LINCOLN, Neb. – Family Nature Club is a monthly event for children and adults to encourage discovery of the wonders of nature. The first session, Dec. 4 in Scottsbluff, will focus on birds.

Delanie Bruce, educator for the Bird Conservatory of the Rockies, will lead the program at 10 a.m. at the Elks Shelter at Riverside Park. Participants will learn about bird adaptations for surviving Nebraska's winters, bird songs and field identification, and a mini-bird count along the North Platte River.

A different program will be presented each month with interactive nature explorations and outdoor skills activities. Each family group will receive its own Exploration Kit to use during the series to investigate the nature around them and to complete challenges at home between sessions.

The other sessions are Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, and June 4. Registration is required at birdconservancy.doubleknot.com/event/so-fly-birds-family-nature-club/2863437.

The club is offered for free through funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Contact Bruce at [email protected] or 308-633-1013 for more information.

Game and Parks to release pheasants on 16 wildlife management areas before Thanksgiving

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will release adult rooster pheasants on 16 wildlife management areas prior to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The 16 WMAs are: Powder Creek, (Dixon County), Oak Valley (Madison County), Wilkinson (Platte County), George Syas (Nance County), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman County), Pressey (Custer County), Cornhusker (Hall County), Kirkpatrick Basin North (York County), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha County), Randall W. Schilling (Cass), Branched Oak (Lancaster County), Yankee Hill (Lancaster County), Arrowhead (Gage County), Hickory Ridge (Johnson County), Twin Oaks (Johnson County), and Rakes Creek (Cass County).

To view a map of the pheasant release sites, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/upland and click on the “pheasant releases” tab.

The pheasants will be released to enhance hunting opportunities over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend and encourage families to spend time together in the field. Non-toxic shot is required at Kirkpatrick Basin North, Peru Bottoms, Randall W. Schilling, and Wilkinson WMAs, but otherwise all usual regulations apply.

Nebraska’s pheasant, quail, and prairie grouse seasons run through Jan. 31, 2022. Permits and applicable stamps may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org. For more information on these and other publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/PublicAccessAtlas or contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641.

Bartunek family receives grand prize boat in Take ’em Fishing program

LINCOLN, Neb. – When the opportunity arose, Mitch and Heather Bartunek decided to introduce their 2-year-old daughter, Tinley, to fishing.

And now, after winning the grand prize in the 2021 Take ’em Fishing program, they’re looking forward to enjoying future fishing trips with their growing family from a new Bass Tracker Classic XL fishing boat.

“This gives us new opportunities to spend time on the water as a family,” said Mitch, whose name was drawn out of nearly 2,500 entries in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission challenge.

Take ’em Fishing encourages anglers to introduce, or re-introduce, someone to fishing, snap a photo and submit it online for the chance to win prizes. Those who do are helping fund conservation of the state’s aquatic resources for future generations to enjoy.

The Bartuneks, who live near Bruno, Nebraska, took their daughter fishing during a youth event at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, where she received her first fishing pole. Her excited parents took her fishing that day to try it out.

“We fished off the dock, and she was lucky enough to catch several fish,” Mitch said. “Her excitement really brought joy to our entire family.”

Mitch submitted a photo of their adventure to the challenge, and on Nov. 20, he and his family accepted the grand prize boat during a ceremony at Cabela’s in La Vista.

“We want our daughters to enjoy the outdoors as much as we do, and with this boat, we now can create new memories,” Mitch said.

Simply taking someone fishing for the first time can lead to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment, said Tim McCoy, Nebraska Game and Parks director.

“Most of us learned to fish because someone asked us and took us fishing with them.” McCoy said. “By participating in Take ’em Fishing, people across Nebraska are sharing new fishing experiences with their friends and family. We thank our sponsors and those who participated, and we encourage everyone to invite someone new fishing and be rewarded by the excitement and joy of someone catching their first fish!”

Brian Caughron, group sales manager for the Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops Boat Center at the La Vista store, said his team is proud to support the program and present the grand prize boat.

“Programs like Take ’em Fishing are making a real difference in the lives of Nebraskans across the state, and we are proud and honored to be part of that effort,” Caughron said. “Seeing the looks on families’ faces — and knowing they have a lifetime of outdoor memories ahead of them — is meaningful for everyone on our team.”

In addition to the boat, more prizes were donated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, Heartland DSC, Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops, and others.

To see photos and stories from the program, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/Takeemfishing.

 

Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest 2021 kicks off

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept submissions for the 2021 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest through Jan. 1, 2022.

With miles of winding rivers, wide-open vistas and wildlife from border to border, Nebraska is a photographer’s paradise. Each year, Nebraskaland Magazine celebrates the state’s beauty and recognizes the outstanding work of photographers across Nebraska during this annual photo contest.

Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit photos in four categories:

  • Wildlife — wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods
  • Scenic — in which landmarks, scenery or inanimate objects are prominent
  • Recreation — people enjoying the outdoors through hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, skiing or other outdoor activities
  • Flora — wildflowers, foliage, fruiting bodies or other parts of plants

All photos must be taken in Nebraska. Submissions will be judged by Nebraskaland staff, and winning photos will be published in the March 2022 issue of Nebraskaland Magazine. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded in all categories, and a Best in Show prize also will be awarded.

Photos may be submitted only via Instagram. To submit, use the hashtag #Nebraskland2021. Make sure your account is public so judges may view your photo.

Complete contest rules may be found online at magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/photocontest.