Ag and Outdoor 

Outdoors notes: Firearm deer harvest down 2% statewide
Outdoors notes: Firearm deer harvest down 2% statewide

Preliminary results from the 2024 Nebraska November firearm deer season show statewide harvest was down 2% from 2023 and down 24% from the 2019-2023 average.

Outdoor notes: Hunters asked to report collared deer

Outdoor notes: Hunters asked to report collared deer

Hunters who harvest a tagged and collared deer in western Nebraska are being asked to contact wildlife professionals conducting big game disease research.

Outdoor notes: Hunters encouraged to test deer for CWD in 6 management units

Outdoor notes: Hunters encouraged to test deer for CWD in 6 management units

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is encouraging hunters in six deer management units to bring their harvest to in-person check stations for chronic wasting disease testing during the upcoming firearm deer season.

Outdoor notes: Firearm deer hunters should think safety first

Outdoor notes: Firearm deer hunters should think safety first

As excitement builds toward the November firearm deer season, hunters should remember safety is most important. Make sure to always follow the four primary rules of firearm safety.

Outdoor notes: Excitement high for state’s pheasant opener

Outdoor notes: Excitement high for state’s pheasant opener

Eager hunters will take to the fields Oct. 26 for Nebraska’s pheasant season opener.

Outdoor notes: 2024-2025 Stubble Access Guide now available

Outdoor notes: 2024-2025 Stubble Access Guide now available

Wheat and milo stubble left tall following harvest provides excellent cover and hunting opportunities for pheasants and other wildlife.

Northeast Community College to lead National Ag Education Consortium

Northeast Community College to lead National Ag Education Consortium

A multi-state consortium of two-year ag colleges will be headquartered in Nebraska. 

Outdoor notes: Take survey to help change Watchable Wildlife Guides

Outdoor notes: Take survey to help change Watchable Wildlife Guides

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is giving its wildlife-viewing guides a makeover – with the help of the public.

Outdoor notes: Nebraska state parks mark Color Blindness Awareness Month

Outdoor notes: Nebraska state parks mark Color Blindness Awareness Month

During this International Color Blindness Awareness Month, Nebraska Game and Parks is launching its campaign to make the outdoors more enjoyable to those with color blindness.

Temporary campfire ban in effect at all Game and Parks areas

Temporary campfire ban in effect at all Game and Parks areas

The Nebraska Game and Parks is implementing a temporary ban on campfires at all Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas until further notice.

NGPC fall Trout stocking underway

NGPC fall Trout stocking underway

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

Outdoor notes: Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt is Oct. 20

Outdoor notes: Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt is Oct. 20

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.

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks reminds hunters of changes for fall turkey season

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks reminds hunters of changes for fall turkey season

Fall turkey season will open soon, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wants to reacquaint hunters with the changes that first became effective last fall.

Outdoor notes: Stutzman returns to Missouri River Outdoor Expo as gold medalist

Outdoor notes: Stutzman returns to Missouri River Outdoor Expo as gold medalist

Para athlete Matt Stutzman returns to display his shooting skills at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo, Sept. 21-22 at Ponca State Park. This time he does it as a Paralympic gold medalist.

Who’s Buying Nebraska? Philly-based organic farm is state’s No. 2 buyer of ag land

Who’s Buying Nebraska? Philly-based organic farm is state’s No. 2 buyer of ag land

A Philadelphia-based, multi-state company has been one of the largest buyers of Nebraska ag land in recent years.

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Lake Maloney angler access project

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Lake Maloney angler access project

Construction soon will begin on a project addressing angler access at one southwest Nebraska reservoir, while work on aquatic habitat at another will be delayed.

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks soon accepting wildlife viewing grant proposals

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks soon accepting wildlife viewing grant proposals

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission soon will accept grant proposals that will enhance watchable wildlife opportunities and nature-based experiences in Nebraska.

Outdoor notes: Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in September

Outdoor notes: Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in September

Spend some time this fall in Nebraska’s state parks.

Outdoor notes: Dove hunting season opens Sept. 1

Outdoor notes: Dove hunting season opens Sept. 1

With the annual dove season opener on Sept. 1, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has some reminders for hunters, as well as recommendations for areas to hunt.

Outdoor notes: Duck hunters select from two bag limits when registering for HIP

Outdoor notes: Duck hunters select from two bag limits when registering for HIP

Duck hunters again must choose between two daily bag limits when they register for their Harvest Information Program number this year.

EPA grant powers Nebraska’s sustainable agriculture future

EPA grant powers Nebraska’s sustainable agriculture future

EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe joined Gov. Pillen for a press conference and tour of Jacobsen's farm near Omaha.

NGPC asking for public help in reporting sick big game animals

NGPC asking for public help in reporting sick big game animals

Nebraska Game and Parks is asking for the public’s help in reporting an occurring illness in Nebraska’s big game.

Outdoor notes: Nebraska fall turkey permits available beginning Aug. 12

Outdoor notes: Nebraska fall turkey permits available beginning Aug. 12

Hunters may begin purchasing 2024 Nebraska fall turkey permits at 1 p.m. Central Time Aug. 12.

