LINCOLN, Nebraska — -(OutDoorWire.com)- A conservation action to help reduce the number of light geese will begin February 7 and continue through April 12. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset and there are no bag or possession limits.
White and blue-phase snow geese and Ross’ geese may be taken
statewide during the conservation action, but different regulations apply in each zone.
In Zones 1 and 2, hunting is allowed four days a week (Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday). Beginning March 24 hunting will be allowed seven days a week.
In Zone 1 it is illegal to hunt within one-half mile of the outer channel of the Platte River between U.S. Highway 281 and Nebraska Highway 14. It is illegal to hunt on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges, unless authorized, and on the following lands owned or managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): Massie Waterfowl Production Area (WPA); Springer WPA; Hultline WPA; Wilkins WPA; Pintail Wildlife Management Area (WMA); Verona WPA; Bluebill WMA; Eckhardt WPA; Nelson WPA; Kirkpatrick Basin North WMA; and Swan Creek WMA.
In Zone 2 it is illegal to hunt light geese within one-half mile of the outer channel of the Platte River between Feb. 8 and March 10. The no-hunt zone expands to 5 miles between March 11 and April 12 to provide protection for endangered whooping cranes. The lands owned or managed by the Commission or USFWS and closed to hunting in Zone 2 are: Funk WPA, Prairie Dog WPA, Bluestem WPA, Lindau WPA and Clark WPA.
In Zone 3 the conservation action will be open seven days a week, except light goose hunting will be unlawful on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges unless otherwise authorized. By federal regulation, it is illegal to take light geese within 5 miles of the outside channel of the Platte River between U.S. 283 and U.S. 281 between March 11 and April 12.
The use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns is permitted during the conservation action. Only shotguns 10 gauge or smaller can be used to take game birds. Rifles and crossbows cannot be used to take migratory game birds.
Nebraska resident hunters age 16 or older, and all nonresident hunters, regardless of age, are reminded that they must have a 2009 Nebraska Hunting Permit and a current Habitat Stamp which can be obtained at Commission offices, from permit agents, or online at the Commission’s Web site, www.OutdoorNebraska.org. Also required is a current harvest information program (HIP) number, which can be obtained at the Commission’s Web site. However, hunters who registered in Nebraska for fall and winter seasons in 2008 do not need to reregister. All hunters age 16 years and older must also have Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp) to hunt light geese during the conservation action.
A copy of the 2008 Nebraska Waterfowl Seasons Brochure which contains information and maps pertaining to the light goose conservation action and other valuable information may be obtained from any Commission permitting office or from any of some 900 permit agents across the state.