2020-21 Upland Nebraska Outlook

The following forecast is based on spring and summer upland game population surveys, including the Rural Mail Carrier and the Northern Bobwhite Whistle Count surveys. Nebraska biologists also provided input on regional weather events and habitat trends that could have affected populations. The summaries and field reports below reflect the best available information on bird numbers, weather conditions and habitat trends among that state’s regions, but should not be used to predict hunting conditions or local population densities at any single location within a region. Preseason scouting is encouraged to increase hunter success. For more information about upland game bird hunting in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/upland. STATEWIDE OVERVIEW Ring-Necked Northern Bobwhite Prairie (Sharp-Tailed Grouse and Greater Prairie-) Winter survival was relatively Statewide, bobwhite counts high as pheasant counts during during the July RMCS and Production was April’s RMCS were up 20% Whistle Count Survey were below average during statewide compared to 14-16% lower compared to two of the last three 2019. Habitat conditions 2019 and remain below the years, and breeding 5-year averages. Regionally, were good going into whistle counts declined in all populations of prairie nesting season, but most of regions, except the East-Central, Northeast, grouse are not where the state experienced a and Republican regions, where counts they once were in heat wave in early- to mid-June, resulting in remained the same or increased slightly. Nebraska. However, conditions have been extremely hot and dry conditions during peak favorable throughout much of their core range hatch. Fortunately, conditions immediately Nebraska’s quail populations were in the Sandhills this summer, and better negatively affected by severe winter weather before and after were favorable, and timely events during spring 2019 and have yet to production is expected compared to 2019. rain in July and early August created good fully recover. Despite survey results, this Precipitation during the primary nesting habitat conditions across most of the state. year’s fall population largely will depend on season (May-July) was slightly above Survey results and anecdotal reports production during the nesting season, which normal for much of the central and eastern suggest overall production was better than is still underway. Sandhills, and habitat conditions were last year, at least within the core pheasant Overall, conditions this summer were relatively good throughout the nesting and range. Statewide, pheasant counts from the relatively favorable throughout much of brood-rearing seasons. Broods observed this July RMCS showed a slight increase (+5%) the core bobwhite range, which includes summer have been variable in both number compared to 2019. Regional increases were portions of southeastern and south-central and age, with some of the earliest reports observed in 3 of 6 regions, with the most Nebraska. Precipitation was above normal in coming during mid- to late-June (successful notable increases in the Southwest (+47%) portions of the southeast and rain was well- early nesting attempts). The Sandhills should timed throughout the summer, helping to and Panhandle (+36%). These regions maintain high-quality cover for nesting and offer some of the best hunting opportunities support the highest pheasant densities and brood-rearing. Where suitable habitat exists, for prairie grouse this fall (both species). will again provide some of the best pheasant biologists have reported good numbers of Hunters should also find good opportunities hunting opportunities in 2020. Portions quail across southern Nebraska, where brood in the Panhandle and Southwest regions of western and northeastern Nebraska are sizes have been relatively large. Reports but where drier conditions have prevailed, becoming increasingly dry this fall, but elsewhere in the state’s quail range have been grouse hunting may be more challenging early moisture created sufficient cover in more limited, but localized areas should still due to the sparse cover. most areas. support hunt-able numbers. The best quail hunting opportunities will be found in their Pheasant hunters should be aware that core range of southern Nebraska this year. emergency haying and grazing of CRP lands has been authorized in 33 counties (as of Biologists are optimistic that favorable nesting conditions will set the stage for improved quail Aug. 31, 2020), and this may be expanded hunting opportunities this fall and will help to other counties depending on subsequent Nebraska’s bobwhite populations rebound. weather patterns.

