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.

The changes to the fall season are:

  • The fall turkey season is Oct. 1-Nov. 30. 
  • Each hunter may only have one fall permit.
  • The bag limit allows the take of one turkey of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment.
  • All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck. Turkeys may be checked by internet at OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/telecheck or by phone at 1-844-279-4564. This information will be on the permit.

Permits, which are valid statewide, may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.gov and at Game and Parks permitting offices.

To improve their chances at success this fall season, turkey hunters should be scouting as much as possible.

There are more than a million acres of publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska. The 2024-2025 Public Access Atlas identifies and consolidates these lands for hunters. Also, more than 382,000 acres of private lands enrolled in Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program are included in the atlas. The atlas is available online at OutdoorNebraska.gov in several formats: interactive atlas map, offline atlas (mobile-friendly), digital flipbook and Google Earth KMZ files.

Stay up to date on all the turkey regulations by reading the 2024 Turkey Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps.

Catch these Game and Parks education events in October

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

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.

Little Saplings presents Seed Safari on Oct. 2

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2024 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of the month, continues Oct. 2 with the theme Seed Safari at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Sensory Safari is Oct. 2 at Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Sensory Safari is an event Oct. 2 where visually and sensory impaired guests will have the opportunity to touch, feel, hear, and smell at interpretative stations located throughout the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

Nature experts from organizations across Nebraska will engage visitors at each station during this special event hosted by the zoo and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Registration is required and can be completed at the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Learn beginner astronomy at Platter River SP

Join naturalists at Platte River State Park’s RV Campground Shelter for beginner astronomy activities at 4 p.m. on Fridays in October.

Beginning Oct. 4, participants can make a constellation, use a star chart to identify seasonal stars, examine a moon globe and compare it to the moon in the sky. Late at night they can use what they learned as the stars become visible.

Two parks to host They Aren’t That Spooky

Some critters get a bad rap for being spooky. Learn to love things like bats, spiders and snakes for their unique adaptations and positive impact on the ecosystem.

The They Aren’t That Spooky program will meet at 10 a.m. Oct. 4, 5 and 18 Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center. It also will meet at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26 at Platte River State Park’s Nature Center.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Oct. 8

Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new 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 Oct. 8, the topic for this free, bird-related program for all ages will be Fall Migration.

Wise and Wild is Oct. 8 at James Family Conservatory

Wise and Wild is a program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 3 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On Oct. 8, the topic for this free event will be Dutch Oven Cooking. Gather around the fire and enjoy some delicious cast iron cooking.

Spider Tales Story Time coming to Lincoln

Join Lincoln’s Elleinad Books and Nebraska Game and Parks for Spider Tales Story Time.

At 10 a.m. Oct. 15, educators will read a story using puppets, show spiders preserved in resin, and lead a fun spider craft activity for the kids.

This free event is open to the public of all ages. Elleinad Books is located at 5930 S. 58th St., Suite S.

Wildcat Hills preschool program is Oct. 15

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host its monthly preschool program Oct. 15 with Going Batty.

The program will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Homeschool Hikes set for Oct. 16-17 at Schramm

Homeschool families for ages 5 and up are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Oct. 16 and 1 p.m. Oct. 17. This month's theme is Grasses.

During the program, participants may ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. They will have the opportunity to observe local phenomena, plants, and animals while exploring concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Wildcat Hills homeschool program is Oct. 17

The Wildcat Hills homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. The theme Oct. 17 is Going Batty. Explore bat adaptations, debunk myths and learn what can be done to help these nocturnal creatures.

Certified staff lead various programs that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations, and habitats found only in western Nebraska. Activities focus hands-on learning and observations, targeted to your students’ learning.

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

Events commemorating October as Nebraska Reptile Month

October is Nebraska Reptile Month. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators, along with partners, have scheduled interesting and engaging events to celebrate and raise awareness of these species.

Nebraska Reptile Month Art Contest is Oct. 1-31

Nebraska Game and Parks is hosting its annual Nebraska Reptile Month Art Contest.

The contest, open Oct. 1-31, is open to all ages. People are invited to submit original artwork featuring Nebraska native reptiles through the end of October. To upload an entry, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Images may be uploaded as scanned images or photos of the artwork.

The contest includes the following judging categories by grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. New this year is an Adult category.

Learn more about Nebraska reptiles by visiting OutdoorNebraska.gov and searching for “reptiles.”

All participants will receive reptile-themed gifts. To view the winners after the contest, follow the Nebraska Wildlife Education Facebook Page.

Email questions to [email protected].

Lincoln library to host Reptile Family Fun Night

Meet some live Nebraska reptiles Oct. 1 at Reptile Family Fun Night in Lincoln. Join Lincoln City Libraries and Nebraska Game and Parks for a night geared toward reptile awareness.

