OutdoorNebraska

10 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • 2020 Annual Report SCOTT BLEHM ROSE C FRESHOUR NORA MARTIN PERSON R I F L E D E E R S E A S O N S H I F T S T O A L L T E L E C H E C K F O R F I R S T T I M E ; H U N T E R E D U C A T I O N G O E S O N L I N E Because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus at check stations, Game and Parks waived the mandatory in-person deer check for firearm season in fall 2020; hunters instead were required to check their deer online or via a toll- free telephone number. This was a first for the nine-day firearm season, though archery, muzzleloader and late-anterless hunters have used Telecheck for their harvests for the past 10 years. In order to accommodate the change, the call center contractor added personnel, and Game and Parks staff operated phones at district offices and service centers throughout the season. Few issues were reported. In-person check stations will resume in 2021. In-person checks allow us to collect more accurate harvest data, as well as age and disease data that can only be collected by physically examining a deer. In-person check stations also provide the most and best opportunities for biologists and hunters to have conversations that may not otherwise happen. Hunters noted their traditional visit to the check station was one thing they missed this year. The Commission also in 2020 waived the in-person classroom requirement for new hunters to obtain a hunters' education certificate, by allowing students to complete the class online. E D U C A T I O N E V E N T S G E T C R E A T I V E O N L I N E Nebraska Game and Parks educators took initiative early in the pandemic to develop virtual programming for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and interests. Programming ranged from wildlife identification to skills development to educator workshops. "Wild What's Up" was one such program, a weekly video series that answered nature-related questions sent in by email from parents of children. Our "The Science Of" series focused on natural resources topics, including fungi, wildlife diseases, and why some animals have horns, and drew in 50 attendees each session. We also created science-based online videos designed to teach students about natural resources, ecological topics and Nebraska's native species. Each video in the series takes students on a journey of discovery and exploration. All of the videos are linked to Nebraska state education standards, as were our virtual, continuing education workshops for educators that covered Project WILD, Trout in the Classroom, and Growing up WILD. By using a virtual format, teachers from across the state — some who had never utilized agency education programs — were able to connect their students with natural resource experiences and high- quality education.

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