Notes: Classes for bird-banding at aquarium

The public is invited to free bird-banding workshops at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium. The workshops begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, then on Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.

The program will include field identification and facts about each species. The aquarium is located in Schramm Park State Recreation Area south of Gretna on Nebraska 31. Call the aquarium at 402-332-3901 for more information.

Living history

The final living history event of the season at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park will be Saturday and Sunday. Volunteer interpreters will portray life as it was at this 1820s-era fort, the nation's first military post west of the Missouri River.

Demonstrations of period trades and crafts will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will see blacksmithing, tinsmithing, carpentry, coopering, quilting, textile trades and period cooking. A re-enactment of a funeral will take place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Muzzleload deer hunt

A special muzzleloader antlerless deer hunt will be held Jan. 9 and 10 at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge. This will be available only to holders of Nebraska Season Choice Area 21 permits who obtain a free-access permit from the refuge.

There will be 75 free-access permits available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must send a self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope to: Boyer Chute NWR, 3720 Rivers Way, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023. Identify the Jan. 9-10 muzzleloader deer hunt on the envelope. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 15.

Bovine TB monitoring

As deer hunting season begins, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking hunters for their assistance in monitoring the deer population for tuberculosis.

Within the past year there has been a finding of bovine tuberculosis at a facility with a captive elk and deer herd in northern Knox County. There also has been a finding 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, Game and Parks wildlife 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.”

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.

Access plan

The Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands Draft Environmental Impact Statement for designation of a motorized travel access system is available for review.

The document can be found at Web site www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska/.

The access plan would apply to most land administered by the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, including Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Oglala National Grassland, McKelvie National Forest and the Pine Ridge and Bessey Units of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

For additional information or to request a CD with the complete document, contact project leader Mark Reichert at mreichert@fs.fed.us or at 530-841-4422.

Comments should be postmarked by Nov. 9 to be considered.

Policy on big cats

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 big cats.

State Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth in northwestern Nebraska said people should know they have the right to defend themselves and property against mountain lions.

The commission's policies:

• 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 be 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.

CALENDAR

THURSDAY

• Nebraska crow hunting season opens.

FRIDAY

• Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop, 4-H Camp, Halsey, 10 a.m. Fee $185. Call 402-471-5482.

SATURDAY

• Hastings Gun Show, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Call 402-462-0103.

• Pioneer Longrifle Rendezvous, Indian Cave State Park, free, park permit required. Call 402-883-2575.

• Living History Demonstrations, Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., free, park permit required. Call 402-468-5611.

• Autumn Harvest Art Show, Mahoney State Park, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., free, park entry permit required. Call 402-944-2523.

• Bird Banding, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Schramm Park State Recreation Area, 9 a.m., free. Call 402-332-3901.

SUNDAY

• Nebraska Walleye Association membership meeting, 1 p.m., Cabela's in LaVista. Call Rob, 308-263-2026.

• Pioneer Longrifle Rendezvous, Indian Cave State Park, free, park permit required. Call 402-883-2575.

• Living History demonstrations, Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., free, park permit required. Call 402-468-5611.

• Autumn Harvest Art Show, Mahoney State Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, park entry permit required. Call 402-944-2523.

• Living History Demonstrations, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mansion admission: $4 adults and $1 children, park permit required. Call 402-873-7222.