Third year of Take ’em Hunting challenge launches

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with AKRS Equipment Solutions, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Heartland DSC, is launching its third Take ’em Hunting challenge to hunters starting Sept. 1.

Participants are encouraged to introduce someone new to hunting during the 2021-2022 hunting seasons, and then upload a photo of their trip to the Game and Parks website. Those who do will be registered to win prizes, including a camo John Deere XUV59OM Gator crossover utility vehicle from AKRS valued at more than $15,300.

Last year, more than 1,400 entries highlighted first-time hunters getting into the field for upland, waterfowl, deer, turkey and more.

“Many of us remember someone teaching us the ropes of hunting and inspiring us to have a role in our state’s conservation,” said Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas. “With this challenge, we hope others are inspired, too, while making memories that last a lifetime.”

Hunting is critical to future conservation of our natural resources. Every time a hunter buys a hunting permit or habitat stamp, his or her purchase directly funds programs that support habitat conservation, hunting access, wildlife research and much more. Additionally, excise taxes that hunters pay on firearms, ammunition and other hunting equipment generate an additional $1 billion for conservation work each year.

“In order to maintain our cherished natural resources, we must recruit a new generation of hunters,” Douglas said. “The best thing a hunter can do for conservation is to introduce someone new to hunting.”

Hunting is a great way to spend time outdoors, experience nature, unwind and make memories with friends and family. The Take ’em Hunting effort offers an extra incentive for hunters to take someone along for a hunt. Special youth seasons are an especially great time to take young hunters out.

Prizes will be given away throughout the challenge Sept. 1, 2021, through May 31, 2022, with the grand prize utility vehicle winner announced in June 2022. For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/TakeEmHunting.

Buffalo Bill master plan virtual public meeting rescheduled

LINCOLN, Neb. – The meeting for the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and State Recreation Area draft master plan has been rescheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 23.

The public meeting will be via Zoom. Participants will be required to register at outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillranch or outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillsra.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is developing a master plan to improve the two state parks in North Platte. The master plan covers potential new development, programming and recreational activities that enhance the experience for future visitors. The plan incorporates new interpretation and programming goals centered around the life of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his home – Scout’s Rest Ranch.

The public meeting will consist of a presentation of several potential development design concepts for the historical park and recreation area. Attendees can provide feedback on several proposed development ideas, which are unique to each park area.

“We know this is a challenging time, and we want to ensure a broad representation of the public is at the meeting to guide future development, programs, and events at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park and State Recreation Area,” said Jim Swenson, state parks administrator. “We want these master plans to reflect what Nebraskans want for their state parks for future generations.”

The public also may provide input through a digital platform, which will be available after the public meeting. It can be accessed at outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillranch or outdoornebraska.gov/buffalobillsra.

Upland bird opportunities await Nebraska hunters this fall

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is the mixed-bag capital of the Great Plains, and another fall of diverse upland bird hunting opportunities awaits hunters.

According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2021-22 Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook, nesting conditions were favorable during May and early June but increasingly dry conditions during late summer may have affected brood survival and limited re-nesting opportunities in certain areas. Still, upland hunters willing to adapt to the changing conditions should find success this season.

Pheasant counts were mixed during this year’s April and July Rural Mail Carrier Surveys, but hunters are cautioned dry conditions may have inhibited roadside observations in some areas. The Southwest and Panhandle regions were affected by drought conditions last year but continue to support some of highest pheasant numbers. These regions offer abundant public access and should provide the best pheasant hunting opportunities this fall.

Northern bobwhite quail populations have been negatively affected by severe winter weather in recent years and remain below long-term averages, according to this year’s July RMCS and Whistle Count Survey. Still, favorable nesting and brood-rearing conditions throughout the species’ core range in south-central and southeast Nebraska are expected to help quail populations rebound. Hunters should expect to find similar quail numbers to last year across portions of the southern Nebraska and fewer elsewhere in the state.

The Sandhills will offer the best hunting opportunities for greater prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse this fall. Portions of the Panhandle and Southwest regions also provide good opportunities, but where drier conditions have prevailed, prairie grouse hunting may be more challenging due to the sparse cover.

The Outlook is based on surveys and field reports from biologists. Surveys provide a broad assessment of upland game species abundance. Regional habitat trends and weather conditions that could affect populations also are considered.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/upland/#forecast to read the Upland Game Bird Hunting Outlook, as well as summaries of upland bird survey results. Other resources are available from that page, including the 2021-22 Public Access Atlas, information on the Nebraska Upland Slam and a link to purchase permits.

Due to the changing habitat conditions throughout the state, preseason scouting is recommended. Upland hunters should be aware that the USDA has authorized emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program lands in 70 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. This likely will affect the cover, and associated hunting opportunities, on some CRP fields this fall, including some open to public, walk-in hunting through Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program. For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/crp-faqs/.

