Whitetail Deer Hunts

NR Outfitters specializes in guided whitetail deer hunts across private land near Stuart and Valentine, Nebraska. Formerly operated as D & E Outfitters, the outfit accepts a limited number of non-resident hunters annually and builds its business on repeat clientele. Their philosophy: "Come a stranger, leave a friend."

All hunts are fully guided, fair-chase hunts targeting wild deer across diverse terrain—creek and river country, cultivated fields of alfalfa and corn, and rolling sandhills. Hunters are positioned overlooking river bottoms, travel funnels, and bluffs where deer move between feeding and bedding areas. Traditional methods include ground blinds, tree stands, and spot-and-stalk hunting.

• •All hunts include: Fully guided service, lodging, meals, field transportation, and field care. Not included: Licenses, permits, meat processing, taxidermy, or shipping.

• •Guiding: NR Outfitters provides 1 guide per 3 hunters. As hunters fill their tags, freed-up guides spend additional time with remaining hunters. After harvest, they handle field dressing, transport to the mandatory Nebraska Game and Parks checking station, and arrange delivery to the local meat processor.

• •Lodging: Updated, clean farmhouse on a quiet country road. Relaxing atmosphere designed for hunters to decompress between hunts.

• •Meals: Hearty, home-made buffet-style meals. Breakfasts are light (cereals, oatmeal, pastries, fruit, coffee, juice). Lunches are packed the night before—cold-cut sandwiches with fruit, chips, crackers, sweets, water, and soda. Dinners feature salad, casserole dishes, meat dishes, crock-pot meals, vegetables, rolls, and dessert. Food and non-alcoholic drinks available anytime. Special meal needs accommodated with advance notice.

Nichol Ridge Outfitters runs a whitetail deer management program focused on sustainable hunting. Goals center on harvesting mature trophy whitetail bucks in the 120-170" range. Harvested bucks must have a minimum of 4 points on one side (eye guard counts as a point). Doe hunts occur as needed within state regulation. The management philosophy emphasizes good food sources, genetics, predator control, and harvesting only mature trophy whitetail deer.

Non-resident whitetail permits are affordable and purchased over-the-counter at www.outdoornebraska.org:

• •Game Management Unit Specific Permit: $285 (can be used for whitetail or mule deer)
• •Youth Deer Permits: $8
• •Firearm Statewide Buck Permit: $707 (whitetail only)
• •Antlerless-Only Permit: $82
• •Nebraska State Habitat Stamp: $25 (required)

All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Family and group hunting trips can be planned well in advance.

• •Hunter Education: Required for ages 12-29. Firearm hunter education proof needed for firearm/crossbow hunting. Bow hunter education proof needed for archery. Apprentice hunter education exemptions available for those not yet certified.

Hunting grounds accommodate hunters of any age and ability. Commute time from lodging to hunting locations averages 5-35 minutes. Private land with 4x4 vehicle access. Terrain varies significantly:

• •Creek and river bottoms
• •Cultivated alfalfa, corn, and wheat fields
• •Rolling sandhills

Hunter orange (400 square inches minimum on head, chest, back) required for firearm and crossbow hunting; archery exempt. No smoking in lodge, vehicles, tree stands, or blinds.

• •Effective Range: 50-200 yards

• •Recommended Calibers: 6.5-300 Wby Mag, .270 Win, .270 WSM, .308, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm WSM, 28 Nosler, .300 WSM, or .300 Win Mag. Bullet weight: 140-180 grains.

• •Setup: Flat-shooting rifle with limbsaver recoil pad, high-quality variable scope, muzzle brake, sling, and bipod.

• •Youth Calibers: 7mm-08 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, or .308 with muzzle brake.

• •Ammunition: Premium grade only—Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Tip, Barnes VOR-TX TTSX, Remington Premier Accu-Tip, Winchester XP, Nosler Custom Trophy-Grade, or HSM Trophy Gold with Berger Bullets.

• •Pre-Hunt Prep: Trigger pull should be 2.75-3.25 pounds (consider gunsmith adjustment). Rifles should shoot 3-5 shots in 1-1.25" groups at 100 yards. Practice regularly before your hunt.

• •Effective Range: 15-50 yards

• •Equipment: PSE, Matthews, Hoyt, or Bowtech bows. Minimum 50-pound draw weight. Ability to hold draw and shoot with pinpoint accuracy required.

• •Sighting: Laser range finder essential. Sight in to 60 yards.

• •Broadheads: 100-125 grain options—Muzzy Trocar HB hybrid 4-blade, NAP Kill Zone Maxx or SpitFire, Rage X-Treme or Chisel, or Swhacker (fixed or mechanical).

• •Essential: Bring a spare release.

• •Success: Archery hunts offer excellent chances for Pope & Young trophy whitetail bucks using highest-quality equipment.

Crossbows are legal during Nebraska archery seasons. Recent successful hunters have used Ten Point, PSE, and BowTech crossbows. Critical factors: overall weight, speed, and light crisp trigger pull.

