Officer patrols focus on reducing alcohol-related accidents
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers are conducting special enforcement patrols focused on alcohol-related boat and vehicle accidents through August, according to recent Commission release.
The patrols are concentrated in state parks and wildlife management areas. They began May 23 and continue through Aug. 31 with officers conducting high-visibility patrols on and off of the water.
Alcohol consumption in both areas is prohibited on all roadways, designated swimming areas and park areas as well as from 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“We encourage people to enjoy outdoor recreation safely and responsibly, helping maintain family-friendly state park and wildlife areas for all to enjoy,” said Game and Parks Law Enforcement Division Administrator Jeff Clauson.
The Parks release noted how a great from the Nebraska Department of Roads Office of Highway Safety was to help fund the enforcement effort.
Campfire ban lifted in Nebraska state parks, WMAs
The Game and Parks Commission recently lifted its temporary ban on campfires at central and western state Park and wildlife management ares.
“Campfires already were permitted at locations in eastern Nebraska,” a release stated.
Some parks and counties, however, have remaining local and individual burn bans in place. Some of those bans affect Lake McConqughy, Lake Ogallala and Swanson Reservoir.
Even with lifted bans, the Parks release encouraged guests to “exercise caution when having a campfire.” It suggested small fires, containing fires to provided fire rings, not leaving them unattended, having water or a fire extinguisher nearby and making sure flames are fully extinguished once leaving the sites.
Archery paddlefish season begins Sunday
Nebraska's archery paddlefish season opens Sunday and continues through June 30, sunrise to sunset, in a designated area of the Missouri River.
The fish may be taken by bow and arrow and possession from Gavins Point dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734.
“Closed during the archery paddlefish season is the north wall of the spillway and immediately below the dam powerhouse downstream to a line extending from the east end of the south cement wall of the discharge canal northwest to the east end of the north wall of the discharge canal,” a recent Game and Parks release noted.
Notably, crossbow use is not allowed in the area from the dam downstream to the US Highway 81 bridge.
Necessary fishing permit information is available online at outdoornebraska.gov.
— Staff reports
