LINCOLN – The entire population of whooping cranes in the Central Flyway is expected to migrate through Nebraska over the next several weeks. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages the public to report whooping crane sightings. Information on crane sightings is used to positively affect whooping crane conservation and recovery efforts. Report any sightings to Game and Parks (402-471-0641), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (308-379-5562), or The Crane Trust’s Whooper Watch hotline (1-888-399-2824). Emails may be submitted to joel.jorgensen@nebraska.gov. …

LINCOLN – Alicia Hardin has been selected as the wildlife division administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The wildlife division administrator oversees the Commission’s hunting and wildlife conservation programs. “Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge to the position,” Commission Director Jim Douglas said. “Over the years she has worked directly with many programs and initiatives, and she will bring valuable first-hand experience and insight to this role.” Hardin, a 16-year veteran of the Commission, has been an assistant …

LINCOLN – Several waterfowl hunting seasons open in Nebraska on Oct. 8, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers the following reminders and resources to make the seasons memorable, successful and safe. Duck seasons open in zones 2 and 4, and dark goose season opens in the North Central Unit. The statewide light goose and white-fronted goose seasons also open. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2016 waterfowl population status report, the total duck population estimate is …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks (SP), as well as Schramm Park State Recreation Area (SRA). Successful applicants will be issued a special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on certain dates, using specific equipment. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an orientation session in order to receive the access permit. Applications, …

LINCOLN – This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nebraska’s mentored youth hunting program, which has grown to be one of the largest in the nation. Nebraska’s mentored youth hunting program began with six Pheasants Forever chapters – Cornhusker, Elkhorn Valley, Great Plains, Loup/Platte Ringnecks, Otoe County, and Republican Valley – in 1996. These chapters sought a solution to declining hunter numbers and wanted to provide youth the opportunity to hunt in Nebraska. In the first year, 207 volunteer mentors …

LINCOLN – Nebraskans can support wildlife and conservation education in the state by purchasing a special vehicle license plate. Vehicle owners can order the new Mountain Lion Conservation Plate. An extra $5 is charged for the alpha-numeric plates and an additional $40 is charged for custom message plates at time of initial issue and annual renewal. The Mountain Lion Conservation Plate and the Game and Parks Commission Educational Fund were created earlier this year with the passage of LB 474. …

LINCOLN – Several rainbow trout stockings in south-central Nebraska have been rescheduled by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The stocking of 10-inch trout will enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. Holdrege City Lake, 2,000 trout; Fort Kearny State Recreation Area (SRA) No. 6, Kearney, 1,200, trout; and Windmill SRA No. 2, Gibbon, 600 trout, will be stocked Oct 24 instead of Oct. 6. Oxford City Lake, 300 trout; Lexington City Lake, 750 trout; and Elm Creek, Red Cloud, …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is monitoring the movement of a bull moose through northeastern Nebraska. A moose was observed Oct. 4 near Dixon, which is 12 miles north of Wayne in Dixon County. This follows one report of a moose sighting Sept. 26 south of Platte Center in Platte County and another in recent days of a moose near Wayne in Wayne County. The Commission urges the public to keep a safe distance from any moose, …

LINCOLN – The stocking of rainbow trout at Omaha’s Benson Park Pond has been moved up to Oct. 12 to accommodate the Oct. 16 Cops and Bobbers family fishing event. Initially, the 1,050 10-inch trout were scheduled to be stocked Oct. 25 by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Stocking schedules are always considered tentative. Game and Parks and Omaha Police Department are hosting Cops and Bobbers, which will run from 1-4 p.m. Bait, tackle, fishing poles and a hot …

LINCOLN – Youth ages 15 and younger are encouraged to participate in special youth pheasant hunts during the Oct. 22-23 statewide youth pheasant, quail and partridge season. Rooster pheasants will be released at 14 wildlife management areas before the special youth hunt season. The special hunts are open to the public, and the number of participants is not limited. No registration or special permit is required. Special regulations posted at each of the 14 WMAs will apply to all portions …