NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska upland hunters have more great opportunities – and one new challenge – awaiting them this fall. Pheasant harvest opportunities this fall should be as good, or better, than typical over the last five years in the Panhandle, Southwest and Sandhills regions, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2018 Upland Game Hunting Outlook. Abundances of pheasants were higher than the five-year averages in the Panhandle, Southwest and Sandhills regions, according to the July Rural Mail …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Sept. 4-28 for the 2019 hunting season. Hunting will be allowed only in the Pine Ridge Unit of northwestern Nebraska, which has an established population that can sustain a harvest. Hunters may apply for a permit in either of two subunits: the South Subunit (south of U.S. Hwy. 20) or the North Subunit (north of U.S. Hwy. 20). A person may not submit …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rockford Lake in Gage County remains on health alert. During water testing last week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in the lake. Visitors to Rockford Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out of the water and not …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Families are invited to a monarch butterfly habitat tour Sept. 9 at Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area in Saunders County. The free event is from 1-3 p.m. at the day use area on the east side of the lake. Following a presentation about the decline of monarchs and the type of habitats they need to survive, butterflies will be captured, tagged and released. Appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended. The tour is made possible by Pheasants Forever, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Riverview Marina State Recreation Area (SRA), which is located along the Missouri River in Otoe County, is closed until further notice because of flooding. Campgrounds, restrooms and other amenities are under water, and electricity to the park has been temporarily disconnected. After water levels recede, regional park staff will clear the area of debris before reopening the park to the public. It is unclear how long the park will remain closed, as water levels can rise and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Matt Carmin of Doniphan won the Third Annual Director’s Cup archery tournament Aug. 18 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Sixty-six archers of all skill levels gathered for the only archery tournament of its kind in the region. Archers from across Nebraska competed in 11 divisions using the unique Lake of the Woods format, in which archers shoot at varying distances based on age and discipline. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Estimated duck breeding populations are strong, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent 2018 waterfowl population status report. Although the numbers are down from 2017, the report shows abundance of most duck species above their long-term averages (1955-2017). In general, habitat conditions during the 2018 Waterfowl Breeding and Population Habitat Survey were slightly poorer relative to 2017, with a few exceptions. Habitat quality generally declined across the survey area compared to last year, except for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Dove season starts Sept. 1, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to get out and scout locations to increase their chance of success. “During the fall, doves are either preparing for migration or actively migrating south, so they are primarily focused on high energy food,” said Jeff Lusk, Game and Parks’ upland game program manager. “Areas that have abundant food resources, such as sunflower fields planted on certain wildlife management areas (WMA), are ideal …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Schilling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cass County is closed temporarily to vehicle traffic. The Missouri River has risen due to recent heavy rains, making roads impassable. The closure is in effect on a daily basis until water recedes. In addition, access to the Peru Boat Ramp in Nemaha County and other WMAs in southeastern Nebraska might be limited because of wet conditions. Call Schilling WMA at 402-296-0041 for more information.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in September. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Sept. 1 – Hunting seasons open for cottontail, jackrabbit, dove, snipe, grouse, rail, raccoon and opossum Sept. 1 – Archery, Season Choice, River Antlerless Private Land Only, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Youth, and Landowner deer hunting …