An Act of Devotion Nebraska Game and Parks district offices get many calls about wildlife. The call I received about stranded baby barn owls was no exception. A rural family was getting ready to tear down a dilapidated barn on their property when they noticed a baby owl peering over a ledge near the rafters. True stewards of wildlife, they called their local Nebraska Game and Parks office to find out what they could do. Typically, this type of information …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area was slated to close on Sept. 9, 2020 for upgrades to campground amenities. The campground will now temporarily close for public access beginning on Sept. 28, 2020 due to a delay in construction. Cedar View Campground, located about 15 miles west of Kingsley Dam on Highway 92, will be available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis until Sept. 28. Upgrades to the campground will include the …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Cedar View Campground at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area will close temporarily for upgrades to campground amenities. Cedar View Campground, located about 15 miles west of Kingsley Dam on Highway 92, will temporarily close for public access beginning on Sept. 9, 2020. The upgrades will include the installation of a replacement shower and restroom facility and accessible campsites. In the event that the campground may be re-opened safely during or between construction projects, the Nebraska Game …

Cicada killer wasps will start emerging from the ground anytime, but these docile wasps only have one thing on their minds: Seeking out cicadas. Found across the U.S., these native wasps start to appear in mid-to-late July through August in Nebraska. Cicada killer wasps are approximately 2 inches long with black and yellow on their abdomens and amber-colored wings. When you hear male cicadas begin singing to attract their mates, the adult cicada killer wasps will start to emerge from …

Big Changes at the Big Lake Nearly everything about Lake McConaughy is big. At 30,000 surface acres, it is Nebraska’s largest reservoir, its dam is among the largest of its kind in the world, and its fish grow to trophy proportions, accounting for several state records. Even its nickname, “Big Mac,” reflects its size. Located 8 miles northeast of Ogallala, Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area is known to most Nebraskans and residents of neighboring states as a great place for …

This time of year is great for exploring and discovering nature’s wonders that can go unnoticed when we don’t take time to slow down. On a recent afternoon walk around a pond, I noticed a huge school of baby bass swimming along the shoreline, hiding in the aquatic vegetation and, off in deeper water was a large, adult male bass working hard to ward off possible predators of this swarm of babies. After watching for several minutes, I had to …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Surplus catchable-size rainbow trout were stocked in Frenchman Wildlife Management Area pond #1 north of Palisade on May 20. These hatchery-raised trout are stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. A good production year has left Rock Creek Hatchery with 675 extra rainbow trout that will provide local anglers the opportunity to bag a new species. This one-time stocking will enhance fishing opportunities this spring at Frenchman …

In the summer, cooking with a Dutch oven outside prevents me from having to heat up the house, and while camping, it allows me to cook a homemade meal. Here are my tips on using and maintaining cast iron cookware for outdoor use. Dutch ovens come in many sizes. I recommend an 8-inch oven to feed two or three people, a 10-inch oven for four and a 12-inch oven for six. For outdoor cooking, buy an oven with three 1-inch …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – In a proactive state and national effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ensure the health of its customers and staff, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is closing the public crane viewing blind at North River Wildlife Management Area north of Hershey. The Commission aims to protect its staff and customers by removing opportunities for crowds to gather at facilities and events and by maintaining clean areas that are available to the public. …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – The works of three Nebraska photographers and artists are on display through April 11 at Ash Hollow State Historical Park in Garden County. Renowned nature photographer Michael Forsberg of Lincoln, artist Jean Jensen of Lewellen and photographer Kylee Warren of Lewellen will exhibit their work. The displays are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday, or by appointment. Michael Forsberg’s imagery of wildlife and landscapes has long been revered for …