NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Mormon Island State Recreation Area near Doniphan is temporarily closed. An ice jam on the Platte River led to flooding in parts of the recreation area. Nebraska Game and Parks officials on Friday made the decision to close the area until further notice. Officials expect that the flooding will subside as the ice jam breaks up. -30-

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters that the regular light goose waterfowl season lasts through Feb. 12, while the light goose conservation order runs from Feb. 13-April 5.  During the light goose waterfowl season, hunters may not use electronic calls or unplugged shotguns. The daily bag limit during the light goose waterfowl season is 50. Shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.  During the light goose conservation order, electronic calls and unplugged …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A mountain lion was killed in Scottsbluff on Feb. 1, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission worked with a local veterinarian to dart and then euthanize the 105-pound male mountain lion after it was discovered on the porch of a Scottsbluff home that evening. The Nebraska State Patrol and the Scottsbluff Police Department also responded. Per the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Mountain Lion Response Plan, it is protocol …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Owen Crossing Bridge at Platte River State Park will be temporarily closed for maintenance Feb. 13 – March 31. The hike-bike trail bridge in the northeast portion of the park spans Decker Creek. The closure will temporarily cut off access to the trails in the Sjogren wildlife track. The park has several other trails that will not be affected. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is surveying hunters and other interested parties about their views and preferences as part of an evaluation of upland game shooting hours. To take the survey, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/shootinghourssurvey. In addition, anyone who purchased a hunting (small game) license in 2016 and did not receive an invitation to participate in the annual hunter success survey can access it at OutdoorNebraska.gov/huntersuccesssurvey. Shooting hours are the time of day when legal hunting can start …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Big game hunters had a record year in Nebraska in 2016 with all-time high harvest marks set for mule deer bucks, cow elk and total elk. Deer – A total of 58,126 deer were harvested in 2016, including 11,184 mule deer. Mule deer buck harvest increased 4 percent to 9,257, breaking the previous record set in 2009. Record mule deer buck harvest occurred in the Frenchman, Plains, Platte and Upper Platte units. Whitetail harvest totaled 46,942 deer, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information regarding the theft of ladder-style trees stands and lifelines in Lancaster County. Two Gorilla tree stands and five Hunter Safety System Lifelines were stolen on or about Jan. 20 from private land outside of Lincoln on Northwest 48th Street. The land is used for Nebraska Game and Parks’ Youth Mentored Hunt Program. Mentors in the program discovered the missing items following the recent close of the deer season. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) events and important dates in February. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Feb. 1-2 – Growing Up WILD workshop, Grand Island Feb. 3, 10, 17 – Beginner Muzzleloader, Wildcat Hills Shooting Sports Complex, Gering Feb. 4 – Birds and Binoculars, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Ashland Feb. 4 – Game Bird …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Treat yourself and your valentine to birding counts and hikes, breakfast and a scavenger hunt during Ponca State Park’s Birds and Breakfast event Saturday, Feb. 11. Cabin guests and birders can enjoy a breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and sausage links, which is free to cabin guests. Call the park at 402-755-2284 to register. The day’s activities also include Great Backyard Bird Count tours with an expert birder from the Loess Hills Audubon Society, a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Jan. 20 adopted amended regulations that will allow people to obtain boating safety certification via an online course. The amended regulation will help streamline boater education by increasing opportunities for constituents, while retaining the classroom and home-study options for obtaining certification. Any boat operator born after Dec. 31, 1985 must have successfully completed the Nebraska boating safety course and be in possession of a valid certificate. Another boating regulation amendment …