LINCOLN, Neb. – The Cowboy Poetry and Music Jam, scheduled for Feb. 12 at Bowring Ranch State Historical Park, has been canceled because of weather conditions. The event might be rescheduled. The park is located north of Merriman in Cherry County.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ice fishing is a fun way to spend time with family and friends. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages fishermen to be cautious of conditions before venturing onto the ice. Late-season ice fishing means conditions can vary greatly on a lake. During this time of year, run-off could open areas in lakes, springs could deteriorate ice and melting could occur along the edge of lakes, especially along the north shoreline. The minimum ice thickness for supporting …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Escape the hustle and bustle this year and spend Valentine’s Day in a relaxed setting at a Nebraska state park or recreation area. Several parks will be offering discounted lodging, gift packages, special dinners and birding tours. Reserve a cabin or lodge room at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) between Feb. 10-14 (Friday through Tuesday) and add a Valentine package to your reservation. Reservations on Monday and Tuesday are at a 30 percent discounted rate. Gift …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Mormon Island State Recreation Area near Doniphan has reopened to the public. Late last week, an ice jam on the Platte River led to flooding in parts of the recreation area, and the campground lost power. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials on Feb. 3 closed the area until further notice. On Feb. 7, officials decided to reopen the park after flood waters receded and power to the campground was restored. Just off Interstate 80, Mormon Island …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Owen Crossing Bridge at Platte River State Park will be temporarily closed for maintenance Feb. 13 – March 31. The hike-bike trail bridge in the northeast portion of the park spans Decker Creek. The closure will temporarily cut off access to the trails in the Sjogren wildlife track. The park has several other trails that will not be affected. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is surveying hunters and other interested parties about their views and preferences as part of an evaluation of upland game shooting hours. To take the survey, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/shootinghourssurvey. In addition, anyone who purchased a hunting (small game) license in 2016 and did not receive an invitation to participate in the annual hunter success survey can access it at OutdoorNebraska.gov/huntersuccesssurvey. Shooting hours are the time of day when legal hunting can start …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Big game hunters had a record year in Nebraska in 2016 with all-time high harvest marks set for mule deer bucks, cow elk and total elk. Deer – A total of 58,126 deer were harvested in 2016, including 11,184 mule deer. Mule deer buck harvest increased 4 percent to 9,257, breaking the previous record set in 2009. Record mule deer buck harvest occurred in the Frenchman, Plains, Platte and Upper Platte units. Whitetail harvest totaled 46,942 deer, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information regarding the theft of ladder-style trees stands and lifelines in Lancaster County. Two Gorilla tree stands and five Hunter Safety System Lifelines were stolen on or about Jan. 20 from private land outside of Lincoln on Northwest 48th Street. The land is used for Nebraska Game and Parks’ Youth Mentored Hunt Program. Mentors in the program discovered the missing items following the recent close of the deer season. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) events and important dates in February. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Feb. 1-2 – Growing Up WILD workshop, Grand Island Feb. 3, 10, 17 – Beginner Muzzleloader, Wildcat Hills Shooting Sports Complex, Gering Feb. 4 – Birds and Binoculars, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Ashland Feb. 4 – Game Bird …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Treat yourself and your valentine to birding counts and hikes, breakfast and a scavenger hunt during Ponca State Park’s Birds and Breakfast event Saturday, Feb. 11. Cabin guests and birders can enjoy a breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and sausage links, which is free to cabin guests. Call the park at 402-755-2284 to register. The day’s activities also include Great Backyard Bird Count tours with an expert birder from the Loess Hills Audubon Society, a …