• •Broadheads: Rage Crossbow X, Excalibur Bolt Cutter, NAP Crossbow SpitFire Maxx, NAP Killzone, or Grim Reaper Whitetail Special.

• •Season: December 1-31 (month-long season—excellent timing as rut continues and deer congregate on food sources)

• •Effective Range: 25-150 yards (rifles should shoot accurately to 200 yards)

• •Popular Rifles: TC Triumph Bone Collector, CVA Accura V2 Long Range, Traditions Vortek Ultra Light LDR (fitted with bullet drop compensator scope).

• •Scopes: Bushnell Trophy DOA Muzzleloader, Nikon In-line Muzzleloader, or Leupold Ultimate Slam Muzzleloader. Open sights: Truglo Fiber-optic.

• •Sight-In: 50, 100, 150, and 200 yards.

• •Bullets: 260/300-grain Harvester Scorpion PT Gold, 250/290-grain Barnes Spit-Fire TMZ, 300-grain Barnes Expander MZ, 240/300-grain Hornady XTP MAG, 240/300-grain T/C Arms Mag Sabots XTP, 300-grain Cutting Edge Raptor, or 250-grain Cutting Edge Maximus.

• •Powder: Blackhorn 209 (strongly recommended—lowest residue, superior performance).

• •Primers: CCI 209M or Federal 209A.

• •Accessories: Hammer extender, TC Power Rod, speed loaders.

The December muzzleloader season is a must-consider for hardcore whitetail hunters wanting to extend their season. This is an excellent time to hunt trophy Nebraska whitetail.

• •Local Processing: Cost approximately $125 for basic processing, $25 additional for caping. Water sources and deer-hanging areas available on some ranches (ask ahead). Coolers essential for transport. NR Outfitters has an excellent local meat processor who typically has deer packaged and frozen before hunters depart.

• •If Not Taking Meat: Arrangements can be made for donation, though processing fee ($125) still applies and must be paid at drop-off.

• •Shipping Options: US Mail, UPS, or FedEx all work. Ship from office near main airport for fastest perishable delivery. From NR Outfitters' remote location, "overnight" actually takes 2-3 days. Non-perishable items can ship from local post office or drop boxes.

• •Taxidermy: Tall Tails Taxidermy Studio, LLC in Burton, NE is highly recommended. Full-time studio with 6-9 month average turnaround. Owners Ann and Aimee are meticulous and detail-driven. They use a reputable, insured, bonded concierge shipping service. Contact: 402-497-3360 or visit www.talltailstaxidermystudio.com.

• •Best Practice: Hunters recommend driving when possible. With rotating partners, most places are reachable within a day's drive (same time as flying + car rental + drive to outfitter). Driving allows bringing all gear, taking everything home, using local meat processor, and visiting your own taxidermist.

• •Locations: Stuart and Valentine, Nebraska (north-central Nebraska). Cell reception minimal in these areas.

Flying to Stuart area: - Omaha, Nebraska → 4-hour drive - Sioux City, Iowa → 2 hours 40 minutes - Sioux Falls, South Dakota → 3 hours 20 minutes

Flying to Valentine area: - North Platte, Nebraska → 2 hours - Omaha, Nebraska → 5 hours 20 minutes - Rapid City, South Dakota → 3 hours 20 minutes - Sioux Falls, South Dakota → 4 hours 20 minutes - Sioux City, Iowa → 4 hours

• •Arrival: Plan to arrive 12:00-3:00 PM the day before hunt start. Call AJ on his cell phone 2 hours before arrival to coordinate meeting location. Use this first afternoon to unpack, prepare gear, shoot your rifle, and receive hunt orientation and safety briefing. Do not arrive early morning.

• •Firearms & Ammo: Must follow airline regulations for transporting guns and ammunition.

NR Outfitters takes pride in minimal unrecoverable woundings. Deer are precious resources—both for hunters and landowners who rely on wildlife for financial stability. If a deer is wounded during your hunt, the outfitters will exhaust all efforts to find it. If not found, it still counts as your animal and your hunt ends.

Hunters cannot ethically be given opportunity to potentially kill two animals while paying for one. Additionally, the next hunter loses from depleted trophy deer availability.

NR Outfitters emphasizes ethical fair-chase hunting. Clean kills require your preparation, practice, and maturity to only take shots you know you can make. Come prepared with accurate weapon proficiency and readiness to perform.

Non-hunters welcome to join friends or family for $400 per individual (maximum 1 non-hunter per paid hunter).

Tipping is customary and appreciated. Industry standard is 10-20% of hunt cost.

NR Outfitters highly recommends Travel Guard's Sportsman's Travel Protection Plan Insurance (include cancellation coverage). Out-of-state hunting is expensive; protection is wise given life's unpredictability.

Phone: 618-920-6862 Email: [email protected]