NGPC News

GERING, Neb. — The Wildcat Hills Nature Center south of Gering will be buzzing about pollinators this weekend. “Powerful Pollinators,” the latest event in the Wildcat Weekends series, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, and is open to the public free of charge. Amanda Filipi, Commission outdoor education specialist, said she will tell attendees about the importance of pollinators, which experts say are responsible in the creation of one-third of the food humans eat and provide many other …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s 2017 fall turkey hunters are encouraged to share their experiences with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission via a survey. Hunters who provided an email address at the time they purchased a permit will soon receive an email invitation to participate in the survey. Those who did not provide an email address can take the survey at Game and Parks’ website. The survey will ask hunters about their turkey harvest, as well as about their hunting …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host an open house April 12 about possible future development at Indian Cave State Park. The open house will take place in Falls City from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Grand Weaver Hotel, 1800 Stone St. The open house concludes a two-day design charrette held at the park. A design charrette is a planning session where citizens and stakeholders collaborate on the vision of a development project. The open house will …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Get ready for summer by learning some new outdoor skills at the 12th annual Fort Kearny Outdoor Expo on May 12. This free Expo, designed for family members of all ages and experience levels, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, located just south of Kearney. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. The Expo offers opportunities for participants to get hands-on experience in …

GERING, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission delivered an update of its cougar research and newly approved management plan for the species to Panhandle residents this week. The information was delivered during public meetings in Gering on Wednesday, April 4, and Chadron on Tuesday, April 3. The meetings featured a presentation by Sam Wilson, Commission carnivore and furbearer program manager, and addressed questions about the big cats, commonly referred to as mountain lions or pumas. Wilson said cougars …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation on April 2 declaring Nebraska the Best Turkey Hunting Destination in the United States. The governor signed the proclamation in a ceremony at the Nebraska Capitol and presented it to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Deputy Director Tim McCoy, who was joined by Jared McJunkin and Micaela Rahe of the National Wild Turkey Federation. “Hunting brings family and friends together in a way that encourages appreciation for our natural world,” Ricketts …

LINCOLN, Neb — Go Ape, the nation’s leading treetop adventure company, is opening its first location in Nebraska on Saturday, April 28 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. The course, which was developed through a partnership with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, is centrally located between Lincoln and Omaha. The media is invited to attend a special preview on Arbor Day, Friday, April 27 at 11 a.m. “Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is a premier recreational destination …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn traditional rifle marksmanship skills in a safe, family-friendly environment at the Project Appleseed clinic April 15 at Platte River State Park’s Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex. Project Appleseed events teach traditional rifle marksmanship skills while reconnecting Americans of all ages and backgrounds to the people and events of our nation’s founding. Only .22 rimfire rifles will be allowed at this daylong event (Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 rifles not allowed). Participants will learn the six …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fisheries staff at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission again this spring will capture spawning walleyes to collect eggs to meet stocking requests. Sherman Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir and Lake McConaughy have again been selected locations for this operation. The collection goal to meet 2018 walleye stocking requests is approximately 88 million eggs (700 quarts). As of April 1, a designated area along the dam at Sherman is closed to bank anglers and boats following sunset. The collection …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for a 2018 bighorn sheep lottery permit beginning April 16. Only Nebraska residents are eligible. The application period ends Aug. 3, and the permit will be drawn Aug. 16. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Apply at a Nebraska Game and Parks office or at OutdoorNebraska.org. The 2018 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 27-Dec. 22.