Tag Archives: Safety

It bothers me to no end that people have such cavalier excuses regarding why they don’t want to wear life jackets on the water in a boat. In my 44 years at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, I have seen my share of boating tragedies. I have seen the victims of boating fatalities who were not wearing their life jackets. You never, ever forget them. Often the victims died right in front of close family members and good friends …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Spring turkey hunters are eager to get back in the woods each year. They should not be so eager they overlook safety, though. “Hunting continues to be one of the safest recreational activities there is, but there are a few things to remember as you match wits with a smart tom turkey,” said Jackson Ellis, Nebraska Hunter Education coordinator. Ellis has the following safety reminders for turkey hunters: • Always keep the shotgun’s muzzle pointed in a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A portion of Branched Oak Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County is closed to target shooting, effective immediately, for safety reasons. That closed area is south of West Raymond Road between NW 112th Street and NW 126th Street. Options for shooters include the 100-yard rifle sight-in range at Killdeer WMA in Lancaster County and the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. For additional information about target shooting on public hunting lands, see the Public …

This is the first installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. Next week: Clothing. By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. — Catching fish through the ice can be a fun way to spend a winter day. Winter days are shorter, so any time spent outdoors is a bonus. But with ice-fishing, safety always should come first. It always starts with ice thickness. When is the ice thick enough to go out for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Upland bird hunting is enjoyed by thousands of Nebraskans who want to create memories, carry on traditions, and bring home a wild meal. While enjoying the hunt, Nebraskans should make safety their top priority. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges all those going afield for an upland bird hunt to remember the basics of hunting safety: point the gun in a safe direction; treat every firearm as if it is loaded; keep your finger off the …

The Nebraska state park system offers some fantastic beaches for swimming and wading, and they’re open now! More than two dozen state recreation areas offer a chance for everyone to catch some rays, play in the sand and cool off in the water of lakes and reservoirs during hot days, as long as COVID-19 health guidelines and measures are followed. Beach swimming is blast! My family and I really enjoy it. However, drowning in dark water is a real danger. Even …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Stay safe on the ice this winter while enjoying a day of ice-fishing. Follow these tips from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for safety on the ice: — The minimum ice thickness for supporting one person is at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice. — Drill holes or use an ice chisel or spud bar to check the ice conditions while working your way out to your fishing spot. — Wear a life jacket. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ice-fishing can be a great way to beat cabin fever and it can be one of the best times of the year to catch fish. However, to take advantage of ice-fishing opportunities, some gear is essential to make the experience safe, comfortable and productive. Never venture out onto the ice until it is certain that the ice is a safe thickness – that means 4 inches of new, clear ice. Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Small game, such as squirrel, is a great way to introduce novices to hunting. Skills, equipment and licensing are more basic than other types of hunting. Squirrel season – Aug. 1 through Jan. 31, 2020 – is the first of Nebraska’s fall hunting seasons. This leaves the hunting woods available to novices and their mentors. “Squirrel is one of the most easily accessible and feasible species to pursue in the state,” Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunter …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The seasons are changing and so are the deer hunting methods. Nebraska’s muzzleloader deer season opens Dec. 1 and those shooting black-powder firearms are gearing up. “Temperatures are dropping and the deer are going to be moving in search of high-energy foods,” Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Jackson Ellis said. “This is a great chance to spend some time outside and take the opportunity to put some meat in the freezer.” Follow these tips for a safe muzzleloader …