The Nebraska Parks and Games Commission will consider approving a five-year plan to recruit, retain and reactivate outdoor enthusiasts at its Oct. 21 meeting in Broken Bow.
If approved, the 2023-2037 Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation Plan would provide goals, objectives, and strategies that would help Game and Parks engage outdoor participants in outdoor opportunities.
The staff-written plan has goals to increase and revive participation in boating, fishing, hunting, parks, and shooting sports, retain current participants, and maintain support for conservation and recreation.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. in the Broken Bow Public Library Meeting Room, 626 S. D St.
Commissioners will also consider a recommendation to change wildlife regulations that:
- add the Pine Ridge Mule Deer Conservation Area to the draw unit list, add the non-resident antelope archery permit to the antelope draw permit list, and allow archery antelope hunters non-residents apply for a preference point or archery permit;
- add turkeys to the list of animals that must be checked within 48 hours of capture; Y
- add text to allow hunters, starting in the spring 2023 season, to cancel and verify their electronic turkey permits on their mobile devices immediately after harvest.
Commissioners will consider a recommendation to change fishing regulations to simplify the application process for special fishing permits for disabled anglers and allow annual renewals to be purchased through the online permit system.
They will also consider changes to sportfishing orders that:
- add Ansley Lake, Flanagan Lake, Alda DOT, Birdwood WMA, East Sutherland WMA, and remove Victoria Springs Lake SRA from waters that require a minimum length of 21 inches on black bass;
- change the designated location on the Republican River above the Harlan County Reservoir for channel catfish bag limits and size limits for walleye, dachshund, and dachshund;
- remove the catch-and-release designation for Lake Flanagan, establish a no-take restriction on northern pike, and create maximum length limits on bluegill, red-eared sunfish, and crappie; Y
- add walleye to prohibited species in Lonergan Creek at Lake McConaughy and add Otter Creek to restrictions and set the deadline April 1-June 30.
Commissioners will also consider proposed changes to a variety of boating regulations regarding references to personal flotation devices, vessel weight limits, and updating body of water lists for wake/no wake rules. wake up and boating hours, towing and other boating safety restrictions. Learn more by reading the Notice of Public Hearing at OutdoorNebraska.gov/pubicnotices.
In other business, commissioners will hear reports on the Parks and Games Capital Maintenance Fund, an update on the fall season at state parks and a report on a Kearney fishing project.