The Nebraska chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers presented its inaugural Public Lands Hero Award to Adam Kester, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission access program manager, Aug. 13 in North Platte.

The Hero Award, which will be presented annually after this year, recognizes those who make outstanding efforts to improve public access for hunters and anglers in Nebraska. Kester has been with Game and Parks since 2011 and served many roles in its Wildlife Division.

Loren Smith of North Platte, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers board member, had high praise for Kester.

“There is no one more deserving of the Nebraska BHA chapter's Public Lands Hero Award than Adam Kester,” he said. “His dogged determination to improve hunting and fishing access to folks in a state with 97% private land is simply outstanding. We are all fortunate in Nebraska to have Kester working tirelessly for the outdoor recreation public."

Kester credited others for the honor.

“It’s all due to the team we have and the generous Nebraska landowners that participate,” he said. “We like to be innovative and develop options that benefit both the landowner and hunters.”

Game and Parks offers a variety of voluntary access programs that offer landowners financial incentives and provide public opportunities for hunting, fishing and trapping.

While Kester was a private lands biologist with Game and Parks, he promoted the Open Fields and Waters Program and administered more than 100 agreements with landowners that included nearly 70,000 acres of access opportunities for hunters.

Kester also created the Canyons Access Initiative that grew from about 400 acres to nearly 25,000 acres of walk-in hunting opportunities across the grasslands and woodlands of the Loess Canyons. He pursued funds through the National Wild Turkey Federation to increase payment rates for landowners to open access in prime habitat for deer, turkey, elk and other game species.

As a district manager for the partners section, Kester found creative ways to tie habitat management and access incentives with Game and Parks’ Berggren Plan for Pheasants. The approach increased Open Fields and Waters enrollments in the plan’s southwest and south-central focus areas.

In his current role, Kester oversees statewide efforts and has developed the Elk Hunter Access Program, which includes nearly 50,000 acres in four elk units. He partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to increase funding and start the program in 2024.

He was involved with the development and implementation of the Nebraska Community Access Partnership with Pheasants Forever that has added over 31,000 acres of Open Fields and Waters enrollments in the Ogallala area.

Kester also is working to add a Managed Access Program, which will be a reservation-based access program providing custom options for landowners and more hunting opportunities across the state.

Kester commended his coworkers and landowners for growing Open Fields and Waters, which has more than 435,000 acres across Nebraska.

“Our team works with over 900 landowners and the OFW program grows every year,” Kester said. “All the programs are voluntary, and we have a 97% retention rate with landowners. They (landowners) return to the program because of the relationships with our staff and the compensation NGPC provides.”

To learn more about OFW, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov. For more information about Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, visit backcountryhunters.org.

Upland bird hunting prospects optimistic

Positive surveys and field reports point toward an optimistic outlook for Nebraska upland bird hunting seasons this fall.

“Surveys conducted this spring looked promising entering the breeding season, and with good habitat conditions, good production is expected,” said Bryan O’Connor, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Pheasant

Statewide pheasant counts during this year’s April rural mail carrier survey increased 83% compared to 2024 and saw increases in all six pheasant management regions. However, statewide during our July rural mail carrier survey we calculated a 12% drop in comparison to 2024, and mixed results were observed at the management region scale.

According to surveys, the Panhandle and Southwest pheasant management regions should support some of the higher pheasant densities this fall. The Central, Northeast, and Sandhills management regions all saw increases this year compared to 2024. The Central management region also exceeded the 5-year and 10-year averages, while the Northeast exceeded the 10-year average. Pheasant habitat within these regions are relatively isolated, but where quality cover exists, hunters should find good pheasant hunting opportunities.

Northern bobwhite

The recent mild winter benefited northern bobwhite populations across much of the state, and results from spring and summer surveys show similar or increased numbers across the quail range. Statewide, whistle count surveys were higher compared to counts in 2024 and above the 5-year average, with increases in five of six management areas.

According to surveys, southeastern and south-central regions support the state’s highest quail densities and should provide quality hunting opportunities.

Prairie grouse

Breeding populations of sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie-chickens appear to have overwintered well as lek observations this spring and rural mail carrier survey results indicate increases compared to 2024 in the Sandhills. Statewide rangeland conditions have improved greatly compared to the past few years and created quality nesting and brooding habitat for this year.

According to field reports, production has been good across most of the grouse range. Brood reports appear to be up from previous years, with most brood sizes being average to above average. Increased rainfall throughout the grouse range has produced great brood cover and plentiful insects.

Upland hunters should be aware the U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program lands in most of Nebraska’s 93 counties due to drought earlier this year. This could affect available cover and associated hunting opportunities on some CRP fields, including some open to public walk-in hunting through Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program. For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Emergency Haying and Grazing.”

The Upland Outlook is based on field reports from biologists, surveys of game species abundance, regional habitat trends, and weather conditions that could affect populations. To view the complete outlook, detailed summaries of upland bird survey results and other upland hunting information, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/game/upland.

To find places to hunt, pick up the 2025-26 Nebraska Public Access Atlas at a Game and Parks office or wherever permits are sold. This publication displays all the publicly accessible lands in Nebraska and is available in several online versions at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas.

The hunting season for pheasants, quail and partridge is Oct. 25 through Jan. 31, 2026. The prairie grouse season is Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2026.

Wetland water conditions better than last year

Wetland water conditions throughout the Rainwater Basin currently are better than last year but still variable across the state, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Many of the wetlands in the basin have dense stands of annual plants, which will provide good food for waterfowl but make the water more difficult for hunters to see. Hunters should do some scouting ahead of the teal season opener.

