NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska has joined the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which is an agreement that recognizes the suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses in states that are members of the compact. Any person whose license privileges or rights are suspended in any compact member state may also be suspended in all other member states. Nebraska became the 46th compact member state in 2017. Suspensions on or after Nov. 7, 2017 are subject to the compact. Nebraska’s participation in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Angler Access Area in the northwest corner of Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area (SRA) will be closed to the public briefly in mid-November. The area will close on Nov. 13 so a new floating fishing dock can be installed. The construction is expected to be completed by Nov. 17. All other areas of the SRA will be open during installation of the dock.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Jeff Fassett, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, on Oct. 19 signed an order granting application A-19406 to appropriate water for the purpose of instream flows on the Niobrara River to maintain habitat for the fish community. The instream flow permit was granted to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (NRD), the Middle Niobrara NRD, the Lower Niobrara NRD, the Upper Loup NRD and the Upper Elkhorn NRD …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters from around the country returned to rural Nebraska on Oct. 28-29 to partake in a coveted outdoor tradition – the upland bird hunting season opener. Overall, hunter success on the opening weekend was slightly lower than 2016, but hunter success for pheasants was highest in the southwest and northwest regions. Good quail numbers were reported throughout the southern half of Nebraska but very few hunters were targeting bobwhites. On opening day, most areas experienced cooler morning …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Excitement and anticipation are building for Nebraskans as the Nov. 11 opener of firearm deer season approaches. Deer populations for 2017 are higher for mule deer and about the same for whitetails. Favorable habitat and weather conditions this past year should provide for good fawn production and good survival of adults and fawns. The state’s mule deer herd produced the highest harvest on record in 2016 (9,257) and expectations for 2017 are for a modest increase. Whitetail …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on two elk shot in Boyd County. The two elk – a cow and her calf – were shot and left in a field northwest of Gross sometime between Oct. 25 and the early morning hours of Oct. 26. Conservation officers investigated the site on the morning of Oct. 26 and found the calf already dead and the cow fatally wounded. Conservation officers euthanized the cow. Anyone with …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The entire population of whooping cranes in the Central Flyway is expected to migrate through Nebraska over the next several weeks. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages the public to report whooping crane sightings. Information on crane sightings is used to positively affect whooping crane conservation and recovery efforts. Report any sightings to Game and Parks (402-471-0641) or online at http://outdoornebraska.gov/whoopingcrane/. Observers of cranes are encouraged to record number of birds, location, type of activity, and, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska youth got to experience an upland hunt as adult mentors took them afield for the state’s special youth pheasant hunt Oct. 21-22. The special hunt took place on 14 wildlife management areas (WMA), where the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission released 5,445 roosters Oct. 20. In total, 313 adult mentors accompanied 392 youth hunters on the hunt this year. Youth and their mentors harvested more than 600 roosters on the special hunt areas, including 34 wild …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials have confirmed that a male mountain lion killed two goats near Chadron in Dawes County. The owner of the land where the goats were killed contacted Game and Parks officials on Oct. 24 after finding the carcasses. That same day, Game and Parks biologists examined the carcasses, as well as the immediate vicinity. The condition of the carcasses and presence of nearby mountain lion sign suggested a high probability that a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – For most upland game bird hunters, taking to the field provides a lot more than just the act of harvesting birds. It is a great opportunity for exercise, camaraderie and enjoying this time of year. Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Wendy Horine encourages all those going afield for an upland bird hunt to remember the basics of hunting safety: point the gun in a safe direction; treat every firearm as if it is loaded; keep your finger off …