A Facebook post leads to a mystery being solved. by Cara Pesek City Foxes Whether or not they’re distracted by a freshly killed chicken, foxes are more common in Lincoln and other cities than one might think, said Sam Wilson, the furbearer and carnivore program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.  Foxes compete with larger canids, such as coyotes, for habitat and prey. Coyotes kill foxes when they have the chance, Wilson said. But coyotes are less likely …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Strong storms Friday evening caused damage at state parks and recreation areas in Dodge, Lancaster, Cass, Saunders and Sarpy counties, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. High winds and heavy rain caused damage to trees, as well as power outages and minor damage to structures at virtually all state parks and recreation areas from Fremont, south to Lincoln and Omaha. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission crews were working to clean up fallen trees and other …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host an open house to share updates on current and future activities as part of the 20-year Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Management Plan recently adopted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners. The open house will take place on June 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Mountain Time at the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center/Water Interpretive Center. Nebraska Game and Parks staff will share information on and answer questions about …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Three public hearings will take place when the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meets June 22 in Gering. The meeting will start at 8 a.m. in the Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St. The first hearing will allow for public input on the creation of regulations for the Killdeer Wildlife Management Area (WMA) sight-in range in Lancaster County, and the restriction of centerfire rifles or handguns on a portion of Bordeaux Creek WMA in Dawes County. Public …

LINCOLN – Enjoy an outdoor adventure with family or friends and experience Nebraska parks by joining The Great Park Pursuit (GPP) for a chance to win prizes. The goal of GPP, a partnership between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Recreation and Park Association, is to promote active lifestyles while increasing awareness of the state’s nature-rich outdoor recreation opportunities. This is done by encouraging participants to visit up to 20 GPP sites located across Nebraska between May …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The dump station at Niobrara State Park will be unavailable from May 8-18, 2017.  During that time, compression concrete testing will take place at the dump station site. This testing is part of a park-wide road renovation project that will add an asphalt overlay to the approximately 7 ¾ miles of roads within the park.  All vehicles entering the park must have a valid Nebraska park entry permit. Permits are available at outdoornebraska.org, as well as at …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The boat ramp at Buckskin Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is closed temporarily through the remainder of May. The existing boat ramp will be replaced and concrete parking pads will be added by the end of the month. Anglers are encouraged to use Powder Creek Reservoir in Dixon County, Chalkrock Lake WMA in Cedar County, or Kramper Lake in Dakota County as alternatives until construction is complete. Buckskin Hills WMA is located 5 miles southwest of Newcastle …

By Joel W. Helmer, Trapshooting Coach Taking a walk down the quarter-mile long row of trap houses during the Cornhusker Junior/Senior High School Trapshoot is something every Nebraskan should do at least once. It is a unique sensory experience. First is the noise – thousands of rounds of shotgun shells exploding and mixing together with the talking, clapping, and cheering of friends, family, teammates, and coaches. Then the smell of spent gunpowder mingling in the air with grilling burgers, funnel …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The peregrine falcon pair atop the Capitol has abandoned their recently-laid clutch of five eggs. The male, 19/K, and female, Alley, apparently remain present at the Capitol but have not been seen in their nest box — or more importantly, on their eggs — since the morning of Sunday, April 30. During the intervening period, their eggs remained exposed to the chilly and wet weather. The nest abandonment essentially ends the 2017 nesting cycle. Nest abandonment by …

LINCOLN – Browse artworks by nationally known artists at the Platte River Art Show, set for April 1-2 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. This event, hosted by Prairie Images, will be held at the Peter Kiewit Lodge from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. the following day. The works of art for display and sale will include wildlife, landscape, cityscape, portrait, still life, Native American, Southwest, Americana and Impressionistic paintings in a variety of …