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

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.

Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson SHP

Travel back in time and experience history on the Great Plains at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park for Living History Weekend on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

The weekend’s theme will be “The Desertion of Musician Knight.” Ongoing demonstrations featuring military and civilian life from the Revolutionary War will occur throughout the park. The military timeline will focus on the Revolutionary War to present-day. Humanities Nebraska guest speaker Eric Krelle will present “Flag Raising at Iwa Jima.”

Living History events occur from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the first weekend of each month between May and October.

The park will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A fee is required at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center of $4 per adult and $1 per child. For more information, email [email protected], call 402-468-5611 or visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/location/fort-atkinson/.

Enjoy stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Come to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland on Sept. 13 and enjoy some summer stargazing.

Telescopes will be provided so visitors may get a glimpse at the night sky beginning at dusk. Meet behind the park’s golf shack for this free event from 9-11:30 p.m. Remember to bring camp chairs or blankets.

The rain date is Sept. 14.

Saddle up for Enders Trail Ride

Saddle up your horse and join the annual Enders Trail Ride on Sept. 28 at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area near Imperial.

This free event, intended from both novice and advanced riders, will be at No Name Bay from 9-11 a.m. It will give riders a chance to view wildlife and beautiful scenery from the beach and through the wooded areas of the SRA. Riders must bring their own horses.

Camping is available, with applicable fees, but there are no equestrian pens at Enders Reservoir SRA

Hunting on state recreation areas begins Sept. 3

Hunters are reminded Nebraska’s state recreation areas are closed to hunting until Sept. 3.

Several hunting seasons open in early September, including archery deer, dove, grouse, early teal and other small game and furbearer seasons on Sept. 1.

Regulations state that portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day – this year is Tuesday, Sept. 3 – through the end of the spring turkey hunting season, unless restricted.

Standard hunting regulations apply. A park entry permit is required for vehicles entering the SRAs. Parks with managed hunting have hunter check-ins and signs posted at designated hunting areas. Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of any public-use facility or activity area, including picnic areas, campgrounds, private cabins, concession areas, boat ramps and parking lots.

Additionally, limited hunting is allowed in specific areas of some state parks and state historical parks; find details at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search “state park hunting.”

Wildlife management areas, Open Fields and Waters sites and other public lands also are open to hunting; these areas are listed in the Public Access Atlas available online or in print.

Find these resources, as well as summaries of hunting regulations in the Small Game and Waterfowl Guide and Big Game Guide or buy a permit at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Park guests visiting areas where hunting is allowed are encouraged to use the following safety guidelines:

Know hunting season dates – Applicable hunting dates, species allowed and methods of take are specific to designated park areas.

Know which areas allow hunting – Only limited state park areas and state historical parks allow hunting at specific times. State recreation areas and wildlife management areas often are open to hunting for the full season but are subject to their own restrictions.

Pay attention to signage – Parks and wildlife management areas post signs indicating any additional safety measures parkgoers should be aware of.

Wear bright clothing – While hunter orange is best for visibility, any bright color will stand out. Avoid muted or earthy tones.

Stay on designated trails – Hunters typically avoid well-worn paths; sticking to trails increases one’s visibility. Use extra caution at dawn or dusk. Deer are most active during these times, and low light can make it more difficult for hunters to make out colors or shapes.

Make yourself known – If you hear shooting, use your voice to let hunters know you are in the area. Once he or she is aware of you, be courteous and don’t make additional unnecessary noise that disturbs wildlife

2024-2025 Public Access Atlas now available

There are more than a million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska. The recently published 2024-2025 Public Access Atlas identifies and consolidates these public access resources for the benefit of Nebraska’s hunters, trappers and anglers.

Printed copies of this year’s atlas are available at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission headquarters and soon will be available in its district offices and service centers, as well as wherever hunt and fish permits are sold.

The Public Access Atlas also is available online at OutdoorNebraska.gov in several formats: interactive atlas map, offline atlas (mobile-friendly), digital flipbook and Google Earth KMZ files.

The atlas is updated annually and displays all publicly accessible lands throughout the state, including state, federal and conservation partner lands.

Private lands enrolled in Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program also are included in the atlas. Open Field and Waters provides financial incentives to private landowners allowing walk-in, public access for hunting, trapping and/or fishing. Finding places to hunt and fish can be a challenge for hunters and anglers but, thanks to Nebraska’s landowners, 382,000 acres of private lands are available through this voluntary program.

