Youth ages 11-15 may register for the Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt, which is Oct. 20 at Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lewellen.

In addition to a mentored hunt with a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officer, this free event includes learning stations, lunch, door prizes and raffles. There will be a drawing for a youth lifetime hunt permit.

Hunter check-in begins at 8 a.m. Mountain time at the Clear Creek WMA office. Then they will go through the following learning stations: firearm safety, decoy placement, zones of fire, blind safety, duck calling, trap shooting, dog demonstration, boating skills and safety, and waterfowl identification.

Hunters must have completed a hunter education course. Space is limited to 25 hunters. Preference is given to hunters who never have been on this hunt in the past.

Register by contacting Tamara Cooper at Ash Hollow State Historical Park at 308-778-7708 or [email protected].

This event is sponsored by Game and Parks’ Law Enforcement, Wildlife, Parks, and Fish and Wildlife Education divisions.

Stay safe this upland bird season

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, what’s beyond it, and what’s in front of it. Don’t swing your muzzle on game outside of your safe zone of fire.
  • Keep your finger outside the trigger guard and safety on until you are ready to fire.
  • Plan your hunt and hunt your plan; put a game plan together with your group before your hunt so everyone knows where each other are during your hunt.
  • Never cross a fence, ditch, waterway or other obstacles with a loaded shotgun. Be sure to unload your shotgun, action open, and safety on before handing it to someone else.
  • Be sure you, your group and dogs are wearing hunter orange on your head, chest and back. Hunter orange has reduced hunting incidents by 80% since the 1970s and helps you and other hunters identify unsafe shooting scenarios in the field.

“Upland bird hunting is time-honored annual activity enjoyed by Nebraskans for decades, but every hunter should remember safety comes first,” said Kyle Gaston, Nebraska hunter education coordinator. “Safe hunting is no accident.”

Hunters ages 12-29 are reminded that they must carry proof of successful completion of a hunter education course while hunting. Proof can be in the form of a valid permit containing the hunter’s hunter education number, or a hunter education card or certificate issued by another state.

Those ages 12-29 who have not completed a hunter education course may find a course at HuntSafeNebraska.org or purchase a $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate that provides novice hunters an opportunity to receive instruction with an experienced hunter before completing a hunter education course.

For more information on hunter education requirements and exemptions, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org.

To learn more about hunting in Nebraska, or to purchase a permit, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Fall rainbow trout stocking has begun

The annual fall stocking of rainbow trout into ponds and lakes across Nebraska has begun.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fish hatcheries staff is releasing catchable (10-inch or greater) trout to enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter.

In addition to rainbow trout, Game and Parks will stock into Lake Ogallala thousands of cutbows – a cutthroat/rainbow trout hybrid – for anglers looking to catch a different species.

“This popular program emphasizes our urban and community waters statewide,” said Daryl Bauer, Game and Parks’ fisheries outreach program manager. “We encourage anglers to get out and enjoy the weather and harvest a few trout.

“Don’t let this pass by as an opportunity to teach a new angler how to fish either,” Bauer said. “Trout are a great starter fish.”

For young or new anglers, a spinning or spincast rod-and-reel with a worm baited hook work well.

If you are just getting into fishing, read Game and Parks’ Going Fishing Guide, available at OutdoorNebraska.gov. There, you also can find additional information on fishing or buy your fishing permit.

Game and Parks is seeking input from trout anglers, particularly those who fish put-and-take lakes. To accomplish this, a survey is available at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Search “trout stocking reports.” Information from this survey will be used to inform future trout management and stocking decisions.

