LINCOLN – With more than 85 hands-on activities showcasing outdoor education, sports and recreation, there is something for everyone at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo Sept. 17-18 at Ponca State Park. Those who attend the expo will be able to try a variety of outdoor activities, including archery, kayaking, fishing and more. The expo will also include live wildlife exhibits, exhibition shooting, a canine aquatics competition, a lumberjack show and much more. All activities are offered at no cost. A …

LINCOLN – The indoor firearm and archery ranges at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln will be closed to the public on Sept. 10 due to a private event. The outdoor archery range will be open from sunrise to sunset, as usual. The education center is located at 4703 N. 44th St. Aside from special closures, the indoor ranges are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s opening day of dove hunting season on Sept. 1 kicked off with many satisfied hunters afield. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s southeast district had plenty of hunters, especially on public ground. “There were bunches of hunters participating in the dove opener,” said Pat Molini, southeast district wildlife manager. “It used to be that an opener on a weekday had fewer dove hunters, but that has changed.” Molini said hunter success across his district varied from good …

LINCOLN – Hunters may enter a lottery to gain deer hunting access to Platte River Recreation Access (PRRA) lands in the central Platte River Valley, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Fifty-six hunters will be chosen from a random drawing in early October and allowed to hunt deer on designated PRRA lands Nov. 16-20. Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted by mail or in person at the Game and Parks service center in Kearney from …

LINCOLN — A health advisory has been lifted at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. The advisory was put in place after high levels of blue-green algae were detected at the lake. A health advisory related to blue-green algae remains in effect at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County, and a new health advisory has been issued for Rockford Lake in Gage County. Visitors to Willow Creek and Rockford lakes should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, …

LINCOLN – The conditions of wetlands across the state is varied, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. On Sept. 1, Game and Parks released a report on the status of Rainwater Basin wetlands, as well as pumping plans. While conditions were good in some areas, they were dry in others. “Conditions are generally good throughout much of the Sandhills and along the Platte River,” said Ted LaGrange, wetland program manager for the Commission. “However, the wetland water conditions …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s archery deer season opens Sept. 1 and hunters are reminded that they must check their harvested deer via Telecheck. The electronic checking service known as Telecheck will be available by both phone service at 844-279-4564 or online at OutdoorNebraska.gov/Telecheck starting Sept. 1. Telecheck allows hunters to check deer or antelope 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All deer harvested outside the November firearm season and all antelope harvested outside the October firearm season must be …

LINCOLN – Waterfowl hunters on state recreation areas (SRA) are reminded they may not shoot teal until Sept. 6, three days following the opening of the early teal season. The early teal season begins Sept. 3. SRA regulations prohibit any hunting until the Tuesday following Labor Day, which is Sept. 6. Regulations state the portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day through the end of the spring turkey hunting season, unless restricted. …

LINCOLN – Nebraska’s teal hunting season in the northern part of the state remains on an experimental basis this year. Continuation of that part of the state’s teal season in future years depends on hunters’ ability to distinguish teal from other duck species. During this experimental period, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is evaluating the rate at which nontarget species are shot at or taken in the northern part of the state. If the rate is considered unacceptable by …

LINCOLN – Even though summer is winding down, Nebraskans still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a fun day of boating. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers several reminders to help boaters have a safe day on the water. Wear a Life Jacket – Children under age 13 and anybody on a personal watercraft are required by law to wear a United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. People being towed by a boat on skis, a tube, or …