NGPC News

LINCOLN – Explore the steep hills and valleys, sandstone outcrops and sandy soils of Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area and Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (SHP) during a native plant field trip July 12. Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission botanist Gerry Steinauer in a trip to Jefferson County sponsored by the Nebraska Native Plant Society. According to Steinauer, “This rough topography has saved from the plow several thousand acres of oak woodland and tallgrass prairie, including one of …

LINCOLN – Nebraskans can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning, draining and drying their boats. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Invasive Species Program suggest boaters inspect, clean, drain and dry their craft and equipment before leaving a body of water. That could prevent the invasive hitchhikers from being transported to another body of water. Aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels cause economic and environmental damage by clinging to and clogging water …

LINCOLN – Landowners and associations can enhance fishing opportunities in Nebraska by having their private waters stocked with fish. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission must receive stocking applications by Aug. 1. To receive fish, the body of water must meet the following requirements: — No other fish may be present in the body at the time of stocking. — It must be at least one-half surface acre in size. — At least 25 percent of the body must be …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners will consider amendments to youth waterfowl and early teal season regulations when they meet July 11 in Niobrara. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Niobrara State Park group lodge, 89261 522 Ave. The commissioners also will consider: – increasing the cost of some nonresident deer and turkey permits between 3 and 11 percent; – adding language regarding the eligibility of fall youth turkey hunters that would copy …

The public will have an opportunity to view the animals known to be the best rock climbers in western Nebraska’s butte country during morning hikes at two state parks in July. Group hikes to view the region’s wild bighorn sheep are scheduled for two consecutive Saturdays – July 12 at the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area south of Gering and Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford on July 19. Hikers will meet at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center for the …

Chadron State Park is introducing a new event to Chadron’s Fur Trade Days line-up. The Crooked Arrow Obstacle Course will challenge participants on a fun-filled route. The event will be Sunday, July 13, at 1 p.m. at the baseball field west of the park’s headquarters. It is open to participants of all ages, who can choose to race individually or in teams of two to four contestants. Gregg Galbraith, park superintendent, said each entry will be timed while dodging a …

LINCOLN – The celebration of Independence Day at an 1820s military post will be depicted at Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (SHP) on July 5-6. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, volunteer interpreters will celebrate in much the same way as the soldiers did 195 years ago. There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence, as well as firing of a cannon and shoulder arms. Several period trades will be demonstrated, …

LINCOLN – Learn burning techniques and hear success stories in land management at a prescribed burn conference July 14 in Kearney. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. This conference will bring landowners and fire professionals together to discuss the challenges and successes of prescribed burning. There will be presentations on: objectives and monitoring burn strategies, ranchers’ perspective and economics, complex burn layouts, range health, and ecological objective of prescribed burning. The event will …

Photo Caption: Sporting clays is a shooting event that has multiple stations and like mini-golf, each station along the course presents a different challenge. Pheasant Bonanza has a 20-station course offering a wide variety of clay targets, including bouncing rabbits, decoying ducks, and flushing quail coveys. Join the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Missouri River Shootout on Sunday, July 27 at the Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club and Kennel in Tekamah, Neb. The main sporting clay event is open to all …

LINCOLN – A Lincoln man was hospitalized after the personal watercraft he was operating collided with a motorboat on Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County on the evening of June 24. Nicholas Esparza, 18, was taken by Malcolm Fire and Rescue to Bryan LGH Medical Center West in Lincoln. He was treated for a concussion, three broken ribs, pierced lung, and cuts on his face. He is expected to fully recover. At approximately 7:15 p.m., Esparza’s personal watercraft was westbound near …