and doe/awnpermits have been increased to provide more hunting opportunity and to controlpopulations.

NeW IN 2012

Late antlerless season added in Box Butte West unit.

Late antlerless seasons are Nov. 1 - Jan. 31, 2013, in Box Butte East, Box Butte Westand North Sioux units.

legal DescrIPtION Of aNtelOPe

Buck Antelope with horns longer than its ears.

Doe/Fawn Antelope with no horns or with horns shorter than its ears.

PermIt DetaIls (alsO see Page 4)

Firearm Issued or speciic units during October Firearm, October Late Doe/Fawn orNovember Late Doe/Fawn seasons or use with irearms and archery equipment. Bag limit

varies by unit. See map on page 13.

Resident $35*Nonresident $155.50* (doe/fawn only)

**Archery Valid statewide, except or Fort Robinson State Park, Fort Robinsion WMAand state sanctuaries unless authorized during the archery season.

Resident $35*Nonresident $155.50*

Muzzleloader Issued or speciic units during muzzleloader season or one antelope o

either sex.Resident $35*Nonresident Not eligible

Landowner Issued or speciic units on property o landowner in open seasons with theappropriate weapons, except not valid on ederal and state sanctuaries and reuges. Baglimit varies by unit.

Resident $20.50*

Nonresident $74.75***Youth Archery Valid statewide, except or Fort Robinson State Park, Fort RobinsionWMA and state sanctuaries unless authorized during the archery season.

Resident $11*Nonresident $11*

*Includes nonrefundable $5 application fee

**The bag limit is one antelope of either sex, except on the Bessey Ranger District ofthe Nebraska National Forest where the limit is one antelope with horns longerthan its ears.


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Unit Quota 2 4 Season Dates2011 3

Harvest2011

Success

2011Minimum

PointsRequired

BucksHarvested

Age 2+

Banner North 76 Esex Oct. 13-28 70 61% 2 93%Banner South 44 Esex Oct. 13-28 49 82% 2 91%

Box Butte East 22 Esex Oct. 13-28 24 80% 95%

Box Butte East Nov.Late

26 Doe/Fawn

Nov. 1 Jan 31 22 59% Buy

Box Butte West 44 Esex Oct. 13-28 48 80% 94%

Box Butte West Nov.Late

20 Doe/Fawn

Nov. 1 Jan 31 Buy

Cherry 90 Esex Oct. 13-28 97 72% 1 89%

Cherry Oct. Late26 Doe/

FawnOct. 13 Nov. 9 18 56% Buy

Cheyenne 26 Esex Oct. 13-28 24 62% 2 100%

Dismal 16 Esex Oct. 13-28 13 54% 2 92%

Dismal Oct. Late20 Doe/

FawnOct. 13 Nov. 9 7 30% Buy

Eastern Sandhills 1 20 BuckOnly Oct. 13-28 16 53% 1 100%

Garden 36 Esex Oct. 13-28 34 64% 1 91%

North Sioux 110 Esex Oct. 13-28 120 80% 3 96%

North Sioux Nov. Late60 Doe/

FawnNov. 1 Jan 31 20 45 Buy

Archery1UNLEsex

Aug. 20 Dec. 31 236 24% 0 84%

North Sioux MZ 28 Esex Sept. 15-30 26 81% 3 88%Prairie MZ 1 94 Esex Sept. 15-30 88 73% 2 90%

1. he Bessey Ranger District o the Nebraska National Forest in Blaine and homas counties is closed tomuzzleloader and irearm hunting. It is open to archery or bucks only.

2. Esex: Either Sex Buck Only: Antelope with horns longer than ears Doe/Fawn: Antelope with no horns or horns shorter than ears

3. Includes landowner harvest4. Does not include the landowner quota (50 percent o general permits)

MZ - Muzzleloader UNL - Unlimited

2012 aNtelOPe PermIt INfOrmatION


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12 | Big Game Info: 402-471-0641

WHO MAY APPLY FOR ANTELOPE PERMITS

Persons age 12 or older or those persons age 11 if they are age 12 by Oct. 1. (See page 8.)

Resident and nonresident landowners. Firearm and muzzleloader permits have quotaswhile archery permits are unlimited. Residents have preference, so all muzzleloaderand firearm buck or either-sex permits are expected to be purchased by them.Archery permits are available to residents and nonresidents. Antlerless permits areavailable to residents and nonresidents starting July 9. Firearm permits are availableto nonresident landowners, however, resident landowners have preference and areexpected to purchase most of those permits.

LANDOWNER PERMITS

Quota is 50 percent of the general permit quota for each unit.

ANTELOPE PREFERENCE POINTS

Any resident who properly applies for and is denied a firearm or muzzleloaderantelope permit will receive one preference point for each unsuccessful year.Nonresident landowners gain 0.9 preference points.

Accumulated points shall be used to determine priority in the permit drawing.

In buddy applications, priority will be given based on the lower number of pointspossessed by either applicant.

Any person who is issued a firearm or muzzleloader buck or either-sex permit shalllose all preference points.

Any person who does not apply during a five-year period shall lose all preferencepoints.

Purchasing an archery or antlerless permit will not cause you to lose preferencepoints.

Antlerless permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis to residents and

nonresidents. Preference points are not used.

HOW TO CHECK PREFERENCE POINTS

Visit OutdoorNebraska.org/permits

Click CHECK DRAW RESULTS

Enter customer info and click SEARCH

If correct, Click "YES" and view preference points


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Cherry

Dismal &

Dismal Late

Eastern Sandhills

North

Platte River

NorthPlatte River

North

Platte River

Platte River

Box ButteEast Late

North Sioux Late Cherry Late

North Sioux

Box Butte West &

Box Butte West Late

Box

Butte

East

Banner North

Banner South

Cheyenne

Garden

Harrison

Kimball

Bassett

Chappell

Loup

City

O'Neill

Alliance

Sidney

Hyannis

Gering

Chadron

Oshkosh

Butte

Ainsworth

Burwell

Stapleton

Taylor

Bridgeport

NorthPlatte

BrokenBow

Brewster

Lexington

Arthur

Mullen

Grant

Thedford

Ord

Kearney

Ogallala

Valentine

Springview

Rushville

Harrisburg

Tryon

Sioux

DawesSheridan

Cherry

Keya

Paha

Boyd

Holt

Brown

Rock

Box

Butte

Grant

HookerScotts

Bluff

Thomas

Blaine GarfieldLoup

Morrill Garden

BannerArthur

McPherson

Logan Custer

Valley

Cheyenne

Kimball

KeithLincoln

Sherman

Deuel

DawsonBuffalo

Perkins

NebraskaNationalForest

Oglala

Grasslands

NebraskaNational Forest

Samuel R.McKelvie NF

Crescent LakeNational Wildlife Refuge

Fort NiobraraNational

Wildlife Refuge

John W. and Louise SeierNational Wildlife Refuge

North PlatteNational Wildlife Refuge

ValentineNational Wildlife

Refuge

80

250

2

61

61

11

40

47

87

11

91

92

92

2

19

385

26

83

83

83

20

385

183

20

385

138

30

aNtelOPe fIrearm uNIts

North Sioux Muzzleloader

20 20

87

Nebraska

National

Forest

Oglala

Grasslands

Oglala

Grasslands

Samuel

McKelvie

Nebraska

National

Forest

Harrison

Alliance

Chadron

Rushville

Sioux

Dawes

SheridanCherry

BoxButte

aNtelOPe muzzlelOaDer uNIts

remaINDer Of state

Is PraIrIe muzzlelOaDer


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BIgHOrN sHeeP

2012 fOrecast

he long-term outlook or bighorn sheep is good, with approximately 365 bighorns intwo populations in the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills. Once native to western Nebraska,bighorn sheep were reintroduced in 1981. In February 2012, 40 bighorns were

transported rom Alberta, Canada, and released in the Pine Ridge near Harrison.

