NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Conservation officers with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conducted special enforcement patrols during the summer on state recreation areas in Lancaster County. These efforts were designed to help ensure users have a safe and enjoyable experience on Commission-managed areas. Enforcement efforts aimed to reduce serious and fatal vehicle and boat accidents resulted in two arrests for driving under the influence, three for boating under the influence, 23 citations for drug possession, four for driving during suspension, …

GERING, Neb. – Homeschool and preschool students will learn about the great outdoors with a nine-month series of free educational programs getting underway at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center this month. The programs will tackle a new topic each month with age-appropriate material. Programs for homeschool students will be the second Tuesday of each month and a program of a similar topic will be presented for preschool students the following day. Amanda Filipi, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor education …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With warm temperatures stretching into mid-September, there are still opportunities for dove hunting in Nebraska. Cold fronts tend to spur migratory doves to move through Nebraska, said Jeff Lusk, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The warm temperatures that Nebraska has experienced recently have likely encouraged migratory mourning and white-winged doves to stay a bit longer. Those hunting doves should take care to hunt safely and legally: — It is unlawful to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Stagecoach Reservoir will be drawn down this fall for the construction of a new boat launch facility. In addition, the fishery will be renovated and a public salvage will be allowed. A 10-foot drawn-down will allow for the construction of a new, lighted boat ramp, gravel kayak launch, and a new breakwater to protect the ramp and increase access for shoreline anglers. Stagecoach’s fishery has been degraded by the presence of common carp and gizzard shad. The …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Owners of small pets are reminded to be vigilant to protect them from possible coyote encounters. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission suggests people should haze coyotes away whenever possible to keep them wild and afraid of humans. The following steps will help keep pets safe: — Do not approach or feed a coyote or other wildlife. — Do not leave pet food outside. — Keep pets on a leash, and do not let them roam at …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The construction of a new boat-launch facility at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area’s Main Landing has begun. The Main Landing area will be closed temporarily. Reservoir water levels are typically at their lowest now, following irrigation season. This will facilitate the construction of the new ramp, as well as a protective rock breakwater adjacent to the parking area for the old high-water ramp. Construction will continue into mid-October as the reservoir refills. An alternate fish-cleaning station is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s fall wild turkey season begins Sept. 15, giving hunters a chance to harvest two turkeys on a single permit. Nebraska offers unlimited and affordable permits (youth permits are just $8) and a long season (through Jan. 31). Each hunter can buy up to two permits. Turkeys can be found in every county of the state, and hunters will find opportunities on more than 500,000 acres of public and public access land in Nebraska. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey or …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert remains in effect for Bluestem Lake in Lancaster County. During water testing, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in Bluestem Lake. Visitors to Bluestem State Recreation Area should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and not allow …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters may enter a lottery to gain deer hunting access to Platte River Recreation Access (PRRA) lands in the central Platte River Valley, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Fifty-six hunters will be chosen from a random drawing in early October and allowed to hunt deer on designated PRRA lands Nov. 16-19. Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted by mail or in person at the Game and Parks service center in Kearney …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The northern third of Langdon Bend Wildlife Management Area (WMA), on the riverward side of the levee, is closed until further notice. That portion of the WMA, located east of Auburn along the Missouri River in Nemaha County, is closed for safety reasons because of a bank-widening project. “Langdon is a large WMA and still offers excellent hunting opportunity on a major portion of the area still open to public access,” said Mike Remund, Nebraska Game and …