LINCOLN – Enjoy an autumn day of fun and education for all ages Nov. 5 at Ponca State (SP). Take an introductory archery course from 9-11 a.m. using the park’s equipment. Participants must be at least 5 years of age. At 1 p.m., Critter Corner will introduce guests to wildlife found along the Missouri River. An outdoor cooking class at 3 p.m. will allow participants to cook treats in a Dutch oven over a campfire. A park permit is required …

LINCOLN – Dozens of teams won prizes in the 2016 Great Park Pursuit, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Recreation and Park Association. The following teams won the challenge’s top prizes: — $1,500 outdoor recreation package grand prize: Road Trip Adventures, Papillion — $750 outdoor recreation package: Conklin Bushwhackers, Juniata — $500 outdoor recreation package: Recycled Fish Stewards, Ralston — Two-night cabin stay and 2017 NEBRASKAland calendar: Foot Stompers, Seward — Two-night cabin stay: Van …

LINCOLN – Nebraskans enjoyed another upland bird season opener on Oct. 29. While hunters reported seeing good numbers of birds, unseasonably warm, dry weather over much of the state negatively affected hunter success. Dry conditions resulted in poor scenting conditions for dogs. Reports indicated that hunters’ dogs were having difficulty locating downed pheasants. Wind was an issue in some parts of the state, as well. Hunters also reported birds flushing wild, well ahead of their hunting parties, but were seeing …

LINCOLN – Landowners and fire professionals are invited to attend the Prescribed Fire Conference on Dec. 2 in Kearney. The conference aims to bring landowners and fire professionals together to facilitate the discussion of challenges and successes associated with prescribed burning. The agenda includes presentations from individuals with diverse backgrounds on prescribed burning, in-depth breakout sessions, exhibitors, and a meeting of the Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council (NPFC). The NPFC was formed by landowners to promote the common good of Nebraskans …

LINCOLN – The Farm Service Agency has several Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) options available to Nebraska producers on a first-come, first-served basis. Agricultural producers can apply for CCRP anytime throughout the year, but the availability of CRP acres is somewhat limited as the national acreage cap set by the 2012 Farm Bill draws nearer. Interested producers can visit their local USDA Service Center to determine what options exist for their farm. With recent declines in commodity prices, CRP is …

LINCOLN – Nebraska youth got to experience an upland hunt as adult mentors took them afield for the state’s special youth pheasant hunt Oct. 22-23. The special hunt took place on 14 wildlife management areas (WMA), where the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission released 5,445 adult roosters Oct. 21. In total, 387 adult mentors accompanied 465 youth hunters on the hunt this year, compared to 295 mentors and 350 youth in 2015. Youth and their mentors harvested 44 wild roosters …

LINCOLN – For most upland game bird hunters, taking to the field provides a lot more than just the act of harvesting birds. It’s a great opportunity for exercise, camaraderie and enjoying this time of year. Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Wendy Horine encourages all those going afield for an upland bird hunt to remember the basic safety rules of hunting: keep your gun pointed in a safe direction, treat every firearm as if it’s loaded, keep your finger off of …

LINCOLN – Enjoy browsing through beautiful handcrafted art or begin your Christmas shopping early at the River Valley Artisans and Craft Market Nov. 5-6 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. This event is a showcase for handmade items of various kinds. Vendors will show jewelry, jewelry boxes, alpaca socks and scarves, stained glass, suncatchers, birdhouses, photography, metal signs, pottery, spices, duck decoys, digital painted art, lighted jars and bottles, wine bottle spoon rests, and more. Hours for the show are …

LINCOLN – Deer are more active this time of the fall. Crops are being harvested and deer breeding season is in full swing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has suggestions to help drivers avoid deer-vehicle accidents and lessen the risk of injury or vehicle damage. — During the breeding season, bucks become more active searching for does with which to breed. Bucks are bolder, less wary and more susceptible to collisions with vehicles. Deer movement peaks each day near …

LINCOLN – On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, the Lodge Restaurant at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) will offer a holiday meal with both traditional and nontraditional menu items for the whole family. A ham and turkey carving station will be available, along with traditional holiday fixings. Hours for the meal are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost for adults is $25.95; meals for kids ages 5 to 12 are $12.95. Kids under 5 eat free. To make your …