Commissioners to consider 2026 mountain lion season
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for a 2026 mountain lion hunting season at its June 13 meeting in Sidney.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. Mountain time at the Country Inn and Suites, 664 Chase Blvd.
Staff will recommend a mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge, Niobrara and Wildcat Hills units, with adjusted harvest limits compared to the 2025 season.
The harvest limit in the Niobrara Unit would increase to a maximum of six mountain lions, with a sublimit of three females; the maximum harvest in the Wildcat Hills Unit would decrease to two, with a sublimit of one female; and the harvest limit in the Pine Ridge Unit would remain at 12 with a sublimit of six females.
Adjusted harvest limits are based on changes in mountain lion populations in the units, with the Niobrara population likely expanding, and the Wildcat Hills population likely significantly reduced compared to the previous season due to a high number of documented mortalities from various causes in that unit.
The objective for each unit 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, keeping the population stable or slowing growth in the Niobrara Valley, and maintaining the present population in the Wildcat Hills.
Season 1 in all three units would take place Jan. 2, 2026, through the end of February. The season would end immediately in a unit if the annual harvest limit or female sub-limit were 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 160 permits in the Wildcat Hills Unit. Permits are available to residents only.
An auxiliary season that allows the use of dogs would be March 14-March 31, 2026, if the annual harvest limit or female sub-limit were not reached during Season 1 in any unit, and also would close immediately if either the limit or female sublimit for the unit is met. A number of permits equal to the number of lions remaining in the limit would be issued by lottery to unsuccessful permit holders from that unit who apply for the auxiliary season.
Staff also will recommend the Commission approve to modify Duck Zones and Goose Units for submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Changes would not become effective until the 2026-27 waterfowl season. Recommendations are based on federal criteria in conjunction with feedback from hunters who gave input on boundaries and their proposed modifications in 2024 and 2025.
In other business, commissioners will hear about the agency’s website and recent improvements; a report on Memorial Day weekend in Nebraska state parks and an outlook for summer; and updates on agency projects and programs in the Panhandle region.
To view a complete agenda, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search for “public notices.” To view proposed changes to Commission regulations and orders, search for “regulations.” To read the waterfowl recommendations, search for “waterfowl rezoning process.”