LINCOLN – A public hearing will be held Oct. 1 in O’Neill to inform the public and to hear any comments regarding a proposed joint application for a permit to appropriate water for instream flows on the Niobrara River from just below the Spencer Hydro Facility to the confluence of the Missouri River for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and associated recreation. The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Holt County Extension Office, 128 N. 6th St., Room …

LINCOLN – Mormon Island State Recreation Area (SRA) south of Grand Island temporarily cannot be accessed via Exit 312 on westbound Interstate 80. According to the Nebraska Department of Roads, that exit ramp will be closed for road construction for three weeks. To access Mormon Island SRA, westbound traffic can travel 7 miles west to Exit 305 (Alda Road) and return east on the interstate to Exit 312. An alternate route is Exit 314 at Locust Street. Go 4 miles …

LINCOLN – Learn everything there is to know about muzzleloaders at the Muzzleloader Sight-In and Family Rendezvous on Oct. 11 at Platte River State Park. The event will be held at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Participants will be able to sight in their muzzleloaders for $5. Several free family-friendly activities are scheduled, including demonstrations of traditional percussion and flintlock rifles, Dutch oven cooking, arts and crafts, hatchet throwing, traditional archers shooting long …

LINCOLN – Life at an 1820s military post will be depicted at Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (SHP) on Oct. 3-4. Rooms in the fort will be open for viewing from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and interpreters in period clothing will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate various skills and crafts of that time period. Demonstrations will include the trades of blacksmithing, carpentry, tinsmithing and coopering, as well as crafts such as quilting, spinning and …

LINCOLN – There will be a dedication and celebration on Oct. 3 in Rushville for the construction of bridges and benches built along two sections of completed Cowboy and Recreation and Nature Trail in Sheridan County. The public is invited to the 7:30 p.m. dedication at the Rushville American Legion Club, 206 Sprague St. State Sen. Al Davis, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director Jim Douglas and Commission Chairman Dr. Kent Forney will speak at this event. Three miles of …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in October: Oct. 1 – Crow hunting season opens statewide Oct. 1-31 – Paddlefish snagging season Oct. 2-4 – Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop, Nebraska National Forest, Halsey Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 – Explore Archery, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln, 4:30 p.m., 402-471-6141 Oct. 3 – Cowboy Trail dedication, Rushville American Legion Club, 206 Sprague St., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 …

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect for lakes at two Nebraska state recreation areas. During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) detected elevated levels of toxic algae at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County, and at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County. Both beaches at Pawnee Lake and the beach at Willow Creek Lake are closed to swimming. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recommends visitors avoid ingesting water and keep pets out of …

LINCOLN – Volunteer youth fishing instructors will be certified by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at a free workshop on Oct. 17 at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium. This workshop, for anyone age 16 and up who wants to learn how to assist new and novice anglers, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the aquarium, which is located at 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, Gretna. Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s fall turkey season is now open, and hunters are taking to the woods and fields for a chance to fill their tags. “Because toms and hens are both fair game during the fall season in Nebraska, it might make it a little easier to bag a bird, but this fact can make it even more important that hunters keep their eyes open and be certain of their targets before firing,” said Wendy Horine, hunter education coordinator for …

LINCOLN – Fort Hartsuff State Historic Park will host The Timeline of American Military Firearms, 1860-1990 on Oct. 3-4. The event will be held in conjunction with the Grand Army of the Frontier (GAF). GAF members dressed in period uniforms will use a collection of original and reproduction firearms to explain the development of the American military firearms. It will include firearms from the Civil War through Operation Desert Storm. Col. Jerry Davenport, Department of the Missouri Commander, and Lt. …