Bridge project will affect some Smith Falls SP visitors

Visitors travelling through Valentine to access Smith Falls State Park will be affected by road construction starting this fall.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation will start work on the removal and reconstruction of the Nebraska Highway 12 bridge over the Minnechaduza Creek 3 miles east of Valentine. This road closure will occur Sept. 3 through May 23, 2025.

The detour to reach Smith Falls SP from Valentine, will be: travel 6 miles north on U.S. Highway 83, 3 miles east on unpaved 906th Road, 1 mile south on unpaved Nolett Road, and then 2 miles east on unpaved Whitetail Road to connect to Nebraska Highway 12. The road for Smith Falls is 8 miles east on the highway.

To find out about Smith Falls, or other Nebraska state parks, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Upland bird hunting prospects optimistic

Positive surveys and field reports point toward a more optimistic outlook for Nebraska upland bird hunting seasons this fall.

“Surveys conducted earlier this summer looked more promising entering the breeding season, and with improved habitat conditions, good production is expected,” said Bryan O’Connor, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Pheasant

Statewide, pheasant counts were up 19% during this year’s July rural mail carrier surveys and were near or exceeding five-year averages in all areas except the Sandhills.

Pheasant habitat is more isolated in eastern Nebraska, but where quality cover exists hunters should find good bird numbers. Portions of the Panhandle and southwest continue to support some of the highest pheasant numbers, but populations remain variable because of drought in recent years.

Northern bobwhite

The recent mild winter benefited northern bobwhite populations across much of the state, and numbers increased in five of six management regions. The current nesting season holds promise and could boost numbers even more, though populations are expected to remain below recent peak years.

According to surveys, southeastern and south-central regions support some of the state’s highest quail densities and should provide some of the better hunting opportunities.

Prairie grouse

The southeastern and extreme western parts of the Sandhills should offer the best hunting for greater prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. Summer moisture has improved habitat conditions and cover throughout much of the state’s prairie grouse range.

According to field reports, production appears to be average or slightly above this year. There is hope a year of good reproduction will increase populations following decreased populations due to drought.

Upland hunters should be aware the U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program lands in a few of Nebraska’s 93 counties, primarily in northwestern Nebraska. This could affect available cover and associated hunting opportunities on some CRP fields, including some open to public, walk-in hunting through Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program. For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Emergency Haying and Grazing.”

The Upland Outlook is based on field reports from biologists, surveys of game species abundance, regional habitat trends, and weather conditions that could affect populations. To view the complete outlook, detailed summaries of upland bird survey results and other upland hunting information, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/game/upland.

To find places to hunt, pick up the 2024-25 Nebraska Public Access Atlas at a Game and Parks office or wherever permits are sold. This publication displays all the publicly accessible lands in Nebraska and is available in several online versions at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas.

The hunting season for pheasant, quail and partridge is Oct. 26 through Jan. 31, 2025. The prairie grouse season is Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2025.

Wetland water conditions poor over much of Rainwater Basin

Wetland water conditions throughout most of the Rainwater Basin currently are poor, with many wetlands being dry, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Hunters should be prepared to scout ahead of teal season. Some wetland pumping is planned before the teal opener.

The conditions recently were observed by biologists on the ground. To view the Aug. 21 report on wetland conditions and pumping plans, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/game/waterfowl, where updates will be posted regularly throughout the duck seasons.

Waterfowl hunting in Nebraska begins with early teal season Sept. 1-9 in the High Plains Zone and Sept. 1-16 in the Low Plains Zone. See an interactive zone map at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps.

In addition to providing places to hunt waterfowl, wetlands are pumped when needed to provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and other water birds, and to provide areas for people to observe wildlife.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information on waterfowl hunting or to purchase permits and stamps and register for the Harvest Information Program.

Go Ape courses closed for season early

The Go Ape Treetop Adventure Courses at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park have closed for the season early because of significant damage from a recent windstorm.

“The safety and enjoyment of visitors is our top priority, and closing the courses now will allow us to begin the necessary repairs to ensure the courses are in top condition,” Mahoney Park Superintendent Michael Townsend said. “We plan to reopen in the spring of 2025, once all repairs are completed.”

Go Ape is a two- to three-hour journey through the forest canopy via a high-ropes adventure course featuring suspended obstacles, zip lines and incredible views.

Stay tuned to OutdoorNebraska.gov in the spring for information on the reopening of the courses.