NGPC Web Site Essential in Planning a Trip

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NGPC news release, 5/21/08:

Nebraska Outdoor Notebood by Jerry Kane

Without a doubt, the outdoors is the place to be during the summer. Take the family on a picnic at a state recreation area, bike the Cowboy Trail, spend the weekend camping, fishing and swimming at a state park, or maybe spend a day learning a little Nebraska history at a state historical park.

Sometimes you have to tear yourself away from the television or the computer to go on an outdoor adventure. And, yes, we always are trying to persuade people to do that. But how many Nebraskans know that the computer is their best tool for planning an outdoor getaway? And with technological upgrades this year, it has never been easier to plan a trip using the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions Web site at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Homepage.

Sure, you can accomplish the most basic tasks online, such as purchase permits, reserve campsites, or subscribe to NEBRASKAland Magazine, but there is much more to the site. For instance:

Parks – Everything you would want to know about the 86 state park areas may be found online, including park maps, campground maps, trail maps, activities, contact information, and driving directions.

Browse the list of state park areas to see which ones offer camping, lodging, fishing, trails, swimming, concessions, picnicking, visitor center, and boating.

The Web site also has virtual tours and videos to complement the detailed pages of state park areas. Take advantage of these features to get a sneak peek at a park area youve never visited. If you are new to the state, the virtual tours and videos are an excellent introduction to state park areas.

Once you know what park you want to visit, the Web site makes reserving a campsite or lodging easy. You will be able to check availability at parks during the time you want to visit.

The Web site makes it easy to research the state park areas, and an annual park permit for just $20.35 ($4.35 for a daily permit) makes enjoying all the parks have to offer affordable.

Permits – With the new online permitting system, permits may be purchased and printed out quickly from home using a personal computer and printer. Hunters who applied for draw permits also may check their status.

The easy-to-navigate system lets users purchase, for themselves or others, multiple hunt and fish permits and stamps, and park entry permits. It also has clickable and printable maps, as well as useful links, including hunting regulations, park lodging, and NEBRASKAland Magazine.

Fishing – With a permit in hand, you can research areas you might want to fish. Explore the fish-stocking database, read the 2008 Nebraska Fishing Guide, print out lake contour maps, check out the fishing forecast in the Outdoor Outlook, or review the interactive Public Waters Guide.

Hunting – Learn about small game, big game, and waterfowl hunting, as well as furbearer harvesting. Find out the fees for licenses and stamps and the dates for upcoming seasons.

Of course, you do not need to be planning a trip or purchasing a permit to use the Web site. It has far more uses. Among other things, you can renew a boating license, read Commission news releases, find out volunteer opportunities that are available, read NEBRASKAland articles, find Hunter Education courses, read state regulations, find a shooting range, read Commission meeting agendas, explore the different species of wildlife in the state, and learn about the many programs the Commission has to offer.

The best way to get familiar with the Web site is to spend a little time browsing through it. Take a look at the menus and follow the links. The result could be a better awareness of an easy way to plan a trip to the Nebraska outdoors.