Firearm deer season one of most anticipated in state

    The November firearm deer season is one of the most anticipated times of the year for Nebraska hunters.
    This year’s nine-day season opens Saturday, and hunters are expected to be out in droves in southwest Nebraska.
    The firearm season concludes Sunday, Nov. 24. Deer must be checked in by 1 p.m. Nov. 25.
    Hunters in the Frenchman Unit, which includes Chase County, still have some options if they haven’t purchased a firearm permit yet.
    All of the 1,600 whitetail permits in the Frenchman are sold, as are the 1,840 muledeer conservation area (MDCA) permits.
    However, there are still a few hundred Antlerless Frenchman and Antlerless Frenchman West  season’s choice permits still available, according to the Game and Parks.
    The season’s choice antlerless permit holders can continue to hunt until Jan. 15, 2020.
    Area check-in stations include Laker’s in Enders, Crossroads in Wauneta, the Dundy Co. Sheriff’s Office in Benkelman, the Hitchcock County sheriff’s Office in Trenton, Farkleberry’s in Hayes Center, the Game and Parks office in Ogallala and Mac’s Super Foods in Wallace.
    Since 1945, deer hunting has become a treasured tradition in Nebraska, enjoyed by countless hunters, who have harvested more than 2.2 million deer.
    Management by the Game and Parks Commission the past five years has resulted in growth in mule deer herds and a reduction in whitetail herds.
    Season recommendations for 2019 will allow a harvest of approximately 10,000 mule deer and 46,000 whitetail deer, officials say.
    Game and Parks’ population goals in 2019 are for slight increases in northern and eastern whitetail herds, a modest reduction in mule deer herds in the southwest and continued pressure on whitetails along river corridors.
    Biologists will be collecting lymph nodes for CWD testing from deer taken in six panhandle and northeast deer units during the upcoming deer season.
Safety should be priority
    Remaining safe during the Nov. 16-24 season should be a top priority for hunters.
    “While hunting remains one of the safest activities, there are always a few key things to consider while afield,” Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunter Education Coordinator Jackson Ellis said.
    Here’s his suggestions:
    Always keep the rifle muzzle pointed in a safe direction, with safety on, and finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
    Properly identify the target and what lies beyond it before pulling the trigger; never shoot at sounds or movement.
    Wear blaze orange. All deer hunters are required to wear 400 square inches of blaze orange visible on their head, chest and back during the nine-day firearm season, regardless if hunting with a firearm or archery equipment.
    Unload firearms before travelling in a motorized vehicle and before crossing obstacles such as fences, creeks or steep embankments.
    When hunting from a tree stand or elevated platform, always maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending, pull your firearm or bow up to you with a haul line and wear a fall arrest system (safety harness.)
    “The tradition of deer hunting in Nebraska continues to be a fun, safe activity with great opportunities at finding success in all corners of the state,” Ellis said.
Additional seasons
    Nebraska also offers a muzzleloader deer season from Dec. 1-31.
    Archery deer season, which opened Sept. 1, continues through Dec. 31.