PermIts

None authorized or 2012.

lOtterY aND auctION

Proceeds rom lottery entries and auctions have raised more than $900,000 or theBighorn Sheep Program. hese proceeds are a critical revenue source or the program.

BIgHOrN sHeeP HuNtINg area

All o Banner, Box Butte, Dawes, Morrill, Scotts Blu, Sheridan, and Sioux counties.

aPPlIcatIONs

auctION results

1998 - $87,500 Saari Club International

2000 - $85,000 Foundation or North American Wild Sheep2002 - $55,000 Saari Club International2005 - $83,000 Grand Slam Club Ovis2009 - $80,000 Foundation or North American Wild Sheep2011 - $117,500 Grand Slam Club Ovis

Year Total Year Total Year Total

1998 3,443 2003 1,595 2008 1,357

1999 1,996 2004 1,585 2009 1,547

2000 1,806 2005 1,445 2010 None

2001 886 2006 None 2011 1,762

2002 1,838 2007 None


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elk

2012 fOrecast

Nebraska elk herds continue to grow, with the population expected to exceed 2,600 bythe start o the 2012 season. Hunter success in 2011 was 58 percent, with 90 percent oharvested bulls having six or more points on one antler and 42 percent o harvested bulls

were age 6 or older. Permit draw odds average 25:1 or bull tags and 6:1 or cow tags.

NeW IN 2012

Electronic calls are not legal or elk.

12 bull permits added.

3 antlerless permits added.

Permits reduced in Boyd Unit, and Boyd season now coincides with the regular elk

seasons.

legal DescrIPtION Of aN elk

Bull A male with antlers 6 inches or more in length.

Antlerless No antlers or antlers no more than 6 inches in length.

PermIt DetaIls (alsO see Page 4)

Antlerless Issued or and valid in speciic units or one antlerless elk. See maps onpages 18-19.

Resident $159*Nonresident Not eligible

Bull Issued or speciic units or one bull elk.

Resident $159*

Nonresident Not eligibleLandowner Valid in speciic units. Landowners with property within an elkmanagement zone are eligible to apply. Valid in open seasons with appropriate weaponsor one elk (sex depends on unit). Bull permits issued by drawing and preerence points.

Resident $39.40*Nonresident $458*

*Includes nonrefundable $8.50 application fee

WHO maY aPPlY fOr PermIts

Persons age 12 and older are eligible. (See page 3.)

General permits are available to residents only.

Landowner permits are available to residents and nonresident landowners, althoughresidents get preerence.


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PermIt aVaIlaBIlItY

General permits: Bull - once in a lietime; Cow - once in 5 years

Landowner permits: Bull once in 3 years; Cow annually

laNDOWNer elk PermIt aPPlIcatION PrOcess:

1. Obtain an application by: requesting rom Game and Parks by telephone

picking up rom Game and Parks district oices

downloading rom OutdoorNebraska.org

2. Determine i your land is in an elk zone and i you qualiy

3. By June 1, mail completed application and check or credit card or the permit price

and application ee to the ollowing Game and Parks district oice only, dependingon unit (see address on page 43):

Northwest District, Alliance: Ash Creek, Bordeaux Creek, Hat Creek, andNorth Platte River Units

Northeast District, Norolk: Boyd and Niobrara Units

Southwest District, North Platte: Box Elder Unit

4. District sta will validate your application and enter in drawing i eligible

5. Failure to provide complete and accurate inormation may lead to disqualiication

Resident and Nonresident Landowner Elk Eligibility Rules:

Eligible property must be located within an Elk Management Zone.

Minimum acres: Resident (own 320 or lease 640); Nonresident (own 1,280).

Land must be used or agricultural purposes.

Spouse or child o resident owner/leaseholder or sibling sharing ownership iseligible.

Spouse or child o nonresident owner is eligible.

One application is allowed per described property.

Resident and Nonresident Landowner Elk Procedure Rules:

No more than one permit per person per year or one bull permit every three years.

Persons receiving a bull permit in 2010 or 2011 cannot apply for a bull permit in 2012. Preerence points awarded to ailed landowner bull applicants.


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Landowner Elk Preference Points:

Resident Landowners

Failed bull applicants earn 1 point Permit fee is $39.40 Own 320 acres or lease 640 acres Leaseholder is eligible

Nonresident Landowners

Failed bull applicants earn 0.9 point Permit fee is $458 Own 1,280 acres Leaseholder is not eligible

* Two auction, one lottery, valid statewide in all units

NOTE: Nebraskas elk populations move freely between private and public land, but the majority of elk aresighted on private property. Landowners may charge a fee for permission to hunt on their property.

Unit Quota Season Dates2011

Harvest

2011

Draw Odds

BULL General Landowner

Ash Creek 12 6 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 11 14:1

Bordeaux 20 10 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 19 23:1Box Elder 4 2 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 6 60:1

Boyd 0 0 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 0 43:1

Hat Creek 22 11 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 25 26:1

Niobrara River 6 3 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 7 22:1

North Platte River 16 8 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 20 37:1

