LINCOLN, Neb. – Young rifle shooters will compete for trophies and medals at the annual Smallbore Silhouette Invitational on Sept. 29 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This free competition is for ages 11 and older who have passed hunter education but not yet graduated from high school. Proof of hunter education is required. Competitors, who will shoot steel silhouette targets, will be grouped in classes according to age, rifle weight, sight type and experience level. There will be individual …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Rockford Lake in Gage County are on health alert. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in both lakes. Visitors to Willow Creek and Rockford Lake state recreation areas (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln Children’s Zoo and Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired will provide students with disabilities a chance to engage in science exploration through sight, sound, touch, and smell at Sensory Safari. Sensory Safari, scheduled Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-noon at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, is an annual event that engages students with special needs throughout eastern Nebraska in educational stations focused on wildlife, nature and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Young hunter education graduates are invited to test their skills in a fun, practical competition Oct. 13 at Platte River State Park. The Youth Hunter Education Challenge offers participants the chance to hone their shooting skills and learn more about wildlife, survival skills and hunter responsibility. This free competition is for youth age 11 or older who have successfully completed hunter education and not yet graduated from high school. Proof of hunter education certification is required. It …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Riverview Marina State Recreation Area (SRA) in Nebraska City and the boat ramp at Indian Cave State Park near Shubert are closed to the public until further notice due to high flows from the Missouri River. In addition, the high water from heavy recent rains have put the boat ramps out of service at Wagon Train and Bluestem SRAs in Lancaster County. Those areas and Louisville SRA in Cass County are experiencing lowland flooding. Water levels can …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Recent rains have caused flooding on some wildlife management areas (WMA) in southeast Nebraska. Water is over the west road leading into Yankee Hill WMA in Lancaster County, resulting in the road closure until water recedes. The Peru Boat Ramp in Nemaha County and the Schilling WMA in Cass County are closed to access due to high flows from the Missouri River. Caution should be used when accessing any WMA or other property of the Nebraska Game …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A wild game processing workshop will be held Sept. 24 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. The event, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation and the UNL Animal Science Department, will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Animal Science Building, 3865 Fair St. Attendees will learn how to process a deer and receive tips and tricks that can make the experience easier. Space is limited. Register at register-ed.com/events/view/125681.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rotenone will be applied Sept. 6 at Pelican Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) south of Valentine to remove common carp. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will apply rotenone, which is a toxicant often used by biologists to eliminate unwanted fish species, as part of the renovation of the lake. In recent months, liberalized fishing regulations have allowed anglers to remove many sport fish from Pelican, and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters will take to the field Sept. 15 for the start of the fall turkey season. Nebraska, the nation’s top turkey hunting destination, has the birds, permits and opportunities for a great outdoor adventure. Turkey hunting can be combined with big game, upland game, waterfowl or fishing for a true Nebraska mixed bag outdoor adventure. There are plenty of other reasons to undertake a Nebraska turkey hunt: Birds – Wild turkeys are abundant, and may be found …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Riverview Marina State Recreation Area (SRA), which is located along the Missouri River in Otoe County, has reopened to the public. The SRA was closed temporarily after heavy rains caused flooding that made the boat ramp, parking lots, shower building and campground inaccessible. Water levels have receded and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff have cleaned up silt and debris. A valid Nebraska State Park Permit is required for each vehicle entering the SRA.