NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners on Sept. 29 appointed Tim McCoy to become the agency’s new director. McCoy, currently the deputy director, succeeds Jim Douglas, who is retiring Nov. 2 following 47 years at Nebraska Game and Parks, the last nine as director. “I am honored to be selected as the next director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission,” McCoy said. “It is a unique privilege and responsibility to lead the stewardship of Nebraska’s fish, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Danika Bohl of Mitchell hit 34 of 40 targets to win the Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational on a windy day Sept. 25 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area south of Broken Bow. Austin Rahmig of Gering was High Boy hitting 33 targets and Gavin Carrizales of Scottsbluff was Runner-up Boy hitting 32. Laney Bohl of Mitchel was High Girl with a 31. The Bohls, Rahmig and Carrizales won the team championship for the third year in a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled a month full of interesting and engaging events for educators and the curious in October. Here are a few opportunities: Little Saplings early childhood series presents All About Owls LINCOLN, Neb. – The Little Saplings early childhood nature discovery program will have the program, All About Owls, in its monthly series at Schramm Education Center at 9 a.m. Oct. 6. The series, which is designed for children ages 2-5 …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The visitor center and cave at Ash Hollow State Historical Park are closed through Oct. 1 due to a staffing shortage. They will reopen at 10 a.m. Oct. 2. The grounds of the historical park will remain open for visitors to enjoy hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching and other activities. Ash Hollow’s fall hours of operation for the visitor center and cave are Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They will close for the season Nov. 1. Tours can be …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Both boat docks at Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area will be removed Sept. 29 to make way for the Keystone Diversion Dam maintenance project. Water levels at the lake are being lowered to accommodate Nebraska Public Power District’s installation of a coffer dam and to allow for maintenance work on the gates of the diversion dam. Water levels are expected to remain too low to safety launch larger watercraft until late October when water levels will be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska big game and turkey hunters should be aware of wildlife regulation changes for 2021 regarding hunting over bait and carrying a handgun while hunting. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission passed these regulations in June. The amended baiting regulation states that it is illegal to hunt any big game animals or turkeys within 200 yards of a baited area. An area is be considered baited for 10 days following the complete removal of all bait. The …

LINCON, Neb. — Nearing the end of the national search for a new director to succeed Jim Douglas, who is retiring Nov. 1, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Director Search Committee has concluded several public meetings. It has narrowed the field to one candidate, Tim McCoy, who currently serves as the agency’s deputy director. The search committee will bring its recommendation to the full Commission for consideration at its special meeting on Sept. 29, 2021. Visit outdoornebraska.org for more information about …

LINCOLN, Neb. — State park areas are wonderful places to celebrate Halloween in Nebraska. Many of them have family-friendly activities on weekends in October. This year is no exception. Aside from Halloween-themed events at parks, enthusiasts of history and crafts will find activities to enjoy in October. See what opportunities for adventure you can find. Learn more at YourNebraskaParks100.org. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a state park area. Living History Scheduled Oct. 2-3 at Fort …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Participants, volunteers and instructors of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Nebraska are invited to the 30th anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 9 at Platte River State Park. BOW has empowered women outdoor enthusiasts since 1991 with weekend workshops at Ponca State Park, Fort Robinson State Park and Nebraska National Forest at Halsey focused on outdoor skills and recreation. Beyond BOW events provided opportunities for those women to continue to develop their skills. “Since 1991, we’ve had so many women …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Young hunter education graduates are invited to test their skills in Nebraska’s state Youth Hunter Education Challenge on Oct. 10. The competition will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex at Platte River State Park near Louisville. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 5; sign up online at OutdoorNebraska.org/OHEC. This fun, free competition gives kids ages 11 to 17 the opportunity to improve their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills while competing …