NGPC News

LINCOLN – The target range on Pressey Wildlife Management Area in Custer County will be temporarily closed Oct. 22-23 for the youth upland bird hunting season and Oct. 29-30 for the opening weekend of the statewide upland bird season. The closure is a safety measure being implemented because of the increased number of hunters expected on the area during those weekends. Pressey is located 17 miles south of Broken Bow.

LINCOLN – The Spring Park primitive campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area has reopened. The campground was closed for cleanup after it sustained storm damage Labor Day weekend. The National Weather Service estimated winds in the area of more than 65 mph, which caused significant tree and road damage. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission employees began cleanup of the area in mid-September. “This campground is popular with hunters, and our staff worked hard to get it cleaned up in …

LINCOLN – Learn all aspects of deer processing during a hands-on, three-part class at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. The class will cover field care and curing on Oct. 23, sausage making on Dec. 4 and fresh venison cooking on Dec. 11. Cure Cooking of Fort Calhoun will lead the class, which costs $35 per class or $90 for all three. Space is limited. To register, visit CureCooking.com/DeerClasses. Fort Atkinson is located seven blocks east of U.S. Highway 75 near …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider a staff recommendation to approve the Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan when it meets Oct. 21 at Ponca State Park (SP). If approved, the plan would serve as a road map for future development and desired conditions at the Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala for the next 20 years. More information about the proposed plan is available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/LakeMcConaughyPlan. The Commission meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at Ponca SP’s …

LINCOLN – The entire population of whooping cranes in the Central Flyway is expected to migrate through Nebraska over the next several weeks. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages the public to report whooping crane sightings. Information on crane sightings is used to positively affect whooping crane conservation and recovery efforts. Report any sightings to Game and Parks (402-471-0641), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (308-379-5562), or The Crane Trust’s Whooper Watch hotline (1-888-399-2824). Emails may be submitted to joel.jorgensen@nebraska.gov. …

LINCOLN – Alicia Hardin has been selected as the wildlife division administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The wildlife division administrator oversees the Commission’s hunting and wildlife conservation programs. “Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge to the position,” Commission Director Jim Douglas said. “Over the years she has worked directly with many programs and initiatives, and she will bring valuable first-hand experience and insight to this role.” Hardin, a 16-year veteran of the Commission, has been an assistant …

LINCOLN – Several waterfowl hunting seasons open in Nebraska on Oct. 8, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers the following reminders and resources to make the seasons memorable, successful and safe. Duck seasons open in zones 2 and 4, and dark goose season opens in the North Central Unit. The statewide light goose and white-fronted goose seasons also open. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2016 waterfowl population status report, the total duck population estimate is …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks (SP), as well as Schramm Park State Recreation Area (SRA). Successful applicants will be issued a special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on certain dates, using specific equipment. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an orientation session in order to receive the access permit. Applications, …

LINCOLN – This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nebraska’s mentored youth hunting program, which has grown to be one of the largest in the nation. Nebraska’s mentored youth hunting program began with six Pheasants Forever chapters – Cornhusker, Elkhorn Valley, Great Plains, Loup/Platte Ringnecks, Otoe County, and Republican Valley – in 1996. These chapters sought a solution to declining hunter numbers and wanted to provide youth the opportunity to hunt in Nebraska. In the first year, 207 volunteer mentors …

LINCOLN – Nebraskans can support wildlife and conservation education in the state by purchasing a special vehicle license plate. Vehicle owners can order the new Mountain Lion Conservation Plate. An extra $5 is charged for the alpha-numeric plates and an additional $40 is charged for custom message plates at time of initial issue and annual renewal. The Mountain Lion Conservation Plate and the Game and Parks Commission Educational Fund were created earlier this year with the passage of LB 474. …