Game and Parks INSIDER

WILDLIFE

Nebraska’s Bighorn Sheep Management Program – 30 Years and Climbing

Bighorn sheep are considered one of the most majestic big game mammals in North America.  Their presence has created many recreational opportunities such as viewing, photography and hunting.

In the early 1900s bighorn sheep were extirpated from Nebraska due to habitat loss, disease, and unregulated hunting.  In 1981, with the help of several conservation partners, Game and Parks embarked on a Bighorn Sheep Management Program with the first bighorn reintroduction at Fort Robinson State Park, in the Panhandle.  In 2001, 2005, and 2007, three more reintroductions occurred, resulting in four herds in the Panhandle with two herds in the Pine Ridge and two in the Wildcat Hills.

Nebraska’s bighorn sheep management goal is to: “Establish free-ranging bighorn sheep in the Pine Ridge, Wildcat Hills, and other suitable habitats while providing hunting and viewing opportunities within resource limits.”

Plans are underway for a fifth reintroduction to the Panhandle, with hopes of adding more sheep to the western Pine Ridge.  By February of 2012, Nebraska will have completed its fifth reintroduction in 30 years.

With the assistance of  various conservation partners, Game and Parks has not only reintroduced bighorn sheep to this state but have also acquired tracts of land critical to bighorn sheep.  We have also implemented several bighorn sheep research projects, improved bighorn sheep habitat and continued to track and monitor the overall health of the herds.

Bighorn sheep are a very sensitive and vulnerable species and are listed as a Tier I At-Risk species in the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy document.  Disease issues seem to be our greatest challenge at this point causing setbacks with population growth.  However, 30 years ago there were no bighorn sheep in Nebraska and today the program’s count is 315.

In December of 2011, Nebraska harvested its 16^th and 17^th bighorn ram since hunting bighorn sheep began in 1998.  When population levels allow, bighorn permits are authorized to provide the opportunity to harvest mature, older age, rams which has little effect on population growth of the herd.  As with all big game, including bighorn sheep; permits, donations and conservation partners provide necessary funding to conserve Nebraska’s wildlife resources. Working together, Nebraska’s bighorn sheep management program can be a successful venture for all to enjoy.

(article submitted by Todd Nordeen - Wildlife Division Panhandle District Manager)

NEBRASKAland Photographer Eric Fowler with the Canadian bighorn sheep in the background.

Follow the recent relocation effort of a herd from Canada to Nebraska

Read articles on Omaha.com bighorns bound for Nebraska | Omaha.com on the recent bighorn sheep relocation effort. Watch the video (video is preceded by advertising)

Follow OWH’s Alyssa Schukar’s Photo Blog from the trip | Read Eric Fowlers Blog on the Trip

One of our most visited albums on facebook and flickr is the Panhandle Collection.  The stunning photos in these collections are photographed and published by our Panhandle District team members and spotlight one of the most beautiful parts of our state as backdrops for their work.  View them on Facebook |  View them on Flickr.

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Create a Commercial for Critters Contest

Imagine seeing your TV commercial aired a year from now on major television stations

The Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund is hosting “Create a Commercial for Critters” contest and invites anyone interested in designing his or her own television commercial to enter their videos.

Participants are encouraged to create an original, creative 30-second commercial highlighting the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, then upload it to a YouTube account.

There are three categories of entries: grades 3-6, grades 7-12 and an open category.

Entries may be submitted from January 1, 2012 through April 15, 2012.  Beginning May 1, 2012, the selected top TV commercial submissions will be housed on the NGPC website and the winner will be picked by public vote May 15, 2012.  The Top TV commercials will be selected  based on how well they accomplish the goals of raising awareness of the Wildlife Conservation Fund, encouraging donations to the fund through tax rebates or  the fund’s website as well as the commercial’s creativity, entertainment value and originality. The selected commercial in each of the three categories will run on major television stations across the state during the 2013 tax season.

Resources (elements provided for your TV commercial) and additional information are provided on the contest web site.  See the official rules for more details.

Nebraska’s Wildlife Conservation Fund is entirely dependent on contributions and matching funds, so let the wonders of nature spark your creativity.  Encourage your friends and other Nebraskan’s to contribute their best work.  Contact Kristal Stoner, Wildlife Diversity Program Manager (402) 471-5444 or kristal.stoner@nebraska.gov for more information regarding the contest.

