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 harvest each year to ensure quality cover is provided.

The Stubble Access Guide complements the atlas and highlights an additional 41,500 acres of upland habitat open to public access in western Nebraska. It displays these recently enrolled tracts, as well as other publicly accessible lands. Many stubble fields include unfarmable pockets containing dense cover that often are underutilized by hunters.

The Stubble Access Guide is available where hunt permits are sold throughout parts of western Nebraska. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov, then search “Stubble Access Guide” to view the guide online, as well as the digital versions of the Public Access Atlas, such as the interactive atlas map or the mobile-friendly offline atlas. These versions also display tall stubble sites and are updated throughout the hunting season.

Catch these Game and Parks education events in November

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in November.

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Little Saplings program at Schramm

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2024 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of the month, continues Nov. 6 with the theme Bison at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

‘The Science of …’ virtual webinar series continues

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s virtual webinar series “The Science of …” returns in November. On Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central Time, Game and Parks educators will discuss the science behind common things regarding nature and animals. The topics: Nov. 7 – Bobcats; Nov. 14 – Orb Weavers; Nov. 21 – Hawks.

The webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Nov. 12

Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.

On Nov. 12, the topic for this free, bird-related program for all ages will be Birding by Ear.

James Family Conservatory to host Wise and Wild

Wise and Wild is a program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 3 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On Nov. 12, the topic for this free event will be Get into the Greenhouse. Explore the greenhouse and design a simple winter plant arrangement for your home.

Wildcat Hills preschool program is Nov. 12

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host its monthly preschool program Nov. 12 with Terrific Turkeys.

The program will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wildcat Hills homeschool program is Nov. 14

The Wildcat Hills homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. The theme Nov. 14 is Terrific Turkeys. Explore turkey behavior and their unique call.

Certified staff lead various programs that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations, and habitats found only in western Nebraska. Activities focus hands-on learning and observations, targeted to your students’ learning.

For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pre-K Herpetology Days coming to Mahoney SP

It is never too early to begin appreciating reptiles and amphibians. At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Pre-K Herpetology Days, young ones may meet an animal ambassador, create animal art and more.

This program at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 and 21 at the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center, is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver.

The theme will be Frogs and Salamanders on Nov. 14 and Turtles and Snakes on Nov. 21.

Urban wildlife subject of Nebraska Master Naturalist webinar

The Master Naturalist Mondays virtual webinar series continues at 12:30 p.m. Central Time Nov. 18 with Urban Wildlife.

Presenter Dr. Gabrielle Tegeder, adjunct professor of geology and geography at University of Nebraska Omaha, will discuss the kinds of urban wildlife people encounter in eastern Nebraska, why it is there and what people can do to live with wildlife.

Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide volunteer conservation program. This free webinar series hosts a variety of presenters and subject matter. It allows Nebraska Master Naturalist to connect to its conservation motivations and inspirations and its naturalist community across the state.

For more information, to register, or find previously recorded webinars in the series, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Email any questions to [email protected].

Homeschool Hikes set for Nov. 20-21 at Schramm

Homeschool families for ages 5 and up are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 and 1 p.m. Nov. 21. This month's theme is Deer.

During the program, participants may ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. They will have the opportunity to observe local phenomena, plants, and animals while exploring concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Schramm to host Fly-Tying for Beginners

The Schramm Education Center near Gretna will host Fly-Tying for Beginners at 10 a.m. Nov. 23.

Learn to tie fishing flies using materials such as feathers, thread, metal and beads. These are tied to a hook with the goal of imitating an insect or other small prey item of fish. Tie dry flies, which float on the surface, or wet flies, which sink just below the surface.

Portions of WMA close for Oct. 20 youth hunt

Portions of Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lewellen will be closed to access for the safety of the public between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mountain time Oct. 20 for a youth hunt.

The areas of closure include all of the hunting blinds, the Special Hunting Area, and everything a half mile west of the Special Hunting Area. The rest of Clear Creek WMA will remain open to the public.

Twenty-five youth ages 11 to 15 will be hunting the WMA as part of the Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt, hosted by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; its conservation officers lead students in education stations on firearm safety, decoy placement, zones of fire, blind safety, duck calling, trap shooting, dog demonstration, boating skills and safety, and waterfowl identification.

Those wishing to hunt waterfowl at the WMA on Oct. 20 are encouraged to use the Public Access Atlas to find alternative hunt locations. Find the atlas at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas.

November firearm hunters have two options to check deer

Starting this fall, hunters have the option to electronically report their November firearm deer season harvest or take their deer to a check station.

While checking in deer is mandatory, hunters may choose to check in their deer at a check station or through Telecheck for the first time this nine-day firearm season.

In the past, hunters were required to take their harvest to a physical check station during the firearm season while deer harvests during the remainder of the year were reported through Telecheck.

Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance still will be conducted in eastern deer management units during the firearm deer season. Firearm hunters in the Missouri, Elkhorn, Loup East, Wahoo, Blue Northwest, and Blue Southeast deer management units are encouraged to report their harvest in person and voluntarily submit their deer for free chronic wasting disease sampling. However, they may opt for Telecheck, as well.

