LINCOLN, Neb. – Cash donations are greatly needed to pay processors taking part in the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program. Because of critically low cash contributions, several locations no longer can take donated deer and others cannot accept as many as hunters are willing to donate. The following locations can no longer take donated deer: Bayard, JM Pack; Diller, Diller Locker Company; Franklin, Franklin Locker; Johnson, Pelicans; North Bend, Bob’s Custom Meats; Table Rock, Den’s Country Meats; and Wahoo, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Preliminary deer check-in numbers indicate that statewide harvest numbers are down approximately 10 percent compared to the 2017 opening weekend of Nebraska’s firearm season. During this year’s Nov. 10-11 opening weekend, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northeast district check stations recorded 11 percent fewer deer than last year. The number of checked deer were down 9 percent in the southeast and northwest districts and down 11 percent in the southwest district. “Many factors can be related …

LINCOLN, Neb. – You have the opportunity to help families, youth and the public discover and enjoy outdoor recreation by supporting the Fort Kearny Outdoor Expo during the Give Where You Live fundraiser Dec. 6. For 24 hours, donors may give to the Expo, a free annual event held at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area showcasing Nebraska’s vast outdoor opportunities. With more than 50 hands-on activities to try, including fishing, archery, kayaking, camping and outdoor cooking, the Expo allows people …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters of an ongoing mule deer research project in collaboration with University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There are 61 collared and ear-tagged mule deer does and fawns in the Frenchman and Republican management units of south-central and southwestern Nebraska. The study aims to assess survivability and habitat use of mule deer does and fawns. Hunters should understand that it is legal to harvest a collared deer and that hunter harvest is a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – One of the tallest climbing walls in the region is now open at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) near Ashland. Mahoney SP’s Venture Climb, housed in a new, state-of-the-art addition to the Activity Center, features a 42-foot climbing wall with both auto- and top-rope belays, as well as a bouldering structure. Climbers are treated to scenic views of the park through the facility’s floor-to-ceiling windows. “Mahoney State Park is becoming a destination for visitors who want …

LINCOLN, Neb. – After a markedly successful season, several teams took home prizes in the 2018 Great Park Pursuit challenge. Teams visited up to 20 Nebraska parks and areas of outdoor interest, logging their visits to enter drawings for various prizes. The Furr Fam team claimed the $1,500 grand prize, while other teams took home a $750 outdoor package, an iPad, and a two-night cabin stay in a Nebraska state park, among other prizes. New this year was the incorporation …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials have confirmed that a mountain lion reported within the city limits of Gordon was killed by the Gordon Police Department on the evening of Monday, Nov. 5. The response was consistent with Game and Parks’ policy for addressing occurrences of mountain lions in municipalities. The policy may be found in the Nebraska Mountain Lion Response Plan. The 55-pound male cat was approximately a year old. Gordon is located in northwestern Nebraska’s …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission stocked 900 rainbow trout at Crystal Springs Park in Fairbury on Nov. 6. The stocking by the Grove Trout Rearing Station in Royal had been delayed by the presence of fish-eating cormorants, which have since left the area. To locate past stockings, visit Game and Parks’ fish stocking database at outdoornebraska.gov/fishstockingprogram.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s nine-day firearm deer season opens Nov. 10, giving individuals an opportunity to share a hunt with family or friends. As of Nov. 5, deer permits remain in the following management units: Blue Southeast, Buffalo Whitetail, Calamus East, Calamus West, Keya Paha, Loup East, Loup West, Missouri, Plains, and Platte Whitetail. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also reminds hunters: — Cash donations to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program are encouraged so it can continue …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The stocking of rainbow trout at Crystal Springs Park in Fairbury has been delayed until a population of cormorants departs the area. Once the fish-eating birds leave, the Grove Trout Rearing Station in Royal will contact city officials, likely next week, and schedule a date to deliver and stock 1,000 trout. To locate past stockings, visit the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s fish stocking database at outdoornebraska.gov/fishstockingprogram.