The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for one 2022 bighorn sheep lottery permit beginning April 18.

A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Only Nebraska residents 12 years and older are eligible for the lottery. It is unlawful to submit more than one application in a calendar year. Residents may receive only one permit in a lifetime. The permit is not transferable.

The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central time April 18 and ends Aug. 5. Applications will be received at Game and Parks offices until 5 p.m. or, if applying at OutdoorNebraska.org, through 11:59 p.m. CT Aug. 5.

The permit will be drawn Aug. 31, and the successful applicant will be notified.

The 2022 bighorn sheep season is Nov. 29 - Dec. 22.

Prescribed burns planned for several WMAs, state park areas this spring

Prescribed burns are planned this spring on many Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather allows.

Historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Burns can help set back undesirable plants that invade native woodlands and prairies, as well as other grass and wooded areas.

Prescribed burning, if used with grazing, can set back smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, increase diversity in grasslands and improve habitat for wildlife. Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife. Acres managed by prescribed burning has better long-term effects on wildlife habitat compared to acres not burned.

Burns will take place spring through fall at the following areas in Game and Parks districts:

Southeast District: Butler County – Larkspur WMA, Redtail WMA; Cass County – Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Louisville WMA/SRA, Platte River SP, Rakes Creek WMA, Randall W. Schilling WMA; Douglas County – Two Rivers WMA; Fillmore County – Sandpiper WMA, Sora WMA; Gage County – Arrowhead WMA, Diamond/Donald Whitney WMA; Jefferson County – Alexandria WMA, Alexandria SW WMA, Flathead WMA, Rock Glen WMA, Rose Creek WMA; Johnson County – Osage WMA, Twin Oaks WMA;

Lancaster County – Bluestem WMA/SRA, Branched Oak WMA/SRA, Conestoga WMA/SRA, Hedgefield WMA, Killdeer WMA, Olive Creek WMA, Pawnee SRA/WMA, Wagon Train SRA/WMA, Yankee Hill WMA; Nemaha County – Langdon Bend WMA, Aspinwall Bend WMA; Nemaha/Richardson Indian Cave SP; Otoe County – Riverview Marina; Pawnee County – Burchard WMA, Lores Branch WMA;

Saline County – Divoky WMA; Saline County – Swan Creek WMA; Sarpy County – Schramm Park SRA; Saunders County – Memphis WMA; Seward County – Oak Glen WMA, Straight Water WMA; Thayer County – Dry Sandy WMA, Little Blue WMA, Little Blue East WMA, Meridian WMA; York County – Kirkpatrick Basin North WMA.

Southwest District: Buffalo County – Bassway Strip WMA; Chase County – Enders Reservoir WMA/SRA; Clay County – Kissinger Basin WMA, Whitefront WMA; Custer County – Pressey WMA; Dawson County – Dogwood WMA; Frontier and Red Willow counties – Medicine Creek Reservoir WMA/SRA;

Hall County – Cornhusker WMA, Morman Island SRA; Hamilton County – Deep Well WMA, Pintail WMA; Howard County – Harold Anderson WMA, Leonard Koziol; Keith County – Clear Creek WMA; Phelps County – Sacramento-Wilcox WMA; Sherman County – Sherman Reservoir WMA/SRA; Webster County – Indian Creek WMA, Narrows WMA.

Northeast District: Antelope County – Hackberry Creek WMA, Brown County – Keller Park WMA; Custer and Loup counties – Myrtle Hall WMA; Dawson County – Plum Creek WMA; Dixon County – Buckskin Hills WMA; Elk Point Bend WMA, Powder Creek WMA; Garfield and Loup counties – Calamus Reservoir SRA; Greeley and Valley counties – Davis Creek WMA; Holt County – Goose Lake WMA; Dry Creek WMA; Keya Paha – Thomas Creek WMA;

Madison County – Oak Valley WMA, Nance County – Don Dworak WMA; Platte County – George D. Syas WMA, Wilkinson WMA; Stanton County – Red Fox WMA, Wood Duck WMA.

Northwest District: Dawes County – Big Horn WMA, Bordeaux Creek WMA, Chet and Jane Fleisbach WMA, Box Butte WMA/SRA, Chadron Creek Ranch WMA, Ponderosa WMA; Morrill County – Arnold Trupp WMA; Nine Mile Creek WMA; Sioux County – Gilbert-Baker WMA, Peterson WMA.

Grove Trout Rearing Station temporarily closing for maintenance

The Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal, Nebraska, in Antelope County, will close to visitors April 11-15 for maintenance and inspection on the diversion pond.

