Mountain lion lottery application period is Nov. 6 – Dec. 13

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Nov. 6 – Dec. 13, 2023, for the 2024 hunting season.

Permits are available only to Nebraska residents, who may have one permit per calendar year. The bag limit for each permit is one mountain lion of either sex.

For the first time in Nebraska, a mountain lion season will take place outside the Pine Ridge. Earlier this year, the Niobrara Unit was created, encompassing parts of Brown, Cherry, Keya Paha, Rock and Sheridan counties.

The 2024 Season 1 in the Pine Ridge and Niobrara units will be Jan. 2-Feb. 29. Before Feb. 29, the season will close immediately if either the annual harvest limit of four mountain lions or sublimit of two female mountain lions is reached in the Pine Ridge Unit or the annual harvest limit of two mountain lions or sublimit of one female mountain lion is reached in the Niobrara Unit.

Up to 320 permits will be issued in the Pine Ridge Unit and up to 160 in the Niobrara Unit. Hunting with dogs will not be allowed during Season 1.

If the harvest limit is not reached in Season 1, an Auxiliary Season will be March 16-31. The season will close immediately if either the harvest limit or sublimit is reached before March 31.

Unsuccessful Season 1 hunters may apply to convert their permit to an Auxiliary Season permit.

There will be one permit issued for each mountain lion remaining in the harvest limit. Hunting with dogs will be allowed if an Auxiliary Season is held.

Applications will be accepted from 1 p.m. Central time Nov. 6 through 5 p.m. (11:59 p.m. if applying online) Dec. 13.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov to apply online or download an application at OutdoorNebraska. gov/mountainlionhunting. A $15 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted with each application.

This is a sustainable harvest that will maintain healthy mountain lion populations in balance with available habitat.

To read more mountain lion hunting regulations, go to OutdoorNebraska. gov; search “mountain lion.”