Outdoor enthusiasts are advised to use extreme caution across the state due to dry conditions and wildfire risk. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters and other recreationists to not enter active fire zones or any closed areas.

See a map of closed areas at inciweb.wildfire.gov. Sites managed and controlled by Game and Parks within these areas are closed until they are evaluated to ensure they are safe to open.

Game and Parks also recommends people do not impede first responders extinguishing fires, recovering areas or assisting. Recreational viewing of burned areas is strongly discouraged.

State park area and wildlife management area guests are encouraged to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of wildfire:

• Adhere to the temporary ban on campfires at all Nebraska state park areas and WMAs, which remains in effect until further notice.

• Restrict driving to established roads and trails.

• Avoid parking vehicles in tall vegetation.

• Dispose of cigarettes and other flammable objects appropriately.

• Ensure your vehicle, trailers, and other equipment are well-maintained.

• Make sure no chains are dragging from your vehicle.

• In the morning, before driving and while the exhaust/catalytic converter system is cool, inspect it to see no debris is clinging to it.

Driving vehicles or parking on dry, tall grass is a primary threat. Grass can ignite within seconds of contacting a hot surface, such as a vehicle’s exhaust/catalytic converter systems. Campers and hunters should carry a shovel, bucket, and a fire extinguisher in their vehicle or camper to put out unintended flames.

As a reminder, anyone must have permission to access private land – trespassing on private land without the landowner's permission is illegal. Boundaries may not currently be visible, as signage and fences may have been destroyed by fire.

If you hunt on private lands in an area located in or near fire zones, recontact landowners to confirm permission to hunt.

See a list of closed Game and Parks properties at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Search “Closures and Safety Advisories.”

OFW sites, WMAs impacted by fires closed

Open Fields and Waters public walk-in access properties and wildlife management areas affected by wildfires are closed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission until further notice.

Hunters are urged to stay away from OFW sites and WMAs affected by the recent wildfires in Lincoln, Dawson, Keith, Arthur, Morrill, Garden, and Cherry counties for public safety reasons and to allow recovery efforts to proceed.

See a list and maps of closed Game and Parks properties at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Search “Closures and Safety Advisories.” Refer to the Nebraska Public Access Atlas for a legend that applies to maps of closed OFW sites at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas/.

Areas impacted may change as fires are still active.

Nebraska remains under a statewide burn ban through 11:59 p.m. March 27. Game and Parks has a temporary ban on campfires at all Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas.

Mountain lion season closed

Two adult male mountain lions were harvested March 16 during the Pine Ridge Unit Auxiliary Season, meeting the overall limit of 12 and closing the 2026 hunting season.

The Niobrara and Wildcat Hills units closed during Season 1.

In total, 18 mountain lions were harvested in the three units this year — the highest total ever for the state. A breakdown of the harvest by unit:

Pine Ridge (12 overall limit/6 female sublimit) — 12 harvests; Season 1: 5 females and 5 males harvested, closed during Auxiliary Season: 2 males harvested

Wildcat Hills (3 overall limit/2 female sublimit) — 3 harvests; closed during Season 1: 1 male and 2 females harvested

Niobrara Unit (6 overall limit/3 female sublimit) — 3 harvests; closed during Season 1: 3 females harvested

An Auxiliary Season took place in the Pine Ridge Unit because the harvest limit of 12, or female sublimit of six, was not reached during Season 1.

To read about mountain lions in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Commissioners approve 2026-2027 waterfowl recommendations

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved 2026-2027 waterfowl hunting season recommendations at its March 20 meeting at Ponca State Park.

Approved staff recommendations include a transition to a three duck-zone configuration instead of four. Boundary changes to duck zones and goose units approved by commissioners last June resulted in duck Zone 4 being relabeled to Zone 1. The former Zone 1 is being absorbed into Zone 2.

Also approved was a nine-day early teal season in both Low Plains and High Plains zones due to blue-winged teal breeding population status.

The approved 2026-2027 Nebraska waterfowl seasons are:

Early Teal:

Low Plains – Sept. 5-13

High Plains – Sept. 5-13

Daily bag limit – six; Possession limit – 18

Youth, Veteran, and Active-Duty Military:

Zone 1 – Oct. 17-18

Zone 2 – Sept. 26-27

Zone 3 – Oct. 17-18

Daily bag – Same as regular season

Duck and Coot:

Zone 1 – Oct. 24-Dec. 6 and Dec. 19-Jan. 17

Zone 2 – Oct. 3-Dec. 15 and Jan. 6-27 (High Plains)

Zone 3 – Oct. 24-Jan. 5 and Jan. 6-27 (High Plains)

Daily bag – Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions; Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex; Possession limit – three times the daily bag limit

Dark Goose:

Platte River Unit – Oct. 28-Feb. 9

Niobrara Unit – Oct. 28-Feb. 9

North Central Unit – Oct. 3-Jan. 15

Daily bag limit – five; Possession limit – 15

White-fronted Goose:

Statewide – Oct. 17-Dec. 27, and Jan. 25-Feb 9

Daily bag limit – two; Possession limit – six

Light Goose Regular Season:

Statewide – Oct. 3-Dec. 30 and Jan. 25-Feb. 9

Daily bag limit – 50; Possession limit – none

Light Goose Conservation Order:

East Zone – Feb. 10-April 15

West Zone – Feb. 10-April 5

Rainwater Basin Zone – Feb. 10-April 5

Daily bag and possession limits – none

Crow:

Statewide – Oct. 10-Dec. 10 and Jan. 9-March 11

Daily bag and possession limits – none

Falconry:

Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus,

Zone 1 – Feb. 25-March 10

Zone 2 – Low Plains: Feb. 25-March 10; High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone

Zone 3 – High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone

In other business, commissioners approved the acquisition of the 112-acre Oswald Tract in Fillmore County as an addition to Redhead Wildlife Management Area.

Staff also gave several presentations, including a look at Game and Parks’ events celebrating the nation’s 250^th anniversary, educational programming at Ponca SP, rainbow trout production and stocking, the 100^th anniversary of Nebraskaland Magazine, a review of oak blight in Nebraska, and the conservation officers’ internship program.

Tom and Bonnie Ferry, of Ponca, and Ponca Volunteer Fire and Rescue were both acknowledged with an award for their support of the Missouri River Outdoor Expo for the past 20 years. Stephanie Bokelmann, the Budget and Fiscal assistant division administrator, received a 30-year service award.

Wildcat Hills education events set for April

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 April.

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 mid-May.

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

Offerings in April are:

Wildcat Hills preschool program 

The free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program is on April 14, with the theme of Pollinators, Flowers and Earth Day.

Learn how pollinators help flowers grow and celebrate our amazing Earth.

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 hosting homeschool program 

Discover the pollinators and prairie plants that help Nebraska bloom in the spring during the homeschool program Pollinators, Flowers and Earth Day on April 16.

The free homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Nature Center. Topics change each month.

For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fox Tracks ice cream supports conservation education

Support conservation education with a new limited-edition ice cream created by (402) Creamery in collaboration with Nebraska Game and Parks.

Beginning March 23, the Lincoln-based ice cream shop will offer Fox Tracks, a custom pint inspired by Nebraska’s clever red fox, with $2 from every pint sold benefiting conservation education programs across the state. Fox Tracks is a gluten-free butter pecan ice cream with maple-frosted corn cookies and rich caramel swirls.

The pint will be available at all three (402) Creamery locations. Customers outside of Lincoln can order pints for shipping at 402Creamery.com beginning March 17.

Eight lucky customers will find tokens under the lid of their pints redeemable for an outdoor prize, including a guided kayak excursion, a two-night stay at a Nebraska state park, a bird feeder with seed, and more. 

Head to the Fallbrook scoop shop from 4 to 6 p.m. March 23 at 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 102 to buy a pint and learn more about Nebraska’s red fox. Nebraska Game and Parks’ Monica Macoubrie will share information and hands-on activities for customers to learn about this charismatic, cunning and cute mammal, which is found in every corner of Nebraska.

“At (402) Creamery, we love finding ways to celebrate Nebraska through our ice cream, and partnering with Nebraska Game and Parks allowed us to do that in a really meaningful way,” said Leah Rathe, marketing coordinator at (402) Creamery, about the collaboration. “As a Nebraska-based business, we take a lot of pride in the place we call home and the things that make it special, and our state’s wildlife is such an important part of Nebraska’s identity.

“We hope this collaboration sparks curiosity about Nebraska’s wildlife around us while supporting conservation education programs that help protect our community.”

Dollars raised from the sales will fund Nebraska’s Wildlife Education Fund, created by the Nebraska State Legislature to connect people with nature and foster the stewardship of Nebraska’s natural resources.

Since its inception, Nebraska Game and Parks has grown its educational programming around fish and wildlife for every Nebraskan through community programs, volunteer efforts, statewide initiatives, and science-based resources. Learn more at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Find (402) Creamery’s other Lincoln locations at:

• Telegraph District, 330 South 21st Street, Suite 101.

• Village Gardens, 7101 Kentwell Lane.

Stores are open noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

A limited quantity of Fox Tracks will be available.

Macoubrie said, “Sometimes it’s the unexpected things — like a pint of ice cream — that open the door to learning about wildlife; we hope this flavor inspires people to get curious and connect with Nebraska’s amazing wildlife.”

Enhancements made to Midwest Walleye Challenge

Walleye anglers have a new way to compete, connect and contribute to fisheries science and management across the Midwest.

The third year of the Midwest Walleye Challenge introduces County Captains and Weekly Challenges — features designed to spark friendly rivalry, boost participation and strengthen local pride across participating states.

The Nebraska Walleye Challenge is a citizen science fishing event that brings anglers and biologists together to support walleye fisheries. Open to anglers of all skill levels, the event awards $10,000 in prizes, including “Tough Luck” prizes, for anglers who report trips even when no fish are caught.

The collection of catch data during the Nebraska challenge, which runs April 1-June 28, can help the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission learn more about Nebraska walleye fisheries. In the process, Nebraska anglers can see how their walleye fisheries compare to others in the Midwest.

County captains will serve as local leaders, rallying anglers in their counties to climb the leaderboard, regardless of where they fish. Weekly challenges will spotlight different goals throughout the season — from most fish reported to most water bodies fished — giving every angler many chances to win.

Here’s how it works: There is a $25 entry fee. Anglers record their walleye catches in the mobile app MyCatch. They must photograph their catches on a measuring device using the app. Once the fish is reviewed and meets rule requirements, it will appear on a live leaderboard. Weekly and grand prizes will be drawn. Anglers should report all fish they catch — and zero-catch trips — so biologists can better understand fish population structure.

For more information and to sign up, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Midwest Walleye Challenge.”

Anglers interested in captaining counties already not represented should contact Event Director Jim Clarke at [email protected].

Catch these Game and Parks education events in April

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

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

The April offerings are:

Flock to Birds of a Feather at Mahoney 

Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 10 a.m. on two Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.

On April 7, the topic for this free program for all ages will be Feathers, Forms and Functions. Consider how the form of a bird relates to the functions they do to survive and thrive in the wild.

On April 21, Raptors is the theme. Discover the differences between hawks, eagles, owls and more.

Register at the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Discover ‘Science of’ ferns 

Explore ferns and learn how they survive in diverse habitats and their fascinating history dating millions of years as Nebraska Game and Parks’ popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.

On April 9, learn how ferns may seem like quiet, leafy plants, but their life cycle and adaptations are full of scientific wonder. 

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.

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 10 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On April 14, the topic for this free event will be Bird Mist-Netting. Observe the process of mist-netting, a tool used to catch and band birds for research. Get up close and learn about local bird species.

A variety of nature-related topics will be shared in this free program for all ages.