The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will release adult rooster pheasants on 18 wildlife management areas leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The WMAs, including counties, are Arnold Trupp (Morrill), Arrowhead (Gage), Bordeaux (Dawes), Branched Oak (Lancaster), Cornhusker (Hall), George D. Syas (Nance), Hickory Ridge (Johnson), James N. Douglas (Johnson), Kirkpatrick Basin North (York), Wood Duck (Stanton), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha), Powder Creek (Dixon), Pressey (Custer), Rakes Creek (Cass), Randall W. Schilling (Cass), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman), Wilkinson (Platte), and Yankee Hill (Lancaster).

To view a map of the pheasant release sites, visit the Upland Hunting page at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

The pheasants will be released to enhance hunting opportunities over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend and encourage families to spend time together in the field. Non-toxic shot is required at Kirkpatrick Basin North, Peru Bottoms, Randall W. Schilling, and Wilkinson WMAs, but otherwise all usual regulations apply.

Game and Parks reminds hunters that safety in the field and of those releasing pheasants is of utmost importance; for this reason, a specific schedule for pheasant releases will not be issued.

Nebraska’s pheasant, quail, and prairie grouse seasons run through Jan. 31, 2026. Permits and applicable stamps may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

For more information on these and other publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska, visit Game and Parks’ Public Access Atlas online or contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641.

Wildcat Hills education events set for December

Naturalists with the Wildcat Hills Nature Center offer year-round programming focused on ecological education for preschoolers, homeschool programs and the public, including the following events scheduled for December.

The Nature Center, located within Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area south of Gering, is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mountain time Monday-Friday, from mid-November to md-May.

A vehicle park entry permit is required. Get more information at 308-436-3777 or OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Wildcat Hills preschool program

The free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program is Dec. 16, with the theme of evergreens and winter wildlife.

The program will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

For more information, contact the Nature Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wildcat Hills homeschool program

Find out how evergreen trees and animals get through Nebraska winters Dec. 18 during the homeschool program.

The free program meets once a month at 10 a.m. at the Nature Center. Certified staff will lead various programs each month that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations and habitats found only in western Nebraska.

For more information contact the Nature Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Catch these Game and Parks education events in December

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in December.

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Dec. 2

Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A birding topic is introduced in each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area.

On Dec. 2, learn about the nine owl species that can be found in Nebraska, then dissect an owl pellet and find out what the owl had eaten.

James Family Conservatory to host Wise and Wild

Wise and Wild is a program for those aged 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 2:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On Dec. 9, the topic for this free event will be animal tracks and signs. Even though animals tend to avoid people, they still leave clues behind. Discover some of these clues.

Discover ‘Science of’ shrikes

Explore the world of loggerhead shrikes in Nebraska as Nebraska Game and Parks’ popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.

On Dec. 11, learn how these unique birds use their sharp beaks and hunting tactics to capture prey, and explore their habitat and migration patterns.

In this series, on select Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators discuss some of the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.

The hourlong webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links.

PATH has mentored youth hunting opportunities over holidays

Plenty of holiday break mentored hunting opportunities exist for youth aged 17 or younger through the Passing Along the Heritage Program.

Lake Wanahoo, a mile north of Wahoo in Saunders County, has seven hunting sites totaling 1,067 acres available for mentored youth hunting. They are available during the Thanksgiving and Christmas school breaks.

PATH provides Nebraska youth and their mentors access to hunting on private lands and selected public lands. Only youth aged 17 or younger may hunt on these sites. The mentor is there to “pass along” their knowledge to youth and ensure a safe hunting experience.

Interested mentors must create an account at apps.outdoornebraska.gov/PATH before they can reserve a PATH site. After choosing an available PATH property and reserving a date, a mentor will be able to print a permission slip, which must be carried during the hunt. Mentors may have no more than five reservations per youth hunter annually.

The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District owns and manages the habitat in cooperation with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. There are five upland sites that allow for hunting of deer, upland birds, and waterfowl and two waterfowl-only sites. Sites range in size from 135 to 200 acres.

Learn more about PATH and its other hunting sites, including Chat Canyon Wildlife Management Area in Cherry County and Rowe Sanctuary in Buffalo County, at the program’s website.

The program is made possible by a partnership between the Game and Parks, National Audubon Society and Nebraska landowners.

Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in December

Spend some time in Nebraska’s state parks this fall and winter by attending a variety of events throughout December.

Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Lewis and Clark hosting Holiday Tree Decorating Contest

Put your tree-decorating skills to the test for a chance to win a two-night cabin stay at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton. The Holiday Tree Decorating Contest will run Nov. 27 to Dec. 28.

Contestants – households or groups – may decorate one tree along the park’s entrance driveway.

