NGPC News

LINCOLN – Proper maintenance and care of fishing rods and reels can ensure that they are able to catch fish for several years. February is a good month to make sure the equipment is in good condition for the year. Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, has the following tips for maintaining rods and reels. — Clean the cork handle of a rod. Remove any dirt or discoloration. — Before cleaning a reel, …

LINCOLN – Agriculture producers are encouraged to visit their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to see what continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) opportunities are available. Continuous CRP is a great option for those areas of a farm that are underperforming or difficult to farm. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with other partners, offer a variety of additional incentives that can make continuous CRP a good business decision. There are practices available to fit every operation. Among them …

LINCOLN – Persons interested in pond and lake management are invited to a series of free workshops in March. The workshops are a joint effort of the Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The workshops are intended for landowners and others interested in learning about: — How lakes function in southeast Nebraska — Managing waters for fisheries — Lake management planning — Resolving common maintenance problems — Developing an individualized maintenance plan for …

The 1st Annual Women’s Wellness Weekend held at Ponca State Park on January 16-18 saw a tremendous turnout of 75 participants. The event featured a variety of seminars related to women’s wellness including exercise, nutrition, holistic health, and outdoor recreation. Guests participated in exercise sessions such as Zumba, Nia, yoga, and Pilates; wellness sessions included art therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbs, and meditation; and outdoor activities such as Dutch oven cooking, birding and hiking. Additional activities included Friday and Saturday night …

LINCOLN – Home-schooled students interested in learning or advancing their skills in archery are invited to an open house Feb. 19 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. The free open house is from 2-4 p.m. at the education center, which is located at 4703 N. 44th St. Equipment will be available for use. For more information, email ngpc.outdoored@nebraska.gov. The family-friendly education center is open to all shooters and archers and offers a wide range of …

LINCOLN – Learn how weather can impact the success of prescribed fires at upcoming workshops in Nebraska. National Weather Service meteorologists will discuss elements of fire weather, how to obtain a fire weather forecast, how to monitor weather during a prescribed fire, and an introduction to weather-monitoring devices. The workshops will be Feb. 10 at Wild Bill’s Wings and Bowling, 1100 S. Jeffers St., North Platte, 6 p.m.; Feb. 11 at Mid-Plains Community College, 2520 S. E St., Broken Bow, …

LINCOLN – Waterfowlers should be aware of two changes to this year’s Light Goose Conservation Order, which opens across the state on Feb. 9. There are three zones this year instead of two. In addition to the Rainwater Basin Zone in south-central Nebraska, there are West and East zones. Outside of the Rainwater Basin Zone, U.S. Highway 81 in eastern Nebraska separates the West and East zones. The order also will close later this year, April 5 in the Rainwater …

LINCOLN – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission field staff have begun efforts to capture and collar mountain lions. This effort is the beginning of a four-year research project. Game and Parks plans to place GPS tracking collars on seven to 15 mountain lions captured in the Pine Ridge, Wildcat Hills, Niobrara River Valley and elsewhere across the state. Anyone who observes or captures an image of a lion on a trail camera should call Game and Parks immediately at 402-471-0641. …

LINCOLN – Tax season provides a unique opportunity for Nebraskans to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation. Line 42 on the 2014 state income tax form (Form 1040N) allows individuals to donate all or a part of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, ¬which focuses on saving Nebraska’s wildlife and wild places. “The check-off is one of the principal sources of state funding used to conserve more than 95 percent of fish and wildlife species that are …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in February: Feb. 1 – White-fronted goose hunting season closes Feb. 1 – Archery 101: Know Your Bow: Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St., Lincoln, 4 p.m., 402-471-6141 Feb. 1 – Super Bowl Sunday Mini-Lodge Package, Ponca State Park (SP), Ponca, 402-755-2284 Feb. 4 – Prescribed Burn Training workshop, Lifelong Learning Center, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., Norfolk, 9 …