LINCOLN, Neb. – Dove season starts Sept. 1, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to get out and scout locations to increase their chance of success. “During the fall, doves are either preparing for migration or actively migrating south, so they are primarily focused on high energy food,” said Jeff Lusk, Game and Parks’ upland game program manager. “Areas that have abundant food resources, such as sunflower fields planted on certain wildlife management areas (WMA), are ideal …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Schilling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cass County is closed temporarily to vehicle traffic. The Missouri River has risen due to recent heavy rains, making roads impassable. The closure is in effect on a daily basis until water recedes. In addition, access to the Peru Boat Ramp in Nemaha County and other WMAs in southeastern Nebraska might be limited because of wet conditions. Call Schilling WMA at 402-296-0041 for more information.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in September. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Sept. 1 – Hunting seasons open for cottontail, jackrabbit, dove, snipe, grouse, rail, raccoon and opossum Sept. 1 – Archery, Season Choice, River Antlerless Private Land Only, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Youth, and Landowner deer hunting …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With plenty of features for both kids and adults, the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Encounter exhibit provides a fun stop for the entire family at the 2018 Nebraska State Fair. Housed in the Nebraska Building, the exhibit includes an indoor archery range, indoor air gun range, kids’ Nerf gun range, 6,000-gallon aquarium featuring Nebraska fish, a bird scavenger hunt, interactive kids’ games, an accessible outdoor sky fort and more. Also, visitors who can correctly guess the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Low oxygen levels have caused a major die-off of fish at Olive Creek Lake, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The remaining fish population is suspected to be small. The die-off was reported by the public and investigated by Game and Parks on Aug. 16. Game and Parks staff found extensive numbers of dead largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, saugeye and black bullheads. Dense algal blooms in the lake over the past several …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rockford Lake in Gage County remains on health alert. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in the lake. Visitors to Rockford Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The two outdoor playgrounds at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) will be closed temporarily starting Aug. 27 for renovation and installation of new equipment. The playgrounds will reopen once installation and surfacing are complete. Park guests may use playgrounds at Schramm Park and Louisville state recreation areas. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering these parks, including Mahoney SP.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The public is invited to the annual vintage baseball games this Saturday, Aug. 18 at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. The 1864-based games will include equipment, rules and uniformed players from the era and are sure to please all visitors; come and take a step back in time for a while. The first game starts at 10 a.m. At noon several picnic baskets will be available at a live auction with Buffalo Bill Cody as …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved a bighorn sheep season for 2019. It authorized one auction and one lottery permit for the season at its meeting Aug. 16 in Valentine. In addition, the drawing for the 2018 bighorn sheep lottery permit was held, with David Hunter of Auburn the winner. There were 2,279 applications in the lottery. The 2018 season is Nov. 27 to Dec. 22. The other business, the Commission: — took public input regarding …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunting and shooting sports provide thousands of Nebraskans with safe, fun quality recreation with family and friends each year. A new video and website highlight the important role hunting plays in the traditions of many Nebraskans. The video may be viewed at TakeUsHunting.org. The website also offers resources for those who wish to try hunting or shooting sports, as well as to experienced hunters who are interested in mentoring someone less experienced. The video was produced in …