Welcome to Nebraska Backcountry Hunters & Anglers October newsletter!

Latest:

• Your Nebraska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is hosting a tail gate event in Lincoln on November 28th before the Husker- Hawkeye game. Iowa BHA will be invited to attend as well and Elkhorn Coffee will be there supporting BHA. Thanks to BHA life member and past chapter board member Ryan Sewell for hosting the event!

 

• After learning about closing and acreage reductions on a couple of state Wildlife Management Areas, the chapter wrote a letter to the assistant division administrator with Nebraska Game and Parks to get a list of other potential WMA closures/reductions elsewhere in the state.  We thank him for his response. Here’s what we learned: “The following areas or portions of were officially surplused by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission December of 2022 at an official meeting of our Board of Commissioners. These meetings are held under the requirements of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act and are advertised through media and our homepage: Big Springs, Bittersweet, Blue Heron, Cattail, East Cozad, East Darr, Overton, West Hershey, West Maxwell totaling 272 acres. These parcels were originally acquired from the Nebraska Department of Roads during the construction of Interstate 80. NDOT holds first right of refusal per deed terms; transfer process is ongoing.” Going forward, your chapter and partners will try to keep informed in the event the chapter and/or members would like to provide comments to NGPC.
  • Read our August Update HERE

 

• The fight for the Niobrara National Scenic River and continued National Park Service Management has entered a new phase. The committee hearing set for September 19^th in Lincoln was canceled. It appears the bill is headed for the upcoming legislative session. Please write letters to your state senators and members of the state Natural Resources Committee to support continued National Park Service management of this national treasure.
  • Read the bill HERE

 

Other News, Requests, and Reminders

• Stay tuned your Nebraska Chapter is setting up a volunteer event for Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County in early 2026! Volunteers will be removing old fence that affects deer and antelope habitat on the refuge.
• The Central Platte Natural Resources District will be considering the Chapter’s request to open up a piece of property for archery and turkey hunting at their November meeting.
  • Read the July newsletter HERE
• Nominate a PUBLIC LANDS HERO!! Established in 2025, the Nebraska BHA Chapter’s “Public Lands Hero Award” is presented annually to an individual who has provided dedicated and sustained service towards improving access to, and/or increasing the amount of, public lands available for hunters and anglers in the state. Anyone who has demonstrated this effort can be nominated including, but not limited to, state, federal, local, and non-governmental agency personnel. Nominations can be made throughout the year by any member or supporter of the Nebraska BHA. Nominations can be sent to the Board at nebraska@backcountryhunters.org with the subject line "PUBLIC LANDS HERO" and should include a detailed description of the nominee’s accomplishments. Awards are typically presented to the individual in the summer.

 

• PLEASE, when you are out using our public lands and waters, report any illegal activity occurring on that public land to the local game warden or county sheriff’s office. That includes poaching, vandalism, illegal dumping, trespassing etc.! BHA also offers rewards for illegal vehicle use on public lands, check out our page HERE  Our continued access to these properties depends on it.

 

 

About Nebraska
Nebraska Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is here to speak for our greatest legacy; Nebraska’s lands and waters. We will ensure that our children receive the legacy that was given to us, improved and protected by the people who have come to love it.

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and learn more at Chapter webpage .