Visit us at: OutdoorNebraska.org Statewide Central Southeast Northeast Panhandle Southwest Sandhills NORTHERN BOBWHITE SURVEYS: BOBWHITE NORTHERN PHEASANT SURVEYS:RING-NECKED Statewide Central North Northeast Southeast Central East Republican West Platte Panhandle Outside ofquailrange Region Region *For low-ranked regions,large percentchanges mightnot translateinto noticeable changesinhunting conditions. Southwest 2019 July RMCS July 2019 2019 July RMCS July 2019 West Platte Sandhills +100 Republican -33 -39 -29 -26 -16 +8

+47 +11 -60 -36 +36 +5 -3 % Changefrom*: Central Central North % Changefrom*: Count Survey Count 2019 Whistle Whistle 2019 5-yr ave. (2015-19) July July (2015-19) ave. 5-yr

East Central -32 -21 -14 -12 Northeast +8 +7 +1 Southeast Northeast

RMCS 2020 +18 -60 -52 Survey Results Upland Game Bird -31 -26 -16 -5 Southeast 5-yr ave. Whistle Whistle ave. 5-yr Count Survey Count -34 -23 -20 -41 -75 +4 -5 Overall abundance Overall abundance rank (1=Best) rank 6 5 3 2 1 4 Overall abundance Overall abundance rank (1=Best) rank 4 6 5 3 2 1 Cheyenne, Deuel, Box Butte, Morrill Butte, Box Deuel, Cheyenne, Chase, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins Hitchcock, Hayes, Chase, Antelope, Cedar, Dixon, Knox Cedar, Dixon, Antelope, Clay, Fillmore, Webster, York Webster, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Furnas, Harlan, Red Willow Red Harlan, Furnas, Franklin, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Pawnee Johnson, Gage, Jefferson, Greeley, Howard, Sherman Greeley, Howard, Blaine, Cherry, Grant Cherry, Blaine, Greeley, Howard, Sherman Greeley, Howard, Antelope, Pierce, Stanton Antelope, Gosper, Frontier, Lincoln Gosper, Frontier, Butler, Seward, Thayer Thayer Seward, Butler, (no particular ) particular (no Top counties (no particular order) particular (no Top counties REPORTS FROM THE FIELD Southwest District: Field reports have noted a lot of variability in the nesting season. brood size and age for both species, but habitat Noxious weed invasions have required In the Southwest, the pheasant numbers are conditions look good and high brood survival widespread mowing and chemical applications up according to the July RMCS index, which is expected. increased by 47% compared to 2019 and was on a large number of CRP fields in the higher than the 5- and 10-year averages. July Hail events were isolated in the Northwest Northeast region. Hunters are encouraged to brood reports from producers during wheat region with only a few notable storms contact the Game and Parks district office in harvest were mixed, but production appears occurring north of Dalton and a few localized Norfolk at 402-370-3374 for more information to be better across much of the region. Brood areas in Cherry County (federal properties on Open Fields and Waters Program (OFW) ages and sizes have been variable indicating were not affected). Overall, survey results sites potentially affected. Hunters also should nesting success early and late in the season. and field reports from the Northwest are note high water levels in the eastern Sandhills encouraging, but late-season precipitation is continue to inundate low-lying areas, affecting Following a typical spring and early summer, needed to help maintain quality cover and some county roads. conditions remained very dry west of Highway food resources for going into this fall Southeast District: 83. Fortunately, the onset of these drier and winter. conditions occurred after peak hatch. Habitat Pheasant numbers were down slightly in the conditions still look favorable going into the fall, Groundwater levels remained high in portions Southeast during the April and July RMCS but preseason scouting is recommended given of the central Sandhills, and some access and remain below long-term averages. emergency haying and grazing will impact roads on Samuel R. McKelvie National With continued habitat loss and woody CRP cover in certain counties. Rangeland cover (USFS) and Valentine National Wildlife Refuge encroachment within remaining grasslands, appears to be sufficient, and hunters should find (USFWS) remain inaccessible. These areas pheasant populations have become very decent prairie-chicken numbers on larger blocks should offer good grouse hunting opportunities isolated in this region. Better pheasant hunting of grass in western portions of the region. this fall, but hunters are encouraged to check opportunities exist where there is adequate with the respective federal agency for up-to- grass cover within relatively open