NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – With summer approaching, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reminding water lovers to be mindful of the state’s education requirements for boating. Nebraska law requires any motorboat or personal watercraft operator born after Dec. 31, 1985 to complete a boating safety course and be in possession of a course certificate. Operators must be at least 14 years old to drive motorboats and personal watercraft in Nebraska. Game and Parks offers three options for taking boating safety …

CRAWFORD, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will close Whitney Lake Wildlife Management Area to boats and other watercraft during a 3½-hour training exercise of the Nebraska Wildland Fire Academy on Sunday, April 22. As part of the exercise, firefighters will use a helicopter with a hanging bucket to pick up water from the lake between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The Commission is closing the lake during that time to ensure public safety. Although boating will not …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved recommendations for 2018 deer, antelope and elk hunting seasons when it met April 19 at Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford. Among the big game changes to Commission orders: Deer — 1,550 buck permits are added in the Calamus East, Frenchman, Keya Paha, Loup East, Loup West, Plains, Platte, and Sandhills units. — 700 buck permits are removed from the Blue Northwest and Wahoo units. — 750 any-deer permits are …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers at the Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA) trout lake are facing some stiff competition. Double-crested cormorants recently discovered the lake. As a result, the fish-eating birds have lowered the anglers’ catch rates. A daily trout tag is required to attempt to take and to possess trout on the area March 1 through June 30. Steve Wilhelm, fish production manager at Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal, said typical catch rates this time of year are …

LINCOLN, Neb. – It is time to feed the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission seeks cash donations to this endeavor so it can continue to provide deer meat to those in need. Established in 2012 by the Nebraska Legislature, HHH is a program that provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need of protein. It allows hunters to donate whole, field-dressed deer at participating meat processors. Several charities then distribute the venison to Nebraskans. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for 2018 deer, antelope and elk hunting seasons when it meets April 19 at Fort Robinson State Park. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at Buffalo Barracks within the park, which is located 3 miles west of Crawford in northwestern Nebraska. Staff also will recommend the creation of regulations for a passage peregrine falcon trapping season. If approved, licensed falconers would have the opportunity to capture a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Birders are invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for Northeast District Birding Day on May 15 at Davis Creek Wildlife Management Area. Join resource professionals and bird experts to take inventory of the spring migratory birds at Davis Creek. Participants will leave at 5:30 a.m. from the day-use area at the southwest end of the lake, which is located 5 miles south of North Loup in Valley County. Participants should bring lunch, binoculars, camera, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks are accepting applications for a variety of seasonal jobs. These eastern Nebraska parks are looking for people to join a team of innovative professionals who love for the outdoors and are committed to service and a shared excitement for the future. A summer job at a state park can be the start of a career. Get hands-on experience in hospitality management, food service, landscaping, business administration, HVAC and more! …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy a day of fun, food and fungi April 28 at the 7th Annual Outdoor Adventure at Indian Cave State Park. The day’s activities include a mushroom hunting contest, Morel Mile run and 5k race, biscuits and gravy breakfast, hayrack rides, archery, horseback rides, Dutch Oven cooking and kayaking. Biscuits and gravy will be served for breakfast, and a fish fry will be served for lunch. This event is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Birders are invited to join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for Southeast District Birding Day on May 2 at Indian Cave State Park. Birders will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the park entrance parking lot. A park entry permit is required for each vehicle. Birders will split into groups and hike various sites within the park looking for bird species. A lunch break will feature speakers and a review of species observed. Participants should bring lunch, …