Upland Slam
Hunters again are challenged to go afield with family and friends and harvest four upland bird species this fall to complete the Nebraska Upland Slam.
The challenge of the Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever, is to harvest a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season.
Successful hunters then go online to upload a photo of each harvested bird and provide details about their hunt. Those who complete the Slam will receive an official certificate and pin and be entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes, including a Browning Maxus 12-gauge shotgun.
Nebraska is the mixed bag capital of the Great Plains and a great place to hunt a variety of birds in different habitats. “The Nebraska Upland Slam has generated a lot of excitement and has encouraged hunters to try something new, hunt a new area of the state, or just spend more time afield,” said John Laux, Game and Parks’ upland habitat and access program manager.
All participants who submit at least one harvest to the Nebraska Upland Slam will be automatically entered into monthly drawings for prizes sponsored by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Prizes include the shotgun, gun-cleaning kits, metal artwork, tumblers, and memberships to the two conservation groups.
New this season, resident hunters 15 or younger are encouraged to complete the slam to be entered into a separate drawing for a resident youth lifetime hunt permit. Additionally, upon the fourth and final bird submission, all hunters can acknowledge their hunting dog’s achievement by uploading a photo of their dog afield to receive an official Top Dog tag and certificate.
The first two seasons of the Upland Slam were a great success, with more than 540 hunters participating, including hunters ranging in age from 9 to 80.
Hunters can begin working on their 2020 Slam on Sept. 1, when the seasons for sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie-chicken open. The seasons for pheasant and bobwhite begin Oct. 31. The seasons for all four species close Jan. 31, 2021.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.org/UplandSlam for more information, official rules and entry details.
Duck Slam
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with Ducks Unlimited, are again challenging waterfowl hunters to participate in the Nebraska Duck Slam.
The slam challenges hunters to harvest a teal (blue-winged or green-winged) of either sex, as well as drakes of three other species: an American wigeon, a mallard and a northern pintail. All ducks must be harvested in Nebraska, and hunters must upload a photo of each harvest at OutdoorNebraska.org/DuckSlam.
Those who successfully complete the slam will receive an official certificate, a Nebraska Duck Slam pin, four tasty meals and Central Flyway bragging rights. Additionally, all hunters who complete the slam during the 2020-2021 season will be registered to win one of several great prizes donated by Ducks Unlimited. A drawing for the grand prize, Special Edition Ducks Unlimited Winchester SX 4 12-gauge shotgun, will take place Feb. 20, 2021, at the Ducks Unlimited State Banquet.
The Duck Slam officially opens Sept. 5, the first day of early teal season, and runs through Jan. 27, 2021. Season dates vary by species and zones.
“This challenge is designed to be fun, get people excited about heading outdoors, and building memories that last,” said Will Inselman, assistant Wildlife Division administrator.
All waterfowl hunters over the age of 16 are required to purchase a Nebraska hunting license, habitat stamp, Nebraska duck stamp, and the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, and also need to get a free Harvest Information Program number. Register for the HIP program at OutdoorNebraska.gov/HIP or call the nearest district office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Hunters can find detailed season dates at OutdoorNebraska.org/DuckSlam and on our Small Game and Waterfowl Guide at OutdoorNebraska.org/Guides. Hunters can view land open to public hunting in our Public Access Atlas at OutdoorNebraska.org/