Some wetland pumping or surface water delivery is planned before the teal opener, including at eight wildlife management areas and two waterfowl production areas in the Rainwater Basin, and at two WMAs outside of the Rainwater Basin. Additional areas may be pumped ahead of the regular duck season.

The conditions recently were observed by biologists on the ground. To view the Aug. 26 report on wetland conditions and pumping plans, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/game/waterfowl, where updates will be posted regularly throughout the duck seasons.

Waterfowl hunting in Nebraska begins with early teal season Sept. 6-14 in both the High Plains and Low Plains zones. See an interactive zone map at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps.

In addition to providing places to hunt waterfowl, wetlands are pumped when needed to provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and other water birds, and to provide areas for people to observe wildlife.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information on waterfowl hunting or to purchase permits and stamps and register for the Harvest Information Program.

Hunting on state recreation areas begins Sept. 2

Hunters are reminded Nebraska’s state recreation areas are closed to hunting until Sept. 2.

Several hunting seasons open in early September, including archery deer, dove, grouse, early teal and other small game and furbearer seasons on Sept. 1.

Regulations state that portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day – this year is Tuesday, Sept. 2 – through the end of the spring turkey hunting season, unless restricted.

Standard hunting regulations apply. A park entry permit is required for vehicles entering the SRAs. Parks with managed hunting have hunter check-ins and signs posted at designated hunting areas. Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of any public-use facility or activity area, including picnic areas, campgrounds, private cabins, concession areas, boat ramps and parking lots.

Additionally, limited hunting is allowed in specific areas of some state parks and state historical parks; find details at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search “state park hunting.”

Wildlife management areas, Open Fields and Waters sites and other public lands also are open to hunting; these areas are listed in the Public Access Atlas available online or in print.

Find these resources, as well as summaries of hunting regulations in the Small Game and Waterfowl Guide and Big Game Guide or buy a permit at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Park guests visiting areas where hunting is allowed are encouraged to use the following safety guidelines:

Know hunting season dates – Applicable hunting dates, species allowed and methods of take are specific to designated park areas.

Know which areas allow hunting – Only limited state park areas and state historical parks allow hunting at specific times. State recreation areas and wildlife management areas often are open to hunting for the full season but are subject to their own restrictions.

Pay attention to signage – Parks and wildlife management areas post signs indicating any additional safety measures parkgoers should be aware of.

Wear bright clothing – While hunter orange is best for visibility, any bright color will stand out. Avoid muted or earthy tones.

Stay on designated trails – Hunters typically avoid well-worn paths; sticking to trails increases one’s visibility. Use extra caution at dawn or dusk. Deer are most active during these times, and low light can make it more difficult for hunters to make out colors or shapes.

Make yourself known – If you hear shooting, use your voice to let hunters know you are in the area. Once he or she is aware of you, be courteous and don’t make additional unnecessary noise that disturbs wildlife.

Hunters urged to be cautious of potential fire hazards

It takes just one spark to ignite a wildfire. With several harvest seasons opening Sept. 1, including dove, grouse and archery deer, hunters are reminded to act responsibly in the field and to do their part to prevent wildfires.

Though drought conditions have been reduced in eastern and central Nebraska due to recent rains, most of the western third of the state remains dry. Most of the Panhandle is experiencing moderate drought conditions, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln drought monitor.

Driving vehicles or parking on dry, tall grass is a primary threat. Grass can ignite within seconds of contacting a hot surface, such as a vehicle’s exhaust and catalytic converter systems.

With that in mind, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to take the following precautions to avoid the risk of wildfire:

Check with state or local authorities for any fire restrictions.
Restrict driving to established roads and trails.
Avoid parking vehicles in tall vegetation.
Restrict the use of campfires.
Dispose of cigarettes and other flammable objects appropriately.
Ensure your vehicle, trailers and other equipment are well-maintained.
Make sure no chains are dragging from your vehicle.
In the morning, before driving and while the exhaust/catalytic converter system is cool, inspect it to ensure no debris is clinging to it.
Carry a fire extinguisher and shovel in the vehicle.

Prescribed burns planned for some WMAs

Prescribed burns are planned on some Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, if weather conditions allow.

Burns during the summer and fall can help set back undesirable plants that invade native prairies and other grasslands.

Eastern redcedar trees and undesirable deciduous trees and shrubs can be more susceptible to summer burns because of higher air temperatures. These trees often expend much energy in flowering and fruiting and have higher rates of mortality because of this. Green vegetation in summer and early fall slows the rate of burn and allows burns to be more predictable.

Summer and fall burns, if used in conjunction with grazing, can set back smooth brome and other invasive plant species, increase diversity in grasslands and improve habitat for wildlife. Fewer acres are burned during summer and fall burns to be sure plenty of habitat is available going into the winter in these areas.

Nebraska Fish Art Contest open for entries

Students in kindergarten through 12^th grade can discover the outdoors by participating in the Nebraska Fish Art Contest.

The 2025-2026 contest, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Wildlife Forever and Bass Pro Shops, is accepting entries through Feb. 28, 2026. Enter at theartofconservation.org/fish-art-contest.

This free international art and writing competition gives young people the opportunity to highlight their artistic talents while learning about fish, fishing and aquatic conservation. Participants can win prizes and recognition in Nebraska and internationally.

Young artists create an original illustration of any wild fish species in natural habitats and submit a one-page creative writing detailing their species habitat and efforts to conserve it.

Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Writing is not required for grades K-3. Educators nationwide use Fish On!, the State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Winners will be announced in May.

“The Nebraska Fish Art Contest annually is a popular event with young, enthusiastic students, and we look forward to seeing what creative, beautiful pieces of art they produce this year,” said Larry Pape, Game and Parks aquatic education specialist.

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