NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Homestead Knolls campground at Calamus State Recreation Area (SRA) near Burwell is getting an electrical upgrade. Because of delays in shipping materials for the project, the campground’s power will be shut off until April 2, not March 31, as originally scheduled. The power outage will affect 25 campsites. Power to a limited number of campsites will be turned back on April 2, and power will be restored to all sites by the first week of May. Contractors …

LINCOLN, Neb. – “Orozco,” a male peregrine falcon hatched at the Nebraska Capitol in 2015, has been observed in Omaha. Orozco is one of two falcons frequenting the north tower of St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha. Nature photographer Mike Benkis captured photographs of the pair that revealed that at least one of the birds was banded. The other falcon has not been identified. Many peregrine falcons across the Midwest are banded as chicks shortly after hatching, including peregrine chicks banded …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraskans are invited to participate in the second Cowboy Ultra, a two-day race that will guide runners (solo and relay teams) across the 191 miles of the Cowboy Trail from Valentine to Norfolk. The Cowboy Ultra will take place on May 20-21. The event, organized by Angry Cow Adventures, is limited to 75 people. Registration is $70 per person. For more information on the Cowboy Ultra, or to register, visit https://www.raceregister.net/event?action=view&id=290 or call 402-432-3622. The Cowboy Trail …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fisheries staff at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission again this spring will capture spawning walleyes to collect eggs to meet stocking requests. Sherman Reservoir, Merritt Reservoir and Lake McConaughy have again been selected locations for this operation. The collection goal to meet 2017 walleye stocking requests is approximately 78 million eggs. As of April 1, a designated area along the dam at Sherman is closed to bank anglers and boats following sunset. The collection at Sherman …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Panhandle anglers have a quality bullhead fishery in Crescent Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fisheries biologists recently conducted a fish survey at the lake and collected “several hundred bullheads per frame net,” according to northwest district biologist Joe Rydell. “We weren’t expecting quite so many.” Rydell said most of the bullheads surveyed were 6 to 7 inches in length but one or two out of every 100 were 13 inches or longer. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two campgrounds at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area will close temporarily to allow construction crews to complete upgrades to campground amenities. Lone Eagle Campground, located between Arthur Bay and Sandy Beach, will be closed March 31 until approximately early May. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission received a $740,000 appropriation from the 2013 Nebraska legislature to upgrade all 84 camping sites at Lone Eagle to full service accommodations. An electrical system upgrade and accessibility upgrade were completed …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Caleb Becker of the Expect the X homeschool team of Lincoln set a state record high score in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament on March 25 at Speedway Sporting Village in Lincoln. Becker scored 292 out of a possible 300 points for the overall high score of the meet. Colleen Cerise of Omaha’s Mater Dei Academy had the high female score of 281. In team competition, Lincoln’s Pound Middle School scored 3,114 …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Bring the entire family to Ponca State Park on April 1 for a day of crafts, critters and archery. Learn the various forms of décor that can be made with clay at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., discover the different types of wildlife that live along the Missouri River. Participants will be able to see, touch and smell live animals, furs, feathers, shells and skulls. Visit the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex at 2 p.m. for an introductory …

ALLIANCE, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has opened the access road to Blue Lake in the Sandhills of Garden County. The 2.7-mile two-track trail through private property was closed late this winter because it became muddy and susceptible to damage during thawing. Blue Lake is a popular fishing destination 22 miles north of Oshkosh near the Crescent Lake Wildlife Management Area and Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Because access to the lake is allowed only through a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Homestead Knolls campground at Calamus State Recreation Area (SRA) near Burwell is getting an electrical upgrade. Power to the campground will be shut off March 27-31, weather permitting, to accommodate the project. Contractors will install 47 new 50-amp pedestals and new wiring. This addition will complete the electrical upgrade of the campground, which will have 83 pad sites with 50/30 amp service. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering Calamus SRA.