LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors March 12 in Norfolk. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Lifelong Learning Center, 801 E. Benjamin Ave. Register by March 11. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Private pond owners are encouraged to report severe winter fish kills to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission following ice-out. Winter fish kills occur when oxygen levels fall too low to support fish under the ice. Ice prevents the direct absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere, so oxygen produced by plant photosynthesis is crucial. Oxygen levels drop because of plant decomposition and respiration by aquatic organisms. Shallow ponds with heavy vegetation are particularly susceptible. Once the ice …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Southwest Focus on Pheasants Partnership was given the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year award on Feb. 2 in Kearney. It was presented by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Pheasants Forever (PF) for outstanding efforts promoting the ideals of conservation and working in a partnership. The award was presented at the PF state habitat meeting. The Southwest Focus on Pheasants, formed in 2010 to improve pheasant hunting by creating more and better habitat, encompasses more …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Officials have temporarily closed access to Blue Lake in Garden County because vehicle traffic has begun to make a mess of the 2.7-mile sandy trail that leads anglers to water. “The trail has gotten hit pretty hard this year with ice fishermen. It is in pretty rough shape,” said Joe Rydell, a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northwest district office at Alliance. “To prevent it from deteriorating any further, we’re shutting it down …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A mountain lion was shot and killed in the Pine Ridge in northern Sheridan County on Feb. 8 after the landowner’s attempts to scare off the cat failed, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The owner’s children had noticed a partially eaten white-tailed deer lying in the grass near some outbuildings on the property. A short time later, the owner saw from his house a mountain lion on the deer kill. Attempts by the family …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials are urging anglers to take caution after two all-terrain vehicles broke through the ice and became submerged at Cottonwood-Steverson Lake on Feb. 4. Conservation officer Heath Packett of Gordon said two ATVs carrying three riders broke through the ice on the northeast corner of Cottonwood Lake in Cherry County. He said each of the riders safely escaped from the frigid water, which is about 8 feet deep at the location of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A full schedule of Family Fishing Events has been scheduled for 2013 by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These events give families and novice anglers the opportunity to try fishing in a fun, educational environment. All regulations regarding permits and limits apply, but participants will have access to loaner fishing equipment. Bait and instruction also will be available. The following is a list of events, which begin at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted: April 29 – …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors Feb. 26 in North Platte. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at Game and Parks’ southwest district office, 301 E. State Farm Road. Register by Feb. 25. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.

LINCOLN, Neb. – March visitors at Ponca State Park can experience spectacular bird-viewing opportunities and related activities during the spring migratory celebration of Marsh Madness. The public is invited to witness the migration during guided tours with members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society on March 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17. Visitors will view the brilliant spring plumage and courtship displays of geese, ducks, bald eagles and other raptors following the northern migration. A variety of resident wintering nuthatches, woodpeckers, cardinals, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors Feb. 11 in Elba. The workshop is from 6-9 p.m. at the Elba Community Center, 519 12th St. Register by Feb. 8. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.