The following is a schedule for rainbow and cutbow trout set to be stocked, including quantities. Dates can change because of weather or unforeseen circumstances:

Week of Sept. 23

  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
  • South Grable Pond, Fort Robinson State Park, 1,200
  • Middle Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 600
  • North Grable Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 750
  • Chadron Wildlife Management Area pond, Chadron, 150
  • Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area, Ogallala, 8,000 cutbows

Week of Oct. 1

  • Elm Creek, Elm Creek WMA, Red Cloud, 1,000
  • Bridgeport SRA northwest lake, 1,400
  • Laing Lake, Alliance, 1,500
  • Cherry Creek Diversion Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 250
  • Sidney Legion Park Pond, Sidney, 300
  • Bridgeport SRA middle lake, 2,000
  • Middle Ice House Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 200
  • Lower Ice House Pond, Fort Robinson SP, 750

Week of Oct. 7

  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
  • Fremont SRA Lake No. 18, Fremont, 2,000
  • Crystal Cove Lake, South Sioux City, 2,500
  • Fontenelle Forest Lake, Omaha, 1,200
  • Benson Lake, Omaha, 1,050
  • Ta-Ha-Zouka Park Lake, Norfolk, 1,500
  • Pawnee Park West, Columbus, 1,000
  • Lake Halleck, Papillion, 1,200
  • Steinhart Park Pond, Nebraska City, 800
  • Weeping Water Park Pond 1, Weeping Water, 1,500
  • Louisville SRA pond 1A, Louisville, 600
  • David City Park Pond, David City, 600
  • North Morrill Pond, Morrill, 2,250
  • Middle Morrill Pond, Morrill, 450
  • South Morrill Pond, Morrill, 400
  • Riverside Park Pond, Scottsbluff, 900
  • Rock Creek SRA lake, Parks, 3,000

Week of Oct. 14

  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
  • Towl Park Pond, Omaha, 300
  • Grove Lake WMA lake, Royal, 1,500
  • Curtis Golf Course Pond, Curtis, 150
  • Oxford City Lake, Oxford, 300
  • Bethphage Pond, Axtell, 200
  • Plum Creek Park Lake, Lexington, 750
  • Lake Helen, Gothenburg, 2,000
  • Windmill SRA No. 2, Gibbon, 1,100
  • Fort Kearny SRA No. 6, Kearney, 1,280
  • Holdrege City Lake (North Park), Holdrege, 1,800
  • Bessey Pond, Halsey, 600
  • Auble Pond, Ord, 1,500
  • Gracie Creek Pond, Burwell, 1,000
  • Melham Park Lake, Broken Bow, 875
  • Ansley City Lake, Ansley, 1,000
  • Heartwell Park Lakes, Hastings, 900
  • GI Suck’s Lake, Grand Island, 650
  • Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home pond, Kearney, 200
  • CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 1,500
  • Bowling Lake, Lincoln, 400
  • Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000
  • Humbolt City Park Lake, Humbolt, 600
  • Stanton Lake, Falls City, 200
  • Rotary Club Lake, Auburn, 800
  • Geneva Pond, Geneva, 300
  • Pawnee City Park Lake, Pawnee City, 300
  • Gretna Crossing Pond, Gretna, 200

Week of Oct. 21

  • White River, Crawford, 1,000
  • Gilbert-Baker WMA pond, Harrison, 600
  • Birdwood WMA lake, North Platte, 4,000
  • Humphrey Pond, Ogallala, 600
  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
  • Lake Ogallala SRA, Ogallala, 6,000 cutbows

Week of Oct. 28

  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200
  • Lake Ogallala SRA, Ogallala, 5,000

November-December

As time and weather allow, the following water bodies will be stocked with rainbow trout in November:

  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 800
  • Crystal Springs Middle Pond, Fairbury, 1,000
  • Lake Ogallala SRA, Ogallala, 10,000

As time and weather allow, the following water bodies will be stocked with rainbow trout in December:

  • CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, 3,500
  • Bowling Lake, Lincoln, 400
  • Holmes Lake, Lincoln, 3,000
  • East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 1,000

Explore the parks for Halloween fun in October

State park areas are wonderful places to celebrate Halloween in Nebraska with many hosting family-friendly activities on weekends in October. Plan your opportunity for fun at several park locations.

Remember: A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a state park area. Get yours at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at the park entry booth.

Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Cody’s

Visit to Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park every Saturday and Sunday in October for some spooky fall fun.

Beginning Oct. 5, come to Dusty’s Pumpkinfest at the Cody’s, hosted by Dusty Trails LLC, between noon and 6 p.m. Among the activities and games to enjoy are horseback riding, horse-drawn wagon rides, ax throwing, hay slide, zipline, duck race, pumpkin checkers/tic-tac-toe, pumpkin bounce pad, corn canon, bounce house, Bigfoot race, gold panning, challenge inflatable, petting zoo, bumper ball, cornhole, and critter catch. The North Platte Jaycees will provide concessions.

Admission is $12 per person, with children under age 2 free.

Indian Cave SP to celebrate 29th Annual Haunted Hollow

Treat yourself to a smorgasbord of Halloween fun at Indian Cave State Park on Oct. 11, 12, 19, 26 and 27.

The park’s 29th Annual Haunted Hollow event kicks off with trick-or-treating along decorated trails at the old town of St. Deroin on Oct. 11.

Other activities include a pumpkin roll, haunted hayrack rides, campsite decorating contest, junk and craft market, a walk raising funds for local cancer organizations and Trick or Treat by the Buses. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more details.

Halloween Haunt returns to Johnson Lake SRA

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area’s Halloween Haunt returns from 1-7 p.m. Oct. 12 with plenty to enjoy.

Start off by painting your Halloween vision on a pumpkin and playing kids’ games. Take in all the fun costumes as kids go trick-or-treating at the campsites. The day concludes with judging of the campsite decorating contest and marshmallow roasting.

Fremont to host campsite decorating and trick-or-treating

Come join the fun at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area on Oct. 12 for a Halloween campsite decorating contest and trick-or-treating. Both will be from 5-7 p.m.

Halloween is Brewing with Fun at Mahoney SP

Wear your spooky, silly and creative costumes and come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Owen Marina from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 12 for Halloween is Brewing with Fun.

There will be games, pumpkin carving, costume parade, naturalist programs, campfire, and trolley rides to tour campground Halloween decorations.

Limited pumpkins will be available for purchase at $6. Pumpkin carving and decorating tools will be provided. S’more kits and food will be available for purchase.

Ponca SP hosting 26th Annual Hallowfest

Come to Ponca State Park to enjoy a Halloween tradition during the 26th Annual Hallowfest Oct. 12 and Oct. 19.

From 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., guests can participate in outdoor education programs and games, making s’mores, pumpkin carving contest, pumpkin roll obstacle course, pet costume contest, cabin and campsite decorating contest, and trick-or-treating.

Halloween in the Hollow at Ash Hollow SHP

Get ready to have fun at this Halloween in the Hollow, from 1-6 p.m. Mountain Time Oct. 19 at Ash Hollow State Historical Park.

Bring your best costume for the costume contest and enjoy some trunk-or-treating. Kids can saddle up for pony rides and play kids’ games, while individuals and families can also sample the food vendors and compete in skill games.

Admission is $2, with some games and booths requiring an additional fee.

Branched Oak SRA to host Spooktacular on Oct. 19

Spend a day with the family Oct. 19 enjoying Spooktacular at Branched Oak State Recreation Area near Raymond.

Middle Oak Creek Campground will host this event, which will include a pumpkin-rolling contest, pumpkin carving, costume contest, campsite decorating, trick-or-treating and haunted hayrack rides. Purchase tickets by calling the office at 402-783-3400.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more details.

Wildcat Hills hosting Howl in the Hills Night Hike

Experience the Wildcat Hills at night Oct. 19 during the Howl in the Hills Night Hike. This .57-mile guided hike on uneven terrain is offered in two hikes – at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Mountain Time – with a limit of 25 participants per hike.

Bring a flashlight, hiking shoes and a sense of adventure. Register before Oct. 9 at the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov.

Haunted Camping at Enders State Recreation Area

Old-fashioned Halloween fun is on deck at Enders State Recreation Area from 2-6 p.m. Mountain Time Oct. 25, such as a haunted tent, hayrack rides, games, and pumpkin carving.

