LINCOLN, Neb. – It’s not too late to enter the Southwest Reservoirs Kayak Kid Essay Contest, which rewards two youth who best express their appreciation for the outdoor recreational opportunities in southwest Nebraska. Fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating and kayaking are just a few of the many outdoor opportunities available in southwest Nebraska. Spending time outside teaches life lessons that young men and women can treasure and value. The contest requires a hand-written 250-word essay explaining why the writer values …

LINCOLN, Neb. – There is no better place to enjoy the changing leaves and fall breezes than a state park. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission state park areas have several Halloween-themed events in October to bring families together outdoors. In addition to trick-or-treating, parks areas will have pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, hayrack rides, hikes, crafts, pumpkin rolls and more. Some of the events, with dates and locations, are: Trick or Treat in the Town – Oct. 12, Indian Cave State …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Conservation officers with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conducted special enforcement patrols on state recreation areas this summer. These efforts in Lancaster and Gage counties were designed to help ensure users have a safe and enjoyable experience on those areas. Enforcement efforts aimed to reduce serious and fatal vehicle and boat accidents resulted in three arrests for driving under the influence. These special patrols allowed conservation officers to contact an additional 1,900 park visitors from June …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Branched Oak State Recreation Area will be in the Halloween spirit Oct. 20 for its annual trick-or-treating event. Campers in South Shore Area 1 are encouraged to decorate their campsites and hand out treats to kids from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Visitors must enter Area 14 (south end of the dam), where parks staff will transport them to and from Area 1 via hay racks. There will be no guided Haunted Trail this year in preparation of moving the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Come enjoy a day of fall outdoor fun and sight-in your muzzleloader at the Family Rendezvous on Oct. 7 at Platte River State Park. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex. Activities will include traditional muzzleloaders, archery, tomahawks, slingshots, pellet guns, atlatl throwing, camping games and marshmallow roasting. New this year are a traditional archery equipment making demonstration, Wildlife Crimestoppers trailer, naturalist tent with …

LINCOLN, Neb. – There is still time to register for the Youth Hunter Education Challenge. This free competition for young hunter education graduates will be Oct. 13 at Platte River State Park. The fun and practical Youth Hunter Education Challenge offers participants the chance to hone their shooting skills and learn more about wildlife, survival skills and hunter responsibility. It is for youth age 11 or older who have successfully completed hunter education and not yet graduated from high school. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Donations of deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program are expected to rise dramatically this fall. On the other hand, cash donations to fund the program have plummeted. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking cash donations to HHH so it can continue to feed Nebraskans in need. Each dollar donated provides two meals of ground venison. “If each person buying a deer permit donated just $1 each year, we’d have funds to pay …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The west entrance to Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Lancaster County has reopened to public access after the road was repaired. A culvert had collapsed and a large hole opened on the west entrance road to the Yankee Hill. The entrance will have to be closed temporarily in the future to facilitate a more permanent repair. The entrance road is located at W. Yankee Hill Road and SW 56th Street.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The west entrance to Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Lancaster County is closed temporarily so that repairs can be made to the road. A culvert has collapsed and a large hole has opened up on the west entrance road to the Yankee Hill WMA boat ramp. Crews are assessing the damage and the extent of repairs needed. The entrance road is located at W. Yankee Hill Road and SW 56th St.

LINCOLN, Neb. – James Simpson of Wayne hit 35 of 40 targets to win the overall championship Sept. 29 at the Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational at Pressey Wildlife Management Area south of Broken Bow. High Girl winner Sadye Glendy of Broken Bow had the second-highest score of the day at 34. High Boy Cabe Schluckebier of Seward had a 33. The overall team championship went to the 10X 4-H team from Seward, which hit 123 of 160 targets. Team …