Wild bird pheasant hunting around Omaha and Lincoln is pretty tough . If you have the time, and sounds like you do, I would head west to Grand Island, then south to Hastings, follow highway 6 out to McCook area, then head north to North Platte , perhaps hit the sandhills, there is usually a few pockets of pheasants, work your way up to Valentine area. If you go after rifle deer season has closed, you will be surprised what a friendly hello and handshake will do.