landscapes, As in most years, isolated hail storms affected date information. a few areas, with the most notable storms near such as the Rainwater Basin region. Wallace and east of Palisade. Farther east, Northeast District: To provide additional hunting opportunities biologists saw good numbers of quail, as well This year’s survey results were mixed for near urban population centers, the Nebraska as some pheasant broods where quality cover in the Northeast, but field reports Game and Parks Commission will release exists. Timely rains in south-central Nebraska suggest hunters should find good pheasant pen-reared pheasants on select wildlife led to excellent habitat conditions throughout hunting opportunities in localized areas management areas prior to the youth season the summer and into fall, and high brood offering quality habitat. Compared to 2019, and Thanksgiving weekends. For more survival is expected. Recent observations of this year’s April RMCS index was down 18% information on pheasant releases, visit calling males and paired adults suggest this in the Northeast, yet the July RMCS index OutdoorNebraska.org/upland. may have encouraged additional nesting effort was up 11%. by bobwhites, which can produce multiple Surveys suggest bobwhite populations are clutches in a year when conditions are right. Total precipitation during the primary nesting down in the Southeast compared to recent season (May-July) was below normal east years. This year’s whistle counts were mixed Northwest District: and above normal west of a line following the between the East-Central (+7%) and Southeast In the Northwest, pheasant counts also western border of Pierce, Madison and Platte (-12%) management units with a lot of improved in the April (+6%) and July (+36%) counties. As a rule of thumb, nest success variability among individual routes as well. rural mail carrier surveys and were in line in the eastern third of Nebraska, where it is Precipitation during the primary nesting season with their respective 20-year averages. wetter, often is higher during years when less was slightly above normal in much of the rain falls during the nesting season. Still, Southeast, with higher rainfall totals along the After a typical May and June, much of the dry conditions have persisted since April in Kansas border. The good news is that rain was Northwest remained extremely dry. Portions portions of the Northeast, and several counties well-distributed across the summer months. of the Panhandle currently are in moderate are experiencing severe drought, as of the end Public land managers have observed good to severe drought, yet suitable cover was of August. produced early in the growing season and numbers of quail broods where high-quality field reports have noted food resources remain Where suitable habitat exists (primarily CRP), habitat exists; they’ve noted relatively large abundant. This should aid in brood survival, biologists have observed good numbers of brood sizes early on (in both number and age), but rain would help the cause. pheasant broods — some with relatively large likely from initial nesting attempts. Similar to numbers. Knox, Antelope, Cedar and Dixon the Southwest, some late summer production Lack of recent moisture or dew likely counties should provide the best pheasant is expected as favorable nesting conditions contributed to fewer brood observations hunting opportunities this fall. persisted throughout the summer and into during late summer. Pheasant broods observed early fall. Quail hunters should expect to find Farther west, habitat conditions have been have been relatively large in number, and good bird numbers in localized areas in the relatively good in the eastern Sandhills where brood reports have been mixed for sharptails. Southeast this fall, but likely won’t encounter moisture has been abundant. Prairie grouse Deteriorating range conditions in portions the same number of coveys they did between production is expected to be average here, but of the Panhandle may pose challenges for 2015-2018 when populations were high. grouse hunters due to the sparser cover. an “average” year still offers a good number Conditions were more favorable further east of birds and hunting opportunities. Similar in the Sandhills, and prairie grouse production to the western Sandhills, brood observations appears to be better this year compared to 2019. indicate production occurred early and late in WHERE TO HUNT Pheasants: pheasant densities during dry years when and associated hunting opportunities