Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, along with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) are challenging upland hunters to harvest four upland bird species this fall to complete the Nebraska Upland Slam for 2018. The new initiative is aimed at getting more hunters outside to enjoy the treasured traditions of upland hunting.
Sponsored by “The Habitat Organization” and our great partners at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Nebraska Upland Slam encourages hunters to try harvesting a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken and northern bobwhite quail during the 2018-2019 season.
“Hunters have long known Nebraska to be an upland bird hunter’s paradise, the mixed bag capital,” said Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas. “We have diverse upland hunting opportunities, long seasons, great access to public lands, and high hunter satisfaction rates. The Nebraska Upland Slam challenges hunters to try something new and spend more days in the field with friends and family.”
Those who complete the Nebraska Upland Slam will receive a certificate and a pin. Additionally, hunters who complete the slam during the 2018-2019 season will be registered to win one of several prizes, including a Browning Silver 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, a 65-gallon high-efficiency cooler, award-winning Pheasants Forever artwork and various other prizes.
“We want this challenge to inspire others to explore the state and maybe even harvest a new species,” said Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever State Coordinator, Kelsi Wehrman. “Nebraska partners work very closely to create better habitat and more hunting opportunities resulting in economic boosts to rural areas. See you out there!”
Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever in Nebraska have long-standing partnerships with NGPC to ensure upland hunting remains vibrant throughout the state with different programs aimed at boosting grassland habitat and associated upland bird numbers. These efforts include:
- The Habitat Share Program beginning in 2010 with the primary objective of providing more funding and manpower through contractors to enhance the habitat on NGPC’s Wildlife Management Areas. These WMAs are open to public hunting and would be a great place to harvest a bird. The Habitat Share Program is made possible with grant funds through the Nebraska Environmental Trust and has enhanced over 30,000 acres since inception.
- Open Fields and Waters (OFW) is another great program that will provide harvest opportunities throughout the state. This program provides public access opportunities on private lands. Currently, there are nearly 300,000 acres available for access through the OFW program.
- Finally, the Berggren Pheasant Plan is designed to create better habitat and hunting opportunities through targeted areas across the state.
Hunters can visit OutdoorNebraska.org/UplandSlam for more information, as well as official rules and details on how to enter. Be sure to visit
www.NebraskaPF.com to learn more about Nebraska partnership efforts.
The hunting season dates are Sept. 1 through Jan. 31 for sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chicken, and Oct. 27 through Jan. 31 for pheasant and northern bobwhite. All species may be harvested with a Nebraska hunting license. A license is not required for youth age 15 and younger.
About Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $784 million on 530,000 habitat projects benefiting over 17 million acres nationwide.
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org