Since 1984, tax deductible donations to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund have helped the thousands of species that call Nebraska home. Wildlife Conservation Fund projects help those species considered non-game, or those that are not hunted or fished. Donated dollars have big impact, since Wildlife Conservation Fund dollars are matched with other grants. For every $1  donated another $3 are matched which gives us a total of  $4  for every $1 donated to help wildlife in our state.  The Wildlife Conservation Fund makes many types of projects possible, including:

• Improving habitat across Nebraska for our at-risk species such as prairie restorations and invasive species removal.
• Preventing future endangered species listings by funding reintroduction projects such as the now thriving peregrine falcon, by funding research to ensure efficient conservation such as a river otter population and genetic study and long-billed curlew habitat study.
• Education Projects such as Project BEAK (Bird Education Awareness for Kids) that targets grade school children about ecological principles such as habitat, Nebraska’s birds and adaptation.
• Connecting wildlife and Nebraskans through projects like wildcams for the peregrine falcon, kestrel and least tern.

So grab that video camera today and start getting those great shots and show us what you have! We are looking forward to reviewing all the submissions.

(Article submitted by Lindsay Rogers – For more information on the Wildlife Conservation Fund or the commercial contest, please visit: www.nebraskawildlifefund.org)

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Project WILD prepares for 30+ workshops

The Nebraska Project WILD program is gearing up for a busy season of educator workshops – more than 30 educator workshop will be conducted between January and August 2012. Workshops include:

Project WILD

Project WILD is a national program designed to help educators teach about habitats, ecosystems, adaptations, biodiversity, cultural perspectives, human impacts on the environment, and wildlife management. Project WILD is geared for educators of grades K-12.

Growing Up WILD

The Growing Up WILD Curriculum and Activity Guide helps early childhood educators engage young students in the outdoors and nature. The guide invites children to explore wildlife and the world around them through a wide range of fun and engaging activities and experiences. This guide is designed for educators of children ages 3-7 years.

Flying WILD

Flying WILD is a supplemental curriculum and activity guide introducing teachers and students to the study of birds – their habitats, adaptations, migration, mating, and observation. In addition, this guide helps educators set up a birding festival and community service projects related to birds.  Activities are geared towards students fifth through eighth grade.

For more information about these programs or to find workshop dates and locations, please visit www.nebraskaprojectwild.org.

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Bridges to Birding Binocular Kits ready to hit the state

The Nebraska Project WILD program recently received a grant from the Nebraska Bird Partnership to create eight binocular kits to be located around the state. These kits, designed to get binoculars and field guides in the hands of students and teachers, will contain 20 pairs of compact binoculars, 15 “Birds of Nebraska” field guides, a Flying WILD Curriculum and Activity Guide, and a binder of Nebraska-specific bird information.

The idea for the kit came from an often heard excuse teachers gave for why they were not taking their students outside to go birding – “We don’t have the funds to purchase binoculars.” To alleviate this issue, the kits will be located around the state to provide all teachers the opportunity to check-out a kit, get their students outside, and learn about Nebraska avian species.

Kits will be available for check-out starting March 1, 2012. For more information, please contact Lindsay Rogers, Nebraska Project WILD, lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov.

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PARKS

Smithsonian Features Ashfall Fossil Beds in January Online Edition

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park was featured on the Smithsonian website  in its January EvoTourism section.   The article provides some great photos of the park’s featured exhibits and an extensive background history of Mike Voorhies’  involvement in the Ashfall Fossil Beds, described by many as the “Prehistoric Pompeii”.

This is not the first time the spectacular sites at the park have drawn national attention.  The Ashfall Fossil Beds have also been featured on the PBS series NOVA, Discovery channel’s “Super Volcanos,” and Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything.” National Geographic magazine, Ranger Rick magazine, and in newspapers worldwide.

For more information on the historical park visit the slideshows featured on the University of Nebraska’s online site.  Interested in learning more about the park?  View/Download the brochure .

