LINCOLN, Neb. — A 34-year-old Exeter man was seriously injured at Branched Oak State Recreation area on Friday, July 3, 2020, after a firework exploded in his hands. As of Saturday, he is in serious, but stable condition.

The incident occurred about 10:20 p.m. at the state recreation area when he attempted to discharge a mortar-style firework while holding it near his chest. He sustained injuries to his chest, arms and hands, and was taken by rescue squad to Bryan West Medical Center emergency department.

The incident is under investigation by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Scholarships available for Trout in the Classroom Program

LINCOLN, Neb. — Six $1,000 scholarships are available to Nebraska schools starting up Trout in the Classroom, a science-based program that allows students to explore aquatic ecosystems, life cycles, water quality and the scientific process by raising trout from eggs.

Scholarship applications, as well as program participation applications, are due August 31, 2020.

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission educators designed Trout in the Classroom curriculum as an opportunity for scientific learning for students in second through twelfth grade. Participating educators receive curriculum; training for setting up their cold-water aquarium and caring for their fish; and technical assistance throughout the school year. After the aquarium is set up in a classroom, Game and Parks provides participating schools rainbow trout eggs.

While caring for their new “class pet,” students learn how all aspects of a trout’s life cycle, food web, and habitat are interconnected and affected by the environment. Students take ownership of caring for both their trout and the aquarium habitat by testing water quality and feeding the fish while monitoring their growth and development. As the program progresses, students see connections between their trout, water resources, the environment and themselves.

Nebraska Trout in the Classroom is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission with funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and Nebraska Trout Unlimited Chapter 710.

For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/TroutInTheClassroom or contact Grace Gaard at grace.gaard@nebraska.gov.

Game and Parks accepting Gifford Point access permit applications July 1-31

LINCOLN, Neb. – People interested in hunting deer at Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) this fall may apply for access permits July 1-31. Two hundred of these permits will be issued to allow hunters access to the area.

The use of rimfire and centerfire weapons is prohibited at Gifford. Muzzleloaders are not allowed during the November firearm deer season.

The Gifford permit allows access to take deer with archery equipment from Sept. 1 through Jan. 15 and with a muzzleloader from Dec. 1 through Jan. 15, as specified by the deer permit. Successful applicants will be issued a combination for the lock to access the gate to the WMA. Only persons with a valid access authorization will be allowed on the area for scouting and hanging tree stands from Aug. 16 through the end of the deer seasons.

Deer hunters may apply as "buddies," which ensures that both or neither will draw an access permit. Only two persons may apply as buddies, and both will apply on the same application. A buddy permit does not allow party hunting. Each individual must harvest his or her own animal.

Vehicle access will be limited to the rock road directly adjacent to the 8-foot-high deer fence on Educational Service Unit property. Only foot access to the interior of the area will be allowed.

Application forms are available at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offices at Omaha, Lincoln, Schramm Education Center, Schilling WMA, or can be downloaded at OutdoorNebraska.org. If there are more than 200 applicants, a drawing will be held on the third weekday day following July 31 at 3 p.m. (Aug 5, 2020).

Applicants will be notified of draw status via email, if provided; otherwise via standard mail. Successful applicants will be issued the access permit once they provide Game and Parks with their applicable 2020 deer permit information. Applicable permits are: Muzzleloader, Statewide Archery, Statewide Youth, or Antlerless Season Choice Wahoo.

For more information on big game hunting, read the 2020 Nebraska Big Game Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides.

New mountain biking trails featured in July Nebraskaland

LINCOLN, Neb. – The mountain biking trails at Platte River State Park near Louisville are among many topics featured in the July issue of Nebraskaland Magazine.

Regional editor Eric Fowler’s story profiles 4.4 miles of new trail at the eastern Nebraska park, which has long been a destination for regional mountain bikers who say it has become worthy of national attention.

Also in the July issue, associate editor Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley writes about overcoming challenges in getting the right fit for a shotgun, with insights from gunsmith Stephen Reynolds of Herman and Greg Preston of Blair.

For lake lovers, regional editor Julie Geiser profiles the many developments and improvements at Nebraska’s largest reservoir, Lake McConaughy, and adjacent Lake Ogallala.

Also of interest to anglers, Editor Jeff Kurrus provides techniques for catching bass in July and his pursuit for the perfect tackle box.

Those interested in birds, plants and insects will find stories about wood pewees, red-headed woodpeckers, wasp mantidflies and stinkhorns.

Introduced with the name Outdoor Nebraska in 1926, Nebraskaland is the conservation and parks magazine of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. With remarkable photography from staff and readers, the publication offers a wide variety of tips for enjoying the outdoors, recipes and stories about Nebraska’s natural resources and history.

The magazine is available by subscription or at retailers throughout the state. To subscribe or read the digital version, visit nebraskalandmagazine.com.

Game and Parks continues to reopen pools, education centers and state park facilities

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is pleased to announce the continued reopening of several facilities, activities and amenities in state park and recreation areas across the state.

