NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – One of the tallest climbing walls in the region is now open at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) near Ashland. Mahoney SP’s Venture Climb, housed in a new, state-of-the-art addition to the Activity Center, features a 42-foot climbing wall with both auto- and top-rope belays, as well as a bouldering structure. Climbers are treated to scenic views of the park through the facility’s floor-to-ceiling windows. “Mahoney State Park is becoming a destination for visitors who want …

LINCOLN, Neb. – After a markedly successful season, several teams took home prizes in the 2018 Great Park Pursuit challenge. Teams visited up to 20 Nebraska parks and areas of outdoor interest, logging their visits to enter drawings for various prizes. The Furr Fam team claimed the $1,500 grand prize, while other teams took home a $750 outdoor package, an iPad, and a two-night cabin stay in a Nebraska state park, among other prizes. New this year was the incorporation …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials have confirmed that a mountain lion reported within the city limits of Gordon was killed by the Gordon Police Department on the evening of Monday, Nov. 5. The response was consistent with Game and Parks’ policy for addressing occurrences of mountain lions in municipalities. The policy may be found in the Nebraska Mountain Lion Response Plan. The 55-pound male cat was approximately a year old. Gordon is located in northwestern Nebraska’s …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission stocked 900 rainbow trout at Crystal Springs Park in Fairbury on Nov. 6. The stocking by the Grove Trout Rearing Station in Royal had been delayed by the presence of fish-eating cormorants, which have since left the area. To locate past stockings, visit Game and Parks’ fish stocking database at outdoornebraska.gov/fishstockingprogram.

UNL students can now rent hunting equipment on campus. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now offering hunting equipment rentals at its Outdoor Adventure Center to any registered student on campus. In addition to bike, hike, camping, climbing and paddling gear, student hunters can now rent pop-up blinds, layout blinds, turkey decoy or waterfowl decoy combinations from the university for a small fee: $3 per day or $6 per weekend (3 days). The equipment is available through a grant partnership between …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s nine-day firearm deer season opens Nov. 10, giving individuals an opportunity to share a hunt with family or friends. As of Nov. 5, deer permits remain in the following management units: Blue Southeast, Buffalo Whitetail, Calamus East, Calamus West, Keya Paha, Loup East, Loup West, Missouri, Plains, and Platte Whitetail. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also reminds hunters: — Cash donations to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program are encouraged so it can continue …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The stocking of rainbow trout at Crystal Springs Park in Fairbury has been delayed until a population of cormorants departs the area. Once the fish-eating birds leave, the Grove Trout Rearing Station in Royal will contact city officials, likely next week, and schedule a date to deliver and stock 1,000 trout. To locate past stockings, visit the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s fish stocking database at outdoornebraska.gov/fishstockingprogram.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ten hunters have completed the Nebraska Upland Slam as of Oct. 30, conquering the challenge to harvest four species of upland game birds in the state. Those who have completed the Slam are: Patrick Breitkreutz, Ord; Mark Frickel, North Platte; Wayne Hahn, Aurora; Aaron Herring, Alma; Charles Krysl, McCook; John Laux, Alma; Ken Loth, Omaha; Glenn Obermeier, Aurora; Brad Snyder, Aurora; and Chris Varney, Ansley. The Nebraska Upland Slam concept is simple: Hunters must harvest a ring-necked …

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 November firearm deer season is one of the most anticipated times of the year for Nebraska hunters. Despite the many opportunities across the state to harvest a deer this season, hunter safety in the field remains critical. “Hunting remains one of the safest activities to participate in, but there are always a few key things to consider while afield,” said Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Jackson Ellis. — Always keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction, …