NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Join Ash Hollow State Historic Park as they present “Pioneer Song” performance by The Great Bear Folk Theater on Aug. 29 from 4 – 5 p.m. MT. The theater group, consisting of a husband, wife and daughter trio, will be presenting an hour-long production, adapted from the play “Pioneer Song.” The play recounts the perilous journey many emigrants faced while traveling the Overland Trail in the mid 1800’s. The Great Bear Folk Theater, based out of …

Where Skills Are Learned in the Field Women are the fastest growing group of outdoor enthusiasts, and the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is a great contributor to this trend. In Nebraska, this program has taken hundreds of women into the field during its 30-year run, and, personally provided some of my most memorable hunting experiences. Many occurred during BOW’s annual training event the first full weekend in October. This event is packed with three days of learning about outdoor-related topics …

Serenity in southwestern Nebraska At the very southwestern corner of Nebraska in Dundy County lies a truly serene area that is sure to surprise those that venture there. Rock Creek Lake State Recreation Area is a small 54-acre area, with a 50-acre lake fed by the cold spring waters of Rock Creek. Located 4 miles north and a mile east of Parks, Nebraska, this quaint SRA has primitive camping only at roughly 43 non-pad sites, one vault toilet and five …

This year there are more tick bites being reported than in previous years. To prevent tick bites, be proactive and know how to help prevent them. Ticks will hide on a blade of grass or other plants waiting for a potential host to walk by – reaching out with its legs the tick catches a ride on an unsuspecting host; this behavior called “questing” will catch many people off guard during the tick season. People enjoying outdoor activities such as …

A Toothy, Primeval Fighter For anglers who love a good fight, the northern pike, a needle-toothed, aggressive — almost primeval — fish, is highly sought after. According to the 2021 Nebraska Fishing Forecast, Hackberry and Dewey lakes on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Box Butte Reservoir and Lake Wanahoo are this year’s top picks. Other reservoirs like Elwood, Enders, McConaughy, Merritt and Red Willow hold a few big pike. Several other lakes around the state have been stocked with pike …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – Medicine Creek SRA is accepting applications for seasonal housekeeping jobs. This Nebraska state recreation area is looking for people to join a team of innovative professionals who love the outdoors and are committed to service and share excitement for this beautiful area. A summer job at a state park can be the start of a career. Get hands-on experience in housekeeping, landscaping, and more. All experience levels are encouraged to apply. Applications for temporary park worker …

The roof on Scout’s Rest Ranch Barn was replaced in late winter 2018, early spring 2019 and still has “Scout’s Rest Ranch” painted in four-foot-tall white letters on it from the Cody era. (Julie Geiser/NGPC) NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The former home of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park is looking fresh and improved after a series of restoration projects recently were completed. The roof on Scout’s Rest Ranch Barn was replaced in late winter …

North Platte, Neb. – The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District viewing facilities at Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area and the J2 facility at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area may be closed this year due to COVID-19, but visitors to these areas can still come and enjoy viewing eagles and migrating waterfowl. Eagles are attracted to the open water just below the dam at Lake Ogallala during the winter months. They will hunt for fish in areas of open …

North Platte, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking for an agricultural tenant to graze at least 20 cow/calf pairs, feeders, replacement heifers, or other combinations of cattle at East Willow Island Wildlife Management Area south of Cozad for a two month period this year. Game and Parks uses grazing to help manage noxious weeds and other invasive plants at wildlife management areas, which provides better habitat for wildlife species. Bids will be accepted to graze at …

Controlled shooting areas have been popping up over the landscape for several years now, and hunters are taking advantage of the opportunities available at these places. Wanting to try it, our family made a trip to Camp George just north of Arnold. This trip was a good way to spend some quality time together while doing what we all love: hunting. Having never been to one of these areas, none of us really knew what to expect, but we were …