LINCOLN, Neb. – Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA) is one of the state’s premier destinations and will provide great water and extensive white sandy beaches this summer, but visitors are asked to be mindful of interior least terns and piping plovers who share the lake’s sandy shoreline. “These protected birds struggle to nest and raise their young in the face of predators and extreme weather while here,” Lake McConaughy SRA superintendent Colby Johnson said. “Park visitors can help protect …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Conservation Reserve Program public informational meetings are scheduled across the state in May so landowners can learn about the May 20-June 14 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup. CRP offers stable financial incentives for less productive acres, small fields and odd-shaped areas within productive fields. Now is an excellent time to enroll in CRP through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rental rates have been updated in your area and some county rates have increased significantly. You have …

DONIPHAN, Neb. – Keenan Kremke of Karp and Krow 4-H in Ord/Burwell broke 66 of 75 targets on a day of gusty winds Saturday at the 44th Cornhusker Trapshoot. Combined with his perfect 75 shot Friday, he earned the overall Cornhusker Cup with a 141. It is Kremke’s second title at the Cornhusker. He won the junior high championship in 2010. The Lincoln Pius X team of Aaron Lafler, Joshua Borzekofski, Adam Greitens, Adam Erskine and Andrew Rempe won the …

DONIPHAN, Neb. – Cody Grusing is one of five shooters on Norris High School’s top trap squad. At first glance, there is little difference among the those shooters. But while Grusing’s teammates rest the forearms of their shotguns in their hands when they shoot, Grusing rests his shotgun across his partially-developed arm. The 16-year-old sophomore was born with a radius bone, but no ulna in his right arm. He doesn’t make a big deal of it. “I try not to …

DONIPHAN, Neb. – Of the approximately 1,400 shooters competing in the 44th Annual Cornhusker Trapshoot on Friday, Derek Assman of Fremont was perfect. He broke every target he faced at 16 yards to win the senior high division. Assman hit all 75 in regulation, then 25 straight to win a shoot-off. Taylor Benes of Wahoo Bishop Neumann scored a 74 for the top girls score of the day. The Lincoln Southwest Gold team of Zach Jeffery, Will Malcom, Austin Drake, …

DONIPHAN, Neb. – Trent Christiancy of the Young Guns 4-H trap club in Franklin won the junior high division at the 44th Cornhusker Trapshoot on Thursday at the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association. Christiancy broke 98 of 100 targets at 16 yards to win the title. The Blair I squad of Billy Miller, Weston Zolck, Timmy Bennett, Nate Peleska and Jake Kavanaugh broke 429 of 500 targets for the team championship. A record 888 junior high shooters competed …

LINCOLN, Neb. – More than 57,000 people across the state, including 360 organizations, signed up to participate in National Walk at Lunch Day, which took place April 24. In doing so, an $8,000 donation was made by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) to the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation for biking and hiking trails. BCBSNE contributed $20 for every organization that registered, and generated money through other promotions. Participants signed up individually or as groups on BCBSNE’s …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Become a certified Nebraska master naturalist at one of four training sessions around the state. Certified naturalists will join a network of conservation volunteers, experience exciting educational and volunteer opportunities with conservation organizations and share their passion for the outdoors. Topics will include Nebraska ecosystems, plants, animals, interpretation, outdoor skills, natural history and conservation. Training sessions are: June 16-22 – Niobrara Valley Preserve near Ainsworth, July 14-20 – Pioneers Park and Spring Creek near Lincoln, Aug. 10-16 …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in May: May 1 – The Great Park Pursuit begins, statewide May 1 – Registration closes for Outdoor Cooking Camp, Ponca State Park (SP), Ponca, 402-755-2284 May 1 – Crop Stubble Management informational meeting, Guide Rock Community Center, 120 W. Douglas St., Guide Rock, 5-7 p.m., 308-928-2541 or 308-865-5308 May 2-4 – Cornhusker Trapshoot, Doniphan, www.cornhusker-trap.com May 3-5 – Outdoor Cooking Camp, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The 44th annual Cornhusker Trapshoot is May 2-4 on the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA) in Doniphan. Officials expect approximately 2,400 shooters – which would be a record – to compete. Because of the continued growth and time requirements of the event, some changes have been made for the senior high school shooters this year. Shooters will have 75 targets each, instead of 100 as in past years, for 16-yard and handicap competition. In …