LINCOLN – The Lodge Restaurant at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park will be open on Dec. 25 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for a holiday meal. Christmas diners will be able to enjoy a New York Strip carving station and a seafood buffet. The price is $25.95 for adults, $19.99 for seniors, and $12.95 for kids ages 5-12. Kids under age 5 eat for free. Make reservations by calling the park at 402-944-2523, extension 7127. A park entry permit is required.

LINCOLN – Nebraska mule deer buck harvest is on a pace to set a record this year. Mule deer buck harvest, as of Dec. 1, has increased for the third consecutive year to 8,486 (up 2 percent from 2015) and is on track to beat the 2008 record of 9,115 adult bucks. Populations continue to grow in response to low mule doe harvest. Overall, mule deer harvest is higher and whitetail harvest is lower, so far this year, compared with …

LINCOLN – Celebrate the season with winter and holiday fun at Ponca State Park (SP). Now through the last day of winter, the park offers a variety of seasonal events for the whole family. Christmas in the Woods features crafts, educational programs, free family portraits and lighted hayrack rides. The event is held each Saturday now through Dec. 17. Show off your handiwork during the 3rd Annual Snowman Building Contest, open now through March 19. The first place prize is …

LINCOLN – Applications for multispecies Super Tag and Combo lottery permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning Jan. 2. The Super Tag lottery permit will be valid for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). One permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for residents/nonresidents. Persons may …

LINCOLN – The chemical rotenone has been applied at Omaha’s Wehrspann Lake in order to remove gizzard shad. Gizzard shad are susceptible to a low dose of rotenone while fish such as largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie are less affected. Low dosages of rotenone are done at low water temperatures to increase its effectiveness on shad and lower impacts on nontarget species. “Gizzard shad are targeted for removal because they are a detrimental species in small reservoirs such …

LINCOLN – Operators of boat repair shops and marinas can play a vital role in the fight against aquatic invasive species (AIS). The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is interested in providing these operators free training in watercraft decontamination procedures. With increasing concern about the spread of AIS such as quagga and zebra mussels via watercraft, Game and Parks is looking to partner with those operators as a preventative measure. Over the years, several boats that had live zebra mussels …

LINCOLN – Learn the basics of ice fishing or pick up a few new tips at three free Discover Ice Fishing clinics in January. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host a clinic Jan. 14 at Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area (west boat ramp) from 1 – 4 p.m. On Jan. 21, the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic at Yanney Heritage Park’s Environmental Resource Center in Kearney from 8 a.m. – noon. This clinic …

LINCOLN – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a fun day of free archery Dec. 3 at Archery on Fire at Platte River State Park. All ages and experience levels are welcome for this event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex. Equipment and instruction will be provided. Archery, 3-D archery, crossbows and tomahawk throwing will be available. There also will be campground games, kids’ crafts and a Nerf …

LINCOLN – Learn how to make deer sausage during a hands-on class Dec. 4 at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. Participants will make deer brats, deer summer sausage and deer breakfast sausage. Snacks and recipes will be provided. Cure Cooking of Fort Calhoun will lead the class, which costs $35. Space is limited. The fort also will host a fresh venison cooking class on Dec. 11. To register for these classes, visit CureCooking.com/DeerClasses. Fort Atkinson is located seven blocks east …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will release rooster pheasants at 14 wildlife management areas in time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The 14 areas are: Oak Valley (Madison County), Wilkinson (Platte County), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman County), Pressey (Custer County), Branched Oak (Lancaster County), Yankee Hill (Lancaster County), Twin Oaks (Johnson County), Hickory Ridge (Johnson County), Cornhusker (Hall County), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha County), William Gilmour (Tobacco Island; Cass County), Schilling (Cass County), Arrowhead (Gage County), and George Syas …