Hunters turn in 300 deer

Chad Taylor of Cambridge, left, measures the rack of a buck shot by David Fonk of Phoenix, Ariz. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

Warmer-than-average temperatures have made deer reluctant to come out for the opening day of rifle season, but officials still reported a busy weekend at the Red Willow County check-in station.

About 300 deer were checked in over the weekend, said Gene Mahon, Red Willow County Sheriff.

"It's a little under compared to last year but there were a lot brought in this weekend," Mahon said, with hunters blaming the warmer weather for the decreased numbers.

Rifle hunters checked in 98 deer Saturday and 159 Sunday, he said, with additional deer brought in from archery. Last year, a total of 794 deer were checked in last year.

Area motels have reported an increased number of hunters than last year, according to employees.

Melissa Florum of the Chief Motel reported that occupancy rates were were up, with hunters mentioning the Hayes Center area as a good spot for hunting, particularly for pheasants.

"We've heard a lot of positive comments about birds in that area, more than from the north or south," she said.

Colette Balderston of the Holiday Inn Express also estimated a slight increase in hunters this year compared to last.

"Business has been pretty good," she said.

Cooler temperatures are expected this week, good news for rifle hunters as the season ends this Sunday.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials expect nearly 75,000 deer hunters to harvest a record number of deer over the nine-day rifle season, which began Saturday and ends Sunday.

There are actually more hunters with deer permits than there are hunters who hold upland game permits, officials said.

There is a record deer population of about 350,000 animals in the state.