NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Halloween-lovers of all ages are invited to Ponca State Park’s annual Hallowfest celebration on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. Now in its 19th year, Hallowfest offers a variety of unique activities that have made this event a fall tradition for many families. Activities include campsite and cabin decorating contests, a pumpkin roll, pumpkin carving contest, haunted hayrack rides, seasonal crafts and much more. Tickets are required for the spooky haunted hayrack rides through the park, which are …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks system has launched a website for the sale of hunting, fishing and state park permits. The site, which went live on Sept. 28, offers improved navigation, mobile responsiveness and many other features, including: Information about each type of permit offered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, including accompanying stamp requirements, unit maps, telecheck instructions, and links to guides and Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration; The ability to search and sort remaining …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A private event that would have affected two entrances at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area (SRA) Sept. 27-29 has been cancelled. Park staff expected that the West Wind and Lake View (Lighthouse) entrances to Lake Minatare SRA would be closed to public access periodically throughout the two days. These and all other park entrances will remain open Sept. 27-29. All vehicles entering Lake Minatare SRA must have a valid state park permit. -30-

LINCOLN, Neb. — Youth over the age of 11 who have successfully completed hunter education are invited to take part in Nebraska’s state Youth Hunter Education Challenge. The Youth Hunter Education Challenge, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 15, will allow youth to compete for prizes in a simulated hunting experience. The event, which is sponsored by the National Rifle Association, will help youth build their skills, get real-world hunting experience and learn about hunter safety and …

CHADRON — The public is invited to join Chadron State Park’s second annual Bioblitz on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29-30. The park’s group event facility will serve as headquarters for the more than dozen surveys and activities, which will take place at locations throughout the park. The free event will allow participants young, old and in-between to discover and celebrate western Nebraska wildlife. A bioblitz is an event where members of the public become “citizen scientists” and work with biologists …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in October. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Statehood: A New Beginning, Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (SHP), Fairbury Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Wheels of Transportation, Arbor Lodge SHP, Nebraska City Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Youth waterfowl hunting season in Zones 2 and 4 …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host an open house at Ponca State Park (SP) on Oct. 11 to take public input on the design charrette for the park. The open house will take place from 5-7 p.m. at the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center. A design charrette is a planning session where citizens and stakeholders collaborate on the vision of a development project. The design team will host the open house following …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Endangered whooping cranes are migrating earlier in spring and later in fall, according to a newly published study by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources. The study reveals that since 1942 spring migration of whooping cranes occurs as many as 22 days earlier in spring and about 21 days later in fall. “Our study confirms casual observations that the timing of whooping crane migration is changing,” said Joel …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Sportsmen and sportswomen have contributed greatly to Nebraska’s outdoor heritage. To honor them, Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday signed a proclamation dedicating Sept. 23 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska. For more than four decades, National Hunting and Fishing (NHF) Day has recognized America’s hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. NHF Day, celebrated the fourth Saturday of every September, remains an effective grassroots effort to promote the outdoor sports and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Some of the best fishing of the year can occur in the fall, when fish actively feed to prepare for the coming winter. Many of those feeding fish are beginning to develop eggs and milt for next spring’s spawn. The fall bite can be so good because those fish need the additional energy to spawn. Fall is one of the best times of year to catch some of the biggest, fattest fish. An abundance of natural prey …