NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday of January, is a great opportunity to plan a getaway at a Nebraska state park. Hosted by the U.S. Travel Association, National Plan for Vacation Day encourages Americans to look ahead and make vacation plans at the start of the year. Whether you’re looking for some old-fashioned adventure or simply a beautiful place you can enjoy with family, Nebraska’s state park areas offer something for you. Spread …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has declared a fish salvage for Hackberry Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) south of Valentine from Feb. 1 through Aug. 1, 2019. The lake is scheduled to have its existing fish population renovated as part of an Aquatic Habitat Project to eliminate common carp on the entire refuge. During the salvage period at Hackberry Lake: — Length limits will be rescinded but daily bag limits will be maintained. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Construction is set to begin Jan. 29 on the Memphis Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) wetland restoration project. Memphis Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) and WMA is located just northwest of Memphis in Saunders County. The contract was awarded to Pruss Excavation Co. of Dodge, Nebraska. Heavy equipment will be operating on site, so the public is urged to avoid the area around and north of County Road D, which separates the SRA from the WMA. The …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) events and important dates in February. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Feb. 2 – Birds and Binoculars, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Ashland Feb. 2 – Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, Winter Wildlife Tracking, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln Feb. 6, 23 – Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, Rod and Reel …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The mountain lion harvest season in the South Subunit of the Pine Ridge is closed effective immediately, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The harvest limit of four mountain lions (one female and three males) has been reached. The close of the season has been posted on Game and Parks’ mountain lion harvest season webpage (outdoornebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting) and 1-800 number that hunters are required to check before hunting mountain lions each day. The harvest season in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans receiving a tax refund this year have an opportunity to support wildlife and habitat conservation. On Line 45 of the Nebraska state income tax form, individuals may donate all or part of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, which helps the thousands of species in Nebraska that are not hunted or fished, particularly those that are rare, endangered or threatened. Tax refund donations have benefited many species over the years, including river otters, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, gives women the opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a comfortable environment. This year’s workshop is Oct. 4-6 at Ponca State Park. Registration is open for first-time participants in this weekend getaway for women 18 years and older. Former participants may sign up starting April 1. Participants choose from a variety of activities, including hiking, kayaking, firearm safety, fishing, fly-fishing, bowfishing, camping, rifle …

GERING, Neb. – The public is invited to express appreciation for wildlife by watercolor painting during an upcoming program at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. “Wildlife and Watercolors,” the next installment of the center’s Wildcat Weekend series of events, will be Saturday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. Amanda Filipi, outdoor education specialist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said the event is designed for all ages and is especially ideal for anyone looking to start a new hobby. She …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Families that want to have fun and spend time together can find what they are looking for at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center. Located at 44th and Superior streets in Lincoln, the state-of-the-art archery and firearm range, offers a safe and comfortable environment for recreation and family fun. Whether you are bringing out your own equipment for some recreational shooting or looking to try the shooting sports for the first time, the Outdoor Education …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission established user fees for the new Schramm Education Center during its meeting Jan. 18 at its Lincoln headquarters. Schramm Education Center, built on the site of the former Aksarben Aquarium within Schramm Park State Recreation Area in Sarpy County, will be an interactive, state-of-the-art nature center with live animal displays featuring river, pond and lake systems, as well as riparian environments. The facility will offer educator-led programs and activities and hands-on …