Lottery and Auction* 3 Sept. 29-Oct. 28 2

ANTLERLESS General Landowner

Ash Creek 16 8Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-3115 3:1

Bordeaux 34 17Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-3129 4:1

Box Elder 14 7Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-318 6:1

Boyd 2 1Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-31

1 9:1

Hat Creek 34 17Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-3113 4:1

Niobrara River 6 3Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-315 5:1

North Platte River 14 7Sept. 29-Oct. 28,

Dec. 1-318 10:1

2012 ELK PERMIT INFORMATION

HOW TO CHECK PREFERENCE POINTS

Visit OutdoorNebraska.org/permits

Click CHECK DRAW RESULTS

Enter customer info and click SEARCH

If correct, Click "YES" and view preference points


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18|BigGameInfo:402-471-0641

71

2

2

385

26

71

27

2 2

2

61

61

80

76

Harrison

Kimball

Chappell

Stockville

Allianc e

Sidney

Hyannis

Gering

Chadron

Oshkosh

Stapleton

Benkelman

Bridgeport

Hayes

Center

McCook

North

Platte

Arthur

Mullen

Grant

Thedford

Trenton

Imperial

Ogallala

Valentine

Rushville

Harrisburg Tryon

Crescent Lake

NationalWildlife Refuge

Fort NiobraraNational

Wildlife Refuge

North PlatteNational

Wildlife Refuge

Valentine


AshCreek

HatCreek

Bordeaux

BoxElder

North

PlatteRiver

Sioux

Dawes Sheridan Cherry Keya

Paha

Brown

BoxButte

Grant

HookerScottsBluff

Thomas Blaine

Morrill Garden

Banner ArthurMcPherson Logan

Custer

Cheyenne

Kimball Keith Lincoln

Deuel

Dawson

Perkins

Chase HayesFrontier

Dundy Hitchcock

RedWillow

Furnas

Nebraska

NationalForest

Oglala

Grasslands

Nebraska

NationalForest

Samuel R.McKelvie NF

elk maNagemeNt uNIts


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281

18

281

South Dakota

Nebraska

Lake Francis Case

Misso

uriR

iver

Boyd County

Gregory County

Boyd Unit

12

BOYD maNagemeNt uNIt


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Deer

2012 fOrecast

he 2012 season should be good, but not a record-breaker. Whitetail populations ineastern units have been reduced by aggressive antlerless harvest the past ive years, butharvests should still be high. Mule deer populations appear to be down 20 to 40 percentin seven o 10 units compared to 2008 because o increased mortality rom brain wormparasites. he 20-year trend o greater numbers o older bucks likely will continue. In2011, 78 percent o harvested whitetail bucks and 83 percent o harvested mule deerbucks were age 2 or older.

NeW IN 2012

River Antlerless permit replaces October Antlerless permit and targets 1,800 miles oriver corridors.

Nonresident statewide buck permit is unlimited in quantity and allows access to anybuck in all units, during the Nov. 10-18 irearm season.

Statewide archery is again valid in the Mule Deer Conservation Area.

Residents will get preerence in Draw units.

Earn-a-Buck removed rom all units.

Season Choice Area names and boundaries modiied to match November irearm unitnames and boundaries.

McKelvie National Forest, Bessey Ranger District o the Nebraska National Forest andValentine National Wildlie Reuge closed to use o all antlerless permits and bonustags.

Nonresident restricted youth deer permits not valid in Draw units.

.357 magnum and .45 Colt riles and hand-thrown spears legal or deer hunting.

Big game may be quartered beore delivery to check station. (See new deinition o

quartering on page 25). Frenchman MDCA and Platte MDCA are new Draw units.

legal DescrIPtION Of Deer

Buck A deer having at least one antler 6 inches or more in length.

Antlerless A deer with no antlers or antlers no more than 6 inches in length.

PermIt DetaIls

(NeW) Nonresident Statewide Buck Valid in nine-day November irearm season.Bag limit: one buck.

Nonresident $521

Resident Restricted Statewide Buck Valid in nine-day November irearm season. Baglimit: one buck. No mule deer may be harvested in Mule Deer Conservation Area.

Resident $73.50


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Whitetail Statewide Buck Valid statewide Sept. 15-Dec. 31 or archery, muzzleloaderand November irearm season with weapon legal or each season. Bag limit: onewhitetail buck and one antlerless whitetail.

Resident $73.50Nonresident $521

November Firearm Valid in speciic units during November irearm season. Baglimit: varies by sex and species. See map on page 33.

Resident $30Nonresident $209

Archery Valid statewide. Bag limit: one deer o either sex and one antlerless whitetail.


Muzzleloader Valid statewide. Bag limit: one deer o either sex and one antlerlesswhitetail. No mule deer may be harvested in Mule Deer Conservation Area.


Season Choice Antlerless Only Valid in speciic units. Bag limit: antlerless only, butvaries. Valid in open seasons with weapons legal or each season. See maps on page 33-34.

Resident $30

Nonresident antlerless only $55Landowner Valid on property o landowner. Bag limit: one deer o either sex and oneantlerless deer in seasons with weapons legal or each season.

Resident $15.50Nonresident $105

Resident Youth Deer Valid statewide or all seasons with weapons legal or eachseason. Bag limit: one deer o either sex and one antlerless whitetail. Limit o one permitper youth.

Resident $6

Nonresident Restricted Youth Deer Valid in all units, except Frenchman, Platte andRepublican, or all seasons with weapons legal or each season. Bag limit: one deer oeither sex and one antlerless whitetail. Limit o one permit per youth.

Nonresident $6

Youth Whitetail Valid statewide or all seasons with weapons legal or each season.

Bag limit: one whitetail and one antlerless whitetail. No bucks may be taken in January,and bucks may be taken Dec. 26 - 31 only with archery equipment or muzzleloader.


(NeW)River Antlerless Valid in River Antlerless Unit with weapons legal or eachseason. Bag limit: two antlerless whitetails. See map on page 35.

Resident $11

Nonresident $55


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22 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

Deer HuNtINg seasON DetaIls

YOutH, laNDOWNer aND seasON cHOIce PermIts

Persons who obtain a youth, landowner or Season Choice permit may hunt:

Firearm: Nov. 10 18

Late Firearm: Dec. 26 Jan. 18, 2013 Archery: Sept. 15 Dec. 31

Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 Dec. 31

NOTE: Jan. 1 18, 2013, is open in SCA units or antlerless deer only. he Dec. 26 31antlerless season extension in SCA units is not valid or antlered deer i a centerireirearm is used.

Deer uNIts WItH sPecIal rules aND BOuNDarIes Calamus West: Bessey Ranger District o Nebraska National Forest and Valentine

National Wildlie Reuge (NWR) are closed to use o bonus antlerless tags, bonusantlerless Whitetail tags and Season Choice antlerless permits.

Republican: Harlan County U.S. Army Corp o Engineer lands are closed to use oSeason Choice antlerless permits.

Sandhills: McKelvie National Forest and Valentine NWR are closed to use o bonusantlerless tags, bonus antlerless Whitetail tags and Season Choice antlerless permits.

River Antlerless: Lands adjacent to the Missouri River (lands within 3 miles o thebanks o the Keya Paha, Platte, North Platte, South Platte and Republican rivers;portions o the Cedar, Elkhorn, Loup, North Loup, Middle Loup, Niobrara andWhite rivers. Federal and state public lands closed. (see map on page 35).

DesOtO muzzlelOaDer

A described portion o the DeSoto National Wildlie Reuge in Washington County

near Blair. Access permit is required, contact Mindy Sheets at 712-642-5405 or moreinormation.

October: Oct. 20 21, 140 permits. Bag Limit: wo antlerless deer.

December: Dec. 8 9, 100 permits. Bag Limit: One either-sex deer and one antlerlessdeer.

gIffOrD WIlDlIfe maNagemeNt area (Wma)

Hunting Season Dates Sept. 15 - Jan. 18, 2013Hunting Area Giord WMA in Sarpy County

Permits Special access permits are available to archery, youth deer, muzzleloader,River Antlerless, and AO Season Choice Wahoo permit holders. Special access permitapplications start July 15.


