NGPC News

(corrects fifth paragraph) LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider at its Jan. 20 meeting a regulation amendment that would allow people to obtain boating safety certification via an online course. The meeting is at 8 a.m. in the third-floor conference room of the Commission’s Lincoln headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. If passed, the amended regulation would help streamline boater education by increasing opportunities for constituents, while retaining the classroom and home-study options for obtaining certification. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will hold a big game informational meeting Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Elkhorn Eagles Club, 20276 Wirt St. The public is invited. Commission biologists will begin with a presentation on deer management. Other wildlife management topics will be discussed as time allows. Another big game meeting will be held Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Wilber’s Sokol Auditorium, 315 S. Wilson St. That meeting will be streamed live on …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Watch bald eagles soar or feed on the ice of Lake Ogallala during Eagle Viewing Days each weekend in January. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host the event at the Lake Ogallala Eagle Viewing Center, located below Kingsley Dam. A park naturalist will give a presentation at 9 a.m. and noon each Saturday and Sunday in January. The presentation will be followed by open viewing of the eagles and crafts for the kids. Coffee and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Spring turkey hunting permits are available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Nebraska offers the best turkey hunting opportunities in the entire country. Nebraska offers birds in every county of the state, including the highly-sought-after Merriam’s in some areas. The state also offers plentiful and affordable permits, long seasons, great public access and $5 permits for youth. Wild turkey hunters in Nebraska enjoy high success rates. In the spring, hunters can purchase as many as three …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer has been detected for the first time in southeastern Nebraska, according to findings by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Commission conducted a CWD sampling operation in its Southeast District deer check stations during the 2016 November firearm deer season. Four samples tested positive for CWD. Those samples were taken from deer harvested on private land in Thayer, Saline, Cass and Polk counties. There were 753 deer …

GERING – The New Year brings a move to new offices for staff of the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Staff members began operating from their newly renovated offices after returning from the New Year’s holiday, bringing business operations such as selling hunting, fishing and park entry permits back to that location. Gary Shoemaker, park superintendent, said the building’s exhibits and the other public spaces of the facility won’t be ready for a few months, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Stretch your legs and explore Ponca State Park’s beautiful landscapes by participating in the Hiking Marathon Challenge. Now through March 11, the public is invited to hike each of the park’s nine trails – about 22 miles in total – for the chance to win a door prize. All ages are welcome to participate. The Hiking Marathon Challenge can be completed individually or with family and friends. Guided hikes will be held on the following dates: Jan. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two new commissioners have been appointed to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by Gov. Pete Ricketts and another commissioner has been re-appointed. Jim Ernst of Columbus and Rick Brandt of Roca have been appointed to represent District 3 (northeastern Nebraska) and District 8 (Lancaster County), respectively. Pat Berggren of Broken Bow has been re-appointed in District 6 (Sandhills and north-central Nebraska). The appointments to four-year terms are effective Jan. 15. Berggren was appointed last March to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors April 1 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. This free training will take place at the education center, located at 4703 N. 44th St., from 9 a.m. to noon. Fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Nebraska Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events, as well …

LINCOLN – Waterfowl hunters are reminded that they must identify their target when hunting this winter. Trumpeter swans recently were shot in southeastern Nebraska after allegedly being mistaken for geese. Trumpeter swans are listed as an At-Risk species in the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. They are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state game laws, making it illegal for anyone to shoot them. The trumpeter swan is one of North America’s largest birds. All swans should be …