LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn traditional rifle marksmanship skills in a safe, family-friendly environment at the Project Appleseed clinic April 15 at Platte River State Park’s Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex. Project Appleseed events teach traditional rifle marksmanship skills while reconnecting Americans of all ages and backgrounds to the people and events of our nation’s founding. Only .22 rimfire rifles will be allowed at this daylong event (Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 rifles not allowed). Participants will learn the six …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fisheries staff at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission again this spring will capture spawning walleyes to collect eggs to meet stocking requests. Sherman Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir and Lake McConaughy have again been selected locations for this operation. The collection goal to meet 2018 walleye stocking requests is approximately 88 million eggs (700 quarts). As of April 1, a designated area along the dam at Sherman is closed to bank anglers and boats following sunset. The collection …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for a 2018 bighorn sheep lottery permit beginning April 16. Only Nebraska residents are eligible. The application period ends Aug. 3, and the permit will be drawn Aug. 16. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Apply at a Nebraska Game and Parks office or at OutdoorNebraska.org. The 2018 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 27-Dec. 22.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County will be drawn down immediately so the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission can replace a boat ramp. The United States Army Corps of Engineers will draw down the water level 2 feet so construction on a replacement boat ramp on the south side of Pawnee State Recreation Area (SRA) can begin the first week of April. In addition, the south boat launch’s dock will be replaced and a breakwater to protect launching …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Jaci Tubbs and Liberty Sears set a state record high score for females in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament March 24 at Speedway Sporting Village in Lincoln. Tubbs, of Lincoln’s North Star High School, and Sears’ of Lincoln East High, each scored 288 out of possible 300 points for the highest scores of the meet. Tubbs won a shoot-off to take the state title in the high school female division. She had …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The public is encouraged to attend one of three upcoming informational meetings about mountain lions in Nebraska. The meetings are hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The meetings will include an overview of what the Commission knows about mountain lions in the state. Topics will include an update on research and details of the new mountain lion management plan. Staff then will receive feedback and answer questions. All meetings will be from 7 p.m. to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Explore the life cycle, migration, habitat requirements and rearing techniques of the Monarch butterfly in a Monarchs on a Mission educator workshop April 10 in Fremont. This free workshop, designed for formal and informal educators and after-school groups for grades pre-kindergarten through sixth, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Unit No. 2, 2320 N. Colorado Ave. Monarchs offer a unique approach to meeting state education standards in the classroom. The workshop will use …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) events and important dates in April. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. March 31-April 1 – Easter Weekend Celebration, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park (SHP), Nebraska City April 3 – Learn to Hunt Spring Turkey workshop, Mid-Plains Community College, North Platte April 3 – Wild Game Processing Clinic, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Animal …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Take a guided sunrise tour to watch sharp-tailed grouse on a lek April 7 in Boyd County. The Sharptails and Saddle Tales event will provide the public an opportunity to view the annual return of sharp-tailed grouse to their spring dancing grounds. A lek is an assembly area where grouse display their courtship behavior. The males extend their wings, stomp their feet and dance around the lek, and then suddenly stop – all to impress on-looking female …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Reserve a spot for your child in the Fishing is Fun Clinic on April 21 at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area in northeast Nebraska. The 4:15 p.m. workshop at the Weigand boat ramp is for ages 5 to 15. Volunteer instructors will teach young anglers casting, knot tying, bait, tackle, water safety, and fish identification and anatomy. Anglers may practice their skills by fishing following the clinic. Register before April 18 to guarantee a spot in …