LINCOLN — A 5-month-old female mountain lion was shot south of Chadron in Dawes County on Saturday, July 19. A man reported noticing the animal crouched in the grass about 20 yards from his residence, where two young children were present on a patio. The man retrieved a rifle from the house and approached the animal, then shot it when it stood but did not flee. The mountain lion weighed approximately 30 pounds. As required by law, the man immediately …

LINCOLN — The presence of invasive zebra mussels has been confirmed at Offutt Base Lake near Bellevue. On May 1, Dr. Dan James of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Pierre, SD, discovered live adult zebra mussels in Offutt Base Lake, while checking rocks in the shallow water. This discovery was confirmed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Invasive Species Program. Beginning immediately, water from the Offutt Base Lake may not be removed from the …

LINCOLN — After weighing input from the public, staff members of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are not pursuing changes in regulations at Walgren Lake State Recreation Area (SRA). Commission staff considered pursuing changes after a community member proposed converting the area to a waterfowl refuge. The agency hosted a public meeting in Hay Springs in June to gain input about the issue. Tim McCoy, Commission deputy director, said testimony from the public and other correspondence did not indicate …

LINCOLN – The access permit application period for Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) deer hunters has begun and will run through Aug. 15. As many as 200 permits will be issued. Hunters must have at least one of the following valid deer permits to be eligible for an access permit: statewide archery, muzzleloader, youth or antlerless only Season Choice Wahoo. Gifford is closed to the use of rimfire and centerfire weapons. The access permit allows access to take deer …

LINCOLN – It’s not too late to schedule some family time outdoors by participating in the Becoming an Outdoors-Family workshop Aug. 8-9 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. This Nebraska Game and Parks Commission workshop is designed so participants can learn a variety of skills as a family and spend more time together outdoors. Activities to be taught include cooking, shooting sports, fishing, aquatic ecology, kayaking, geocaching, bird watching, hiking, swimming, sand volleyball and disc golf. The fee is $99 …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors Aug. 30 in Duncan, Neb. The free workshop will be held at the Boystown Day School, 510 6th St., from 9 a.m.-noon. Duncan is 9 miles west of Columbus. Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events and will receive program incentives. They also are encouraged …

LINCOLN – The communications staff of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission earned eight national awards for its publications, marketing and promotions during the recent Association for Conservation Information’s annual national conference. NEBRASKAland Magazine earned three awards and received second place in the overall magazine category. The agency also received accolades for its annual report and calendar. “Nebraska Game and Parks’ communications increase awareness and engagement through comprehensive marketing, public relations, education and outreach efforts. Those efforts result in increased …

LINCOLN – Embrace the holiday spirit early at Indian Cave State Park with Campfire Christmas in July. This all-day event on July 26 includes a craft fair, visit from Santa, campground decorating contest, horse-drawn rides and a screening of a movie at the outdoor amphitheater. A drawing for a half-price youth lifetime permit will be held. Other activities held throughout the weekend include horse trail rides and living history demonstrations. A park entry permit is required. For more information, contact …

LINCOLN – Nebraska deer permits are now available for purchase. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission asks hunters buying their permits to consider also making a tax-deductible donation to Hunters Helping the Hungry. Founded in 2012, Hunters Helping the Hungry allows for the distribution of venison to Nebraskans in need. During the state’s various deer seasons, hunters can donate deer at participating processors. The processors then distribute ground venison to food pantries and soup kitchens across the state. The cost …

LINCOLN – All of Nebraska will be open for teal hunting in 2014. The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners adopted changes to teal and youth waterfowl hunting seasons at their meeting July 11 at Niobrara State Park (SP). The commissioners created new zone boundaries. The High Plains Zone encompasses the western half of the state and the Low Plains Zone the eastern half. Previously, teal hunting was generally restricted to the southern half of the state. The 2014 …