NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – 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: — It must be at least one-half surface acre in size. — At least 25 percent of the body must be at least 10 feet deep. — No other fish can be present in the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Prescribed Burn Conference will be held July 15 in Kearney. The conference brings landowners and fire professionals together to discuss the challenges and success of prescribed burning. The event takes place from 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Kearney Holiday Inn. Registration is $20 through June 30, $25 from July 1-15 and $15 for volunteer fire department members. Banquet tickets are $15. For more information, including registration, visit OutdoorNebraska.ne.gov/NebRxBurn.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The transfer of ownership of Champion Mill State Historical Park (SHP) and State Recreation Area (SRA) from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to Chase County will take place in a ceremony July 1. State Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial and officials from Chase County and Game and Parks will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony at the park. Champion Mill SHP and SRA, located adjacent to the town of Champion, comprise approximately 11 acres, most of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Antique Appraisal Fair will be held July 6 at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park near Burwell. The event, featuring professional antique and coin appraiser Tom Bassett, will take place on the veranda of the Enlisted Men’s Barracks from 2-4 p.m. People wishing to bring items for appraisal must register before July 6 at noon by calling the fort at 308-346-4715. There is a charge of $5 for each item to be appraised and a two-item limit. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Burchard Wildlife Management Area will be opened to limited public access beginning July 1. An aquatic habitat rehabilitation project was completed earlier this year on this 150-acre reservoir in Pawnee County. The water level was drawn down 11 feet to facilitate construction while protecting the quality fishery. The water level is between 8 and 9 feet below full pool. Access to the reservoir will be allowed for bank angling anywhere along the shoreline, but all vehicles must …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Meat processors have until July 15 to apply for participation in the 2013 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. Following the application deadline, Game and Parks will contract with eligible processors. This year, contracted processors may accept deer donated by hunters beginning on Sept. 15. Contact …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to six state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on Independence Day, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Those visitors should use extra caution with fireworks where extremely dry conditions and high fire hazard exist. Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee SRA near Emerald and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will permit fireworks from …

LINCOLN, Neb. – July 5 is the final day hunters may enter the Nebraska Super Tag Lottery. The prize: a four-species permit, which will be drawn July 26. A nonrefundable $25 lottery application fee gives hunters the opportunity to win a tag that is valid in 2013 and 2014 and has a bag limit of one elk of either sex, one deer of either sex, one antelope of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – It is natural for some people who see a young wild animal apparently abandoned by its mother to want to rescue it. The correct course of action is to leave it alone. Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: — A lone fawn, or other young bird or mammal, may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding or drinking. Do not move it. The longer …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is honoring volunteer hunter education instructors who have provided training of novice hunters for at least 20 years. The following instructors, with years of service, are being recognized in June and July, and each will receive a certificate and gift from an area conservation officer: 22 Years – Dale G. DeLamotte, Doniphan; Gary E. Howey, Hartington. 21 Years – Robert L. Brammeier, Sterling; Jill L. Dahl, Grand Island; John J. Eskins …