As hundreds of rodeo fans pour into the Sandhills this week for the Nebraska High School Rodeo Finals, the town of Valentine is seeing more than thrilling competition—it's seeing an economic boost.

The bond between a cowgirl and her horse is often hard to put into words. For Reagan Stracke of Stuart, Nebraska, that bond is deeply personal — and rooted in loss, love, and legacy.

Cowboy hats, Cinch jeans and confidence took center stage Wednesday as the Nebraska High School Rodeo Finals kicked off with a different kind of competition—one that crowns rodeo royalty.

Join resource professionals for a discussion of prairie strips and their benefits during the Farming with Prairie Strips event June 17 south of Craig, Nebraska.

Staff will recommend a mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge, Niobrara and Wildcat Hills units, with adjusted harvest limits compared to the 2025 season.

Nebraska Extension will host a free drought management webinar for beef producers June 5 at 6:30 p.m.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has lifted its temporary ban on campfires at central and western state park and wildlife management areas. Campfires already were permitted at locations in eastern Nebraska.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has lifted its temporary ban on campfires at central and western state park and wildlife management areas

Travel the more than 50 trails in this year’s Your Parks Adventure: Trail Trek for a chance to explore trails in your area or discover news ones at locations across Nebraska.

Kahne Packer of Wilber 5 Clovers 4-H capped off a huge day by winning a shoot-off to capture the Cornhusker Cup at the 55th Cornhusker Trap Shoot on Saturday in Doniphan, Nebraska.

Sidney’s Sara Allard takes top honors in the ladies’ division at the Cornhusker Trap Shoot with a 72.

Nebraska Game and Parks is extending the temporary ban on campfires at Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas in central and western Nebraska through May 10.

Braxton Harre of Exeter-Milligan broke 96 of 100 targets on Thursday, May 1, to win the junior high competition of the 55th Cornhusker Trap Shoot in Doniphan, Nebraska.

Spend some time this spring in Nebraska’s state parks. During May, a variety of events are planned for those of all ages and interests.

Whether you intend to release a fish you catch or plan to legally keep it, the fish should be handled properly. For the fish’s sake – and yours.

Ranchers hope President Donald Trump's tariffs will make imported beef expensive enough that Americans will turn to cattle raised at home for all their hamburger and steaks.

Participate in the third Nebraska Birding Bowl and learn about birds, enjoy the outdoors and contribute data toward bird conservation.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, a program that empowers women with the knowledge of outdoor skills, will host Ladies Day on the Range on April 26 at six locations across Nebraska.

NCN spoke with Nebraska Game and Parks about the current state of turkey populations, as well as factors that cause those numbers to fluctuate.

Visitors to state park areas in north-central Nebraska will find enhanced day-use and camping amenities.

A federal agency says it killed a collard wolf that apparently crossed from Colorado into Wyoming and killed several sheep.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved 2025-2026 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 21 meeting in Ord.

Wild swings can impact the states fishing, as one day fish are active and feeding, the next, confused by a sharp drop in temperature.

Ropers had the most success among Chadron State College contestants at the Gillette College rodeo last weekend.

Tyler McGrady made two drives from his Ragland, Alabama, home to complete his first Nebraska Upland Slam.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has partnered with University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientist John Benson to conduct the first statewide elk study.

Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a virtual discussion on fisheries management during meetings March 24-26.

Controlled burns to remove tree and brush piles will end as the snow melts.

Anglers can learn the basics of fly tying that will prepare them to catch trout and panfish this spring.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade have until the end of the month to submit entries for the Nebraska Fish Art Contest.

Explore Nebraska Game and Parks’ 2025 Fishing Forecast and 2025 Fishing Guides to help plan your next fishing trip — no matter the season.

Gov. Pillen called for the Legislature to ban 'lab-grown meat,' arguing the state needs to protect Nebraska's farmers and producers. But not all in the ag sector are on board with this plan.

Tariffs may raise prices; farmers worry about trade impacts.

The Light Goose Conservation Order begins Feb. 10, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

With recent unseasonably warm conditions for much of the state, the season could soon wrap up.

The 2025 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska ended Jan. 19 after the final harvest limit was reached in the Pine Ridge Unit.

Deer season in Nebraska officially closed Jan. 15 when the late antlerless seasons ended.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is urging residents to exercise caution on frozen lakes and ponds after two incidents involving all-terrain vehicles breaking through the ice on Saturday in Nebraska.

The 2025 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills Unit closed Jan. 5 after three mountain lions, two males and one female, were harvested.

POTTER -- Barry Shepard topped off 2024 as the World Champion Bull Rider for 60 and above in the Senior Pro Tour.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offices and service centers will be closed Jan. 9 to honor the passing of President Jimmy Carter.

The 2025 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Niobrara Unit ended almost as quickly as it began, closing on its opening day after hunters reached the limit of two females.

Active-duty military personnel stationed in Nebraska can now buy a vehicle park entry permit for $5 and gain access to more than 76 state parks year-round.

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

Anglers can learn the basics of ice-fishing or pick up a few new tips from experienced anglers at Discover Ice-Fishing clinics in January.

Preliminary results from the 2024 Nebraska November firearm deer season show statewide harvest was down 2% from 2023 and down 24% from the 2019-2023 average.

At 14 years old, Austin Hurt has her vision set on all things rodeo.

Hudson Lake, 15 miles southwest of Valentine, will not be open to the public for ice fishing this winter. 

Celebrating its 16th year at North East Community College, the AgCeptional Women's Conference brought together around 400 women to honor their significant contributions to agriculture.

By acquiring, preparing and serving meat of all kinds every month, the Farm 2 Fork program aims to provide both good food and a good education about the food to Tri County students and families.

Hunters who harvest a tagged and collared deer in western Nebraska are being asked to contact wildlife professionals conducting big game disease research.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is encouraging hunters in six deer management units to bring their harvest to in-person check stations for chronic wasting disease testing during the upcoming firearm deer season.

As excitement builds toward the November firearm deer season, hunters should remember safety is most important. Make sure to always follow the four primary rules of firearm safety.

Eager hunters will take to the fields Oct. 26 for Nebraska’s pheasant season opener.

Wheat and milo stubble left tall following harvest provides excellent cover and hunting opportunities for pheasants and other wildlife.

A multi-state consortium of two-year ag colleges will be headquartered in Nebraska. 

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is giving its wildlife-viewing guides a makeover – with the help of the public.

During this International Color Blindness Awareness Month, Nebraska Game and Parks is launching its campaign to make the outdoors more enjoyable to those with color blindness.

The Nebraska Game and Parks is implementing a temporary ban on campfires at all Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas until further notice.

The annual fall stocking of rainbow trout into ponds and lakes across Nebraska has begun.

Youth ages 11-15 may register for the Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt, which is Oct. 20 at Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lewellen.

Fall turkey season will open soon, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wants to reacquaint hunters with the changes that first became effective last fall.

Para athlete Matt Stutzman returns to display his shooting skills at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo, Sept. 21-22 at Ponca State Park. This time he does it as a Paralympic gold medalist.

A Philadelphia-based, multi-state company has been one of the largest buyers of Nebraska ag land in recent years.