LINCOLN – Visit Ponca State Park on Nov. 8 for a day of crafts and archery. At 10 a.m., learn about the owls that live in the park while you make an ornamental pinecone owl. At 1 p.m., learn about the history of wreaths while you create your own using natural materials. At 2 p.m., learn about the history of archery hunting and then shoot some arrows yourself. Fees apply for all events. A park entry permit is required of …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a hunting accident that occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on Oct. 31. Three brothers were reportedly hunting turkeys when the incident occurred on private property approximately 6 miles west and 5½ miles south of Auburn. A 48-year-old Auburn man was injured and transported via helicopter to BryanLGH West Hospital in Lincoln. As of late afternoon on Oct. 31, officers were still gathering evidence on …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters that there are two programs that support deer donation in Nebraska: Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) and the Deer Exchange. HHH pays for the processing of whole field-dressed deer that hunters donate at any HHH processor, and the Deer Exchange program allows hunters to sign-up with the exchange to find individuals who have also signed-up and want to receive venison. The Deer Exchange is free to use for anyone, but …

LINCOLN – Hunters in several areas of the state enjoyed good success during the opening weekend of Nebraska’s pheasant and quail seasons, Oct. 25-26. With the number of birds seen up throughout much of the state, prospects for success improve as hunting conditions improve. Opening-weekend temperatures were unseasonably warm and unharvested crop fields gave pheasants ample cover. Some of the best opening-weekend success was on wildlife management areas (WMAs) where pheasants had been released for the Oct. 18-19 youth pheasant …

LINCOLN – Two Rivers State Recreation Area near Venice will be closed to public access Nov. 3-4 so that a culvert may be replaced on the main road leading into the park. A Douglas County road crew will complete the project, but if weather conditions don’t allow it, the work will be done Nov. 24-25 instead.

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in November: Nov. 1 – November Late Doe/Fawn antelope hunting season opens Nov. 1 – Hunting and trapping seasons open for raccoon, Virginia opossum, long-tailed weasel, mink, red fox, gray fox and badger Nov. 1 – Muskrat and beaver trapping seasons open Nov. 1 – Most 2015 annual permits and stamps available for purchase at OutdoorNebraska.org Nov. 1 – Lovin’ Dutch Oven, Wildcat …

LINCOLN – A 1½- year-old female mountain lion was shot south of Chadron in Dawes County on Oct. 23. The mountain lion was shot in a ranch yard near the landowner’s house and chicken coop. The subadult mountain lion weighed approximately 63 pounds. As required by law, the man immediately notified authorities after the animal was shot and the animal was transferred to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is requesting grant proposals that will enhance watchable wildlife opportunities and nature-based experiences in Nebraska. Potential projects include, but are not limited to, viewing site development, events, infrastructure, marketing, equipment and plan development. Proposals are due Dec. 10. There is a maximum of $3,000 available per proposal. Funding is provided by the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund. For more information, visit WatchWildlifeNe.org or contact Kristal Stoner at kristal.stoner@nebraska.gov.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners authorized one lottery and one auction bighorn sheep permit for 2015 at their meeting in Scottsbluff on Oct. 23. The lottery permit is for residents only, while the auction permit is available to residents and nonresidents. The last time the state approved two bighorn permits in one year was 2011. There is one lottery permit this year for the Dec. 2-22 season. Staff reported that of the approximately 390 bighorn …

LINCOLN – The shooting range at Pressey Wildlife Management Area will be temporarily closed during the opening weekend of pheasant season, Oct. 25-26. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is concerned for the safety of hunters in this area. Many hunters are expected to hunt the prime upland game habitat south of the shooting range. The parking lot near the shooting range will remain open to hunters, but target shooting will be prohibited. Pressey is located 5 miles north of …