Tyler McGrady made two drives from his Ragland, Alabama, home to complete his first Nebraska Upland Slam.

“Bird numbers were great this year both trips,” said McGrady, 37, who has participated in the slam twice.

As one of 130 finishers of the slam, McGrady was randomly drawn as the grand prize winner of a Weatherby Orion 12-gauge shotgun.

McGrady had been more interested in the Upland Slam certificate and Top Dog Certificate and tag, which a hunter gets after completing the slam and uploading a photo of his hunting dog at work.

“The shotgun just worked out,” he said. “I did it for the certificate and the tag for my dog.”

McGrady completed the slam in four days, hunting public lands in Cherry, Thomas, Furnas and Johnson counties. He harvested a grouse and prairie chicken in September, then returned in early December and shot a pheasant and quail.

McGrady, who only hunts upland birds, has hunted in Nebraska several times.

“We almost always hunt in Nebraska on our way through to North Dakota (to hunt), and the last two years we’ve done a dedicated five- to six-day hunt in Nebraska because bird numbers have been good,” he said.

The Upland Slam challenges hunters to harvest a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska during the season. The slam is a partnership between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever of Nebraska.

“The Nebraska Upland Slam is unique,” said Kelsi Wehrman, state coordinator for Nebraska Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Hunters come from across the country to take advantage of Nebraska’s public lands and hunt a mixed bag of upland game. For some, it has become a tradition. For others, they have taken pride in enjoying their hunt with their best friends and their dogs. It is quality time in the field. We are proud of this program.”

The seventh year of the Upland Slam gave 175 hunters, including three youth, a reason to take advantage of the state’s excellent opportunities and growing availability of publicly accessible land. In the slam, hunters upload photos of their harvest to a website and share information about their hunting experience. The 130 finishers of the slam, which also came from 12 other states, became eligible for the prize drawings and received an official certificate and pin. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Upland Slam” to find the names of all hunters who successfully completed the slam.

This year saw 74.3% of participants finish the slam, the highest success rate ever. There also were 80 first-time harvests.

In seven years of the Upland Slam:

  • 831 hunters participated 1,528 times.
  • There were 793 finishers.
  • Three hunters finished all seven years.
  • 370 hunters recorded 552 first-time harvests.
  • 57% of harvests came on public sites.
  • 29 states represented.
  • 79% of totals participants come from Nebraska.

Other prize winners are Jim Sladky of Oxford, who won Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 52mm binoculars, and Larry Gathye Sr. of Omaha, who won a $150 Scheels gift card.

Youth winners, and their prizes, are Brennan O'Connor of Kearney, Youth Lifetime Hunt Permit, and Adrielle Skinner of Lincoln, $150 Scheels gift card.

 

Spring turkey season opens March 25

Spring wild turkey season begins March 25 for archers in Nebraska.

The youth shotgun season opens April 5, with the regular shotgun season starting April 12. All spring turkey seasons close May 31.

Turkey hunters must use archery equipment March 25-April 11 and may use either archery equipment or a shotgun April 12-May 31. Youth turkey hunters must use archery equipment March 25-April 4 and may use either archery equipment or a shotgun April 5-May 31.

Hunters are limited to two turkey permits in the spring (one for landowners). The bag limit during the spring season is one male or bearded female turkey per permit per calendar day.

Permits are available at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Nonresident permits are sold out.

Hunters will find a resource in the Public Access Atlas, which identifies and consolidates Nebraska’s public access opportunities for the benefit of hunters, trappers and anglers. It displays more than 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible lands across Nebraska, including state, federal, and conservation partner lands as well as privately owned lands enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program.

Read more information on turkey season in the 2025 Turkey Guide at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Catch these Game and Parks education events in April

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in April.

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on April 1

Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.

On April 1, the topic for this free program for all ages will be Spring Migration. Learn about migration patterns and discover when and where to find migrating birds as spring begins.

Little Saplings features rabbits April 2

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2025 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of the month, continues April 2 with the theme Rabbits at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Train to be a Master Naturalist

Spring Core 24 Training for the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program will take place in April at Valparaiso.

The workshop, from 5-9 p.m. April 4 and 11 and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 5 and 12, allows participants to learn about Nebraska’s natural resources and achieve “Master Naturalist In-Training” status.

The Core 24 Training format provides 24 hours of foundational classroom content and field activities. Once the Core training is complete, you have until Dec. 31 of the following year to complete 36 hours of continuing education opportunities to earn your Certified Status.

The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program is an adult conservation and environmental education program that uses indoor presentations on flora, fauna, ecology and more, in combination with hands-on field experiences to teach volunteers.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register or find more information.

