NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, more widely known as the Farm Bill, will increase overall funding for conservation programs in Nebraska. “In Nebraska, almost all wildlife habitat – and therefore almost all habitat improvement work – is located on privately owned lands,” said Jim Douglas, director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “The Agricultural Improvement Act will help us do even more work with landowners, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Schilling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cass County is closed temporarily to vehicle traffic because of soft ground caused by thawing. Closure will take place on a day-by-day basis until road conditions improve. Call the WMA at 402-296-0041 for more information or an updated recording on vehicle access. The WMA will remain open for walk-in access from the gate.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Each with a unique experience to offer, more than 15 Nebraska state park areas will offer guided hikes to visitors on New Year’s Day. Part of a larger effort of the America’s State Parks alliance, First Day Hikes are a great way to get outside, enjoy nature, exercise and enjoy time with friends and family. The hikes are 1-3 miles with varying degrees of difficulty. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and bring drinking …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s Hunters Helping the Hungry program, which provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need, will be able to accept an additional 100 deer thanks to several generous donations. Monetary contributions by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners will allow hunters and processors to make an additional 4,500 pounds of venison available for distribution to food pantries and other programs that provide food to those in need. The following processors still are accepting deer donations: Steakmaster Inc., in …

LINCOLN, Neb – Additional rainbow trout have been stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in three eastern Nebraska lakes to enhance winter fishing opportunities. Standing Bear Lake in Omaha was stocked with 7,500 trout on Dec. 17. Holmes Lake in Lincoln and CenturyLink Lake at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland were stocked with 3,000 and 3,500 trout, respectively, on Dec. 18. Game and Parks considered the ice on all three lakes to be unsafe at the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators of preschool-aged children are invited to attend a free workshop in Norfolk on using literature books to teach science concepts. The Birds and Books workshop, scheduled for Jan. 15 at the Elkhorn Valley Museum from 6-9 p.m., is specifically for formal and informal educators and day care providers of preschoolers. This workshop uses birds as a lens of discovery. “Birds are easy to see and fun to watch, creating a fantastic opportunity to learn about science,” …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer has been detected for the first time in central and north-central Nebraska counties of Valley and Keya Paha, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Game and Parks conducted CWD sampling operations at deer check stations in its northwest and north-central deer management units during the 2018 November firearm deer season. Hunters are encouraged to access the positive results posted at OutdoorNebraska.gov/cwd/. Hunters whose deer tested positive …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has updated the web application for the Public Access Atlas to help hunters more easily find land open to public hunting within species-specific units. A new feature allows hunters to select a species, then search Nebraska’s game management units and apply the unit of choice to the Public Access Atlas as an overlay layer. Doing so will allow hunters to see wildlife management areas, federals lands, properties enrolled in the Open …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Spring turkey hunting permits for 2019 will be available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning Jan. 14. Nebraska offers the best turkey hunting opportunities in the entire country. Nebraska offers birds in every county of the state. The state also offers plentiful and affordable permits, long seasons, great public access and $8 permits for youth. Wild turkey hunters in Nebraska enjoy high success rates. In the spring, hunters can purchase as many as three permits, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Some services will be restricted as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission transitions from the Aksarben Aquarium’s temporary office to the new aquarium building from Dec. 17 through Dec. 22. During the transition period at the aquarium south of Gretna, there will be periods in which credit and debit card payments cannot be accepted. Cash and check payments will not be affected. Contact the aquarium office at 402-332-3901 before visiting to verify payment methods that can be …