LINCOLN, Neb. – Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Sarpy County is closed to vehicle access at the county road due to Missouri River flooding. Hunters can expect additional flooding on southeast Nebraska WMAs located along the Missouri River.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 28, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska. “Hunting and fishing are part of our history and legacy as Nebraskans,” Ricketts said before signing the proclamation at a news conference in his office. “This is something that is about our state and enjoying the natural beauty we have here. It is not only something that is part of our heritage as Nebraskans, it also is a big deal …

OMAHA – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops awarded Tanner Hess of Battle Creek, Nebraska, a brand new Bass Tracker Pro fishing boat during a ceremony Sept. 20 at Cabela’s in La Vista in celebration of the inaugural Take ’Em Fishing Challenge. Tanner’s name was drawn from those of 4,700 anglers who took part in the challenge between April 15 and Sept. 15, 2019. The Take ’Em Fishing Challenge invited experienced anglers to take a new …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With paddlefish snagging season set to begin Oct. 1, dangerous conditions will be occurring on the Missouri River below Gavin’s Point Dam due to high water releases. Outflows from Gavins Point Dam will be at or above 80,000 cubic feet per second for the entire month of October. The high outflows will cause turbulent and unpredictable water conditions on the river below Gavins Point Dam. All anglers, both in vessels and on the bank, should use extreme …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is now accepting scholarship applications to provide classrooms, afterschool programs, and assisted living facilities with supplies to participate in the 2019-2020 season of Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is an engaging winter-long (November-April) survey of birds that visit feeders across North America. Participants count the birds they see at their feeders and submit the information to the Project FeederWatch website. Collected information is used to better understand the winter distribution of birds. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Great outdoor opportunities await youth hunters this fall, as well as those who take them hunting. Youth waterfowl hunting begins Sept. 28-29 in Zones 2 and 4, Oct. 5-6 in Zone 1 and Oct. 19-20 in Zone 3. Duck hunting zones for youth waterfowl are the same as the regular duck season. The youth waterfowl season is for hunters age 15 and younger. No permit is required for resident youth. Youth hunters age 11 or younger must …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With more than 90 hands-on activities that showcase outdoor education, sports and recreation, there is something for everyone at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo Sept. 21-22 at Ponca State Park. Those who attend the expo will be able to try a variety of outdoor activities, including archery, kayaking, fishing and more. The expo will also include live wildlife exhibits, exhibition shooting, canine sports, a lumberjack show, live music and much more. New this year is an avian …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program has received two grants that will fund processing of 36 donated deer in 2019, but cash donations to support the program are greatly needed. Thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and a $750 grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – plus cash donations received through July 2019 – 375 deer can be processed in 2019. While this number is higher than it would be without …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Sept. 4-27 for the 2020 hunting season. Hunting will be allowed only in the Pine Ridge Unit of northwestern Nebraska, which has an established population that can sustain a harvest. Hunters may apply for a permit in either of two subunits: the South Subunit (south of U.S. Hwy. 20) or the North Subunit (north of U.S. Hwy. 20). A person may not submit …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainwater Basin wetlands observed during an aerial survey Aug. 29 are mostly full of water due to above-normal rainfall, so little pumping is planned, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Wetland conditions also are good throughout most of the rest of the state, resulting in excellent habitat for waterfowl and creating good opportunities for waterfowl hunters. Because of the rainfall, some parking lots and roads are in poor condition and some of the areas are …