They include:

• Most Nebraska state park swimming pools, aquatic centers and the Platte River State Park spray park will reopen July 4. Pools will open with limited hours and operate at reduced capacity. Hours of operation can be found at OutdoorNebraska.org. The swimming pool at Niobrara State Park will remain closed. The floating playground at Louisville State Recreation Area will open later.

• Select state park area service centers will reopen to the public July 1 for customer service, information and permit sales.

• On July 4, the paddleboats at Mahoney and Platte River state parks will reopen, as will the Owen Marina concessions and miniature golf at Mahoney.

• The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln will reopen July 6. The Wildcat Hills Shooting Range will open July 1 and the archery range in the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex at Ponca State Park continues to be open.

• The Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Schramm Education Center, Water Interpretive Center at Lake McConaughy, and Missouri National Recreational River Interpretive Center at Ponca State Park will reopen July 6.

• State historical park interpretive centers also will reopen July 6. While the historical parks will be open some facilities may remain closed, including the Buffalo Bill Ranch house, Bowring Ranch house, and Fort Hartsuff visitors’ center.

A list of all services opening on July 6 can be found at OutdoorNebraska.gov/healthinfo.

Additionally, Game and Parks will begin hosting some educational and naturalist programs on a limited basis. Contact the park or check the outdoor calendar at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for scheduled events.

Visitors to offices, interpretive centers, education centers, nature centers and indoor events are temporarily required to wear a face mask.

Game and Parks is continuing to make services and amenities available and is committed to keeping the public and its staff safe during the COVID-19 health crisis. For more information, or to purchase a park entry permit, go to OutdoorNebraska.org. Find park contact information at OutdoorNebraska.gov/stateparks.

Paddlefish snagging permits accepted through July 14

LINCOLN, Neb. – Applications for paddlefish snagging permits are being accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission through July 14.

Drawing results will be available by July 20. Any permits remaining following the drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. Central time.

Applications began at 1 p.m. CT on July 1. The paddlefish snagging season is Oct. 1-31.

For more information, including an application form, read the 2020 Nebraska Fishing Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides.

Wagon Train Lake remains on health alert

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, remains in effect at Wagon Train Lake in Lancaster County.

Visitors to Wagon Train State Recreation Area should avoid full-body contact activities that could lead to swallowing water, 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 allow them to ingest lake water.

Samples taken by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy on June 30 at Wagon Train Lake were above the health alert threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

This is a lower threshold than previous years, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations. Previously, the state had set a limit of 20 ppb, but adopted the new limits after concluding that the new EPA threshold is based on the best scientific evidence available, and is protective of public health.

Lakes with beaches and those that allow power boating are tested weekly through the summer, and sampling results will be updated every Friday. Health alerts are lifted immediately when algal toxin levels are below 8 ppb. To view weekly data for the lakes sampled, visit deq-iis.ne.gov/zs/bw/.

For more information on harmful algal blooms, read this Fact Sheet.

July outdoor calendar

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission important dates in July.

July 1 – Select state park area service centers will reopen to the public for customer service, information and permit sales (OutdoorNebraska.gov/healthinfo).

July 1 – Year-to-date reservation process returns for Nebraska state park area cabins, lodge rooms meeting rooms, group lodges, cabooses, pavilions, and picnic shelters

July 1 – Outdoor shooting range reopens, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, Gering

July 1 – Some limited educational and recreational programming at select state park areas returns

July 1 – Archery fishing of game fish is allowed statewide through Dec. 31

July 1 – Underwater spearfishing of game fish allowed in certain waters through Dec. 31 (See the 2020 Nebraska Fishing Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides.)

July 1-14 – Paddlefish snagging permit application period

July 1-31 – Application period for Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area special access permits for deer hunting

July 3 – Results of the draw for deer, antelope and elk permits will be available on or before this date

July 3 – Final day to apply for Nebraska Super Tag and Combo lottery permits

July 4 – Most state park swimming pools, aquatic centers and the Platte River State Park spray park will reopen to the public. Check OutdoorNebraska.org.

July 4 – Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s miniature golf and Owen Marina concessions and paddleboats at Mahoney and Platte River state parks reopens

July 6 – Reopening of Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln; Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Gering; Schramm Education Center, Gretna; Water Interpretive Center at Lake McConaughy, Ogallala; and Missouri National Recreational River Interpretive Center at Ponca State Park, Ponca

July 6 – Reopening of state historical park interpretive centers, except Buffalo Bill Ranch house, Bowring Ranch house, and Fort Hartsuff visitors’ center

July 17 – Deadline for successful applicants of elk, antelope and deer draw units to complete the purchase of their awarded permits

Amid the COVID-19 health crisis, Game and Parks continues to work on opening and allowing additional activities and events that can be conducted safely with the protection of our customers and staff.

Keep up to date on all cancellations, postponements and closures for Game and Parks at OutdoorNebraska.org/healthinfo. Visit Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for updates on Game and Parks’ events.