NGPC still offers grazing, haying opportunities

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is continuing to offer pastures and hay tracts on some of its properties to landowners affected by spring wildfires.

Game and Parks manages land for wildlife habitat management and recreation. Grazing is a management tool that can positively affect plant succession and promotes quality wildlife habitat.

Tenants already were on many Game and Parks properties, where grazing or haying were used as part of its management plan, at the time of the spring fires. These additional areas were opened for grazing and haying for landowners affected by those wildfires.

Some wildlife management areas and parklands are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis for grazing and haying until Aug. 31. Leases will be one-time, short duration grazing. Haying tracts will be available after July 10. Many tracts will require temporary fencing and hauling of water to grazing paddocks.

All lease agreements will follow state law, policies and protocols.

Call the following contact list for more information.

Grazing paddocks are available on the following WMAs:

Cherry County —Shell Lake, 210 acres, call Nate Rau, 308-763-2940

Grant County —Frye Lake, 60 acres, call Nate Rau, 308-763-2940

Dawson County —East Willow Island, 27 acres, call Scott Aden, 308-535-8025

Haying tracts are available on:

Lincoln County — Hershey WMA, 13 acres, Scott Aden, 308-535-8025

Niobrara State Park, Knox County – call Tyler Wulf at 402-388-4169