LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and state park and recreation area lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. Cutthroat and tiger trout stockings also are scheduled for a select number of water bodies. Stocking schedules can change on short notice for a variety of reasons. The following is a tentative rainbow trout stocking schedule, including quantities: Week of Sept. 27 …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks, as well as Schramm Park State Recreation Area. Successful applicants will be issued a special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on certain dates using specific equipment. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an orientation session to receive the access permit. Applications, limited to one …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will lower the water level at Wagon Train Reservoir 8 feet in preparation for the maintenance of the sediment basins later this fall. Visitors can expect the boat ramp and construction areas to be closed. The reservoir has experienced the degrading effects of sedimentation and the nutrients that come with it. That combination partially has been responsible for blue-green algae blooms in recent years. The project will reestablish the sediment dike …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The visitor center and cave at Ash Hollow State Historical Park are closed through Oct. 1 due to a staffing shortage. They will reopen at 10 a.m. Oct. 2. The grounds of the historical park will remain open for visitors to enjoy hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching and other activities. Ash Hollow’s fall hours of operation for the visitor center and cave are Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They will close for the season Nov. 1. Tours can be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s fall wild turkey season begins Sept. 15, giving hunters a chance to harvest two turkeys on a single permit. Turkey hunting can be combined with big game, upland game, waterfowl or fishing for a true Nebraska mixed bag adventure. Fall turkey permits are valid statewide, cost just $8 for youth age 15 and younger, and allow hunters the option of harvesting with either a bow or shotgun. Fall hunters can buy up to two turkey permits, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Family Aquatic Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 6, because of a lifeguard shortage. Additionally, guests visiting state park areas for the holiday weekend should be mindful that continued staffing shortages may result in additional wait times for services, including cabin check-ins and park permit sales. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to check the status of activities and to buy park entry permits in advance. Within the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – In 2019, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launched a tool to help landowners address deer populations on their property. To keep hunter information current for landowners, all hunters must register in the program annually. Hunters can register now for 2021. In 2022, the annual registration will begin Aug. 1. Hunters are limited to registering for five counties they are willing to hunt. Hunters also must list their city and state of residence. Game and Parks’ Antlerless …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is the mixed-bag capital of the Great Plains, and another fall of diverse upland bird hunting opportunities awaits hunters. According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2021-22 Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook, nesting conditions were favorable during May and early June but increasingly dry conditions during late summer may have affected brood survival and limited re-nesting opportunities in certain areas. Still, upland hunters willing to adapt to the changing conditions should find success this season. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with AKRS Equipment Solutions, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Heartland DSC, is launching its third Take ’em Hunting challenge to hunters starting Sept. 1. Participants are encouraged to introduce someone new to hunting during the 2021-2022 hunting seasons, and then upload a photo of their trip to the Game and Parks website. Those who do will be registered to win prizes, including …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The meeting for the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and State Recreation Area draft master plan has been rescheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 23. The public meeting will be via Zoom. Participants will be required to register at outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillranch or outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillsra. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is developing a master plan to improve the two state parks in North Platte. The master plan covers potential new development, programming and recreational activities that …