To view the Smithsonian article follow the link below:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/evotourism/Ashfall-Fossil-Beds-Nebraska.html

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Fort Robinson Hosts Annual Christmas Dinner Celebrating 1946 Era

From vines to boughs, the Buffalo Barracks was filled with the smells of Christmas, as preparations were made for the Annual Historical Christmas Dinner held the first Saturday in December.

This year marks 17 years the park has hosted the dinner. Park attendees were invited to experience a 1946 era Christmas.  The five-course meal took a week to prepare and consisted of roast turkey with sage dressing, oyster stew with crackers, cranberry sauce, snowflake potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, buttered asparagus, green peas, shrimp salad with French dressing, hot rolls, butter, plain bread, ice cream, mince pie, fruit cake, fruit punch, fresh milk, coffee, assorted nuts and fruit and Christmas candy.  In addition to the nine permanent and one temporary staff person involved,  approximately 100 volunteers helped decorate the buildings, entertain, and serve the meal.

The Buffalo Barracks and many of the other buildings on the premises are decorated by 4-H groups, local individuals and businesses, however the majority of the “Light up the Fort” falls on the shoulders of the Fort Robinson Staff who decorate Brick 19, Comanche Hall, Firehall, the Lodge, Stables and keep the area lit for the season.

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Prescribed burn

Remaining Prescribed Burn Workshops Scheduled for February and March

Pheasants Forever has scheduled a total of 20 prescribed burn workshops across the state for January, February and March.  The training opportunities are being offered for landowners to gain knowledge about the safe and effective use of prescribed fire in their land management plans.

The remaining dates for all workshops can be found on the www.NebraskaPF.com website. Interested landowners can register on the site.

This same website will also provide resource professionals and landowners with options for the following items:

• Prescribed Burn Plan forms
• Information on Prescribed Burn Associations
• Weather web sites
• Links to important prescribed burn web sites
• Prescribed fire management guides

For more information please contact Peter S. Berthelsen | Senior Field Coordinator  (308) 754-5339  |  mobile phone. (308) 390-0848 | pberthelsen@pheasantsforever.org

Read an article on enhancing habitat through good management practices here: Article on Pheasant Hunting in Omaha World Herald

More on the pheasant management – watch video of recent pheasant banding effort:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoyujQtbmAc&feature=youtu.be

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Chance Encounter Hooks Family
on Kayaking

Herb Angell, Game and Parks boating law administrator had the opportunity to meet and conduct some informal training for a family that was initiated when they noticed him hauling kayaks along the highway. “This family called me this summer and asked about our kayaks after seeing me hauling a trailer down the highway.  They just wanted to know a little bit more, so we set up a time to have a small get-together at Pawnee Lake.   I anticipated a small family group but was surprised to find that his entire extended family showed up.  Ten kayaks were not enough but they took turns and I offered a short training and kayak tips session.  The entire family really got caught up in it,”  Angell said.

Angell received a follow up Thank You note with the photograph to the left included:

Herb -

Wanted to say thanks for giving me a new perspective on life, parks and paddling !  You provided Kayak coaching to my wife and I, brother, daughter, in-laws and friends earlier in the year.  Since then every car in our large extended family has a park permit, just in case we have a chance to kayak on the way to or from anywhere.

My 4-year-old grandson and I were recently packing PFDs in a go bag and I was so proud he knew the whistle, in the personal floation device (PFD) pocket, was a fox 40.

Attached is a picture of Sunday kayaking at Pawnee, departed from Area 2.  The picture looks to the snow covered swimming beach north east of Area 2.  As you can see the water reflected the sky and the park is an amazing opportunity to experience such natural grace within 30 minutes of Lincoln.

Thank you,
Kelly & Debbie Lammers
Milford NE

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Game and Parks Annual Information-2012 Parks Programs

State Park Volunteer Program

The Commission has a State Park Volunteer Program that consists of 10 different programs.  Each of these programs is unique and fulfills different needs in the State Park System.  These programs include the Campground Host Program, the Volunteers in Parks Program, the Tree Planting Event at Fort Robinson State Park, the Living History Program, Take Pride in America Day, the Trail Maintenance Program, the Community Service Program, the Internship Program, the Missouri River Outdoor Education Expo, and the Inmate Services Program.

