Nebraska wildlife officials say conditions in certain areas of the state are suitable for the spread of deadly viral diseases among big game populations. They are asking the public to report unexplained death or illnesses of deer, pronghorn, elk and bighorn sheep.

Observations of unhealthy big game animals or unexplained deaths should be reported to the nearest Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office. Locations include Alliance, Bassett, Kearney, Gretna, North Platte, Lincoln, Omaha and Norfolk.

In big game animals, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, often causes high fever, internal bleeding, swelling, lesions, lethargy, increased heart rate, dehydration, salivation, incoordination and loss of fear of humans. The symptoms and spread are similar to bluetongue disease, another disorder that can kill certain wildlife and domestic livestock.

Both are labeled hemorrhagic diseases and indistinguishable without laboratory analysis. While the diseases do not affect humans, they can be destructive to big game populations.

The diseases are most prevalent in late summer until the first frost. For both EHD and bluetongue, certain tiny midges or gnats bite a host and move the virus to nearby animals. When animals congregate at water during drought, the insects have potential to spread the virus to more animals. Additionally, infected animals often seek water for relief and die in or near it.

The Aug. 3 report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows conditions throughout eastern Nebraska range from “abnormally dry” to “exceptional drought,” the most severe condition.

For contact information and more details about wildlife diseases, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Grow your skills during National Shooting Sports Month

Take advantage of Nebraska Game and Parks ranges or shooting events this August to grow your skills during National Shooting Sports Month.

Learn more about opportunities across the state:

Outdoor 3D Archery Tournament

Archers are invited to participate in an Outdoor 3D Archery Tournament on Aug. 12-13 at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Archers can compete in a variety of divisions including compound, Olympic recurve, traditional, basic compound and fixed pin. The competition is open to ages 8 and older. Learn more or register to participate in the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Archery Adventure

Archery Adventure provides an opportunity for family and friends to try an entry-level archery challenge at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center’s indoor archery range. No prior experience is necessary for this event from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 19.

All equipment and instruction will be provided by the Outdoor Education Center. Group reservations required. Register to participate in the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. 

Rifle Rally

Join the Rifle Rally from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 19 at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center. This entry-level rifle challenge will take place at the indoor firearms range.

All equipment and instruction will be provided by the Outdoor Education Center. Group reservations required. Register to participate in the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.                   

Visit a shooting range

Nebraska Game and Parks offers five shooting complexes at locations across the state. Each offers a unique experience for those learning to shoot or those already experienced in the sport.

Locations include:

  • Eric Wiebe Memorial Shooting Complex, Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26E, Ponca
  • Kearney Outdoor Education Complex, 10945 Poole Ave., Kearney
  • Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex, Platte River State Park, 14421 346th St., Louisville
  • Turpin Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St., Lincoln
  • Wildcat Hills Shooting Sports Complex, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, 210617 Highway 71, Gering

Nearly 20 Game and Parks locations also offer archery ranges, pellet gun galleries, or other shooting sports opportunities. Learn more at OutdoorNebraska.gov on the Visit a Shooting Range webpage.

Each year more than 20 million people across the United States participate in shooting sports, spending more than $12 billion on equipment and sales. Excise taxes on these firearms and ammunition fund wildlife conservation efforts; they make up 74% of the total funds spent.

Game and Parks wins eight awards at annual ACI conference

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission earned eight awards at the Association for Conservation Information annual conference held July 24-27 in Stateline, Nevada. The awards recognized excellence in outreach, education and communications.

ACI is a nonprofit organization of natural resources communicators representing wildlife conservation and parks and natural resource agencies. Its annual awards contest recognizes excellence and promotes craft improvement through peer critiques. This year’s contest saw a record number of entries.

The awards are:

  • First place in Photography: Scenic, for “A Sandhills Pasture” by Nebraskaland Regional Editor Eric Fowler.
  • Second place in Photography: People, for “Sunrise Bliss” by Nebraskaland Regional Editor Eric Fowler.
  • Second place in Education, for Trail Tales Magazine by educator Monica Macoubrie, graphic designer Donna Schimonitz and other Fish and Wildlife Education Division staff.
  • Third place in Education, for “Turtle Troubles” by educator Monica Macoubrie and Fish and Wildlife Education Division staff.
  • Third Place in Regulations Publications, for the 2022-2023 Small Game and Waterfowl Guide by public information officer Jerry Kane and Wildlife Division staff.
  • Third place in Graphics: Layout, for “Conservation Easement Infographic” by graphic designer Mel Severin and Wildlife Division staff.
  • Third place in Calendar, for the 2023 Nebraskaland Calendar by graphic designer Tim Reigert and Nebraskaland photographers.
  • Third place in Magazine: Destination, Historical or Cultural Article, for “A Rapid City” by Nebraskaland Regional Editor Eric Fowler.

“Connecting Nebraskans to conservation and outdoor recreation is essential to our mission,” said Christy Firestone, Game and Parks’ communications director. “Our talented and enthusiastic team works in creative ways to educate, engage and inform people about natural resources, and ways to get involved in conservation and have fun in the outdoors.”