LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters are advised to be cautious and avoid heavy equipment performing wetland restoration work at Marsh Duck Wildlife Management Area in York County. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges the public to stay at least 200 yards from all equipment on the area for their and the equipment operator’s safety. Equipment also will be crossing County Road V adjacent to the Open Fields and Waters Program site just west of Marsh Duck. This project will improve …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans who want to donate or receive harvested deer can participate in the Deer Exchange. This program is designed to accommodate the additional harvest of deer. It brings together hunters who have a surplus of deer with recipients willing to accept the deer meat. The Deer Exchange, which is available annually from Sept. 1 through March 1, allows hunters and potential venison recipients to join a database and search for other participating parties in their area. Parties …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Nov. 2 – Dec. 9, 2020, for the 2021 hunting season. Permits are available only to Nebraska residents, who may have one permit per calendar year. The bag limit for each permit is one mountain lion of either sex. The 2021 Season 1 in the Pine Ridge Unit, which no longer is divided into subunits, will be Jan. 2-Feb. 28. Before Feb. 28, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters should expect to find pheasants in numbers similar or slightly higher than last year when the Nebraska pheasant, quail and partridge seasons open on Oct. 31. Pheasant counts were up 5% statewide, according to the July Rural Mail Carrier Survey. Notable increases were observed in the southwest and Panhandle, which should offer the best pheasant hunting opportunities and abundant public access. Quail counts during the July survey and the Whistle Count Survey were 14-16% lower compared …

LINCOLN, Neb. – November offers a variety of ways to learn about and enjoy the outdoors. Here are a few you can take advantage of: Nov. 3, 10, 17: College Night on the Range, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln – College students can work on their firearm or archery skills for a reduced price on Tuesday nights through the fall semester. Nov. 7-8: River Valley Artisan and Craft Market, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Ashland – Start …

LINCOLN, Neb. – As the weather turns cooler, Nebraskans are urged to check boats, boat lifts and docks for invasive species when removing them from water bodies for the winter. Damaging aquatic hitchhikers like zebra mussels can live up to two weeks out of water, and several lakes across the Midwest are first noticed to be infested by people removing boats, lifts and docks for the winter. Young zebra mussels – or veligers – are invisible to the naked eye …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Victoria Springs State Recreation Area campground is getting an electrical upgrade beginning at the end of October, causing potential campsite closures through the middle of November. The update is being made to 21 sites so each will be available for 50-, 30- and 20-amp service. The upgrade is expected be completed by mid-November. Visit the Custer County park or call 308-749-2235 to check campsite availability. An entry permit is required for each vehicle entering the park and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fort Kearny State Recreation Area campground is getting an electrical upgrade, causing potential modern campsite closures through November. The update is being made to 26 non-electrical sites so each will be available for 50- , 30- and 20-amp service. The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of November. Fort Kearny has 120 camping pads, which are a mix of electric and non-electric sites. Half of the sites are available for reservation while the others …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Deer are more active this time of the fall. Crops are being harvested and deer breeding season is in full swing. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has suggestions to help drivers avoid deer-vehicle accidents and lessen the risk of injury or vehicle damage. • During the breeding season, bucks become more active searching for does with which to breed. Bucks are bolder, less wary and more susceptible to collisions with vehicles. Deer movement peaks each day …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The recently released 2020-2021 Stubble Access Guide highlights more than 40,000 additional acres of wheat and milo stubble and adjacent upland habitat land open for public access hunting in western Nebraska. Wheat and milo stubble left tall after harvest provides fall and winter wildlife habitat and excellent hunting opportunities. Many stubble fields also include unfarmable pockets containing dense cover, which are often underutilized by hunters. After harvest each year, these fields are enrolled in Open Fields and …