In 2011, the State Park System engaged 3,234 volunteers in park projects, donating 62,006 hours of their time.  The value of their donated time translates to a $526,247.03 savings for Game and Parks.  The State Park Volunteer program provides great value to our visitors and allows our staff to focus on the management of the parks.  It also gives volunteers the opportunity to give back to the park system that they appreciate.  Volunteer activities include assistance with naturalist programs, fishing clinics, landscaping, general upkeep and maintenance of the areas, and being a liaison between the public and the park.  View / Download  2011 State Park Volunteer Report for more information.

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2011 State Park Survey Results Tallied

The Commission completed the 2011 State Park User Survey, which has been a bi-annual activity for the past 10 years.  This year, 31 state parks, state recreation areas and state historical parks participated in the survey.  A total of 8,272 surveys were distributed and 3,113 surveys were completed and returned to the Commission, which was a 37.6 percent response rate.  Surveys were distributed on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and were conducted in both day use and camping/lodging areas. The average overnight park user survey respondent spent an average of 3.75 nights; if they were a day user, they stayed an average of 3.8 hours at the area.  Colorado residents were the most popular out-of-state visitors. The average age of the park user survey respondents was 46.6 years of age.  View / Download  2011 Park User Survey Findings �

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Partnerships

Nebraska Youth Conservation Program

On May 17, 2011, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 549 for the purposes of creating the Nebraska Youth Conservation Program.  This program has been delegated to the Commission to employ Nebraska’s at-risk youth to assist in conserving or developing Nebraska’s natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important land and water.  The Commission has been tasked to teach life skills as well as educate and introduce the youth to our natural environment.  The program will take place from June 25, 2012 to August 3, 2012.  Funds were dedicated to this program through a transfer from the Nebraska Cash Settlement Fund to the Commission.  The Commission is partnering with the Nebraska Department of Labor to assist in identifying and recruiting program participants.  This program will include projects from three Commission divisions, which includes State Parks, State Recreation Areas, State Historical Parks, State Hatcheries and Wildlife Management Areas.

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Great Park Pursuit Involvement Increases by 45 Percent

Game and Parks completed its fourth year of the Great Park Pursuit.   Nebraska Recreation and Park Association, Outdoor Recreation Products and Nebraska Health and Human Services partnered with Game and Parks for the event.  The program’s goal is to encourage a healthier lifestyle for participants while increasing awareness of Nebraska’s nature rich outdoor recreation opportunities.  The program encouraged visits to 20 different park sites throughout Nebraska where participants followed clues to collect nature-based impressions from posts hidden at each area.  Teams print off park pages from www.negpp.org which include clues on how to find the Great Park Pursuit Post at a location.  The  team visits the park, finds the post and does a nature impression which is on top of the post.  The team then sends in rubbings from all the parks visited and is entered into prize winning categories. The Program runs from May 1 to Labor Day and will extend 2 weeks into Sept. for the  2012 event.

A total of 765 teams enrolled in the Great Park Pursuit.  Of those enrolled there were 3,368 participants from 172 communities in 7 different states.  Participation in the program has continued to increase since inception and by 45 percent from the previous year. Participants are entered into prize drawings depending on the number of park sites they visited.

Prizes Have Included: a 2 night cabin stay at a State Park, 2 different 4 ticket packages to Husker Football games, 3 different backyard bird packages, 1 Triple A $1,000 voucher, 5 Grand Prize $1,000 outdoor packages (camping, kayaking or fishing) and 20 NGPC Park Entry Permits.

2012 Locations: Lake Minatare SRA, Chadron SP, Bowring Ranch SHP, Ft. Hartsuff SHP, Ponca SP, Two Rivers SRA, Memphis SRA, Lied Platte River Bridge SRT (State Recreational Trail), Rock Creek Station SHP, Mormon Island SRA, Johnson Lake SRA, Ash Hollow SHP

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“A Walk in the Park”

For the second year Game and Parks has partnered with Nebraska Health and Human Services’ Every Woman Matters Program which provides health services to women between the ages of 40 and 64 who meet income eligibility guidelines.  A Walk in the Park partnership encourages women to get out and utilize their local and state parks for healthy outdoor recreation activities.  The program distributed 1,274 State Park Entry Permits and five Outdoor News reports outlining activities occurring within the State Parks System to women in the program.