The hunting season for pheasant, quail and partridge is Oct. 30, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022. The prairie grouse season is Sept. 1, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022.

Game and Parks encourages hunters to register on antlerless hunter database

LINCOLN, Neb. – In 2019, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission launched a tool to help landowners address deer populations on their property. To keep hunter information current for landowners, all hunters must register in the program annually.

Hunters can register now for 2021. In 2022, the annual registration will begin Aug. 1.

Hunters are limited to registering for five counties they are willing to hunt. Hunters also must list their city and state of residence.

Game and Parks’ Antlerless Hunter Database connects hunters who wish to harvest antlerless deer with landowners experiencing damage from deer on their property. Not all participants will get called by landowners, but in the event a landowner needs additional harvest, the database connects them with antlerless hunters.

Landowners and hunters are important to managing wildlife; together with Game and Parks, they are the driving force for wildlife conservation in Nebraska. Landowners provide habitat and access for hunting game species. Readily available permits and long seasons provide tremendous opportunities to harvest deer in Nebraska, especially antlerless deer.

Game and Parks is charged with managing all wildlife in the state. It strives to find a balance between healthy wildlife populations, opportunities for hunting, and keeping deer and all game populations at socially acceptable levels.

Hunters who wish to be considered for this program and landowners who wish to contact a hunter willing to harvest antlerless deer in their area may access the database at OutdoorNebraska.gov/AntlerlessHunterDatabase.

Mahoney SP Family Aquatic Center to close on Labor Day

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Family Aquatic Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 6, because of a lifeguard shortage.

Additionally, guests visiting state park areas for the holiday weekend should be mindful that continued staffing shortages may result in additional wait times for services, including cabin check-ins and park permit sales. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to check the status of activities and to buy park entry permits in advance.

Within the past month, as schools returned to session and park staffing levels became more limited, park managers reduced hours of operation and services.

Fall park operations statewide are being evaluated to assess the feasibility of services and activities. Increased interest in outdoor activities in recent years has created a large demand for fall and winter programming and activities in parks.

“We are encouraged by the public’s tremendous support and desire to enjoy their parks,” said Jim Swenson, state parks administrator. “We will do our best to try and provide adequate staffing when reasonable, in an effort to meet the public’s expectations for fall and winter programming in our parks.”

Opportunities for part-time and full-time employment in state parks are available year-round by applying at statejobs.nebraska.gov. The variety of services offered in the parks creates a chance to work in a fun environment and gain diverse work experiences.

For more information about Nebraska state parks, and purchasing a permit online, visit outdoornebraska.gov/parks.

Outdoor expo at Ponca State Park returns Sept. 18-19

LINCOLN, Neb. — After a one-year hiatus, the Missouri River Outdoor Expo is back Sept. 18-19 at Ponca State Park, with a diverse array of family-friendly, hands-on activities that showcase outdoor education, sports and recreation.

Be inspired by Matt Stutzman, the silver medalist in the 2021 Paralympic Games archery competition, pro angler Aaron Petersen, Gould Brothers, Axe Women Loggers of Maine and the conservation efforts of Wild Encounters.

Then try your hand at a variety of outdoor activities: monarch tagging, outdoor cooking, kayaking, fishing, leather carving, geode cracking, shooting sports, rock-wall climbing, bow fishing, ropes obstacle course and so much more.

All activities are free. A complete list of expo activities and events is available at MissouriRiverOutdoorExpo.com.

In consideration of public health concerns, all activities will be outdoors. Guests should practice social distancing. Wearing of face masks will be optional. Guests are encouraged to bring their own masks, but masks will be available There also will be many hand-sanitizing stations, and social spacing in vendor areas and upon shuttles.

The Missouri River Outdoor Expo is the largest outdoor expo in the Midwest, averaging 30,000 in attendance annually. Expo weekend begins with a special Expo Invitational School Day, which is attended by numerous schools across the region.

A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Permits may be purchased at the gate or at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Ponca State Park is located just north of Ponca in northeastern Nebraska’s Dixon County. For more information, contact ngpc.moriverexpo@nebraska.gov or call 402-755-2284.

Fish die-off kills thousands at Liberty Cove

LINCOLN, Neb. – A fish die-off has occurred this week at Liberty Cove Reservoir near Lawrence in south-central Nebraska.

Thousands of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and golden shiners, were observed dead at this Little Blue Natural Resources District recreation area.

Low levels of oxygen in the water are believed to have caused the die-off. Low dissolved oxygen levels and additional stressed fish were observed. Cloudy, calm weather can cause low oxygen levels in small water bodies during the summer. Under the worst conditions, fish die-offs can result.

Fish population sampling will be done in the coming weeks to determine the extent of the fish loss.