Outdoor notes: Encounter spring migration at Ponca SP’s Marsh Madness

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy the sights and sounds of the spring migration and participate in a variety of programs during Marsh Madness at Ponca State Park (SP) on March 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Located on the Missouri River, Ponca SP presents a significant flyway for migratory birds, and has been recognized by the National Audubon Society as an “Important Bird Area.” Common springtime sightings include pintail courtship displays and whirlwinds of snow geese, white-fronted geese, wood ducks and other species.

Visitors may view the birds during sunrise and sunset waterfowl blind viewings are scheduled each Saturday from March 7 through March 28. Space is limited; please call Ponca SP to reserve your spot.

In addition, the following afternoon programs will be scheduled on Marsh Madness Saturdays: waterfowl watching on March 7, owl program on March 14, bird migration program on March 21, and waterfowl soap carving on March 28.

Visitors can enjoy a 30-percent discount on lodging during Marsh Madness.

For additional information, contact the park at 402-755-2284 or visit the Ponca State Park Facebook page. A park permit is required for each vehicle entering the park.

Nebraska Game and Parks’ 2019 annual report now available online

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s 2019 annual report is available online.

The report includes achievements and challenges overcome, including rebounding from devastating flooding at many Game and Parks properties. It also details the agency’s efforts to recruit more outdoorsmen and women, response to wildlife depredation issues, fish and wildlife research, education and outreach efforts, and providing statewide opportunities for hunters, anglers and park visitors.

Outdoor recreation is important to our quality of life in Nebraska. Hunting, fishing, parks, and wildlife viewing have an annual economic impact of $2.64 billion in Nebraska and support 25,000 jobs. The Commission and its partners provide access and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Game and Parks conserves the state’s parks, fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and the resources. “According to a recent statewide survey, more than 81% of Nebraskans approve of Game and Parks’ management of the state’s wildlife and park resources,” said Director Jim Douglas. “It is always rewarding to know that your work is appreciated, but more rewarding is knowing that this approval comes after years of hard work.”

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/PublicationsAndResources to view the report. Printed copies are available at Game and Parks’ Lincoln headquarters.

Addition made to proposed waterfowl zone changes for 2021-2022

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission still is seeking input on proposed changes to duck zone and goose unit boundaries for the 2021-2022 hunting seasons. Additional proposed changes for dark (Canada) goose units have been made in Boone and Wheeler counties.

Also, an updated map clarifies proposed duck zone boundary changes in Merrick and Hamilton counties. To view the maps, find more information and provide input, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/DuckGooseZones.

Hunters can download maps and follow instructions provided to submit input. Game and Parks will now accept input until March 6 to accommodate the additional change and information. Input from this round will determine what changes will be forwarded to the Game and Parks Board of Commissioners and, ultimately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Contact Mark Vrtiska, Game and Parks’ waterfowl program manager, at [email protected] for more information.

Tax season provides opportunity to support Nebraska wildlife conservation

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans receiving a tax refund this year have an opportunity to support wildlife and habitat conservation.

On Line 45 of the Nebraska state income tax form, individuals may donate all or part of their tax refund to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, which helps thousands of species in Nebraska, particularly those that are rare, endangered or threatened.

Tax refund donations have benefited many species over the years, including the river otter, swift fox, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, songbirds and at-risk pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumble bees. Donations are used to maintain and improve habitat for these and many other fish and wildlife species, as well as to provide wildlife viewing and other educational opportunities for Nebraskans. Additional information is available at NebraskaWildlifeFund.org.

For taxpayers not entitled to a state tax refund, contributions can be made at NebraskaWildlifeFund.org or by mail to: Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, P.O. Box 30370, 2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE 68503.

Read the Rocks event at Schramm on April 4

LINCOLN, Neb. – Come to the Reading the Rocks event at Schramm Park State Recreation Area on April 4 and learn about the geology of the area.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., experts will be at the park’s Geological Display to guide guests on a journey through 300 million years of history at the outcrop. They will talk about how layers of rock can teach us about geological events that shape our planet, climate trends and organisms that lived long before humans.

“Long before humans existed, this space was inhabited by oceanic creatures of the distant past, which we can still find in the limestone layers,” said Kelly Ekue, outdoor education specialist at Schramm Education Center.

The event at the outcrop is free to the public, although a park entry permit is required. In case of inclement weather, activities will be moved to the classroom at the Schramm Education Center, where the event also will be free.

Bighorn sheep captures aid research

CHADRON, Neb. — Bighorn sheep in the Panhandle are sporting some new hardware this week thanks to the work of a helicopter capture crew, wildlife professionals and volunteers.

South Dakota State University joined the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in capturing and processing a total of 44 sheep Thursday, Friday and Saturday — 28 in the Wildcat Hills near McGrew and 16 at three locations in the Pine Ridge near Chadron and Crawford.

Wildlife professionals have ramped up monitoring efforts in recent years to combat disease issues with Nebraska’s bighorn sheep, the most notable malady being Mycoplasma pneumonia. All captured sheep were released on site.

