Nebraska Considering Changes for Wildlife Management Areas

3 min read

HuntReminder Team • January 20, 2022

Proposed changes to wildlife management areas (WMA) will be considered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) on January 28, 2022. The NGPC is set to discuss special area regulation changes during its scheduled meeting, which begins at 8 a.m. at the Commission Headquarters in Lincoln.

Proposed WMA Changes

The proposed changes would affect hunting at three separate WMAs in Nebraska:

  • Killdeer Lake WMA in Lancaster County
  • Cedar Valley WMA in Lincoln County
  • Gifford Point WMA in Sarpy County

If approved, the changes would shift the application period for special access hunting permits for deer in Gifford Point WMA. They would also clarify sight-in range regulations for Killdeer Lake WMA regarding the use of targets, ammunition, and firearms and outline regulations that apply to the Cedar Valley WMA. The Cedar Valley WMA is projected to open in the summer of 2022.

According to the January 28th meeting agenda, the NGPC is scheduled to discuss these changes at 8:30 a.m., followed by a public comment period.

Additional Meeting Considerations

Additional considerations set to take place during the NGPC meeting include staff recommendations to approve trail projects and grant awards. The NGPC plans to approve the Berggren Plan 2.0 intended to improve pheasant hunting for Nebraska hunters.

The NGPC also plans to put their stamp of approval on grant awards to the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program. The commission also plans to name hunter education instructors John Niemoth and Robert Sevenker as Heritage Instructors, a first-time honor for the job.

The January 28th agenda records that the NGPC will approve various outdoor trail projects to receive funding through the Recreational Trails Program. The NGPC will also rename the Twin Oaks WMA located in Johnson County to honor the organization’s recently retired director, James N. Douglas.

Finally, NGPC staff will share results regarding chronic wasting disease samples taken during the firearm deer season in November.

By HuntReminder Team

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