Nebraska Game and Parks approves 2026 mountain lion hunting season
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Friday approved a 2026 mountain lion hunting season.
During their meeting in McCook, commissioners approved a season in three hunting units, increasing the harvest limit in one unit while keeping it the same in the other two.
The harvest limit in the Niobrara Unit will be six mountain lions, with a sublimit of three females, up from four lions and a sublimit of two females the previous season.
According to the commission, the maximum harvest in the Wildcat Hills Unit will remain at three, with a sublimit of two females.
The harvest limit in the Pine Ridge Unit will stay at 12, with a sublimit of six females.
SEE ALSO: Nebraska mountain lion hunting season ends; 13 cougars killed
The increased harvest limit in the Niobrara River valley is based on information showing the population there is likely expanding.
The population in the Wildcat Hills is likely much smaller than last season due to a high number of documented deaths from various causes in that unit.
“The objective for the Pine Ridge and Niobrara units is to provide a harvest opportunity for mountain lions that allows the population to remain resilient and healthy, while reducing the population in the Pine Ridge and keeping the population stable or slowing growth in the Niobrara Valley,” the commission said in a press release. “The objective for the Wildcat Hills is to provide a harvest opportunity for mountain lions that will reduce the population.”
SEE ALSO: ‘Too close for comfort’: Mountain lion caught on cameras in Lancaster County
The first season in all three units will take place Jan. 2 through the end of February.
The season would end immediately in a unit if the harvest limit or female sublimit are reached.
Up to 960 permits could be issued by lottery in the Pine Ridge Unit, up to 480 permits in the Niobrara Unit, and up to 240 permits in the Wildcat Hills Unit.
Permits are available only to residents of Nebraska.
An auxiliary season that allows the use of dogs would be held March 14-31 if the annual harvest limit or female sublimit are not reached in the regular season in that unit.