Outdoor notes: 7 outdoor activities to try after dark

Outdoor notes: 7 outdoor activities to try after dark

Blazing temperatures can put a damper on outdoor fun during the day. So why not head outside after dark? Bring a friend and explore one of the following options under the cover of night.   

Packed stands entertained by PRCA rodeo in Sidney

Packed stands entertained by PRCA rodeo in Sidney

Cowboys lined up for their turns to compete with livestock during the PRCA Rodeo during the Cheyenne County Fair Tuesday night.

Big bucks for baked goods: Sheridan County’s 4-H event hits sweet spot

Big bucks for baked goods: Sheridan County’s 4-H event hits sweet spot

You might think paying hundreds of dollars for a cake and cookies is reserved for a fancy patisserie in Paris, but this week 4-Hers in Sheridan County got paid big buck for their baked goods.

Outdoor notes: Know when, where to fish to keep summer fishing edge

Outdoor notes: Know when, where to fish to keep summer fishing edge

Anglers can use all the help they can get in the heat of summer when fishing gets tough.

EXCLUSIVE: NU System President Dr. Gold discusses the future leaders of NU's campuses

EXCLUSIVE: NU System President Dr. Gold discusses the future leaders of NU's campuses

Eric McKay sat down with NU System President Dr. Jeff Gold to discuss where Nebraska fits into the state of higher education in the 21st Century and who he'd like to see helping lead NU's campuses in the future. 

Outdoor notes: CWD is focus of virtual meeting July 16

Outdoor notes: CWD is focus of virtual meeting July 16

Updates to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan are the focus of a virtual public meeting at 7 p.m. Central time July 16.

Pillen’s promises: Economic boom and little harm for neighbors. They haven’t always panned out.

Pillen’s promises: Economic boom and little harm for neighbors. They haven’t always panned out.

As he grew Nebraska’s largest hog operation, Jim Pillen made economic and environmental assurances to residents of small communities where he was looking to build. Some residents profited. Others say Pillen Family Farms prospered while they suffered.

Big game permits available to residents starting July 10

Big game permits available to residents starting July 10

Nebraska big game hunting permits will be available for purchase by residents beginning July 10.

Outdoor notes: Six great places to swim at Nebraska’s state parks

Outdoor notes: Six great places to swim at Nebraska’s state parks

On a hot summer’s day, there is no better place to be than poolside or at the beach beneath Nebraska skies.

Outdoor notes: Paddlefish snagging permits accepted July 1-14

Outdoor notes: Paddlefish snagging permits accepted July 1-14

Applications for paddlefish snagging permits will be accepted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from July 1-14.

Gosper County woman crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska

Gosper County woman crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska

A new Miss Rodeo Nebraska was crowned Wednesday night at the Wild West Arena.

Outdoor notes: Celebrate Pollinator Week June 17-23

Outdoor notes: Celebrate Pollinator Week June 17-23

Celebrate the pollinators in the state during Nebraska Pollinator Week on June 17-23 by participating in one of many events hosted by Nebraska Game and Parks or its partners.

Outdoor notes: Enders Reservoir SRA Extravaganza

Outdoor notes: Enders Reservoir SRA Extravaganza

Enjoy music, Teddy Roosevelt, barbeque, hands-on activities, and 50 years of Hunter Education in Nebraska at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area on June 8.

New Daily Cattle Trading Limits

New Daily Cattle Trading Limits

The CME live cattle and feeder cattle contracts opened this Monday with new daily and expanded limits. The live cattle futures complex previously had a daily limit of $6.75, now its new daily limit is $7.50, and the new expanded limit is $11.25. The feede

Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states

Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states

H5N1 or bird flu, was diagnosed in a third dairy farmworker last week, marking the first U.S. case with respiratory symptoms, said to be mild.

Thrills on the water: Niobrara River Fest Races in Valentine

Thrills on the water: Niobrara River Fest Races in Valentine

Niobrara River Fest Races featured several different competitions, including divisions for kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards.

Pedaling across Nebraska: Nearly 500 cyclists take on the challenge

Pedaling across Nebraska: Nearly 500 cyclists take on the challenge

Hundreds of bicyclists are hoping for good weather as they travel across Nebraska this week.

Outdoor notes: Grazing tenant sought near Bridgeport

Outdoor notes: Grazing tenant sought near Bridgeport

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking a cattle producer to graze livestock at Chet and Jane Fliesbach Wildlife Management Area 9 miles west of Bridgeport on U.S. Highway 26.

Outdoor notes: Equestrian campground addition opens at Fort Robinson

Outdoor notes: Equestrian campground addition opens at Fort Robinson

The $1.2 million expansion of the Mare Barn Campground at Fort Robinson State Park is scheduled to open this week, bolstering the northwestern Nebraska attraction's reputation as the state's premier destination for those traveling with horses.

Outdoor notes: Nebraska’s first All-State archery team honored

Outdoor notes: Nebraska’s first All-State archery team honored

Nebraska students are being recognized for their archery and academic achievements this school year through the first All-State Team and the Academic Archers in the National Archery in the Schools Program.