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Rules A special access pass is required. There are 200 access permits issued bydrawing. Contact the Lincoln Game and Parks office at 402-471-0641 or Omaha officeat 402-595-2144 to apply from July 15 -Aug. 15. All regulations relating to season datesand weapon types apply, except that archers may hunt with archery equipment duringthe November firearm season. Centerfire weapons are prohibited.

RIVER ANTLERLESS

Seasons: May hunt with weapons legal for these seasons:

Archery: Sept. 15-Dec. 31

Muzzleloader: Dec. 1-31

Firearm: Oct 1-10*, Nov. 10-18, Dec. 26- Jan.18, 2013

* Not open to Season Choice, landowner and youth permits

Area Open: The following section of the Missouri River: That portion of Nebraska east of a

boundary commencing with U.S. Hwy. 281 from the South Dakota border, thensouth on U.S. Hwy. 281 to Neb. Hwy. 12, then east on Neb. Hwy. 12 to U.S. Hwy. 20,then east on U.S. Hwy. 20 to U.S. Hwy. 75, then south on U.S. Hwy. 75 to Neb. Hwy.133, then south on Neb. Hwy. 133 to U.S. Hwy. 6, then east on U.S. Hwy. 6 toInterstate 480, then south on Interstate 480 to U.S. Hwy. 75, then south on U.S.Hwy. 75 to Neb. Hwy. 67, then east and south on Neb. Hwy. 67 to U.S. Hwy. 136,

then east on U.S. Hwy. 136 to Neb. Hwy. 67, then south on Neb. Hwy. 67 to U.S.Hwy. 73, then east and south on U.S. Hwy. 73 to the Kansas border.

Within 3 miles of the landward banks of these rivers: Platte, North Platte, SouthPlatte, Republican, Loup, Keya Paha, Niobrara from mouth to Neb. Hwy. 61,Elkhorn from mouth to Neb. Hwy. 11, North Loup from mouth to Neb. Hwy. 7,Middle Loup from mouth to Neb. Hwy. 70, Cedar from mouth to Neb. Hwy. 11,White between intersection of the White River, and Neb. Hwy. 71, northeast toNebraska-South Dakota border.

Federal and state public lands closed to hunting include: State Parks, StateRecreation Areas, State Wildlife Management Areas, Corp of Engineer lands,Nebraska National Forest lands and National Wildlife Refuges.

Public lands that are open to hunting include: Open Fields and Water, CRP-MAP,and Natural Resource District lands.


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24 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

mule Deer cONserVatION area (mDca)

Mule deer populations continue to decline in some units because o habitat conversionto row crops and brainworm disease. Platte and Bualo unit populations have declined20 percent in three years. Nonresident demand or mule deer permits continues toincrease as mule deer populations decline in other states. Permit demand exceeds supplyin the Frenchman Unit. Although mule deer doe harvest is the lowest the state has

allowed in more than 25 years, it is not the reason or the population decline.

In 2012, Republican Mule Deer permits and Platte and Frenchman Any Deer permitswill be issued through a drawing that assigns preerence to residents. In some o theseunits, residents are expected to get all permits. he best long-term solution tononresident permit demand in all units likely will include nonresident permit quotasand drawings. his year, archers again will be allowed to hunt mule deer on StatewideArchery permits, and the Nonresident Statewide Buck permit will be valid or the

harvest o mule deer in the Mule Deer Conservation Area.

Hunting Area

Bualo, Frenchman, Platte, Republican units

MDCA Permit/Bag Limit

Republican Mule Buck 1 mule buck

Bualo MDCA Any Deer (except mule doe) and 1 antlerless whitetail

Frenchman MDCA Any Deer (except mule doe) and 1 antlerless whitetail

Platte MDCA Any Deer (except mule doe) and 1 antlerless whitetail

Season Dates

Sept. 15 Dec. 31 with archery

Dec. 1-31 with muzzleloader

Nov. 10-18 with archery or irearm

Whitetail Permit/Bag Limit

Bualo Whitetail 1 whitetail and 1 antlerless whitetail

Frenchman Whitetail 1 whitetail and 1 antlerless whitetail

Platte Whitetail 1 whitetail and 1 antlerless whitetail

Republican Whitetail 1 whitetail and 1 antlerless whitetail

Season Dates

Nov. 10-18 with archery or irearm

We HaVe OutDOOr PrOgrams just fOr WOmeN!

Learn more at www.NebraskaBOW.com.


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NOTE ON MDCA RULES:

No person may obtain more than one MDCA permit or one Republican Mule DeerBuck permit in a unit.

Archery permits are valid or mule deer in the MDCA.

Nonresident statewide buck permits are valid in any MDCA unit.

Nonresident restricted youth deer permits may not be used in the MDCA.

Statewide muzzleloader permits are not valid or mule deer in the MDCA.

cHeckINg BIg game

cHeck statIONsA list o check stations may be ound on the deer, antelope and elk regulations sheets andat OutdoorNebraska.org.

regulatIONs fOr cHeckINg Deer, aNtelOPe aND elk

It is unlawul to separate a deer, antelope or elk carcass into sections smaller thanquarters beore completing the check station process. Quartering is dened as ourlegs, with emur or scapula naturally attached, and loins.

I delivery to a check station is required, the head must accompany the carcass to thecheck station.

Permit and check station seal number or check station verication number must beretained when transporting all or a portion o the carcass to a point o permanentstorage or processing.

Following the kill, hunters who harvest any big game animal must immediatelypunch or notch the permit or tag to indicate sex and date o kill.

Te canceled permit or tag must be attached to the animal, or it may remain with thehunter i the carcass remains in the hunter's possession.

(NeW) Deer, antelope and elk must be checked in beore the carcass leaves the state. Deer harvested during the November rearm season (Nov. 10 - 18) must be delivered

to a check station no later than 1 p.m. on the day ollowing the close o the season. Each permit holder must accompany the deer to the check station. Deer harvested during seasons outside the November rearm season (Nov. 10 - 18)

must be checked via elcheck within 48 hours o kill and beore 1 p.m. on the dayollowing the close o the season.

Hunters must record the seal number and security code on the permit. Antelope harvested during the October rearm season (Oct. 13 28) must be

delivered to a check station no later than 1 p.m. on the day ollowing the close o the

season. Antelope harvested during seasons outside the October rearm season (Oct. 13 28)

must be checked via elecheck within 48 hours o kill and beore 1 p.m. on the dayollowing the close o the season.

Elk must be delivered to a check station within 48 hours o the time o kill.


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26 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

telecHeck

elecheck allows hunters to check deer or antelope by telephone or online, 24 hours aday, 7 days a week.

All deer harvested outside the November rearm season and all antelope harvestedoutside the October rearm season must be checked via elecheck.

o use elecheck, call 800-405-7700 or visit NEdeercheck.com.

