NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – In 2019, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launched a tool to help landowners address deer populations on their property. To keep hunter information current for landowners, all hunters must register in the program annually. Hunters can register now for 2021. In 2022, the annual registration will begin Aug. 1. Hunters are limited to registering for five counties they are willing to hunt. Hunters also must list their city and state of residence. Game and Parks’ Antlerless …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is the mixed-bag capital of the Great Plains, and another fall of diverse upland bird hunting opportunities awaits hunters. According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2021-22 Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook, nesting conditions were favorable during May and early June but increasingly dry conditions during late summer may have affected brood survival and limited re-nesting opportunities in certain areas. Still, upland hunters willing to adapt to the changing conditions should find success this season. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with AKRS Equipment Solutions, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Heartland DSC, is launching its third Take ’em Hunting challenge to hunters starting Sept. 1. Participants are encouraged to introduce someone new to hunting during the 2021-2022 hunting seasons, and then upload a photo of their trip to the Game and Parks website. Those who do will be registered to win prizes, including …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The meeting for the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and State Recreation Area draft master plan has been rescheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 23. The public meeting will be via Zoom. Participants will be required to register at outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillranch or outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillsra. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is developing a master plan to improve the two state parks in North Platte. The master plan covers potential new development, programming and recreational activities that …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved the authorization of one lottery and one auction permit for the 2022 bighorn sheep season when it met Aug. 27 in Gering. The 2022 bighorn sheep season will be Nov. 29-Dec. 22. Commissioners also drew the winner of the 2021 bighorn sheep lottery permit. The winner is Tait Knutson of Niobrara. The Commission also amended aquatic invasive species regulations to: • add five plant species and recategorize some species on …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A planned water-level drawdown of Summit Lake is underway, prompting the closure of the swimming beach and creating limited access for watercraft launching. A sediment basin maintenance project prompted the need to lower water levels at the Burt County reservoir. Water levels will be kept 6-8 feet below normal pool levels during construction, scheduled to be completed by spring 2022. A temporary boat launch was explored, but depths and slopes are not be adequate for safe trailered …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska wildlife officials say conditions throughout much of the state are suitable for the spread of deadly viral diseases among big game populations and are asking the public to report unexplained death or illnesses of deer, pronghorn, elk and bighorn sheep. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, often causes high fever, internal bleeding, swelling, lesions, lethargy, increased heart rate, dehydration, salivation, incoordination and loss of fear of humans. The symptoms and spread are similar to bluetongue disease, another …

LINCOLN, Neb. – New and experienced hunters are encouraged to participate in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Learn to Hunt workshops this fall. The series begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 with Learn to Hunt Dove, a Facebook Live event. These free, one-hour workshops cover basic hunting strategies, proper equipment, permit requirements and where to hunt for a variety of Nebraska game species. Novice hunters interested in picking up new skills or current hunters seeking to diversify the game …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The melodrama “The Dark Widow’s Deceit” opens at the Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theatre in Eugene T. Mahoney State Park at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27. Performances will take place each Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. through Oct. 17. Julie Eschliman wrote this story about a deceptive woman who has been terrorizing bachelors. Her next target, a millionaire, plans to marry the woman’s sister. The Dark Widow has other plans, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wetland water conditions throughout much of the state are currently fairly poor, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, so hunters should be prepared to scout ahead of teal season. Some wetland pumping is planned ahead of the teal opener. The conditions recently were observed by biologists on the ground. To view the Aug. 25 report on wetland conditions and pumping plans, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/waterfowlchecklist, where updates will be posted regularly throughout the duck seasons. Waterfowl …