LINCOLN, Neb. – Residents and nonresidents may apply for one 2017 Nebraska deer permit in any draw unit beginning June 12, and residents may apply for one elk permit and one buck or either-sex antelope permit in available units. The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time (CT) on June 12. Paper applications must be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 5 p.m. CT – or by 11:59 p.m. for online applications – on June 23. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Pheasants Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host a habitat tour June 15 starting at the Alexandria Community Center in Alexandria, Nebraska. The tour will focus on grassland management activities that benefit quail and are adoptable to any grassland management system. Registration is from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour will begin on a private site that uses a fire-driven grazing system. A tour of Alexandria Wildlife Management Area will follow, with a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy nature’s wonders at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area (SRA) throughout June. Events include: – June 7: Meet the Birds of Fremont Lakes, 7:30 a.m. Hike out with the naturalist for a guided bird tour. – June 9: Full Moon on the Rise, 9 p.m. Learn about moon phases and watch the full moon rise over the lake. – June 17: Photography Hike, 7 p.m. Share photography tips and hike to capture the perfect shot. – June …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Meat processors have until July 1 to apply for participation in the 2017 Hunters Helping the Hungry program, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. This program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need. The application form and program guidelines are available at http://outdoornebraska.gov/hhh under Participating Processors. Game and Parks will accept applications for participation in any or all of the Nebraska 2017-2018 deer hunting seasons. Game and Parks will contact eligible applicants by July 31, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy a day on the water at one of Nebraska’s best boating destinations, Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area (SRA), for a celebration of National Marina Day on June 10. Activities include kayaking, fishing clinic, boat tours, sandcastle-building contest, archery, fish-cleaning demonstration, educational sessions and a program on wetland habitats. Help keep the shorelines beautiful for everyone and assist with shore cleanup from 12:30-2 p.m. Visitors can also attend, for a small fee, a fish fry from …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Registration opens June 5 for the sesquicentennial event “150 years of Nebraska Storytelling: a Conference Celebrating Nebraska History through Literature,” which will be held at Ponca State Park on Aug. 6-8. This event invites participants to explore Nebraska history and the art of storytelling through a series of educational experiences, including author presentations, writer’s workshops, American Indian perspectives and more. It will include more than 15 authors from a variety of genres with a deep connection to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials have confirmed that a male mountain lion killed a calf near Hay Springs in Sheridan County. The owner of the land where the calf was killed contacted Game and Parks officials on May 30 after finding the carcass. Game and Parks representatives examined the carcass and immediate vicinity the following day. The condition of the carcass suggested a high probability that a mountain lion was responsible. The landowner and Game and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The west entrance road into Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Lancaster County has reopened now that high water has receded. Peru Boat Ramp in Nemaha County and Schilling WMA in Cass County remain closed. Water is receding at Peru and Schilling is expected to open in a few days.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The boat ramp at Buckskin Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has closed temporarily following a delay. The existing boat ramp will be replaced and concrete parking pads will be added. 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 in Dixon County. For more information, contact the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Pete Ricketts celebrated Nebraska Bird Month with a group of 5-year-olds from Trinity Infant and Child Care Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, May 30. On a sunny morning, Gov. Ricketts led about 20 students on a walk in which they looked for and identified birds. Following the bird watching event, he read a book about birds to the students. “Spending time in nature is great way to get young children to ask questions and think critically,” …