NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The two male and one female peregrine falcons raised at the Nebraska Capitol this year now have an enduring connection to the state where they were hatched and raised. Two contestants submitted the winning entry in the Name the Chick Contest. The names Meadowlark, Goldenrod and Cottonwood were chosen. The names were suggested because they are Nebraska’s state bird, state flower and state tree, respectively. Jeanne Hibbert of Sprague and Willie Braun of Lincoln submitted the winning …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Remember, life jackets save lives. A boating incident July 2 resulted in two children being thrown from the tube they were riding. Both were wearing life jackets and neither was seriously hurt. The July 2 incident occurred at a private lake near North Platte. Two females, ages 12 and 13, were on a tube being pulled by a boat and were thrown after hitting a wake from another vessel. The 13-year-old received minor medical treatment at the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fort Atkinson State Historical Park on July 6-7 will re-enact an 1820s civilian and military July 4th celebration. Watch as the military salutes the states and reads the declaration, and civilians churn butter, spin and weave and the blacksmith and tinsmith work at the armorer shop. The sutler store, located outside the fort gate, will show off and sell the wares that represent the time period. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and end with the lowering of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice bow hunter education instructors in two workshops this month. The first is July 23 at the Game and Parks Southwest District Office in North Platte, 301 E. State Farm Road. The other is July 30 at the Lincoln Park Fire Station in Hastings, 1145 S. Hastings Ave. The workshops will run from 6-9 p.m. Register for the North Platte workshop by July 21 and the Hastings workshop by …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors Aug. 13 near Ogallala. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretive Center, 1450 Neb. Hwy. 61 N. Register by Aug. 9. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.

LINCOLN, Neb. – A Public meeting for review of Light Goose regulations for the Rainwater Basin areas will be held in Grand Island at the Grand Island Shooting Park July 9 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is being held to discuss proposed changes to the current regulations based on recent data gathered about waterfowl use of basins during the Light Goose Conservation Order. The meeting will take place at the Heartland Public Shooting Park, 6788 W. Husker Highway in Grand …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area’s (SRA) visitors are being reminded to give interior least terns and piping plovers their space as beaches will become crowded over the upcoming holiday weekends. “It is a critical period for these birds because not only are some pairs still on nests, but other pairs are tending to broods,” said Colby Johnson, Lake McConaughy Park Superintendent. “Park visitors can help protect the birds and ensure that we can strike the right balance …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Several Nebraska parks have full agendas planned for the Fourth of July weekend. Seven of the state recreation areas and one state historical park will allow park goers to set off their own fireworks in designated areas. Visitors can set off fireworks on July 4 from 8 a.m. until midnight at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny State Historical Park (SHP) near Kearney, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in July: July 1 – Archery fishing of game fish is allowed statewide through Dec. 31 July 1 – Underwater spearfishing of game fish allowed in specific waters through Dec. 31 (see page 20 of 2013-2014 Fishing Guide) July 1-14 – Paddlefish snagging permit application period July 2-4 – Western and Wildlife Art Show, Fort Robinson State Park (SP), Crawford, 308-665-2900 July …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Grab a friend, your mother, daughter, sister, or colleague and get outdoors for a life-changing adventure in the Sandhills. A workshop sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission gives women the opportunity to learn outdoor skills in a comfortable environment. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a weekend getaway for women 18 years and older scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at the State 4-H Camp, located in the Bessey Division of the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. Game and …