Stop by the Gere Branch Library from 5:30-7 p.m. at 2400 S. 56th St., to meet live snakes, turtles and lizards and learn about native reptile species from Game and Parks staff.

There will be crafts and activities for the whole family at this free event, including the chance to read to a reptile.

Get inspired at Reptile Art Day

Join Nebraska Game and Parks and Lincoln City Libraries on Oct. 15 for an afternoon of reptile art.

October is Nebraska Reptile Month and the annual K-12 art contest is open all month. Join educators at Gere Branch Library from 1:30-3 p.m. at 2400 S. 56th St., to draw, paint or sculpt an entry for the contest.

Live reptiles will be on hand for inspiration, and a variety of art supplies will be provided at this free event. Participants will be able to digitally submit their entries with help from library staff and take home their finished project.

Reptiles of Nebraska event Oct. 24

Nebraska Game and Parks will team with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources to host a free, family-friendly reptile fun night Oct. 24.

Come to UNL’s East Campus in Lincoln, where the event will be from 4:30-7 p.m. at Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St.

UNL Herpetologist Dennis Ferraro will have an exhibit of snakes, lizards and turtles of Nebraska. There also will be touch stations, coloring stations, turtle activities, snake activities, and booths dedicated to the importance of Nebraska’s native reptiles to the state.

Free parking is available. The first 200 families attending will take home a reptile gift bag. Several food trucks will be available.

Email any questions to [email protected].

Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in October

Spend some time this fall in Nebraska’s state parks. While history is a major theme during October park events, other types of events are scheduled, too.

Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Arbor Lodge hosting living history weekends

Step back in time to see historic trades, talents, and other demonstrations come alive inside Arbor Lodge Mansion and on the beautiful grounds at Arbor Day Farm. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park will host living history each weekend in October, beginning Oct. 5-6.

Experience daily life on the Morton farm. Special exhibits and demonstrations will highlight day-to-day activities on the prairie. Learn about the Morton family farm through firsthand accounts, letters, journal entries and photographs. View antique farm equipment and kitchen gadgets. Demonstrations include quilting, one-room schoolhouse lessons, dress-like-a-pioneer and more.

Call Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City at 402-873-7222 or go to the calendar event entry at Calendar.Outdoornebraska.gov for more information. Mansion admission is $9 for adults, $7 for ages 3-12. Demonstration hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Enjoy living history at Fort Atkinson Oct. 5-6

Come to Fort Atkinson State Historical Park on Oct. 5-6 and experience an 1824 Harvesting Style living history weekend. Visitors will see activities that would have taken place at this 1820s era military outpost.

Among the activities for the weekend, themed “Anticipating the Arrival of Brig. Gen. Atkinson,” are a bison-butchering demonstration and brass band performance.

The 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band, which portrays the band of the original 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry Regiment of 1861-1862, will perform at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6. The band wears Union infantry uniforms and plays authentic musical arrangements taken from Civil War band books and played on Civil War period instruments.

A fee is required at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center of $2 per adult and $1 per child. For more information, contact the park near Fort Calhoun at [email protected] or 402-468-5611.

Family Rendezvous at Platte River State Park

Enjoy a day of outdoor fun at the Family Rendezvous on Oct. 6 at Platte River State Park.

Come to the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free activities such as traditional muzzleloaders, archery, aerial archery, tomahawks, slingshots, pellet guns, atlatl, naturalist activities and roasting marshmallows. Participants may bring their own muzzleloaders to sight-in before hunting season.

Food will be available for purchase.

Nebraskaland photo contest begins Oct. 1

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept submissions for the 2024 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest starting Oct. 1.

Submissions should be made at Magazine.OutdoorNebraska.gov. To be eligible for the contest, photos should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time Oct. 31.

Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit photos in four categories:

  • Wildlife — wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish
  • Scenic — in which landmarks, scenery or inanimate objects are prominent
  • Recreation — people enjoying the outdoors through hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, skiing or other outdoor activities. No traditional sports images will be accepted.
  • Macro — native wildflowers, foliage, fruiting bodies or other parts of plants and the creepy crawly creatures that inhabit them.

All photos must be taken in Nebraska.

Submissions will be judged by Nebraskaland staff, and winning photos will be published in the January/February 2025 issue of Nebraskaland Magazine. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded in all categories, and a Best in Show prize also will be awarded.

Find the complete contest rules at Magazine.OutdoorNebraska.gov/about/photo-contest.

With miles of winding rivers, wide-open vistas and wildlife from border to border, Nebraska is a photographer’s paradise. Each year, Nebraskaland Magazine celebrates the state’s beauty and recognizes the outstanding work of photographers across Nebraska during this annual photo contest.

Learn more about the magazine at Magazine.OutdoorNebraska.gov.