Game and Parks approves mountain lion hunting in Nebraska in 2025

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska is bringing back mountain lion hunting next year, and this time, it’s expanding into new territory.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved a 2025 season Friday at its meeting in Ogallala.

Mountain lion hunting will be allowed in the Wildcat Hills near Scottsbluff for the first time.

Hunters can also go to the Pine Ridge and the Niobrara River Valley.

SEE ALSO: Mountain lion shot and killed in subdivision north of Scottsbluff

Nebraska held its first mountain lion season in 2014.

Each year, the commission meets to determine if the cougar population is high enough to support another hunting season.

Game and Parks estimated that there were 70 mountain lions in the Pine Ridge in 2023, more than double the population in 2021.

There were 27 mountain lions in the Niobrara Valley and 24 in the Wildcat Hills, according to the latest estimates.

SEE ALSO: Multiple mountain lion sightings reported in southwest Nebraska town

The season is scheduled to run from Jan. 2 through Feb. 28.

But if the overall limit or female limit is reached in an area, the season will end immediately there.

In the Pine Ridge, the limit is 12 mountain lions and six females. In the Niobrara Valley, it’s four and two, respectively. And in the Wildcat Hills, the limit is three and two.

SEE ALSO: Mountain lion shot in Valentine after multiple sightings and disruption of a golf tournament

Up to 1,520 hunting permits will be available by lottery.

If the harvest limit is not met by the end of the season, Game and Parks will offer another season from March 15 to 31.

For more on the mountain lion hunting rules, go to the Game and Parks website and search “regulations.”

SEE ALSO: Mountain lion reported near another Nebraska community