“While the maintenance takes place, staff will be using heavy equipment, and public safety is taken into consideration for this closure,” Fish Production Manager Joe Cassidy said. “While this is a necessary part of the operation of the facility, we want this to be brief and resume public visitation. We thank visitors and anglers for their understanding.”

Grove Trout Rearing Station annually stocks approximately 120,000 catchable-size trout in Nebraska’s waters.

Hunt turkeys safely this spring

Spring turkey hunters are eager to get back in the woods again this year, but they should not be so eager they overlook safety.

The archery season opened March 25. On April 9, youth under age 16 may begin hunting turkeys with shotguns. Adults get the chance to hunt with shotguns starting April 16. The spring turkey season closes May 31.

“Hunting continues to be one of the safest recreational activities there is, but there are a few things to remember as you match wits with a smart turkey,” said Jackson Ellis, Nebraska Hunter Education coordinator with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Ellis has the following safety reminders for turkey hunters:

  • Always keep the shotgun’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction with the safety on. Keep your finger off the trigger until you have positively identified your target and are ready to fire.
  • Always identify your target before taking a shot and be sure to have a safe backdrop. Never shoot at sounds, movement, through thick brush or at sky-lined game.
  • Avoid wearing white, blue or red while turkey hunting as those colors often are displayed by male turkeys in the spring.
  • Be prepared for any condition, as weather can change quickly in the spring.
  • Ticks can be prevalent as the weather warms. Check yourself for ticks after a day afield, especially along waistbands and hair. Products such as permethrin, when used correctly, can keep ticks at bay.

“Be sure to get out in the field and enjoy this special time of year in pursuit of some of my favorite wild game,” Ellis said. “If you have the chance, take someone along and introduce them to the thrill of hunting gobbling turkeys.”

If you share your hunting passion with a beginner, be sure to enter the Take ’em Hunting challenge for a chance to win prizes. Learn more at outdoornebraska.gov/takeemhunting.

For those on the fence about hunting this spring, there are plenty of other reasons to get out in the field to pursue a bird:

  • Nebraska has wild turkeys, including the highly sought-after Merriam’s turkeys in the Pine Ridge, in every county.
  • Turkey hunters in Nebraska have reported high hunting success and satisfaction rates.
  • Resident spring turkey permits are $30, with youth permits only $8. Hunters are allowed up to three spring permits a year. The bag limit is one bird per permit.
  • More than 1.2 million acres of land are open to public hunting in the state, including lands in the Open Fields and Waters Program. Find a place to hunt in the Nebraska Public Access Atlas at gov/publicaccessatlas.

For more information on turkey hunting in Nebraska, including regulations and resources, visit outdoornebraska.gov/wildturkey.

Burn ban in effect at Calamus SRA until further notice

Because of the fire hazard created by dry and windy conditions, a burn ban is in effect at Calamus State Recreation Area until further notice.

This ban includes all open fires, such as campfires, and those in any place throughout the SRA.

Calamus SRA includes nearly 5,000 acres of native grassland in the Sandhills region of Nebraska.   

For more information about Nebraska state park areas, visit OutdoorNebraska.org.

View greater prairie-chickens from Burchard WMA blinds

Wildlife enthusiasts can observe the courtship ritual of the greater prairie-chicken in southeastern Nebraska. Approximately 20 birds have been using a lek at Burchard Wildlife Management Area in Pawnee County.

A lek is a specific area where the birds gather to display their mating rituals year after year. The public is invited to view the spectacular mating rituals of the male prairie-chickens. Viewers will be able to interact in the bird’s environment and see the importance for conservation of habitat for these birds.

Prairie-chickens are an overlooked native species that put on a great mating show. Males will drum their feet and strut in their territory on the lek while keeping other males away in their attempts to attract a female. The males have brightly colored air sacs on the sides of their necks that they inflate and “ear-like” pinnae feathers that they raise and lower during their displays.

To view the prairie-chickens, the WMA has two observation blinds available on a first-come basis. No reservations are required. The blinds, which have been on the WMA since the mid-1970s, are located on the hill between the north and south neck of the lake. Follow the lake’s perimeter road and the signs marking the trail to the blinds. One blind is located the north side of the lek and the other on the south side. Each blind can accommodate at least six adults.

Viewing sessions begin one hour before sunrise so that viewers can get into the blind without disturbing the prairie-chickens in their natural habitat. Plan to stay in the blind until the birds leave the lek, which is usually two to three hours. Camera flashes should not be used and all electronic devices should be on silent.

Contact Nathan Wieseler for more information at 402-335-2534.