NGPC News

CRAWFORD, Neb. – When tourists catch sight of a bighorn sheep in the Pine Ridge, or a herd of bison grazing at Fort Robinson State Park, they likely give little thought to the people responsible for those animals being there. One such person is Lon Lemmon, a life-long resident of the Crawford area who was at the forefront of many projects resulting in the wild animals and lands people enjoy today during his 39-year career with the Nebraska Game and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission amended wildlife regulations at its June 22 meeting in Gering. Following a public hearing, commissioners adopted changes to create regulations for the new Killdeer Wildlife Management Area (WMA) sight-in range in Lancaster County. They also adopted regulations to restrict use of centerfire rifles or handguns on a portion of Bordeaux Creek WMA in Dawes County; due to safety concerns, restrictions had been in place with signage since the fall of 2015. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters have until July 7 to apply for a 2017-2018 multispecies lottery permit. Two types of permits are available: Super Tag and Combo. The Super Tag permit is valid in 2017 and 2018 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). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons. One Super Tag …

CRAWFORD, Neb. – A broken dam board in the outlet structure at the lower Ice House Pond on Fort Robinson State Park caused the water level to drop about 10 feet during the weekend. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been in the process of designing aquatic habitat and angler access improvements for all fishing areas on Fort Robinson State Park and the aging outlet structure on the lower Ice House Pond was identified as needing repairs or replacement. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A Becoming an Outdoors-Family Dutch oven cooking workshop is scheduled for June 29 at Louisville State Recreation Area in Cass County. Learn all about preparing tasty outdoor meals in a Dutch oven. The event is from 6-8:30 p.m. at Lake 2’s Meisinger Picnic Shelter. All equipment will be provided. The fee is $10. A park entry permit is required. To register or get more information, contact Christy Christiansen at 402-471-5547 or christy.christiansen@nebraska.gov.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn about and see some fascinating reptiles at the Snakes of Nebraska event July 22-23 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. The free event will run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at Riverview Lodge, with snakes on display and naturalist programs. University of Nebraska-Lincoln herpetologist Dennis Ferraro will give a presentation at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day. A park entry permit is required.

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has begun offering an online boater education course. The course, which is available beginning June 19 at OutdoorNebraska.org/boatereducation, will allow students to take the course wherever and whenever is convenient for them. Game and Parks will continue to offer classroom boater education courses across the state, for those who prefer to learn in a more traditional setting. In Nebraska, anyone born after Dec. 31, 1985 is required to successfully complete a …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Strong storms Friday evening caused damage at state parks and recreation areas in Dodge, Lancaster, Cass, Saunders and Sarpy counties, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. High winds and heavy rain caused damage to trees, as well as power outages and minor damage to structures at virtually all state parks and recreation areas from Fremont, south to Lincoln and Omaha. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission crews were working to clean up fallen trees and other …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host an open house to share updates on current and future activities as part of the 20-year Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Management Plan recently adopted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners. The open house will take place on June 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Mountain Time at the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center/Water Interpretive Center. Nebraska Game and Parks staff will share information on and answer questions about …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Three public hearings will take place when the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meets June 22 in Gering. The meeting will start at 8 a.m. in the Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St. The first hearing will allow for public input on the creation of regulations for the Killdeer Wildlife Management Area (WMA) sight-in range in Lancaster County, and the restriction of centerfire rifles or handguns on a portion of Bordeaux Creek WMA in Dawes County. Public …