The Superior Express -

Preliminary results from the 2023 Nebraska November firearm deer season show statewide harvest was down 18 percent from 2022 and down 29 percent from the 2018 to 2022 average.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission expected these results for the Nov. 11 to 19 season based on several factors that indicated a decline in harvest was coming. Lower harvest and deer populations were recorded in 2022 and lead to a reduced number of permits available for 2023. 

Other factors indicating the decline included:

Permits and harvest had increased in 2019 and 2020 because of depredation complaints across much of the state. 

Severe drought affected nearly all of Nebraska in recent years, leading to an increase in epizootic hemorrhagic disease.

Severe winter conditions, which reduced available food sources and increased stress, affected deer populations in northern Nebraska.

In the northwest district, the 2023 harvest was down 26 percent from 2022 and 35 percent from the five-year average. In the southwest district, harvest was down 21 percent from 2022 and down 37 percent from the five-year average. The northeast district was down 16 percent from 2022 and down 30 percent from the five-year average, and the southeast district was down 11 percent from 2022 and down 9 percent from the five-year average.

Final harvest results will be available following the close of all deer seasons. Archery season closes Dec. 31, while muzzleloader season is Dec. 1 through 31. The late antlerless season will run Jan. 1 to 15, while the River Antlerless late season will run Jan. 1 to 31.