Outdoor notes: Governor proclaims Sept. 28 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. – Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 28, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska.
“Hunting and fishing are part of our history and legacy as Nebraskans,” Ricketts said before signing the proclamation at a news conference in his office. “This is something that is about our state and enjoying the natural beauty we have here. It is not only something that is part of our heritage as Nebraskans, it also is a big deal economically.”
Resident and nonresident hunters and anglers spend about $1 billion a year in Nebraska. The industry creates about 12,000 jobs for the state.
“They [hunters and anglers] stay in our hotels and motels and eat in our restaurants,” Ricketts said. “They buy fuel and go to other stores. It really is something that helps contribute to our overall economy.”
The governor, an avid outdoorsman, also signed a pledge to take a new or novice hunter afield as part of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Take ’Em Hunting Challenge.
In this challenge, hunters are encouraged to take a pledge to introduce someone new to hunting during the 2019-2020 hunting seasons. Those who take someone new hunting can upload a photo of their hunting trip to the Game and Parks website and be registered to win prizes. The challenge runs through May 31, 2020. For more information or to take the pledge, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/TakeEmHunting.
Joining Ricketts in promoting hunting and fishing were Greg Wagner of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Dustin Allemann of the Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation and Micaela Rahe of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
“We’ve got tremendous opportunities to enjoy hunting and fishing in our state,” Ricketts said. “Hunting and fishing are great opportunities to take people out. This is part of how we can enjoy family time and time with our friends and get outside and get away from all of the video games and other indoor distractions.”
For more information about hunting and fishing in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.org.
Youth Hunter Education Challenge set for Oct. 13 at Platte River SP
LINCOLN, Neb. – Young hunter education graduates are invited to test their skills in a fun, practical competition Sunday, Oct. 13 at Platte River State Park.
The Youth Hunter Education Challenge offers participants the chance to hone their shooting skills and learn more about wildlife, survival skills and hunter responsibility.
This free competition is for youth age 11 or older who have successfully completed hunter education and not yet graduated from high school. Proof of hunter education certification is required. It will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex.
The challenge is conducted under simulated hunting conditions to provide the best practical environment for reinforcing and testing a young hunter’s skill. It will feature archery, shotgun, muzzleloader, hunter safety trail, orienteering and a hunter responsibility exam.
A park entry permit is required. Register at OutdoorNebraska.org/OHEC. Contact Christy Christiansen at 402-471-5547 or christy.christiansen@nebraska.gov for more information.
Flooding affects access at Gifford Point WMA
LINCOLN, Neb. – Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Sarpy County is closed to vehicle access at the county road due to Missouri River flooding.
Hunters can expect additional flooding on southeast Nebraska WMAs located along the Missouri River.
Autumn Harvest Art Show Oct. 5-6 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
LINCOLN, Neb. – View work by nationally known artists from around the Midwest at the Autumn Harvest Art Show, scheduled for Oct. 5-6 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
This event, hosted by Prairie Images, will be held at the Peter Kiewit Lodge from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the following day.
The works of art will include wildlife, landscape, cityscape, portrait, still life, Native American, Southwest, Americana and Impressionist paintings in a variety of mediums. There also will be sculpture, wood carving, nature and wildlife photography, rustic metal sculpture and pottery.
Contact the park for more information at 402-944-2523. A park entry permit is required.
Game and Parks introduces Antlerless Hunter Database
LINCOLN, Neb. – Landowners have a new online tool available to them to address deer populations on their property.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Antlerless Hunter Database connects hunters who wish to harvest antlerless deer with landowners who are experiencing damage from deer on their property.
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.
October outdoor calendar
LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in October. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes.
Oct. 1 – Waterfowl hunting workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln
Oct. 1-31 – Paddlefish snagging season in specific area of Missouri River
Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 – Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Codys’, Buffalo Bill State Historical Park (SHP), North Platte
Oct. 5 – Dark goose hunting season opens in North Central unit
Oct. 5 – Light goose hunting regular season opens statewide
Oct. 5 – White-fronted goose hunting season opens statewide
Oct. 5 – Duck and coot hunting seasons open in Zones 2 and 4
Oct. 5 – Woodcock hunting season opens
Oct. 5 – Halloween is Brewing with Fun, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Ashland
Oct. 5-6 – Youth waterfowl hunting season in Zone 1
Oct. 5-6 – Living History Weekend, Heritage Days, Fort Atkinson SHP, Fort Calhoun
Oct. 5-6 – Autumn Harvest Art Show, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland
Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 – Living History Weekend, Arbor Lodge SHP, Nebraska City
Oct. 6 – Family Rendezvous, Platte River SP, Louisville
Oct. 8 – Upland bird hunting workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln
Oct. 11 – Trick-or-Treat at the Town, Indian Cave SP, Shubert
Oct. 12 – Lovin’ Dutch Oven, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area (SRA), Gering
Oct. 12 – Duck and coot hunting seasons open in Zone 1
Oct. 12, 19 – 21st Annual Hallowfest, Ponca SP, Ponca
Oct. 12, 19, 26 – Halloween campsite decorating contest, Indian Cave SP, Shubert
Oct. 12, 18-19, 25-26 – 24th Annual Haunted Hollow, Indian Cave SP, Shubert
Oct. 12-27 – Firearm antelope hunting season in specific units
Oct. 13 – Youth Hunter Education Challenge, Platte River SP, Louisville
Oct. 15 – Crow hunting season opens statewide
Oct. 15 – Kayak Kids Essay Contest deadline, Red Willow SRA, McCook
Oct. 18 – Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners meeting, Omaha
Oct. 19 – 32nd Annual Pumpkin Carving Festival, Calamus SRA, Burwell
Oct. 19 – Fontenelle Family Fishing Frenzy/Discover Trout Fishing, Fontenelle Lake, Omaha
Oct. 19 – Jack-O-Lantern Junk and Craft Market, Indian Cave SP, Shubert
Oct. 19 – Ranch Life 1860s, Rock Creek Station SHP, Fairbury
Oct. 19 – Pink Pumpkin Walk, Indian Cave SP, Shubert
Oct. 19 – Trick-or-Treat by the Buses, Indian Cave SP, Shubert
Oct. 19-20 – Youth waterfowl hunting season in Zone 3
Oct. 19-20 – Youth pheasant, quail and partridge hunting seasons open statewide
Oct. 19, 25-26 – Haunted History with the Codys, Buffalo Bill SHP, North Platte
Oct. 22 – Deer hunting workshop, Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln
Oct. 24 – Duck and coot seasons open in Zone 3
Oct. 25-27 – Camp & Treat, Red Willow SRA, McCook
Oct. 26 – Pheasant, quail and partridge hunting seasons open statewide
Oct. 28 – Dark goose hunting season opens in East, Platte River, Panhandle and Niobrara units
Oct. 30 – Dove (all species) hunting season closes
Oct. 31 – Archery and firearm bull elk hunting seasons close
Oct. 31 – Eurasian collared-dove only hunting season opens
Oct. 31 – Antlerless elk hunting season closes
Oct. 31 – Raccoon and Virginia opossum hunting seasons closes
Oct. 31 – Bullfrog season closes