Upland Bird Outlook

…work the dog, bust some blue-rock , knock on some doors – now is the time to start planning for this fall’s bird hunting - if you haven’t already begun…

…to help you out NGPC Upland Game Program Manager, Jeff Lusk, is currently compiling Nebraska’s 2010 Upland Game Hunting Outlook that should give us hunters an idea of how our bird populations have fared…the Outlook is based on population surveys conducted in April & July as well as field staff observations about general nesting and brooding conditions…you will be able to access the full outlook at our website (www.OutdoorNebraska.org) once it is finalized…

…I snuck a peek at his pre-release work and here are some of the hi-lights
* Winter Snow & Spring Rain didn’t help – but the entire state was not effected equally
* Pheasant hunting should be similar to last year – head west!
* Prairie Grouse hunting may be even better in some parts of the state

…just remember that upland game is dependent on the amount and quality of the available habitat in the area…if you have superb, year-around bird habitat you will have birds – if you don’t, you won’t…changes in the habitat at the local level can dramatically influence the bird population in the area – hopefully with a successful Conservation Reserve Program sign-up this month our Upland Birds will have even more quality habitat to make use of for years to come..

hershy