NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Catchable-size rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. A spinning or spin-cast rod and reel with a hook baited with a worm will work well. Add a split shot a couple of feet above the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider a staff recommendation to change sport fishing orders when it meets Oct. 18 in Omaha. The potential changes pertain to daily bag limits, possession limits, length limits and open areas. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites Husker Room, 11201 Davenport St. Also on the agenda are recommendations to: — amend wildlife regulations regarding requirements to obtain a raptor permit for wildlife abatement; …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Explore a unique way of enjoying the outdoors at a beginner’s nature journaling workshop Oct. 12 at Pfanny’s Farm in Randolph, Nebraska. “Keeping a nature journal is about discovery, or even rediscovery,” said wildlife educator Jamie Bachmann. “There are no rules to keeping a nature journal.” This free class will be held from 1-4 p.m. for anyone ages 8 and older. Registration is limited to 20 people. Journals will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will stock rainbow trout in the Panhandle in early October. Stockings of trout from the Rock Creek Fish Hatchery in Dundy County are scheduled for Oct. 2 at Morrill north (1,350 trout), south (400) and middle (450) ponds, Oct. 3 at Alliance’s Laing Lake (1,500), and at Bridgeport State Recreation Area’s northwest lake on Oct. 3 (500) and Oct. 8 (900). The Scottsbluff zoo pond (900) also will be stocked Oct. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Emily Eilers of Wayne hit 35 of 40 targets to win the overall championship Sept. 28 at the Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational at Pressey Wildlife Management Area south of Broken Bow. High Boy winner Gavin Carrizales of Scottsbluff had the second-highest score of the day at 34. High Girl winner Megan Vrbka of Staplehurst had a 33. The overall team championship went Western Nebraska Shooting Sports 4-H team of Scottsbluff, which hit 119 of 160 targets. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River State Parks (SP), as well as Schramm Park State Recreation Area (SRA). 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 in order to receive the access permit. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Walter Scott Jr. Observation Tower and surrounding trails at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park will be closed temporarily due to construction starting Oct. 1. The temporary closure will accommodate the painting of the tower and Riverview Event Center construction, a Venture Parks project scheduled for completion in the fall of 2020. The tower and trails will reopen at completion of the construction projects. For information about Mahoney State Park and upcoming activities, visit OutdoorNebraska.org.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Landowners have a new online tool available to them to address deer populations on their property. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Antlerless Hunter Database connects hunters who wish to harvest antlerless deer with landowners who are experiencing damage from deer on their property. Landowners and hunters are important to managing wildlife; together with Game and Parks, they are the driving force for wildlife conservation in Nebraska. Landowners provide habitat and access for hunting game species. Readily …

LINCOLN, Neb. – View work by nationally known artists from around the Midwest at the Autumn Harvest Art Show, scheduled for Oct. 5-6 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. This event, hosted by Prairie Images, will be held at the Peter Kiewit Lodge from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the following day. The works of art will include wildlife, landscape, cityscape, portrait, still life, Native American, Southwest, Americana and Impressionist paintings …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in October. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Oct. 1 – Waterfowl hunting workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln Oct. 1-31 – Paddlefish snagging season in specific area of Missouri River Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 – Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Codys’, Buffalo Bill State Historical …