LINCOLN, Neb. – An aerial survey of the Rainwater Basin in south-central Nebraska on Sept. 5 revealed generally dry conditions, with the best water conditions located in southern Clay County. “Water conditions are slightly better than last year,” said Mark Vrtiska, waterfowl program manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “But there are still some portions that are very dry and will take a lot of rain to put water in them. Southern York and Fillmore counties are really …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A Denton man and his son were injured in a hunting incident Sept. 1 at Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County. Francisco Barbosa Almazan, 27, and his 8-year-old son were hurt while hunting doves. Both took pellets to the face from the shotgun of 23-year-old Arturo Garcia of Omaha, who was hunting in the same area. Garcia swung on a dove, shot, and struck the victims. Almazan was treated and released from Bryan LGH Medical …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The application period for mountain lion hunting permits in the Pine Ridge Unit is Sept. 3-30. The first person drawn from applications for the Pine Ridge Unit will be issued a permit to harvest a mountain lion during Season 1 or Season 2. The next 100 persons drawn will be issued permits for Season 2. Season 1 is Jan. 1-Feb. 14, and Season 2 is Feb. 15-March 31. The application fee is $15. Apply at Nebraska Game …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners approved regulations for the 2013 waterfowl hunting seasons Aug. 30 at their meeting in Valentine. The regulations include increases in daily bag limits for teal (four to six), canvasbacks (one to two) and Canada geese (three to five), as well as a decrease in daily bag limit for scaup (six to two). The possession limit for migratory game birds increases from two times the daily bag limit to three …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering $100,000 in marketing grants to promote outdoor recreation. The grants are for communities, groups, organizations, public-private partnerships, nongovernment agencies or political subdivisions looking for help in promoting outdoor recreation. “Outdoor recreation is a major industry in Nebraska with an annual economic impact of more than a $1.7 billion,” Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas said. “The Outdoor Recreation Marketing Grant Program will help communities and regions promote their outdoor …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A Small Game Hunter’s Workshop and Rimfire Sight-In will be held Sept. 11 at the Lincoln Izaak Walton League Clubhouse and Range. The event begins with a rimfire rifle sight-in at 6 p.m. Participants must provide their own firearm and ammunition. At 7:30 p.m., the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Hunter Education team will discuss small game opportunities, hunting techniques, equipment and calling. Space is limited. Visit HuntSafeNebraska.com to register. The Izaak Walton League is located a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners announced on Aug. 30 the temporary closure of all services and vehicle access to 24 state recreation areas (SRA) and five state historical parks (SHP). The purpose of the closures is to redirect Game and Parks staff from the closed areas in an effort to reduce the more than $30 million of identified deferred maintenance needs of an aging Nebraska State Park System and meet compliance with the Americans …

LINCOLN, Neb. – 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. Thirty-eight hunters will be chosen from a random drawing in early October and allowed to hunt deer on designated PRRA lands Nov. 16-24. Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted by mail or in person at the Game and Parks service center in Kearney …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for free archery and free food during Families on Target night Aug. 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Lincoln Archery Park. There will be target, 3-D animal targets and the new aerial archery machine, which allows participants to shoot foam discs out of the sky. The Lincoln Prairie Bowmen Archery Club will serve hot dogs and drinks. Participants may bring their equipment, but loaner equipment will be available. Visit huntsafenebraska.gov …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wildlife numbers are generally lower compared to a year ago, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s July Rural Mail Carrier Survey. The 2012 drought affected wildlife across the state, exacerbated by habitat loss caused by emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program land in all counties. In general, statewide indices for pheasant, turkey, grouse, cottontail and jackrabbit were lower in 2013 than in 2012. Although some of these species experienced regional increases, overall, the …