Hugh Butler Lake coves prime duck habitat?
McCOOK, Neb. -- Water levels at Hugh Butler Lake have seen improvement in recent months and game and parks officials are predicting a much improved duck hunting season in the coming weeks.
The reservoir was mostly drained in 2013 for dam repairs and unable to recover rapidly due to dry weather and compact compliance mandates from the state. Nebraska Game and Park Conservation Officer Brian Piernicky visited with area residents earlier this week at a Coffee with a Cop meeting and indicated he was encouraged by the rising water level.
Piernicky said the water level increased quite a bit this year as the reservoir was able to avoid compact compliance calls of previous years and releases for irrigation. He said the lake dropped slightly in the last month but levels are still sufficient to maintain two boat ramps, an improvement from recent years. The southern boat ramp was opened in April and Piernicky said having two accessible boat ramps was a welcome sight after being limited to one the last couple years.
Piernicky said the lake still has a long way to go but he was encouraged to see the reservoir coves beginning to fill up with water.
"Duck hunting should be really good at some of those coves come season," predicted Piernicky.
Pheasant and quail numbers are also on the rise in Southwest Nebraska, according to the area conservation officer.
"Especially quail," said Piernicky, who attributed the population boon to a trickle down effect stemming from adequate moisture and resulting in a healthy bug population.
"Protein from insects is essential early on [for quail]. After the first two-weeks their survival rate significantly increases, prior to that they are very vulnerable to the environment and predators," he said.
A short drive through the countryside and Piernicky said bird hunting enthusiasts will notice the excellent condition bird cover is in throughout the region.
"We're seeing them in areas birds haven't been in for a while," he said.
Statewide pheasant, quail and partridge season opens Oct. 31, 2015, and ends Jan. 31, 2016. The youth season is from Oct. 24-25, 2015.
Duck season for the Red Willow and Frontier County zone opens Oct. 24, 2015, and runs through Jan. 5, 2016, with a second season from Jan. 6 through Jan. 27, 2016.