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Grab Those Handlebars, Grease those Gears – May Proclaimed Bike Month

The Commission partnered with Nebraska Health and Human Services for the third year to celebrate and educate Nebraskans about Bike Month which is in May every year.  A Governor’s Proclamation was signed in May, 2011 with all the partners in attendance.  Those partners included Game and Parks, Nebraska Health and Human Services and several bike advocacy groups as Gov. Heineman proclaimed May as Bike Month and May 16-20 as Bike to Work Week.

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OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Nebraska Outdoor U! Encourages Outdoor Learning

Game and Parks and the University of Nebraska –Lincoln (UNL) have developed the Nebraska Outdoor U! (NOU!) program.  The goal of the program is to increase participation in outdoor-recreation by equipping new and current users with outdoor skills and knowledge through easily accessed programs, events, and web-based learning opportunities that incorporate a multi-tiered recognition program that encourages a life-long learning and teaching culture.

Outdoor U! provides step-by-step guidance for anyone interested in taking up or sharing an outdoor activity. Majors at Nebraska Outdoor U! are called pathways, of which  four currently are available to explore:  hunting, camping, fishing and shooting sports. Each pathway includes six levels of achievement: Pathfinder, Explorer, Trailblazer, Pioneer, Mentor and Legacy. More pathways such as hiking and water sports are envisioned for the future.

Nebraska Outdoor U! is intended to help an increasingly urban population enjoy the outdoors. “We’re losing hunters, anglers, and outdoor sports people,” said Scott Stuhr, Nebraska Outdoor U! coordinator. “This program helps bring them back. I’ve talked to so many people that would love to get outdoors but don’t have anyone to guide them through the process.”

Nebraska Outdoor U! lets participants shape their own programs and encourages them to be involved with others. One of the steps they take is to attend meetings to find a nature-oriented organization that interests them which in turn provides channels for them to participate and join in on activities.

Enrolling in the program online at www.OutdoorU.org is free, but participants may need to purchase equipment and pay for activities as they progress.

The program is geared for all ages.  For more information or to enroll, please visit http://www.OutdoorU.org/, or call Scott Stuhr at 402-472-2037.

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Shooting Range Plan Seeks Potential Sites for Shooting Facility Placement

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has initiated development of a shooting range plan for Nebraska and staff are well underway in locating potential sites around the state that would benefit from a shooting facility.  A team of Agency professionals have been developing criteria for future developments of shooting range complexes such as the successful Heritage Park recently opened at Platte River State Park.   The team is looking a the various needs of Nebraska and has summarized them into four main categories:

1. Outdoor Heritage Parks – developed on State Park, Recreation Areas or partner properties, these areas are designed to be educational facilities that appeal to first time shooters, boaters, anglers and nature enthusiasts.  Such facilities will generally support various shooting sport venues, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor related activities.
2. Community Shooting Parks – these are developed as close to communities/neighborhoods as possible.  They may encompass one or more aspects of the shooting sports and are designed for beginners (recruitment) and active shooters.  They are to be located so that youth and families can easily get to them utilizing the city parks and recreation center concepts.
3. Sight-in Ranges on our WMAs or SRAs – these are to be smaller and less costly additions to Wildlife Management Areas and SRAs across NE that will help our hunters find safe and effective places to sight in their rifles/handguns for hunting
4. Shooting Range Grant Program – the plan will request that we renew our support to club style shooting ranges across Nebraska by renewing the competitive grants program.  For several years, this program provided struggling rod and gun clubs the means to expand their facilities to the public or make safety enhancements to keep their facilities available.

To date, members of the shooting range committee have reviewed the following sites for possible future shooting range development:

• Chadron SP
• Indian Cave SP
• Two Rivers SRA
• North Platte area including NPPD property and district office
• Scottsbluff area including Wildcat Hills Nature Center
• Fort Kearney SRA, Kearney office and Fort Kearney SHP

It is obvious Nebraska has varying needs for shooting sports facility development or support for existing facilities.  The shooting sports constitute a major portion of our federal funding base by supplying locations for growing shooting sports programs or locations simply for our current and new hunters to practice the skills necessary to enjoy a lifetime of hunting in Nebraska.  Designed correctly, these facilities can also serve as major recruitment centers for new participants from families across Nebraska.

