Flora & Fauna

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 …

If you’re one of the lucky ones you are coming out of the holiday season with some cash cards, gift certificates and maybe even some ol’ fashion greenbacks.  Perhaps you already know exactly what you are going to spend this hard-won bounty on.  If so, stop reading right now – this article is not for you.  However, for the rest of us – surprise, surprise – I’ve got a few quick ideas. There are two methods of correctly spending gift cash.  …

Looking for some ideas on what to do outdoors in 2016? Here are sixteen fun and interesting things I think you should consider doing in Nebraska’s outdoor scene in the New Year. Best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2016! 1. Enjoy a winter activity in one of our state park lands. 2. Mentor youth in your favorite outdoor activity. 3. Visit a place you’ve never been. 4. Experience living history at a state historical park. 5. Take a back road. 6. Do something you’ve never done, learn a new outdoor skill. 7. Float …

LINCOLN — Continued sightings of a moose within the city limits of North Platte have prompted Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials to immobilize and relocate the moose to a wildlife management area. Nebraska Game and Parks biologists worked with local law enforcement and a local veterinarian to move the moose from North Platte city limits to a wildlife management area on the afternoon of Dec. 28. Commission officials and local law enforcement have kept a close eye on the …

LINCOLN – Producers in south central and southeastern Nebraska have until Jan. 15 to apply for funding to help improve grasslands for grazing and wildlife. A partnership has been formed among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Pheasants Forever, Audubon Nebraska, and other entities through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The Grassland Bird Initiative will provide RCPP funding to 15 counties. Through the Grassland Bird Initiative, NRCS provides financial …

It’s time to call some critters – coyotes, bobcats and raccoon.  So, Jeff and Hershy are inviting Steve Satra to the studio to tell us about the challenge and excitement of getting up close to some of the state’s top predators. Along with working in the Fisheries Division, Steve spends a lot of his fall and winter around our fur-covered wildlife and has mentored many new critter callers and trappers. Join the conversation and get your questions answered at 402-489-1240 …

The public will have a unique opportunity for viewing birds during an event at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area on Saturday, Dec. 12. Birders of all ages and skill levels who want to participate in the one-day event may arrive at the lighthouse on Lakeview Point any time between 8-11 a.m. Binoculars, spotting scopes and blinds will be provided. Employees of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will lead the program. Dan Thornton, lake …

This past Thanksgiving weekend was a very special one for me and my family. On Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 12:31 p.m., we welcomed into the world a healthy 8 lbs. 1 oz. Jackson Edward Wagner, my first grandchild, woo-hoo! Let me tell you that the immediate relationship or bond between a grandchild and grandparent is a such a special one, it is indescribable! In my view, grandparents act as authority figures and provide unconditional love. They also get to spoil their grandchildren …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners and staff are in the midst of the Rooster Roundup — a quest to hunt pheasants on public land throughout Nebraska. The third stop on their journey is described below. The third day of hunting for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) Rooster Roundup was located at Davis Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) south of North Loup. Davis Creek has 2,450 acres of walk-in public access available. The first of this hunt series was …

November is hunting season in Nebraska and as I write this there are no shortages of choices or opportunity for the hunter. Ironically, one option that often gets overlooked around Thanksgiving is the elusive wild turkey. With strong turkey populations, a long season and two-turkeys allowed per permit Nebraska may be the best place to chase fall turkeys, too. Fall turkeys are a bit different in their habits than the ones we chase each spring. Hens are still with the …