Lincoln, Neb. -- As tax season gets into full swing Nebraskans need to remember to donate to the Nongame Tax Check-off Program, according to Mark Humpert, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions wildlife diversity program manager.

“The Nongame Check-off Program is the leading source of funds for the research and conservation of 95 percent of Nebraskas fish, wildlife, and plant species,” Humpert said.

Revenues in the Nongame Check-off fund typically range just under the $100,000 mark, 75-80 percent of which comes directly from citizens who donate on their state tax forms. Since the fund was established in 1984 nearly $1.8 million has been donated and utilized to preserve Nebraskas fish, wildlife and plant species.

“Nebraska offers some amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, whether its large numbers of bald eagles at Lake McConaughy during the winter or thousands of sandhill cranes on the central Platte River each spring,” Humpert said. “In order to preserve those opportunities for generations to come, research must continue so we can better understand these species.”

The only money that the Commission has to offer for such projects comes from the Nongame Tax Check-off Program, which helps Nebraska secure additional federal funding for projects in the state. Taxpayers can make a donation by checking the box next to the peregrine falcon on their Nebraska state tax form.

Donations can also be made through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions secure website at www.outdoornebraska.org or by sending a check or money order directly to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nongame Fund, 2200 North 33rd Street, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503. Donors who contribute $20 or more will receive a durable water bottle, and donors of $40 or more will receive a “Do Something WILD “ t-shirt.

A semi-annual report detailing the projects that are funded by the Nongame Check-off Fund is available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The report is free to the public. For more information contact Humpert at mark.humpert@ngpc.ne.gov or call 402-471-5438.

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions (NGPC) popular Outdoor Nebraska TV Show will return to the air on May 27 at 1:30 p.m. (CST) on UPN Nebraska, according to show host and executive producer Ralph Wall.

UPN Nebraska is operated out of the KOLN/KGIN studios in Lincoln, and can be seen on cable systems throughout eastern and central Nebraska, including the cities of Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney and Norfolk. The first special will be broadcast on UPN Nebraska, then repeated on KOLN/KGIN on June 3 at 5 a.m. (CST). Wall says other television stations will have the opportunity to pick up the specials as well.

Wall said the show will be fully produced by the Commission with production assistance and seasonal program scheduling by KOLN/KGIN.

“This is a great opportunity for viewers to see what our state parks offer and to tag along on fishing and hunting adventures,” Wall said. “We anticipate presenting two to four specials per year.”

Lisa Guill, KOLN/KGIN general manager, said, “We are proud to team up with Ralph and NGPC. We have always been impressed with their video productions and feel that our viewers will enjoy these specials. Since we are now able to offer programming on two different channels, KOLN/KGIN TV and UPN Nebraska, we feel that this provides an opportunity for many viewers to catch these programs.”

The debut special will feature a spring turkey hunt with Kearneys Michelle Stover, wiper fishing at Swanson Reservoir with Lincolns Craig Condello, a profile of Fort Robinson State Park, and a bass fishing outing with twin brothers Roger and Rodney Aden of Gothenburg.

Lincoln, Neb. -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, in partnership with UNL Cooperative Extension, has scheduled a spring turkey hunting workshop for novice hunters beginning at 6 p.m., March 23 at the Lancaster County Extension Building, 444 Cherry Creek Road.

The workshop will cover several topics, including safety, turkey habits and habitat, guns and ammunition, bows and arrows, clothing, blinds, spring hunting techniques, turkey calls and decoys, and places to hunt.

Space is limited to only 100 participants, so those wishing to attend the class must pre-register by calling Tiffani Gerber at (402) 471-5558 in Lincoln.

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will offer lifetime hunting and fishing permits at one-half the regular fee to Nebraska youth ages 15 and under at the Omaha Boat, Sport and Travel Show, March 2-5 at the Quest Center in Omaha.

The offer is made possible by a donation from the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The half-price permit offer applies to resident lifetime fishing, hunting permits and combination hunting/fishing permits, as well as lifetime habitat stamps.

People may apply for the half-price permits and stamps for the youngster of their choice by attending one of the events or conservation banquets and filling out an application form. The person who enters an application form must be present at the event and fill out the application form themself. The application forms will be collected and the winning applications will be randomly drawn after the event. The winners will then be notified and payment for the permit will be accepted at that time. An individual youth may win only one half-price lifetime permit or stamp.

It is expected that a total of more than 60 half-price lifetime permits and stamps will be sold from applications received at the Omaha Boat, Sport and Travel Show.

If the permit is being purchased for a youth 0-5 years old, the purchasers cost will be: Hunting permit, $63; habitat stamp, $130; fishing permit, $138; hunting/fishing combination permit, $188. If the youth for whom the permit is being purchased is age 6 - 15 years, the purchasers cost will be: Hunting permit, $93; habitat stamp, $130; fishing permit, $163; and hunting/fishing combination permit, $250.50.