Commissioners approve 2025 bighorn sheep season

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved a 2025 bighorn sheep hunting season at its Aug. 16 meeting at Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford.

Commissioners approved staff recommendations for one lottery and one auction permit for the season, which will be Dec. 2-22, 2025.

The commissioners also approved changes to park regulations that:

• allow snowmobiles to be operated during specific hours on the frozen surfaces of all state park area lakes unless otherwise posted, eliminating a list of specific lakes.
• allow all-terrain and motorized off-highway amphibious vehicles to be operated during specific hours on frozen surfaces on state park area lakes unless otherwise posted, eliminating a list of specific lakes.

In other business, the commissioners approved:

• Game and Parks’ updated Chronic Wasting Disease Plan;
• application for 2024 Recreational Trails Program funding to enhance sandhill crane viewing areas, bridge decking, and interpretive signage on the pedestrian bridge and nearby trail at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area;
• the proposed budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 Biennium; and
• an easement request from the City of Fort Calhoun to build an 8-foot-wide by approximately 650-foot-long cement hike-bike trail at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park.

Commissioners also heard a staff report on the 2024 spring turkey season, including hunter success, permit sales and research projects.

There also was a staff update on fisheries improvements and upcoming projects at Fort Robinson SP.

The agency’s Law Enforcement Division reported on recent staffing changes.

Robin Ward of Lincoln was drawn as the winner of the 2024 bighorn sheep lottery permit. That season will be Dec. 3-22, 2024.

To view proposed changes to Commission regulations and orders, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search for “regulations.”