LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has scheduled an additional public informational waterfowl zone meeting in Lincoln on Feb. 7.

The 7 p.m. meeting will be held in the third-floor conference room at Game and Parks headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St.

Issues include potential changes to the state's duck zone and hunting season split configuration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011 changed some criteria for duck zones.

Game and Parks is considering changes to duck zones for 2012. A switch from the current three-zone format to a four-zone format is being considered. However, a change from the current 74-day season to a 39-day season is not under consideration. The four-zone format would better position duck season dates in the event a 39-day season becomes necessary in the future, according to Mark Vrtiska, Game and Parks waterfowl program manager.

"The last thing I want to see is a 39-day duck season," Vrtiska said. "That makes it more difficult to meet hunter preferences for season dates. But, in deciding whether or not we should adopt the four-zone option, we want to lay out all the advantages and disadvantages of our current format to the proposed one."

The schedule for other remaining public informational meetings:

Jan. 23 – McCook, Red Willow Fairgrounds, Community Building, W. 5th and O St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 – Gering Civic Center, Chimney Rock meeting room, 1050 M St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 25 – Ogallala, Lake McConaughy Visitors Center, 1475 Neb. Highway 61N, 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 – North Platte, Holiday Inn Express, 300 Holiday Frontage Road, 7 p.m.

For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.org, then click on Hunting, then Waterfowl.

Game and Parks to Manage Lake Wanahoo

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will manage and operate the newly developed Lake Wanahoo.

Game and Parks Commissioners, in their meeting Jan. 20 in Lincoln, made it official by approving an agreement with the Lower Platte North Natural Resource District (LPNNRD).

The area, located north of Wahoo in Saunders County, is owned by the LPNNRD. It is a 1,777-acre property that includes a 662-acre reservoir. When it opens to the public in the spring, the area will offer camping, fishing, hiking, boating, hunting, wildlife viewing and park facilities.

Part of the area will be designated a state recreation area, with day-use, campground and boating facilities, as well as a hike-bike trail. Park entry and camping fees will apply. An undesignated section of the area has been used for mentored youth hunts.

In other business, Commissioners:

-- amended big game regulations to allow nonresidents to apply for draw unit deer permits to be drawn after residents if permits remain, and to remove Republican Whitetail and add Platte, Platte Mule Deer, Frenchman and Frenchman Mule Deer to the list of deer draw units.

-- amended fisheries regulations to allow tagged fish to be used in tournaments, derbies or contests on Game and Parks waters provided that those events are authorized by the agency for scientific, educational or angler recruitment, development or retention purposes.

-- approved changes to procedures for reviewing the suspension or revocation of a privilege or permit to hunt, fish or harvest fur imposed by any jurisdiction other than Nebraska.

-- approved the transfer of ownership of Pibel Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) in Wheeler County to the Lower Loup Natural Resource District, pending legislative action.

-- approved the transfer of ownership of Champion Mill State Historical Park and SRA to Chase County, pending legislative action.

-- acquired 11.39 acres of land in Cass County and designated it an addition to Platte River State Park.

-- approved funding for the 2012 Land and Water Conservation Fund apportionment.

-- approved funding for the 2012 Recreational Trail Program grant program.

-- modified the Nebraska Hunter and Bow Hunter Education programs to mandate that registration and record-keeping shall be done electronically.

Rick Brandt, president of the Nebraska Big Game Society, announced that Game and Parks Deputy Director Jim Douglas is an advisor for the nonprofit organization.

Ritch Nelson of the Nebraska All-Bird Partnership recognized Douglas for his work in bringing together individuals and resource and conservation agencies to advance bird conservation over the past 10 years.

Tammy Stuhr of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Service cited Game and Parks' Outdoor Education Team for its meritorious service in operating the Outdoor Skills Program.

David Kostersky of Ducks Unlimited, Canada updated Commissioners on Game and Parks' partnership with the organization.

The Commissioners also elected their officers. Ron Stave of Waterloo was elected chairman, Norris Marshall of Kearney vice chairman and Jerrod Burke of Curtis second vice chairman. The offices became effective following the meeting.



Commissioners Approve Funding for Four Trail Projects

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners on Jan. 20 approved four outdoor trail projects for 2012 federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

The projects are:

-- City of Lincoln, $148,800 to renovate a 4,200-foot long asphalt trail with concrete at Pioneers Park.

-- City of McCook, $110,005 to build a 1,198-foot long, 8-foot wide concrete trail that would connect to an existing trail.

-- Sarpy County, $164,600 to build 3,000- and 800-foot long segments of 10-foot wide concrete trail that will connect to an existing trail system.

-- Game and Parks, $12,880 to buy a snowmobile, trailer and groomer to groom and cut cross country ski trails at Ponca State Park.



Commissioners Approve Six Projects for LWCF Funds

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners on Jan. 20 approved six outdoor recreation projects for 50-percent federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Nebraska's 2012 apportionment from the fund is expected to be $424,000. Recommended funding for the six projects totals $432,101.41, but unobligated LWCF funds also are available.

Pending final approval by the National Park Service, the projects are:

-- Village of Ceresco, $66,372.41 to modernize playground equipment and develop accessible paths and a patio with benches at Ceresco Park.

-- Village of Elmwood, $10,000 to renovate a tennis court into a multiuse (basketball, tennis and volleyball) sports court at Village Park.

-- City of Beatrice, $47,300 to modernize playground equipment and renovate a tennis court into a multiuse (basketball, tennis and ice skating) sports court at Riverside Park.

-- City of Cambridge, $68,750 to develop a 2,800-square-foot splash pad with 15 stations at McKinley Park.

-- Village of Johnson, $112,004 to develop a half-mile multiuse trail, benches and lighting, as well as ball field batting cage fencing, backstop and fence expansion, equipment shed and foul poles at Sportsman's Park.

-- City of Arapahoe, $127,675 to develop a nine-pad RV park, half-mile fitness trail and nine-hole disc golf course at South Park.

From 1965 to 2011, 367 political subdivisions have benefitted from the LWCF, which has funded more than 967 projects with more than $44 million.