are cover is abundant. Pre-season scouting is highly variable from year to year. The Southwest continues to provide some of recommended as emergency haying and Prairie Grouse: Nebraska’s best public hunting opportunities grazing will affect cover on some CRP (Greater Prairie-Chicken and Sharp-Tailed Grouse) for pheasants, primarily on private lands lands in portions of western and enrolled in the OFW Program. During most northeastern Nebraska. For prairie grouse, it’s hard to overlook years, hunters tend to find better pheasant the expansive blocks of native prairie Northern Bobwhite: numbers as they move west. found on federal lands in the Nebraska One-third of all available CRP acres within Public lands scattered throughout the Sandhills, including the Nebraska National the Southwest region are publicly accessible bobwhite’s core range in southeastern and Forest Bessey Ranger District, Samuel R. through OFW, and biologists expect to enroll south-central Nebraska provide excellent McKelvie National Forest, and the Crescent over 20,000 acres of tall wheat/milo stubble quail hunting opportunities. In the Lake and Valentine National Wildlife and unfarmed pockets into the program this Southeast, some of the best quail numbers refuges. These four areas total more than fall. (These tracts will be displayed in the are on WMAs in the southern two tiers 322,000 acres, are conservatively-grazed, 2020-21 Stubble Access Guide in October.) of counties. Many of these WMAs are and support great numbers of prairie grouse. managed specifically with quail in mind, Though both species can be found here, N-CORPE lands and several WMAs and in this highly fragmented landscape, sharptails typically dominate the bag. surrounding irrigation reservoirs in the these areas offer some of the largest blocks To find greater prairie-, hunters Southwest support good numbers of of contiguous quail habitat around. OFW need to look further east or south. The pheasants, as do clusters of CRP and sites scattered throughout that same general eastern Sandhills’ rolling topography is tall wheat stubble in OFW in portions of area should not be overlooked. Cheyenne, Deuel, Box Butte, and Sheridan picturesque prairie-chicken habitat, and counties. Valentine and Crescent Lake NWRs A drier, yet more diverse landscape hunters will find an increasing number of also have supported a good number of birds prevails as you move west along the Kansas OFW sites scattered across portions of Rock, around wetland margins in certain years. border and some of the best quail hunting Holt, Loup, Garfield and Wheeler counties. Waterfowl Production Areas, WMAs, and opportunities typically are found east of In Southwest Nebraska, prairie-chickens can Unlimited Revolving Properties in U.S. Highway 83, where woody cover is be found on several large blocks of OFW the Rainwater Basin region of south-central more abundant. Those targeting quail should in Chase County, but hunters should not Nebraska can offer good pheasant hunting focus on the edges of the many CRP fields, overlook opportunities on nearby N-CORPE opportunities depending upon water levels. unfarmed draws, and stubble fields lands and OFW tracts in Hayes, Keith, Cover on these sites can be highly variable, so enrolled in OFW throughout the region. and Lincoln counties. Some OFW lands in eastern Nebraska, among the remaining pre-season scouting is recommended. The WMAs and USACE lands surrounding larger complexes of grassland habitat, the region’s irrigation reservoirs also support Hunters in northeast Nebraska should provide limited opportunities for greater good numbers of quail and provide some focus on clusters of CRP enrolled in OFW prairie-chickens; hunters are reminded to of the largest blocks of habitat to explore. within Antelope, Knox, Cedar, Dixon, and get a free East Zone grouse permit to pursue During certain years, good numbers of Dakota counties. Some nearby WMAs and prairie grouse east of U.S. Highway 81. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties bobwhites can be found on public lands along the Missouri River can support high outside of their core range, but populations FIND LAND TO HUNT Nebraska offers more than 1.2 million acres of public and privately owned lands that are accessible for public hunting. Find these acres to hunt in the 2020-21 Nebraska Public Access Atlas, available at OutdoorNebraska.org/PublicAccessAtlas or in the 2020-21 Nebraska Stubble Access Guide, an atlas supplement, available in October 2020 at OutdoorNebraska.org/Guides.