LINCOLN – New options are available for people who want to become certified in hunter education in Nebraska. These options are designed to make the course accessible to more people. There now are two certification options for both firearm and bowhunter education for each of two age groups. People age 11 to 15 may complete hunter education (firearm or bow) either by taking a traditional 10-hour classroom course or by taking an online course followed by participation in a two-hour …

LINCOLN – Results of a survey indicate that northern bobwhite populations appear to be continuing their rebound in Nebraska following the severe winters of 2009-2010 and the severe drought of 2012-2013. The observed increases of abundance from this summer’s northern bobwhite (quail) whistle count also imply that the population was not further set back by the heavy rains in May and June this year. In 2015, the average number of male bobwhites heard calling per stop statewide – and in …

LINCOLN – Omaha families can join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for an evening of fun at a Family Fishing Event on Aug. 6 at Carter Lake. The Family Fishing Trailer will be parked near the south parking lot on the east side of the lake, off Abbott Drive. The event runs from 6-8 p.m. Family Fishing Events provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in years to learn and enjoy …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has opted not to renew its lease for the Valentine Maintenance office. The office, located at 420 E. 1st St. in Valentine, will close immediately. Game and Parks plans to move the office to Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area southwest of Valentine. Parks Division offices will be temporarily moved to the Valentine Fish Hatchery. Personnel from the Valentine Maintenance office are responsible for operation and maintenance of Game and Parks facilities at …

LINCOLN – Grant Pavelka and Tyler Rowland of the North Platte Bass Bosses caught a five-fish limit weighing 9.86 pounds to capture the Nebraska High School Fishing Championship on July 25 at Lewis and Clark Lake near Crofton. The winning team’s largest bass weighed 2.35 pounds. Ben Pavelka was the team’s coach and boat operator. Rees Cudaback and Eli Leggett of the Millard North Mustangs took second place with three fishing weighing 5.84 pounds. Zane Leibhart and Brent Bergman of …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln will offer special shooting rates at the indoor shooting park each Friday in July and August. The center will offer shooting for $5 per half hour per lane all day on Fridays. The special is designed for those who have their own equipment. Additionally, the outdoor education center will offer rifle rental and 25 rounds of ammunition for $5 on Fridays. The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in August: Aug. 1 – Squirrel season opens Aug. 1 – Grand opening of Danish Alps State Recreation Area (SRA), Hubbard, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 402-632-4109 Aug. 1 – Discover the Real Missouri River, Niobrara State Park (SP), Niobrara, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 402-857-3373 Aug. 1 – State Games of America Adventure Race, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Platte River SP, Schramm Park SRA, sga2015.com Aug. …

LINCOLN – Life at an 1820s military post will be depicted at Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (SHP) on Aug. 1-2. Rooms in the fort will be open for viewing from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and interpreters in period clothing will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate various skills and crafts of that time period. Demonstrations will include the trades of blacksmithing, carpentry, tinsmithing and coopering, as well as crafts such as quilting, spinning and …

LINCOLN – Nebraska residents may apply for a bighorn sheep lottery permit through Aug. 7. One lottery permit will be issued in 2015. Residents who will be at least 12 years of age by the opening day of the bighorn sheep season may apply. Residents may apply once per calendar year and may receive one permit per lifetime. The nonrefundable application fee is $25. Nonresidents are not eligible. Applications must be received in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Lincoln …

LINCOLN – Families who come to Indian Cave State Park on July 25 will have another chance to celebrate the holidays with the second annual Campfire Christmas in July. Several events for all members of the family are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Campers will decorate their campsites for a chance to win free camping. There will be a Yule Log Quest, Outdoor Vendor and Craft Market, tree decorating, ceramic Christmas ornament painting, visit from Santa Claus, horse-drawn …