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Fall hunting seasons are just around the corner and hunters should understand regulations pertaining to the use of waterfowl blinds and deer stands.
Ted Blume, administrator of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Law Enforcement Division, said daily waterfowl blinds may be installed on state recreation areas (SRA) and wildlife management areas (WMA) unless otherwise posted. Hunters are responsible for removing those blinds at the end of each hunting day. Hunting blinds and other personal property remaining on a SRA or WMA following the close of hunting each day can be impounded.
Seasonal blinds for waterfowl hunting may be installed and used at Clear Creek WMA at the west end of Lake McConaughy, Enders Reservoir WMA, Swanson Reservoir WMA, Red Willow Reservoir WMA, Medicine Creek Reservoir WMA, Elwood Reservoir WMA, Sherman Reservoir WMA, Merritt Reservoir WMA, Calamus Reservoir WMA, and Whitetail WMA in Colfax County. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for special regulations at Lewis and Clark WMA.
Seasonal blinds on WMAs must legibly display, on the door, the name and address of the owner. The door must be constructed so that it can be opened at all times when not in use. Commission personnel may remove locked blinds at the owner's expense.
Blume said just because someone owns a blind they leave on a state-owned area doesn't mean the owner has exclusive rights to its use. The first person to occupy a blind each day is entitled to occupy and use the blind for that day, regardless of who owns it.
Deer hunters may place portable deer stands on WMAs, but must remove them no later than 15 days following the close of the deer hunting season. The first person to occupy a portable deer stand is entitled to occupy that tree stand for that day.
Portable tree stands used on SRAs must be removed at the end of each hunting day. Portable tree stands not removed daily from SRAs are subject to removal by Commission employees.
Permanent or semi-permanent tree stands that attach to any tree with nails, screws, bolts or wire are illegal to use on SRAs or WMAs.
"The blind and stand regulations have been implemented to allow fair and equitable use of hunting areas on the limited state-owned lands available," Blume said.
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