Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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We've all had our fill of political news. So I thought that this week, we'd delve into a topic that's equally as timely – pheasant hunting. I've spent a fair amount of time in pursuit of the ring-necked bird, and recently traveled to South Dakota – the self-proclaimed "Pheasant Capital of the World" – to try my luck with my trusty Vizsla, "Gunnar," and a couple of buddies. If you've ever traveled to our northern neighbor this time of year, you'll see dozens upon dozens of guys (and a few gals)...
Preliminary results from the 2024 Nebraska November firearm deer season show statewide harvest was down 2% from 2023 and down 24% from the 2019-2023 average. This was more successful than expected for the Nov. 16-24 season as November firearm permit quotas were reduced 13% from 2023 in response to declining deer populations. Mule deer buck harvest increased 9% from 2023, while whitetail buck harvest fell 2%. Antlerless mule deer harvest declined 10% from 2023, while antlerless whitetail increased 2%. All harvest levels are down significantly...
A field investigator with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission may soon open shop in the Holt County Courthouse. During the Nov. 27 Holt County supervisors meeting, John Bauer with NGPC requested to use office space, if available. "I need room for a desk, chair and a couple filing cabinets," Bauer said. Supervisor Dustin Breiner asked how soon space would be needed. Bauer replied there's "no rush." Chairman Bill Tielke said once the St. Mary's third-grade students move back to the school, an...
Three taxidermied penguins preside over Room 426 in Allwine Hall, standing atop a row of metal cabinets in the back corner. The Antarctic birds are locked in an everlasting staring contest with a stuffed hornbill whose craned neck protrudes from a bookcase holding a row of primate skulls. To the students who file into professor James Wilson's mammalogy class, these are ordinary sights. What grabs their attention on this Monday afternoon are the short stacks of paper spread neatly across the...
Wheat and milo stubble left tall following harvest provides excellent cover and hunting opportunities for pheasants and other wildlife. The 2024-2025 Stubble Access Guide displays these and other adjacent habitats open to public, walk-in hunting across portions of western Nebraska. Through the Open Fields and Waters program, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission works with landowners to increase public hunting, trapping and/or fishing access on private lands. Tall wheat and milo stubble fields are enrolled in Open Fields and Waters following...
A combination firearm and bowhunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard on Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 2. Class times will be 5:30 to 9 p.m., on the 28th and 29th and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 2. This free course will be held at the Orchard Community Center at 407 E. 4th Street in Orchard. The course will provide instruction in safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics,...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is giving its wildlife-viewing guides a makeover – with the help of the public. These Watchable Wildlife Guides are educational resources designed to help people identify, observe and appreciate wildlife in their natural habitats. They provide species descriptions, viewing tips and conservation information, promoting responsible wildlife watching. Their purpose is to foster a deeper connection with nature and encourage environmental stewardship. The public...
As waterfowl season kicks off, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters to help prevent the spread of damaging aquatic invasive species. Zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, brittle naiad and other aquatic invasive species can “hitchhike” on hunting gear and be spread by droplets of water or even tiny plant fragments. Aquatic invasive species cause irreparable harm to aquatic ecosystems and waterfowl habitat, severely impeding hunting, fishing and boating for future generations. Nebraska is one of the few...
Water levels at Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area will remain low for the next few weeks so the Twin Loups Irrigation District can conduct crucial repair work to the soil cement on Virginia Smith Dam. Access to some boat ramps is affected. The ramps at Homestead Knolls and Nunda Shoals are open. However, large boats will have difficulty launching at Nunda Shoals because of shallow water. Ramps at Buckshot Bay and Valley View Flat are closed. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission appreciates the patience of its park guests and is...
Nebraska’s pheasant, quail and partridge seasons quickly are approaching. The youth season is Oct. 19-20 and the general season opens Oct. 26. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds upland hunters to practice the following safety tips when they hit the fields this fall: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, and never assume it isn’t. Always point the muzzle of your shotgun in a safe direction, away from people, structures, vehicles, roadways and any direction that could cause injury or damage. Be sure to identify your target, wha...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept submissions for the 2024 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest starting Oct. 1. Submissions should be made at Magazine.OutdoorNebraska.gov. To be eligible for the contest, photos should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time, Oct. 31. Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit photos in four categories: • Wildlife — wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish • Scenic — in which landmarks, scenery or inanimate objects are prominent • Recreation — people enjoying th...
Fall turkey season will open soon, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wants to reacquaint hunters with the changes that first became effective last fall. Changes to the fall season are: • The fall turkey season is Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. • Each hunter may only have one fall permit. • The bag limit allows the take of one turkey of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment. • All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck. Turkeys may be checked by internet at Outdoor...