When completing elecheck, the ollowing inormation will be required rom yourpermit or animal: species, unit code, permit number, date o kill, county o kill, sex oanimal, and age o animal (adult or awn).

You may be asked the inside spread in inches between main beams on your deer andthe type o weapon used to harvest it.

You may be asked whether the longest horn on your antelope is less than or morethan 9 inches (measuring rom the base around the outside curve to the horn tip).

Write the seal number and security code on the permit aer completing telecheck.

Deer eXcHaNge

Te Deer Exchange program allows hunters and nonhunters to sign up to exchangedeer or deer meat. Persons or organizations may sign up to receive or donate deeror may search the site by county and call people who have signed up and arrange atranser o the deer.

Deer must be legally harvested. A custody tag must be lled out by the donating party.

Donors must provide clean, high quality deer meat. Recipients should inspect the deer meat beore receiving it. Deer meat may not be sold. More donors are needed as, historically, there have been more recipients than donors. Register at: outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/program/deerexchange.

recOVerINg Deer

Te use o tracking dogs is legal or the recovery o deer.

HuNters HelPINg tHe HuNgrY

In April, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB928 to establish the Hunters Helping theHungry venison donation program. Te program encourages hunters to donate harvesteddeer to processors participating in the program to eed residents o Nebraska who are inneed.

Beginning in July, hunters applying or or buying permits may donate to the Hunters

Helping the Hungry Cash Fund. Visit OutdoorNebraska.orgor more inormation.


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custODY tag

Any person transerring game meat to another person must provide a custody tag. Seeexample below.


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28 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

UnitQuota

(Sellout Date)Bag Limit Season Dates Weapon

Rules(pg. 29)

Blue NW 2,700 (Oct. 27) Any Deer, 1 AO Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Blue SE 3,900 (Nov. 6) Any Deer, 1 AO Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Bualo W 1,750 (Nov. 9) 1 W, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Bualo MDCA 1,600 (Sept. 26) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Sept 15 Dec 31 *Ar, Mz, F 1

Calamus East 1,300 (Nov. 11) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Calamus West 1,800 (Nov. 12) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1 3

Elkhorn 3,600 (Oct. 26) Any Deer, 1 AO Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Frenchman W 1,600 (Nov. 12) 1 W, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Frenchman MDCA 1,500 (June 16) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Sept 15 Dec 31 *Ar, Mz, F 1

Keya Paha 2,300 (Nov. 13) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Loup East 2,400 (Nov. 10) Any Deer2

, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Loup West 1,700 (Nov. 9) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Missouri 3,200 (Nov. 8) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Pine Ridge 2,800 (Nov. 13) Any Deer Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1 8

Plains 1,500 (Nov. 17) Any Deer Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Platte W 1,600 1 W, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Platte MDCA 1,200 (Aug. 8) Any Deer 2, 1 AOW Sept. 15 Dec 31 *Ar, Mz, F 1

Republican W 3,000 (Sept. 29) 1 W, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Republican MD 100 (July 11) 1 MD buck Sept. 15 Dec 31 *Ar, Mz, F 1

Sandhills 2,400 (Nov. 13) Any Deer, 1 AOW Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1 3

Upper Platte 1,200 (Nov. 11) Any Deer Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Wahoo 4,500 (Nov. 9) Any Deer, 1 AO Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

Resident RestrictedStatewide Buck

UNL 1 Buck Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1 2

NonresidentStatewide Buck

UNL 1 Buck Nov. 10-18 Any Legal1

AO SC Blue NW 2,500 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Blue SE 3,000 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Bualo 500 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Calamus East 400 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Calamus West 300 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 3

AO SC Elkhorn 3,600 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Frenchman 1,000 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Keya Paha 500 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Loup East 1,500 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Loup West 500 1 AO, 1 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Missouri 1,500 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Pine Ridge 800 1 AO, 1 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 8

AO SC Plains 600 2AO Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

2012 Deer PermIt INfOrmatION


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UnitQuota/

Sellout DateBag Limit Season Dates Weapon

Rules

Below

AO SC Platte 1,000 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Republican 2,500 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 7

AO SC Sandhills 700 1 AO, 1 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 3

AO SC Upper Platte 300 1 AO Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Wahoo 4,200 2 AOW Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Bualo North 150 1 AO Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

AO SC Frenchman West 300 1 AO Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 9

AO SC Platte North 300 2 AO Sept.15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F

Archery - Statewide UNL Any Deer, 1 AOW Sept. 15 Dec 31 Archery 3,8

Muzzleloader -Statewide

UNL Any Deer, 1 AOW Dec. 1-31 MZ 2,3,8

Youth W Statewide UNL 1 W, 1 AOW Sept. 15- Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 3,4,8

Resident YouthStatewide

UNL Any Deer, 1 AOW Sept. 15- Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 1,3,4

Nonresident YouthRestricted Statewide

UNL Any Deer, 1 AOW Sept. 15- Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F1,3,

4,5,8

Landowner UNL Any Deer, 1 AO Sept. 15- Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 1,4

Statewide W Buck UNL 1 WBuck, 1 AOW Sept. 15-Dec. 31 *Ar, Mz, F 3,4

DeSoto October 140 2 AO Oct. 20-21 MZ DeSoto December 100 Any Deer, 1 AO Dec. 8-9 MZ

River Antlerless UNL 2 AOW Sept. 15-Jan. 18 *Ar, Mz, F 6

2012 Deer PermIt INfOrmatION

AO = Antlerless onlyAny Deer = any mule deer or whitetail deerAny Deer2 = any deer except antlerless mule deerMD = Mule deer W = Whitetail SC = Season Choice UNL= unlimited*Ar, Mz, F: Archery (Sept. 15 Dec. 31); Muzzleloader (Dec. 1-31) Firearm (Nov. 10-18, Dec 26-Jan18 antlerless)Any Legal1: Archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, pistol, rile as deined in Weapons Legal or BigGame on page 41.

RULES:1. One permit allowed per person.2. Not valid or mule deer in MDCA: Bualo, Frenchman, Platte, or Republican units.3. Antlerless tags and antlerless whitetail permits and tags not valid in Bessey Ranger District o

Nebraska National Forest, McKelvie National Forest, Valentine National Wildlie Reuge.

4. I hunting Dec. 26-Jan. 18 with irearm, antlered bucks are NO legal. Jan. 1-18 is AntlerlessOnly

5. Not valid in DRAW units (Frenchman, Platte, Republican).6. River Antlerless includes Oct. 1-10 with any weapon (Youth and Landowner not valid)

Private land only.7. AO SC Republican permits and bonus tags not valid on Harlan County Corp o Engineer lands.8. Not valid or mule deer antlerless on state or ederal lands in the Pine Ridge Unit.9. Not valid on Red Willow SRA/WMA.


