2020 Annual Report
•
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 9
U N E X P E C T E D G R O W T H D U R I N G S P R I N G
T U R K E Y S E A S O N
Just as COVID-19 was ramping up around the state, Nebraska was gearing up for spring
turkey season. In the face of unknowns, the state took precautions to prevent the spread
of the novel coronavirus and suspended sales of turkey permits to nonresident hunters on
March 30 resulting in a loss of nearly $1.3 million in permit and habitat stamp fees.
Nebraskans, however, appeared to flock to the outdoors. Game and Parks saw a 23%
increase in Nebraska turkey hunters and a 26% increase in the number of permits those
hunters purchased.
Many of those were either new to spring turkey hunting or reactivated hunters. Between
2017 and 2019, for example, the number of recruited spring turkey hunters was between
17% and 20%. In spring 2020, the number of new hunters was 24%. The number of
reactivated hunters, or those who had not purchased a permit for at least two years, showed
similar results. In 2017-2019, the number was between 11% and 13%; in 2020, it was 19%.
We are conducting a review of the fall hunting participation, which had no permit-sale
suspensions and seems to be up in most areas, including deer and big game. Research also is
underway to determine whether the recruited and reactivated hunters are now more likely
to hunt again and what measures Game and Parks can take to support and encourage them
to do so.
ERIC
FOWLER,
NEBRASKALAND
MAGAZINE
Spring turkey hunt along Frenchman Creek in Hayes County.
