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Published Saturday January 21, 2006 Commission could tighten jackrabbit season within state BY LARRY PORTER
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

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		»	Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN - Nebraska Game and Parks wildlife biologists will take a hard look at the population of jackrabbits in the state to determine if a hunting season for them should continue.

At the urging of the Wachiska Audubon Society, an eastern Nebraska chapter that serves 17 counties, Jim Douglas, chief of the commission's wildlife division, said biologists will study the populations of the big rabbits in areas throughout the state.

"It appears that black-tailed jackrabbits seem to be very, very scarce in this area," Wachiska representative Bruce Kennedy of Malcolm, Neb., told the commissioners Friday. "We're not an anti-hunting organization. We just would like to see more jackrabbits."

Following the study, the commissioners said they would decide during their July meeting if jackrabbit numbers were low enough to remove them from species that can be hunted.

"I'm from western Nebraska," commissioner George Hall of Bridgeport told Kennedy, "and they are scarce there, too."

The commissioners set season-opening hunting dates for several species, including jackrabbits. There were no changes to what have become traditional openers. The pheasant season again will begin the last Saturday in October - this year on Oct. 28. The rifle deer season opens Nov. 11, which is the Saturday closest to Nov. 13.

Although there are no changes this year to the application schedule for deer permits, the commissioners approved a change in the application process for statewide buck-only permits beginning in 2007. Residents can apply for those permits beginning the second Monday in January. Nonresidents can apply beginning the third Tuesday in January. In other action, the commissioners:

• Presented the Safari Club International's conservation officer of the year award to Stacey Lewton of Lincoln.

• Agreed to explore the possibility of expanding research and education at Sacramento-Wilcox Wildlife Management Area.

• Included haying as part of the grazing policy on land owned by the agency to improve wildlife habitat.

• Approved the development of an archery range in Lincoln.

• Raised all camping fees by $1; increased the long trail ride at Fort Robinson State Park from $16 to $17; and established a half-day rental of Fort Robinson's Dodd Hall of $45 and of the Buffalo Soldiers Barracks meeting room to $65.

• Granted easements at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park so Fort Calhoun can construct a public trail and at Olive Creek State Recreation Area for culvert construction.

• Scheduled a public hearing March 30 at Mahoney State Park concerning the antelope, deer and elk hunting seasons.

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