Nebraska Game and Parks Briefs

Schramm Education Center hosting Christmas Bird Count for Kids Jan. 3

LINCOLN – Get the family outdoors, learn about wildlife and contribute to science Jan. 3 at the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, hosted by the Schramm Education Center.

Staff will lead families on bird walks and bird feeder watches, help tally results and share them with the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count project. The Christmas Bird Count is a 119-year-old event where bird lovers of all ages and skill levels count all the birds they can see in 24 hours. It is the longest running community science project in the country, and fuels the work of the National Audubon Society throughout the year.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until noon. General admission to Schramm Education Center is required to participate. This event is family-friendly, and will include snacks, hot chocolate, coloring sheets, and other activities for kids. Families are welcome to stay and count birds for as much time as they wish, but it is recommended to arrive at the start of the program.

Participants should dress for the weather, as the group will count birds rain or shine. A limited amount of binoculars will be available. For more information, contact Amber Schiltz at [email protected].

Late antlerless deer season extended

LINCOLN, Neb. – Due to deer depredation issues, Nebraska’s late antlerless season has been extended in the Frenchman West and Loup East Season Choice Areas.

This extension, made through Secretarial Order by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, is for residents only. It allows a hunter with a permit to hunt in the designated Season Choice Area from Jan. 1-15, 2020 to be legally allowed to hunt and harvest antlerless deer from Jan. 1-31, 2020.

Permits allowed in the Frenchman West Season Choice Area would include Antlerless Only Season Choice Frenchman West, Antlerless Only Season Choice Frenchman, Landowner, Youth and River Antlerless.

Permits allowed in the Loup East Season Choice Area would include Antlerless Only Season Choice Loup East, Landowner, Youth and River Antlerless.

Only antlerless deer may be taken and bag limits and legal weapons will remain the same as allowed by the permit. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

As designated under Nebraska Revised Statute 37-448, the extended season is open to Nebraska residents only. The season for nonresidents will close Jan. 15, 2020.

Hunters are reminded that permission is required to hunt on private land and that hunter orange is required during firearm deer seasons.