Area checked deer numbers are lower in first weekend

    Hunters checked in nearly 150 fewer deer through the first Monday of deer season compared to last year.
    Nebraska Game and Parks Conservation Officer Sophie Gobber said population numbers are down across her four counties, Chase, Dundy, Hayes and Hitchcock.
    Gobber said she’s seen larger deer taken from Dundy County, more deer taken across Chase County and more whitetail in Hitchcock County. Deer numbers are way down in Hayes County.
    Overall, Gobber has seen a higher mule buck harvest rate from public properties than in previous years.
    Ron Schoenberger with Laker’s Bait and Tackle and Angie West with Wauneta Crossroads both saw sharp decreases in opening weekend check in numbers.
    Through Monday afternoon, 234 deer had been checked in at the establishments, compared to 380 last year and 455 in 2019.
    Seventy mule deer and 30 white tail had been checked in at Crossroads. West said they had six first timers.
    At Laker’s Bait and Tackle, 90 muleys have been checked in and 44 white tail. Eleven deer were harvested at Enders SRA.
    West and Schoenberger said they’ve seen a lot of 4x4 and 5x5 bucks come in.
    Schoenberger said the mule bucks have been nice size and, while wide, they haven’t had as much mass as he’s seen in the past.
    He’s also noticed a decrease in the number of young deer taken.
    Many familiar faces from across the region and state checked in deer, as well as hunters from at least 10 different states. Deer were checked in by hunters from Pennsylvania to California and Minnesota to Louisiana.
    West said they’ve seen some Hayes County public land users to go with Dundy County familiar faces.
    Gobber said landowners were happy with the special land owners season Nov. 5-7. Those deer were checked in via Telechek.
    As firearm season winds down, Gobber wanted to remind hunters that they do need a habitat stamp with their deer permits and they need to sign those permits.
    Check in stations must be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., she added.
    After opening day on Saturday, the November firearm season wraps up this Sunday at dusk.
    Wauneta Crossroads Big Buck Contest will start Monday. Winners will be chosen Nov. 30 based on Facebook likes. A youth contest winner will be announced that day, as well.
    West said Crossroads’ raffle for a youth lifetime permit is going well and a few tickets are still available.
    Crossroads’ gun raffle, with proceeds going to local hunter education programs, will wrap up with a drawing Monday.