Dress up for the costume contest at 5:30 p.m.; both kids, adults and pets can join in the fun. As you enjoy the afternoon, munch on s’mores and sip hot apple cider.

Camp & Treat at Red Willow SRA

Enjoy winter camping rates and Halloween family fun Oct. 25-27 at Red Willow State Recreation Area’s Camp & Treat.

Oct. 26, kids ages 14 and younger are invited to bring their artistic skills and compete in a pumpkin painting contest at 4 p.m. There will be camper-to-camper trick-or-treating at 5 p.m., followed by a camper/campsite decorating contest judging.

All weekend, the camping rates will be $5 off the posted rate for electrical sites and $10 tent sites. 

First Responders Halloween at Niobrara SP

Celebrate First Responders Halloween on Oct. 26 at Niobrara State Park.

From 4-9 p.m., enjoy the Halloween season while recognizing local volunteers and first responders. There will be a campsite decorating contest, kids’ games, trick-or-treating, a haunted barn, and pumpkin roll contest.

Vintage Halloween weekend at Arbor Lodge

Step back in time to see historic trades, talents, and other demonstrations come alive inside Arbor Lodge Mansion and on the grounds during living history weekends at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City.

The Oct. 26-27 weekend is full of vintage Halloween frivolity, celebrating Halloween history, customs, and games throughout the 52-room mansion from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mansion admission is $9 adults and $7 for ages 3-12. Call Arbor Lodge at 402-873-7222 for more information.

Halloween activities planned at Schramm

The Schramm Education Center near Gretna has a full lineup of activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the classroom and outdoor classroom.

  • Gouge a Gourd – Learn to use an atlatl or a slingshot to take aim at some pumpkins.
  • Learn from a Leaf – Collect fallen leaves, observe their characteristics, learn how to identify some common Nebraska trees, then make leaf collage art.
  • All About Bones – Discover skeletons, skulls and other bones and what they tell us about some common Nebraska animals.
  • Fall Photos – We’ll have a few hay bales and pumpkins set up for fall photos in the forest. Wear some flannel, cozy caps or ghostly gear to take some pictures, then tag us on social media.
  • Animal Ambassadors – Meet some live animals and discover what makes them unique.

Admission fees apply to the education center. Halloween costumes should be family friendly.

Sherman accessibility project temporarily to close two boat ramps

An accessibility project at Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area’s Marina Bay and Thunder Bay boat ramps beginning soon temporarily will affect their availability.

Beginning Sept. 28, Marina Bay boat ramp will close for one week so the project contractor can remove concrete and pour new concrete on Sept. 30.

The timing of this project will cause both boat ramps to be closed simultaneously for a couple of days the week of Sept. 30 as the contractor will move to Thunder Bay. Concrete removal on that ramp will begin mid-week.

The goal of the project is to improve wheelchair access to the boat docks and improve safety for park staff when moving docks during the irrigation season and removing docks before winter.

Park visitors are encouraged to call the Sherman Reservoir park office at 308-745-0230 for any updates on the project.

To view a map of other boat ramps in the state, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/ and scroll to Public Boating Areas.

9 processors accepting Hunters Helping the Hungry donations

Hunters may begin donating deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program at nine processor locations around the state.

The participating meat processors are: Amherst – Belschner Custom Meats; Elmwood – Elmwood Meat Plant; Lindsay – Melcher’s Locker; Norfolk – R&M Meats; North Platte – Kelley’s Custom Pack; Plattsmouth – Meat Garden Butchery and Fine Table Fare Inc.; Table Rock – Den’s Country Meats; Ulysses – The Butchery; and Wahoo – Wahoo Locker LLC.

Hunters should call to check availability before hunting or delivering a harvest for processing. This includes non-HHH processors.

Hunters pay no processing costs for deer accepted by processors for this donation-driven program.