Telecheck is a free service that allows hunters to check their deer from the field or at home, by telephone or online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online option is strongly recommended for those who opt to Telecheck. It was introduced in Nebraska in 2010 to save time and fuel costs for hunters. It also was a faster way for Game and Parks to obtain harvest data. Until now, it’s only been used to report deer taken in seasons outside the November firearm season and for other species.

For more information on Telecheck, to view a map of check stations, or to access the online reporting form, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/telecheck. A QR code has been added to deer permits to scan with a smartphone and take hunters directly to the Telecheck page.

The November firearm deer season is Nov. 16-24.

Deer taken during the November Firearm season must be delivered to a check station or checked via Telecheck no later than 1 p.m. on the day following the close of the season. Deer taken outside the November Firearm season must be Telechecked within 48 hours of the kill and no later than 1 p.m. the day after the season closes.

Hunters may purchase permits or learn more about Telecheck or CWD at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Commissioners to consider sportfishing orders

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider amendments to sportfishing orders when it meets Oct. 25 in Broken Bow. These orders regard daily bag limits, possession limits and open areas.

The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the Broken Bow Municipal Auditorium, 314 S. 10th St.

Proposed sportfishing amendments would, among other things:

  • change the bag limit and size restriction for black bass and northern pike in several lakes;
  • change the size restriction on striped bass, white bass and wiper statewide;
  • change the walleye, sauger and saugeye bag and size restriction on Branched Oak Lake;
  • remove the size restriction on channel catfish from the Missouri River; and
  • change the timeframe when anglers are allowed to fish the Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake without a trout tag.

The commissioners also will consider amending orders to create a bighorn sheep management hunt for March 1-31, 2025. Two resident lottery permits would be authorized, with a bag limit of one male bighorn sheep that is half curl or less. The hunt would take place in portions of Scotts Bluff and Banner counties.

To view proposed orders, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Orders.”

In other business, commissioners will consider amendments to:

  • fisheries regulations regarding rules relating to bait collection by anglers and bait dealers, including listing of legal bait species, harvest methods and limits;
  • wildlife regulations regarding threatened and endangered species, including a list of state and federally designated critical habitat, updating list of streams where baitfish is prohibited to protect state-listed threatened or endangered fish, adding ability for State Action Agencies to designate a “Non-State Representative” to conduct informal consultation on their behalf, outlining the process for allowing Incidental Take and including an Incidental Take Statement in formal consultation;
  • fisheries regulations relating to aquatic invasive species, including listing invasive species, inspections, decontamination, impoundments and restrictions; and
  • wildlife regulations to address changes in Nebraska statutes and update regulations to mirror the Federal Endangered Species Act consultation process, improve clarity, add efficiencies, address new technology and its use in the consultation process, and reduce restrictions.

Commissioners also will consider a staff recommendation to enter into a supplemental agreement for Transportation Alternatives Funding to surface the Cowboy Trail from Rushville to mile marker 400 near Chadron.

Also, parks staff will recommend commission approval of the Recreation Road Program’s 1- and 5-Year Plan; and will seek approval of fee increases for park activities, lodging and rental facilities.

There also will be a Hunter Education program presentation, a review of the state parks in the summer, and commissioners will set the 2025 meeting schedule.

To view a complete agenda, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Public Notices.”

Temporary open fire ban continues at Game and Parks areas

The temporary open fire ban at Nebraska Game and Parks locations continues due to widespread drought and dry fuels, persistent fire weather patterns and the danger of human-caused wildfires.

Camp stoves and fire pits fueled by liquid gas, however, will be permitted effective immediately at Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas. These types of stoves do not produce blowing embers and limit people’s ability to discard or leave hot ashes or briquettes; this reduces wildfire potential. 

Recent dry, windy, low humidity and hot weather conditions across the state have resulted in an elevated potential for wildfires. According to the most recent University of Nebraska-Lincoln Drought Monitor, 83% of the state is experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions.

As conditions can rapidly change, campground and WMA visitors should stay tuned to local fire ban updates and call ahead to state parks for current information. Find park contact details at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Prohibited sources of open fires include:

  • All campfires
  • Transportable wood-fueled firepits with grills or mesh metal covers
  • Wood-burning stoves
  • Charcoal grills
  • Fire pans

Permitted sources are devices solely fueled by liquid gas that can be turned off; these may include:

  • Propane or butane camp stoves
  • Canister camp stoves
  • Propane grills
  • Propane fireboxes and firepits
  • Other burners fueled by liquid gas, such as gasoline or kerosene

Those wishing to use their Dutch ovens to cook should do so over propane or electric heat sources.

Those using permitted camp stoves, grills or firepits should never leave them unattended and always use them on a level area clear of flammable materials.

Out of the abundance of caution, campers and hunters should carry a shovel, bucket and fire extinguisher in their vehicle or camper to put out unintended flames.

State park area and WMA guests also are encouraged to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of wildfire:

  • Dispose of cigarettes and other flammable objects appropriately.
  • Avoid activities that could create sparks.
  • Restrict driving to established roads and trails.
  • Avoid parking vehicles in tall vegetation.
  • Make sure no chains or metal parts or objects are hanging or dragging from your vehicle or towed trailer.
  • In the morning, before driving and while the exhaust/catalytic converter system is cool, inspect it to see no debris is clinging to it.