OutdoorNebraska

OutdoorNebraska.org | 35 FORT NIOBRARA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ELK HUNT Access Permits: An access permit is required to hunt in designated areas on Fort Niobrara NWR. The application period for access permits is Aug. 1 - Nov. 1, 2019. Who May Apply: Hunters who possess a valid Niobrara River Unit elk permit may apply. Persons with landowner elk permits are not eligible. Location: Successful applicants would receive an access permit to hunt within the 5-mile river corridor within Fort Niobrara NWR (Cherry County), where wild elk are commonly located. Specific boundaries and details will be provided by refuge staff. Access Dates: Sept. 21 - Oct. 31, 2019 (cow and bull elk permits) and Dec. 1 - Jan. 15, 2020 (cow permits) Rules: Legal weapons include archery or muzzleloader as described in the 2019 Big Game Guide. Access is allowed by foot, canoe or horse only. Centerfire firearms are not allowed. How to Apply: Contact the refuge office at 402-376-3789 or visit fws.gov/refuge/fort_niobrara/ BONUS POINTS The bonus point system for general bull elk permits will give those who have applied for a bull elk permit and been unsuccessful a better chance of drawing a permit. Beginning in 2014, a person received a bonus point each time he or she applied for but did not receive a permit in subsequent years. Applicants receive an additional entry into the draw for each bonus point accrued. Odds shown are for zero points. Persons with bonus points have better odds. Draw statistics are available at outdoornebraska.gov/drawresults. LANDOWNER ELK PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Obtain an application by requesting from the Commission by telephone, picking up from Commission district offices, or downloading from OutdoorNebraska.org 2. Determine if your land is in an elk zone and if you qualify. 3. Between May 20 and June 7, deliver completed application and payment for the permit price and application fee to the following Commission district office only, depending on unit. Applications received after 5 p.m. on June 7 will be rejected. • Northwest District - 299 Husker Road, P.O. Box 725, Alliance, NE 69301. Units: Ash Creek, Bordeaux Creek, Hat Creek and North Platte River. • Bassett Service Center - 524 Panzer St., P.O. Box 508, Bassett, NE 68714. Units: Niobrara East and Niobrara West. • Southwest District - 301 E. State Farm Road, North Platte, NE 69101. Unit: Box Elder. 4. District staff will validate your application and enter in drawing, if eligible. 5. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may lead to disqualification. Resident and Nonresident Landowner Elk Eligibility Rules: • Eligible property must be within an elk management zone. • Minimum acres: Resident (own 320 or lease 640); Nonresident (own 1,280). • Land must be used for agricultural purposes. • Immediate family of qualifying landowner are eligible. • One application is allowed per described property. Resident and Nonresident Landowner Elk Procedure Rules: • No more than one permit per person per year or one bull permit every three years. • Persons receiving a bull permit in 2017 or 2018 cannot get a bull permit in 2019. • Persons may apply for a bull permit each year and earn preference points if they are eligible for a bull permit. Preference points are awarded to failed landowner bull applicants. ELECTRONIC CALLS The use of electronic calls while hunting elk is illegal.

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