LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to six state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on Independence Day, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Those visitors should use extra caution with fireworks where extremely dry conditions and high fire hazard exist. Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee SRA near Emerald and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will permit fireworks from …

LINCOLN, Neb. – July 5 is the final day hunters may enter the Nebraska Super Tag Lottery. The prize: a four-species permit, which will be drawn July 26. A nonrefundable $25 lottery application fee gives hunters the opportunity to win a tag that is valid in 2013 and 2014 and has a bag limit of one elk of either sex, one deer of either sex, one antelope of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – It is natural for some people who see a young wild animal apparently abandoned by its mother to want to rescue it. The correct course of action is to leave it alone. Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: — A lone fawn, or other young bird or mammal, may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding or drinking. Do not move it. The longer …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is honoring volunteer hunter education instructors who have provided training of novice hunters for at least 20 years. The following instructors, with years of service, are being recognized in June and July, and each will receive a certificate and gift from an area conservation officer: 22 Years – Dale G. DeLamotte, Doniphan; Gary E. Howey, Hartington. 21 Years – Robert L. Brammeier, Sterling; Jill L. Dahl, Grand Island; John J. Eskins …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Landowners can learn more about the Crop Stubble Management, Wildlife and Water Conservation Program at www.stubbleforwildlife.com. They then have until June 14 to enroll in the program that pays them for keeping their wheat and milo stubble tall during the coming harvest. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is enrolling tall wheat and milo stubble into the program for three years. The program is offered in the Upper Niobrara-White, North Platte, South Platte, Twin Platte, Upper Republican, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Evan Reinke of Davenport scored 404 of a possible 440 points to win the Nebraska High School 3-D Archery Tournament June 8 in Norfolk. He captured the senior compound title along the way. The competition consists of an archer shooting at one or two different 3-D animal targets at each of 20 stations. The event was held at the Norfolk Archery Range. Sixty-two youths competed. Grant Brussen of Randolph was the senior traditional champion with 345 points. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The deadline has been extended to June 14 for landowners who wish to enroll in a program that pays them for keeping their wheat and milo stubble tall during the coming harvest. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is enrolling tall wheat and milo stubble into the Crop Stubble Management, Wildlife and Water Conservation Program for three years. The program is being offered in the Upper Niobrara-White, North Platte, South Platte, Twin Platte, Upper Republican, Middle Republican, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have completed angler access improvements at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County. Improvements were made for fishing access on four of the refuge’s nine lakes open to fishing. Clear Lake – The existing sand and rock boat ramp was replaced with a 70-foot concrete ramp extending into the lake. Also added was a removable 60-foot steel dock that is accessible for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Some Nebraska dove hunters will be asked to participate in the National Dove Hunter Survey. Hunters will begin seeing surveys in the mail later in June. The national survey will ask dove hunters to share their experiences and opinions about dove hunting. Topics will include learning about hunter characteristics, time spent hunting, hunters’ perceived constraints to hunting, and thoughts about potential effects of spent lead from hunting ammunition on mourning doves and other wildlife. Only a random …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With growing concerns over aquatic invasive species, new regulations are in place to restrict the movement of baitfish collected in eastern Nebraska. It is now illegal for an individual or bait dealer to transport away from the Missouri River any baitfish collected on the Missouri downstream of Gavins Point Dam and all other rivers and streams east of U.S. Highway 81 from the South Dakota border to York, north of Interstate 80 from York to Lincoln and …