The State of Nebraska has more than 200 boards and commissions staffed by professionals and regular citizens. They deal with a broad range of subjects, from the recently-created Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council and State Child Death Review Team, to more recognizable boards, such as the Board of Parole and Board of Trustees for State Colleges. The governor gets to appoint members to many of these boards and the appointments often go to supporters of the governor and people...
There are more than a million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska. The recently published 2024-2025 Public Access Atlas identifies these public access resources for the benefit of Nebraska’s hunters, trappers and anglers. Printed copies of this year’s atlas are available at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission headquarters and soon will be available in its district offices and service centers and wherever hunt and fish permits are sold. The Public Access Atlas also is available online at OutdoorNebraska.gov in several for...
The boat ramps at Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area in Antelope County are closed until Aug. 30 for repair and replacement. Pending no delays, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission hopes to have the ramps reopened by Labor Day weekend. The north boat ramp will be replaced as it had begun to heave and separate at the joints. The new concrete ramp will include an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking stall and access. A small part of the south ramp is being removed and replaced. Rip...
This week, the Legislature convened for only two days, choosing to adjourn early after Sen. Linehan, chair of the Revenue Committee, requested additional time for the bill drafters to finalize amendments. The Legislature was previously scheduled to remain in session through Saturday, Aug. 10 but instead, resumed the session on Monday, Aug. 12. During this week’s session, senators and their staffs received a briefing from the Revenue Committee outlining their framework to try to deliver property tax relief. LB9, by Sen. Hughes, is the bill now i...
Tricia A. Zobrist, 44, of Oakdale faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 7, charged with four Class 2 misdemeanor counts of issuing bad checks. Zobrist waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to all four counts. Taylor fined her $200 on Count I and $10 each on counts II, III and IV. She was ordered to pay $101.54 restitution to Thriftway Market and $163.64 to Mr. S’s (three checks) and was taxed $50 costs. Daley J. Bearinger, 18, of Clearwater was sentenced to a six-month term of probation f...
Meat processors have until Sept. 1 to apply for participation in the charitable Hunters Helping the Hungry program for 2024-2025, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The program pays participating processors to accept and process deer donated by hunters. This program serves Nebraskans in need as processors deliver ground venison to participating food banks. The application form is available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/HHH. Processors can apply to participate in any or all the Nebraska 2024-2025 deer hunting seasons. Contact Jordyn...
Wildlife officials say conditions in certain areas of Nebraska are suitable for the spread of deadly viral diseases among big game populations. They are asking the public to report unexplained death or illnesses of deer, pronghorn, elk and bighorn sheep. Observations of unhealthy big game animals or unexplained deaths should be reported to the nearest Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office. Locations include Alliance, Bassett, Kearney, Gretna, North Platte, Lincoln, Omaha and Norfolk. In big...
A combination firearm and bow-hunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard, Aug. 5, 8 and 10. The times will be 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 and 8 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. This free course will be held at the Orchard Community Center at 407 E. 4th St. in Orchard. The course will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics,...
The name of a Brunswick area man who drowned Monday at Grove Lake, north of Royal, has been released. Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore said Jody Hansen, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene. On Monday, June 17, at approximately 12:38 p.m., the Antelope County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about a body floating in the lake. Two fishermen made the discovery near the south dock. It is unclear how long the body had been in the water. The Antelope County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Game...
Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore reported his office is investigating at drowning at Grove Lake, north of Royal. On Monday, June 17, at approximately 12:38 p.m., the Antelope County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about a body floating in the lake after two fishermen made the discovery near the south dock. The victim is a 51-year-old Clearwater man, according to Moore. It is unclear how long the body had been in the water. The Antelope County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Game and Parks...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for one 2024 bighorn sheep lottery permit beginning April 15. A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Only Nebraska residents 12 years and older are eligible for the lottery. It is unlawful to submit more than one application in a calendar year. Residents may receive only one permit in a lifetime. The permit is not transferable. The application period begins at 1 p.m., central time, on April 15 and ends Aug. 2. Applications will be received at Game and...
Agricultural producers and private landowners can sign up for the general Conservation Reserve Program through March 29. This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health. The competitive program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, provides annual rental payments for land, which is devoted to conservation purposes. As one of the largest private l...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications March 1-14. The application period begins at 1 p.m., central time, on March 1. Postal mail applications must be received in Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m., CST, and online applications by 11:59 p.m., March 14. A nonrefundable application fee is due at the time of application. Applicants supplying valid email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Those not providing valid email addresses will be responsible for monitoring their s...