( article submitted by Jeff Rawlinson – for more info email him at jeff.rawlinson@nebraska.gov )

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2012 Turkey Guide

The New Turkey Guide is available

Find information on the Spring and Fall seasons as well as permit pricing and youth hunting information. Download your copy today.

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Twelve Hunting-Related Incidents Reported in 2011

Twelve hunting-related incidents were reported to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in 2011. Two of those incidents each resulted in the death of one person.

Seven incidents involved the discharge of a shotgun, three involved the discharge of a rifle, one involved a fall from an elevated stand and one involved a hunter being shot by an unknown person with an unknown firearm.
“All of the incidents occurred because one or more participants were not following safety rules,” Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter said.
Four incidents occurred while hunting upland birds, three while hunting deer, two while hunting waterfowl, two while hunting furbearers and one while hunting nongame animals.

Historically, the most common cause for a hunting incident in Nebraska is a shooter swinging on a flying game bird and striking a hunting companion with shot from a shotgun.
To view the full Nebraska 2011 Hunting Incident report, visit huntsafenebraska.org

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PERSONNEL

Ron Stave  Assumes New Role as Chairman of the Commissioners

During the Commissioner’s meeting on Jan. 20, 2012 Ron Stave of Waterloo was elected chairman, Norris Marshall of Kearney vice chairman and Jerrod Burke of Curtis second vice chairman. The offices became effective following the meeting.  Stave had been reappointed to serve a second term on the Game and Parks Commission.  Ron’s current term expires on January 15, 2012.  His new term will commence on January 16, 2012 and continue until January 15, 2016.

Brian Piernicky hired to begin employment as a Conservation Officer

Brian Piernicky was officially hired to begin employment as a Conservation Officer. Piernicky has already completed his basic training at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and he worked in the Lincoln Office prior to beginning the Field Training Officer program. He should complete this phase of his training around mid-April of this next year. Brian has a degree from Chadron State College in Range Ecology with a Wildlife minor and has previous work experience with Cabelas and NGPC as a temporary. We will plan on Piernicky to fill the McCook duty station upon successful completion of his FTO training.

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Service Awards

December

15 YEARS

Bradley Goracke, Wildlife, 12-23-11

Dudley Sorensen, Law Enforcement, 12-30-11

40 YEARS

JoAnn Sturdy, Law Enforcement, 12-1-11

January

5 YEARS

Caleb Huber, Fisheries, 1-8-12

Virginia Hummel, Parks, 1-8-12

25 YEARS

Mark Matulka, Operations & Construction, 1-6-12

30 YEARS

Duane Arp, Law Enforcement, 1-5-12

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February Outdoor Calendar of Events

The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in February:

Feb. 1 – Burchard Reservoir Project public informational meeting, Tecumseh

Feb. 4-5 – White-fronted goose hunting season

Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Firearm hunter education class, Hay Springs

Feb. 5 – Dark goose hunting season closes in Niobrara, Platte and Panhandle units

Feb. 5 – Light goose hunting season closes

Feb. 6 – Light Goose Conservation Order hunting begins

Feb. 7 – Public informational waterfowl meeting, Lincoln

Feb. 10-11 – Firearm hunter education class, Wilber

Feb. 11 – Firearm hunter education field day, Auburn

Feb. 12 – Firearm hunter and bowhunter education field day, Aurora

Feb. 14 – Boating safety class test out, Grand Island

Feb. 16 – Boating safety class test out, Kearney

Feb. 16, 18, 23, 25 – Firearm hunter education class, Grand Island

Feb. 18 – Boating safety class, Omaha

Feb. 18-19 – Bowhunter education class, Norfolk

Feb. 21 – Boating safety class test out, Norfolk

Feb. 23-26 – Omaha Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Omaha

Feb. 25 – Firearm hunter education field day, Auburn

Feb. 25 – Firearm hunter education field day, Aurora

Feb. 29 – Hunting seasons close for cottontail and jackrabbit

Feb. 29 – Hunting/trapping seasons close for bobcat, raccoon, opossum, weasel, mink, red fox, gray fox and badger

Contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641 or visit the calendar link on OutdoorNebraska.org for updates and more information.

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