The Nebraska Park and Game Commission will accept lottery applications for cougar permits from November 7 to December 14, 2022, for the 2023 hunting season.
Permits are available only to Nebraska residents, who may hold one permit per calendar year. The bag limit for each permit is one mountain lion of either sex.
Season 1 2023 at the Pine Ridge Unit will be from January 2nd to February 2nd. 28. Prior to February 28, the season will be closed immediately if the annual harvest limit of four cougars or the sub-limit of two female cougars is reached. 200 permits will be issued and 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 held from March 11 to March 31. The season will close immediately if the catch limit or sub-limit is reached before March 31. Unsuccessful Season 1 hunters may apply to convert their permit to an Auxiliary Season permit. A permit will be issued for each mountain lion remaining within the harvest limit. Hunting with dogs will be allowed whenever an Auxiliary Season is held.
Applications will be accepted from 1 pm Central Time on November 7 through 5 pm (11:59 pm if applying online) on December 14. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org to apply online or download an application at OutdoorNebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting. A $15 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with each application.
A harvest will allow the mountain lion population to remain resilient and healthy, while halting growth or moderately reducing population size. This will keep the population density in Pine Ridge at a level similar to that of other states that allow cougar hunting.
To read more regulations on mountain lion hunting, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/mountainlionhunting.