LINCOLN, Neb. – A mountain lion was killed in Scottsbluff on Feb. 1, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission worked with a local veterinarian to dart and then euthanize the 105-pound male mountain lion after it was discovered on the porch of a Scottsbluff home that evening. The Nebraska State Patrol and the Scottsbluff Police Department also responded. Per the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Mountain Lion Response Plan, it is protocol …

LINCOLN – A bull elk harvested by a Seward girl in September is not only the new non-typical record for Nebraska, it also ranks 16th in the all-time world records maintained by the Boone and Crockett Club. Hannah Helmer’s bull, harvested on the Sept. 24 opener of the elk season in the Hat Creek Unit near Crawford, was officially scored at 430 6/8 on Nov. 30 by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife biologist Randy Stutheit. That topped the previous …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in December: Dec. 1 – Bobcat hunting and trapping season opens Dec. 1, 15 – Ladies Day at the Range, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 6:30 – 8 p.m., 402-471-6141 Dec. 1-22 – Bighorn sheep hunting season Dec. 1-31 – Muzzleloader deer hunting season Dec. 1-31 – Public land cow elk hunting season Dec. 1-31 – Private land cow elk …

LINCOLN — A health advisory has been lifted at Branched Oak Lake in Lancaster County. The advisory was put in place after high levels of blue-green algae were detected at the lake. Health advisories related to blue-green algae remain in effect at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County and at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County. Visitors to Pawnee and Willow Creek lakes should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s upland bird harvest saw a big increase between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and hunter participation was up as well, according to results from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s annual hunter harvest survey. Pheasant harvest was up by 26 percent. During the 2015 season, 166,285 rooster pheasants were harvested, compared to 131,423 during the 2014 season. Quail harvest increased by 73 percent, with 91,472 quail harvested in 2015, compared to 52,947 birds in 2014. In addition, …

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s communications staff won seven awards at the Association of Conservation Information annual conference held July 11-14 in Lake Tahoe, Nev. Game and Parks staff were recognized for its magazine articles, photography, publications, marketing efforts and website. “We are passionate about our heritage and being good stewards of our resources,” said Nebraska Game and Parks Communications Director Christy Rasmussen. “An important part of our mission is giving Nebraskans the information and skills they …

Lincoln — Deer hunters interested in hunting at Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area this year may apply for access permits until July 31. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will authorize 200 permits allowing deer hunters access to the area. To be eligible to apply for these permits, hunters must have at least one of the following valid deer permits: statewide archery, muzzleloader, youth or antlerless only season choice Wahoo. Gifford Point WMA is closed to the use of rimfire …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host a public meeting on Aug. 4 regarding the Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan. The meeting will include a review of the June public meeting, a presentation regarding development and management of the lakes, and a public input session. The Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan, which is still in development, is overseen by an advisory committee made up of commission staff, lake concessionaires; friends group members, land owners and economic development …

LINCOLN – Beginning Monday, July 18, visitors to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office in Kearney will need to access the building from a different entrance during construction work to the front of the building. The building will not be handicap-accessible during construction, which is expected to last for two weeks. Obstructed areas will include the main parking lot and front entrance. Game and Parks officials decided to replace the concrete in the parking lot and front entrance stoop …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Project WILD program is now accepting registrations for two free workshops for educators. A workshop focused on birds will take place on July 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hastings Museum in Hastings. Nebraska is home to more than 450 species of birds. Birds can be found in nearly every kind of habitat in Nebraska and are also easy to see and fun to watch. For these and other …