Grand Island / Hall County
Offers Abundant Hunting Opportunities

Hall County offers the opportunity to enjoy the hunt.... unless otherwise posted, hunting is allowed on public lands in season, year-round on all state wildlife management areas and unless otherwise posted, state recreation areas are open to hunting the day after Labor Day to April 1.

Public hunting facilities in Hall County includes the Cornhusker Wildlife Management Area, Loch Linda Wayside Management Area, Wood River Wayside Management Area and Hannon WPA. Contact NE Game & Parks Commission for weaponry limitations.

For more information on Nebraska’s hunting seasons, hunting guide or permit vendors, call the NE Games & Parks Commission, Kearney Office at 308-865-5310, or the Lincoln Office, 402-471-0641. For information on HUNTER SAFETY, contact the NE Game & Parks Commission Hunter Education Coordinator at 402-332-5487.

To many, hunting in central Nebraska means waterfowl hunting. In fact, one has to look pretty hard to find areas in the U.S. that offer waterfowl hunting that measures up to this region. Two major waterfowl use areas, the Rainwater Basins, a 17 county area in south central Nebraska, and the Platte River dominate the central Nebraska region. Nationally, these areas are known for attracting ducks and geese numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Excellent wetland conditions, coupled with near record waterfowl populations and a generous bag limit of 6 ducks provides for excellent hunting opportunities. Goose hunters receive an increased bag limit of 3 Canada geese and 2 white-fronted geese and will again have a chance to pursue white geese during February and early March. Hunting opportunities are readily available on private land by permission and on over 50 areas owned by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). A guide to public lands is available at NGPC District Offices and also included in the 1998 Hunt Guide.
Nebraska is also well known for its upland game hunting with the State's pheasant harvests ranking in the top 5 nationally. Residents of Nebraska harvested approximately 480,000 pheasants last year.

Northern bobwhite quail numbers continue to increase in the South-central region. This favorite gamebird can be found in good numbers along wooded drainages throughout the region. Statewide harvests were estimated at approximately 240,000 birds. Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie grouse (prairie chicken) are also found in this region in good numbers north of the Platte River. Statewide harvest for these game species totaled approximately 55,000 with about 60% being sharp-tails.

Upland game hunting is available on properties owned by the NGPC and USFWS. In addition, NGPC has implemented a public access program called CRP-MAP that provides for public access on some conservation reserve programs lands. Hunting is allowed on these properties from September 1 through March 1. Maps showing properties open to public access (CRP-MAP) are available at NGPC's homepage (www.ngpc.state.ne.us), NGPC District Offices and permit vendors throughout the state.

Deer hunters in the region enjoy plenty of opportunity as white-tail deer are abundant region-wide. Mule deer are also found in the general area but in lower numbers. Two deer management units, the Buffalo and Republican, provide for 3500 rifle permits with a 69% success rate and 3200 permits with a 73% success rate, respectively. In addition, two late season hunts, the Republican Late and Mid Platte Late contribute an additional 1000 and 500 permits respectively. Archery and muzzleloader permits are also issued in this region in an unlimited fashion. NGPC and USFWS properties are open to deer hunting. Some public lands have special regulations with regard to prohibited weapons so please consult your hunting regulations, NGPC's homepage, or contact a NGPC District Office for more information.

Nebraska hunters are fortunate to have a broad range of species to pursue as well as plenty of game to take home for the table. For season dates, bag limits, and other information please consult a 1998 Hunt Guide, stop by or call a Nebraska Game and Parks District Office, or visit NGPC on the web at www.ngpc.state.ne.us. Also, please remember that the majority of this region is owned by private landowners and to always ask permission before hunting. Migratory birds hunters are required to register online or by phone with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). Migratory birds include ducks, geese, mourning doves, coot, snipe, rail, and woodcock. Only residents under 16 years of age are exempt and registration is free by calling, toll-free 1-800-WETLAND or through the Commission's internet site at www.ngpc.state.ne.us . If you have any questions, please call your nearest Nebraska Game & Parks Commission office.