Hunting lions on the Pine Ridge

Mountain lions are native to Nebraska but were killed off in the late 1800s according to Nebraska Game and Parks. There have been efforts in the last few years to reintroduce the species into the pine ridge ecosystem. Theses efforts were successful enough that four lion tags have been given out.  

The regulations for this season are strict, with only four harvest but only two females can be killed. Once two females have been killed the season is over, to ensure no others are harvested.  

In Nebraska dogs are not permitted to be used in mountain lion hunting until Feb. 28, if the quotas have not been reached by then, dogs can be used in the auxiliary season. The auxiliary season runs from March 13-31 or until quotas have been filled. 

The Pine Ridge is the only place in Nebraska open to mountain lion hunting, the season will remain an annual season unless mountain lion numbers drop. 

The lion hunt is a lottery draw, each hunter may fill out one application for the tags. Once a tag is received the hunter is expected to call the phone number provided on the tag to make sure that the season is still open and that quotas have not been filled.  

 Once the tag has been filled the hunter have eight hours to report the kill and must leave gender naturally attached to the animal.  

Only adult, lone mountain lions can be harvested. An animal that has any show of spots on its pelt is considered a kitten and if more than one mountain lions are traveling together they can not be harvested. Hunters can harvest tagged or collared animals.  

These seasons quotas have been filled with three males and one female mountain lion, no auxiliary season will follow because the limit has been reached