Bumpus' "Bites from our NGPC"

[Harold]

Date: 09/11/09 16:06:05

Fish Salvage Scheduled for Lake Maloney

LINCOLN, Neb. – Western Nebraska's Lake Maloney will be drawn down by the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) to aid the inspection of the dam. Because of the extensive dewatering of Lake Maloney, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has rescinded all length limits on fish at that lake from Sept. 28-Oct. 31, 2009. Daily bag limits remain the same.

During this time period, any stranded fish may be harvested by snagging, hand fishing, legal dip or landing nets, and archery. Salvaged fish may not be used for stocking into public or private bodies of water. It is anticipated that during the drawdown, many of the fish in the lake will follow the flow downstream leaving the lake.
NPPD has shut down flows from the Sutherland Reservoir outlet canal, which flows into Maloney. The public may not salvage fish in the canal until the Commission has completed its salvage. Anyone wanting to salvage fish from the canal must obtain a salvage permit. Call the North Platte office of the Commission at (308) 535-8025 to obtain a permit and find out when they may salvage.
NPPD will begin drawing the lake down on Sept. 21. The process should take three or four weeks. The public should stay away from the dam and all-terrain vehicles will not be allowed on the exposed lake bottom. During the lake filling process, fish will move downstream from reservoirs above to help fill the void. The Commission will continue a normal stocking schedule in 2010 to help the recovery process of the fish community.
Lake Maloney is located 6 miles south of North Platte.

Deer Hunters Asked to Watch for Signs of TB

LINCOLN, Neb. – As deer hunting season gets under way, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking hunters for their assistance in monitoring the deer population for tuberculosis (TB).

Within the past year there has been a finding of bovine TB at a facility with a captive elk and deer herd in northern Knox County. There also has been a finding of bovine TB in a beef herd in Rock County.
“Subsequent testing has not found any additional cases of the disease in either deer sampled in Knox County or cattle in the Rock County area,” said Jim Douglas, Commission Wildlife Division administrator. “We just want hunters to be aware of the signs of TB and to contact us if they happen to observe the signs of the disease on any deer they field-dress.”
The Commission recently sampled more than 40 wild white-tailed deer living near the Knox County facility where the infected animals were discovered. Officials found no indication the disease had spread to the wild deer population.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture continues to test cattle for bovine TB in north central Nebraska. To date, 11,800 head have been tested with no positive cases.
TB-infected deer may have tan or yellow lumps lining the chest cavity, in the lung tissue, or in the lymph nodes of the cheek, head and neck. These signs could be mild, with only a few lumps, or severe. Any hunter who observes these signs when field dressing a deer should contact the nearest Commission office, Douglas said.
Bovine TB is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium bovis bacteria. Bovine TB primarily affects cattle, but can affect other mammals, including deer and humans. The Commission recommends wearing rubber gloves when field dressing any wild game and fully cooking meat to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
Deer are susceptible to many different diseases and parasites. Not all abnormalities encountered when field dressing a deer may be related to TB.

Commission Has Reminders of Mountain Lion Policy

LINCOLN, Neb. – With an increase in confirmed mountain lion sightings in the Panhandle in recent years, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wants to ensure people are aware of its policies regarding the cats.
“Mountain lions are native to Nebraska, but to ensure the species be secure in Nebraska over the long term, the Commission recognizes that mountain lions that depredate on livestock, threaten humans or enter towns should be killed,” Commission Director Rex Amack said. “Mountain lions that are not interacting with humans or livestock are fully protected by law.”
State Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth is aware of mountain lion sightings in his area. He represents District 49, which includes the northern Panhandle and part of the western Sandhills.
“There are reports confirmed by the Commission and pictures of mountain lions in the area that are published in newspapers,” Louden said. “I want citizens to know they have the right to defend themselves, family and property against mountain lions.”
The following are facts and Commission policies from the Mountain Lion Response Plan:
-- A mountain lion may be destroyed by a landowner if it attacks or attempts to attack livestock.
-- People may defend themselves by killing a mountain lion if it attacks or shows aggression toward them.
-- If a landowner believes livestock has been killed or injured by a mountain lion, the scene should be left undisturbed and the Commission contacted immediately.
-- If evidence of depredation by a mountain lion exists and a landowner wants action, an attempt will by made to prevent further damage by killing the mountain lion.
-- An attempt will be made by the Commission or local law enforcement to kill a mountain lion that is confirmed to be within town limits.
-- Anyone who kills a mountain lion for any reason must contact the Commission immediately and surrender the carcass.
-- By law, a mountain lion will be left undisturbed if it is not threatening people and has not caused depredation.
Anyone who observes a mountain lion should contact the nearest Commission office or call (402) 471-0641.

For more information on mountain lions in Nebraska, go to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - Wildlife Species Guide - Mountain Lion.