LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers can learn the basics of ice-fishing or pick up a few new tips from experienced anglers at three free Family Ice-Fishing clinics in January.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Youth Fishing Program will host two on-ice events – Jan. 12 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake from 1-4 p.m. and Jan. 20 at Kearney’s Fort Kearny State Recreation Area (SRA) Lake No. 6 from 8 a.m.-noon.
Six inches of clear ice must be available at each lake or the events will be canceled. Ice thickness will be determined by noon on Jan. 11 for the Lincoln event and by noon on Jan. 18 for the Fort Kearny clinic. The status of those events then will be posted on Game and Parks’ Facebook page or available by calling 402-471-0641.
On Jan. 19, the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic at Yanney Heritage Park’s Environmental Resource Center in Kearney from 1- 5 p.m. This clinic will feature presentations by some of Nebraska’s top ice fishermen. Seating is limited, so registration is requested by emailing [email protected].
Limited loaner equipment will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bait and instruction will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment.
A park entry permit is required at Fort Kearny. All fishing regulations apply.
Jan. 29 workshop for early childhood educators to focus on insects
LINCOLN, Neb. – Early childhood educators interested in incorporating insects into a classroom or after-school program are invited to a free workshop Jan. 29 in Norfolk.
Participants will receive a curriculum guide, information on hands-on supplemental activities and background knowledge on basic insect anatomy and lifecycles. Educators will also learn how to catch and care for classroom touchable insects.
The free event, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Northern Prairies Land Trust, is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. at the Elkhorn Valley Museum, 515 Queen City Blvd. Free door prizes will be offered. Both formal and informal early childhood educators are welcome.
For more information or to register, contact Jamie Bachmann at [email protected].
Learn prescribed fire basics at workshops across Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn the basics of safe, effective burning when Pheasants Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission host prescribed burn training workshops across the state early in 2019.
These workshops will provide guidance and instruction for completing safe and effective prescribed fires. Landowners, resource professionals, volunteer fire departments and other interested persons are invited to attend. No prior burn experience is required. Most workshops are scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Basic workshops will be held Jan. 17 in Grand Island and Wayne, Jan. 23 in Alma, Jan. 24 in Lincoln, Jan. 28 in Rushville, Jan. 29 in Scottsbluff, and Feb. 28 in Sumner.
Advanced topics will be covered at workshops that will be held Jan. 9 in Broken Bow, Jan. 10 in Curtis, Jan. 16 in Stockville, Jan. 23 in Niobrara, Jan. 30 in Imperial, and in March or April in Wahoo.
The $10 workshop fee includes a meal and training materials. To register, visit NebraskaPF.com and then click on Events, or call 308-850-8395.
Hideouts along the Platte River go on sale for the sandhill crane migration
The sandhill crane migration of 2019 is around the corner, and Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary has just opened registration for its prime viewing areas.
The wildlife sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska, is a popular destination for people flocking to watch the 600,000 sandhill cranes that migrate to the Platte River in spring.
Visitors can hide out in viewing blinds along the river for a closer look at the red-foreheaded birds.
The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center will have extended hours, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, from Feb. 15 to April 15.
The sanctuary will host guest speakers on Saturdays at 10 a.m. throughout March, with one last speaker on April 7.
The Audubon Center and Rowe Sanctuary offer a variety of packages. Reservations can be made online at reservations.rowesanctuary.org or by calling 308-468-5282.
January outdoor calendar
LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in January. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes.
Jan. 1 – First Day Hike, Mormon Island State Recreation Area (SRA), Doniphan; Indian Cave State Park (SP), Shubert; Ash Hollow State Historical Park (SHP), Lewellen; Platte River SP, Louisville; Wagon Train SRA, Hickman; Chadron SP, Chadron; Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland; Red Willow Reservoir SRA, McCook; Ponca SP, Ponca; Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Gering; Johnson Lake SRA, Elwood; Smith Falls SP, Valentine; Fort Kearny SRA, Kearney; Calamus Reservoir SRA, Burwell; Fort Hartsuff SHP, Burwell; Fremont Lakes SRA, Fremont; and Lake Ogallala, Ogallala
Jan. 2 – Application period begins for Super Tag and Combo multispecies lottery permits
Jan. 2 – Big game informational meeting, Cabela’s, Sidney
Jan. 3 – Big game informational meeting, Community Center, Wymore
Jan. 3 – Big game informational meeting, Hooker County Library, Mullen
Jan. 6 – Duck and coot hunting seasons close in Zone 3, Low Plains and High Plains Units
Jan. 7-27 – Duck and coot hunting seasons in Zones 2 and 3, High Plains Unit
Jan. 8 – Big game informational meeting, Schilling Wildlife Management Area, Plattsmouth
Jan. 9 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Broken Bow
Jan. 10 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Curtis
Jan. 12 – Discover Ice-Fishing Clinic, Holmes Lake, Lincoln
Jan. 12 – Flying WILD Educator Workshop, Wildlife Safari Park, Ashland
Jan. 13 – Crow hunting season opens statewide
Jan. 14 – First day of spring turkey hunting permit sales
Jan. 15 – Youth, Landowner, Season Choice and River Antlerless, and Gifford Point WMA deer hunting seasons close
Jan. 15 – Birds and Books workshop, Elkhorn Valley Museum, Norfolk
Jan. 15 – Antlerless elk season closes
Jan. 16 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Stockville
Jan. 17 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Wayne and Grand Island
Jan. 18 – Dark goose hunting season closes in North Central Unit
Jan. 18 – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting, Lincoln
Jan. 19 – Discover Ice-Fishing workshop, Yanney Park, Kearney
Jan. 19-Feb. 10 – Statewide light goose and white-fronted goose hunting seasons
Jan. 20 – Discover Ice-Fishing Clinic, Fort Kearny SRA Lake No. 6, Kearney
Jan. 23 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Alma
Jan. 23 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Niobrara
Jan. 24 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Lincoln
Jan. 28 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Rushville
Jan. 29 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Scottsbluff
Jan. 29 – Insect Investigations Educator Workshop, Elkhorn Valley Museum, Norfolk
Jan. 30 – Prescribed burn training workshop, Imperial
Jan. 31 – Hunting seasons close for November late doe/fawn antelope, fall turkey, pheasant, quail, partridge, grouse and squirrel
