Outdoor notes: Firearm deer hunters should think safety first
As anticipation builds toward the November firearm deer season, hunters need to remember safety is most important. Make sure to always follow the four primary rules of safe firearm handling.
By News Channel Nebraska
As anticipation builds toward the November firearm deer season, hunters need to remember safety is most important. Make sure to always follow the four primary rules of safe firearm handling.
- 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.
- Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.
“By following these four simple rules and wearing the required hunter orange, hunters can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone in the field,” said Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Kyle Gaston. “Our goal is always zero hunting incidents.”
Hunters are required to wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange material displayed on their head, chest and back during the nine-day November firearm deer season, regardless of hunting with a firearm or archery equipment.
Hunting from a tree stand has become a preferred method for many big game hunters. “There are many benefits from hunting in an elevated stand, including better vision of surroundings, concealment from wildlife, and a safer backstop when shooting at a downward angle,” Gaston said. “However, we always need to put safety first by remembering the ABCD of tree stand safety.”
- Always remove and inspect all your equipment before using.
- Buckle your harness securely.
- Connect your harness before your feet leave the ground.
- Destination – share your stand location with others before each hunt.
Where dry conditions exist, hunters should take additional precautions. Driving vehicles or parking on dry, tall grass is a wildfire threat. Grass can ignite within seconds of contacting a hot surface, such as a vehicle’s exhaust/catalytic converter systems.
Those who drive in dry conditions should take these actions:
- Restrict driving to established roads and trails.
- Avoid parking vehicles in tall vegetation.
- Dispose of cigarettes and other flammable objects appropriately.
- Make sure no chains are dragging from your vehicle.
- Carry a fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
The firearm deer season is Nov. 15-23. Hunters should remember permission is required to access private land, whether to hunt or to track wounded deer.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov to learn more about hunter education and to read the 2025 Big Game Guide for deer regulations.
If you witness a game violation, call Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers toll-free at 800-742-7627 or visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/wildlife-crime-stoppers.
Game and Parks schedules big game meetings across state
Hunters and landowners are encouraged to offer their feedback on big game information during the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s public meetings in December and January.
These 2½-hour meetings are scheduled in each Game and Parks district. All in-person meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. local time.
The first 30 minutes will be an open house with time to talk with wildlife biologists, conservation officers and staff. Biologists will provide a presentation at 7 p.m. and discuss big game harvest results and season structure. Then they will take questions on topics such as big game management, depredation, permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases.
The schedule is:
- Dec. 1 – Omaha, Scheels, 17202 Davenport St.
- Dec. 3 – Fairbury, Fairbury Community Building, 601 City Park Road
- Dec. 9 – Chadron, Dawes County Fairgrounds, 4-H Building, 300 E. Norfolk Ave.
- Dec. 10 – Bridgeport, Prairie Winds Community Center, 428 N. Main St.
- Dec. 17 – Ainsworth, Ainsworth Conference Center, 606 E. 4th St.
- Jan. 6 – Ogallala, Lake McConaughy Visitor Center, 1475 Neb. Hwy. 61
- Jan. 8 – Palisade, Mihm Hall, 103 N. Vennum St.
- Jan. 12 – Broken Bow, Custer County Fairgrounds, 4-H Building, 44100 Memorial Drive
- Jan. 14 – Blair, Public Library Meeting Room, 2233 Civic Drive
- Jan. 15 – Alma, Johnson Community Center, 509 Main St.
People who cannot attend a meeting can join an online big game informational session via Zoom. Two Zoom meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time Jan. 18 and Jan. 20. Register to attend the Zoom meetings through the event listings at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.