The HHH program is funded solely by tax-deductible contributions. Once processed, the ground venison is distributed by charitable organizations to Nebraskans in need. This year, the program is expected to reach 950,000 meals provided since its inception.

Processors accept only whole deer in good condition to ensure a good yield of pure ground venison. Hunters should first talk with processors but may keep antlers, head and cape and donate the rest of the deer.

Learn more about the program or how to support it at OutdoorNebraska.gov, search Hunters Helping the Hungry.

Governor proclaims Sept. 28 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska

Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 28, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska.

Each year, more than 450,000 hunters and anglers participate in outdoor recreation opportunities, supporting the state’s economy through their spending, while also supporting conservation efforts for fish and wildlife across the state.

Their dollars contribute to the $2.6 billion spent on outdoor activities in Nebraska each year, and, Pillen said, the outdoor economy comprises about 1.8% of Nebraska’s gross domestic product.

“(Today, we) recognize hunters and anglers for their immense contribution to fish and wildlife conservation and to society,” Pillen said. “Thanks for all that you do to help Nebraskans enjoy our extraordinary quality of life.”

Joining the governor in promoting hunting and fishing was John T. Heaston, executive director of the Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation, and nearly 10 representatives from outdoor organizations, including the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

“Being outside in Nebraska provides a lifelong sense of place, a way to recover and heal from the dilemmas that life brings, a way to create memories to share with family and friends,” he said. It’s also a place that protects our state’s unique ecological diversity while being a world-class destination for trapping, fishing and hunting.

He encouraged people to invite a beginner and this Saturday, “go fishing, go hunting, or just go outside.”

Nebraska is home to more than 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible lands including state, federal, and conservation partner lands as well as privately-owned lands enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program; it also is home to 456 public lakes and 38 streams and rivers with more than 130 public and private access points.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, held the fourth Saturday of each September, celebrates hunting and fishing while emphasizing conservation. It was first established by President Nixon in 1972 and is marked by outdoor events held throughout the country.

For more information about hunting and fishing in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Boating access projects completed at three areas

Boating access projects on three lakes controlled by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission were completed this summer. An angler access component at one of them has not been completed.

Hayes Center Wildlife Management Area – Construction of a single-lane, concrete boat launch ended in early September at this WMA in northeast Hayes County.

This project was initiated to addresses a lack of suitable access to the lake. Primitive launch sites existed sporadically around the lake but caused erosion to the shorelines. The new concrete ramp includes an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking stall and access to the top of the ramp.

This project was made possible through a Sport Fish Restoration grant and through the sale of Nebraska fishing and hunting permits.

Danish Alps State Recreation Area – An ADA-compliant kayak launch was completed in July to address congestion at the main boat ramp of the SRA near Hubbard.

An ADA-compliant kayak launch dock was installed, in addition to installment of a shore launch. A gravel turnaround area provides a safe space for users to unload and load their paddle craft. Newly constructed ADA-compliant parking stalls and sidewalks provide access to the kayak launch dock.

This was a joint project between Game and Parks and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. It is made possible through a Sport Fish Restoration grant and funding from the NRD.

Grove Lake WMA – Repairs to the north and south boat ramps were completed at the end of August.

The north ramp began to heave and separate at the joints. It was replaced, with the new concrete ramp, including an ADA-compliant parking stall and access. The upper portion of the south ramp was replaced. Riprap protection was added to the adjacent shorelines of both ramps and drainage and shoreline grading was performed.

This project was initiated to provide more bank fishing opportunity at the 50-acre lake. Unfinished is the installation of the floating fishing pier. Once delivered, the 60-foot gangway and 10-foot by 20-foot floating platform are expected to be installed in the coming month on the west shoreline of the lake north of Royal.

This project was made possible through a Sport Fish Restoration grant and through the Nebraska Game and Parks Aquatic Habitat Stamp, which accompanies the permit anglers’ purchase.

Questions about the projects can be directed to [email protected].

To view a map of other boat ramps in the state, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/ and scroll to Public Boating Areas.