Contestants are encouraged to use environmentally friendly decorations, such as popcorn garland, solar powered lights, bird seed pine cones, wildlife-friendly decorations and more. Then take a photo of the decorated tree and send it to npgc.lewis.clark@nebraska.gov.

For more information, call the park at 402-388-4169.

Platte River SP to host Archery on Fire

Test your skills in archery and primitive shooting at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Platte River State Park.

Activities include balloon archery, 3-D archery, crossbows, aerial archery (weather permitting), tomahawks, slingshots, pellet guns, campground games, marshmallow roasting, and Dutch oven demonstration. There also will be a naturalist tent with many nature activities to explore and food available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ponca celebrates Christmas in the Woods

Enjoy winter at Ponca State Park during Christmas in the Woods with lighted hayrack rides through the woods each Saturday in December.

Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, free rides will start at 4:30 p.m. and run through 6:30 p.m. Guests can sign up at the park office, which also is the pick-up and drop-off location. Rides take approximately 20 minutes.

Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies at the Resource and Education Center during your visit.

Schramm to host historical exhibit

Take a step back in time and attend a historical exhibit open house at the Schramm Education Center from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7.

Discover how the landscape at Schramm Park shaped its history. View historic images, artifacts and information from the park’s early days.

Admission is $5. The center is located within Schramm Park State Recreation Area south of Gretna.

Night Hike at Schramm Park SRA

Enjoy the sounds of the forest on a crisp winter night and join Schramm Park State Recreation Area naturalists on a hike in forest after nightfall Dec. 11.

This free program will include a 2-mile hike, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the pond trailhead. The hike, which will last about an hour, will follow the west side of the Hackberry Trail and the full Red Cedar Trail loop.

There are stairs at the trailhead and an elevation change during the hike.

Holiday Hike at Wildcat Hills

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area invites families of all ages and experience levels to embrace the season with a fun and festive Holiday Hike through nature Dec. 13.

Meet at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at 1 p.m. Mountain Time to begin this half-mile hike through the winter landscape on uneven terrain. Along the way, enjoy holiday-themed activities, nature games, and even a special guest or two. Later, warm up by the fire with hot cocoa and cookies.

Call the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at 308-436-3777 for more information.

Mahoney SP to host Classic Christmas on Dec. 13

Classic Christmas is a fun holiday event for the entire family from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Crete Carrier Riverview Lodge.

Families can participate with their children and decorate a sugar cookie or make a holiday ornament. Take a free trolley ride through the park (weather permitting).

Santa will stop by. Free portraits with him will be taken by a Nebraskaland Magazine photographer.

Ponca SP to host Winterfest

Close out the year in style at Ponca State Park with the annual Winterfest on Dec. 13.

Highlights of the free event, from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., include naturalist activities and the National Championship Fruitcake Fling at noon.

In the fruitcake fling, contestants throw wildlife-friendly fruitcakes for distance. Prizes are awarded in four age groups.

There will be free, lighted hayrack rides beginning at 4:40 p.m. Guests can sign up at the park. The pickup and drop off location is the park office.

For more information, call Ponca SP, at 402-755-2284.

Indian Cave SP to host Christmas Bird Count

Come join the fun at the Indian Cave State Park Christmas Bird Count from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 18.

Learn bird identification tips and see some uncommon Nebraska bird species. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle, binoculars, and any bird identification books.

A free soup lunch will be provided for participants.

Holiday cabin discount at Lewis and Clark SRA

Share time with family or friends over the holidays in cozy cabin at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area. Reserve between Dec. 19 and 28 and get a 30% discount.

Each cabin will feature a unique holiday theme, a decorated tree and a keepsake souvenir.

Use promo code HOLIDAY when reserving. The discount applies only to nights not already reduced. A minimum two-night stay is required. Call the park office at 402-388-4169 to reserve a cabin.

Yule Log Festival is Dec. 20 at Platte River SP

Come to Platte River State Park with family and friends Dec. 20 and enjoy the Yule Log Festival.

This event, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Walter Scott Jr. Lodge, will include making pine cone bird feeders, roasting marshmallows, Yule Log Quest, kindling hunt, games, lighted hayrack rides, photos with Santa, holiday cookie decorating contest, bonfire and more.

Teams can register for the Yule Log Quest by calling the office at 402-234-2217.

Info sought on wanton waste of deer

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on the illegal shooting and wanton waste of a white-tailed buck in Cherry County in north-central Nebraska.

The deer was shot on Nov. 14 or 15 at the McKelvie National Forest.

People are encouraged to send information to Conservation Officer Frank Miller at 402-389-0444. They also may report tips through the Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers form at OutdoorNebraska.gov (search for “Crimestoppers”) or by calling 1-800-742-7627. Those who report crimes can remain anonymous.

People also may be eligible for a reward if their tip leads to the arrest of the violator.

For more information about Nebraska Wildlife CrimeStoppers or how to prepare a violation report, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.