MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa — DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge has begun its fishing, boating, and mushroom seasons.
Anglers need either an Iowa or Nebraska license and are reminded that minimum length limits and creel limits are in effect.
Due to high water in DeSoto Lake, only the middle boat ramp is open. The other boat ramps may reopen if conditions improve.
Designated mushroom picking areas will be open Monday to May 31. A map showing these areas is available at refuge entrances.
The central portion of the refuge is closed to all public use to provide sanctuary for nesting birds and white-tailed deer during the fawning period.
Family fun day at Smith Falls Park
A free family fun day will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Smith Falls State Park near Valentine, Neb., on April 30.
The event celebrating national park week will feature recreational activities enjoyed on the Niobrara National Scenic River.
Take a short canoe ride on the river, try your hand at casting a fly rod, learn how to discover EarthCaches with a GPS unit, build an edible fire, enjoy a scavenger hunt and cook your own lunch complete with s’mores.
A Nebraska Game and Parks Commission parking permit is required.
Tree stands must be removed
Hunters are advised to retrieve any tree stands they still have up on wildlife management areas.
If they do not take them down, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will take them down and dispose of them.
Regulations prohibit tree stands from being installed, used or left in place on wildlife management areas from Feb. 1 through Aug. 31.
CALENDAR
MONDAY
• Application period begins for bighorn sheep lottery permit
• Application period begins for multi-species Super Tag lottery permit
TUESDAY
• Boater safety class, Grand Island
WEDNESDAY
• 3-D archery shoot, 6 p.m., Larry Elston Archery Range at Schramm Park, 6 miles south of I-80 Exit 432 (Gretna). Call 402-917-0411 or 402-657-5689
• Boater safety class, Papillion
• Outdoor Discovery Program, Platte River SP
THURSDAY
• Cornhusker Fly Fishers fly-tying workshop, 6 to 8 p.m., Cabela's, La Vista.
SATURDAY
• First Shots seminar, Platte River SP
SUNDAY
• Easter Buffet, Eugene T. Mahoney SP
• Omaha Walking Club at Veterans Memorial Bridge, U.S. Highway 275, 2 p.m.
MONDAY, APRIL 25
• Bow hunter education class, Gretna, April 25, 27 and 29
TUESDAY, APRIL 26
• Training for hunter education instructors, 6 p.m., Franklin (Neb.) police department, 801 15th St. Call Mike Streeter, 402-471-6134 or email mike.streeter@nebraska.gov by April 25 to register.
• Boater safety class, Ogallala
• Bow hunter education class, Louisville, April 26, 28, 30
Please submit Calendar items to outdoors@owh.com or send to Outdoors Sports, World-Herald Sports Dept., 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102.
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