We don’t allow any of our dogs eat “human” food but the following foods are very dangerous for dogs to consume.

Chocolate

Grapes/Raisins

Alcohol

Onions will eventually kill the dog

 

 

Nebraska

2008 Upland Game

Hunting Outlook

The following forecast is based on the spring and summer small-game population surveys,

including the April & July Rural Mail Carrier Surveys (RMCS), the August Roadside Survey (ARS),

the Bobwhite Whistle Count Survey, and the Prairie Grouse Breeding Ground Survey. Recent

analyses of historic pheasant data indicated that the RMCS provides the most reliable predictor of

hunting success, so only those results are presented. The descriptions below reflect the bestavailable

information regarding the relative abundances of small-game among the general regions

of Nebraska, but cannot be used to predict hunting conditions or local population densities at any

single location within regions.

RING-NECKED PHEASANTS

The severe winter storms and early spring rainfall did not have as severe an impact on

statewide pheasant populations as would be expected. The results of the April and July Rural Mail

Carrier Surveys showed that statewide numbers were comparable to those in 2007. Summer

surveys indicated that the Northeast and Southwest, two of the most heavily hunted regions, had

the highest abundances among all regions. July Rural Mail Carrier Surveys indicated declines in

the Southeast, but increases in the Panhandle and Southwest. Rankings of abundance estimated

from the summer surveys for all Nebraska regions are provided below.

NORTHERN BOBWHITE

Bobwhite populations in 2008 were still below historic levels, but results from the Whistle

Count Survey were generally higher than in 2007, most notably in the North Central and

Republican regions. Bobwhites also made gains in the North Central region on the July Rural Mail

Carrier Survey. The Southeast region showed consistent gains on both surveys compared to

2007, and the Northeast showed consistent losses. Once again, the Southeast and East Central

regions had the highest abundances, based on our summer surveys (see below).

PRAIRIE GROUSE

Prairie grouse populations were similar to slightly higher in the Sandhills this spring.

However, the implications of these results for fall hunting are unclear, because prairie grouse are

not well surveyed by our summer roadside surveys. Spring surveys in the Southeast indicated

that population size remained similar to 2007. A limited number of permits is available for prairie

grouse harvest east of Highway 81. Contact the Lincoln office for more information on the Eastzone

permits.

COTTONTAILS

Regional cottontail numbers were higher in 2008 compared to 2007 in all regions except

for the Southwest. The highest increases were observed in the Sandhills region followed by the

Central region. Highest abundances were found in the Central region, followed by the Northeast,

Southeast, and Southwest.

See back of sheet for regional survey results

Nebraska

2008 Upland Game Bird

Survey Results

Pheasant

Survey

Units:

% CHANGE FROM 2007* OVERALL

Rural Mail Abundance Top Counties

Carrier Rank (in alphabetical order, based on RMCS

Region Survey (1 = Best) and 2007 harvest results)

Central +10 6 Custer, Howard, Greeley

Northeast -2 2 Burt, Cuming, Dixon, Stanton, Wayne

Panhandle +29 3 Box Butte, Cheyenne, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan

Sandhills +5 5 Cherry, Holt, Loup, Wheeler

Southeast -28 4 Franklin, Gage, Lancaster, Saline, Saunders

Southwest +20 1 Dundy, Furnas, Harlan, Hitchcock, Perkins

Statewide -3

Bobwhite

Units:

1. West Platte

2. Republican

3. North-central

4. Northeast

5. East-central

6. Southeast

% CHANGE FROM 2007* OVERALL

Bobwhite Rural Mail Abundance Top Counties

Whistle Carrier Rank (in alphabetical order, based on RMCS

Region Count Survey (1 = Best) and 2007 harvest results)

West Platte +12 -27 6 Buffalo, Dawson, Hall, Kearney

Republican +18 -25 4 Harlan, Furnas, Nuckolls, Webster

N. Central +25 +17 3 Custer, Greeley, Holt, Sherman

Northeast -17 -42 5 Antelope, Boone, Burt, Nance, Madison

E. Central +3 -43 2 Butler, Clay, Hamilton, Seward, Thayer

Southeast +15 +15 1 Gage, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline

Statewide +7 -20

*For low-ranked regions, large percent-changes in indices might not translate into noticeable

changes in hunting conditions.

Central

Panhandle

Northeast

Southwest

Southeast

Sandhills

1

2

5

6

4

3

 

 

 

The upland bird season has started at Pheasant Bonanza.  Hunts have been 60-95% successful on bird harvest numbers.  The brisk cool mornings are getting people in the mode to think about pheasant hunting.  Members have been getting their dogs ready in the training field and some members have tried harvesting scratch birds with mild success.  October and November will be the months for hunting scratch birds.  Give us a call or send an E-mail about scheduling a hunt, joining our membership, or shooting clays.