NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Family Nature Club event scheduled for June 25 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Northeast District Office in Norfolk has been canceled due to rain. Family Nature Club invites Norfolk-area families to engage in natural play at outdoors. Additional Family Nature Club events also are scheduled for July 2, July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norfolk office’s, Outdoor Classroom, 2201 N. 13th St. Contact Bachmann for more …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved a mountain lion hunting season for 2019 at its meeting June 22 in Ogallala. The season will provide a harvest opportunity for up to eight mountain lions in two sub-units within the Pine Ridge of northwestern Nebraska. The season will allow the population to remain resilient and healthy, while halting growth or moderately reducing the population size. This will initiate a reduction of the population density in the Pine Ridge …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Schilling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cass County is closed temporarily to vehicle traffic due to recent heavy rains that have made roads impassable. The closure is in effect on a daily basis until water recedes. In addition, access to the Peru Boat Ramp in Nemaha County and other WMAs in southeastern Nebraska might be limited because of wet conditions. Call Schilling WMA at 402-296-0041 for more information.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Family Fishing Night event scheduled for June 22 at Norfolk’s Skyview Lake has been canceled due to wet weather. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s final Family Fishing Night in Norfolk is scheduled for Aug. 2 from 6-8 p.m. at Skyview Lake. Family Fishing Nights provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in years to learn and enjoy the activity. Rods and reels, as well as bait and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to six state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on Independence Day, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Those visitors should always use caution when lighting fireworks. Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney, Memphis SRA near Memphis, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Pawnee SRA near Emerald and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on July 4 only. Signs …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Activity Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland will close temporarily Monday, June 25 to allow for construction of an interior wall adjacent to the indoor playground. The Activity Center will reopen for regular hours beginning on Thursday, June 28.

LINCOLN, Neb. – A Lincoln man drowned and his son was hospitalized after an incident at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County on June 17. It is presumed that Christian Montoya, 28, died of an accidental drowning at the Area 1 beach. His son, 2-year-old Christian Montoya Jr., was taken to an area hospital in good condition. A 911 call was made at 2:57 p.m., with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office responding. Other responding agencies include the Nebraska Game and Parks …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters have until July 6 to apply for a 2018-2019 multispecies lottery permit. Two types of permits are available: Super Tag and Combo. The Super Tag permit is valid in 2018 and 2019 for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons. One Super Tag …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to Wagon Train State Recreation Area (SRA) should expect detours beginning this week. Lancaster County is replacing a culvert at the corner of South 96th Street and Hickman Road. The park will remain open during construction, but visitors to the popular area should watch for detour signs. Construction is expected to last approximately eight days. Wagon Train SRA is located 2 miles east of Hickman in Lancaster County. A valid Nebraska park entry permit is required …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The dump station at Area 1 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) is currently closed. The dump station is closed for extensive repairs to the area’s septic system. Park staff anticipate the closure to last for some time. Dump stations in areas 4 and 11 remain open. Park staff recommend campers plan for longer waits than normal. Branched Oak SRA is located in Lancaster County. A valid Nebraska park entry permit is required for each vehicle …