Deer numbers up at area check-in stations

    Ron Schoenberger of Enders Laker’s Bait and Tackle and Angie West at Wauneta Crossroads both reported an increase in the number of deer checked in after the first weekend of firearm deer season.
    Schoenberger said Laker’s Bait and Tackle checked in 240 deer as of Tuesday morning, up nearly 50 from last year.
    He added that there have been a lot of kids who have checked in their first deer ever, and many of them had nice ones.
    Overall, Schoenberger estimated 70% of the deer to be muley and, in general, a lot of “nice big ones.”
    West said 11 first-timers have checked in at Wauneta Crossroads, and felt like there has been a lot of doe checked in. Crossroads has also seen a lot of familiar out-of-state hunters—including ones from Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Missouri, California and Texas—contributing to the 215 deer checked in.
    Crossroads will also award the hunter whose picture receives the most likes on Facebook. A select group of the biggest deer will also be chosen by West for a second Facebook contest.
    Nebraska Game and Parks reports early checked deer numbers up 8% statewide at preliminary deer check-in sites compared to the 2018 opening weekend of Nebraska’s firearm season.
    The Game and Parks Commission’s northeast district check stations recorded 17% more deer than last year on opening weekend. The number of checked deer was up 9% in the southeast, up 3% in the northwest and up 5% in the southwest district.
    Game and Parks big game manager Luke Meduna said nice weather led to a lot of hunters in the field.
    Meduna reminded hunters they won’t want to let their deer hang for as long in warm weather.
    Nebraska Game and Parks officials indicated many units, including the Loup East and Frenchman, had additional antlerless permits and/or bonus tags added for 2019.
    Officials offered reminders to those still in the field until the nine-day season closes Nov. 24:
    Make safety your highest priority. Know what your target is and what is behind your target. Be aware of where your weapon’s muzzle is pointed at all times.
    It is illegal to duplicate permits. Only hard copy permits are allowed; no electronic deer permits are allowed.
    Firearm deer hunters and archers harvesting deer during the November firearm season must deliver their deer to a check station no later than 1 p.m. on the day following the close of the season. Notch the carcass tag on your permit immediately upon harvesting a deer.
    In Nebraska, a person must have permission to enter private property.