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NEBRASKA — Turkeys are starting to gobble, and excitement grows for the spring turkey season.
Nebraska’s spring turkey archery season opened on March 25. The spring youth shotgun season opens on April 11 (for those under age 16), and the spring shotgun season opens on April 18. All spring turkey seasons close at sunset on May 31.
“As hunters are eager to enjoy this spring weather for turkey hunting, always remember and practice the four basic rules of firearm safety,” said Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Kyle Gaston of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
The four basic rules of firearm safety are:
• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded;
• Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction;
• Be sure of your target, what is in front of it, and what is beyond it; and
• Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.
Spring turkey hunters should also practice these safety tips:
• “Stalking” or “reaping” turkeys with a tail fan or strutting decoy is a popular hunting technique. Never shoot at movement, always positively identify your target, and check your surroundings for other hunters before picking up or moving your decoys.
• If you encounter another turkey hunter, remain still and speak in a loud clear voice to announce your presence. Never make movements to signify your presence.
• Do not wear white, blue or red while turkey hunting, as these colors are displayed by male turkeys in the spring.
• Carry decoys and any harvested birds in a bag when moving or packing in or out of your hunting spot. Wear a blaze orange cap and vest when you’re on the move to increase your visibility to other hunters.
• Check yourself for ticks after a hunt, especially along waistbands and in hair. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and other hunting gear to help reduce tick exposure.
“A few extra minutes of reviewing the four basic rules with friends and families will allow you to continue to create more memories for many hunts to come,” Gaston said.
Due to the recent wildfires in Nebraska, certain Open Fields and Waters public walk-in access properties and wildlife management areas are closed by Game and Parks until further notice.
Hunters are urged to stay away from OFW sites and WMAs affected by the recent wildfires in Lincoln, Dawson, Keith, Arthur, Morrill, Garden, and Cherry counties for public safety reasons and to allow recovery efforts to proceed.
Hunters should avoid parking in areas of tall, dry grass to protect against the threat of wildfires. If hunting on private land, they should recheck with landowners in counties affected by fire to ensure access still is possible and acceptable.
Because dry conditions persist across the state, a temporary ban on campfires is in place at all Nebraska WMAs and state park areas.
See a list of closed Game and Parks properties at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Search “Closures and Safety Advisories.”
Refer to the Nebraska Public Access Atlas for a legend that applies to maps of closed OFW sites at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas/.
