NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation on April 12 declaring that Nebraska is the Best Turkey Hunting Destination in the United States. The governor signed the proclamation in a ceremony at the Nebraska Capitol and presented it to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Deputy Director Tim McCoy and District 1 Commissioner Dan Kreitman of Wahoo (southeastern Nebraska). In return, Kreitman presented the governor a turkey call, which he vowed to use on an upcoming turkey hunt. In …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for 2017 big game hunting seasons when it meets April 21 in Norfolk. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at Northeast Community College’s Lifelong Learning Center, 701 E. Benjamin Ave. Also on the agenda are recommendations to: — increase the park cash change funds at several state park areas; — approve an easement to place a sewer line at Platte River State Park (SP); — approve an …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Women are invited to experience all the recreation opportunities Platte River State Park has to offer in a Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) event April 29-30. Activities include Dutch oven cooking, hiking, lodging in cabins, horseback riding, and rifle, shotgun and archery shooting. Women must be at least 18 years of age. BOW gives beginners the opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a comfortable environment. Beyond BOW provides the next step on the path in becoming confident …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Platte River State Park will host a Project Appleseed .22 rifle clinic April 15. This intensive program will feature shooting from three positions at 25 meters, with targets that are scaled to simulate shooting at 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards. Participants will learn the six steps to firing a shot, natural point of aim, steady hold factors, and much more. Participants must be at least 8 years of age. Project Appleseed is a program of the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has certified three state fishing records so far this year – all set on rod and reel. The records are: — Kelly Macke of Lincoln on Jan. 3 pulled a 1-pound, 14-ounce redear sunfish through the ice at Wildwood Lake in Lancaster County. The 11¾-inch fish ate a tungsten jig and wax worm. — Wade Williby of Grand Island caught a 3-pound triploid crappie March 5 from Kea Lake in Buffalo …

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

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wildlife viewers can observe the courtship ritual of the greater prairie-chicken in southeastern Nebraska. Twenty birds have been using a lek at Burchard Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Pawnee County. A lek is a specific area where the birds gather to display their mating rituals year after year. The public is invited to view the spectacular mating rituals of the male prairie-chickens. Viewers will be able to interact in the bird’s environment and see the importance for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn the art of turkey calling from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission experts during the Turkey Calling 101 class at Lincoln’s Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center. Set for April 11 at 6 p.m., the workshop will teach participants how to communicate with the wild turkey, increasing their chances of calling in this exciting game animal. Topics will include various calls made by the wild turkey; communicating using basic sounds; using the slate, box, mouth and …

LINCOLN, Neb. — With spring fishing ramping up and summer approaching, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reminding water lovers to be mindful of the state’s education requirements for boating. Nebraska law requires any motorboat operator, including drivers of personal watercraft such as Jet Skis, 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 …

GERING, Neb. – The newly expanded and renovated Wildcat Hills Nature Center at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area is set to kick off its annual series of Wildcat Weekends events this weekend. The first event, which will pay tribute to Nebraska’s sesquicentennial, will be Saturday, April 8, at 9 a.m. Titled “Happy Birthday, Nebraska,” the event will feature a variety of activities, information and snacks to honor 150 years of statehood. “We can’t wait to offer these programs in our …