LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in July: July 1 – Archery fishing of game fish is allowed statewide through Dec. 31 July 1 – Underwater spearfishing of game fish allowed in specific waters through Dec. 31 (see page 20 of 2013-2014 Fishing Guide) July 1-14 – Paddlefish snagging permit application period July 2-4 – Western Wildlife Art Show, Fort Robinson State Park (SP), Crawford, 308-665-2900 July 4 – …

LINCOLN – Ponca State Park’s first Bowfishing Mentor Program will run July 9 through Aug. 6 on Wednesday nights, 6 p.m. until dark. The free program is open to ages 10 and above. Enrollees are encouraged to attend all sessions, which will cover basic archery, fish identification, water safety and more. Sessions will be conducted by local bow hunter education instructors. The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Cajun Archery, Muzzy Bowfishing, Backwater Outdoors and others. …

LINCOLN – A grand re-opening of the lake at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area to celebrate the completion of an aquatic habitat project will be June 25 from 4-7 p.m. The public is welcome to take a tour of the lake and stay for hot dogs, beans, chips and soda. The lake has undergone many improvements, including deepening, replacement of the outlet structure, bank stabilization, better shoreline angling access, a fishing pad, and the installation of underwater fish attractors. The …

LINCOLN – Approximately 500 youth from across the country will compete in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island on June 25-28. Events include compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills. Coordinated by UNL Cooperative Extension, the competition will be held at the Heartland Public Shooting Park, 6788 W. Husker Highway. For more information, including a schedule, visit http://4h.unl.edu/ntlshootingsportsinvitational

LINCOLN – Missouri River boat ramps at Bazile Creek, Niobrara, Verdel and Sunshine Bottom are temporarily inaccessible because of the lowering of the river by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Missouri River between the Fort Randall Dam in South Dakota and Gavins Point Dam was lowered June 18 to accommodate flood waters accumulating down the river. Officials at Niobrara State Park expect the lowering of the river to end after two or three days, longer if more rain …

LINCOLN – Schilling Wildlife Management Area in Cass County is temporarily closed to public access. Rising water from the Missouri River has covered some of the area’s interior roads and low-lying fields. City of Plattsmouth officials expect the river to rise 3-4 feet in coming days.

LINCOLN – Anglers interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing may attend Carp-O-Rama on June 21 at Pawnee State Recreation Area (SRA). The free event is from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the east side of the lake, near the boat ramp. Pawnee SRA is located 3 miles northwest of Emerald in Lancaster County. Loaner fishing poles will be available. Carp is an excellent fish for beginning anglers to pursue because they are plentiful statewide, and the required equipment is …

LINCOLN – Meat processors have until July 15 to apply for participation in the 2014 Hunters Helping the Hungry program, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. This program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need. The application form and program guidelines are available at OutdoorNebraska.com/HHH under Processors and Charitable Organizations. Deer donation at contracted processors will be from Sept. 1, 2014 through Jan. 16, 2015, however processors that would like to participate in the program for a shorter …

LINCOLN – Jim Swenson has been named administrator of parks at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He succeeds Roger Kuhn, who was promoted to assistant director for development in May. Swenson’s new position is effective immediately. “We are very pleased to name Jim Swenson to the position of parks administrator,” said Director Jim Douglas. “Jim is a very dedicated person who has served Game and Parks and our citizens with the utmost professionalism. He is a great asset to …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice hunter education instructors June 26 in Lincoln. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at the new Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St. To register, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org, and then click on Become a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor.