An Indianola man was seriously injured in a deer hunting incident at about 5 p.m. Nov. 20 in Red Willow County.

The 20-year-old was accidentally shot by a rifle belonging to a 54-year-old male who was following him and another hunter up an embankment. The man was flown to Bryan West Medical Trauma Center in Lincoln for treatment of his injuries.

This is the fourth hunting incident reported in 2022 and the third in three days. In comparison, eight hunting incidents resulting in personal injury were reported in 2021 and five incidents were reported in 2020.

The November Firearm Deer season closed Nov. 20.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages hunters to follow the four primary rules of firearm safety to greatly reduce the risk of causing a hunting incident:

  • Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
  • Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction.
  • Be sure of your target, what is in front of it, and what is beyond it.
  • Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.

Since the introduction of mandatory hunter education and hunter orange requirements in Nebraska, annual hunting incidents have decreased by over 70%.

Game and Parks is investigating the incident.

Use caution at Lewis and Clark SRA after bird die-off

People are encouraged to use caution until further notice while visiting Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area after a waterfowl die-off was reported Nov. 22.

Nebraska Game and Parks staff have collected the waterfowl, which are being tested for cause of death. Due to the size of the lake and the number of snow geese currently utilizing it, additional birds may be affected or found over the holiday weekend.

Lewis and Clark is home to Nebraska’s largest reservoir and is along the state’s northeast border with South Dakota. The lake attracts waterfowl, gulls, bald eagles and other migrating birds, especially during migration periods.

The public should avoid all contact with sick or dead birds and report them to Game and Parks.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available at OutdoorNebraska.org.

7 holiday gift ideas for the outdoors enthusiast

LINCOLN, Neb. – Doing some holiday shopping for someone who loves the outdoors? Find what you’re looking for with these seven gift ideas from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission:

Annual state park permits

Give the gift of experiences – one year’s worth of access to over 70 scenic state parks from one end of the state to the other. With opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, wildlife watching or just enjoying the beautiful outdoors, Nebraska’s state parks have something for everyone.

2023 Nebraskaland Calendar

You can enjoy gorgeous Nebraska scenes all year long with the 2023 Nebraskaland Calendar. Each month features a spectacular Nebraska image taken by a Nebraskaland photographer, along with plenty of room to pencil in notes. It’s great for both the home and the office.

Game and Parks “Bucks”

Let someone choose their own gift of the outdoors with Game and Parks “Bucks,” which work like a gift card. They can be used for everything from permits and magazine subscriptions to camping, shooting range fees and more.

Nebraskaland Holiday Special

Save up to 75% on a subscription to Nebraskaland Magazine and receive the award-winning 2023 Nebraskaland calendar. Deals start at just $24 for a one-year subscription. Nebraskaland is a great fit for outdoor enthusiasts, filled with scenic images and engaging stories on outdoor recreation, wildlife, parks and people.

Annual hunting or fishing permits

If you know someone who loves to fish or hunt, make your gift-giving easy and get them a permit allowing them to enjoy those activities all year long. This also could be a good gift for someone who would appreciate the nudge to try a new hobby or get back into an old one.

Hard card permits

This new option offers an alternative to carrying a paper permit with you in the field. When you buy a permit, you can choose to add on a wallet-sized hard card – complete with beautiful artwork of a walleye or pheasant – onto your purchase for just $6. It displays your current permits and hunter ID, and will stand up to water and repeated trips in and out of pockets and tackle boxes.

Lifetime permits and stamps

Treat someone special to the gift that lasts a lifetime – a Nebraska lifetime permit. It is the ultimate gift for any hunter or angler and an investment in the future.

Learn more and purchase these items at OutdoorNebraska.org/GiftGuide.