NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds landowners there are tools and resources available to those experiencing crop and livestock damage due to wildlife. Landowners can contact their nearest Game and Parks district office to discuss options to alleviate damage, such as scare devices, fences, damage control permits or opening lands to public access for hunting. Find an office at outdoornebraska.gov/locations. In addition, landowners can go online to relate wildlife damage issues to Game and Parks at outdoornebraska.gov/depredation. Big …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln is hosting a new event for families and young adults: the Director’s Take Aim Games. The Games will allow groups of up to seven to register for light-hearted competition in various shooting sports, such as indoor rifle, outdoor archery, tomahawk throwing, slingshots and more. Start times for the competition rounds are 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Aug. 21 at the outdoor education center, 4703 N. 44th St. Participants can …

LINCOLN, Neb. — With soaring temperatures, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would like to issue the following safety reminders to those out enjoying water activities. Never swim alone — Always swim with a buddy. Pay attention — Avoid distractions and focus on swim mates and the water. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children, according to the American Red Cross, and drownings can happen in seconds, as well as in shallow waters. Staying watchful — even of strong swimmers …

ALLIANCE, Neb. — A Sandhills fishing destination has reopened after a 28-month closure. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reopened the access road to Blue Lake in the Sandhills of Garden County. The 2.7-mile two-track trail through private property has been closed since March 2019 because of flooding. Joe Rydell, a fisheries biologist for Game and Parks, said the water level has subsided enough that the trail can be navigated, with caution. This week, he mowed the trail and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Adult-size channel catfish have been stocked in Omaha’s Cunningham Lake just in time for its Aug. 5 reopening. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on July 28 stocked 255 “bonus” catfish ranging from 1 to 13 pounds, averaging 7. While the lake had been stocked previously in preparation for the reopening, this stocking will provide anglers an opportunity to catch larger fish from the still-developing fishery. Since 2020, catfish, white bass, bluegill, largemouth bass and crappie have …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hackberry Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge will be chemically renovated the week of Aug. 9 as part of the ongoing Aquatic Habitat Project on the refuge. The rotenone treatment is aimed to eliminate common carp, an undesirable species detrimental to aquatic habitat, water quality and sport fish populations. Restocking will occur later this fall. Liberalized fishing regulations have been in effect the past two years on Hackberry, where length limits were rescinded but daily bag …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled a month full of interesting and engaging events for the curious in August. Here are a few opportunities: Four Nebraska Nature Nerd Trivia Nights scheduled for Aug. 11 LINCOLN, Neb. – Grab your fellow nature nerds and join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as it hosts four Nebraska Nature Nerd Trivia Nights across the state Aug. 11. Nature is cool, so there is no shortage of topics questions …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters may begin purchasing 2021 Nebraska fall turkey permits Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. Central time. A fall turkey permit is valid statewide and allows a hunter to harvest two turkeys of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment. Each hunter may have up to two permits. There is no minimum age requirement for youth. The fall turkey season is Sept. 15, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022. Permits will be available at OutdoorNebraska.org and Nebraska Game …

From the annual Nebraska Star Party to sandcastle building and pioneer musicals, August promises a variety of events at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission locations. A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a park area. Learn more at OutdoorNebraska.org. Celebrate dark skies at annual star party Aug. 1-6 at Merritt Reservoir LINCOLN, Neb. – Take advantage of Merritt Reservoir’s dark skies and take in the wonders of the night sky during the 28th annual Nebraska Star Party on …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Calamus Kayak Adventure Race, scheduled for July 29, has been postponed because a health alert for a harmful algal bloom was issued at Calamus State Recreation Area on July 23. Calamus Superintendent Logan Epp said he hopes to reschedule the event but that will depend on the future presence of the harmful algal bloom, also known as blue-green algae. Lakes are tested weekly by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. The race was to be …