LINCOLN – Nine hunting-related incidents were reported to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 2013, one of which resulted in a death. Four of the incidents involved the discharge of a rifle, four the discharge of a shotgun and one involved a fall from an elevated stand. Seven of the incidents, including the fatal one, involved one person shooting another. One incident involved a self-inflicted injury. Four incidents occurred while hunting upland birds, two while hunting big game, two …

LINCOLN – Pheasants Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host prescribed burn training workshops for landowners across the state in the coming weeks. Basic workshops are for beginning to intermediate burners and cover fire behavior, proper equipment and safety techniques, and ways to plan for burns to minimize risk. Advanced workshops will build on the basic trainings and be suitable for experienced burners seeking additional training in pre-planning and implementing a complex burn. Schedules for both basic …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors Jan. 23 in Bassett. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at American Legion Post 123, 201 E. Buchanan St. Register by Jan. 22 by visiting HuntSafeNebraska.org and clicking on the “Become a Volunteer” link about halfway down the page. Or visit the link directly at: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/programs/education/volunteer.asp Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov for more information.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn brush piles at several sites across the state, as weather allows. Brush piles are created by the removal of invading trees in grassland or timber stands, or from trees damaged in recent wildfires. Removal of brush piles will open grasslands and timber for continued management, eliminate a wildfire fuel source and eliminate sites conducive to the germination of noxious and invasive plants. The following list includes scheduled prescribed burns by …

LINCOLN – The 31st annual Animal Run in Feb. 1 in Hickman will support Wagon Train State Recreation Area (SRA). The annual fun run, sponsored by the Voice News, raises money for a different cause each year. Wagon Train SRA was damaged during a tornado last fall, and money raised will help fund rebuilding and cleanup efforts at the SRA, which is located 2 miles east of Hickman, in Lancaster County. The event will include a 5K fun run and …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners will consider a bonus point system for general bull elk permits when they meet Jan. 17 in Lincoln. If passed, the system would give people who have applied for a bull elk permit and been unsuccessful one or more years a better chance of drawing a permit. Beginning in 2014, a person would receive a bonus point each time he or she applies for but does not receive a permit. In subsequent …

LINCOLN – Nebraska is home to a wide variety of life – nearly 450 birds, 95 mammals, 106 fish, 60 amphibians and reptiles, more than 1,400 plants, and countless arachnids, invertebrates, fungi and bacteria. This biodiversity demonstrates the state’s variety of habitats and quality of land. A snapshot of Nebraska’s biodiversity is on display through March at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center with the Explore Nebraska’s Biodiversity exhibit. The exhibit includes a double-sided photographic mural featuring nearly 100 images of …

LINCOLN – More youth will be able to take part in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Mentored Youth Archery Program thanks to a donation of 23 gently used compound bows by Scheels All Sports in Lincoln. “It’s going to be a huge help,” said Aaron Hershberger, a Game and Parks outdoor education specialist who coordinates the Mentored Youth Archery Program. The program pairs youth interested in bowhunting with experienced archers. Many youth hunters take part in the program year …

LINCOLN – Spring turkey hunting permits for 2014 will be available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission starting at 1 p.m. Central Time on Jan. 13. Each spring turkey permit allows a hunter to take one male or bearded female turkey with bow and arrow in the archery season or with a shotgun in the shotgun season. A person may purchase up to three spring turkey permits. Archery season for youth and adults opens March 25. Shotgun season opens …

LINCOLN – Two mountain lions were harvested on Jan. 2 during Nebraska’s first regulated hunting season. Both hunters harvested male mountain lions. A male lion weighing 103 pounds was harvested in Sioux County and a male lion weighing 138 pounds was harvested in Dawes County. The hunt took place in the Pine Ridge Unit of northwest Nebraska. Season 1 ended with the harvest of two lions. The state’s inaugural season opened Jan. 1. Season 2 in the Pine Ridge Unit …