Officials issue fewer hunting permits as deer population in western Nebraska declines

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A decline in deer population in western Nebraska has led officials to issue fewer hunting permits this year.

In 2019, landowners asked the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to reduce the number of deer, leading to a spike in permits issued.

This, along with drought conditions and diseases, has led to a decrease in the deer population in the western half of the state.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is now issuing fewer permits to accommodate the current deer population.

Luke Meduna, a big game manager for Game and Parks, said firearm permits are down by 5% from last year.

Antlerless permits are also down in comparison to previous years.

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