Leave Wildlife Babies Alone

LINCOLN, Neb. – It is natural for some people who see a young wild animal apparently abandoned by its mother to want to rescue it. The correct course of action is to leave it alone.

Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission:

— A lone fawn, or other young bird or mammal, may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding or drinking. Do not move it. The longer the fawn is separated from its mother, the slimmer the chance that it will be reunited with her. In some cases, an orphaned fawn will be adopted by other deer.

— It is normal for a doe to leave its fawn to keep it from being detected by predators. The doe can be seen by predators as it feeds, so she leaves the fawn hidden and leaves the area to draw attention away from the fawn’s location.

— Do not try to raise wildlife babies as pets. As animals mature, they become more independent and follow natural instincts to leave and establish their own territories. Rescued animals are poorly prepared for life in the wild.

— Most wildlife babies are protected by state or federal law and it is illegal to possess them.

New Boat Ramp at Sunshine Bottoms Completed

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Sunshine Bottoms boat launch facility on the Missouri River in Boyd County is open for public use following construction of a new concrete boat ramp mat and rock-surfaced parking area.

Boaters should use caution while boating on the Missouri as upstream water releases from Fort Randall Dam have been reduced significantly for flood damage assessments to spillway slabs downstream below Gavins Point Dam.

Aquatic Habitat Projects Begin at Arnold and Victoria Springs Lakes

LINCOLN, Neb. – Water levels in Arnold Lake and Victoria Springs Lake are being lowered in preparation for rehabilitation projects that will improve fishing.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Aquatic Habitat Program began planning for these Custer County lake projects in 2010. Outlet structures on both lakes need replacement. Years of siltation have resulted in shallow water choked with excessive aquatic vegetation and algae that harmed fishing.

Rehabilitation efforts also will include excavation of sediments to deepen the lakes, and restocking of fish. Underwater fish habitat such as brush piles, gravel shoals and spawning areas will be installed. Angler access will be improved by reshaping shorelines and installation of handicap-accessible fishing pads and new boat ramps.

Funding is provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, Sport Fish Restoration and the Aquatic Habitat Fund.

Section of Cowboy Trail Near O’Neill Open Again

LINCOLN, Neb. – A section of the Cowboy Trail in Holt County has reopened following repair work on the trail, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The trail from the western city limits of O’Neill to 1 mile west of town again is available for public use.

Application Period for Big Game Permits Starts May 21

LINCOLN, Neb. – The application period for 2012 Nebraska big game hunting permits begins at 1 p.m. Central time on May 21 and runs through June 1. A person may apply for only one deer permit, one antelope permit and one elk permit at that time.

Deer – Residents and nonresidents may apply for one draw permit in either the DeSoto, Frenchman, Platte or Republican units.

Antelope – Residents and eligible landowners may apply for one antelope buck or either-sex permit in available units.

Elk – Residents and eligible landowners may apply for one permit.

Drawings for these permits will take place in early June, and residents will get preference over nonresidents.

From July 9 through the close of the 2012 big game seasons, hunters may purchase all remaining permits on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information about these permits may be found in the 2012 Big Game Guide, available now at OutdoorNebraska.org.