Nebraska Game and Parks – Page 5 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Sets Deadline for Fish Stocking Signups

Posted on July 4, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has set an Aug. 1 deadline for applications to obtain stocked fish.

The fish available for stocking typically are largemouth bass and bluegill fingerlings.

Cold-water bodies capable of supporting trout year-round may be considered for stocking of 5-inch rainbow trout.

Landowners and associations still may regulate angler access if they receive fish, but anglers cannot be charged a fee.

To download an application, go online at OutdoorNebraska.org and click on Fishing, Services, Special Fishing Forms and Documents, and Application for Fish.

Contact Jeff Blaser at 402-471-5435 or [email protected] for more information.

Nebraska Game and Parks Announces 2014 Lake Maloney Carp-O-Rama

Posted on July 2, 2014

North Platte — Anglers interested in learning all aspects of carp fishing may attend Carp-O-Rama Saturday, July 12 at Lake Maloney State Recreation Area.

The free event is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the east side of the lake, near the main boat ramp. Lake Maloney SRA is located approximately 7.6 miles south of North Platte in Lincoln County. Loaner fishing poles, bait and instruction will be available.

Carp is an excellent fish for beginning anglers to pursue because they are plentiful statewide, and the required equipment is relatively simple. The strong-fighting fish also is not restricted by bag, possession limits or size limits.

Carp caught by anglers will be used in demonstrations on cleaning, preparing and cooking the fish. The cooked fish will be served with Dutch oven fruit cobbler as a free shore lunch. Try your hand at fish printing by recording your fish on fabric with paint. Prize drawings will be held for children age 15 and younger.

A park entry permit is required of all vehicles entering Lake Maloney. A fishing license is required of anglers age 16 and older. Both permits may be purchased at the lake.

Hunters Helping the Hungry Program Sets Deadline

Posted on June 20, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has set an application deadline of July 15 for meat processors that want to participate in the 2014 Hunters Helping the Hungry program.

The program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need.

The application form and program guidelines are available online at OutdoorNebraska.com/HHH under Processors and Charitable Organizations.

Deer donation will run from Sept. 1 through Jan. 16. Processors wishing to participate for a shorter period of time are encouraged to contact the program coordinator. Game and Parks will contact eligible applicants by Aug. 1.

Contact Teresa Lombard at 402-471-5430 or [email protected] for more information.

Swenson Named Parks Administrator at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Posted on June 17, 2014

LINCOLN – Jim Swenson has been named administrator of parks at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He succeeds Roger Kuhn, who was promoted to assistant director for development in May. Swenson’s new position is effective immediately.

“We are very pleased to name Jim Swenson to the position of parks administrator,” said Director Jim Douglas. “Jim is a very dedicated person who has served Game and Parks and our citizens with the utmost professionalism. He is a great asset to Nebraska’s state park system and will serve Nebraska well in his new position.”

Swenson is a native of Oakland, Neb. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and Wildlife Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984. During college he worked as a seasonal employee at Dead Timber and Fremont Lakes state recreation areas. Following graduation he worked seasonally in the Resource Services Division at Osage and Schilling wildlife management areas.

Swenson’s full-time employment at Game and Parks began in 1986 as a park superintendent at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area. He transferred to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) as a park superintendent in 1992, and then came to Lincoln in 2000 as the east region parks manager.

Swenson was executive director of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee from 2001-2007, when he coordinated major events by working with partner organizations. Among his accomplishments at Game and Parks are the continued development of Mahoney SP, and the development of cabins and the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center at Ponca SP. He has been instrumental in many major park events, including the Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca.

“Working with Game and Parks is realizing a dream I had as a young man,” Swenson said. “I embrace the opportunities to serve this agency as a parks division administrator and serve our many park visitors by helping to provide quality facilities and outdoor recreation opportunities that they can be proud of and enjoy.”

Swenson, who lives in Greenwood, enjoys all facets of outdoor recreation, especially camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, trapping and wildlife viewing.

Boating Safety Course to be Held in North Platte

Posted on June 6, 2014

North Platte – There will be boating safety course in North Platte for those needing to complete the course before operating any power boat. Don’t wait – get registered now.

