Commission to consider early teal season dates at meeting
 The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider 2015 early teal season dates at its meeting July 16 in Sidney. The commissioners will consider the following recommended season dates: Low Plains, Sept. 5-20; High Plains, Sept. 12-20.
The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Hampton Inn, 635 Cabela’s Drive.
Teal hunting season dates are set to coincide with the teal migration through Nebraska, and the opening day is typically the Saturday following Labor Day. This year, because Labor Day is Sept. 7, an earlier opening day in the Low Plains is recommended to accommodate a 16-day season while avoiding conflicts with possible youth and regular duck season openers later in September and October. Regular duck and goose season dates will be considered at the August 28 Commission meeting in Burwell.
For the second year in a row, the teal season in the northern portion of Nebraska will be on an experimental basis. More information is available online.
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Meat processors may apply for Hunters Helping the Hungry
Meat processors have until July 20 to apply for participation in the 2015 Hunters Helping the Hungry program. This program provides ground venison to Nebraskans in need.
The application form and program guidelines are available on our website. Game and Parks will accept applications for participation in any of the Nebraska 2015-2016 deer hunting seasons. Game and Parks will contact eligible applicants by Aug. 7.
Contact Teresa Lombard at 402-471-5430 or by email for more information.
Apply by July 3 for Combo and Super Tag permits
Don’t miss out on the chance to apply for our unique Super Tag and Combo permits lotteries! These permits allow hunters to harvest multiple big game species over the course of two years. Hunters have until July 3 to apply for the permits.
The Super Tag lottery includes a permit for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys (Spring and Fall season). The winner will have two years to fill the permit.
The Combo Multi-Species lottery includes a permit for one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys (Spring and Fall season). The winner will have two years to fill the permit.
Learn more about these permits or apply for entry into the lottery by visiting our website.
Parks statewide plan holiday weekend events
 Still looking for something to do this holiday weekend? Campsites are still available but going fast at park areas across the state, and remember that seven different park areas allow fireworks. Additionally state parks have lots of events planned including living history demonstrations, buffalo cookouts, family fun day events and much more. Visit our online calendar for a full list of holiday events.
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Carp-O-Rama set for July 11
Learn how to fish for carp, a common and surprisingly challenging fish, during Carp-O-Rama, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 at Lake Maloney. Whether you’re a novice or expert, Game and Parks staff and volunteers will have advice on fishing equipment and techniques, as well as demonstrations on fish preparation. The area will be pre-baited to attract fish and improve carp-catching opportunities. Other attractions include a lunch of fresh-caught fish prepared lakeside, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, fish printing, kids’ drawings and more. More information is available online.
More falcon news – this time from the kestrels
 With all the recent happening with peregrine falcons across the state, the American kestrels in the nest box on the Game and Parks headquarters grounds have been overshadowed. The last time that nongame bird program manager Joel Jorgensen blogged about them was at the end of May when they were both fledging offspring from their first clutch and starting their second one, at the same time.
The pair’s second clutch of the season ended up totaling five eggs. Now, about a month later, four of the five eggs have hatched and the pair is busy tending to their second brood. Visit Joel’s blog for photos and video of this pair, as well as for insight into the rare occurrence of a second clutch.
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Nebraska’s hidden fruit: the sand cherry
Nebraska Game and Parks public information office Greg Wagner is all about wild edibles, especially wild fruits, and they are a prominent feature of Nebraska in the summertime. One of the not-so-common wild fruits to harvest in early summer is actually one of his favorites – the sand cherry. And best of all, some are ripe this time of year. Visit Greg’s blog to learn more about this wild fruit, where you can find them and how to prepare them.
Enter our second annual NEBRASKAland photo contest
 Attention photographers! From the Missouri River to the Pine Ridge, every bit of Nebraska holds a new discovery. We welcome all photographers, no matter age or skill level, to share with us your visions of Nebraska during our second annual NEBRASKAland photo contest.
Open to all photographers, your photo entry in the contest qualifies you for the chance to be published in NEBRASKAland Magazine, as well as to win great cash prizes from NEBRASKAland Magazine. Head to the contest portal page to submit photos and learn more details.
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Featured photo from NEBRASKAland Magazine:
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument near Harrison features a walking trail and historical information about the area.
Jeff Kurrus/NEBRASKAland Magazine
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