Virtual, in-person training offered for Big Butterfly Count

Anyone who loves butterflies and is interested in conservation and science is invited to join Nebraska’s Big Butterfly Count Virtual Training Workshop. The free training is at 6 p.m. Central Time April 8 and 10 via Zoom.

Attendance on both dates and one associated field day is required.

Nebraska’s Big Butterfly Count is a community science project designed to collect statewide data to better understand butterfly diversity across Nebraska. Volunteers are needed to conduct a survey at least once every other week from May 1 through Sept. 30.

These virtual trainees then may participate in the in-person field training at 1 p.m. April 19 in Norfolk at the Nebraska Game and Parks Northeast District Office. They will receive resources, walk through a mock survey and receive further direction on data collection and submission.

For more information, or to register, visit the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Wise and Wild is April 8 at James Family Conservatory

Wise and Wild is a free program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 2:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On April 8, the topic will be Iris Varieties. Come along on an iris identification hike through the iris garden, talking about the varieties of this flower.

Wildcat Tales preschool program is April 8

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program April 8 with the theme Flower Power.

The program Flower Power will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wildcat Hills to host Flower Power homeschool program

Explore the different parts of a flower, how they grow and their relationship to pollinators during the homeschool program Flower Power on April 10 at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.

The free homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Topics change each month.

For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

‘Science of’ tree frogs scheduled in April

Discover the fascinating world of tree frogs April 10 as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.

In this series, on select Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central Time, Game and Parks educators discuss some of the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.

The hourlong webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links.

Learn science behind smell of weasels and skunks

Join Nebraska Game and Parks and Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center for a fun and informative evening in Denton for an adult-based workshop, Smelly Science: Weasels & Skunks Stink.

Participants may attend in person or view a Zoom presentation of the 6 p.m. event April 16.

This event will start with a half-hour look at the world of weasels and skunks, exploring their unique behaviors and famous stinks. The indoor session will be followed by a hike through the prairie, where participants will go hands-on with activities such as learning about The Eastern Spotted Skunk Community Science Project. The evening will wrap up with a trivia game.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register or find more information. Email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov with any questions.

Homeschool Hikes set for April 16 at Schramm

Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. April 16. This month's theme is Spring Ephemeral Plants.

Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families and ages 5 and up.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy at Mahoney SP

The James Family Nature Center will be the meeting place April 18 for Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy, a chance to celebrate Arbor Day at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.

Go on a short tree hike to observe identifiable tree characteristics. Meet the park’s turtle ambassadors, Chip and Picasso, and explore where turtles fall into the various categories of classification. Through these activities, discover the importance of taxonomy and how scientists use it to classify and name plants and animals.

Choose from a 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. session, with each lasting 60-90 minutes.

Schramm Park SRA to host Sunrise Bird Hike

Get up early for a Sunrise Bird Hike on April 19 at Schramm Park State Recreation Area.

Listen and look for migrating songbirds and waterfowl on this guided, 7 a.m. hike through the forest. Bring binoculars or a limited number will be available to borrow. The hike will last approximately an hour and the terrain is a dirt/mulched path through the woodland hills.

Meet at the main trailhead across from the first pond.

Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy at Mahoney SP

The James Family Nature Center will be the meeting place April 18 for Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy, a chance to celebrate Arbor Day at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.

Go on a short tree hike to observe identifiable tree characteristics. Meet the park’s turtle ambassadors, Chip and Picasso, and explore where turtles fall into the various categories of classification. Through these activities, discover the importance of taxonomy and how scientists use it to classify and name plants and animals.

Choose from a 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. session, with each lasting 60-90 minutes.

Go on Snake Saunter at Schramm

Get ready to spend a morning searching for snakes. In the Snake Saunter class at the Schramm Education Center, participants will learn about the diversity of snakes found in eastern woodlands and tallgrass prairie habitats.

At 10 a.m. April 26, after an introduction to the local snakes in the Schramm Education Center Classroom, head outside to go herping, looking for snakes along the forest edge and prairie habitats, and document any snakes found using the iNaturalist app. Collected data will contribute to the Biodiversity in State Parks initiative, which aims to document the plant and animal species living in state parks.

The class is free. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register.

Powder Horn Area boat ramp at Merritt closed due to damages

The Powder Horn Area boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will be closed until further notice due to damage incurred this past winter.

Significant heaving from ice caused the lower portion of the ramp to break off and sink.

Additional boating access locations can be found throughout the reservoir. The main boat ramp is open. It is anticipated Cedar Bay, Beed’s Landing and Snake ramps will open as ice comes off the water and docks are put in this spring.

For questions, please contact ngpc.boataccess@nebraska.gov.

To view a map of other boat ramps in the state, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/ and scroll to Public Boating Areas.