The Nebraska pheasant, quail and partridge seasons are fast approaching. The junior season is October 22 and 23 and the general season begins on October 29.
The Nebraska Park and Game Commission reminds upland hunters to keep the following safety tips in mind when heading out to the fields this fall:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded and never assume it is not.
- Always point the muzzle of your shotgun in a safe direction, away from people, structures, vehicles, roads, and any direction that could cause injury or damage if fired.
- Be sure to identify your goal, what’s beyond, and what’s in front of you. Don’t swing your muzzle into the game outside of your safe zone of fire.
- Keep your finger off the trigger guard and the safety on until you are ready to shoot.
- Plan your hunt and hunt your plan; Come up with a game plan with your group before your hunt. Remind everyone to keep their shots in a safe fire zone. Know where your hunting party and others are at all times during your hunt.
- Never cross a fence, ditch, waterway, or other obstacle with a loaded shotgun. Be sure to unload your shotgun, action open and safety on before giving it to another person over a fence.
- Make sure you, your group, and the dogs wear hunter orange on the 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 to carry proof of successful completion of a hunter education course while hunting. The proof can be 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 can purchase a $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate that gives novice hunters the opportunity to receive instruction from an experienced hunter before completing a course. education for hunters.
For more information on hunter education requirements and exemptions, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org.
For more information about hunting in Nebraska or to purchase a permit, visit outdoornebraska.gov.