The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with AKRS Equipment Solutions, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Heartland DSC, is launching its fourth annual Take ’em Hunting challenge to hunters starting Sept. 1. Participants are encouraged to introduce someone new to hunting during the 2022-2023 hunting seasons, and then upload a photo of their trip to the Game and Parks website. Those who do will be registered to win prizes, including the grand prize …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds landowners of three changes made to the Special Landowner Deer Season. This season, entering its second year this fall, gives a qualifying landowner a three-day season on his or her property preceding the regular firearm deer season. The $8 Special Landowner Deer Permit is valid only for the three-day season: Nov. 5-7, 2022. It is not valid for the November firearm season and it may not be used as a Limited Landowner Permit. …

The floating playground at Louisville State Recreation Area will not reopen for the season after the inflatables sustained damage during an incident in mid-August. Eight of the playground’s 70 floating pieces were damaged Aug. 11 and became partially submerged. During inspections and repair of that damage, additional damage requiring repairs was discovered. Out of concern for public safety, and due to the time required to make repairs, the floating playground will not reopen this season. The Nebraska Game and Parks …

There are more than a million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska. The recently published 2022-2023 Public Access Atlas identifies and consolidates these public access resources for the benefit of Nebraska’s hunters, trappers and anglers. Printed copies of this year’s atlas are available at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission headquarters and soon will be available in its district offices and service centers, as well as wherever hunt and fish permits are sold. The Public Access Atlas also is available …

The Passing Along the Heritage program mentored youth hunting sites may be reserved now in advance of upcoming hunting seasons this fall. PATH is an online reservation-based program that provides Nebraska youth and their mentors access to hunt on private lands and selected public lands. Only youth under the age of 18 are allowed to hunt on PATH lands. “Through the PATH program, mentors can reserve a site for the day so they can provide both a safe and high-quality …

Celebrate National Shooting Sports Month at the range by participating in a steel plate shooting challenge Aug. 27 at Platte River State Park near Louisville. The competition will be 9 to 11 a.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex. Cost is  $15 to compete, and participants must be 16 years old or older. Register at register-ed.com/events/view/186202. The competition is based on accuracy and speed combined to shoot five targets using .22 handguns or rifles. All equipment will be …

Starting in October, Two Rivers State Recreation Area will see upgrades to its RV dump station and Fawn Meadows campground begin. The recreation area’s only dump station will be closed starting Oct. 3 for upgrades, with work expected to be completed in mid-2023. Fawn Meadows campground closed Aug. 2 so 12 sites can be upgraded. Work is expected to be completed before the peak 2023 camping season. The remaining five campgrounds at the park just west of Omaha will remain …

Hunters may enter a lottery to gain deer hunting access to Platte River Recreation Access lands in the Central Platte River Valley, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Fifty-one hunters will be chosen from a random drawing in early September and allowed to hunt deer on designated PRRA lands Nov. 16-20, 2022. Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted by mail or Dropbox at the Game and Parks service center in Kearney through Aug. 31 at …

With the annual dove season opener on Sept. 1, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has some reminders for hunters, as well as recommendations for areas to hunt. Doves are abundant statewide and, with generous bag limits, provide excellent wing-shooting opportunities. Doves may be hunted statewide Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, 2022, with daily bag and possession limits of 15 and 45, respectively. Bag and possession limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared-doves in aggregate. Shooting hours are 30 …

Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During September, a variety of events are planned for those interested in history, conservation, nature and just having a good time. Here are several examples: Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson is Sept. 3-4 Visit Fort Atkinson State Historical Park for Living History Weekend on Sept. 3-4 and see reenactors portray life in an 1820s military fort. Activities take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. They include military …