NGPC News

CHADRON, Neb. – Disease issues have once again struck bighorn sheep lambs in northwestern Nebraska’s Pine Ridge, but a comprehensive research project is on track to counter the maladies. Todd Nordeen, the Nebraska Game and Park Commission’s big game research and disease program manager, said all 21 lambs equipped with tracking collars in May and June have died – almost all to pneumonia. While pneumonia is the cause, Commission biologists want to know what pathogens are triggering the disease. They …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two state fishing records have been certified this summer by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Brent Stephens of Kearney set a rod-and-reel record April 18 when he caught a 3-pound, 4-ounce triploid crappie at Kea Lake south of Kearney. He caught the 17¼-inch fish on a jig. Eric Funk of Lincoln set a bowfishing record May 20 when he arrowed a 56-pound, 6-ounce bigmouth buffalo at Johnson Lake southwest of Lexington. His fish was 41 inches …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn basic lifelong outdoor skills as a family at the Becoming an Outdoors-Family Camp on Aug. 11-13 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area near Kearney. This workshop is designed for families that are new or novices to outdoor skills and camping. Participants will learn skills such as fishing, camping, outdoor cooking, kayaking, archery, hunting and hiking. They also will learn about nature, wildlife, aquatic life and stargazing. Tents will be provided for those who have none. To …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Big Game Conservation Association will host a Day at the Range on Aug. 19 at Platte River State Park. Come to the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex and visit with association members about their organization. Visitors will receive a token for a free shooting experience at the range. All ages are welcome. Activities include archery, pellet gun, rifle, tomahawk and slingshot. Youth must be at least 8 years old to shoot rifles. A park …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The presence of invasive zebra mussels has been confirmed at Lake Yankton in Cedar County, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. This South Dakota border water, also known as Cottonwood Lake, sits below Lewis and Clark Lake’s Gavins Point dam and just north of the Missouri River. In recent years, zebra mussels became established in Lewis and Clark and the river from the dam to the Kansas border. “With the presence of zebra mussels in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Summer is in full swing and Nebraskans are enjoying their days on the water. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds boaters to be mindful of the state’s education requirements for boating. Nebraska law requires any motorboat or personal watercraft operator born after Dec. 31, 1985 to complete one of the two types of boating safety courses and be in possession of a course certificate. Operators must be at least 14 years old to drive motorboats and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters of migratory birds are reminded of their requirement to register for the Harvest Information Program (HIP) beginning Aug. 1. HIP registration is required of residents age 16 and older and all nonresidents who plan to hunt migratory game birds in Nebraska between Aug. 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018. These birds are doves, ducks, geese, snipe, rail, coots and woodcock. Among those who must register in Nebraska are hunters registered in another state and holders of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Mike Mueting and Nick Spencer of Wahoo’s Star City team caught a five-fish limit weighing 15.56 pounds to capture The Bass Federation – Nebraska High School Fishing Championship. The event took place July 22 at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area in Cherry County. Cole Hall and Keegan Oettinger of North Platte’s Lincoln County Bass Bosses took second place with five fish weighing 14.45 pounds. They also caught the tournament’s biggest fish at 4.85 pounds. Colton Kelle and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in August. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Aug. 1 – Squirrel hunting season opens Aug. 1 – Registration begins for Harvest Information Program Aug. 1 – Family Fishing Event, Prairie Queen Recreation Area, La Vista Aug. 1-3 – Learn to Hunt Camp, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for a 2017 bighorn sheep lottery permit through Aug. 4. Only Nebraska residents are eligible. The permit will be drawn Aug. 17. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Apply at a Nebraska Game and Parks office at outdoornebraska.org. The 2017 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 28-Dec. 22.