Nebraska mule deer?

aluey · Jun 4, 2011

After striking out in UT and NV, looks like we'll try something new and head to Nebraska in Nov for rifle. Anyone have any experience in this state? We're planning on trying the pine ridge unit. Coming from Ca, I've got no experience in Nebraska. Not set on any specific local, but if you've got any ideas please share.
On a side note, after reading the post about asking for help/ low post #....if anyone needs help in 101 Nv, beulah unit OR, d9 & d13 in CA, or any fishing help in the channel islands( I'm a hook n line commercial fisherman) I'd be more than happy to assist. You can bet I will post the Nebraska trip good or bad.
Thanks,
Aaron

kawboy · Jun 4, 2011

Your best bet would be to find some land owners and offer to help mend fence or some kind of labor. Maybe offer some monetary compensation. There is not much public land there and from what I have seen it gets hit pretty hard. Good luck.

I'll tell you who it was . . . it was that D@MN Sasquatch!

TOPGUN · Jun 4, 2011

That's also what I hear about hunting mulies in Nebraska. I think I would try to have some private property lined up and not make a long trip with hopes of finding enough public land that isn't overhunted.

Gator · Jun 4, 2011

Some of the best stuff is leased up But you will find some spots along white river you can hunt.Try getting in contact with Chambers of the towns(Crawfords,Whitney,Chardon,Harrison,Etc) close to where you will be staying and ask for a list of landowners that they know, that MIGHT let you hunt and then start calling and talking to them. I use to take back Pistachios for a rancher in Montana he loved them.
What are the season dates, They should be rutting around Nov 10th or so.
Take back a good coyote rifle and E-caller you will find a lot of dogs out there too.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

treedagain · Jun 4, 2011

P.M sent......hunted there about 4 years ago, PLENTY of public ground.....

aluey · Jun 5, 2011

There's the problem. Half say pay, no public hunting, half say plenty of land. From the research I've done, outfitters, reality agents, ect, have grabbed up most of the available land. Looks like the days of fix a fence to hunt are done....money talks. I'm leaning toward hunting public...seems like a good adventure after hunting only in the far west. I just can't justify paying close or over a grand to sit in a field a shoot a small deer.
Aaron

tailchasers · Jun 5, 2011

Look further east. Basset, Nebraska area. Private but still not bought up by special interest. Old school ranchers with some awesome pvt land waterfowl hunting available too.

"Courage is being scared to death but saddling
up anyway."

Igottabigone · Jun 5, 2011

If you are going to drive to Nebraska from Cali you might as well head further east and hunt some big white-tails in the central and eastern parts of the state. Farmers around those areas are generally very willing to allow hunters in to kill the damned deer that keep eating all their corn and beans

eelgrass · Jun 5, 2011

Aaron, I've been curious about Nebraska myself. I did a short search for general info.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/forum/public-land-hunting-nw-nebraska

Eel

COLO3D · Jun 6, 2011

We hunted out there for a few days last year during the archery hunt and it was pretty disappointing. There is quite a bit of public land, but the trophy quality was very low. I never did see a muley that would have reached the Pope and Young minimum. Quite a few does, but very few bucks.

Gator · Jun 6, 2011

7 dollar a bushel corn will get you in to some places, If there is 10 deer eating that farmers corn each day he will want them gone.
I know because my brothers all raise corn in SD and they don't want any deer now, they aren't crazy about how much a deer can eat or ruin in a year time.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

aluey · Jun 6, 2011

Thanks for all the comebacks. I guess the next logical question would be how to get access? We're in Ca, knocking on doors is not going to happen. Trying the local chamber of commerce for info, but getting specifics is very difficult. Any ideas on how to contact and or find land owners with 200 + acres of land. Being an avocado farmer, should I try and barter with avo's rather than cash?
Aaron

TOPGUN · Jun 6, 2011

You had better be looking for places with a lot more than 200 acres as hunting mulies is a whole different ballgame than whitetails or what you're hunting in CA.

Gator · Jun 6, 2011

Ads in the local newspaper back there, Call the Local Cafe and see if they will post up a message/poster on the front door asking for a place to hunt. Fresh Vegies and Fruit will go over nice I would think.Hope these ideas help.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

downhill · Jun 7, 2011

Try contacting the local game warden, he'll probably have a good idea of what landowners allow hunting and who would be receptive to asking. Maybe even the local sherrif? I've on occation had success doing both in other states. Buying a couple of drinks and talking to the locals at the local bar have worked too, but you have to be there to do that....

plainsman08 · Jun 7, 2011

Call some game and parks biologists. They are the ones who recieve the complaints of deer damage. They will usually have a list of people who may be interested in letting people hunt. I have had way better luck talking to bio's than wardens.

In the breast of every meat hunter there beats the heart of a secret, frustrated trophy hunter.

Farms · Jun 7, 2011

I live in western NE and no way would I come from CA to hunt mule deer. It is a little harder to get permission to hunt private than some are telling you. It is even worse as you head east to whitey country. PM me and I will help in any way.

PlainsHunter · Jun 8, 2011

Driving up with some avacados and trading them for a hunt isn't going to happen. 97% of Nebraska is private land. I moved to western Nebraska four years ago from California and it's taken me all of that four years to estasblish relationships with a few of the local landowners to get to hunt their land.They are very picky on who they let in. THe better ranches are for the most part leased out and they are getting a pretty penny for their services. If you decide to go your best bet is to join the crowd and hunt the publiic lands available. There are occasional decent bucks taken but most are smaller even for California standards.