20 2023 Annual Report
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Recreation
Pawnee Scouts honored
at Fort Kearny celebration
Fort Kearny State Historical Park and State Recreation Area highlighted the
Civil War-era service of the Pawnee Scouts during an October event. Pawnee
Scouts were employees of the U.S. Army who protected pioneers, freighters and
railroad workers in Nebraska during the great migration west. They arrived at
Fort Kearny as the Civil War raged and stayed until 1871. An estimated 1,000
Pawnees served across the Great Plains. Pawnee singers, drummers and dancers
participated in the event, as did history reenactors. Guests also could enjoy
activities, displays and the Pawnee Scouts recognition.
Special Youth Hunt another success in 2023
Nebraska youth got to experience a pheasant hunt as adult mentors took them
afield for the state's Special Youth Hunt on Oct. 21-22. The hunt took place on 19 sites,
including wildlife management areas, where Nebraska Game and Parks released 9,110
roosters the day before. In total, 435 adult mentors accompanied 475 youth hunters on
the hunt this year. Youth and their mentors harvested 53 wild and 839 released roosters.
The special hunt, which takes place annually during the statewide youth pheasant,
quail and partridge season, was for youth ages 15 and younger. Youth could take two
rooster pheasants per day while adult mentors were allowed to harvest one per day.
Only one adult mentor per youth was allowed to hunt. This was the 12th year of the
pheasant releases during the special youth season, which is intended to increase youth
participation in upland game hunting.