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Adult BucksPercent of Bucks2 Years or Older

Antlerless

Unit MD WT MD WT MD WT

Blue Northwest 5 2,526 NA 70% 8 3,916

Blue Southeast 4 3,145 NA 73% 4 4,711

Bualo 582 2,678 76% 78% 126 1,869

Calamus East 74 1,156 86% 72% 7 653

Calamus West 375 1,211 93% 82% 107 645

Elkhorn 21 3,284 NA 64% 11 4,633

Frenchman 1,571 1,713 85% 84% 274 1,582

Keya Paha 225 2,176 96% 86% 23 1,224

Loup East 43 2,333 80% 72% 16 1,934

Loup West 536 1,218 79% 75% 179 890

Missouri 46 2,783 75% 81% 9 3,648

Pine Ridge 760 1,319 83% 83% 312 1,150

Plains 789 617 83% 86% 411 375

Platte 711 1,169 75% 80% 160 1,400

Republican 96 3,397 NA 74% 10 3,123

Sandhills 1,018 1,278 92% 93% 247 747

Upper Platte 660 339 83% 84% 249 241

Wahoo 11 4,608 NA 70% 4 6,842

2011 Deer HarVest BY uNIt(Includes all seasons)

Adult Bucks Buck Fawns AntlerlessSold

Success

RatePermit MD WT MD WT MD WT

Firearm 4,693 18,315 56 2,141 644 15,669 47,835 83%

Landowner 1,025 4,616 12 233 332 2,350 13,428 62%

Statewide Buck 255 4,195 1 191 6 1,414 10,884 54%

Youth 1,082 4,107 11 473 163 2,871 12,551 66%

Archery 115 3,733 2 237 29 2,913 16,413 41%

Muzzleloader 350 1,589 8 215 126 1,982 10,389 39%

Season Choice 38 456 65 1,331 812 10,436 24,673 48%

October Antlerless 0 13 0 153 0 1,546 4,177 37%

Total 7,558 37,024 155 4,974 2,112 39,181 140,350 NA

2011 Deer HarVest BY PermIt tYPe

NA = Data not availableMD Mule DeerW Whitetail


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Bucks HarVesteD Per 100 sQ. mIles(Includes all seasons)

his table demonstrates density o whitetail and mule deer by showing the number obucks harvested per 100 square miles in each county.

County W MD County W MD County W MD

Adams 43 0 Frontier 32 41 Nance 124 1Antelope 66 1 Furnas 86 12 Nemaha 80 0

Arthur 6 19 Gage 97 0 Nuckolls 76 1

Banner 1 22 Garden 11 12 Otoe 107 0

Blaine 27 16 Garield 44 11 Pawnee 100 0

Boone 49 1 Gosper 54 12 Perkins 3 10

Box Butte 17 12 Grant 10 13 Phelps 37 1

Boyd 120 8 Greeley 54 3 Pierce 38 0Brown 38 8 Hall 60 0 Platte 61 0

Bualo 77 3 Hamilton 64 0 Polk 69 0

Burt 78 0 Harlan 135 4 Red Willow 49 25

Butler 108 1 Hayes 19 38 Richardson 82 0

Cass 124 0 Hitchcock 33 36 Rock 36 3

Cedar 58 0 Holt 57 1 Saline 108 0

Chase 15 18 Hooker 8 12 Sarpy 137 1

Cherry 21 11 Howard 103 1 Saunders 110 0

Cheyenne 4 11 Jeerson 91 0 Scotts Blu 19 22

Clay 41 0 Johnson 115 0 Seward 94 0

Colax 80 1 Kearney 30 0 Sheridan 20 18

Cuming 57 0 Keith 23 14 Sherman 60 3

Custer 44 30 Keya Paha 94 10 Sioux 15 14

Dakota 108 0 Kimball 2 11 Stanton 82 0

Dawes 49 22 Knox 119 2 hayer 65 0

Dawson 53 14 Lancaster 109 0 homas 23 20

Deuel 6 5 Lincoln 31 16 hurston 63 0

Dixon 91 0 Logan 20 19 Valley 67 6

Dodge 72 0 Loup 39 18 Washington 127 1

Douglas 96 1 Madison 33 0 Wayne 26 0

Dundy 11 23 McPherson 15 23 Webster 87 0

Fillmore 43 0 Merrick 93 0 Wheeler 41 4

Franklin 83 1 Morrill 17 20 York 49 1


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35/44

OutdoorNebraska.org

|35

White River Keya Paha River

South PlatteRiver

MiddleLoup River

North

Loup River

North PlatteRiver

Republican Riv

71

61

7

11

11

70

Harrison

Kimball

GraIsla

Bassett

Chappell

Loup

City

Minden

O'Neill

Stockville

Alliance

Sidney

Hyannis

Gering

Franklin

Chadron

Bartlett

Oshkosh

St. Paul

Hastings

Beaver

City

Butte

Ainsworth

Burwell

Holdrege

AlmaRed

Cloud

Elwood

Stapleton

Taylor

Benkelman

Bridgeport

Hayes

Center

McCook

NorthPlatte

BrokenBow

Greeley

Lexington

Arthur

Mullen

Grant

Thedford

Trenton

Ord

Imperial

Kearney

Ogallala

ValentineSpringview

Rushville

Harrisburg

Brewster

Tryon

CrescentLake National

Wildlife Refuge

Fort Niobrara


John W. and Louise

Seier NationalWildlife Refuge

North Platte


Valentine

National

Wildlife RefugeSioux

Dawes

SheridanCherry

Keya

Paha Boyd

Holt

Brown Rock

BoxButte

Grant HookerScottsBluff

Thomas Blaine Wheeler

GarfieldLoupMorrill

GardenBanner

Arthur McPherson

Logan

Custer GreeleyValley

CheyenneKimball Keith

Lincoln

Howard

Sherman

Deuel

Dawson HallBuffalo

Perkins

Chase HayesFrontier

Gosper Adams

KearneyPhelps

Dundy

Hitchcock

RedWillow

Furnas

Harlan

Webster

Franklin

NebraskaNational

Forest

Oglala

Grasslands

NebraskaNational

Forest

Samuel R.

McKelvie NF

rIVer aNtlerless uNItall feDeral aND state PuBlIc laNDs clOseD tO rIVer aNt

see Page 23 fOr DescrIPtION


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36 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

WHere tO HuNt

PrIVate laNDs

It is the responsibility o every hunter to get permission to hunt, trail game or retrievedowned game on private land, whether posted or not (including railroad right-o-ways).Hunting without permission may result in a ne o up to $500, three months in jail and

the loss o hunting privileges or up to three years.

OPeN fIelDs aND Waters PrOgram

Tis program has opened more than 250,000 acres o private land to public walk-inhunting access. For locations o participating tracts o land, read the Nebraska PublicAccess Atlas, available at OutdoorNebraska.org, Game and Parks oces and permit

vendors.

PuBlIc laNDsTe Nebraska Guide to Hunting and Public Lands and Public Access Atlas lists morethan 300 publicly owned areas. Reer to that guide or area-specic regulations. Unlessotherwise posted, big game hunting is allowed on all wildlie management areas (WMA).Hunting is allowed on most state recreation areas (SRA) beginning the uesday ollowingLabor Day.

