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Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Takes Advantage of Social Media Opportunities

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. --(AmmoLand.com)- Social media have transformed how the public receives information, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has embraced that transformation.

Thanks to social media, more people are interacting with the Commission electronically than ever before, and the agency is disseminating information to the public in more ways.

Users may find all Commission social media at its Web site, OutdoorNebraska.org. These include four blogs. The most recent to launch is “Afield and Afloat,” the NEBRASKAland Magazine blog that shares staff experiences in the great outdoors, reveals what goes into producing the magazine, including the occasional photo tip, and ideas on where to go and what to do outside.

The other blogs are:

• “Barbs and Backlashes“  Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager, shares his vast knowledge with fishing enthusiasts.
• “In the Wild with Greg Wagner” The Omaha metro office manager shares his knowledge of the outdoors and encourages people to get out into the wild.
• “Lock, Stock and Bedlam” Jeff Rawlinson and Aaron Hershberger of the Outdoor Education team give straight-forward, timely information on hunting, fishing, shooting skills, techniques, and tips.

The Commission also is taking advantage of Facebook and Twitter. The agency launched its Facebook and Twitter offerings in May 2009. The agency had 700 Facebook fans by October and 2,700 by March. More than 3,000 people were following the agency on Twitter as of March 1.

Web page users also will find that Commission has a YouTube channel, on which a variety of state park videos may be viewed. To keep up on the latest news, readers may subscribe to receive RSS feeds or e-mailed news releases.

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Nebraska Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens Dec. 1

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Excellent deer hunting opportunities remain in Nebraska as the muzzleloader season arrives, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The season runs Dec. 1-31.

The recently completed firearm season proved that plenty of deer and large bucks are available. Those firearm hunters were hampered somewhat by the lagging corn harvest, but conditions are improving for December as that harvest continues.

A muzzleloader permit is valid statewide and has a bag limit of one deer of either sex and one antlerless white-tailed deer. The limit may be filled in any order.

“We encourage hunters to take antlerless female white-tailed deer,” said Kit Hams, big game program manager with the Commission. “The use of binoculars or scopes will help hunters avoid buck fawns, which often are more visible than adult does or doe fawns. By this time of year, the small antler ‘buttons’ are 1-2 inches in length and visible.”

There is an unlimited number of muzzleloader permits available again this year. Last year, 15,199 permits sold and 6,946 deer were taken.

Now that the firearm season has closed, hunters again have the option of checking deer electronically or at a check station. Hunters may check electronically by going to NEdeercheck.com or calling toll-free (800) 405-7700 at any time.

The Deer Exchange remains available, too. Donors and recipients of venison may register for free at ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/programs/deerexchange/.

Open Fields and Waters Program lands, popular with firearm hunters, are a good option for muzzleloader hunters. This program has more than 36,000 acres of private land available for public walk-in hunting access. Check the 2009 Nebraska Public Access Atlas for tracts in each county.

Permits may be purchased at Commission permitting offices and at OutdoorNebraska.org. A habitat stamp is required of all deer hunters, except residents age 15 or younger.

For more information on deer hunting, visit OutdoorNebraska.org or read the 2009 Nebraska Big Game Guide.

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