TEAL IDENTIFICATION. Hen

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2 TEAL IDENTIFICATION Blue-Winged Teal Flight: Erratic and rapid. Size: Small. Color: Large, chalky-blue patch on upper wings or shoulders of both hen and drake. Hen has light belly; drake has dark belly. Crescent patch on male s head not often distinguishable. Eclipse Drake Hen Eclipse Drake Hen Green-Winged Teal Flight: Erratic and rapid. Size: Smallest of the teal. Color: Both sexes appear darker than blue-winged teal. They have white bellies. Ducks Commonly Mistaken for Teal Wood Duck Flight: Rapid, sometimes erratic, like teal. Flies with head held high and tail down. Size: Slightly larger than teal. Color: Male is quite colorful, with white markings on throat. Female has white eye ring and throat patch. Both sexes appear much darker than teal and appear black from a distance. Both have white bellies. Tail is longer than teal. Northern Shoveler Flight: Appears slower than teal, but sometimes flies erratically, like teal. Size: Larger than teal. Color: Shoveler is only other duck that has blue shoulder patches like the blue-winged teal. Gadwall Flight: Appears slower than teal. Size: Larger than teal. Color: Both male and female have white trailing edge on wing. Teal does not. Both sexes are rather drab, with white bellies and yellow feet. 2 Waterfowl Info:

3 EARLY TEAL SEASON DATES Unit Dates Low Plains Sept. 5-20, 2015 High Plains Sept , 2015 NOTE: The Low Plains early teal season opens two days before Labor Day, which is Sept. 7. PERMITS AND STAMPS GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS Nebraska residents 16 years of age and older and all nonresidents regardless of age who hunt waterfowl in Nebraska must have: A current annual Nebraska Hunting Permit (small game) Residents - $14; Nonresidents - $81, or Nonresident 2-Day Small Game Hunt $56 A Nebraska Habitat Stamp $20 A Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp $5 A current HIP registration number free (see page 5) All residents and nonresidents age 16 and older who hunt waterfowl in Nebraska must have: A Federal Duck Stamp, which can be purchased at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permitting offices, from U.S. Post Offices or at OutdoorNebraska.org. The stamp is valid through June 30, 2016 $25 (additional issuing fees may apply) ELECTRONIC DUCK STAMP ATTENTION, HUNTERS! CONTINUING THE TEAL SEASON: THE RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS The teal season in the northern portion of Nebraska is on an experimental basis. Continuation of the teal season depends on hunters ability to distinguish teal from other duck species. During this experiment, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will evaluate the rate at which nontarget species are shot at or taken. If the rate is considered unacceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nebraska will lose its teal season, and most likely, never get it back. Those who take or attempt to take ducks other than teal will be subject to prosecution. NEW FOR 2015 The Electronic Duck Stamp, or E-Stamp receipt, allows customers to purchase the Federal Duck Stamp and use it immediately. The E-Stamp receipt is valid for 45 days from the date of purchase. Within that time, a physical Duck Stamp will be mailed to the customer. After 45 days, customers must carry the signed Federal Duck Stamp while hunting. KNOW THE REGULATIONS - IT S YOUR JOB This guide is not a legal notice or a complete collection of hunting regulations, orders and laws. It is a condensed guide. For complete regulations, orders and statutes visit: OutdoorNebraska.org. For complete U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations, visit: fws.gov/hunting/ OutdoorNebraska.org 3

4 WHERE TO BUY PERMITS OutdoorNebraska.org Permitting offices Via mobile device Permit agents HUNTER EDUCATION Firearm hunter education is required in Nebraska for all hunters ages 12 through 29 who: hunt any game species with a firearm or air gun. Must carry proof of successful completion while hunting. Bowhunter education is required in Nebraska for all hunters ages 12 through 29 who: hunt deer, elk, antelope or mountain (bighorn) sheep with bow and arrow or crossbow. Must carry proof of successful completion while hunting. Certification Options For hunters ages 11-15: NEW FOR 2015 Online course (Hunter-ed.com/Nebraska and/or Bowhunter-ed.com/ Nebraska) followed by participation in a two-hour Hunt Safe Session Fee paid to online vendor Traditional 10-hour classroom course No cost For hunters ages 16 and older: NEW FOR 2015 Online course (Hunter-ed.com/Nebraska and/or Bowhunter-ed.com/ Nebraska) with no other requirements. Fee paid to online vendor Traditional 10-hour classroom course No cost For more information, visit: huntsafenebraska.org. Those who have not completed a hunter education course may obtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate. APPRENTICE HUNTER EDUCATION EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE The $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate provides the novice hunter age 12 and older an opportunity to try hunting and receive training from an experienced hunter before 4 Waterfowl Info: GAME AND PARKS PERMITTING OFFICES Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium W. Neb. Hwy. 31, Gretna Alliance district office 299 Husker Road Bassett service center 524 Panzer St Chadron State Park (SP) U.S. Hwy Fort Robinson SP 3200 U.S. Hwy. 20, Crawford Kearney service center 1617 First Ave Lake McConaughy SRA 1475 Neb. Hwy. 61, Ogallala Niobrara SP Ave Norfolk district office 2201 N. 13th St North Platte district office 301 E. State Farm Road Omaha metro office 8495 Frederick St Ponca SP Spur 26E Lincoln headquarters 2200 N. 33rd St Wildcat Hills SRA Neb. Hwy. 71, Gering