Some areas have specic restrictions: State parks (SP), wayside areas, hatcheries, reserves, and state reuges are closed to

hunting unless otherwise posted. Indian Cave, Niobrara and Ponca SPs are open toarchery deer hunting during the last hal o the season. A ree permit is required.Contact the park superintendent.

Portable tree stands and steps may be used on WMAs but may not be installed, usedor le in place rom Feb. 1 through Aug. 31. Tey may be used on SRAs open tohunting, but must be removed at the end o each day. It is unlawul to build or use anypermanent tree stand or steps that attach to any tree with nails, screws, bolts, or wire.

Screw-in steps may be used on WMAs but may not be used on SRAs. On state-owned lands, all motorized vehicles are restricted to roadways and parking

areas. No AVs are permitted.

arget shooting is permitted on most WMAs but prohibited on certain posted areas.

Most national wildlie reuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlie Service andnational orests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service are open tohunting, unless otherwise posted. Check with those agencies or special regulations.

mOuNtaIN lIONs ON camera

Game and Parks would like anyone who captures an image o a mountain lion on their trailcamera to contact the nearest agency district oice (see list o oices on page 43) or SamWilson, nongame mammal/urbearer program manager at402-471-5174 or [email protected].


37/44


Public land closures for deer hunting

All ederal and state land Closed to use o River Antlerless deer permits.

All ederal and state land in Pine Ridge Unit Closed to antlerless mule deer harvest.

Bessey Ranger District o the Nebraska National Forest Closed to use o AO SCA deerpermits and antlerless bonus tags. Closed to muzzleloader and rearm antelope hunting.

Closed to doe/awn antelope harvest by archery.McKelvie National Forest Closed to use o AO SCA deer permits and antlerless bonustags.

Valentine National Wildlie Reuge Closed to use o AO SCA deer permits and antlerlessbonus tags.

Harlan County Reservoir (U.S. Army Corps o Engineers land) Closed to AO SCARepublican deer permits.

Red Willow SRA/WMA Closed to AO SCA Frenchman West deer permits.Fort Robinson State Park Closed to antelope hunting.

Fort Niobrara National Wildlie Reuge Open to muzzleloader, archery and youth deerpermit holders using archery or muzzleloader weapons. Hunters may harvest a maximumo one deer o either sex and one antlerless whitetail. Closed during November rearmseason. Access permit required by applying to Fort Niobrara NWR oce (402-376-3789)rom August 15 November 1.

other inforMation

turKeY hunting

Turkey hunting is legal during the November rearm deer season. People hunting with aall turkey permit are required to wear hunter orange when hunting during the Novem-ber rearm deer season. Legal weapons include shotgun and archery only; rifes are notallowed.

hunter orange

Any persons hunting antelope, elk, mountain (bighorn) sheep, or deer under the authorityo a rearm permit during an authorized rearm season must display on his or her head,chest and back at least 400 square inches o hunter orange material. Archery deer huntersmust do the same while archery hunting during the November rearm deer season andduring the Dec. 26 - Jan. 18 deer season.

firearM restrictions

During the November rearm deer season, only hunters with a valid unlled deer permitmay hunt wildlie other than deer with centerre rifes or centerre handguns, providedthey are hunting in the management unit or which their deer permit is valid.


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38 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

cHrONIc WastINg DIsease

Nebraska, like other western states, is seeing an increase in the number and distributiono deer testing positive or chronic wasting disease (CWD). In 2011, 1,565 lymph nodesamples were collected during the November rearm season and then tested. wenty-sixpositives were conrmed.

uNlaWful acts

Shooting from the Road It is illegal to shoot rom a bridge or public road, including thetravelled surace and right o way.

Hunting Over Bait It is illegal to take or attempt to take big game within 200 yardso an area that has been baited. A baited area includes eed, supplement or bait that hasbeen placed within the last 60 days. Baiting does not include instances where the eed,supplement or bait has been placed in the active operation o husbandry or domesticatedlivestock.

Guiding for Fee It is illegal to provide guide service or a ee on wildlie management

area.

Weapon Sights Red-dot and illuminated reticle sights and laser rangender scopes arepermitted.

2011 Deer Elk 2000-10 Deer


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traVel ON u.s. fOrest serVIce laND

Visit fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska or inormation about traveling on U.S. Forest Service land inNebraska. Tis includes the Pine Ridge and Bessey Ranger Districts o Nebraska NationalForest, McKelvie National Forest, and Oglala National Grasslands.

HuNtINg Near DWellINgs

200-Yard Rule: It is unlawul to hunt any orm o wild mammal or wild bird with a rifewithin a 200-yard radius o an inhabited dwelling or livestock eedlot, unless permissionto do so has been granted by the owner or tenant o that dwelling or eedlot.

100-Yard Rule: It is unlawul to hunt any orm o wild mammal or wild bird with archeryequipment, handgun or shotgun within a 100-yard radius o an inhabited dwelling orlivestock eedlot, unless permission to do so has been granted by the owner or tenant othat dwelling or eedlot.

sHOOtINg HOurs

It is legal to hunt big game 30 minutes beore sunrise to 30 minutes ollowing sunset.

lIQuIDateD Damages

Te ollowing are penalties or illegally killing big game in Nebraska.

Bighorn Sheep $15,000

Elk Bull, 12 points or more $5,000 Other elk $1,500

White-tailed Deer 8 points or more with 18-inch spread $5,000 Other antlered bucks $1,500 Antlerless $250

Mule Deer 8 points or more with 24-inch spread $5,000 Other mule deer $1,500

Antelope Buck with 14-inch horn length $5,000 Other antelope $1,500

Bear or Moose $1,500


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40 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

MayLeg

allyTake

PermitType

HabitatStamp

Neb.Wa

terfowlStamp

FederalDuckStamp

HIPNum

ber

HunterE

ducation

Accom

paniment

MayLeg

allyTake

PermitType

HabitatStamp

Neb.Wa

terfowlStamp

Federal

DuckStamp

HIPNum

ber

HunterEducation

Accom

paniment

MayLeg

allyTake

PermitType

HabitatStamp

Neb.Wa

terfowlStamp

FederalDuckStamp

HIPNum

ber

HunterEducation

Accompaniment

Age 10-11 Age 12-15 Age 16 and Up

Deer D D D N D D D

Antelope R A A N A A

Elk R E E N

Bighorn Sheep S S

Bighorn Sheep N S S

RDeer

Antelope

Elk

R

123

56

123

645

PERMITS:DDeer,EElk,AAntelope,SBighornSheep,RResident,NNonresident,Required.

Hunter Education1 Hunters ages 12 through 29 must have on their person proo o successul completion o

irearm hunter education while hunting with a irearm or crossbow.

2 Hunters ages 12 through 29 must have on their person proo o successul completion o bowhunter education while hunting deer, antelope, elk, or mountain (bighorn) sheep with bow andarrow.

