NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. — With the help of a $280,000 matching grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, working with partners, will be able to modernize wetland conservation resources for educators and the public. The three-year project is expected to result in a new online collection of educational materials, including fifth-grade curriculum and activity book; Platte Basin Timelapse short films and multimedia stories; a public-consumption Guide to Nebraska Wetlands; and an online wetland ESRI StoryMap. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Freddie Leibhart’s mom introduced him to fishing when he was young. Now, the Columbus man is doing the same for his children. Better yet, he now can take them fishing in the new boat he won as the grand prize in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Take ’em Fishing challenge. “I know she’s really going to like hearing that she passed the love of fishing on to me, and I’m doing the same with my kids,” …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Resident Nebraska disabled veterans now may apply for a lifetime vehicle park entry permit at no charge. Thanks to the passage of LB 770 by the Legislature, introduced by Sen. Tim Gragert from Creighton, a permit will be issued if the veteran: • was discharged or separated with a characterization of honorable or general; and • has been deemed 50 percent or more disabled as a result of military service or receives a Veterans Administration pension as …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Boat ramp improvements at Swan Lake are complete, providing better angler access to this Holt County lake. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission improved the gravel boat ramp on the north side of the lake by placing articulated concrete mats over crushed rock to form a firm concrete bottom for boat access. While still a relatively shallow slope, the 60-foot-long by 16-foot-wide ramp now will accommodate larger boats without the fear of getting stuck. A floating dock …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn about bird banding research at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Chadron State Park during a virtual webinar Nov. 12. The free webinar, hosted by Wachiska Audubon Society, will highlight research that has taken place for more than a decade. The event begins at 7 p.m. Central time. Register for free at bit.ly/32hGOVC. The webinar will be led by Delanie Bruce, Nebraska wildlife education coordinator for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and Nebraska Game and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The River Valley Artisan and Craft Market, set for Nov. 7-8 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, has been cancelled. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution in response to the recent increase in coronavirus cases across Nebraska and to Phase 3 directed health measures put in place through Nov. 30 by the state. The popular market event, usually an opportunity for early holiday shopping from local artisans and craft makers, is expected to return …

LINCOLN, Neb. — With the move to online deer checking for the November firearm season, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will not collect samples to test for chronic wasting disease. Hunters wishing to have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease can do so, for a fee, through the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Learn more at vbms.unl.edu/tse-test. The agency typically collects approximately 1,200 samples from older age-class bucks in specific management units during the nine-day …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters in south-central Nebraska wanting to participate in the Hunters Helping the Hungry program will have one less meat processor available to them during the November firearm deer season. Steakmaster Inc. of Elwood is not accepting deer. Hunters wishing to donate deer to the program during the Nov. 14-22 season can do so at eight processor locations, with two additional locations starting Nov. 14. Hunters should contact a processor they intend to use ahead of time. The revised …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Upland hunters were greeted by mild weather for Nebraska’s Oct. 31-Nov. 1 pheasant and quail season opener. Many hunters reported seeing relatively good numbers of pheasants but noted the dry conditions posed challenges. High temperatures were in the 60s Saturday and 50s Sunday. Although parts of Nebraska received snow last week, conditions remain very dry across much of the state. This coupled with high winds on Saturday likely contributed to poor scenting conditions reported by many hunters …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Excitement is building for Nebraska’s firearm deer season, which is Nov. 14-22. This season, hunters can expect good deer and deer populations. Buck age structure is at or near all-time highs, with 50 percent of mule deer and 40 percent of whitetails aged 3 or older during the 2019 firearm season. Many units have increased or expanded antlerless opportunity since both whitetail and mule deer populations are above or near desired levels in those units. “2020 looks …