5 completing Hunter Education. A hunter using this certificate must be accompanied* at all times while hunting. This certificate may be obtained once in each person s lifetime, expires on Dec. 31 and may be renewed once for a consecutive year. It may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org. *Accompanied is defined as: in the presence of a licensed, experienced hunter age 19 or older. There may be no more than two hunters using the certificate accompanied by the experienced hunter at any time and the experienced hunter must at all times be in unaided visual and verbal communication with the child under age 12 and/or the apprentice hunter ages 12 through 29. The experienced hunter must, if age 19-29, be certified in hunter education. HARVEST INFORMATION PROGRAM (HIP) Anyone planning to hunt doves, ducks, geese, snipe, rail, coot or woodcock between Aug. 1, 2015, and July 31, 2016, must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) before hunting even if they registered for the 2014 hunting seasons. Residents, nonresidents even those already registered in another state lifetime permit holders, veterans and over-70 and feeexempt permit holders must register. Registration is free. Hunters may register 24 hours a day at OutdoorNebraska.ne.gov/Hip/ or by calling For more on residency requirements and reduced price senior and veteran permits, visit OutdoorNebraska.org. LEG BANDS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service leg bands recovered from birds may be reported at reportband.gov or by calling OTHER REGULATION INFORMATION Methods of Take: Only archery equipment (except crossbows) and shotguns 10 gauge or smaller may be used. For migratory birds, shotguns must be plugged so the combined capacity of the chamber and magazine is no more than three shells. Rifles and crossbows cannot be used to hunt migratory birds. Electronic calls are prohibited for all waterfowl hunting during the fall seasons. Electronic calls can be used for crows. Transporting Game: All migratory birds except doves must have one fully feathered wing or head plumage attached when in transport. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for additional rules about game being transported by someone other than the owner or by a commercial carrier. Nontoxic Shot: It is unlawful to use Legal Nontoxic Shot or possess shotgun shells loaded Bismuth-tin Tungsten-matrix with or containing shot other than nontoxic shot while hunting, taking Iron (steel) Tungsten-polymer or attempting to take waterfowl. Nontoxic shot is required for all Iron-tungsten Iron-tungsten-nickel Tungsten-tin-iron Tungsten-tin-bismuth shotgun hunting on federal waterfowl Tungsten-bronze Tungsten-tin-iron-nickel production areas and national wildlife Tungsten-iron-copper-nickel Tungsten-iron-polymer refuges and, as posted, some state wildlife management areas. For the latest legal shot types, check the waterfowl section at OutdoorNebraska.org. Abandonment/Wasting: Hunters must ensure that all game is used and not wasted. Persons found guilty of abandoning or wasting game birds may be subject to fines and restitution. OutdoorNebraska.org 5

6 Waterfowl Blinds: All blinds must be removed daily from Game and Parks state recreation areas (SRA) and wildlife management areas (WMA), except that seasonal blinds may be built on the WMA portions of Calamus, Elwood, Enders (the nonrefuge portion), Lewis and Clark, Lake McConaughy, Medicine Creek, Merritt, Red Willow, Sherman, and Swanson. Such blinds must be removed at the end of the waterfowl season. Use of these blinds is on a first-come, first-served basis, except at Lewis and Clark. A special permit is required and different regulations apply for blinds on Lewis and Clark. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at , ext or HUNTING ON STATE RECREATION AREAS Hunting is permitted on many state recreation areas from the first Tuesday following Labor Day through conclusion of the spring turkey season, unless prohibited or restricted by appropriate signs or specific area regulations. Season Dates: Low Plains: Sept. 5-20, 2015 SEASON DETAILS High Plains: Sept , 2015 Daily Bag Limit: 6 in aggregate* (Blue-, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal) * Aggregate daily bag limit is the maximum number permitted to be taken by a person in one day during the open season when such person hunts for more than one species for which a combined daily bag limit is prescribed. The aggregate daily bag limit is equal to, but shall not exceed, the largest daily bag limit prescribed for any one species. Possession Bag Limit: 18 Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset Helpful Teal Hunting Tips: Blue-winged teal have blue patches on the upper surface of their wings. Shovelers also have blue patches on their wings, but have an enlarged bill and are larger in size. Teal tend to fly in tight, compact flocks. Their flight is rapid and appears erratic. Female teal have a raspy, rapid call while males have a single note whistle. Teal will readily decoy, so use them to bring birds in closer to aid in identification. Pass shooting is not recommended. Look for areas with lots of mud flats and sparse vegetation. Contact the nearest Game and Parks office or visit OutdoorNebraska.org for information regarding hunting on state recreation areas during this season. Any program that receives federal funding from the National Park Service, or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disability or political affiliation. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, facility, or service, should contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE , the Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE , TTY/TDD ; United States Fish Wildlife Service, Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Code 0008, Washington, D.C Front cover photo: NEBRASKAland Magazine/NGPC 6 Waterfowl Info:

7 2015 TEAL ZONES OutdoorNebraska.org 7

8 Sunrise/Sunset Schedule Omaha Lincoln York Kearney North Platte Sidney Day Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set Rise Set 5 6:54 7:52 6:57 7:55 7:00 7:58 7:07 8:04 7:13 8:11 6:22 7:20 6 6:55 7:51 6:58 7:53 7:01 7:57 7:08 8:02 7:14 8:10 6:23 7:18 7 6:56 7:49 6:59 7:51 7:02 7:55 7:09 8:01 7:15 8:08 6:24 7:17 8 6:57 7:47 7:00 7:50 7:03 7:53 7:10 7:59 7:16 8:06 6:25 7:15 9 6:58 7:46 7:01 7:48 7:04 7:52 7:11 7:57 7:17 8:05 6:26 7: :59 7:44 7:02 7:46 7:05 7:50 7:11 7:56 7:18 8:03 6:27 7: :00 7:42 7:03 7:45 7:06 7:48 7:12 7:54 7:19 8:01 6:28 7: :01 7:40 7:04 7:43 7:07 7:47 7:13 7:52 7:20 7:59 6:29 7: :02 7:39 7:05 7:41 7:08 7:45 7:14 7:51 7:21 7:58 6:30 7: :03 7:37 7:06 7:40 7:09 7:43 7:15 7:49 7:22 7:56 6:31 7: :04 7:35 7:07 7:38 7:10 7:42 7:16 7:47 7:23 7:54 6:32 7: :05 7:34 7:08 7:36 7:11 7:40 7:17 7:46 7:24 7:53 6:33 7: :06 7:32 7:09 7:34 7:12 7:38 7:18 7:44 7:25 7:51 6:34 7: :07 7:30 7:10 7:33 7:13 7:36 7:19 7:42 7:26 7:49 6:35 6: :08 7:28 7:11 7:31 7:14 7:35 7:20 7:41 7:27 7:47 6:36 6: :09 7:27 7:12 7:29 7:15 7:33 7:21 7:39 7:28 7:46 6:37 6:55 NOTE: It is the hunter s responsibility to be aware of legal shooting hours for the game they are hunting. For each 9 miles west of the cities listed on the schedule, add 1 minute. For each 9 miles east of these cities, subtract 1 minute. 8 Waterfowl Info:

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11 CONSERVATION OFFICERS ADMINISTRATION Lincoln Craig Stover Administrator Duane Arp Assistant Administrator Jeff Clauson Assistant Administrator (Listing includes counties covered) NORTHWEST Jim Zimmerman District Supervisor Sean McKeehan Cheyenne, Morrill, Box Butte Scott Brandt Kimball, Banner, Scotts Bluff Greg Hesse Sheridan, Dawes Dan Kling Sioux, Dawes Terry Brentzel Deuel, Garden, Grant Frank Miller Cherry, Hooker NORTHEAST Tom Zimmer District Supervisor Dale Davis Keya Paha, Brown, Rock Jonathan Andreasen Holt, Boyd Mitch Johnson Knox, Antelope, Pierce Jeff Jones Knox, Cedar Alex Thomas Dixon, Dakota, N 1/2 Thurston Jon Reeves S 1/2 Thurston, Burt, Washington Dan Roberts Dodge, Colfax Cory Krause Cuming, Wayne, Stanton, Dodge Steve Oberg Colfax, Platte, Madison, Stanton Randy Pomplun Nance, Greeley, Wheeler, Boone Doug Pollard Loup, Garfield, Valley SOUTHWEST Roger Thompson District Supervisor Matt Brandt Sherman, Howard Tim Williams Hall, Hamilton, Merrick Pat George Clay, Adams, Nuckolls, Webster Rich Routh Franklin, Harlan, Phelps Matt Andrews Gosper, Furnas, Frontier, Red Willow Andrew Heyer Dawson, Gosper, Phelps Brian Piernicky Red Willow, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock Nicholas Fix Keith, Perkins Bryce Streger Keith, Arthur Brandon O'Neal Lincoln, McPherson, Logan Alex Hasenauer Lincoln, McPherson, Logan Dale Johnson Kearney, Buffalo Mike Thome Dawson Ray Dierking Custer, Thomas, Blaine SOUTHEAST Levi Krause District Supervisor Rich Berggren Douglas Dan Evasco Sarpy Heath Packett Cass Russell Mort Otoe, Johnson William Krause Nemaha, Richardson, Pawnee Dan Zuehlke Gage, Saline Dina Barta Lancaster Doug Kramer Lancaster Dudley Sorensen Lancaster, York Travis Shepler Lancaster Stacey Lewton Lancaster, Seward Mike Luben Saunders, Butler, Polk OutdoorNebraska.org 11

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