Deer Harvest Down

Hunters killed more than 53,600 deer during the firearm season, down 3 percent from last year's take. The season began Nov. 14 and ended last week. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says a delay in the state's corn harvest is likely to blame for the drop: the tall corn provided plenty of cover for deer. The decline was most noticeable in the southeast portion of the state: 12 percent fewer deer were taken. The biggest increase was 6 percent in the north-central part of Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is preparing to hold informational meetings across the state to discuss deer issues. The commission says its biologists will discuss and answer questions about deer management, damage, depredation permits, antlerless harvest, trophy management and diseases. Antelope and elk issues also may be discussed. Hunters and landowners are encouraged to attend. One meeting will be held in each of the commission's six districts, beginning Thursday in Stromsburg. The other meetings will be held Dec. 8 in Tekamah, Dec. 9 in Alda, Dec. 10 in Ogallala, Dec. 14 in Valentine and Dec. 16 in Alliance.