NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Pneumonia caused a die-off of approximately 300 mallards in Scotts Bluff County due to a fungal infection known as Aspergillus fumigatus. The National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis., confirmed the disease to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Jan. 12 after necropsies were performed on six carcasses. A hunter first made the discovery of dead mallards Jan. 7 along a 2- to 3-mile stretch of Ninemile Creek, which is located just east of Lake Minatare. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers are encouraged to attend the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s fisheries public informational meetings this winter to offer input on the future of fisheries management in Nebraska. The meetings will begin with an overview of the 2018 fishing forecast, an update on special projects, and a report of potential regulation changes. Staff then will receive feedback and answer questions. All meetings will be held from 7-9 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. The meeting schedule is: Jan. 29 …

(The agenda was updated on Jan. 12 for the addition of a mountain lion presentation.) LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will meet Jan. 19 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland to consider establishing a reduced-price restricted statewide buck-any deer permit. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at Riverview Lodge. This permit would have lower fees than the statewide buck-any deer permit because the restricted permit hunting area would exclude some areas for mule …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators of younger students are invited to participate in a citizen science workshop Feb. 20 in Columbus. The 6 p.m. workshop will be held at Educational Service Unit 7, 2657 44th Ave. Citizen science in the classroom provides opportunities for students to participate in real scientific investigations. Citizen science can inspire students to create meaningful connections to the natural world and help scientists gather data and monitor or interpret results to produce relevant research. Participants will receive …

For Nebraska Game and Parks, 2017 was the year of the fish. Ok, not really, but fish definitely played a strong role in our most popular Facebook posts of the year. A blog by fisheries outreach manager Daryl Bauer about new state records was a big hit, as was a post about “alien fish.” https://www.facebook.com/NEGameandParks/posts/10154914077773513 The story of 14-year-old Jacob Cooper, who caught 10 muskies on the banks of Papio Creek in Omaha captured the interest of thousands of anglers …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Spring turkey hunting permits for 2018 will be available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning Jan. 8. Nebraska offers the best turkey hunting opportunities in the entire country. Nebraska offers birds in every county of the state, including the highly-sought-after Merriam’s in some areas. The state also offers plentiful and affordable permits, long seasons, great public access and $5 permits for youth. Wild turkey hunters in Nebraska enjoy high success rates. In the spring, hunters …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Applications are being taken by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for multispecies Super Tag and Combo lottery permits. The Super Tag lottery permit will be valid 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). One permit will be authorized for residents only, and one permit will be authorized for residents/nonresidents. Persons may apply for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is hosting a women’s ice fishing workshop on Jan. 13 at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge lakes. Women age 18 and older may sign up for the workshop, which will give instruction on equipment use and techniques. Participants can lodge in Valentine on Jan. 12 or meet the group at the refuge. The workshop cost is $25, not including meals and lodging. The deadline is Jan. 5. Visit NebraskaBOW.com to learn …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Novices can learn the basics of ice fishing at three free Family Ice Fishing clinics in January. On Jan. 6, the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic at Yanney Heritage Park’s Environmental Resource Center in Kearney from 5 – 9 p.m. This clinic will feature presentations by some of Nebraska’s top ice fishermen. An on-ice clinic will be held Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Early childhood educators and after-school providers are invited to learn how to engage children in nature through discoveries and science. They are encouraged to attend the Growing Up WILD workshop Feb. 12 in Norfolk. Participants will receive an activity guide with 21 lesson plans that build on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invite them to explore the world. This free event will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Elkhorn Valley Museum, 515 Queen …