OutdoorNebraska

18 | Turkey Hunting Information: 402-471-0641 YOUTH MENTOR REQUIREMENTS Youth under age 12 and anyone using an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate must be accompanied while turkey hunting. The accompanying person must: 1) be a licensed hunter age 19 or older; 2) have successfully completed hunter education if he or she is between the ages of 19 and 29; 3) not accompany more than two holders of an exemption certificate at one time; and 4) be at all times in unaided visual and verbal communication with the hunter/hunters he or she is accompanying. UNLAWFUL ACTS It is illegal to: • hunt when trespassing on private land; get permission. • party hunt; every hunter must shoot his or her own game. • hunt any game with a rifle within 200 yards of an inhabited dwelling or feedlot and hunt with all other equipment within 100 yards, unless permission has been granted by the owner or tenant. • harvest any game birds by baiting or attracting them to the place where hunted by distribution of grain or other feeds. • drive or disturb game birds or game animals with or from any aircraft or boat propelled by power or sail. • harvest or trap any game bird from a vehicle. • waste game. • spotlight from a vehicle or vessel while in possession of a firearm or bow and arrow. • dig, cut or destroy natural or planted vegetation on any state-owned or controlled area. • cause game birds or game animals to depart from a game reserve or game sanctuary. • use electronically amplified imitations of bird calls, including records, tapes, compact discs, and digital audio files, to take game birds. • sell or trade the meat of any game bird or game animal. • communicate the location of any game animal or game bird by radio or other electronic device to or from any aircraft, vessel, vehicle, snowmobile or other conveyance one day before or during the open season. • have or carry any shotgun having shells in either the chamber, receiver or magazine in or on any vehicle on any public roadway. • shoot from any public highway, road or bridge, including the traveled surface and the right-of-way, whether on foot or from a vehicle. • attempt to shoot any bird, fish or other animal from an aircraft. GAME VIOLATIONS Fines and penalties can range depending on the severity of the violation and the species involved. Liquidated damages also may be assessed and are set by the Nebraska Legislature as replacement costs or the monetary value placed on wildlife taken illegally. Liquidated damages can apply to each animal taken illegally. For a complete overview of the specific laws and regulations, visit OutdoorNebraska.org. Call Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers toll free at 800-742-7627 to report a game violation. INVASIVE SPECIES Invasive species are plants, animals or pathogens that are non-native to an ecosystem. They cause harm to the economy, environment or human health. They interfere with recreation opportunities and affect wildlife. They impact wildlife by significantly reducing desirable wildlife forage, altering thermal and escape cover, affecting water availability for wildlife, and reducing vegetation biodiversity necessary for wildlife survival. • Before leaving home or camp, inspect and remove all plant parts, animals, mud, and other debris from gear, pets and vehicles. Dispose of the debris on site. Do the same before leaving your hunting site. • Follow existing trails to prevent invasive and noxious plant parts and seeds from getting on clothes and pets. Avoid areas infested with invasive and noxious plant species. • Only burn locally sourced firewood to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. For more information, contact Allison Zach, Nebraska Invasive Species Program Coordinator (invasives@unl. edu) or visit neinvasives.com.

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