Para athlete Matt Stutzman returns to display his shooting skills at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo, Sept. 21-22 at Ponca State Park. This time he does it as a Paralympic gold medalist.

Stutzman, a frequent past expo guest, won the gold medal in the men’s Para Archery Individual Compound Open in Paris on Sept. 1.

Stutzman, a four-time Paralympian and world champion in 2022, will put on a display of pistol shooting and precision archery at noon both days at the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex.

This 19th annual event is the largest outdoor expo in the Midwest. Participate in any of more than 100 outdoor activities, including wildlife encounters, fishing, kayaking, archery, camping skills, cooking demonstrations, contests, rock climbing, shooting sports, food and goods vendors, dog shows, craftsmanship demonstrations, local entertainment and much more.

Attendees will be eligible to enter a youth into the Youth Half Price Lifetime Permit Drawing program, which gives Nebraska youth ages 15 and younger the opportunity to purchase a lifetime hunt, fish and other permits for half price. The online entry form will be available during the event.

The Nebraska National Guard will be flying in Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21.

Patrice and Kevin McCabe, hosts of the Discovery Channel television program “RV There Yet?” will be available for a meet-and-greet both days on the riverfront from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

The McCabes, who have visited several Nebraska state parks as part of their program, travel in their motorhome to destinations throughout the nation. The show highlights special places for their culture and history and the couple chats with local business owners who keep their communities thriving.

A Bob’s Bar Burger Eating Contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22. All 12 participants must be at least 16 years of age. The person quickest to consume an 11-ounce burger, mountain of fries and large drink wins a two-night stay at a Ponca State Park mini-lodge. Register for the contest at OutdoorNebraska.gov/learn/outdoor-skills/expos/missouri-river-expo.

Bob’s Bar and Grill, in Martinsburg, Nebraska, was featured in May on America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently owned restaurants.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new outdoor cooking trailer will be unveiled, with cooking demonstrations and food samplings for the public.

The expo will be open to the public each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A vehicle park entry permit is required and can be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at the entrance.

Go OutdoorNebraska.gov to find more information about the expo.

Train to be a Master Naturalist

People interested in becoming a Nebraska Master Naturalist still have time to sign up for the October training session at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center in Wood River.

The workshop, designated as a Core 24 training session, allows participants to learn about Nebraska’s natural resources and achieve “Master Naturalist In-Training” status.

It is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 and 19. All sessions must be attended. Apply online at NEMasterNaturalist.org/apply-now.

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.

Certified Master Naturalists and Naturalists-in-training are recognized across the state as dedicated natural resource conservation volunteers who provide volunteer service through a variety of skill sets.

Graduates of Core 24 courses must complete 36 hours of continuing education opportunities by Dec. 31 of the following year in order to become fully certified. Continuing Education opportunities are organized and presented by the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program, program partners, as well as other organizations that support the mission.

Learn more at NEMasterNaturalist.org.

Road construction to begin at Box Butte Reservoir

Visitors to Box Butte State Recreation Area north of Hemingford may deal with delays because of road construction this fall, but the boat ramp, campground and other amenities will remain open during the process.

Construction workers are scheduled to begin repairing the 1.5-mile asphalt road that runs through the recreation area to its junctions with Table Center and River roads Monday, Sept. 16.

The construction is being funded by the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Recreation Road Fund.

Wildfire exercises planned at Cedar Canyon WMA

Firefighters from multiple agencies are gearing up for the Western Nebraska Engine Academy, which includes training exercises Sept. 13-15 at Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area in the Wildcat Hills near Gering .

Chris Becker, a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife biologist, said hunters and others should be aware burning will occur at various locations on the property and should take the event into consideration if they plan to visit the wildlife area this weekend.

Becker said the annual event readies personnel for fighting fire while providing the benefits of prescribed burning. Land managers in western Nebraska often use prescribed burning to improve diversity of desirable plants and lessen the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

More information about the academy may be obtained by contacting the Gering Fire Department at [email protected] or 308-436-2441.

Vets, military get bonus hunt weekend added to waterfowl season

Nebraska’s veterans and activity-duty military will have two additional days to hunt waterfowl starting with the 2024-25 hunting season.

The special season is open to qualifying residents and nonresidents and runs in conjunction with the youth waterfowl hunting days. The special season dates:

  • Zone 1: Oct. 5-6, 2024
  • Zone 2: Sept. 28-29, 2024
  • Zone 3: Oct. 19-20, 2024
  • Zone 4: Oct. 19-20, 2024

Participating hunters must have secured veteran status, reflected in their customer profile within the Nebraska Game and Parks permit system, or have one of the following with them during the hunt:

  • a state-issued driver’s license noting veteran status;
  • a Department of Defense-issued ID, such as an Active Duty or Retired Active Military identification card;
  • other military government-issued ID cards indicating military service, such as a Veterans Affairs ID or Veteran Benefit Card; or
  • a copy of DD214 or DD215 discharge paperwork; only honorable discharges qualify.

Those who have secured veteran status within the permit system will see “Approved Veteran Status” on the first line of their printed hunting (small game) permit.  

The daily bag and possession limits and the shooting hours are the same as during Nebraska’s regular season for ducks, mergansers, coots and geese. Find details at OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/hunting-seasons.

All participating hunters must possess a Nebraska hunt (small game) permit, a Harvest Information Program number, a Federal Duck Stamp, and Nebraska Waterfowl and Habitat stamps, unless otherwise exempt. Learn more or buy them online at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Veterans or active military will not be required to have a vehicle park entry permit for Nebraska state park properties during this special season.