NGPC News

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in September: Aug. 26-Sept. 5 – Nebraska State Fair, Grand Island Sept. 1 – Hunting seasons open for cottontail, jackrabbit, dove, snipe, grouse, rail, raccoon and opossum Sept. 1 – Archery, Season Choice, River Antlerless Private Lane Only, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Youth, and Landowner deer hunting seasons open Sept. 1 – Niobrara-Verdigre High School Cross Country Invitational, …

LINCOLN – Organizers of the River Valley Artisans and Craft Market, set for Nov. 5-6 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, are seeking vendors to display and sell handmade arts and craft items. This popular event, to be held at Peter Kiewit Lodge, offers vendors a unique opportunity to present their work to the public. Patrons can enjoy food at the Lodge Restaurant and start their holiday shopping with handmade gift options. Art from a wide variety of mediums is …

LINCOLN – A health advisory remains in effect for a second week at Branched Oak and Pawnee lakes in Lancaster County. Additionally, an advisory is in effect at Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County. During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated levels of toxic blue-green algae at the lakes. Visitors to Branched Oak, Pawnee and Willow Creek state recreation areas should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission adopted fee increases to some permits and stamps at its meeting Aug. 18 in Broken Bow. Fee increases, which will take effect with 2017 permits, were approved for several permits, including hunting, big game, fishing, and paddlefish, as well as for habitat, aquatic habitat and Nebraska migratory waterfowl stamps. Some issuing and application fees also were increased. To see a list of fee changes, go to OutdoorNebraska.org/FeeChanges. Proposed increases to park entry …

LINCOLN – Learn about the birds that may be found at Fremont State Recreation Area during a guided birding walk Aug. 20. The walk will begin at 8 a.m. at Brick’s Bay Beach on Lake 10. The trip will take birders to the Lake 11 boat ramp and back, a distance of about 1 mile. Birders can bring binoculars and a field guide or use a smartphone birding app. For more information, call the park at 402-727-2922, and visit Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov …

LINCOLN – Bring the family to Ponca State Park on Aug. 20 for a day full of fun and educational activities. Kids can participate in introductory courses on archery, shotguns and fly fishing, learn about wildlife found along the Missouri River, and discover interesting things about insects while they decorate their own “bug visors.” The entire family can learn everything there is to know about the Ponca State Park with a hayrack tour of the park. A park permit is …

LINCOLN – An aquatic habitat improvement project has begun at Bowman Lake, just west of Loup City in Sherman County. Bowman Lake has long suffered from poor aquatic habitat conditions resulting in mediocre fishing opportunities. This rehabilitation project is designed to increase lake depth, deepen channels that connect main pools of water, and reduce excessive aquatic vegetation. In addition, shorelines will be reshaped to make them friendlier to anglers. An Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible fishing dock and concrete boat ramp …

LINCOLN – Enjoy learning more about leather at a presentation by Tandy Leather at Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA) on Aug. 20. Presenters will talk about the various uses for leather and help participants make a cowhide bookmark to take home. This family-friendly presentation will start at 6:30 p.m. at the picnic shelter between the concession stand and the Lakeside campground. Two Rivers SRA is located near Waterloo in Douglas County. Contact the park at 402-359-5165 for more information. …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will return to the Nebraska Building for the 2016 Nebraska State Fair with a full schedule of fun activities for the entire family. Popular features and activities include an indoor archery range, indoor air gun range, kids’ Nerf gun range, 6,000-gallon aquarium featuring Nebraska fish, indoor meandering stream, kids’ games, demonstrations and more. New this year is an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible outdoor sky fort, a playground that gives kids the opportunity …

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect at Branched Oak and Pawnee lakes in Lancaster County. During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated levels of toxic blue-green algae at the lakes. Visitors to Branched Oak and Pawnee state recreation areas 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. The lakes will be tested weekly through the summer …