NGPC increases mountain lion permit quotas in some units; broader expansion would require plan changes and public input

Sam Wilson, carnivores program manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, described recent changes to mountain lion permit quotas and summarized harvest through the meeting date.

Wilson and Luke Madoona said the commission raised quotas substantially in several units for the current season: for example, limits in the Pine Ridge unit increased from a previous limit to allow more tags (the county-specific historical limits were doubled or tripled in some cases). NGPC offered 1,520 mountain lion permits this season and issued 990; staff reported 12 mountain lions harvested at the time of the meeting (Pine Ridge: six; Niobrara unit: three; Wildcat Hills: three). Wilson said Pine Ridge harvest included five females and one male at that point; one additional female would close that unit’s female sublimit.

When asked about expanding mountain lion hunting in other parts of the state, Wilson noted NGPC's mountain lion management plan directs staff to identify populations resilient to harvest and create mountain lion management units where hunting is feasible to meet sustainability and social-tolerance goals. He said expanding harvest opportunities statewide would require changes to that plan and broad public input. Madoona said mountain lion management is sensitive and that the commission must balance views from hunters and non-hunters.

Public commenters asked whether more mountain lion permits or an open season outside the current lion units would help local deer populations. NGPC staff said predator control tools exist on private land (including trapping at the landowner’s request) and warned that bounties historically have not produced sustained population benefits for prey species at large scales.

NGPC did not take any formal rule or quota action during this virtual meeting; staff said quota and management-plan adjustments are subject to the commission process and public input.