NGPC News

LINCOLN – Stay safe on the ice this winter while enjoying a day of ice fishing. Follow these Nebraska Game and Parks Commission tips for safety on the ice: — There should be at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice before an angler ventures onto a frozen lake or pond. — Commercial or homemade ice picks should be worn around your neck in case you fall through the ice and need something to grip the ice and pull yourself …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider amendments to wildlife regulations when it meets Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. in the third-floor conference room of its Lincoln headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. A 1:30 p.m. public hearing will be held to consider the following wildlife amendments: — adopt changes regarding the separation of elk carcasses and the transportation of them to a check station. — adopt changes regarding the trapping of furbearers, including trap checking rules and …

LINCOLN – The Discover Ice Fishing clinic scheduled for Jan. 9 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park has been canceled because of a lack of safe ice. The clinic will not be rescheduled. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission had scheduled the clinic for the park’s CenturyLink Lake, but the required six inches of ice thickness was not available as of Jan. 6. Another free Discover Ice Fishing clinic is scheduled for Jan. 16 in Kearney. The Nebraska Fish and …

LINCOLN – Ag producers are invited to attend a free informational meeting about what the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can offer them. The meetings are being held across the state through January. The General CRP Signup runs through Feb. 26. Soil rental rates have increased significantly in some areas. Learn about the new rates, as well as other CRP options. Reserve a spot in a meeting by contacting your local USDA office. Visit NebraskaPF.com or CRPsignup.com for more information. The …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wants to remind deer hunters that it is continuing to survey of deer hunters through Jan. 22. This survey is conducted every five years and is designed to gather hunter information about experiences, attitudes and opinions related to the 2015 deer season. The public’s input is important to the Commission and is another way hunters can participate in Nebraska’s deer management program. Hunters are the primary tool used to manage the state’s …

LINCOLN – Now that the calendar has flipped to a new year, late-season hunters and trappers of small game, waterfowl and furbearers must have a 2016 hunt (small game) or fur harvest permit. A 2016 Nebraska Habitat Stamp is also required for most hunts. The seasons for small game species pheasant, quail, partridge, grouse and squirrel close Jan. 31. Cottontail and jackrabbit seasons close Feb. 29. Muskrat and beaver trapping ends March 31. The hunting/trapping seasons for bobcat, raccoon, Virginia …

LINCOLN – Spring turkey hunting permits will be available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission starting at 1 p.m. Central Time on Jan. 11. The 2016 permit prices, including issuing fee, are: resident turkey, $25; nonresident turkey, $97; resident landowner, $13.50; nonresident landowner, $49.50; and resident and nonresident youth turkey, $7. Youth permits are for hunters who are under age 16 on the opening day of the youth archery season. All turkey hunters, except residents under age 16, require …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s outdoors in the winter can be just as much fun as the other seasons. Whether it’s hunting, ice fishing, cross country skiing, sledding or snowshoeing, the state has great outdoor opportunities. Being outdoors in the winter also means being safe in the coldest of temperatures. Avoiding hypothermia is critical. Hypothermia is a low body temperature most often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in a cold body of water. Left untreated, hypothermia can lead to …

LINCOLN – Gov. Pete Ricketts has reappointed Dick Bell of Omaha to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. In addition, the governor has appointed Dan Kreitman of Ceresco to the Commission. Bell was appointed to the Commission to represent District 2 (Douglas County) in December 2013. His reappointment is effective from Jan. 16, 2016, through Jan. 15, 2020. “I have a keen interest in all of the work of the Commission,” Bell said. “I look forward to continuing our efforts …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will post a notice Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. if ice conditions are deemed unsafe for an upcoming Discover Ice Fishing clinic. The clinic is scheduled for Jan. 9 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s CenturyLink Lake from 1 – 4 p.m. Six inches of ice is required to conduct this free clinic. Ice conditions will be determined Jan. 6. If necessary, a cancellation notice will be posted by 4 p.m. at …