The sheep that were released received new tracking collars and ear tags, in addition to undergoing a series of tissue samples and vaccinations. The ewes in, both the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills were not only fitted with new collars and tags, but also with vaginal implant transmitters. The latter devices, which employed the past two years in each region, signal exactly when ewes give birth so researchers can put temporary tracking collars on lambs. The capability to closely monitor the lambs helps identify the cause of death for any that perish in their first months of life.

A team of about 50 people were involved with the project and its preparations. The team consisted of personnel from Game and Parks, South Dakota State University, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, the Lincoln Zoo, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and the Alliance Animal Clinic. Chadron State College students also joined the effort in the Pine Ridge. Funding and support for the project has come through Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid grants, the Nebraska Big Game Society and chapters of the Wild Sheep Foundation.

Photos available:

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The helicopter carries a pair of ewes through a canyon at Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area near McGrew on Thursday.

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The helicopter crew makes a delivery to the processing station at Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area on Thursday.

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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission board member Doug Zingula joins staff members and volunteers in retrieving a ewe from the helicopter for processing at Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area on Thursday. Also carrying the stretcher are Jacob Newth, Max Tritt and Devan Oligmueller.

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Workers process a ewe a Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area near McGrew on Thursday.

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Todd Nordeen and Chris Becker, employees of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife division, release a ewe back to the wild.

Game and Parks accepting grant applications for projects promoting outdoor recreation through new online portal

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is now accepting grant applications for 2020 to promote outdoor recreation facilities and amenities for political subdivision parks and outdoor recreation areas through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to ensure access to outdoor recreation resources for present and future generations and to provide money to governments to purchase land, water and wetlands to benefit all. The primary source of revenue for the LWCF is from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf.

The LWCF is administered by the National Park Service for outdoor recreation projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: ballfields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, pool renovations, splash pads, park acquisitions and development, and park related support facilities. All projects must encourage outdoor recreation and be in accordance with the Action Plan outlined in the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Project sponsors must be political subdivisions, such as cities, county governments or Natural Resource Districts. The LWCF provides reimbursable matching grants for up to 50 percent of the project costs.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has implemented a new online grant application system portal. Grant applications only will be accepted through this portal. The LWCF grant request for each project may be between $40,000 and $400,000, equating to $80,000 to $800,000 in total project costs. Grant applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 by 11:59 pm. All information and applicable materials are available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/lwcf.

Approved grants will be announced after the January 2021 Commission meeting. Contact Schuyler Sampson at 402-471-5283 or [email protected] for information.

Many Rainwater Basin wetlands appear to have lost water

LINCOLN, Neb. – Many Rainwater Basin wetlands observed during a survey Feb. 12 appear to have lost some water since late fall, but overall conditions still are generally good, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The estimate of water conditions was done when the most of the wetlands were covered with ice, so conditions likely will change as the wetlands thaw.

The Light Goose Conservation Order currently is open and will close April 5 in the Rainwater Basin and West zones and April 15 in the East Zone.

In addition to providing places to hunt waterfowl, wetlands are pumped when needed to provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and other water birds, and to provide areas for people to observe wildlife.

To view the Feb. 12 report on wetland conditions and pumping plans, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/WaterfowlChecklist/. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for more information on waterfowl hunting and to purchase permits and stamps and register for the Harvest Information Program.

This update by Game and Parks included input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited.

Applicants to see changes to archery paddlefish process

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept archery paddlefish permit applications March 1-14. Applicants will notice some changes in the application process this year.

The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time on March 1. Mail applications must be received in Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m. and online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 14.

A person must be 12 years old by June 1 to apply for an archery paddlefish permit. Permits will be issued in a random drawing based on preference points earned; applicants with the most preference points will receive the greatest priority.

A nonrefundable $7 fee is due at the time of application. The remaining fee, which must be paid by April 5 if a permit is awarded, is $26 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

Applicants supplying valid email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Those not providing valid email addresses will be responsible for monitoring their status online. Results of the draw will be made available by March 20.

Permits awarded but unpaid will result in the applicant losing preference points and forfeiting the permit. Unpaid or unawarded permits remaining after the drawing will be sold on a first-come basis to residents only starting at 1 p.m. CT on April 20.

An applicant will receive a preference point if he or she is not awarded a permit in the drawing. An additional preference point will be added each year he or she is unsuccessful in the drawing. Any person who is issued a paddlefish permit and any person who does not apply at least once during five consecutive years will lose all accumulated preference points.

Two people – both residents or both nonresidents – may submit a joint application. That application will be assigned to the applicant with the fewest preference points.

A person may have no more than two archery paddlefish permits per year: one earned via application and one bought over the counter. Permits and their accompanying tags are not transferable. Anyone fishing with an archery paddlefish permit also must have a valid Nebraska fish permit.

The 2020 archery paddlefish season is June 1-30. To apply for a permit, visit a Game and Parks office, OutdoorNebraska.org, or use a form in the 2020 Nebraska Fishing Guide.