LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a Becoming an Outdoors-Family Camp at Ponca State Park Aug. 3-5. The camp is designed for families that are new and novice campers who are looking to get started camping but need a bit of encouragement. Families will enjoy the outdoors while fishing, hiking, horseback riding, cooking outdoors, camping, archery shooting, kayaking and much more. For more information and to register, visit outdoornebraska.org/BOF. -30-

LINCOLN, Neb. – Everyone can help keep the beaches and landscapes free of litter at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas through a new Adopt-a-Beach program. Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area staff created this volunteer program, in part, as a response to public concerns regarding litter in those areas. Game and Parks has taken several steps to combat this issue, including new signage relating to litter prevention, increases in garbage collection points and servicing, as well as partnerships …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an afternoon of music and history June 17 for “How Western Music Won the West” at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. Bob and Sheila Everhart, recording artists for the Smithsonian Institution and historians of America’s Western music, will begin the program at 3 p.m. The Everharts are members of the National Traditional Country Music Association and have performed in Europe and Asia. The program is free, but a park entry permit …

LINCOLN, Neb. – An estimated 1,000 to 3,000 fish have died in a fish kill that was reported May 26 at Lake Maloney. Those fish were primarily white bass and wipers. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists suspect a disease caused the die-off. The white bass were in spawning condition, and the high temperatures likely added stress to the fish, which would have made them more susceptible to disease. Samples of dead fish have been collected and will be analyzed …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The War of 1812 and its connection to Fort Atkinson State Historical Park will be the theme of a living history event June 2-3. Two displays will be available at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center. “The War of 1812” display from the Archives of Ontario in Toronto is on loan to Fort Atkinson until October. Also on display will be “War on the Sea: The Naval War of 1812,” from the Naval Museum in Washington D.C. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Residents and nonresidents may apply for one 2018 Nebraska deer permit in any draw unit beginning June 11, and residents may apply for one elk permit and one buck or either-sex antelope permit in available units. The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time (CT) on June 11. Paper applications must be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 5 p.m. CT – or by 11:59 p.m. for online applications – on June 22. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A new fishing opportunity is available in southeastern Nebraska with the June 2 grand opening of Duck Creek Recreation Area. The Nemaha Natural Resources District owns and manages Duck Creek, which is located 5 miles northwest of Peru in Nemaha County. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission manages the fishery, is a funding partner in the construction of the area, and assisted with boating and angler access, as well as in-lake features. The reservoir site inundated several …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Participate in Stars, Strolls & S’mores and discover outdoor and nature opportunities in the Norfolk area. This series includes three Moon Walk events held on Wednesday evenings close to the full moon. Each Moon Walk begins at 7:30 p.m., requires a mile of walking, and lasts up to two hours. The Moon Walk includes an introduction, a hike to a designated area for presentations, and a snack of s’mores. “The purpose of the Moon Walk is to …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has introduced a mandatory permitting process for tractors operating on the beaches of Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA). In response to public demand, Game and Parks has created a simple, required permitting process that follows state park regulations and allows for more towing operations on McConaughy’s beaches. There is currently no fee for the permit and an application can be picked up at the Lake McConaughy Visitor/Water Interpretive Center or …

LINCOLN, Neb. – It is natural for some people who see a young wild animal apparently abandoned by its mother to want to rescue it. The correct course of action is to leave it alone. Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regarding wildlife babies: — A lone fawn, or other young bird or mammal, may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding or drinking. Do not move …