NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visit Ponca State Park on March 31 for a day dedicated to eggs. Easter Egg-travaganza will kick off with a 10:30 a.m. workshop about animals that lay eggs in Nebraska. Touch live egg-laying animals and paint eggs to take home. An Easter egg hunt for the entire family will follow at 1:30 p.m. A hike through the woods at 3:30 p.m. will have participants looking for wildflowers, mushrooms – and more Easter eggs. A park permit is …

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. – Operators of recreational unmanned aircraft (UAVs), commonly known as drones, should be aware of the following wildlife laws and rules governing their use at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s properties: State Parks, State Historical Parks and State Recreation Areas: To ensure public safety and privacy, UAV use is not permitted in state parks, state historical parks and state recreation areas. A special permit may be issued to operate a UAV in unique occasions. State Wildlife Management Areas …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has published a guide designed to assist communities in creating, upgrading, promoting, funding, permitting and maintaining successful water trails. This guide, Floating the Good Life, a Guide to Developing Water Trails in Nebraska, provides information about the types of streams in Nebraska and how they behave differently, creating unique challenges for water trail operation. The guide details the launch site design process, and it discusses universal access and how a launch …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved 2018 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 16 meeting in Columbus. The recommendations for white-fronted goose season proposed a change from a 74-day season to an 88-day season and from a three-bird daily bag limit to two. Most other waterfowl season recommendations included only calendar date adjustments. The approved recommendations are: Early Teal – Low Plains: Sept. 1-16; High Plains: Sept. 1-9; Daily bag limit: six; Possession limit: Three …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Improvements are scheduled to begin at the Johnson Lake State Recreation Area inlet during March 2018. The project will improve angler access to the existing breakwater by connecting it to the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking pad with a paved sidewalk. Additional lighting and benches will be installed, as well as a fishing pad at the breakwater’s elbow. This work will honor the memory of Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioner Lynn Berggren, who grew up fishing with …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Temperatures are warming and it is time to get out for some spring fishing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is stocking catchable-size rainbow trout in city ponds, park lakes, and other waters across the state. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. A spinning or spin-cast rod and reel with a hook baited with a worm will work well. Add a split shot a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The public is encouraged to attend one of four upcoming informational meetings about mountain lions in Nebraska. The meetings are hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The meetings will include an overview of what the Commission knows about mountain lions in the state. Topics will include an update on research and details of the new mountain lion management plan. Staff then will receive feedback and answer questions. All meetings will be from 7 p.m. to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists are seeking private landowners interested in enrolling in the Open Fields and Waters (OFW) Program this spring. Through OFW, landowners can earn additional income for allowing walk-in hunting, trapping and/or fishing access on their properties. With more than 97 percent of Nebraska’s land base in private ownership, obtaining access to private lands continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing today’s hunters and anglers. In 2017, more than 700 private …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will conduct prescribed burns on wildlife management areas (WMA), state recreation areas (SRA) and state parks (SP) when conditions are favorable through April 30, according to Pat Molini, assistant administrator of the Wildlife Division. The areas scheduled for prescribed burns in each district are: Southeast District Cass County – Randall W. Schilling WMA, Rakes Creek WMA, William Gilmour/Tobacco Island WMA; Douglas County – Two Rivers WMA; Fillmore County – Marsh Hawk …