OutdoorNebraska

20 | Turkey Hunting Information: 402-471-0641 HELP PROTECT YOUR FAVORITE HUNTING SPOTS 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. The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that now is present in Nebraska. These invasive insects can be spread by bringing non-locally sourced firewood into an area. Leave any unburned firewood at the camp site or with a camp host. For more information, contact Allison Zach, Nebraska Invasive Species Program Coordinator (invasives@unl. edu) or visit neinvasives.com. PUBLIC LANDS Nebraska's public lands encompass nearly 800,000 acres on about 300 state and federal areas. Most of the land is owned by the federal government. Of the state-owned lands, about 47,000 acres have been purchased with proceeds from the sale of Nebraska Habitat Stamps. Nebraska's public hunting lands comprise 2 percent of the state's total land areas. Types of Public Lands: State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) • These areas are state-owned or managed. • Hunting and trapping is allowed in season, unless otherwise posted. • Portable tree stands shall not be installed, used or left in place from Feb. 1 through Aug. 15 on WMAs. • It is unlawful to build or use permanent or semi-permanent tree stands that attach to any tree with nails, screws, bolts or wire. • Camping is allowed, unless otherwise posted. • Fires are allowed only in fireplaces, grills or fire rings, where provided by Game and Parks. • Use of propane or gas stoves and charcoal grills is allowed. • Motorized vehicles are restricted to roadways, parking areas or trails designated for such use. • Target shooting is allowed unless otherwise posted. Waterfowl Production Areas • These federal lands are purchased with Federal Duck stamp revenue. • They are open to public recreation, but camping is prohibited. Special regulations may apply; visit fws.gov/refuge/rainwater_basin_wmd/. National Forest, Federal Reservoir, Corps of Engineers and National Wildlife Refuge • These are federally managed lands. • Special regulations may apply. • Most national wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service are open to hunting, unless otherwise posted. Check with those agencies for special regulations. State Parks (SP), State Recreation Areas (SRA) and State Historical Parks (SHP) • Portions of some state recreation areas are open to hunting from the Tuesday following Labor Day through the end of the spring turkey hunting season. PUBLIC HUNTING LANDS INVASIVE SPECIES

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