Outdoor notes: North Platte’s Nowak wins Cornhusker Cup

Outdoor notes: North Platte’s Nowak wins Cornhusker Cup

Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for another spring and summer of fun with Community Fishing Events.

Branding a tradition for families in Nebraska’s cow business

Branding a tradition for families in Nebraska’s cow business

As the five horseback riders disappeared behind a pasture hill on a blustery late April morning, a meadowlark sang in the rustling tall grass.

Details on Merritt Reservoir expansion

Details on Merritt Reservoir expansion

One of the most popular tourist attractions in north-central Nebraska is planning an expansion.

Outdoor notes: Nebraska anglers still have time to join Midwest Walleye Challenge

Outdoor notes: Nebraska anglers still have time to join Midwest Walleye Challenge

Nebraska anglers still have plenty of time to enter the Midwest Walleye Challenge and be eligible for prizes, as well as to gather data that biologists can use to help manage walleye populations.

Thousands flock to Doniphan for 54th annual Cornhusker Trap Meet

Thousands flock to Doniphan for 54th annual Cornhusker Trap Meet

The 54th annual Cornhusker Trap meet is back in Doniphan. It's considered the 'state tournament' of trapshooting that marks the end of the trap season. 

Outdoor notes: Highway project underway around Merritt

Outdoor notes: Highway project underway around Merritt

A highway widening and resurfacing project is underway on Highway 97 around Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area southwest of Valentine. Visitors can expect delays.

Nebraska publishes 2024 fishing guide

Nebraska publishes 2024 fishing guide

Locating, attracting fish, equipment, strategies covered in guide

Outdoor notes: Document nature, help scientists during City Nature Challenge

Outdoor notes: Document nature, help scientists during City Nature Challenge

Ready to notice nature? Join the City Nature Challenge, a community science event to find and document urban wildlife, beginning April 26 across Nebraska.

Latest batch of rain brings some relief for farmers

Latest batch of rain brings some relief for farmers

After the latest round of storms and rain, farmers were provide with some relief from the drought season.

Larry The Cable Guy enters bull in Lincoln PBR event

Larry The Cable Guy enters bull in Lincoln PBR event

Nebraska's own Larry The Cable Guy is getting involved in Lincoln's Professional Bull Riding event this weekend. 

Game and Parks talks turkey numbers, regulations as 2024 season is underway

Game and Parks talks turkey numbers, regulations as 2024 season is underway

In 2023, Game and Parks dropped nonresident turkey permits to 10,000.

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep lottery applications begin April 15

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep lottery applications begin April 15

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for one 2024 bighorn sheep lottery permit beginning April 15.

Outdoor notes: ‘RV There Yet?’ features Fort Robinson SP, Wildcat Hills SRA

Outdoor notes: ‘RV There Yet?’ features Fort Robinson SP, Wildcat Hills SRA

Join hosts Patrice and Kevin McCabe as they return to Nebraska to explore Fort Robinson State Park and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area in the state’s Panhandle during the third season of “RV There Yet?”

Game and Parks investigating illegal shooting of mule deer in Cherry County

Game and Parks investigating illegal shooting of mule deer in Cherry County

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on the illegal shooting and wanton waste of two mule deer in Cherry County, northwest of Cody, Nebraska.

Outdoor notes: Pillen acknowledges 50 years of Hunter Education

Outdoor notes: Pillen acknowledges 50 years of Hunter Education

Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation March 18 recognizing the 50-year anniversary of Hunter Education in Nebraska in 2024.

Outdoor notes: Explore opportunities for early spring wildlife watching

Outdoor notes: Explore opportunities for early spring wildlife watching

Spring has come early, and with it, many opportunities for wildlife watching.

Outdoor notes: CRP General Signup runs through March 29

Outdoor notes: CRP General Signup runs through March 29

Agricultural producers and private landowners can sign up for the general Conservation Reserve Program through March 29, 2024.

Poll: Rural Nebraskans 'unfamiliar' with federal farm policy

Poll: Rural Nebraskans 'unfamiliar' with federal farm policy

The latest Farm Bill, still in the works on Capitol Hill, is expected to top the $1 trillion mark for the first time ever. At the same time, a new survey finds those numbers largely lost on rural Nebraskans.

Outdoor notes: Upland Slam grand prizes awarded

Outdoor notes: Upland Slam grand prizes awarded

Spring has come early and Nebraskans are eager to fish. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is scheduling the release of rainbow trout in waters across the state this spring.

Outdoor notes: Enjoy fun state park events this March

Outdoor notes: Enjoy fun state park events this March

Spend some time this spring in Nebraska’s state parks. During March, a variety of events are planned for those for all ages and interests.

Outdoor notes: Archery paddlefish applications to be accepted March 1-14

Outdoor notes: Archery paddlefish applications to be accepted March 1-14

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications March 1-14.

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks will certify youth fishing instructors

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks will certify youth fishing instructors

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors at workshops across the state in the coming months.