NGPC News

LINCOLN – Spending a day on the ice with family and friends can be a fun way to enjoy a day over the holidays. Recent warmer temperatures, wind and rain may have degraded ice conditions in some areas of the state. Because of that, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission warns ice anglers to use extreme caution when venturing onto the ice. The minimum ice thickness for supporting ice fishing is at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice. Game …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) events and important dates in January. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Jan. 1 – First Day Hike, Ponca State Park (SP), Ponca; Platte River SP, Louisville; Chadron SP, Chadron; Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland; Buffalo Bill Ranch State Recreation Area (SRA), North Platte; Fremont Lakes SRA, Fremont; Wildcat Hills SRA, Gering; Ash …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn tree piles, as weather and snow cover allows, at several sites across the state. Tree piles are created by the removal of invading trees in grassland or timber stands or from trees damaged in wildfires or storms. Removal of these piles will open grasslands and timber for continued management It also will eliminate a wildfire fuel source and sites conducive to the germination of noxious and invasive plants. Late-season timber …

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Tourism Commission and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invite teams of runners and ambitious individuals to participate in the second Cowboy Ultra on May 20-21. This is a race in which solo runners and relay teams trek the entire 191 miles of the Cowboy Trail from Valentine to Norfolk. “After last year’s success, we knew we needed to again give people the opportunity to do this adventure run,” said Nebraska Tourism Commission Ecotourism Consultant Alex Duryea. …

LINCOLN — The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District has resumed pumping operations into Elwood Reservoir as part of efforts to utilize excess flows in the Platte River for groundwater recharge in and adjacent to Central’s irrigation service area. Central reminds people who use the lake for winter recreation that ice conditions can be affected by rising water levels as more water is pumped into the lake. Extreme caution should be used, particularly by ice fishermen venturing onto the …

The Christmas spirit is alive and well at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center thanks to the archers and firearm shooters that frequent the center.  The holiday decorations went up the week of Thanksgiving, with a new twist this year.  The annual Christmas tree was adorned with tags from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. The tags supplied by the Salvation Army of Lincoln identify needs of area children as well as some Christmas gift ideas.  Individuals can …

LINCOLN – Due to inclement weather, all holiday activities Dec. 17 at Platte River State Park scheduled for 3 p.m. and later have been cancelled. This includes the yule log quest and hayrack rides. Events scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. will continue as planned, including kids’ crafts, visits with Santa and marshmallow roasting. The Scott Lodge Restaurant will remain open. A park entry permit is required.

LINCOLN – This holiday season, give someone you love the gift of the outdoors with lifetime permits and stamps. Order now to take advantage of current prices; new pricing will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. The permits and stamps offer virtually unlimited recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and eliminate the need to purchase annual hunting (small game) and fishing permits. Lifetime permit options include hunt, fish, hunt/fish combination, and fur harvest; stamps include habitat and migratory waterfowl. They are …

LINCOLN – Valentine-area residents with proper authorization will be allowed to collect firewood at Government Canyon on the Valentine State Fish Hatchery from Jan. 1-31, 2017. Non-commercial firewood users who receive permission from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be allowed to cut any dead timber that is down in the area only during January. Those with an authorization form will receive a map of the area open for cutting and vehicle access. They also will be encouraged to …

LINCOLN – Consider supporting Nebraska wildlife and habitat conservation in your holiday giving this year. Since 1984, tax-deductible donations to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund have helped the thousands of nongame species that call Nebraska home. Your contribution will assist the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in protecting species like the swift fox, northern river otter and peregrine falcon through research, habitat restoration, public awareness programs and more. Donated dollars have a big impact, since Wildlife Conservation Fund dollars are …