NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy an evening of food and outdoor recreation at Red Willow State Recreation Area’s Family Fun Nights. A typical Family Fun Night kicks off at 6 p.m. with a meal provided by the park – you roast the hot dogs. Events start at 7 p.m. and include kayaking, fishing and archery; all equipment is provided. Just before dark, everyone heads back to the campfire to finish off the evening with s’mores. Family Fun Nights will be held …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Youth ages 8-14 can make the most of their summer by attending summer day camps hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center. At these activity-filled camps, kids will have the opportunity to explore archery, campfire cooking, outdoor games and more. The following camps are accepting registrations: — Learn to Hunt Camp (June 18-20; July 1-3): Students will learn the fundamentals of safe and successful hunting, including hunting techniques, firearm handling and marksmanship, species identification …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The public is advised to avoid an area of the Elkhorn River in Dodge County where natural gas pipelines have become exposed after recent flooding. Northern Natural Gas will be replacing the pipelines, so the public is advised to avoid the river north of Highway 91 and south of County Road J through June 25. Northern says that neither the pipeline nor efforts to replace it pose a risk to public health and safety. However, any boating, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider a staff recommendation to approve a proposed 2020 mountain lion season when it meets June 21 in Alma. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at Alma Country Club, 102 Dick Brown Memorial Drive. A public hearing on the mountain lion recommendation will begin at 9:30 a.m. The proposed season would provide a harvest opportunity for up to eight mountain lions in two sub-units within the Pine Ridge of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – On May 31, Nebraska Big Game Society Board Members Jim King, Craig Hundt and Justin Hertzel presented a donation of $29,000 to Nebraska Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas. The Nebraska Big Game Society (NBGS) raises money through its membership dues and its fundraising spring auction and dinner. This check represented the sale of the Nebraska Resident Elk tag to the highest bidder. Additional funds raised are earmarked for other important Nebraska big game efforts. “We are …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Big fish in small waters. That’s what anglers can catch this month in urban ponds and lakes across the state. Greg Wagner, public information officer with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, says smaller fisheries often are overlooked, especially around Omaha. “Don’t forget that big fish do live in small waters,” he said. “Metro area anglers shouldn’t overlook what’s in their own backyard. Some of these fisheries are underutilized.” June is a month when the water warms, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ten anglers took home outdoor prizes in the first round of prize drawings for the Take ’em Fishing challenge, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and partners who have donated prizes. Anglers answered the challenge to take a new or lapsed angler fishing with them, for the chance at a range of prizes. To date, more than 700 photos of fishing trips have been submitted for contest entries. The winners are: Russell Banzhaf, Lincoln – …

MERRIMAN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reopened Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area. Park superintendent Diane Burress said visitors to the park should be cautious and choose camping areas wisely. Shallow water remains over the paved entrance road in places, and some camping areas are still flooded or muddy. Flooding prompted closure of the Sandhills park in late May.

CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State Park, which became Nebraska’s first state park in 1921, will celebrate its 98th anniversary with its annual celebration Saturday, June 8. New to the event this year is the Kiwanis Regatta canoe race, which is being moved from its usual date later in the summer. Registration begins at the park’s pond at 2 p.m. The Run for the Hills foot races, which include a 5k, 10k and a shorter fun-run or walk over the rugged …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Families can enjoy outdoor recreation and education at a series of events to be held this summer at Ponca State Park and Danish Alps State Recreation Area. Led by park naturalists, events can include outdoor activities such as kayaking, archery and fishing, and environmental education on outdoor topics ranging from outdoor survival to park wildlife. Guests will enjoy valuable hands-on learning opportunities for all ages, as well as an enjoyable time spent outdoors. Ponca State Park holds …