The three-hour course will be held June 30 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office. This class is a home study class, which allows students to study online, then attend the shortened class for a review and test session. Class time is 9:00 am to noon. The fee is $10 and there are minimum student requirements for the class to be held. Pre-registration is required by calling the North Platte Game and Parks Commission office at 535-8025.

The Nebraska Boating Safety course is required of all power boat operators born after December 31, 1985, which includes operators of personal watercraft and all other motorboats. The minimum age to operate a motorboat in Nebraska is 14. Students must be at least 14, or turning 14 this calendar year to be certified.

Boat owners who complete the class may qualify for insurance discounts. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children and boaters of all ages are welcome.

For information on additional classes in Nebraska, visit www.boatsafenebraska.org or contact Boating Safety Officer Scott Eveland at (308) 289-0017 or [email protected].

Boating Safety Courses Offered Throughout Nebraska

Posted on May 19, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says state-required boating safety courses are offered throughout the state.

State law requires that anyone who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft, born after Dec. 31, 1985, must complete a boating safety course. Operators also must have course certificates when operating the boats or watercraft.

People must be at least 14 to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska.

Go online at BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of boating safety classes or to see boating regulations.

Nebraska Sets Day for Free Fishing, Park Entry

Posted on May 17, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Saturday is a day of free fishing and park entry in Nebraska.

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day means anyone may explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park.

Anglers must observe all fishing regulations. Camping, lodging and all other user fees still apply at state park areas.

Go online at OutdoorNebraska.org for more details and a list of other activities.

Become a Certified Youth Fishing Instructor in Scottsbluff

Posted on April 17, 2014April 17, 2014

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors April 27 in Scottsbluff. The free workshop will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 101 E. 20th St., from 2-5 p.m.

Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events and will receive program incentives. They also are encouraged to volunteer for such Game and Parks programs as Family Fishing Nights and Outdoor Expos.

To reserve a spot in this workshop, contact Larry Pape by April 25 at 402-471-5447or [email protected].

Rat and Beaver Lakes Aquatic Habitat Project to Begin

Posted on April 17, 2014

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has recently installed a temporary control structure below Rat and Beaver lakes located in Cherry County. This structure will allow the lakes to be lowered 18 inches over several months in preparation for a complete lake rehabilitation project.

Improvements to the boat launch area, a complete fish renovation, and installation of two fish barriers below Rat and Beaver lakes will be completed by late 2014 or early 2015.

Currently, the Rat and Beaver fishery is dominated by common carp. A complete fish renovation is required to restore a more productive sport fish fishery. Fish barriers will be installed below the lakes to prevent common carp movement up into the lakes. Anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts should see improved water quality, increased aquatic vegetation, increased waterfowl usage and an improved fishery. Once the project is completed, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie will be stocked in the lake.

The Rat and Beaver lakes project will be funded by the Nebraska Aquatic Habitat Stamp, which is included in the cost of every fishing permit.

For more information about this project, contact Zac Brashears at the Valentine State Fish Hatchery at 402-376-8080.

Big Game Society to Auction Elk Tag May 2

Posted on April 17, 2014April 17, 2014

LINCOLN – An elk tag will be auctioned off at the Nebraska Big Game Society (NBGS) banquet May 2 in Lincoln. The banquet will be held at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, 1800 Wilderness Woods Place.

Those who wish to bid but cannot attend may call in their bids for free. Call-in bidders must first notify the NBGS by 5 p.m. on April 29 at 402-430-9191 or 402-429-7181, or via email at [email protected].

Only residents are eligible for the tag, which will be auctioned at 7:30 p.m. The high bidder will receive a bull elk tag valid in any elk management unit during a 2014 open bull elk season using any legal weapons for that season.

Proceeds from the elk tag auction will be used by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the preservation of elk herds and hunting opportunities in the state.

Tickets for the banquet are $60 each or $500 for a table of eight. Dinner is at 6:15 p.m. Contact Jon Thomas 402-430-9191 or Rick Brandt 402-429-7181 for more information about the NBGS.