Commissioners approve waterfowl recommendations
 The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved recommendations for the 2015 waterfowl and crow hunting seasons at a meeting Aug. 28 in Burwell.
The commissioners also added the bird species Red Knot and the mammal species Northern Long-Eared Bat to the list of threatened species and approved the acquisition of 11.26 acres in Adams County and designated it as an addition to Ayr Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Additionally, wildlife biologist Todd Nordeen of Alliance gave an update on the status of bighorn sheep in Nebraska.
To see a full list of waterfowl and crow season dates, as well as other topics discussed at the meeting, visit our website.
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Hunters should be prepared as seasons open
September in Nebraska means football – and hunting. The first day of the month brings the opener of several hunting seasons, including dove, grouse and archery deer.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters to be prepared as these seasons open. Dove hunters, for example, must have a Harvest Information Program number. Teal hunters, particularly in the northern portion of the state, are reminded of the importance of accurate bird identification, as failure to properly identify birds could lead to Nebraska losing its experimental season in the High Plains. Resources and tips for fall hunters are available online.
Pallid sturgeon stocked in Missouri River
More than 2,000 5- to 6-inch pallid sturgeon were stocked in the channelized portion of the Missouri River along Nebraska’s eastern border on Aug. 24. The stocking is part of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s recovery efforts for this federal- and state-listed endangered species.
The pallid sturgeon were stocked in two locations. The first was at the newly-constructed Deer Island shallow-water habitat improvement project near Tekamah (river mile 762.3) in Burt County. Deer Island has more than 100 aces of shallow water and sand bar habitat suitable for small pallid sturgeon. The second site is just north of Rulo (river mile 508.5) in Richardson County in an area where river dikes have been modified to increase habitat diversity. These locations have had few or no previous stockings, and similar-size shovelnose sturgeon have been sampled there.
More information is available online.
Hunters may apply for Platte River Recreation Access permits
Hunters may enter a lottery to gain deer hunting access to Platte River Recreation Access (PRRA) lands in the central Platte River Valley.
Forty-six hunters will be chosen from a random drawing in early October and allowed to hunt deer on designated PRRA lands Nov. 16-22.
Applications, limited to one per person, will be accepted by mail or in person at the Game and Parks service center in Kearney from Sept. 1 through 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. Hunters may apply to hunt three areas but will only receive permission on one area if their name is drawn. Lottery winners will be notified by Oct. 20. Hunters are required to obtain the appropriate deer permit and habitat stamp in order to hunt.
More information is available online.
Come and see us at
the Nebraska State Fair
 The Nebraska State Fair is happening today through Sept. 7, and the Game and Parks exhibit in the Nebraska Building is sure to be a popular spot.
With indoor air gun and archery ranges, a 6,000-gallon aquarium, indoor and outdoor meandering streams, children’s games, outdoor playground, and tons of demonstrations on topics including outdoor cleaning, turkey calling and fish cleaning, there’s something for everyone. For a full list of attractions and a demonstration schedule, visit our website.
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Celebrate Labor Day at a Nebraska State Park
Labor Day is a great opportunity to fit in one last camping trip, boating excursion, cookout or dip in a lake before summer official ends come late September. Luckily, parks statewide have tons of events planned including cookouts, living history demonstrations, educational programs, fireworks and more. Visit our website for a full list of happenings this Labor Day at parks across Nebraska.
A sound of summer
goes silent
 With the end of summer in sight, nongame bird program manager Joel Jorgensen (like many of us) is excited about cooler weather, fall migration and football. But the end of summer also leaves him feeling a bit bummed thinking about all the summer birds that will soon be leaving us for warmer climes. It happens quickly, with each passing week more species depart, migrating south, not to be seen again until spring 2016. As he was out birding on Sunday, he was reminded we are to the point when one omnipresent sound of summer, the song of the Dickcissel, suddenly goes silent. For more on this bird, as well as to see photographs, visit Joel’s blog.
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Zebra mussels at Lewis and Clark Lake
Last week, the presence of zebra mussels was confirmed at Lewis and Clark Lake. Nebraska Game and Parks fisheries outreach manager Daryl Bauer was saddened to learn this news -- Lewis and Clark is very popular for water sports and fishing. Visit Daryl’s blog to learn what you can do to keep this invasive species from spreading to other waters, as well as to see photos of these aquatic pests.
Buy permits and more
at the Nebraska State Fair
If you need to buy a hunting, fishing or state park permit, renew your subscription to NEBRASKAland or buy a print of a NEBRASKAland photo, come and visit us in the Nebraska Building at the State Fair! Game and Parks staff will be on hand to sell permits and subscriptions and to answer questions about agency events, state parks and recreation areas and more. Additionally, this year, we’ll have several of our most popular images from NEBRASKAland magazine available to order. Hope to see you there!
Featured photo from NEBRASKAland Magazine:
Rock formations at Toadstool Geologic Park.
Justin Haag/NEBRASKAland Magazine
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