Access digital copies of guides and regulations publications from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Issue link: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1532519
44 2024 Annual Report • Service Our team – one common purpose Nebraska Game and Parks' 400 employees statewide are connected by a mission of service to the state and its constituents. Our jobs are diverse: from our conservation offi cers who enforce fi sh and wildlife game laws to our fi sh and wildlife program experts who study our fi sh and wildlife populations; from our parks' staff who provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our millions of park guests to our support staff who provide sound fi scal management for our eff orts; from our planners and engineers to our communicators and educators. Our team are all contributing to our conservation mission and to the people through service. Hunter Education celebrates 50 years The Hunter Education program marked a half a century of improved safety and conservation awareness in the fi eld in 2024 with a proclamation signing March 18 by Gov. Jim Pillen and an anniversary celebration Sept. 7. The program — required for those wishing to hunt — launched in Nebraska in 1974, with Bowhunter Education launching in 1993. Over the past 50 years, the program has reached more than 200,000 students, including the 5,500 who graduated from the program in 2024 earning 9,000 Bowhunter and Firearm Hunter Education certifi cates. Commission data shows over the same time period, hunter incident rates have fallen by more than 80%. A dedicated group of more than 5,000 volunteer instructors across the state have made this eff ort possible. They deliver comprehensive safety training, teaching ethical hunting, safe handling of fi rearms and safe shooting. They also provide hands-on learning experiences with Hunt Safe sessions and mentored hunts for youth and adults. Innovative training opportunities Game and Parks prioritizes investments in staff development and trainings for the public and partners that help ensure public safety and grow and foster inclusivity in outdoor recreation. In 2024, we led: Hunter Education for deaf and hard of hearing This year, Nebraska Game and Parks and partners hosted its fi rst Hunter Education course specifi cally designed to remove barriers for the deaf and hard of hearing community to participate in hunting and shooting sports. The class, held in Kearney, had nine graduates. Youth fi shing instructor certifi cation Volunteers are key to putting on free public events, school events and hosting our community fi shing Service