3 Hunters ages 12 through 29 who have not completed irearm and/or bow hunter education mayobtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certiicate.

Accompaniment4 Firearm hunters ages 11 or younger must be accompanied by a licensed person age 19 or older.

5 Any deer, elk, antelope, or bighorn sheep hunters ages 15 or younger must be accompanied by alicensed person age 19 and older.

6 Hunters holding an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certiicate must be accompaniedby a licensed person age 19 or older. he accompanying person, i age 19-29, must be certiied

in hunter education.

DefinitionsAccompanied In the presence o a licensed hunter age 19 or older. he accompanying huntermay not accompany more than two hunters at a time using the Apprentice Hunter EducationExemption Certiicate. he accompanying adult hunter must at all times be in unaided visualand verbal communication with the novice hunter.

Licensed Has a valid Nebraska hunting permit.

Apprentice Hunter Education CertificatePersons who have not completed a irearm hunter and/or bow hunter education course mayobtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certiicate rom Game and Parks. hiscertiicate provides the novice hunter age 12 and older an opportunity to hunt and receivetraining beore completing hunter education. he certiicate may be obtained once in a personslietime, expires on Dec. 31 and may be renewed once. he ee is $5.

HuNter reQuIremeNts


41/44


1R

ie--Atleast22caliberanddeliversatleast900

oot-poundsoenergyat100

yards,or.357magnum

rieor.45Coltrie

2R

ie--Atleast25caliberanddeliversatleast1,70

0oot-poundsoenergyat10

0

yards

Handgun--Deliversatleast400oot-poundsoene

rgyat50yards

Shotgun--20gaugeo

rlargerthatfresasingleslug

Crossbow--Drawweightoatleast125pounds,no

n-electronicandshoulder-fre

d

Longbow,recurvebow

,compoundbow

Spear--Mustbethrow

nbyhand

Muzzleloadinghandgun--Deliversatleast400oot

-poundsoenergyat50yards

3M

uzzleloadingrie--44caliberorlarger

4M

uzzleloadingrie--45caliberorlarger

Muzzleloadingmusket--62caliberorlargerthatfr

esasingleslug

LegalWeapon

s

PermitTypes

Rie1

2

Shotgun

Crossbow

M

uzzleloading

Handgun

Muzzleloading

Rie3

4

Muzzleloading

Musket

Handgun

Spear,Longbow,

RecurveBow,

CompoundBow

WEAPONSLEGALFORBIGGAMEPERM

ITS

DescriptionsofLegalWeapons

DeerandAntelopeFirearm

u

1

u

u

u

u

u

u3

u

DeerandAntelopeArchery

u

u

DeerandAntelopeMuzzleloader

u

u3

u

ElkandBighorn

Sheep

u

2

u

u

u4

Weapons

Comments

Semi-automaticsmay

holdnomorethan6cartridg

es;ully

automatic,ull-metaljacketandincendiarybulletsa

reprohibited.

Arrowsandspearsmusthavesharpenedhuntingh

eadwithablade

oatleast7/16-inchradiusromthecenterothearrowshat.

Arrowsandspearsco

ntainingpoisonorstupeying

chemicalor

havinganexplosivetipareprohibited.

Magniyingandvariable-powerscopesareallowed

orhuntingbig

game,

includingtheu

seomuzzleloaders.

Scopesc

apableousing

electricitytoampliyn

aturallightandthosethatprojectavisible

lightbeamtoatarget

arenotallowed.


42/44

42 | Big Game Ino: 402-471-0641

cONserVatION OffIcers

ADMINISTRATIONLincolnCraigStover402-471-5531DuaneArp402-471-5531JefClauson402-471-5531

NORTHWESTAllianceGregHesse308-760-3647

GeringJim Zimmerman (S)308-763-2940ScottBrandt308-631-0663

Gordon

HeathPackett308-360-0682

HarrisonDanKling308-430-0572

ValentineFrankMiller402-389-0444

NORTHEASTBassettDaleDavis402-760-0712

ColumbusSteveOberg402-910-3366

FremontDanielRoberts402-719-1108

FullertonRandyPomplun308-550-0489

Hartington

JefJones402-762-5022KennardJonReeves402-889-8508

NorfolkTomZimmer(S)402-370-3374

NelighTimWilliams402-929-0051

ONeillPatrickGeorge402-340-0787

OrdDougPollard308-778-7101

West PointCoryKrause402-380-6410

SOUTHWESTBroken BowRayDierking308-870-0322

Cambridge

GeorgeSund308-655-0028CozadMichaelome308-529-8146

DoniphanTerryBrentzel402-469-5795

ElwoodMattAndrews308-746-2418

ImperialDirkGreene308-882-0015

KearneyJerryPecha(S)308-865-5327DaleJohnson308-440-3847

McCookBrianPiernicky308-340-6627

North PlatteRoger Tompson (S)308-535-8025DudleySorensen308-530-0016

OgallalaDennisompson308-289-0755NicholasFix308-289-0427

Republican CityRichRouth308-920-0367

SOUTHEASTAshlandSeanMcKeehan402-521-0159

AuburnWilliamKrause402-274-8063

ColonMikeLuben402-443-6392

CortlandDanZuehlke402-806-9084

Hebron

DarinGress402-768-8665LincolnDouglasKramer402-890-6465DinaBarta402-890-6463StaceyLewton402-890-7140

LouisvilleLeviKrause402-949-0593

Milford

RobertFinke402-947-1363

Nebraska CityRussellMort402-209-1506

PapillionDanEvasco402-616-5961

(S) Denotes area supervisor

Stopping Poachers

Call 1-800-742-7627to report game violations

You can remain anonymous andmight be eligible for a cash reward.

1-800-742-7627

WILDLIFECRIMESTOPPERS

STOPPOACHING

1-800-742-7627

WILDLIFECRIMESTOPPERS

STOPPOACHING

Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers


43/44


Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, Gretna 402-332-3901

Alliance district oice 299 Husker Rd. 308-763-2940

Bassett service center 524 Panzer St. 402-684-2921

Chadron State Park (SP) 1591 U.S. Hwy. 385 308-432-6167Fort Robinson SP 3200, U.S. Hwy. 20, Craword 308-665-2900

Kearney service center 1617 First Ave. 308-865-5310

Lake McConaughy SRA 1475 Neb. Hwy. 61, Ogallala 308-284-8800

Niobrara SP 89261 522 Ave. 402-857-3373

Norolk district oice 2201 N. 13th St. 402-370-3374

North Platte district oice 301 E. State Farm Rd. 308-535-8025

Omaha metro oice 1212 Bob Gibson Blvd. 402-595-2144

Ponca SP 88090 Spur 26E 402-755-2284

Lincoln headquarters 2200 N. 33rd St. 402-471-0641

Wildcat Hills SRA 210615 Neb. Hwy. 71, Gering 308-436-3777

game aND Parks PermIttINg OffIces


44/44

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Documents

2012 Big Game Guide - Nebraska Game and Parks