LINCOLN – Experience the annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo on Sept. 19-20 at Ponca State Park for a fun, skill-building, educational and entertaining weekend for the family. This free event, which runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, offers visitors of all ages and experience levels the chance to try more than 85 hands-on outdoor activities and skills, including kayaking, fishing, archery, outdoor cooking, shooting sports and more. Outdoor educators give advice about topics such as selecting a tent or …

LINCOLN – A segment of the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail east of Oakdale in Antelope County is temporarily closed for repairs of damage from recent heavy rains. The trail approach to a bridge 3 miles east of Oakdale is washed out. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission trail personnel are working with local contractors to get the bridge and trail surface repaired. The public will be notified when the trail is re-opened. Trail users are advised to plan ahead and …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission voted today to enter a memorandum of understanding to work with five Nebraska Natural Resource Districts and the Nebraska Public Power District to take steps towards transfer of assets, including NPPD’s water appropriations on the Niobrara River, Spencer Hydro dam, and the lands and easements associated with the dam. The Commission voted to enter the memorandum of understanding during a special meeting at the Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. in Lincoln, …

LINCOLN – A historic agreement has been negotiated to preserve the future of the Niobrara River Basin between the Niobrara basin’s Natural Resource Districts (NRDs), the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Commission) and the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Formal action on a memorandum of understanding will be taken by each of the parties at their respective meetings today. Under the memorandum of understanding, the Commission and NRDs will work with NPPD to take steps towards transfer of assets, including …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will hold a special meeting on Sept. 10 in Lincoln to discuss a memorandum of understanding between the Commission, Nebraska Public Power District and the Niobrara River Basin Alliance regarding the Spencer hydro facility and associated water rights. The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the third-floor conference room at the Commission’s Lincoln headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St. There also will be a remote video conference location for the meeting in …

LINCOLN – The public is invited to an informational meeting regarding the importance of pollinators on Sept. 18 in Nebraska City. This free event will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Missouri River Visitors Center, 100 Valmont Drive. Discussion topics will include the benefits of pollinators, pollinators in the Midwest, importance of pollinator habitat, and programs to help pollinators. The meeting’s guest speakers will be Pete Berthelsen of Pheasants Forever Inc. & Quail Forever Inc., Erin …

LINCOLN – Novice hunters and trappers are the focus of free workshops the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hosting to help them prepare for the fall seasons. While these workshops are designed to improve confidence and expand knowledge for those with little to no experience, they are open to anyone interested in becoming more successful, regardless of skill level. Game and Parks specialists will cover successful strategies, equipment, biology, techniques and other topics. The workshops will run 6-8:30 p.m. …

LINCOLN – There is still time to take children fishing for stocked bullheads this summer. In fact, many anglers started their fishing careers catching bullheads at a young age. Black bullheads raised at the Valentine State Fish Hatchery were stocked Sept. 1 at the following state recreation areas, with quantities: Louisville Lake No. 2A, 518; Fremont Lake No. 3, 1,100; Two Rivers Lake No. 7, 501; and Two Rivers Lake No. 6, 1,209. These stocked bullheads are 7-10 inches in …

LINCOLN – Two mentored youth hunting programs are available this fall for recent Hunter Education graduates. These programs of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and partner organizations allow participants to take their new-found hunting and shooting skills into the field, paired up with adult mentors. These safe, educational programs help new hunters explore what it takes to become a successful hunter while learning about conservation, preparation and responsibility. The programs are: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Youth Mentored Hunt …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved recommendations for the 2015 waterfowl and crow hunting seasons at a meeting Aug. 28 in Burwell. The 2015 waterfowl and crow seasons are as follows: Duck and Coot Zone 1: Oct. 10-Dec. 22 Zone 2: Oct. 3-Dec. 15 in Low Plains and Oct.3-Dec. 15 and Jan. 6-27 in High Plains Zone 3: Oct. 24-Jan. 5 in Low Plains and Oct. 24-Jan. 5 and Jan. 6-27 in High Plains Zone 4: Oct. …