NGPC News

LINCOLN – Approximately 500 youth from across the country will compete in the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in Grand Island on June 25-28. Events include compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills. Coordinated by UNL Cooperative Extension, the competition will be held at the Heartland Public Shooting Park, 6788 W. Husker Highway. For more information, including a schedule, visit http://4h.unl.edu/ntlshootingsportsinvitational

LINCOLN – Missouri River boat ramps at Bazile Creek, Niobrara, Verdel and Sunshine Bottom are temporarily inaccessible because of the lowering of the river by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Missouri River between the Fort Randall Dam in South Dakota and Gavins Point Dam was lowered June 18 to accommodate flood waters accumulating down the river. Officials at Niobrara State Park expect the lowering of the river to end after two or three days, longer if more rain …

LINCOLN – Schilling Wildlife Management Area in Cass County is temporarily closed to public access. Rising water from the Missouri River has covered some of the area’s interior roads and low-lying fields. City of Plattsmouth officials expect the river to rise 3-4 feet in coming days.

LINCOLN – Anglers interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing may attend Carp-O-Rama on June 21 at Pawnee State Recreation Area (SRA). The free event is from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the east side of the lake, near the boat ramp. Pawnee SRA is located 3 miles northwest of Emerald in Lancaster County. Loaner fishing poles will be available. Carp is an excellent fish for beginning anglers to pursue because they are plentiful statewide, and the required equipment is …

LINCOLN – Meat processors have until July 15 to apply for participation in the 2014 Hunters Helping the Hungry program, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. This program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need. The application form and program guidelines are available at OutdoorNebraska.com/HHH under Processors and Charitable Organizations. Deer donation at contracted processors will be from Sept. 1, 2014 through Jan. 16, 2015, however processors that would like to participate in the program for a shorter …

LINCOLN – Jim Swenson has been named administrator of parks at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He succeeds Roger Kuhn, who was promoted to assistant director for development in May. Swenson’s new position is effective immediately. “We are very pleased to name Jim Swenson to the position of parks administrator,” said Director Jim Douglas. “Jim is a very dedicated person who has served Game and Parks and our citizens with the utmost professionalism. He is a great asset to …

Nebraska’s first state park will celebrate its 93rd anniversary Saturday with a wide variety of activities for all ages. Activities are planned at Chadron State Park from early morning to late at night. “We have a lot of great activities planned for people young to old and expect to have big turnout for our celebration,” said Gregg Galbraith, park superintendent. “If you’re looking for a great way to have a lot of fun for not a lot of money, this …

A one-day workshop at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center south of Gering this month will explore the importance of pollinating insects to the world’s food supply and ecosystems. The Panhandle Pollinators Workshop will be Thursday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to the first 25 registrants. A lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is Friday, June 13. While many know of bees as obvious pollinators, the workshop will discuss a variety of other …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice hunter education instructors June 26 in Lincoln. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at the new Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St. To register, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org, and then click on Become a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor.

A series of nature programs continues this week at the two state parks in the northern Panhandle. Park naturalist Jami Campbell will lead eight family-friendly programs at Chadron State Park and Fort Robinson State Park on Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7. The action will start at Chadron State Park’s Trading Post on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. with a program about snakes. At 5:30 p.m. she will tell about the tiniest creatures in the prairies and forests. The programming …