Commission to consider mountain lion management plan at Oct. 20 meeting

October 13, 2017 Jerry Kane

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider a mountain lion management plan when it meets Oct. 20 in Omaha.

The public is invited to attend the 8 a.m. meeting, which will take place in the Innovation Space at Kiewit University, 1450 Mike Fahey St.

Mountain lions are an important component of the state’s biodiversity, and the mountain lion management plan is intended to guide management decisions based on the agency’s mission, as well as on the goals and principles stated in the plan.

The commission also will accept testimony from the public regarding staff recommendations to change shooting hours for small game, including pheasant, quail, grouse, dove, snipe, rails, woodcock, partridge, rabbits, and squirrels. Current shooting hours are from one half hour before sunrise to sunset; the staff proposal calls to change shooting hours from sunrise to sunset. If approved, the change would take effect in August of 2018.

The commission will also:

— Hold two public hearings on fishing regulations;

— Consider a staff recommendation to approve the acquisition of approximately 80 acres adjacent to Jack Sinn Wildlife Management Area (WMA);

— Consider a staff recommendation to approve the gift of approximately 312 acres in Franklin County that would be designated the Alfon C. Haring WMA;

— Consider a staff recommendation to call a public hearing at the January Commission meeting to consider amended fees for licenses and permits and deployed military permits;

— Consider a staff recommendation for Commission approval to seek a different location to develop an ATV trail system other than the existing study area that is directly south of Lake McConaughy;

— Consider a staff recommendation to approve a five-year Land Strategies Plan, which would guide acquisition, disposition and management of public land from 2018-2022;

— Hear public comments on the R-Line project in the Sandhills;

— Hear updates on elk and antelope hunting, as well as on Venture Parks projects;

— Hear an environmental report;

— View a presentation on Omaha-area fisheries projects with the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District.

Visit Outdoornebraska.gov/commissioners to download a meeting agenda.

The post Commission to consider mountain lion management plan at Oct. 20 meeting appeared first on NEBRASKALand Magazine.

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