NGPC News

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission certified six state fishing records in 2021, including the underwater spearfishing channel catfish mark that was broken twice in eight days. It was a record that had stood for more than 20 years. Here are the records: • Anthony Borghi of Ogallala speared a 26-pound, 9-ounce channel catfish at Box Butte Reservoir in Dawes County on June 5 to set an underwater spearfishing record. • On June 13, Hunter Jordan of Hemingford speared a …

Nebraska Hunter Education instructors John Niemoth of Omaha and Robert Sevenker of Ord recently were recognized for their contributions to the program and became the first to achieve the honor of Heritage Instructor. This designation was created for instructors who served the Hunter Education program for decades, providing mentor hunting, outdoors skills training, and safety instruction in their communities but who no longer are able to continue as instructors. Niemoth and Sevenker were recognized with this honor at the Jan. …

Anglers can learn the basics of fly tying that will prepare them to catch trout and panfish this spring. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host fly-tying workshops March 9 and 12 at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Members of the Cornhusker Fly Fishers Club will teach the two-hour sessions, which are at 6 p.m. March 9 and 2 p.m. March 12. The workshop, which is open to new and experienced fly tiers, will include all materials …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission adopted special area regulation changes for wildlife management areas at its meeting Jan. 28 in Lincoln. The changes concern hunting at Gifford Point WMA in Sarpy County. They include moving the application period for special access permits to hunt deer to Aug. 1-15; moving the permit drawing date, if requests exceed 200, to Aug. 15; requiring email addresses on applications; and clarifying that a buddy request must be made on the same application. Changes …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved grant awards for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program and the Recreational Trails Program at its meeting Jan. 28 in Lincoln. Commissioners approved the following grant awards totaling nearly $1.8 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program: • City of Blair, $400,000 for the Generations Park development; • City of Lexington, $175,000 for the Patriot Park trail and pond development; • City of Humphrey, $400,000 for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans receiving an income tax refund this year have an opportunity to support wildlife and habitat conservation. On Line 46 of the Nebraska state income tax form, 1040N, individuals may donate $1 or more of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, which is used to help several hundred species in Nebraska that are rare, endangered or threatened. Tax refund donations have benefited native wildlife, fish, and plants over the years, including the Blanding’s turtle, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider special area regulation changes for wildlife management areas when it meets Jan. 28 in Lincoln. The meeting will start at 8 a.m. at Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. The proposed changes would affect hunting at Gifford Point WMA in Sarpy County, including moving the application period for special access permits to hunt deer. Changes also would clarify regulations on the Killdeer Lake WMA sight-in range in Lancaster County, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Landowners and leaseholders can get a free elk permit based on accumulated antlerless elk harvests on their Nebraska property. The Free-earned Landowner Elk Permit Program was approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in October 2021 and became effective in mid-December. In the program, a person who owns or leases at least 80 acres of agricultural land qualifies for an either-sex elk permit following the verification of 10 general permit holder or special depredation season antlerless …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in February. Here are several opportunities: Nature Tales story time for pre-K has two events in February LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host the free, virtual pre-K program, Nature Tales, at 10 a.m. Central time Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. Outdoor educators from across the state will read, via Zoom, a nature-themed children’s book, then lead an …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Guests can enjoy special lodging, gift packages or events this Valentine’s Day at four Nebraska state parks. Ponca State Park will offer its annual Birds and Breakfast event Feb. 11-12, a weekend getaway package that includes a 30% discount on lodging, a complimentary bottle of wine or cider, a breakfast basket in your cabin, and an opportunity to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count on Feb. 12. For additional details, call the park at 402-755-2284. In …